Plasma Donation

Recently, I have had some financials woes due to the fact that a HALF cousin left me high and dry with the bills (after she ran them up for a month). It was a failed attempt to "pay it forward." So a coworker told me about donating plasma as they pay pretty good. I did the math and if I did it twice a week for the rest of the year, I'd be in the clear from all the damage she did to my bank account. At first I thought it was pretty sad that I would have to resort to doing such a thing. Literally selling my "blood" to compensate. But then I realized that there are people out there who really need plasma to sustain their lives. So all around, it's a win-win situation. The process of getting all set up to donate was quite the ordeal! Below is a timeline of what really happened to me. 

5AM--Woke up. I take awhile to get ready!

6:30AM--On the road to plasma center

6:50AM--Stand in the freezing cold for 10 minutes til they opened. I wished I'd stopped for coffee. 

6:57AM--Upset that a man asked someone to hold his place in line while he sat in his warm car the whole time. Shouldn't the longer you stood in the frigid air give you privileges? 

7:00AM--Doors open and I mistakenly drift off to the line on the right because it seems shorter only to be told that all new donors should go to the right. Great...this landed me further back in the line. 

7:10AM--Two people ahead of me, the one employee tells the new donor that her name doesn't match her license. New donor argues with her stating it's the only social security card she's ever had and it's just faded but it's the same name. Employee huffs a little and takes the card to the back. Meanwhile another employee takes over and processes the girl ahead of me and partially processes me. Since I don't know where my social security card is that matches my current name, I was told I could bring in my 2012 W2s. The fussy woman comes back and clears the other woman and finishes processing me. She wanted to argue with me too about what my name says on my W2s. I had to tell her TWICE: "I've had THIS name since 2010. I'm 100% sure it matches my W2s." Her: "I just want to make sure...I'd hate to schedule you when someone else could have your slot." Got her to schedule me in for the last slot of the day for new donors...2PM

7:20AM--On my way home where I stop for coffee at Sonic. 

7:40AM--Back home where I walked the Pep, tossed the apartment looking for my W2s. Apparently 2012 was the only year I didn't file neatly away. 

8:30AM--Found W2s. Huzzah! Took a nap!

1:45PM--Arrived back at the plasma center. Waited for half an hour (15 minutes past my appt time). 

2:15PM--Got called up. They copied my DL & W2s and sent back to counseling room where I read the info and filled out forms. There was some question as to whether I could be a donor considering the thyroid supplements I take. "Is it from the bovine thyroid or just bovine parts???" I was made to do extensive internet research on my supplement. Got sent back to the lobby to wait for them to get further info on it and speak with a doctor.

4:00PM--It was determined I'm good to go as it just says "bovine parts" and not "actual bovine thyroid derivative." Got into pre-screening room where they stuck my finger and asked me tons of questions about my sex life. Most of my answers consisted of: "Not that I know of!" 

4:15PM--Doctor's office for physical where they scanned my pee and asked me more invasive questions about my sex life and medical history. How the hell do I know if I've slept with a man who has slept with another man since 1977? (Just kidding mom & dad!) The biggest concern seemed to be that I'd visited countries in Europe since 1980 but I seemed to be clear. I also had to show her all of my tattoos and piercings. Every comment I made seemed to bring on extra questions. For example, she asked me when I'd gotten my ears pierced. I said: "The first time my ears were pierced was when I was 3 but those have been repierced a few times." Doctor's eyebrows raise: "When were they last repierced?" Me: "I don't know. Sometime in the 80s? My mom had to pierce them a lot because I didn't take care of them." Doctor scribbles this down. 

4:25PM--I was given a protein bar and a bottle of water in exchange for my personal information and troubles.

4:30PM--Man walks me to a machine and instructs me someone will be over soon. I sit down on the table only to be moved to another bed as the machine next to me wasn't turned on. The woman explained the process while getting the machine ready for me. Plasma goes out, gets spun around. Vital nutrients and such get returned to me along with a saline flush at the end to give me extra hydration.

4:45PM--As she is hooking me up to the machine, I tell her not to tell me what she's doing to me, she should just do it. She laughs at me as I have to turn my head and look away. I can't even watch what she's doing and I don't really like seeing my blood in the tubes either. I did, however, enjoy watching my plasma fill the bottle. I was a fast donor. It only took 5 repetitions! It burned a little bit when my stuff was returned to me. Did you know that plasma looks like pee??? And did you know that women's is lighter in color because of the extra estrogen?? And plasma that looks pink has too much fat in the plasma and unusable?? I asked tons of questions to all of the employees every time they passed by me. 

5:30PM--Unhooked from machine and given my money. Treated myself to froyo for my good deed. LOL 

The whole process left me exhausted.

Second time I went to donate, it was a little bit rougher. I got seated in a bed and got hooked up to the machine. Thankfully, the first time I did it, one of the employees explained to me what the lights on the machine meant. Green meant it was going fast; yellow meant it was going slow; red meant it wasn't going at all; and another set of lights showed that it was returning my nutrients to my body after being spun around. After being hooked up, I noticed that my plasma bottle wasn't filling up as fast as the last time. I knew I was fully hydrated, which is something that helps you donate fast, so that couldn't be the reason. Also, I knew I hadn't moved my arm and subsequently the needle. An employee came over and increased the pressure cuff, pushed some buttons, then wiggled the needle in my arm (talk about almost vomiting....) and once again I was donating again. But soon enough, the lights flashed back and forth from red to yellow. The employee came back and did the same thing and I was donating again. But it happened a third time! Finally the girl who hooked me up the very first time I did it, came over, apologized, and said she was going to have to restick me. A bandage was applied to my right arm along with an ice pack and she threaded my left arm. From there, the donating went super fast. I was done in about one repetition! By this time, it was past 6PM even though I was hooked up around 4:50PM. After I got home, I took the bandages off my arm (after waiting about 2.5 hours). I freaked out at my right arm as it had gotten all bruised from the fiddling with the needle/veins. I think I'll be a bit wary of letting that girl thread my vein again. All in all, I will continue to donate plasma as long as I need it because 1. People need it. 2. I could use the money. 3. Having 45 minutes to an hour where no one can bug me is kinda nice!

Premonitory Visions/Dreams

When I was a little girl I used to have "deja vu" all of the time. It was nothing important...just little stuff. The ones I remember were I was in my parents kitchen, running in circles and those circles were getting smaller and smaller until I collapsed in a heap in the middle of the room. I can still see the cabinet doors rushing by and the dizzy feeling I had. Another one was where I was in the car with my brother driving and we were at a stoplight. The car on the left of us turned right. I can still feel the air on my face and hands as I looked out the window.

