Boyfriends are Dum-b

Life is hard enough without other people. Yet, you can't really live a hermit's existence... well, unless you're a hermit. Dad says if it weren't for Mom (31 years ago, of course), he'd be a hermit. I also have a few odd friends who have mentioned the desire to be (or at least the thought of being) a hermit. What is it that's so fascinating about a hermit's life? Not sure I personally would want to do it. I kinda enjoy being around other people... except for this evening. I found myself walking around Southpoint thinking about how nice it would be to just sit by myself somewhere. Unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on which side you think I would really take)... Haley was off talking for hours and couldn't come let me into her place... so I could've just chilled in the car. But "the car" was "the hot car" and you can't really "chill" in it! Especially after a couple hour (plus) drive in ultra-warm weather. So, I chose the a/c of Southpoint to pass the hour (plus). I almost got out of there without spending any money. With my soft little Banana tee completely stuck to my back (where "the hot car's" driver's seat melted it into me), I wasn't really in the mood to shop for clothes! But unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on which side you think I would really take), I found the Apple store and Barnes & Noble. I came within a couple steps of buying Haley an iPod at the Apple store, but I wasn't sure which one she'd like (don't tell her I thought about it but didn't buy her one... it's probably kinda rude for me to even mention it here, no?). But I did find a few little iPod accessories that I enjoyed purchasing. I hope the earbuds that I got fit my teensy tiny ears without HURTING them. I think companies should consider those of us with small ears when making buds that go INSIDE of your ears. The regular ones on my iPod kinda hurt (especially if I'm listening for a long time). So, I decided to try a new in-the-ear style. Cross your fingers for me & my bitty ears. I also got an iPod cover (Lord knows I need it... or NEEDED it before I dropped the darn thing all over the place and scratched it up) and a cig-lighter/FM wireless-based adapter that allows for tunes-listening in the car (yes, even "the hot car"... if you can hear the music over the roar of the wind from the must-always-be-rolled-down-for-air-movement windows. Oh yeah, and that last purchase from B&N was The Da Vinci Code (paperback, of course... I've been waiting for that cheaper version for years now!).

Okay, anyway, that's a run-down of my evening. Oh yeah, and by the way (Mom, Dad, anyone else who cares), the non-planner in me just up & decided to come to CH again today/this afternoon/tonight. I missed my baby sis and wanted to come back for a day or two. :-) Anyway, Haley finally made it back to the apt. and we went to the Teeter to get some DCs and Baked Doritos. I hope she's feeling better tomorrow... she's kinda scary when she's pissed... scary, but inspiring. :-) My sister is the BEST in the world and anyone who thinks otherwise is just stooooopid (with lots more "o's" for emphasis).

Literary term(s) of the day... the often-confused:
Satire - The exposure of the vices or follies of an indiviudal, a group, an institution, an idea, a society, etc., usually with a view to correcting it. Satirists frequently use irony.
Irony - The discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, what is said and what is done, what is expected or intended and what happens, what is meant or said and what others understand. Sometimes irony is classified into different types. One often-used type is situational irony where expectations aroused by a situation are reversed.

For Your Viewing Pleasure... or displeasure (but if you're displeased, you really should just close this window)

Okay, so some of these aren't the greatest with the human subjects (namely, the ones with ME in 'em), but they all either have really great views, coloring, or canine subjects. So, I wanted to share. All of these are from today's excursion(s) on the Parkway (Cascades & Jumpinoff Rock) or the return home (to Mom & Dad's). One of my faves is Haley's (& Sydney's) portrait (couldn't she send this out as a Christmas card?).

Much love and happiness to you tonight and every night.

Aller de nouveau aux montagnes

What if there was no light?
Nothing wrong, nothing right.
What if there was no time?
And no reason or rhyme.

That's the risk that you take.

