Long weekend
Thursday was good. I made almost everything from scratch, including gravy, which I'd never made before. We didn't have a huge group, but the turkey was pretty much gone. I'm pretty sick of leftovers, though. And, with my new diet starting this week, it is probably best if I don't eat them anyhow.
Work was busy this weekend, but I have a break until Wednesday for Toyland. I was going to stay late tonight because they were short, but I'm worried I might be getting sick. So I came home to rest, but I've just been trying to get caught up. I finally downloaded my vacation pictures.
I just wanted to check in and tell you all that I hope you enjoyed your holiday. I truly had much to be thankful for, and I'm sure you all did too. Anyhow, I am going to wrap up for tonight. I have to go pack my gym bag for tomorrow and my keyboard is acting up a little bit.
Remind me soon to tell you the Opryland story... I've been meaning to do that for months.
Thought of the day
If I could look at this:
why would I look at this?
If I had this view:
why would I want this view?
I've just never understood the fascination with the Elfman. Needless to say, it didn't really matter to me that he was on a little island the same time that I was. It would've pissed me off if Woody's had been closed when I went, but I didn't really hang out at Woody's this trip. Maybe if we'd spent some time there, people could've seen a real, live singing star in the flesh. Maybe he would've even gotten drunk and spilled a drink on them. (OK, based on life in Nashville, I can pretty much guarantee that part!)
Maybe it's because I'm in Nashville and I see singing stars all the time. Maybe it's because I don't dig dudes with manorexia. Regardless, I just won't ever see the point in spending as much money on vacation as I do and using my precious time on St. John to stalk someone. (OK, I might stalk the guy who makes the lobster with the steak in it at Morgan's Mango. That's yummy!)
I'm done ranting for today. I blame PMS.
(P.S. No offense to the lady in the photo with KC. She's lovely, and I'm sure sweet as pie. I was just illustrating the point that a) he was on St. John and there is photographic proof and b) he's bald and not particularly attractive. All that sun has done a number on his 40-year-old face!)
For Anthony...
In case you're new to my blog: I like the Virgin Islands.
And when I'm not in the Virgin Islands, I like to spend time talking to IIFs* about the Virgin Islands. We discuss such informative topics as:
- Which beach is best?
- Cooler as checked luggage or carry-on?
- Do I even need a cooler?
- Villa, condo, boat or camping?
- Am I brave enough to go to Trunk Bay when there are three cruise ships in port?
- Charter boat vs. ferry?
- Which rum goes best with diet coke?
Anyhow, perhaps you've been to this little piece of heaven in the Caribbean Sea. Maybe you're trying to figure out how to score a spot on my next trip (just ask!). Or perhaps, you're just bored at work. Regardless, you might enjoy the VI Online Forum!
My IIF Anthony is the owner of the Web site, and he's trying to get up to 2,000 registered users by the end of the year. I told him I'd post a little advertisement for him here. Listening to thousands of people you don't know wax on about the VIs has to be better than reading this boring old blog anyhow!
Go check it out. Don't forget to register to help Anthony out.
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum
I'm not telling you who I am there. You have to guess!
*IIF=Imaginary Internet Friend
Song of the day: "She Wouldn't Be Gone" by Blake Shelton.
Ghosts
I had a really weird dream last night. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I dreamed actually happened. This has happened to me before, and it always freaks me out a little. But lately it seems to be happening more often. Just a little creepy.
Anyhow, sometimes I wonder if I'll always be haunted by ghosts. I just wish there were a way to get all the shitty things in our lives to be in some permanent file that we never had to access ever again in our lives. Even things that seemed OK end up haunting me sometimes.
I don't like to rehash the past. There's nothing you can do about it anyhow. So, I shouldn't really worry about it when other people want to rehash it and force it to haunt you. Nothing's going to change.
But maybe I still need to work on the haunting. I need to be in control of my own feelings. I learned that this week, if nothing else.
Song of the day: (my new favorite song) "Last Call" by Lee Ann Womack.
Soon come...
I promise to tell you all about my vacation adventures very soon.
Here is a teaser:
Last year, a picture of me passed out on the beach surfaced on the Internet.
This year, there is a picture of my cankles and me doing crazy, drunk stuff I don't remember.