So nothing in these "prophetic" dreams were of all that great of an importance. But they stood out to me as something special. I loved it when it happened. It was exciting! How did it work, why did it happen? Why did I only see minute things and not bigger things? And why didn't I remember the dream when I actually had it and only remembered it when it happened again? Once I did have a dream that I not only remembered but also felt it was a big deal. And to top it off, it came true. Not all of the parts of the dream came true, just one important piece of it. Ever since I had that dream, I knew what my older brother would look like when he was an adult.

The Dream: I usually dream in color but this one was in black and white. Well, everything was except the pink chair I kept in my bedroom. That retained it's color but in the dream it was a old fashioned loveseat. My mother was an older lady, with white hair and very thin. If you know my mother, she's built like Dolly Parton so there is no way that she could look like the woman in my dream. LOL She and my brother were arguing over which college he should attend. I was still a little girl even though they had aged. Even though I didn't see my mother correctly (and in my dream she was way older than she really was when my brother actually went to college), the important part of this dream is that I pictured my brother EXACTLY how he looks as an adult.

Interpretation:
Pink--The color in dreams can imply immaturity or weakness. Typically hot pink in a dream indicates sexuality. But I was a little girl so I tend to rule this possibility out. I did feel helpless that I couldn't stop their arguing.
Loveseat--To see or sit on a loveseat in your dream indicates your need for love. Perhaps I was feeling vulnerable and unloved at the time. Who knows, it was a long time ago and I'm no longer aware of the circumstances surrounding the dream.
Mother--To see your mother in your dream represents the nurturing aspect of your own character. Mothers offer shelter, comfort, life, guidance and protection. Again, maybe I was feeling vulnerable at this stage of my life
Brother--To see your brother in your dream symbolizes some aspect of your relationship with him. I was very close to my brother when I was that age and I remember thinking: "Let him go where he wants!"

But again, the important part of the dream, and the part that stuck with me is that I was able to accurately foresee what my brother would look as an adult. Granted, his looks haven't changed all that much like mine have. My face seems to morph every five years without me doing anything to encourage it. However, people do change a lot from the age of say 6/7 to 25. At the time of my dream, he was a little boy. 

Now, I seem to be having premonitions but only in my waking life. Or maybe they are just wishful ideas, I don't know. I've never had a "vision" in my waking life. I do know that over the years I have become more spiritual and I have always had a gift for being intuitive. At times in my life, when I've "hooked" myself up to someone, plugged into them, I have been able to know things that I had no possible way of knowing. I've known when a grandmother died, I've known when they've had a new baby in the family, etc. So now I can only hope that my visions of myself are really premonitions. Because if they are, my future is so bright I'm gonna have to purchase some shades. ;)

Gratitude

Today I'd like to make a list of 10 things that I'm thankful for. Gratitude is renewing. Gratitude is rejuvenating.

1. Peppermint Schnapps--No, not the liquor, the dog. My beagle Pepper is my best buddy. She is so in tune with my emotions, even when it doesn't seem like it. It just manifests itself differently. This morning I was in excruciating pain and my little cuddle buddy was grouchy even though I wasn't. She could sense my pain and acted out of character.

Nap time with The Pep

2. Living in Colorado--I know I've just moved here about a month and a half ago but I love this state! I love the road system and how unbelievably easy it is to understand; I love that it took me 15 minutes tops to get my driver's license (Raleigh it takes at least an hour...); I love the weather; I love the people; I love the vibe. If only it was near the ocean, I'd believe that it was heaven here on Earth.

Garden of the Gods--Colorado Springs, CO

3. Led Zeppelin--For many years I would be hard pressed to pick one band over another as my all-time favorite. I'd heard various Led Zep tunes but nothing really resonated with me at the time even though those songs speak to me now. Maybe it's because I tend to fall in love with songs that are considered "B side" tracks. Whatever the reason was...most likely just the time in my life and circumstances, I consider them to be my favorite band hands down. I still enjoy and adore many other bands in various genres, I'm very eclectic. But their music has bitten me hard and I'm infected. LOL And since I have a known preference for lead guitar players, I'm naturally drawn to the genius that is Jimmy Page. I even have his personal symbol tattooed on my right collar bone.

Jones, Bonham, Page, & Plant

4. A Job--Sure it's not my ultimate fantasy job. But it's something to get me by. And where I'm working is so much nicer than the job I had previously. There is a huge difference between corporate mentality and private mentality. And someday soon I'll have a job that pays me a bit better.

Waitress--good movie

5. Spirituality--I thought that I was spiritual already, but lately my spirituality is growing in leaps and bounds. My mind is more open about various things and I feel a bigger sense of peace. I'm learning to be even more present and enjoy the now. When I forget this, my world seems to speed up and I feel like I have to grasp onto it or else it will slip away. When I remember, time slows down and becomes more enjoyable.

Ooooooohhhhhhmmmmmm

6. Friends--I have some of the best friends in the world. Sure, everyone says that and everyone that does say that is absolutely correct. Picture below is Kelly. She is an awesome friend who is always up for going to concerts and the beach with me. Margie, another best friend, goes with me to the beach or to relax with some hookah, or drinks. She and I even indulge in crab legs, wings, and popcorn at the $2.00 theater on Sunday afternoons (well, we did until I moved out west). Sara, a friend from college is always there to champion me and take my side. We have a fetish for yummy mimosas & Santa Barbara. Caroline is my idol in terms of what I'd like to be physically. She's getting close to 50 but she is gorgeous and takes care of herself. She is always my champion as well and doesn't put up with bullshit.

Kellz & I at the Lincoln Theatre

7. Family--What can I say about my family? I wish we were all a lot tighter but it's a lot less dysfunctional than a lot of families. Even though we aren't all that close, I do know that we care about each other and if anything were to happen to me they'd be there to support me.

8. Legs--I'm so glad that I have legs that are able to carry me where I want to go. They don't always go as fast as I'd like but I'm able to walk, run, go up and down stairs, and dance. My grandfather lost both of his legs to diabetes. I can't imagine my life without them and therefore never want to take them for granted.

9. A Roof--Thanks to connections from long ago, I have a roof over my head. This is such a simple thing and yet there are many people that don't have this basic need. I'm so thankful for this!

10. Wings--Mmmmmmm! One of my favorite meals if done right.

Best wings in the country

Learning to Enjoy the Ride

It's been a long time since I've been on here to blog about something. I've been so busy with my job (which left me exhausted), trying to pay bills, and planning a major move across the country that I haven't really had time to sit down at the computer to blog. The last time I posted a blog was back on July 4th! And even that seemed like just yesterday and here it is the end of September.

