Hundred

I have seen this on a couple different blogs; some of people I know, some of strangers. I read two this morning - one that I stumbled upon and one of a friend. Well I want to be part of the cool blogging group too. So here's my list of 100 things about me.

1. I love books. They are a weakness of mine.
2. Last May I graduated with a BA in psychology and another one in English literature.
3. I have lived in Virginia three times. I moved to Norfolk when I was three and left when I was eight. I moved to Virginia Beach when I was 10 and left when I was 12. I moved to Williamsburg when I was 22 and left when I was 23.
4. Even though I lived two hours from Mexico for two years and currently live about eight hours away from Canada, the only foreign country I've ever been to is Japan.
5. I like hot showers.
6. I love drinking chocolate soy milk.
7. My favorite art period is the Impressionist period ca. 1900 France.
8. Recently, I have been informed that I am angry more than the average person and that I have anger management problems.
9. I love breakfast foods.
10. My favorite car that I owned was a red 1996 VW Jetta GT.
11. I am the oldest of 7 kids.
12. When I was younger I wanted a baby sister and an older brother.
13. I like having my picture taken.
14. As a rule, I don't generally like beer.
15. I'm a beer snob. If I'm going to drink it, it has to be good beer - not some cheap domestic shit other people drink just to drink.
16. I don't know the differences between the conjugations and tenses of the words "lay" and "lie." That really bothers me.
17. I am in love with the most wonderful man. His name is Kelly. He does things like spends his entire lunch break cleaning out the car because he knows it will make me happy.
18. There will be a wedding in our honor in 34 days.
19. The battery on my cell phone falls off so now I have it taped on ghetto-fashion with black electrical tape.
20. Growing up, I idolized my cousin Jolie.
21. I love getting riled up about social injustices.
22. I work at a shelter for kids in crisis situations. It is difficult, emotionally stressful work.
23. Working at a homeless shelter for kids has made me realize the importance of leading a life without crime and crack and just how much can be accomplished when you love a kid. When you love your kid.
24. I like loading the dishwasher.
25. I hate unloading the dishwasher.
26. I like sweeping.
27. I hate vacuuming.
28. Vacuuming reminds me of high school when my mom's husband would freak out if I hadn't vacuumed by the time he got home from work.
29. Some of the stories the shelter kids tell me about their parents remind me of my mom's husband.
30. I'm glad my mom's husband is dead.
31. I'm glad me and my siblings never had to go to a shelter.
32. I'm still dealing with a lot of nonsense from my growing years.
33. I don't like animals as a general rule.
34. I love my puppy Radley.
35. My favorite singers are those with smart lyrics.
36. I have a weakness for teen-pop and hip hop.
37. I'm looking forward to Missy Elliott's new CD, due out on June 28.
38. At one time, I had metal in 14 piercings. Most of that has been removed and now all that remains are the puncture marks.
39. I am a free-lance writer for the Idaho Business Review.
40. I hate journalism.
41. Usually, I drink water.
42. I'm starting to like tomatoes less, the older I get.
43. I was a waitress for two months.
44. I thought waitressing was the dirtiest, most horrific job ever.
45. I make sure to buy the nice tissues with lotion in them so they feel good on my nose.
46. Boise is home.
47. I danced for 11 years. Two of those years I taught hip hop.
48. I want to teach high school English.
49. Whole milk makes me gag.
50. I love knitting and have a lot of projects on my list, but just can't seem to find the time lately to get them started.
51. I like wine.
52. I love theatre.
53. Messiness and clutter really bother me.
