Missing You

Over the past several months, since beginning school, I have noticed that there are several things I really miss doing with my free time, since it is such a rare commodity now. Here are just a few of them:

* Reading (just for the fun of it)

I used to visit the library weekly, every Saturday, to pick up a couple of books for the week. One would be for light reading at work during breaks and lunch, and the other something a bit more involved for extended reading. I can't remember the last time I actually got to read for fun. I have a book that I started a while back but by the time I get around to having the time to read it, I'm so wiped out from reading textbooks and writing papers and studying until my eyes are halfway in back of my head, nothing much sinks in anyway so I usually quit before I get started.

* Going to movies at the theater

Yes...I am the quintessential 'movie buff'. If there was something decent to see at the theater, I was usually there 3-4 x's per month. Your math is correct, close to a movie a week...sometimes even more, depending on my schedule and what there was to choose from. I've even been known (on more than one occasion) to pull double and triple headers on a weekend, usually close to Oscar night, when I'm trying to squeeze in all the nominated pictures.

* Writing

Obviously, I'm a Journalism major so writing is important to me. I was just getting into my stride too, right before school started, with lots of ideas budding and thoughts milling around and they seem to have all become stunted with the busyness of school. To be sure, I still have my little pen and pad of paper with me everywhere I go so that I can record the ideas that pop in and out so quickly sometimes. However, with my brain basically resembling something akin to mush at this point, unless I'm able to generate the complete thought on paper, by the time I revisit my ramblings I'm usually at a loss to discover what in tarnation I was thinking when I wrote it.

* Down Time

Just good old quiet time to sit and reflect on life. I am a very contemplative person and love to muse but, again, now that my mind is almost always otherwise engaged with school activities, projects, etc...my musings aren't quite as revelational, if you will.

So, I'm looking forward to Summer (yes, already)...which I will most definitely be taking off entirely from school so that I can read, read, read...see all the Summer blockbusters (and hopefully there will be some decent ones) and write until my heart is content. Then, when I'm done with all of that I can sit down and reflect upon how well my time was spent. Is it mid-May yet?

Textbook Overload!

No more books...no more books!!!!! I suppose it is a combination of the weather, having just come off spring break and just being worn to the core...but I am so ready to be done with school for this semester, it's crazy. Last night as I sat trying to study for my umpteenth test in this class tonight I was just spent and almost resulted to tears...instead I just packed up the books and went to bed. I know I majorly overdid things this first semester, kind of jumped in with like 4 or 5 feet ahead and have found myself stumbling ever since. I've learned a hard lesson, that's for sure...do NOT schedule yourself to be in class, ON campus, 3 nights a week...not cool, Trudy. Where was that little voice when I needed it most?

Anyhow...I shall finish the semester out like a good little student and hopefully A/B my classes (which I am at least on pace to do now)...and then take a nice little respite until August. I had thought about taking one or two over the summer but the way I feel right now, it's just not going to be happening. I hope the next 6-7 weeks fly by, even though I have another umpteen things to get done before the end of the semester. Crimony...was I actually excited about this 4 months ago?

Taylor Troubles

It is a sad morning indeed. Had I started my blog earlier in the year than I did in 06', no doubt everyone would have been privy to just how ridiculously twitterpated I am with Taylor Hicks. From the very moment I laid eyes on him on American Idol last year, I was a goner. The phrase "He had me at hello" springs to mind, although it is perhaps misplaced here since he's never actually greeted me before. So, I'll just say he had me with his harmonica and it just got better from there.

On to the reason for my malaise this Thursday morning. Although I was fortunate enough to be able to see Mr. Hicks and the rest of the "Top Ten" on tour at the Excel Energy Center last year with my girl Stacy, I was very much looking forward to seeing him solo at Mystic Lake on Sunday night. A friend at work and I began talking about it months ago, when we first learned he would be there. Unfortunately, it left our busy minds and by the time we remembered that we had forgotten (a couple weeks ago), the "Soul Patrol" was already sold out. Our last ditch efforts are not paying off either, so it is a sulky morning.

And to think that maybe THIS time I would have actually been able to give him the flowers that I was too stinkin' far away to give him last year. Don't fret Taylor, our day is near.