I've since moved to Colorado and I absolutely adore it. I did all of my Masters studies online and my university was based in Colorado Springs. Because of various factors, I didn't walk in my Bachelors graduation ceremony. My Masters degree felt like a triumph and therefore I really, really wanted to attend the festivities. The day I flew out to Colorado, I woke up at 4 AM for my flight. I was wearing a jacket because I anticipated being cold inside the airport terminals. When I stepped off the plane in Colorado, it was hot but it felt great! There was no humidity like there is in North Carolina.  I stayed in CO for a week and did all the uber touristy stuff. I fell in love. Completely, head over heels in love. When I went back to Raleigh, I had some big decisions to make. What do I want to do with my life? What do I want to do with my degree? Where do I want to live? It became very clear to me that I wanted to live in Colorado. I immediately began to plan and save my money up to move. I wanted to do it in January but didn't have the funds. I wanted to be there by my birthday (June 30th) but still didn't have enough money. I planned on mid-July but ended up changing the date to the middle of August. I arrived in my new home state on the exact day that I graduated with my Masters degree the year before. Coincidence? I think not...even though I hadn't planned it that way.

So far, I have secured a part time job serving in a country club but I am still looking for that full time job to completely secure me and allow me to move into an apartment of my own. I also plan on starting my own Life Coaching practice on the side. This will eventually become my full time business because helping people achieve their dreams or become their ultimate selves is what makes me happy. And I'm pretty darn good at it. Somehow I just know the answers to things when it's needed or I know where to go for answers.

In the meantime, I've been exploring my spirituality and opening up my mind to different ideas, thoughts, experiences, and deepening my meditation. I feel that I have really come alive and am amazed at the journey that I experience at every step. Sometimes I feel lazy that I don't have a full time job yet...but it isn't from a lack of trying. And sometimes I really want to be in my own apartment because while the people that I'm staying with are beyond gracious for opening up their home to me, including me in events, etc...there is nothing like your own space and being able to decorate that anyway you want. In spite of these feelings, I'm really working on enjoying the ride. If we only focus on the destination, we miss out on major parts of our lives.

Namaste

Never Gonna Get It...

There are 2 types of women--keepers and what Steve Harvey terms "sportsfish" (in his book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man). There is nothing wrong with being either of these women. However, this book warns women that WANT to be keepers should stop going about attracting a man by being a sportsfish.

I'm not going to get into all of the details of the book. It's a great read so you should probably pick it up anyways. But basically, keepers teach men to react to them with respect whereas sportsfish attract men by calling to a man's more sexual needs. The sportsfish tactic will definitely work but he won't be around for very long. After reading this book, I have seen (and shaken my head at) many girls who make the mistake of wearing a slutty outfit and rubbing up a guy all night long in the hopes of roping him in. The guys that are looking for keeper girls keep right on walking. The guys who are looking for one night stands will respond to this behavior and the poor girl thinks she's landed a boyfriend and can't understand why he didn't call. 

There are 2 types of men as well--keepers and sportsfish. Speaking as a gal who was a former sportsfish...I can now spot a male sportsfish when they approach me. And they never seem to realize why they can't get a gal like me (a born again keeper!). They think silly little lines like "You're my fantasy" and "You are so sexy" will get me interested in them. That's all well and good and it's nice to hear. But when your actions show that you disregard my feelings altogether, it means you're not worthy. Or you speak to me in a manner that is vulgar, it also means that you're not worthy.

Reminds me of that En Vogue song...

Doesn't matter what you do or what you say
She don't love you, no way
Maybe next time you'll give your woman a little respect
So you won't be hearing her say, "No way"

Never gonna get it, never gonna get it
Never gonna get it, never gonna get it
Never gonna get it, never gonna get it
No, you're never gonna get it (Sweet lovin')
Never ever gonna get it (My lovin')...

The Dilemma

I'm moving to Colorado Springs some time this year. When? Not exactly sure. Whenever I have enough money saved up. I already have a plan in place of how to get there, the problem is that it requires me to be patient...not one of my best virtues. See, I sort of believe that the circumstances around the way a person was born follows them throughout life. For example, I was 2 weeks overdue (I should have been born in the middle of June, not the last day) but when my mom went into labor, I barely even waited for the doctor to get out of rush hour. He basically only had enough time to walk in, throw the gloves on, and catch me. This is how I am today. I take FOREVER to come to a decision, but when I do, I want to act on it NOW, waiting for no one. But the universe takes her time and well, the big guy upstairs definitely knows what's best for me. I never asked for patience, I'm not sure why the lesson keeps being taught to me. I have a real problem learning to enjoy the ride.

Tax time. Finished them up and I'm getting a nice chunk back due to my college loans. This will be the last time I get this sort of a refund so I need to do something special with it. Immediately, my thoughts were to replace the convertible top on my Sebring as it so badly needs the job. I'd still have a bit of money left over to put towards a trip out there in late March to scope out apartments in addition to having more to sock away for the move. 

For awhile I've been thinking that I'd like an AWD vehicle to make me feel safer in the snow that I encounter in Colorado plus I plan on doing some mountain driving on dirt roads and off-roading. I love the look of the Jeep and am seriously considering a Sahara or a Rubicon, especially the kind that becomes a convertible. I hadn't considered giving up my convertible, but why do I need 2 vehicles? Today it entered my head to use my convertible as a trade-in on a fairly new Jeep. I told myself that I would keep my car for 10 years but 8 is a good run. 

Enter the dilemma...

Do I use some of my tax refund for a new rag top on the current convertible or do I save that money for the move and just patch 'er up? 

Etiquette Lessons for Those Wishing to Eat in a Restaurant

About 3 weeks ago, I started a waitressing job. I did this, because for the last year and a half I've been working my ass off in a full-time job I didn't like and going to school full-time to get my Master's degree. I'm exhausted. Contrary to what my new coworkers and the young'uns I meet on Glenwood South think, I am not in my early twenties anymore. I can no longer go to sleep at 3 in the morning and be up and ready to be at work at 6 AM. Those days are long behind me. I needs my sleep! Plus, I hadn't exactly figured out what I wanted to do with my life (I have since then but let's stay on topic here...). In the past, I've always settled for the first job to come along because I needed the money and always ended up hating it. The point of getting a Master's degree was so that I would enjoy my career. So in an effort to not commit the same mistakes of the past, I took a waitressing job (which I do enjoy). I held this position 12 years ago and a lot has changed about the business. They've streamlined it. It has also come to my attention that people have lost the manners required to eat in a restaurant.

