My journal is now semi-friends only. So you can now get the basic gist of my life and interests... but to get the real dirt, you'll have to comment to be added. :)

Last night I braved the blowing snow and nasty wind to have drinks with some co-workers from my inbound training class. One of them was a guy I've had my eye on for the last few weeks. I got to know everyone a little better and found out that he's a really nice guy. I hope I have the chance to spend more time with him.

Today, I used my income tax return to buy a new bed. I'm now the proud owner of a full-sized adult bed. I bought new bedding with the remainder of my money. I am loving that I kept my promise to buy a new bed. I've been talking about it forever.

Phil Bly the Science Sty is gone. I had to spend money today to replace all my makeup because it was contaminated by him though. Makeup is expensive. :(

Tomorrow I'm having lunch and movie time with Nathan. YAY!

I'm off to read Bet Me and enjoy the rest of my lovely night to myself.

Injuries/health scares thus far:

~ Ripped back big toenail
~ Potential kidney stone (that wasn't but hurt like hell)

And NOW I have a sty in my left eye that is making my lid all swollen and puffy. It hurts. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow to confirm that it is indeed a sty and get topical gel to make it go away faster (I hope). However, while it is residing in my eye and making me look like Quasimodo (or Forest Whitaker) I decided to name it... Phil Bly the Science Sty. I just hope he moves out soon.

In other news I actually have plans for Friday night. I'm excited. I just hope they don't get canceled.

My birthday week has been good and bad (mostly good). Tuesday I came into work to my desk already decorated, because my team members were confused. On my actual birthday, I came to work to find a re-decorated desk (all pink!) courtesy of my friend Erica- who also baked me a cake and brought me balloons!!! I <3 balloons! However, the re-decorated desk caused drama with the team "decorator" who was offended that Erica "fixed" her work. Whatever. My desk was really pretty, that's all that matters. :)

Tuesday I had dinner with Julie at the Cheesecake factory and it was delicious as usual. Julie and I spent over 2 hours catching up and gossiping. No tattooing yet, but that should happen soon after I'm done being poor. *crosses finger*

The rest of the week has been lowkey. I didn't do anything after work on my bday. My plans for tonight didn't end up happening (which makes me angry), but I am getting Denny's soon. It's not as good as IHOP, but it'll do.

Current craft projects include making Harry Potter scarves for friends, a zelda triforce scarf for my brother, and a baby blanket for Erica because she requested another one in pink.

Sometimes I miss college. And when I had a life.

That I only update once a week or so now. Not much has been going on lately honestly. I found out yesterday that I was chosen for a work opportunity for the next two weeks. They're teaching an inbound call center class. Taking this class will allow me to make analyst II next month, which in turn gives me a nice raise (I desperately need money right now). Unfortunately, it means that I have to cancel all my time off next week and I have to work Presidents Day. So I have a 1 day weekend to look forward to. Julie, I am SO SO sorry to cancel our plans. But this does mean that I'll have three extra days to play with, so I'll make the trip down to B/N some time really really soon so we can follow through with our plans. :(

The reason I need a raise is that my car was busted. I took it to the mechanic to get a small anti-freeze leak checked out... and found out the next day that 1200.00 worth of repairs are needed. My savings is WIPED. I have about 100 dollars to my name right now. Luckily, payday is tomorrow so not all is lost, but most of that goes to my student loan payment. I'll be broke until the end of the month. *sigh*

Right now I feel pretty crappy about my car and my change of plans. The only bright spot is the fact that Erica has returned to work! I have my work buddy back!

Birthday is a week from today. If someone had asked me five years ago where I thought I would be at 23, I never would have guessed here. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not...

PS: I was browsing pajiba and came across this review of a British mini series similar to "24". The title was enough to draw me in... and then I saw the blurry photo at the top and exclaimed "Jason Isaacs!" I then felt pride in knowing it was him... even without the blond HP hair. ;)

I haven't updated for awhile, but I figured now was a good time for a quick game of catch up.

1. The doctor says I don't have a kidney stone, but they're not sure what's wrong with me. I'm supposed to find out Thursday after all the lab work is done.

2. My favorite work person comes back Saturday. I am so excited. I've missed her like whoa.

3. I'm tempted to buy a guinea pig. Yay or nay, peanut gallery?

4. Only two weeks until Julie and I get tattooed! SO EXCITED!!!!

5. Only two weeks until I turn 23. Gah.

6. I wish I had more time to play WoW.

7. Taking a half day today was really nice. I watched Engaged and Underage on MTV and found myself happy to be both overage and unengaged.