So Long, Farewell

Yes, it is a glorious Monday. We got to say goodbye to our very least favorite co-worker (light on the worker part) this morning, even though he drove into Bloomington from Blaine (not a real short trip) with the expectation that, not only would he be putting in his eight hours today, but also for the rest of the week and for 3 days next week. He put in his 2-week notice last week and our boss really wanted to walk him straight out the door but his hands were tied a bit...until the rest of us helped to untie them on Friday afternoon when we decided we really couldn't handle one more shred of his bullshit. So, after one of my coworkers volunteered to fill our boss in on what the twerp had been spending his time on since giving his notice, and offering some suitable alternatives for training that would not need to involve him, we were all quite pleased to see him leave this morning. If you so choose, you could revisit this previous post of mine and see that it is, in fact, 'Thorn #2" that is no longer with our company.

http://trudy-welcometo.blogspot.com/2006/12/toxic-workland.html


If, in fact he really does have this new job lined up (and based on what has been said, we're not convinced he does), let me just say...if you live in the North metro and order from Schwan's...look out, he could be your new Schwan's delivery guy and he's a trip and a half!

F.Y.I. -- Thorns 1 & 3 are both still there and just as thorny as ever, but I guess two thorns are better than 3?

Luck of the....Scandinavian?

Happy belated St. Patrick's Day to all! I'm not Irish, not one drop of the green blood coursing through, yet I decided to take my last $30 and hit the bingo hall on St. Patty's Day. Perhaps a bit of a quizzical turn for someone who is about to declare bankruptcy...but I figured I could either go pick up my dvd player and dvd's from the pawn shop, or I could roll the dice for a potential return of more than just my dvd player. The decision was made easier knowing that my brother has offered to give me one of his 3 dvd players so I don't have to pay the pawn shop to get mine back.

I am pleased to report that I did not require even a wee bit o' luck of the Irish variety, but that my Scandinavian blood possesses a bit o' fortune of its' own. I did not even wear a shred of green and still managed to win $99, which for me at present, IS a pot of gold. It means not having to sweat for the next two weeks about how to keep gas in my car without the help of friends. It is a good feeling, almost as good as the feeling elicited by the knowledge that I will more than likely be declaring bankruptcy later in the week and can gleefully put to rest the financial nightmare I have been living for the past year and a half! Woo hoo! You go you bloodsucking, greedy little attorney bastards...plead my sad little case!!!!

May the road rise to meet you and the wind always blow at your back! Long live Ireland! Ok, so I like to pretend to be Irish once a year...work with me here!

Leeches & Smokes

I've got good news and bad news today. First, the good news (ill-humored as it is)...I'm no longer worried about how much I'm smoking because I'm no longer going to try to quit! It is an exercise in futility and I've just decided it's a bigger headache trying to quit and then dealing with the guilt arising when I'm not able to succeed. So, that's my good news.

The bad news is that I met with the bankruptcy attorneys last night and while I have paid the retainer fee, they need a very sizable filing fee in order to proceed. I am awaiting a decision from a family member who will more than likely be able to help me get things started, but I am stressed to the hilt nonetheless. I had an idea of what kind of money might be involved, based on others I know who have previously filed, however, it seems with the new bankruptcy laws, part of making it more difficult for people to file is demonstrated by their exorbitant fees. Yeah, I guess one way to discourage someone from filing bankruptcy is to charge them an arm and a leg. Hello people...we are coming to you for help because we can't AFFORD to pay the bills, not because we're looking for a bigger one. Money..I'll just never really understand it.

Ciggie Update

Oops...turns out we didn't get through Day 5 after all. Long story, but I received a very upsetting phone message and decided there was no way in hell I was going to make it without a cigarette. Ok, let me rephrase. Of course I would have been able to make...just as easily as I was able to make it without downing a 5th of tequila...it's just that I really wanted a cigarette and decided that my want was going to take precedence over everything else. And it's Day 5, not MONTH 5 for God's sake...so I get some slack here. Maybe didn't need to go buy a whole pack...but hey, what the hell. I'll quit after this one, I hope!

bye bye smokey treats!