Manners? Etiquette? That's needed in order to eat in a restaurant? Why, yes it is! And my job would be a lot easier if people were required to take lessons in order to learn the proper way to eat in a restaurant. And this list is just based on the stuff that I've witnessed in the 2 short weeks I've actually been on the floor.

1. READ THE MENU! Do you know how many times I've had to send something back to the kitchen because YOU don't eat bacon and you should have known that that particular dish had bacon on it because it says so right in the menu? Even the friggin' picture in the menu shows you it has bacon on it. If you would still like the meal, by all means still order it. Just tell me to put the bacon on the side and we'll gladly take care of that for you. But if you do not eat pork products, shouldn't you be reading the descriptions a little bit closer? There are starving people in some third world country that could use that piece of chicken you sent back... Honestly, part of my training is that I need to know all the ingredients of our dishes so that when someone orders a particular item, I have to ask them if they want all the ingredients that come with that item. I can't just say: "Excellent choice, sir!" I have to say: "Now that cheesy chicken has cheese and bacon on it, is all of that okay with you?" I've also had to send back loaded baked potato soup because the guest didn't eat pork but didn't bother to read the part about that on the menu.

2. PLEASE ACCOMPANY YOUR CHILDREN TO THE BATHROOM. I have a limited window of opportunity to use the restroom when I'm on the floor. If your daughters are sent to the bathroom alone to play around in the four stalls and splash up the sinks, I can't go to the bathroom. And who knows when I'll get another chance. How did you not notice that they were gone for 20 minutes?

3. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR MEAL AND MAKE NOTE OF EVERYTHING YOU WILL NEED FOR YOUR MEAL. We're on our feet all day. They hurt. They hurt like a mo-fo some days. When I deliver your food and ask: "May I get you anything else?" please make a list of everything right then and there so that I can make one trip. The other day, I served a man sitting in the bar his hamburger. He asked for a side of ranch dressing. I ran all the way to the other side of the restaurant to get said ranch dressing, then ran all the way back to deliver it. He then announces that he would like some ketchup for his burger. Seriously?? You didn't realize that you needed the ketchup before? I should have just said: "Your bartender will get that for you" and walked away...but of course I cannot do this. It isn't right.

4. PLEASE DON'T PUNISH WAITRESSES FOR RESTAURANT POLICY. Common sense tells you that when a restaurant is having an all-you-can-stuff-in-your-craw special of some sort, it means that you cannot share and you will not be given a to-go container. So when we inform you that we're not putting in a reorder of food because you're sharing with someone else, you can be upset if you want to. But to walk away on a $50+ ticket without leaving a tip, especially when we have to clean up after your messy children, is just mean.

5. REMEMBER WHAT YOU ORDERED. In my restaurant, we have people who take your order, refill your drinks, etc and then another person brings you your food from the kitchen. It makes getting your food faster, and frees up the waiters and waitresses to serve more people. It also makes our jobs less stressful. I've actually placed food down in front of people and have had them say: "Ummmmm...did I order this?" Then their companion says: "Yes, that's what you ordered." Clueless person: "I did?" Companion: "Yes, you did." This whole time, I'm standing there waiting for someone to come to a conclusion so I can either set the plate down and go back to pick up more food that is waiting in the window (other people need to eat too) or take the food back and correct the order. How do you forget what you ordered?? I always remember what I ordered and often times, clap when the food arrives. LOL

6. WHEN A SERVER APPEARS, STOP TALKING. We don't like to interrupt your conversation. It actually makes us feel rude. But we need to communicate with you to make sure you have what you need. So please don't ignore us. Just pause in your conversation, let us ask whatever question we need to ask, then you can go back to the convo.

Okay, so those are some etiquette lessons to start y'all off. Shouldn't have to be said, but apparently it does! All in a day's work and I'm really thankful I have a job. :)

Murphy's Law

Yesterday was one of those days where almost everything seemed to go wrong. It made me remember my friend's blog about being selfish as I had my own moment of selfishness.

In the state of North Carolina, you must have your car inspected for safety before you can have it registered. This inspection basically states that your lights work, brake lights work, horn works, etc. Mine was due in August as was my registration. Due to my preoccupation with graduating with my Master's degree and planning my travel itineraries to Colorado and Michigan, it completely slipped my mind. By the time I got back from my travels, it was long overdue. This forced me to drive the speed limit when running my errands in an effort to not get stopped. Even if I did, I knew that I'd just have to go down to the courthouse with proof that I rectified the situation and they'd dismiss it.

So the Friday after I returned (September 2nd), I headed off into the world to get my car inspected. On my way there, I realized that I still haven't fixed my driver's side brake light from I got rear ended by a dump truck in April. Yes, I said April. I hadn't really felt the push to fix it because it still worked. The bulbs lit up but the assembly was cracked, which will not pass inspection. Oy vey. I'd tried to fix it once but they kept sending me an assembly that was way too small for my car. So I headed to the auto parts closest to my house instead to order the part. For some reason, they couldn't find it in their system to order so they sent me to another auto parts store. 2nd auto parts store came up with the same issue and sent me to one that "definitely had it in stock right now." They couldn't find it either... I drove home defeated. After searching for the part online, I discovered the reason why I was continually sent the wrong part. Apparently my car's model year is technically considered a sedan even though it's a 2-door convertible. So they kept sending me a part for the coupe.

I had to resort to calling the dreaded dealership. They used my VIN to order the part and quoted me $222! But no one else had the part. So I picked up the part and it was the correct one, however the lights didn't work. What's more, I couldn't get the assembly out of the socket either. Long story short (and after much frustration), I had to use a hammer to pound it out and then leave room for the connection to fully connect before tightening everything back up. Lights finally worked! I tore off to get it inspected. And at least that went off without a hitch. Now on to get it registered.

I pull up to the DMV and get in line. There are 2 attendants for the "renew" line and both are occupied. There is only 1 other girl in front of me. This is good. This is very good! As I stand there, I notice the signs that say: "NO CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED." I turn to the gal in front of me and ask: "How much is a renewal?" She says: "$33" Me: "And I just noticed they don't take credit cards..." Gal: "I know. This is my 2nd time coming here because the ATM in the corner isn't working." I sigh and head out the door. I needed to go to my bank anyways to deposit a check. I almost get out $40 but instead I decide to get out $60 as you never know when you're going to need cash these days. I drive back to the DMV and the line is still pretty short. Yes! When it's my turn, the lady pulls up my license plate and says: "Ugh...the government system isn't registering that you got your inspection done so now I have to call. I've had to do this once already today..." I sympathize with her, thinking that she will be in a better mood if I do. She calls to get my hold cleared and says: "That'll be $63." Argh! I forgot there's an extra fee for a vanity plate! I say: "I only have $60. Can I give you $60 now, you print out my registration and when I get back I can give you the $3 and you give me the registration?" This is a no go... She points me to the Trader Joe's across the shopping center and says I can buy something and get cash back. As I turn around to leave, I notice that the line is now out the door.