54. I always wanted someone to make me a bookshelf when I was growing up. Since literature and owning books are so important to me, I saw the act of someone constructing a bookshelf for me by hand as an incredibly personal and meaningful gesture.
55. Kelly made me a bookshelf for Christmas this past year.
56. I don't like holidays. I think that for the most part, holidays (especially Christmas) are American inventions designed to get people to spend money they don't have and boost our self-conscious economy.
57. I have spent a great deal of energy as an adult redefining the meaning I attribute to holidays and how they apply to me.
58. I used to want to be a school counselor.
59. I moved to Williamsburg, Virginia last year to attend a graduate program at The College of William and Mary in school counseling.
60. While in Williamsburg I discovered that I want to work in a school but that I don't want to do that as a counselor. I also discovered that I love counseling but that it's something I need to wait on for a little while.
61. This fall I will start another graduate program. This time at Boise State. This time in English teaching.
62. I learned wonderful, priceless lessons at W&M. I also made some wonderful, priceless friends.
63. I like salmon.
64. I only started liking fish at all about two years ago.
65. I like doing laundry one load at a time.
66. Doing six loads of laundry in one day is annoying to me.
67. Today, I will probably do six loads of laundry.
68. I am particular about grammar and punctuation.
69. I don't generally enjoy watching kids' movies.
70. I want my kids to be born liking movies like The Royal Tanenbaums, I (heart) Huckabees and Napoleon Dynamite.
71. I don't plan to have kids for at least another five years.
72. I have a backable fear that I may not be able to have kids.
73. If I can't have kids I don't want to spend millions on fertilization therapy. There are tons of kids in this world I could adopt.
74. I will not adopt tons of kids. Just a couple will more than suffice.
75. I've never undergone fertilization therapy, but I have been through therapy.
76. I like going to counseling.
77. I think group counseling is an amazing process.
78. I would like to join an anger management group.
79. I would like to attend couple's counseling.
80. I feel privileged to be OK with counseling. I also feel privileged to know that counseling can be just as proactive in your life as it can be healing.
81. I am incredibly introspective.
82. I believe in astrology, tarot and psychic energy.
83. I do not believe in gods of any sort or any creation.
84. I believe too many people use their belief in God or religion in general as a crutch. Or as an escape from consciously examining reality and their place in the world.
85. I prefer dark chocolate.
86. I love whipped cream from a can.
87. I have friends all over the world. Well, all over the states and in the Netherlands.
88. I love the new family I am acquiring through my union with Kelly and I feel privileged to be accepted by them.
89. I like to win.
90. I like to be a gracious winner.
91. I never want to be the parent who thinks they have the best-at-everything kid. I never want to be that short-sighted.
92. It really bothers me when people don't teach their children or their pets manners.
93. I'm teaching Radley the command "that's rude" for times when he's bothering people who don't want to be bothered. I honestly think he's picking it up.
94. The thought just entered my head that I should go back and make sure I didn't skip a number inadvertently. I probably will because I'm meticulous like that.
95. I can become severely depressed by doing something as simple and meaningless as shopping for pants.
96. I was a Girl Scout leader for two years. I miss my girls.
97. I have a close relationship with my parents. All three of them.
98. I recently discovered that I like pears.
99. I have had multiple surgeries on my mouth, half of them with a laser. I need to call my dentist this morning to schedule another one.
100. I need to go start another load of laundry and fold the last one.

