I cannot WAIT to find out more about the reasons behind this, but in the meantime I am just going to enjoy the fact that Sarah Palin has resigned as Governor of Alaska.
This is the first day in two weeks that I did not wake up with a sinus pressure induced migraine. In fact, it is the first time in two weeks I've not had a migraine. I never thought I would feel relieved to have a ridiculously painful sinus headache, but at this point I'll take it. Of course it is thanks to two kinds of prescription allergy medicine, two types of decongestant, AND prescription migraine medication. But right at this very moment as I sit here typing this late for work and still trying to choke down cold oatmeal for breakfast, all I can think is that it is not a moment too soon because I cannot call in sick to work and yet I am certain that I will get to work and spend a significant portion of my day dealing with people who called in sick and/or want to go home because they are "sick". If I had to spend one more day putting up with other people's bullshit while suffering my own sinus-fueled migraines on top of the other health issues I've been dealing with for the last couple of months without missing a single fucking day of work I'm pretty sure my head was going to explode.
Time for a new job much?
Thing the first: Thursday afternoon I went out to the parking lot on my way to make a bank run at work and discovered my car was covered in bird shit. There were at least 40 or 50 splotches all over the damn thing.
Thing the second: Friday morning after dragging myself out of bed and rallying every tiny molecule of energy I could muster simply to get dressed and ready for work I crouched down to give the boy scratches and a kiss on the head only to have him repay me by sneezing in my face right as I should have been walking out the door. It was disgusting and funny at the same time.
Thing the third: I woke up at 6:15 this morning with awful sinus pressure and a migraine. And on top of all that I now seem to be struck down by the stomach bug that took down several of my co-workers throughout the week.
I'm feeling very much like the stars are stacked against me lately. On a happier note I've been soothing my soul by splurging on concert tickets, so that gives me something to look forward to. Too bad the shows are still a couple of months away!
My blog appears to be broken. Fun!
Update: And now it is back. I really need to post more frequently.
About an hour ago I noticed it is snowing. Again.
We're only, what, two weeks into winter?
I did the new year's pop quiz at Sundry's place last year, so I figured I better keep it up and do it again this year. If you decide to do it too please let me know. I'd love to read all about it.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Went to a concert at the Portland zoo, where a baby elephant was being born. Got snowed in over Christmas. Made it through the stress of several months of unemployment while job hunting.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make new year’s resolutions. But I will be setting goals as the year progresses, I’m sure!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
None! The furthest we traveled this year was Portland, OR. We definitely need to travel more this year, even if it is just for a weekend jaunt here and there!
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A better employment situation, more financial security, and more fun! Also, a dog who comes when he is called at the dog park.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 4th, of course!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Sticking it out job hunting while the economy was tanking, and not just grabbing the first job I saw.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting the stress of job hunting in a crappy economy and financial worry impact my relationship, and then ending up settling for a “works for now” job instead of something more along the lines of a dream job.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious, thank goodness. A couple of minor sprains, and a few less than pleasant migraine episodes are as bad as it got for me this year. Although I certainly could have lived without the one migraine that had me puking in the car last summer. Actually this category belongs to my honey this year. She started 2008 off with a knee injury, and managed to get herself a severe concussion a few weeks back! Combined with the stomach bug she caught just before Christmas it has been an exciting few weeks around here. Bet you want to come hang out with us now!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Well technically I didn’t buy it, but I have to say the wii I got for my birthday is pretty fantastic. Oh, concert tickets! We did get to see some pretty fantastic shows this year
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Everyone who voted for Barack Obama in November.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
This could be a long list:
Everyone who voted for Prop 8.
Sarah Palin. The sheer volume of venom and incompetence that this woman brought to the table was astonishingly frightening.
John McCain.
As much as it pains me to say it, Barack Obama in recent weeks. Recovering Straight Girl has a great discussion about it over at her blog that nicely sums up how I’ve been feeling about the situation but have been unable to put into words myself.
Most recently, my grandfather although that is probably a story for another day.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, bills, and more bills. Again.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Election results. And getting Guitar Hero for the Wii.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
The Old 97’s “Question” will always remind me of Bumbershoot 2008, and the proposal in the crowd. Musically this was the year of some fantastic Brandi Carlile shows back at home again, and her version of “Hallelujah” from the Seattle Symphony show was a highlight of the year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?
Happier, thinner and richer. If making more progress paying off credit card debt counts as "richer".
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Travel, and having fun!
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing out. Worrying about finances.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Snowed in! Fortunately my brother lives within walking distance, so after the pre-six a.m. wake-up call from my honey’s family on the east coast we packed up the gifts and made our way through the snow over to his place to spend the morning with my family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
How I Met Your Mother and The Office
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No. I simply don’t have the energy or inclination for it.
24. What was the best book you read?
Loved Walked In by Marisa de los Santos. And Jen Lancaster’s latest, Such A Pretty Fat.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lenka
26. What did you want and get?
A new job; a Wii; and Guitar Hero, which I didn’t even really know I wanted until I got it. Oh, and there was also the little matter of electing a new (and hopefully much, much improved!) president!
27. What did you want and not get?
Better financial security; a new ipod or an iphone; my dream job. More official snow days at work during Snowmageddon 2008* instead of having to risk my life for a paycheck.
*(phrase fabulously coined by Sizzle)
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Rendition.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 34, and my honey bought me a Wii so we spent the afternoon playing video games before heading over to my parent’s house for dinner with my family. Which we never made it to because my brother lost his keys and was late. So we ended up getting a take & bake pizza and having a Wii bowling tournament. We sure know how to celebrate in our family!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The failure of Prop 8.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Improved. Of course that is not saying much seeing as how I spent most of 2007 in tank tops and yoga pants. At least I’m not wearing flip flops to work. In fact, yesterday I wore these .
32. What kept you sane?
Moments like this one:
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Tina Fey!
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Election results, both good and bad. The landslide election of Barack Obama, and the at the other end of the continuum, the passage of Prop 8 and its ilk. When will people understand that it denying basic civil rights to a segment of the population is simply not okay? And how is it okay to tax us at the same rate, and in many instances tax us even more, and yet provide us with fewer rights and protections under the law? Quite frankly it is not okay, and we are fed up.
35. Who did you miss?
My best friend, who lives entirely too many time zones away. And my sister, who passed away entirely too soon.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I have some pretty great co-workers.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
We are not defined by our circumstances.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I’m just a little bit caught in the middle/ life is a maze and love is a riddle….I’ve got to let it go and just enjoy the show (Lenka, “The Show”)
So remember earlier this week when someone tried to set our dumpster on fire with their fireplace ashes? We told that story at breakfast with the family on Christmas morning, only to find out that my brother actually set their dumpster on fire doing the same thing the other day! Fortunately he happened to look out the window and saw the smoke before the fire got too dangerous, so he was able to go put it out before it got out of hand. And, he hopes, before anybody else noticed.
The boy says, "Seriously people, cool your ashes in a metal container this winter!"