I go to Trader Joe's and buy popping corn to get $10 cash back. I then return to the DMV for the THIRD time and get into the line that is now even longer. I'm moaning and grumbling to myself that now I have to wait in this huge line all because I was $3 short and wondering why I didn't just beg $1 off of 3 different people when I admonish myself. I start to realize that most of these people are probably on their lunch hour from work and could be in danger of getting back from lunch late therefore risking trouble at work. Whereas I, who am currently unemployed, have no where else to be the rest of the day (other than decluttering my home and purging unwanted items). I selfishly just didn't want to wait in a line. This thought makes me calm down and tolerate the wait.

After making my car legal, I decide that my ordeal deserves a diet cherry limeade from Sonic. It's now 2PM and I haven't had anything to eat since 8AM. First, I completely forgot where the Sonic up this way was as I'm used to going to the other one across town so I end up driving about 5 miles out of my way for it. Then I pull up and push the button to order. The waiter on the other end is so loud that I can't hear what he's saying. Ever have that happen to you? It seems like an oxymoron but it's the truth. I give my order and he responds: "I'm sorry ma'am, we're not serving that anymore." Me: "Okay, I'm gonna need a minute then." I peruse the menu once more, make a decision and push the button. Silence. I wait a while and then push it again. Mr. Loudster comes on and says: "I'll be right with you ma'am." So I wait...and wait...and wait...and while I'm waiting I remember that a friend said he hates this particular Sonic because they never get his order right. I wait some more. Instead of pushing the button one more time, I decide to drive off. I'm starving and I don't really feel like waiting anymore as it seems that's all I've done all day. It's hard not to be selfish when your blood sugar has dropped. So I went home and enjoyed that popping corn I bought at Trader Joe's. Still wish I had a diet cherry limeade to go with it.

10 Things...

All new 10 Odd things about me....here we go!

1. I see no need for Mederma for myself. I love all of my scars as each one tells a story. I wear them as a badge of honor. Even the chicken pox scars I purposely created just to spite my mom. I have one on my forehead, inner right thigh, and tummy beside my belly button. I have a scar on my right wrist. I got that one because I ran out of toilet paper, climbed into the tub to bang on the window in order to get my dad's attention as he was walking across the yard. I apparently banged so hard on the window that my fist went right through. You'd think if I went to all the trouble of getting in the tub and banging on the window I'd just have gotten the toilet paper myself. I also have a scar on my inner right ankle and my outer right ankle from when I fell down a hill but the ankle stayed behind. Got a plate and screws put into that leg. 

2. I used to be a dancer...then my boobs got too big... Oops! Guess I trained 'em too good.

3. I was a cheerleader for the church's youth league. I sooo hated basketball! But I was very proud of the fact that I could do the splits "all three ways." "B-E-A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E Be aggressive! B-E aggressive!" To this day, I can't spell "aggressive" without doing this damn cheer in my head...

4. I rarely cry. And crying in public is humiliating for me. In fact, I see it as a sign of weakness. Even as a little girl I'd cry and then ask my mom, "does it look like I've been crying??" before I'd go out into public. Most girls would love it if their men showed some sensitivity and cried at a movie, but not me. I mean, when your dog dies, it's absolutely acceptable. Of course there is a time and a place for crying (for me, that's in my room, alone or in the shower). But I just don't do it all that often. Most women would say that they feel so good after a good cry. Ugh! I feel like crap afterwards. Nauseous, hung over, bright red nose, and watery eyes. Forget it! But this is probably because I don't dwell on sadness much. I'd much rather spend my emotions on happy feelings. 

5. For the most part, I hate chick flicks. "The Notebook" was horrible, in my opinion. Most girls would cry through this movie. I cried. But only because I was forced to sit through that stupid drivel. Gimme some good scary horror (hold the gore) any day... 

6. Green grapes make me think about worms. They make me think about worms because when I was in approximately the third grade, my teacher would take an hour or so to read us a book. We were allowed to have a small snack during this time. This was probably done in order to settle us down after recess. The snack my mom always gave me were green grapes. And I liked to eat them by peeling the skin off the entire grape before popping it in my mouth, squishing it with my tongue against the roof, and savoring the juice as it squelched against my cheeks. The one book I remember the teacher reading was the story, "How to Eat Fried Worms." So I associate green grapes with worms. Not in a nasty sort of way where it precludes me from eating them...more of just a memory.

  

7.  I crave Turkey Spam Lite when I'm sick (yes, I know I'm weird...it's the only time I like it, I swear!). I also like mashed potatoes, chicken broth (not chicken noodle soup, just the broth), saltines, and juice when I'm sick.

  

 

8. I'm a food snob/picky eater, and a weird eater. I adore popcorn but won't eat microwave popcorn unless I'm really desperate...only my own homemade kind. I won't eat the brown "veiny" parts in chicken. I hate pickles. I hate mayonnaise. I hate mustard. I don't like most salad dressings. In fact, I hated all salad dressings until I was in my late twenties (now I like ranch but only a specific type of ranch and Caesar). The list of foods that I don't like is long indeed. And on top of that, I like to eat my food in a specific order. I don't take a bite of meat, a bite of potatoes, a bite of something else. I like to eat them in sections in the order of what I like the least to what I like the best being last. I eat my multi-flavored candies the same way for the same reason. I don't like my foods to touch on my plate either. I've heard all the admonishments. The biggest one  being: "It all ends up in the same place you know." But my argument is that it doesn't taste the same going down. I think that I'm a person that likes to savor things. I love the feel of the breeze on my skin, the scent of burning leaves, the tartness of grapes on my tongue... So to combine all those flavors together I have to forgo the savoring. 

9. Opening biscuit cans scares the crap out of me. I know that the sound is coming and yet I let out a scream and jump every single time it happens. Thankfully they come in a freezer pack now...

10. When I'm ready for bed, I start out on my side. Then, when I'm really ready to go to sleep I roll over onto my back. I've tried to just lay on my back but I end up not being to fall asleep! Apparently my mind is too used to the routine!