Life has been mundane lately. Jer comes home this weekend, which is always nice. I took vaca time for the Harry Potter book release in July. I have a four-day weekend the weekend after my birthday, which is the only thing I have to look forward to work wise until July. *sigh*

And that's pretty much it.

1. I had to leave work today because my toe started throbbing and wouldn't stop after I took asprin. I went to the doctor and the damn thing is infected. I spent the rest of the afternoon soaking my foot in salt water, applying antibiotic cream and keeping my foot elevated, which was a really nice cycle of events. However, I did get to watch hours of Miami Ink that I had recorded, read some Nora Roberts and level my priest to 18 in WoW. And I don't want to go back tomorrow.

2. Lorelai- go back to Luke NOW. This is a stupid storyline. It took four seasons to get them together, we had one season of happiness and then it all went to crap again. Fix it.

3. I don't even think I have a #3. My life is that boring right now.

Last night I was climbing out of my desk chair when I accidentally kicked my bed frame... and cracked my big toenail on my left foot in half. I spent the rest of the night watching it bleed everywhere, trying to sleep when any sort of weight (like blankets) sent flashes of pain down my foot and cursing my terrible luck. I spent the night on one side, and since I have a cold, I was miserable from the neck up as well.

I really thought 2006 was the year I broke all my toenails, but it seems to have carried over. I went years without severely hurting any of them and now I seem to injure them on a regular basis. *sigh*

Before I leave for the mexican restaurant where my family will be celebrating the birth of my father (He'll be 47 tomorrow), I figured I would do the normal new year's resolution post.

My resolutions include...

1. Eating better- which is not the same as losing weight. I have come to terms with my body type and I no longer hate myself because of it. I am short and chubby, and I eat like someone who enjoys food. I will never be skinny. However, I can stop eating so much chocolate and fast food so that I feel better inside in hopes that it might translate a bit to the outside.

2. Be more patient. I learned the value of waiting for things this year, but I still need to work on it more. Example: I needed a new purse, but I wanted something beautiful, leather, and sturdy. I waited months to find the perfect bag. I finally did a month before Christmas at Dooney and Burke. Yes, the bag was expensive, but I budgeted my money and waited for Christmas so I could use some of the money I received from my grandmother. Result- I found my perfect purse, I learned that I can put pieces of my paycheck away to pay for it and it will be worth it in the long run.

3. Go out on work nights. Most of the time I like spending time at my house, but sometimes I need to get out. I need to make more of an effort to get out of the house during the week- even if it's just to the bookstore by myself.

So there you go, that's what I'm hoping to accomplish this year. Now I'm having an early dinner with the fam, and then it's party time. I may or may not be drinking heavily tonight. If you call me tonight and I sound wasted, I probably am. I haven't been drunk since... February. I think I'm due. :)

Book seven has a name!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061221/ap_en_ce/books_potter_title_2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Mmm. Creepy.

The scene: My bedroom, 5am

The dream: Giant spiders. With bodies the size of my fist. Crawling. IN MY BED. IN MY HAIR.

The freak out: I kicked all the blankets off my bed and started beating my pillows against the wall. Then I realized it was a dream and it was COLD without blankets. So I spent the rest of the time until my alarm went off at 5:35am curled up in the fetal position convinced that something was going to attack my feet if I uncurled them and constantly checking my hair for invaders.

*opens comments for mocking/commiserating*

I didn't make it to work today, which makes me angry. I left an hour early for my job- which is only like 12 minutes away. I was cut off several times, causing scary fishtailing moments and I almost ended up in a ditch along the side of the road. I got all the way to Randall and 72, where I encountered about ten cars sitting in random places around the intersection- all stuck. Then I got stuck. Ten minutes of cursing, followed by 20 minutes of me spinning my tires to free myself from my snow hole resulted in me saying "screw this. Chase is not worth wrecking my car/injuring myself." I turned around and went back the way I came. Almost an hour later, I was back at my nice warm house with coffee and the paper. All in all, it was one of the worst drives of my life.

It sucks though, because I had tomorrow off (I took a vacation day) and because of the terrible terrible weather this morning, I had to switch my vacation day to today. And I hate working Saturdays. So I have to go in tomorrow. But I'm alive and my Focus is alive, so I'm grateful.

I got new glasses. They're cute, but at the moment they are killing my eyes. My prescription changed quite a bit, so my eyes had to readjust their new way of seeing the world. They are not pleased.

Tomorrow night, I'm going to GameWorks with my team. It'll be nice to get out and chill with some of my favorite people outside of work.

Last but not least, I give you Disco!Darcy. He's guaranteed to bring happiness to anyone who encounters him.