It's Day 5 sans ciggies. Hasn't been fun either...I decided last weekend to really quit this time, not just for a while like I have been doing. This was prompted after reading the 'Time' article on Saturday. I didn't seem to have any trouble on the weekend but since then I have really been struggling. I haven't smoked but shit do I want to...still, at this very moment I do. It comes in waves though and I'm finding that if I just ride them out, they will eventually pass. Hopefully that continues to do the trick for me. This weekend will be a challenge because I'll be having a few cocktails, which is always the tough part for me...they've just always gone hand in hand. I have to do it though because I have this weird feeling that if I kept going I would start smoking more than I ever have before. I think it's just all the stress accompanying my financial fracas! No need for it...especially with the impending exercising (impending because I still have to do that this week, so far the weekend was nothing but a surge). So, look out lungs...it's cleanup time!

The 'Weight' is Over

Imagine my embarrassment when I have to report that before this afternoon, it had been close to two months since my feet hit the treadmill at my apartment. Amazingly, I have not gained any weight in that time...I say amazingly because not only have I been completely forgoing the exercise portion of things, but also the diet. Not that I've been eating terribly, just not sticking to the diet so I certainly hadn't expected to have lost any weight, but I am pleased that I am still down 13-14lbs since I started in mid-December. Sure, I had valid excuses for not working out all this time, but all excuses aside, it was just nicer not doing it. However, after my 30-minute walk today I understand why I've felt so tired for the past two months, and it's not because my hours and days have been so crazy with school, work, vacationing, etc...it's because I HAVEN'T been working out. I guess I just needed a little extra push or incentive to get cracking again...and nothing screams treadmill to me like clothes shopping!

That's right...I had to try on clothes today and I so hate that because I am forced to remind myself what size I'm in, which is ridiculous. So, that did it for me...after buying a very flattering pair of pants (despite the size) I got home and hit it hard. It also didn't hurt that while I was waiting for the boys at Tires Plus to finish my oil change, I happened to come upon an article in 'Time' magazine about women and heart disease. They listed the three biggest risk factors, which were obesity, poor diet and lack of physical activity, and unfortunately, in this instance, going three for three does not proffer a prize. Tack smoking onto that list and I'm even worse off than before. Fortunately, I just smoked the last cigarette in the pack last night so I'm going to do my best to rid myself of that nasty habit again...since it severely lacks cohesiveness with the exercise regimen. So, off I go again...as I told my mom in AZ while vacationing and sharing an ice cream sundae...I could still get a lot accomplished between now and my birthday, just a little over 5 months from now. While I don't like to set long-term goals when it comes to my weight loss...I'll add up a few short-term ones and say I'd like to be down another 36lbs before my birthday...which holds fast to the 2lbs/wk standard. That would place me at 50lbs total weight loss, with 77lbs to go to reach my goal weight. Suffice it to say...that was my last sundae for quite a while. Perhaps mom and I can split another next year when I visit since I could very likely have reached my goal by then. Ah well, a year without ice cream isn't that horrible, is it?

Mo' Better Money!

I am not very good at standing up for myself when it comes to the kind of money I should be making. I'm a bit of a glutton for punishment there and really, I shouldn't be. I'm not really sure where that stems from either but a change is in the wind...tis for sure! I am so fed up with this place right now that I really just don't want to be here anymore, however, since I am, you better be damn sure I'm going to be making what I should be making. I think that has been the biggest thing for me, just thinking I don't care about this stupid job anyway and won't be staying so why even bother trying to negotiate salary. That is just stupid and my friend and co-worker ever so eloquently pointed that out for me. So, I can talk the big talk but now I have to walk the walk. I found out that the starting wage for a claims writer (which I now am for the most part) is $2.25/hr MORE than what I am currently making. Can you say ridiculous? Granted, writing claims is not my sole job responsibility, as it is for the others, but I've taken on so much more within the past year that my salary pales in comparison to my job responsibilities. So, I say no more. As soon as I get up the gumption I'll tell my boss I want a little sit down to discuss my meager salary. Then hopefully things won't seem quite as dismal for me financially, especially after I file for bankruptcy and can get this garnishment stopped...that's really killing me. So, I'm thinking next week for sure, as soon as things calm down from month end. And it will have to take effect immediately, not when the 'raises' go into effect for everyone in June. This will make a difference of close to $5000/yr in my salary...tell me I won't feel that!