Theater Folk

Another old blog that was stuck in "draft" status. These events happened back at the beginning of April.
******************************************************************************

Some time in February, I was an extra in a movie. All I really had to do was sit around on the ground and cheer for a football game going on. It was quite tedious and kind of exhausting to have to cheer for several minutes at a time to make sure that they got the noise and the shots needed. But all for the sake of the film, right?

People keep asking if there are any major names in this film. It's an independent film so no A-list stars but actors and actresses that have been in various things like The Walking Dead, another had a bit part in The Blind Side. Last Thursday I got the call back for the big fight scene. We started out the day getting dirty for our parts. We're supposed to be a people living without power for a few months. There are two different camps--the good guys and the bad guys. I'm one of the good guys so I'm not too dirty. After wardrobe and makeup, most of us stand around in groups talking, eating breakfast, and trying to stay warm without wiping off our makeup.

For the first part of the morning, my new friend Naomi & I lean ourselves up against a minivan and sun ourselves like cats until we're asked to move by the owner of the car. Blah. We then head over to the other van and sit down in front of that on the cold ground. We're now amongst the other extras who seem to be theater folk. My first inkling of how these people were was when I walked to the port-a-potty with one of the other extras. She was super excited to be in the movie but was even more excited at the terrific opportunity it was for her daughter. The whole long walk to and from the port-a-potty was about her daughter who was an aspiring model and actress. I was stuck walking beside a stage mom....

Back amongst the extras camp, people are starting to break out in song and dance. The 65-year-old lady who keeps reminding us all that she is way too old to be an extra in this movie (why is she here again??) apparently has to leave at 4PM because she has to get to the theater but not before she's passed around a picture of her brand new grandson to everyone. She was in an advertisement where they had to do a country line dance for 8 hours straight with the guy that drove me to the set. He, of course, demonstrates the line dance. The daughter I heard so much about on the way to and from the port-a-potty gets up and starts demonstrating the dance moves to the play she's trying out for soon. This whole scene makes me giggle. I'm just not among my own kind, am I? LOL

Finally we get to film some scenes. Although I'm one of the good guys, I have to dress up like a bad guy to help fill in some gaps among the bad guys camp. So when the director calls "action" we have to run through an obstacle course of cars and sprint down the hill with murder in our veins. Some people have been chosen to jump over the cars...and yes the theater folk all get the parts on that because they are always the first to volunteer. Stage mom keeps putting leaves in her daughter's hair and making sure she's mussed up enough for the scene. Daughter is getting annoyed with this. I'm with her...why don't we leave that to hair, makeup, and wardrobe?

The thing that made my mouth drop open the most involved the guy that drove me to the set. He & the daughter of the theater mom have to jump over the cars so they are supposed to run first. The rest of us are behind them and we charge right when they are on top of the cars. After the third or fourth take, the director decides that we should all run in from the left instead of from both sides so he corrals us over. Man-who-drove-me-to-the-set says to theater-mom's-daughter "Not you, Allie...you're fine." Allie goes back over to the right side while the director is checking the board to make sure it's his name under "director." Theater folk...

I Think I'm Missing the Romantic Gene...

I've been a really lazy blogger as of late. The thing is, I don't have much to say lately. So I combed through my "drafts" and picked out a few pieces, cleaned them up and published them. This is sort of a long one with a bunch of tangents!

I'm SO not a fan of the Twilight Saga. I don't really have an interest in romance movies, especially the ones that set people up for unrealistic expectations for their futures. I don't even like the ones that ARE possible, like The Notebook. I guess I'm just not a fan of the sappy romantic. I'm a little more rock 'n roll for that. I like my parents' story. They went to the same church and my dad thought she was cute so he asked around to find out her name. Then, he walked by her and said: "Hi Julie!" And as much as we teased my mother about her reply, I think it shows where my feisty comes from. She replied: "I don't think it's fair that you know my name and I don't know yours!" While this is romantic, there is nothing in that story about how they fell in love from the first sight and professed that they were each other's whole world, etc! And there is that info in the Twilight saga. And how do I know this? Because I'm 3 books into reading the saga. *face palm*

My sister and I have an interesting, if not dysfunctional, relationship. I'm the baby but I've always taken care of her. She is a self-professed mess. I have blamed every wrinkle in my face on her. She has a knack for getting into and creating situations that make everyone worry. I think part of it is she loves the attention, she loves people worrying about her. So I constantly worry about her and she never worries about me. In fact, there are huge chunks of my life that she knows nothing about. Even if I do confess to something that is happening in my life that has me stressed, there's no check up to see how I'm doing. And it's not just her, most people in my life never check up on me to see if I'm alright. Probably because I'm strong. I've always made it through. Always. The other reason is that if they were to ask me how the situation is with ____ a week later, I wouldn't have the slightest clue as to what they are talking about. So this is our relationship. I bend over backwards for her because she needs me. I get interested in things that she loves because it's important to her. And I've long stopped begrudging her for the way she is. It just is. I love her and this is how our relationship has turned out. I'm very amazed that I haven't made the same concessions for other people/family members in my life.

Now that you have the back story on our relationship, you can now understand why I decided to take on the task of reading the Twilight saga and watching the movies. Because my sister loves them. I personally think the story is stupid. Seriously, how does one fall in love with a vampire? Or a werewolf for that matter? At least a werewolf is more plausible because, in this story, they don't hunger for human blood./flesh. Plus, they are human for part of the time.

Stephenie Meyer is a great writer. I especially liked reading the parts of the book where she described in detail the back story of the vampires and werewolves and how they came to be how they are. But when we start discussing things like desperately wanting to become a vampire just to be with someone for the rest of eternity, I have to fight my natural gag reflex. I won't even change my religion for someone or quit eating meat for them much less change my status from "living" to "living dead."

My sister is very much "Team Edward" while I'm (if forced to choose between this ludicrous love triangle) am "Team Jacob." Supposedly Edward (the vampire, for those not in the know) has been able to slowly become accustomed to denying his desire to sink his teeth into Bella and make her a tasty snack. What the book does NOT address is what happens when Bella's on her period? I've always wondered this while reading the book. Did this make it harder for him to resist her?

See, if she would choose Jacob (the werewolf), it is more "normal" and she'd have to give up a lot less. Here are my reasons for being "Team Jacob."