My social life lately has been a steaming pile of crap. And it's (mostly) my own fault. There are people who invite me out, but since I don't like them very much, I turn down their offers, while the people I do want to see are down @ ISU, in Washington, or in Ohio. I like the girls I work with. I'm actually surprised how much I like them, but most of them live in Rockford, or, in the case of my peer mentor that adore beyond words, married and very very pregnant.

However, I'm resolving this week to get out more. I was invited to see Casino Royale again tonight, and I think I'm going to go, since it's an early enough showing that I'll be home before 10. Also, I'm going to throw caution to the wind to see some of my ISU girls this week. I'm at the point right now that my sanity is slowly fading due to lack of social activities. To hell with sleep.

To those of you in similar situations, how do you deal with loneliness? I know I'm not the only one who's felt/feeling like this. Most of the time I'm OK with things the way they are- last night I watched some West Wing and read for awhile before going to bed- but other times, I just want to do anything other than sit at home.

My fingers are KILLING me. They are red, swollen and refuse to hold a crochet needle anymore. It's a good thing I just need to put the border on it and then I can give it to the girl who's organizing the baby basket/shower the week of Thanksgiving. Erica and little Anjelina better appreciate it. :) However, I found the coolest knitting loom @ Michaels the other day. It allows you to make perfect scarves knit in the round without actually working with circular needles. And it puts the nasty bumpy side on the inside of the scarf tube. Now I can make my brother the Harry Potter scarf he wanted me to knit him last Christmas. I'm hoping the loom is easier to use than actual knitting needles, because I really stink at knitting.

Also, my eyes cannot stand the black mascara I have. They are rebelling as I type and I think I'll need to take a break to wash the crap off. It doesn't do this with my brown black mascara though. *sigh*

Molly, I should have listened to you last year. I just started listening to Metric and I love them. I could have loved them earlier. I won't doubt you again. *hug*

I need the 10th anniversary edition of the BBC Pride and Prejudice. There's a 'making of' documentary and a book with colored photos included. I'm in love. I'm hoping to get it for Christmas. Would anyone be interested my regular two-disc version if my wish comes true? I wouldn't even charge for it- it would be enough to pass along the Darcy and Elizabeth love. I would be willing to ship if any of you out-of-state people want it.

OH! Crush dude did get back to me yesterday night. After a week. I'm not holding my breath for anything, but he did mention he would be interested in getting together. At least I know that I didn't choose someone completely wrong again- he was nice to get back to me and not just blow me off. Further updates to come if he ends up making plans with me.

I'm seeing Stranger Than Fiction tomorrow. By myself. It's supposed to be wonderful- upbeat, sweet without being too sweet, and the acting superb. I need to stop relying on other people to do things with me. Especially with my lack of friends up here.

I'm off to watch more West Wing season 7. I need some Josh and Donna goodness.

This was a good week. I did really well with my accounts at work, which will eventually translate into incentive cash added to my paycheck every month for up to 600 dollars. I also spent my time quoting Nacho Libre with my co-workers and one of the bosses, who, by the way, likes to say "that's hot" a la Paris Hilton about EVERYTHING and sings Justin Timberlake songs. I seriously LOVE my co-workers. I just wish the job wasn't so tedious at times. I did, however, get to talk to the nicest older lady last week. She didn't fully understand her balance transfer that we gave her, so I talked her through everything. She sounded lonely, so I spent an extra couple of minutes chatting with her about random things. Occasionally I get to talk to really nice people and that helps make the job worth while.

Last night I saw The Prestige with Nathan, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a bit long, but the acting was wonderful. Seriously. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale are just so good in every way. By the end of the film I was completely sucked into their rivalry and mesmerized by the way they played off one another. Plus it helps that they're both freaking gorgeous. One of the best films I've seen in a long time.

Today I went to Geneva for shopping with my mom and aunt. It was worth waking up early on my extra day off. We walked around, and had lunch at the Egg Harbor Cafe (awesome food). I went to the wine store where they sell wines from a vineyard in Geneva and got a bottle of riesling that was really yummy when I tasted it. After that, I went to Kohls and bought a 50 dollar pillow for half off, plus a 15% coupon and my 25 dollar gift card. I love free expensive pillows.

Tomorrow is family day and football. I'm being a bum, working on a baby blanket for my peer mentor at work, and playing more Link to the Past.

One last thing: If you enjoy sci-fi at ALL, you should be watching Battlestar Galactica. Seriously. I'm not normally a sci-fi fan, but it just kicks ass.

Until next time... :)

Well, my four-day weekend of joy has come to an end, and I am saddened at its demise. I really don't want to go back to work tomorrow and make 60 phone calls over 8 hours of work. I'm really not enjoying my job anymore. It's the same thing over and over and over, with the same customers yelling at me over and over and over. I'll post a full update of the weekend sometime in the next couple of days.