Those Wacky Canadians

Last night I was at my mom's house to hang out and take my 10-year-old brother to Boy Scouts. I also was able to accompany the fam to the elementary school for their annual book fair. In the Suburban on the way to the school, TJay, the previously mentioned brother, was goofing off, making weird noises and just plain being silly.

"TJay, what are you doing?!?" queried my mother.

"I'm being a Canadian," he sincerely replied.

Confused, she questioned, "What?!?"

He explained. "You know, I'm making people laugh."

Asked my mother: "Do you mean comedian?"

He Did It Again

So I've completely lost count in this whole dog pen issue. Stuff has been happening so quickly that I can't write about it fast enough. Basically it boils down to the fact that Kelly was certain Radley's pen was akin to Alcatraz. Until yesterday, that is, when the pooch met me at the back door again when he was supposed to be on an island off the coast of California. He chewed through the wooden lattice holding him captive. Kelly's next step is to replace all the wooden lattice with plastic. This dog is a master.

Evidently, some elephants escaped from a Soeul, Korea zoo. I imagine they wreaked a little havoc here and there. My proposal is this: We should hire out our dog to test pens for holding other animals, inmates...things like that. If he can't get out in a week's time, it's gold. Otherwise, they pay us twice. We could get rich quick off this scheme!

Stewart-4, Houdini-4

Point values were awarded for the following:

Stewart received one point for constructing "the Rock." It was believed that Houdini would be unable to defeat this design.

Houdini mastered the design and escaped the following afternoon. One point.

Stewart filled the holes created by the "Rock" design that allowed Houdini's jailbreak. One point.

As a forecast for future reports, Houdini is currently formulating a plan for his next flight of freedom. He is chewing his way through the wooden latticework.

Stewart-2, Houdini-3

Two days ago, Stewart attempted a quick-fix in the fence scenario with the thought that the pup would be duped.

Within minutes, the ever-resourceful Houdini once again scaled the latticework and ran gleefully up to the porch. It appeared as though Houdini did in fact utilize upper body strength, much as a human would perform a pull-up.

A point has been awarded to Houdini for seeing through Stewart's slap-dash job. No points were awarded to Stewart.

"It's on," said Stewart. "This weekend that dog is mine! He will go down!"

The only comment from Houdini was a triumphant expression at the back door.

Anew

I have changed things around a bit. I like it better this way. Still having problems with a few things, though. If you know a lot about computer code and would be able/willing to help with some (most likely) easy questions (hint, hint Crispy), I would love you forever.

Stewart-2, Houdini-2

In the latest course of heated events between Martha and Harry, it appears as though the two contenders are running neck and neck.

Stewart pulled ahead this weekend by adding to the fence surrounding Houdini's pen. The pup was discontented with this and expressed possible interest in defeat. The crafty fellow discovered a way to jump even higher the next day, however, and therefore escape once again.

"I really thought I had him this time," said Stewart after Houdini's latest break-through. "But he waited until he knew I didn't have any time left this weekend to fix the fence again. Now he has another week to ruin the garden. The little fucker."

Stewart's new plan is to angle the top of the fence inward, to deter Houdini's leaps. Stewart believes this should work since Houdini is limited on upper body strength and lacks opposable thumbs. This reporter isn't so sure about that.

Anniversary

A year ago today, I slept in and then spent some time that afternoon doing homework. Then I took a shower, got dressed and met Kelly for our first date.

A year ago today, I sat across the table from a near stranger engaged in a conversation I knew I wanted to continue for the rest of my life.

A year ago today, it became all right for me to make plans with another person. It became all right to dream, to expect, to know.

A year ago today, my life changed for the better.

Adieu, Banking

A year and a half ago, I quit working for Wells Fargo under the impression that I would never return to that line of work. Don't get me wrong, there are some mild benefits that go along with a position at a bank...The benefits (medical, dental, etc.) that I didn't use were good benefits. I got many a date from bank customers. It taught me a lot about the banking process, which is something I knew little about but has come in handy many times since then. I made friends with my coworkers, two of whom recently had babies. And I learned how to 10-key like a madman.

But there were also the drawbacks of said position. For instance, doing 100 deposits a day. The same way. For people who think their transaction is the most important, unique and down right beautiful transaction in the entire universe. Every once in a while there's a withdrawal. The reverse of a deposit. Sometimes a little more challenging because you have to ask for ID.

I often said that a monkey could do my job. After my last one-month stint at a Wells Fargo return, however, I've decided that even something less animate than a monkey could do that job. Honestly, they're making ATMs so well now that they can practically make coffee and change the baby at the same time. You can already view statements, transfer money, withdrawal funds and deposit money from the ATM. At some ATMs you can purchase stamps. Some are equipped for deaf and/or blind people. I don't think it is a stretch to give ATMs the capacity to print travellers checks and cashiers checks as well. Stop staffing the bank, have all employees work just for the vault or the phone bank because people will still need customer service and presto! a streamlined banking process where no one has to stand around all day pushing buttons and being nice to people when they don't really care and counting to 100 by 20 a billion times a day.