1. She wouldn't have to become immortal to be with him. Yes, Jacob does not age while he is able to phase into being a werewolf. But he's only a werewolf because there are vampires around. So if the Cullens (the vampires) would just go away, Jacob would stop phasing and he and Bella could grow old together.
2. She wouldn't have to lie to her parents or give them up. If she becomes a vampire, she has to start thinking of reasons why she can't visit them anymore. It's not like she has to keep thinking of new ways to avoid her parents, she just has to think of enough lies for the next 40-50 years until they die...then she doesn't have to worry about it anymore. As Edward tells her, after 100 years everyone you know is dead anyways.
3. She wouldn't have to live forever. Seriously, who REALLY wants to do this? As much as I adore living and will fight tooth and nail to keep myself in this position, I feel that there's a reason why we all die. But let's say you're special and God or whatever deity you believe in has decided that you will live forever. Okay, that sounds awesome right? Except after awhile, all the people you know start dying. You have to live through your kids' deaths (unless you turn them into vampires too). And what's more, over the years you start making new friends because we are social beings and tend to do so. And then THEY start dying. So either you become really calloused about losing people in your life or you have to live through the heartbreak all over again.
4. Edward is a drug and Bella choosing him is akin to giving herself over to an addiction. Bella's reactions, feelings, and emotions all point to her being addicted to Edward. She's stated that she can't live without him, she seems to get edgy when they're away from each other too long, and when he does actually leave her, she goes missing in the forest for days. She clearly exhibits signs of withdrawal. Maybe I'm not emotional enough...but any guy I get serious enough will have to face the fact that if they die, I will go on just fine without them. Yes, I'll miss them horribly and experience deep grief but I will never get myself lost in the woods, crawl into a fetal position and shiver for days just because he's no longer around. I will, however, probably go to their closet, smell all of their shirts and cry myself to sleep.
5. Jacob has the stability to NOT kill himself just because she died or she rejected him. Edward has stated several times that if she were to stay human and die, he would bring about his own death because he cannot conceive a world where she didn't exist anymore ("barf bag, please!!!").
6. Realistically, Bella is not at an age where making choices is her forte. People's brains don't stop growing until they are in their early 20s. And the specific area that is still growing is the part that allows you to see the consequences of your actions. I.E. She doesn't fully understand the ramifications of turning into a vampire and she's refusing to listen to Edward and other people tell her why she should wait.

In short, her relationship with Edward does not seem healthy at all. You shouldn't have to choose between your relationship and seeing your parents for all of eternity. You shouldn't have to change yourself just to be with someone because it will look odd that you're 78 and he's 17. And if that person should decide to leave you one day, you should be emotionally and mentally stable enough to continue to care about your own well being and not get lost in the woods.

Seriously, You're NOT Gonna SHUT UP????

I can see myself becoming a curmudgeon about some things. For one, I'm starting to hate movie theaters. I already refuse to go during a time when I know they will be packed because I don't like strangers touching me. I also won't go to "kiddie" flicks because of the adult to child ratio that tends to happen there. Somehow, I figured that going to the theater at 1:40PM on a Saturday afternoon might not be so bad. But I'd forgotten the pull of Harry Potter...

The theater was relatively empty. I didn't have to sit next to anyone but there was a couple who sat one seat away from me. When they sat down, they seemed nice enough so I didn't really mind. I managed to ignore the kids occasional kicking and pulling on my seat from behind but this couple soon became too hard to ignore.

For starters, the lady (who was closest to me) really took the movie seriously. Whenever something bad happened she would gasp and say: "nooooo!" This left me amused after the first time but annoyed by the 10th. I guess I didn't realize that there were people out there that got REALLY into their wizards and muggles.

Then the couple had to talk about EVERYTHING! Whenever Harry stuck his head into a bowl filled with memories he had to whisper: "He's doing that so he can see what's going on..." I wanted to say: "Is your wife really that stupid that she can't figure that out? You have to tell her?" During the louder scenes the couple felt it was acceptable to talk out loud in a normal speaking decibel. When I got so annoyed that I couldn't take it any longer I politely said: "Shhhhhh!" They ignored this and kept right on talking. So I whispered: "Seriously??? You're NOT gonna shut up???" and stared right at them. They ignored this too. Normally I would have gotten an usher but I didn't want to miss any more of the $8 movie than I already had so I moved to the other side of my girlfriend.

After the movie, in the bathroom I notice this same woman coming out of a stall while my girlfriend and I waited for our turn. I indicated that she was the woman who had spoiled our viewing pleasure (after I moved my friend discovered immediately why I was so annoyed). So we began a delightful discussion about people who talk in the theater, loud enough for this woman to hear it. Again, she was oblivious.

I think I'll stick to the theater no one goes to even though it means I've gotta wait a month or two to see them...

Why I Don't Watch American Idol

I'm probably going to catch a lot of flack for this...but I hate American Idol and other reality shows. I used to watch the Biggest Loser and the Amazing Race and I've seen a season of American Idol and Survivor. I also used to watch Bad Girls Club but soon got so sick of the drama that I quit. I also stopped watching Biggest Loser and the Amazing Race because of the drama as well. The Biggest Loser was a great show in its infancy but soon people started playing games and sequestering themselves into rooms to talk about the other contestants. Dancing With the Stars used to be interesting until the stupid public kept eliminating talented dancers to save those that acted as the comic relief but really couldn't dance. And in the end, the person who usually won wasn't the person who deserved it the most. I actually wanted to be on the Amazing Race at one point but I soon got sick and tired of hearing the couples yell at each other and bicker. If I want something real, I'd rather watch something like 20/20 or a "news of interest" type show.

Perhaps I'm becoming one of those people that are just out of the loop because when I look at the covers of magazines in the checkout aisle, I barely know anyone on the cover. I also wonder why these people are famous. What special talent do they have? Why do people tune in to the Kardashians? Why do I care about what goes on in their lives? Same with Paris Hilton--why exactly do I care what she did last night?

I also find it appalling that people are obtaining fame and recognition for things such as acting badly and teen pregnancy. Why the need to glorify this? Raising a child is tough work, and even rougher for a teenager. However nowadays teens can have children willy-nilly and not suffer the same consequences because they'll just go on a TV show. I'm not trying to get on a high-horse and condemn anyone who has been or is a teenage mother. I know a lot of smart, ambitious, intelligent women who were teenage mothers. However, I think that it isn't something that a teen should aspire to be. Hold onto your childhood for as long as you possibly can. You have the rest of your life to devote to adult things such as raising children.