I'm really missing all my ISU girls. I am suffering from a severe lack of female friends up here. I miss girltalk, Disney movie nights, eating Wendy's and watching hours of Firefly with Molly. I need get back down for another visit SOON and hopefully over Thanksgiving break everyone can get together for drinks or something. I am sick of all of my male friends right now.

I feel like I want to make a big change in my life. Like find a new job, move out of state and stop waiting around here for everything to fall into place for me. I always tell myself that I'll do something after I've lost weight/made so much money/insert random condition here. I'll figure everything out, but I can't shake the feeling that calling people about credit card fraud is not what I'm supposed to be doing with my life. And now is the time to be young and (semi) stupid.

My sleep schedule is all screwed up now. I'm not going to sleep at all tonight. Blargh.

I just spent the last 15 minutes sobbing my way through the end of The Amber Spyglass. What a wonderful, thought-provoking, emotion-draining, beautiful way to end the trilogy. I do believe that Lyra is one of my favorite characters ever written. To watch her grow, learn, struggle, love, fight, dream, hope... And Will... I have to stop or I'll start crying again.

Everyone should read these books. Steph, I think you would love these books. Seriously. Everyone, I don't care if you hate fantasy, these books are amazing. I still can't believe they're for young adults though. I don't know if I would have fully understood the beauty and complexity of the story at that age. I don't know if I fully understand everything now even. I'll have to reread them in the future.

All books should be this satisfying.

And you'll all want to do it, which is exciting. :)

( See what celebrities I look like! )

In a very short recap of the last week: Made lots of phone calls, caught lots of fraud, closed lots of credit card accounts. Watching lots of Grey's Anatomy season 2. Lots of sleeping, but I'm finally feeling better. Today I got an oil change and picked up my cable box so I can watch Bravo (and movie stations) upstairs in my room. It also has DVR, so I can record the shows I like to watch without my mom complaining that I'm taking up too much space on their cable box. Tonight I'm going for drinks and Little Miss Sunshine with Jared. I'm excited I finally get to see it. Everyone I know has really liked it, so hopefully I'll enjoy it, too. And after this week, I seriously need liquor. Tequila and me are going to be doing some bonding this evening.

This is my final week of training. I get my own desk on Friday afternoon after our graduation "ceremony" and potluck lunch. I'm definitely coming down to ISU next weekend. I'm leaving after work at 5pm on Friday and staying until Saturday night/Sunday afternoon. I want to see everyone (especially my brother) but I also want to have some of my weekend to relax and do nothing. So if you're interested in doing something Friday night (I'm in desperate need for a movie night, girls) or joining me and my brother for lunch on Saturday, let me know. I also need to confirm a place to sleep. Nona and Shannon were both kind enough to volunteer their places. Is that still ok, Nona? I'm sure everything will get figured out this week. I'm really excited to see everyone. I miss you guys SO much.

I've fallen in love with the song Chocolate by Snow Patrol. It's on The Last Kiss soundtrack, which I downloaded a few nights ago, and after one listen, I was Hooked with a capital H. Here's a link to dl:
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=D6648BA6779F76A1

I deactivated my facebook account because people were driving me crazy. I understand that people are concerned about the "new" facebook. Seriously, I do. But why does everyone feel the need to create a group about how much they dislike the new facebook and then invite me to join it? The final straw came when Justin AKA the guy I went on a few dates with last year sent me an invite to his new group about how facebook has hacked into our minds and is slowly destroying us and must be stopped. I think the stupidity must be stopped, so bye bye facebook.

I bought Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney and I've been playing it for the last few days. It's seriously the most video game fun I've had since Trama Center at the beginning of the summer. I love my DS lite, and I love having a new game to play on it.

Grey's Anatomy season 2 comes out Tuesday. I'm definitely swinging by Best Buy after work and picking it up. I plan on devoting most of my weekend next week to watching episodes.

I get paid on Friday. I spent part of the afternoon squealing over puppies. I ate a wonderful Japanese lunch at Mitsuwa. I wish my weekends were longer... only two more weeks before I start my crazy Tuesday-Saturday schedule. I'm excited to have Mondays off though. It's a good day for sleeping in, running errands and being a general bum if I feel like it. And Sundays will be devoted to football and cheering on my Patriots! :)

They've announced the title for the new Pirates movie.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End

http://www.wordplayer.com/forums/movies/index.cgi?read=88519

That's right. No apostrophe. WTF. I mean, it could make sense, I guess. But it just looks... strange.

I guess what I want to know is why is the apostrophe gone?

(And will this movie be better than the craptacular second film? God, I hope so...)