Memory

My memory isn't what it used to be.  I blame my aspartame intake (via diet drinks) over the past 17 years. 

Earlier this week, I wrote myself the following note:

 

Yes, I did remember to go.  It was not a pleasant experience, but that's another story.

Last Friday I forgot my phone at home when I left for work.  This week, I forgot my phone at work when I left for the day.  When I arrived the next morning I was glad to see that it was still sitting on my desk.  I don't know why I am having such a hard time keeping up with it lately. 

Then, I couldn't remember how old I was.  Yes, I am serious.  I was trying to remember how old I would be turning this year and kept going back and forth between two numbers.  This only lasted about 1 or 2 minutes before it finally became clear to me. 

Thankfully, it's only been small things that I forget and only for brief periods of time.  I'm sure it's completely normal.  Right?

Feathers Extensions and Captain D's

I took the plunge.  Yes, I got a feather extension.  I don't know if you've seen this recent trend.  My first thought was that I liked it, but didn't think I could pull it off.  I didn't think about it much after that, but recently checked out behind someone who had several brightly colored feathers in their hair.  I really liked them and decided that I might need to try this.  So, today, when I went to get my hair cut, I got a feather extension (or three to be precise).  I bypassed the brightly colored feathers for something a little more natural and work friendly.  Here are a couple of pictures.  The first is my attempt to show you the three different feathers.

On my way home, I stopped at Captain D's to get some tea to drink.  The employees there were very interesting and complimentary.  First, a female employee sitting just inside the door told me that she liked my shoes and asked where I got them.  I told her I had purchased them a while ago at Gap Outlet.  She then told another female employee behind the counter that they would be visiting Gap Outlet after she gets her check.  She also told more than one employee that she would buy them a shirt (on sale) after she gets her check.  Maybe I should have asked to go on the shopping trip!

After ordering my drink, I had a discussion with female employee #1 and a male employee about my feather extension.  Female Employee #1 wanted to know how it was secured in my hair (I was actually sure) and the male employee told me that it was the best feather extension he had seen.  I'll have to remember to stop by Captain D's more often.  You have to pay for the tea, but the compliments are free!

A Frustrating Friday

Friday was a bit stressful for me. 
 
Unfortunate Incident #1:  When I got in my car to head to work I remembered that I had intended to get some gas the night before.  Somehow I forgot, though.   My fuel light was already on, so what did I do?  I decided to chance it and drive the 20-ish miles to the nearest gas station on my route to work.  (Note:  There is a gas station less than 5 miles from my home, but I don't like to go that way to work.)  The good news is that I successfully made it to the gas station.  The bad news is that of the 2 pumps I could use, 2 were taken.  So, I had to sit and wait.  This seemed like a good time to get my phone out and browse facebook. 

Unfortunate Incident #2:  It was at the time that I found out I had left my phone at home.   Do you how many calls I receive a day?  Well, sometimes none, but I've become so accustomed to dependent on my phone that it feels strange to not have it with me.  Plus, how will I take my facebook/twitter breaks during the day without it?   

Unfortunate Incident #3:  I was looking forward to a pedicure I had scheduled an appointment for after work.  I get off early on Fridays and was going to head straight for my pedicure from the office.  At about 2:30 something came up that several of us had to work on and complete.  I didn't think I was going to finish.  Actually, I didn't.  At 4:30 someone finally took it from me.  By this time I'd already called and cancelled my much anticipated pedicure appointment. 

Unfortunate Incident #4:  While trying to finish the project from Unfortunate Incident #3, something else came up and was brought to me to be fixed.  I had to stop what I was doing to fix it and then go back to the first project.  I like to finish one task before starting another.  That's just how my mind works.  I need to focus on only one thing at a time. 

My day picked up here because I got to get in my freshly washed and vacuumed car and go to a movie and out to eat with friends.   Until....

Unfortunate Incident #5:  Carrie and I shared a meal, which turned out to be a.) not what we thought and b.) more expensive than anticipated.  For sharing, we had to pay for the price of our meal, an extra $5 sharing charge, plus another $4 ($2 x 2) for fried rice.  Why do they even offer regular rice?  Who wants regular rice when you can have fried rice? 

Honestly, I wouldn't have classified Friday as a horrible day, just one with several unpleasant occurrences.  It couldn't have been too bad after all, because Friday is always followed by Saturday!

When I was 15...

I am thankful to have a friend who saves old emails and surveys I wrote/filled out many years ago.  Sometime in the past year she sent several of these to me so I could have a good laugh. 

I believe I got my first email address in 1999.  I would occasionally check it but only had about one person who ever emailed me.  Fast forward to a short time later where I would stay up (after being told to go to bed) and chat online with my friends.  I do remember filling out quite a few surveys, updating my yahoo profile, and visiting the Christian teens chatroom on hotmail (msn?).  Of course, this was all done via dial-up Internet.  What am I saying?  My hometown only recently got dsl and that is not a joke. 

Anyway, I thought I would share some of my infinite wisdom from back in the day <sarcasm>. 

Example #1:

Let's start this off with a good one.  This quote is from a survey dated December 15, 2003.  So, by this time I was in college.

26.) If you had no limitations, what would you be when you grow up and why?: Something really smart, like a doctor, but i am not smart enough, nor will i study enough to be a doctor.  I would just like to work in an office in a big building and have lots of cool office tools..haha.

I’m pretty sure when I said I would like to be a doctor I was thinking about the money.  If you know me then you know that I do not want a job where I have to touch people, especially not sick people.   Also, I really do dislike studying.  The 2^nd half of this quote is the funny part, though.  I actually currently work in a somewhat large office building where I have access to a copier, fax machine, and my very own stapler and tape dispenser.  I am also the proud owner of a copy card.  Seriously, this excites me.  Don't even get me started on name badges that unlock doors and gates..

Example #2 (in three parts):

For this jewel, we will be traveling back in time to January 2000.

IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO
>   WOULD IT BE! I really have no idea, but how about
Freddie Prince, Jr.????

Yes, I remember Freddie Prinze Jr. being pretty popular at this time.  Of course, now he's married, which makes him quite a bit less exciting. I do wish he and Sarah Michelle Gellar all the best!  I'm totally over him now.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED, WHAT WOULD
> IT
>   BE?  I donn't know.  Something that i enjoyed
doing.  Like working with some fine guy.

Even at the age of 15, I had a clear sense of my career goals.  Aren't you impressed?  Please don't judge the fact that I misspelled don't.  I'm sure I just didn't proofread my work.  Surveys were sometimes very lengthy and took a while to finish.

PERSON YOU SENT THIS TO WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO
>   RESPOND: My cousin,(if i were sending it to her)my
own flesh and blood who won't even read the stuff I
send her and asked me to stop sending it.  How
rude!!!

This one really makes me laugh.  Of course, it probably means nothing to you, but I'm putting this in for me.  If someone has a email account you should send them stuff, right?  Apparently not.  I don't think she liked getting surveys and emails from me. 

Example #3:

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MARRIAGE: I don't really
think a/b it.  I am only 15. It's not like i am a/b to
get married or anything.

I am no long "only 15," and now do think about marriage.  I don't seem to be any closer to it than when I was 15, though.