I'm always a fun time, and anyone who doesn't realize that is missing out.
A final thought: It's all about perspective, and right now mine is clear and peaceful.
Song of the day:
"Let it Go" by Tim McGraw.
Better
I'm still not doing great, but I'm doing better. Part of me thinks I overreacted yesterday, but part of me thinks maybe I didn't. I don't know. I'm not going to obsess about it, because that will kill me.
And I'm not digging too much for answers, just in case the answer might kill me too. You know, kind of like Pandora's box? Part of me is surprised I made it out of yesterday relatively unscathed.
Now, I am focusing on getting ready for Thanksgiving next week (when I'm not working really, really hard, which I've been doing most of the morning). I have so much to do before everyone gets there Thursday. Shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc, but the meal is going to be great.
And if it's not, there's always Cracker Barrel.
Disappearing Act
I had just finally made my peace with the fact that there's no point worrying about General Motors and that I had to trust that God would take care of my parents, and I do.
I thought maybe things would get back to normal and my re-entry into the real world would stop being so painful.
Then one picture, a picture that I'm sure folks thought was innocent, turned my whole fucking world upside down.
I don't know where to go. I don't know what to do. I don't know when I'll eat again or stop feeling like I'm being stabbed with a million tiny little daggers.
I don't know anything, and apparently I never have.
At first, I clung to my friends and sought comfort and advice. Now I just want to be alone. I just want to hole up in my house and never come out. Mostly because I'm too embarrassed to face the world. I can't think or talk without becoming an emotional mess.
I just need some time by myself. I don't know for how long.
I just wanted to let you all know where I was going and not to expect anything here for a while. I'm off to wallow for a while.
If you really need me, you probably know where to find me. Don't be offended if I don't answer, text back or respond to your e-mail. I'll get to you eventually, I promise.
I'll be back eventually. It might be tomorrow, it might be next week, maybe longer, but I'll be back.
I am thinking that perhaps I should get out of my funk before people come for Thanksgiving next week, although I am seriously debating running home to my mommy for a day or so. Of course, I don't even want to talk to my mom right now.
Reality bites.
So, I'm back in the real world. I am swamped at work. Seriously, I am simultaneously writing two stories and proofing a project I finished up before I left. Professionally, however, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Personally, I'm not so sure. I spend every free minute I have obsessed with this GM bailout situation. Because I am sitting here realizing that at 32 years old, there is a very good possibility that I will have to move home and take care of my parents, who are about to not have an income. That's what's going to happen here, folks. If this bailout doesn't go through, GM will file for bankruptcy, and they won't be obligated to their creditors. Unfortunately, their largest debt is their employee benefits program. Of course, I haven't quite figured out how I'd pay the bills if I did go home. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Nevermind that there's no way in hell I could ever find a job that I could support three people on. That's why I don't have kids.
And, if you're sitting at home thinking that it won't affect you, you're wrong. Our country will be in big trouble if the auto industry collapses. There's a youtube video that I can't embed here, but I recommend that you go to
www.gmfactsandfiction.com and watch it.
I was told today that only people connected with the auto industry care about the bailout. Maybe this helps put a human face on it for you, because something's got to give. I don't know that I've ever been so scared before in my life. I'm just not sure what we'll do if my dad's pension goes away...
Ahhhhhhh...
Neat sheet? Check.
Beach towel? Check.
Sunglasses? Check.
Trunk Bay with no cruise ships? Check!
See you in a week or so. Big rum party at my house when I get back.
Or maybe I'll just drink myself into a tizzy and pass out. One thing's for sure: Lots of fun will be had over the next eight days.
If you happen to walk by The Beach Bar Sunday, we're the ones with the glow bracelets.
Not much to say
I'm finishing up loose ends while I head off to paradise, where I can guarantee there will be no updates for a whole week.
The election is Tuesday. I have to work in Toyland, so unless Obama texts me, I will miss the whole thing. I'm just ready for it to be done.
Lots of work to do at home and at work before I leave Friday. I can't wait to see Mike. I haven't seen him since my birthday.
I'm going to miss Portia.
I think Toyland is pissed that I'm going on vacation. I do a lot for them, so they'll have to get over it.
I'm thinking of hiring a cleaning lady. When you do the math, it makes a lot of sense. We'll see.