But then, there are actually people who love the job. I don't get those people at all. They think it's fun or cool or whatever. They like getting up and going in to work in the morning.

Well I'm not one of them. Two days ago was my last day at Wells Fargo. Again. But this time for real. See, this time I just really needed the job and thought I could live through it - live through the agony of something I see as interminably pointless. I was a big, fat liar. I hated being there and I hated myself for being there. So I am through.

On a side note, my blog is kind of ugly as of late. I thought it would be fun to deck out my blog in wedding colors, but now I just think it looks kind of funny. I'll fix it later...

Shout Outs

Shout out #1:
Hannah now has a blog. It is good and everyone should read it.

Shout out #2:
Kelly has posted a few things on his blog. Everyone should read that, too.

Baby Steps

I have made some startling accomplishments recently. I've learned some stuff about myself, realized some stuff about Kelly, and started learning to let go of things that only hurt me. I also mailed nearly all the wedding invitations this morning. Just a few more to finish up and I'm done for ever. These have been a big enough pain in the butt to deter me from marrying ever again. And if I do happen to get married once more, I'll pay someone to do them for me. Which is what I think everyone should do anyway.

Here's To Grace

A couple posts ago, Grace asked about wedding details. Of course they're no secret. I'll tell you what I can think of - I just hope it's mildly interesting. If I leave anything out, just ask.

The wedding is going to be at the Boise Train Depot (I posted some photos below). It used to be an actual train depot, used for uh trains and the like, but it isn't any more. It's still an actual depot, just not used for trains and the like. Now it's primarily used for weddings. We fall into the latter category since we're not trains.

Anyway, the inside is beautiful and ornate, so we're not going to decorate at all. I had to argue with my mom and her mother who are both tulle-happy maniacs, but I think they finally see it my way. Or they've just given up. Either way, I'm happy. Plus, the depot has severe rules against tape, staples, helium balloons, pets, rice, bubbles, bird seed or anything else you think of as relatively harmless because it is a historic building and we're contracted to honor that.

On one end of the hall there are stairs, so we're using the stairs rather than an aisle. I hate the idea of having an aisle. The girls will be in plain black dresses that they've picked out to look good and be comfortable on them. The guys will be in black pants and red shirts and red ties. Kelly, black suit, red shirt, red tie. Me, white dress with a red strip along the top and the hem.The girls will all carry a single tulip and then we'll bind those together for the bouquet toss, since I'm not going to carry anything. The flowers will be simple, just lily of the valley and tulips, even though Kelly's aunts went insane in .03 seconds over the thought that we may not be able to obtain tulips in the end of May. If that's the case we'll use something else that we can get. No big deal. I don't care. They're flowers. The tablecloths and chairs will be black, the linen white. A string quartet will play for the ceremony, a DJ for the reception. A judge will marry us. We'll have a buffet-style dinner of some pork dish and some beef dish and then some stuff on the side like salad and rolls and potatoes and broccoli. Wine, beer, juice, soda. Cake is nasty, so we're having an ice cream sundae bar instead.

Hmmm...That's about all I can come up with for now. It will be a fun evening wedding, so hopefully people will stay and dance and have a good time with it all. If not, they can just leave their presents by the door and never call us again.

Here's a picture of the front of the Boise train depot where the wedding will be in less than two months.

Here's the back of the train depot.

The depot has beautiful gardens and fountains with a large koi pond. Here's one part of the fountain.

This is a view of Boise from the train depot. Right now you're looking up Capitol Boulevard toward the capitol building. Usually there's no weird orange cones. I don't know why the web site I got this from chose to take pictures on a day when orange cones would litter the view.