I'm Here for the Party With My Honky Tonk Badonkadonk

Haley and I have decided that we love little J-R and Kathryn. They're great... and very fun. Of course, Haley & I take anything that's free... but this was especially nice seeing as how I love me some Trace and Haley is the redneck woman (okay, not really... but you know I had to say something about redneck women... hell yeah!). The only disappointing thing about the evening was that Trace wasn't around after the concert. I really, really, really wanted just to stand up close to him to know how big he really is. Bummer. Oh well... we thoroughly enjoyed the concert. (Personally, I thought Trace did the best show... of course, Gretchen gets big yells for her most popular ones. But we thought Gretchen's show was a little blah in the middle. The beginning was good and the end (Redneck Woman, natch) was great. But the middle, not so great. Whereas, Trace... every song was like... oh, I like this song! I didn't know he sang this!) Anyway, we just had a blast dancing and playing with the cutest couple around. So sweet. So, thanks again, J&K! Perhaps some pics to come soon... but perhaps not... depending on how idiotic we ended up looking. If any of y'all ever have the opportunity to go VIP at Alltel, do it. Fun stuff.

So... once again tonight, I get the phone call that says "Heidi, can you please...?" And this time it was at about 4:56 pm. C'mon now. No way am I going to jump in and solve yet another problem that is NOT MY JOB when J-R's on the way and Haley's trying to figure out what we need to do for dinner, and I have to find something from Haley's closet to wear to the concert. SORRY... but I'm not that concerned about it! I hope it went well... b/c I sure as heck dropped the ball on that one! And I don't feel one bit guilty for it. Yeah, right... of course I feel guilty for it. Y'all who know me know that I couldn't not feel guilty for some trouble that I could, theoretically, assist with... but I'm doing my damnedest to be a little more selfish nowadays. Helloo... if I don't do what makes me happy, who else will? Plus... hey... life is short (as I've told you all on my MySpace page). You ought to have a little fun with it!

Anyway, a little more sleep last night didn't make me all that less grumpy today. I don't guess I was too bad, though. Of course, when Big Jim didn't get the chicken nachos out from the kitchen quickly enough for my taste, I did get a little pissy. But when I got the nachos of de-ville set down in front of me, the irritation melted away like the cheese running off the side of the plate. Hmm... evidently, I have a bit of an addictive personality. Can't stop with the nachos. The last time I had 'em was during my nostalgic trip through the Hill. Ahh, fun. And this time was a little different since Haley & Clay were with. But I still found myself feeling all sorts of nostalgia for just about everything in the town. It just feels so comfortable here.

Okay, I'm falling asleep at the wheel. Tonight's probably a snoring night. I can feel it. Hope your Friday is better than mine is destined to be. I get to attend a meeting mid-morning to discuss the 212 goals (my individual ones that I haven't written AND the group goals that I guess we're going to set then). Great... so fun... whoopdedoo. Enjoy your 26th. Many X's and O's...

Riding the Rodeo... Up and Down We Go, Yeah

So, I dropped by the Teeter tonight before dropping in at Haley's, and I was very amused by the check-out boy. So I'm gonna tell you about him. I wish I knew his name. But I'm gonna call him George. I like to name everything George. It's such a warm and friendly name. Anyway, George asked me for my I.D. tonight and said "hey, Georgia!" (is that why I chose the name George for him? weird). Anyway, so he wanted to know all about my "hometown" even though he only knew a little something about Atlanta. Plus, he grew up on the border of Georgia. Different, yes. Then he rang up my purchase - $19.76. And he looked at me and laughed. I was like, Um... what? He goes... wasn't that your birth year? Wow. He recognized that the total was my birth year... and I didn't. Is it wrong that I'm a little weirded out by that? Eh, he was nice enough. And was very concerned that I had "forgotten" to use my VIC card and lost out on saving the $2.99. I'm like, it's okay, George; but thanks for thinking of me.

Okay, enough about George. But he's about all I have to talk about. So, I guess I'll head off to dreamland. Hope you're enjoying your Wednesday night/Thursday morning. And here's hoping little cuz comes through for us tomorrow night. Can't wait to see Gretchen and Trace. :-) Oh, and one last thing... the mention of cuz happened to make me think about the WRAL-TV collection of graduation photos from the other day. Haley thought one of mine was good enough (well, "good enough") to submit to the site: WRAL-TV. So... either mine was the last one submitted or someone else really liked it too. LOL!