As a singer, I think that most people assume that I will be into American Idol. After all, it's a singing competition and singing is what I do. At one point a specific person would ask me on a weekly basis if I was watching the show. Every week I would assure them that I was not watching it and could not foresee myself watching it in the future. They would recount with: "Oh but you should...it's REALLY good this year." I'm sure that it is. I'm sure that there is a wealth of worthy talent on the show. In fact, I love a lot of the singers that have been on the show. I greatly respect Kelly Clarkson, I love Crystal Bauersox, etc. But there is also this side of me that thinks singers should put in their dues and time like other musical acts have done. One of my sweetest friends, Beaux has had a band for many years. I've known him since 2006 (I like to say: "I knew him when he had short hair and took his shirt off at shows--because now he has long hair and never strips anymore). His band was opening for Jani Lane and I liked them right away because they were good. I never like the opening band but they used a freaking didgeridoo! Beaux doesn't really care about fame or fortune, he's a philanthropist. He was named USO Entertainer of the Year and he and the boys in the band will be spending their summer visiting various bases to entertain the troops. They also donate money to save the silverbacks who are losing their homes due to man's progress. How many American Idol contestants go on the show to give back to the community?

So shoot me if you will but I just can't get into reality shows. Especially when they turn down talent like the female singer in Lady Antebellum. She didn't even get to the round where she saw the judges and she has a great voice. On the other hand, you could say that acts like Britney Spears hasn't really paid her dues either but I'm not much of a fan of hers or other manufactured talent. However, I will make an exception for Justin Timberlake because he is hella talented. In a nutshell, that is why I don't like reality shows. Too much drama...

I've Been Banned from Tyrrell County

Okay so it's only a self-imposed ban but clearly they do not want my kind there. My frustrations with this county go all the way back to the Friday before Easter. The Pep & I took a trip to Ocracoke Island, all by ourselves. Little did I know that Tyrrell County was a speed trap. Thankfully, my faithful little pup by my side growled at the officer who came to the window to reprimand me for my heavy foot. Good girl!

Fast forward to the present where my court date arrives. Yesterday I started figuring out exactly what time I had to leave in order to be at the court house on time and what time I would need to leave to be back in Raleigh for my doctor's appointment. I start thinking about the process as I've experienced it in Raleigh's court house. In Wake County, people start lining up by about 7:30 and the D.A. and magistrate start talking to people about 8AM. Then court starts at 9 for those that request a trial or are not allowed to have their ticket reduced. So mentally, I'm figuring all of this in. Tyrrell County Courthouse is 2 hours and 38 minutes away. In order to be there by 8AM, I'll need to get up at 4AM and leave by 5AM. Because who knows how the traffic will be and if I have to find a place to park, etc! Anyways, it seems it will be a busy, busy day.

Also yesterday, I had an appointment at 5:45PM. I'm not sure why I decided to make this appointment as rush hour traffic is a nightmare. On top of that there was a a four-car pile up on the way as well. I'm unable to call and inform them that I'm running late because 2 weeks ago I had to do a factory reset on my phone which made me lose all my phone numbers. Since I'm about 10 minutes late for the appointment they have to reschedule me. I run home and begin changing the tail light casing in my car. I get the old, crushed casing out of its spot and attempt to replace it with the new one. IT...DOESN'T...FIT! After replacing the old, crushed one back again it was time for bed!

So the day starts by me oversleeping 1 hour and 45 minutes! Gah! Miraculously, I get ready in 15 minutes and am on the road by 6AM which should still put me at the court house by 8:30--which I'm hoping is not too late. While I'm on the road, I get to thinking that maybe my thought process was all for naught. I'm used to dealing with the Wake County court system. It's the capital and a hassle. Maybe this county will be small, like the one I grew up in and move swiftly! So I call a friend of mine and have them look up Tyrrell County. Turns out that the population of the entire county would fit in my home town of 4,000 people. This is looking good for me!

I arrive at 8:30 and don't even have to bother looking for parking because there's a spot available right in front and what's more, it's FREE! Instead of speaking to the D.A. before going into the court room, like Raleigh, we just sit in the court room. I think we doubled the population just by showing up to traffic court. We form two lines and when it's my turn, I inform the D.A. that I would like to use "Prayer for Judgment." Prayer for Judgment is a benefit that North Carolina offers its drivers who have a clean driving record to keep their record clean. If you have not received a speeding ticket in the past 3 years, you can request Prayer for Judgment and therefore you do not incur any points on your license. The D.A. informs me that in order to request Prayer for Judgment, I will have to have Raleigh forward my driving record and come back on a later date! Ugh! Why didn't they tell me this before? Again, I'm used to the way Wake County operates. They already have your driving record in front of them so you don't have to worry about any of that. Clearly, Hog Waller, NC don't play that... So the D.A. reduced my ticket and the only thing I saved were a few points on my record and $5. Which I didn't really save $5 because I ate up almost an entire tank of gas just to fight the ticket.

I start to drive home and I'm pissed because I wanted to use my get-out-of-jail-free card but because I'm refusing to make the trip again another day, I had to forfeit it and therefore cannot use it again for 3 more years. My friend Barbara said: "Are you planning on getting any more tickets?" Me: "No...but I can't drive the speed limit. It depresses me and stresses me out." She laughs at this. But if you've ever ridden in a car with me, you know that this is true.

I'm out of the court house by 9:22AM and home by 11:46. At 1:30PM I leave for my appointment with a doctor's office. I have a new patient consultation scheduled for 2PM but want to get there early as there is surely paperwork to fill out. I arrive at 1:47PM and sure enough I'm put to work filling out forms. There's one man and a woman seated before me. Soon 3 other ladies and a gentleman join the room and all begin talking about their experiences with this doctor's office and what I'm hearing ain't so good. For one, the lady in the corner announces that her appointment was at 1:45 and it is now 2:15. At about 2:45 I stand up, go to the receptionist's desk and ask for my paperwork back. I say: "I was a potential new patient and my appointment was at 2PM. It's now 2:45 and I was told the consultation would last 30 minutes. I no longer have time to sit through a consultation and be able to make my next appointment." The receptionist says: "My apologies, can we keep your paperwork and reschedule you for another time?" I reply: "I've taken time off of work and made an effort to be here early. I'm not impressed with having to wait 45 minutes for an appointment I already scheduled. You're not the only ______ racket in town. May I please have my paperwork?" And I leave (after taking the paperwork from her). Onto the next appointment. Which went really well. My primary care doctor hasn't seen me since I've lost over 30 lbs so it was good to catch up with her and hear praise for my hard work.

After several errands I go home to my animals and take a nap. I'm halfway into the nap when I'm awakened by my phone ringing. It's the doctor's office that I left without being seen. The voice mail message states that she's very sorry about the "mix up in scheduling." She would love it if I called her back to reschedule the appointment. Well now I'm thinking: "Mix up in scheduling?" How could there be a mix up in scheduling if she called to confirm the appointment yesterday? And of course, I cannot get back to sleep.

*Sigh* But tomorrow's another day and it's Friday. At least the debacle is over!