Goal for tomorrow: get as much work done as possible (and encourage Haley to do the same). And I HAVE to write my 212 goals. Mary's sooooo going to rip me to pieces on my performance appraisal if I don't DO THIS ONE THING that she's requested for two weeks (or so) now.

It's the one thing that's missin', The one thing you're wishin', Life's sacred blessin' and then

Can you please...? Can you please...? Can you please...? Okay, I'm sorry; but I should NOT be the only one who can actually do things, understand the system(s), explain stuff, etc. at the COR. Yet, I'm constantly the one THEY turn to to do ANYTHING. I'm with Lis... Tigers say grrrrrr. I actually put in quite the full day today. So what that I didn't really get started until 10:40. I participated in the conference call at 9:00... that was something. And I'll bet you no one even noticed what time I got online. Eh, I have much better things to do with my mornings. Plus, I like sleeping in, so there. And... I'm still actually WORKING at 7:35 pm... so I make up for it. I'm sure some of you notice other times I'm actually WORKING too... that is, if you pay any attention to my away messages. I know, I know... sometimes they're a bunch of gibberish. But if you know me, if you really know me... they'll almost always give you a little insight into my soul. Unless, of course, I'm working... which was the point of this whole diatribe anyway. And I WAS actually working the other night (Sunday, wasn't it?) until 11:40 pm. That's what time I sent my last "here you go" to Mr. Z (names changed, of course, to protect the innocent... or guilty, as the case may be). He gave me SUCH an outrageous project to work on that I had to complain to my boss, my colleagues, my parents, my friends, just about everyone I talked to about it. But I got it done. Finally. Stupid SOX. I would appreciate a little more warning (and information!) next time, Mr. Z. :-) Anyway, so back to my original point of this paragraph... me having to do everything... when you get ready to delete a file, do you READ the warning message? Do you BELIEVE it when it says that it's really going away? Well, me too... but evidently, that's not a given. It's kind of like emptying your Recyle Bin and saying "Um... Heidi, can you get that file back that I just deleted? I really didn't understand when you said it would be gone forever."

Moving right along... Banana said to say hi to all y'all yesterday. No way... why would you THINK that I went up there over lunch? Okay, okay, I did. And it was a beautiful day for a drive on the Parkway. I was thinking I'd go back out there some time... or just go down to keep baby sis company. I LOVE the flexibility of my job. I'm doing it... from ANYWHERE. Today was a beautiful driving day too. Too bad I had to spend most of it inside working. Dang laptop batteries. They should last longer so you don't have to stay tethered to the wall. (Come to think of it, so should cell phone batteries!) AND... they should make sun-friendly computer screens as well. Who WOULDN'T love to work from the pool? AND... there should be 1x or EVDO coverage EVERYWHERE (VERIZON!) so that I can constantly get my e-mail (and such) on my SmartPhone. It's really not right that there's about a 30 minutes to 1 hour circle around Mom & Dad's. If I drive 30 minutes to 1 hour, I can sync up... but not before then. AND... there really should be wireless hotspots around, well, everywhere. Al Gore did not invent the InterWeb for it not to be shared... and FREE. I do feel bad for those of you with office jobs, though. I know I've got it good. Don't have to be in by 8. Can take as long as I need for lunch. Can REALLY flex my flextime. Etc., etc., etc. But perhaps I'm TOO comfortable with this.

Well, I got my blog posting done BEFORE the clock even made it to four digits tonight. Too bad I didn't SAY anything interesting. Oh well, at least I feel ahead-of-schedule. What am I going to do with the rest of the evening?!?! I'd love another quiet one sitting in the dark, but you just can't have those every night. I reckon I'll go join Dad in front of the TV and see if he has anything to grunt about. Or maybe I'll drive to CH to hang with Hales again. Hmm... I hate decisions.

And for those of you wondering what the heck the last post was... duh, it was quotes from "Mean Girls". If you haven't seen Lindsey, Rachel & Co. with multiple bottles of wine, you just haven't... well, seen them with multiple bottles of wine. But you're missing out, nonetheless. Watch the movie. And don't think I'm weird. Just because I post craziness... I'm telling you... it's just additional insight! And if you're not looking for additional insight here, well then, what ARE you doing here? Oh yeah, we did publicize this here blog originally as an US thing, didn't we? Oh well. We fooled you, didn't we?!?!?!?

Catch y'all on the flip side of Gilmore... yes, I know it's a repeat... but maybe Christopher will be in it. Mmmmmmm.

How Much Trouble Did You Get Into For Telling the Truth?

That book was written by a bunch of girls who are bored with their lame lives. LOL... can't stop chuckling. :-) LUV U........

Let Go of Your Heart, Let Go of Your Head...

... and feel it now.

Well, obviously, it's just easier to upload pictures than say anything. So, here they are. All of these are from the last Yates visit to Statesboro (and the ensuing Heidi trip up to Les Montagnes), circa April 24:



I'm restless today. I want to DO something... just not sure what it is. And Haley's even here to DO things with me. Gosh, I hate complacency. I think I should just go to bed. Maybe tomorrow, the doing will be evident. [Thanks to Haley for dinner tonight. Don't forget to send the recipe to Mom, little one.] But, before bed, I think I'll go stargaze for a minute. So, I'll see y'all on the other side of Cassiopeia. Night.

Can a Place Remember You?

I know most of y'all hate it when I do this... which is why I always try to go when no one else is with me. Some of you haven't moved away yet, so you can't understand it. Others just aren't that sentimental and don't need to go back & visit, so you don't understand it. Some of you try to placate me, saying "there, there" when I get in this mood; but I don't think you understand it. And the rest of you just may not have ever been subjected to how pitiful I really am, so you haven't had the opportunity to understand it. Anyway, sorry to talk about it here... where all of you have to read about it... regardless of level of understanding. I'll try to be brief...

I started out by heading out to Ecko. I wanted to just visit my old employer and see if any of the same faces still sat peering from behind the desk. Plus, I wanted to see if anything jumped out at me that I could carry with me back to Forsythe. It was exactly the same, but different; and none of the old gang was around. But it was fun to visit the gallery that instilled the fun side of my style in me (if you can actually say that I have a style... I know Jon might disagree that I do, but...I like to think I do anyway). When I left Ecko, the car just steered itself on over to the old apt... which is odd since Randolph has never visited Laurel Ridge... but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Anyway, L-R reached out and gave me a playful (yet painful!) punch in the arm, then grabbed ahold of me and made me sit for a while to just catch up. The Old Fashioned Wendy's waved hello and wondered why I wasn't stopping to ask for some extra tomatoes, but I just wasn't in an eating mood. Armadillo hugged me as I sat outside at the red light. 2802 was grinning from ear to ear at me; and I could see Phil, Sam, and Ashley watching TV up there. Ty was hanging out the window because he thought he saw my Montero coming around the corner. But Rufus was chuckling behind him... b/c he knew I haven't had that car for years and years. The pool at GT just gave me a blank stare... we weren't close... but I did use to have a bit of a crush on him. Why couldn't I be out there with those other bikini-clads girls? Oh yeah... b/c I didn't have their bodies or confidence. Anyway, the arboretum held my hand as I walked through. And the well said to say hi to all of y'all.

Okay, I could go on and on... but I won't subject you guys to this predicate. I just keep getting lower and lower anyway.

And no... I'm NOT sitting here watching Days of Our Lives while I'm writing this. Why would you think that?!?!?

In Case You Missed Me

Yeah... since I can't seem to stop checking in with you, I'll just go ahead and give in to the urge at this moment. Sorry if I don't give you a CHANCE to even miss me. Yes, I realize I haven't had a "day off" from the blog. How great of an employee would I be if I was this obsessive about work?!?!

So, I was just catching up on my e-mail and reading the NYTimes headlines from today. I enjoyed the word choice in this sentence. (The story was about Michael J's recent financial struggles & his too-uncomfortable (for Sony) partnership with Sony.) Of course I'm going to subject you to it too: "Just last month, Mr. Jackson — still swamped in debt, with his musical career in stasis and his personal life limned by scandal — agreed to that financial overhaul." What do the words "stasis" and "limned" even mean?

Anyway, I'm completely enjoying my time in Chapel Hill. I miss it here! This beautiful, beautiful town... Dad made the comment as we were walking through the arboretum today that he was impressed by students who come to UNC-CH and do well. Okay, I can't remember the exact phrasing... but out of the (carolina) blue, he was like I have much-o admiration for you. Sweet Papa John. Then, the conversation shifted to Haley & me talking about how much we LOVED it here and how much we would TOTALLY do it all over again. Of course, we both said we'd do it ALL again... even those things that weren't all that pleasant. Maybe we could change a few things that we didn't like the first time, correct some of the mistakes, etc. Soooo sucks that we don't get a do-over. Anyway, the dental school graduation was lovely. But I so cannot see little J-R as a dentist! Haley says I just have to get the image of my baby cuz out of my mind b/c he really does look like a dentist if you can get by that. I think she's wrong.

So, I'm already missing the weekend and it's only Sunday night. Definitely not looking forward to "going back to work" tomorrow. I've had a really, really, really hard time with TIME this weekend. What is it about the minute hands (and hour hands, in actuality) that makes them SPEED around the clock so quickly? Hope you've had a truly wonderful weekend and you find yourself missing it with me tonight.

Meanwhile, here are some pics we can celebrate the weekend-is-over with. They were all from Friday to Sunday. Oops, I mean they're all from today. Have at 'em:

All Day Long...

I'm sleeeeepy and must go to bed soon. But I wanted to comply with Miss Mary's request for more pics and give a quick shout-out to my peeps/readers this weekend.

Here are a few of the pups:


And a couple oldies for my good buddy Lis:


And a couple from one of my long-time-ago trips out to Portland (if you've never been, you've GOT to go with me next time!):


And, did I ever post the pics of our first houseguest at Forsythe? Yeah... he didn't make it. (Thanks, Dad!) The first pic is Jon standing outside of where Slitherin is hiding... I couldn't figure out why he was looking at me so funny. I figured... maybe he's posing for a picture. LOL... I guess he was trying to figure out whether/not to TELL me this guy was back there:


Well, that's about all I've got worth posting on this computer. I'll have to go grab the camera and take some new ones for y'all next time. Or just upload the ones I already have on there. :-) I wish I would do a better job of picture-taking. Sometimes I just get so caught up in the moment, I don't even think about preserving it for later... which, as you know (blog, chat, e-mail, etc.), I actually LOOOOOOVE doing (re-reading, of course).

Okay, going to bed. Hope you had an ab fab (absolutely fabulous... duh) Saturday that didn't slip by as quickly as mine! Have a GREAT night and rest of the weekend if I don't see you again before it's over...

I Want You to Read Through the End... But I Know You Could Change Your Mind at Any Time

Did you know that you can live in the Guest Inn in Statesboro for less than Haley spends on her apartment every month? AND you're right there next to Sonic... very important to me. Haley first pointed out this fact to me one of the times she visited. And since then, we've discussed the EXTRA good deal this would be: maid service, no utilities, and possibly (not sure of the perks you'd get at the Guest Inn... their sign has been covered by blue-tarp-blowing-in-the-wind for almost a full year now) free HBO and high-speed internet. Can't pass that up, now, can you? Oh, and Haley (don't call me Nona) may be coming back to town!!! PLZ come NOW!!! I need some office colleagues... it just doesn't do to work at home by yourself all day every day, does it Hales?

Speaking of RENT (come on, now... make the transition with me), Jon & I watched the movie tonight. Man, I could just sing that song all day and all night. I may even have to go download the soundtrack so I can belt it out (while I'm supposed to be working, of course) to my heart's content. (Why is it that I think I can sing when no one else is listening? But when someone catches me at the top of my lungs, I'm soooo embarassed. I still remember my Mom busting up in on me at the church when I was singin' me some "Rise Again". Thanks a lot, Mom... scarred for life, I tell ya.) Anyway, RENT... so, yeah... how DO you measure a year? Some of you know my theory of Saturdays. Okay, so it's not a theory. Anyway, between birth and death (assuming you live to 100), a person only gets to enjoy 5,200 Saturdays. That doesn't seem like that many over a lifetime to me... does it to you? Anyway, so, by the age of 30, you've had 1,560 of those. That only leaves 3,640... so, how are you going to spend your remaining Saturdays or Mondays or Wednesdays? Do something fun... PLEASE... and definitely be with the ones you love. So... will you be happy tomorrow?

Anyway... evidently, today is THE BIG DAY O' NEWS for Mike & Jess. Congrats to both you job changers! Forecast Analyst and Business Leasing Center Sales Representative II... yeah, that's going to take some time to learn. AND... happy b-day, Jess! Meanwhile, I'll be sitting around at the same old same old (by myself, right Haley?) working on the homework assignment I got from my CEO. C'mon now... you WISH your CEO gave you homework. And if you remember nothing else about this post later, remember this: water boils at 212 degrees, not 211. 211 is for sissies. Of course, it would be a lot easier to boil water in Europe (or Canada) where they only have to get the temp up to 100.

Okay, well, let me stop boring you with the text & move along to the pics for the day. I still have a few oldies on this computer that I haven't shared... and Lis seems to like those, so...



So... is anyone else out there interested in the goings-on at Mt. St. Helen's? Evidently, there's a rock slab that's making news:

A KGW Story, News from the USGS, Something from TDN (?), Do we trust Wikipedia? Absolutely!, More stuff from the USGS, and one last one.

And finally, a fun, semi-doctored one to keep you guessing (or laughing, as the case may be):


Hoping your supply is plentiful this week, month, and year... much luv to you!

Taste These Teeth Please... Better Hurry

You know... I think all day that I should go ahead and write my blog posting for the day. I'm just bursting with ideas... until it gets late & I think, "geez, I really should write something for my regulars"... and then there's just nothing at all in my head. WHY IS THAT? It's very frustrating... that specifically and, honestly, this funny, fickle thing we call life.

Well, let's see... I know there were at least some pics from today that I wanted to share. So, I'll do that first. All of these are from today (I know, right?!?!?!). The first grouping is of JON'S DOGS (and what they do to my lovely flower beds):


These are of MY DOGS (after bath-time... which happened to occur during work-time... oops):


I just thought these were hilarious. Every time I walk out the door and close it behind me (not letting the doggies follow me), they beeline for it. I'm sure they'd stand there and watch forever.


And the reason they were trapped behind the door today? Well, let's see if you can find it. "It" was driving the dogs crazy... and they probably would've trashed the poor anise (that doesn't need much more trashing, sadly) to get to "it". Don't cheat... look at the one on the left first. Then, if you can't find Waldo, go ahead and try the 2nd one.


So, I've spent the last two days trying to get organized (amongst some work... I really am a good employee, regardless of what I try to make you believe... truthfully, I've been working all night on streamlining organizational codings in UltiPro, testing & finalizing the set-up of eAppraisal, figuring out the data import & implementation for eAppraisal in Tijuana, and trying to force a group to work together to set up a PTO accrual for CNS employees in UltiPro -- between about 7:00 when we got back from Papa's Pizza and now... see, you were just dying to know that, weren't you?). Anyway, the organizing... I wish I could say I felt like I was getting somewhere. I think I just reshuffle piles. Ugh. Well, I have gotten some things filed away (or ready to be filed away) and thrown away. Now, I've just got to get the 20 or so piles of what-do-I-do-with-this-crap junk off my floor and desk. Anyway, I live for the pleasant interruptions, though... so feel free. :-) Speaking of pleasant interruptions... I thought y'all should know I'm still obsessing about running. I still put my 30 minutes in every day (well, most weekdays, at least). I know it's slow... but I'm knocking on the door of kicking the tail of 3 miles (can you say prepositional preposition?). I'll have it beat soon, I'm sure... but, I'm kinda like lil' Nona & stuck on a plateau for the moment. Let's come off the flat place strong, little one.

Okay, I'm out of nonsense to subject you to for the evening. Hope you had a wonderful, fabulous, scrumpdidliocious Wednesday evening. Since I'm sure you're already tucked comfortably into bed (well, you should be, at least), I'll just mention that I missed you here (except for those of you in western time zones for whom it's not that late yet!). And here's hoping I'll catch up with you sooner than I think.