I wonders if the shitstorm I am going to cause at Roadrunner Shuttle in the morning will do any good. I want an apology in addition to a full and complete refund. I could have died in this van

I really need to figure out what I want to do when I grow up

I am hating on RoadRunner Shuttle right now. Incompetent group of amateurs

needs to know why customer service is dead in an economy that is supposed to be in recession

3 funerals in 6 weeks. not good

taxi

most hilarious taxi ride, maybe ever. well, probably ever ... i don't recall ever getting a marriage proposal in one before ... so, the taxi picked me up in front of Tiffany ... after I told him where I was headed, he asked me where I'm from, blah, blah, blah. I told him Los Angeles and he asked what I did there and I answered, work. he said that because I know he's a cab driver I should tell him my profession. I left it at a vp of sales ... he then decided that I couldn't be married because american men wouldn't propose to such an important woman, but that he would love to be married to me and how about it? ... I'm still laughing.

Lady Gaga tomorrow!!! "My religion is you."

loose lips sink aunt julie

so, sid's grandparents (we think) let the cat out of the bag about the potential move to the east coast. and i really need to reiterate POTENTIAL ... nothing has been decided. it's just something that is being explored. which is why sid was left out of the loop ... there is no point in advising an almost 10 year old of something major that MIGHT happen ... but, apparently, my opinion was not shared.

she is beside herself, but she won't say anything to me directly about it. however, her mom did tell me that she demanded to know whether or not i've actually interviewed for the position. she wanted to know because she thought it might be a good idea for she and her mom to slip something into my food before the interview that would make me throw up during said interview so that they wouldn't pick me. nice. bodily harm.

so of course, sid knowing makes this process all the more difficult. i am so over talking about it. seriously.

on a side note, sid did ask me today if we could still go to paris when she's a little older ... no matter where i happen to be living. so cute ... i reminded her that we've been talking about that trip since she was a wee little girl and that as soon as her mom gives us the go-ahead, that we're outta here. :-) that made her happy. i did tell her that she needs to get a passport ASAP so we're prepared. :-)

I like the old Victoria way better than the new one in Eclipse. Not a Howard family fan.

I'm in the process of evaluating my wolfpack. Some wolves are out, others are in.

I loathe fireworks.

pet or PEOPLE accidents?

nice merchandising

Promotion?
Higher education?
East Coast.

Love our nicknames ... Miss Sophia calls me JuJu and Joe "Juncle.".

Sophia is absolutely Kim's daughter! She can sleep anywhere ... Under any circumstance ... And FOREVER! I have been trying to wake Miss Sophia for 30 minutes ... Maybe bathtime will be better for all involved if I bathe her while she's sleeping?????

Dominic James
born today
9 lbs 13 ozs
21" long
Healthy and Handsome!!
More to come ...

kingman barstow san bernafuckingdinofuckingshit GD!

for ALSE

In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey,
butane in my veins so I'm out to get the junkie
with the plastic eyeballs, spraypaint the vegetables,
dog food stalls with the beefcake pantyhose,
kill the headlights and put it in neutral,
stockcar flaming with a loser in the cruise control,
baby's in Reno with the vitamin D,
got a couple of couches, sleep on the love seat,
someone came sayin' I'm a saint (I'm insane)
to complain about a shotgun wedding and a stain on my shirt,
don't believe everything that you breathe,
you get a parking violation and a maggot on your sleeve,
so shave your face with some mace in the dark,
saving all your food stamps for burning down the trailer park,yo, cut it

Soy un perdedor, I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me,
double barrel buckshot,
Soy un perdedor, I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me,
forces of evil on a bozo nightmare,
ban all the music with a phony gas chamber
cause one's got a weasel and others got a flag,
one's on the pole, shove the other in the bag,
with the rerun shows and cocaine nose job,
the daytime crap of the folk singers slop,
he hung himself with a guitar string,
a slab of turkey neck and it's hangin' from a pigeon wing,
I can't write if ya' can't relate,
trade the cash for the beef for the body for the hate,
and my time is a piece of wax, fallen on a termite, who's chokin' on the splinters

Soy un perdedor, I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me
get crazy with the cheez-wiz,
Soy un perdedor, I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me
drive, by, body pierce
yo bring it on down

Sometimes I think
What I need is a you intervention, yeah

I need to vent about the sheer madness of me not being in chicago next week for the candy show. It's been a lifelong dream to go ... Just once, I also missed the stationery show in NYC this week. It is going to take an awesome conference this weekend in scottsdale to make up for this serious disappointment. Dinner at mastro's and sprinkles cupcakes will be a good start ...

Rod Stewart's cover of Stevie Nicks' "Stand Back" is absolutely divine.

I am a pot stirrer.
And I love it.

Kim called last night, in hysterics, because Grandma called her asking if she knew to what "the thunder from down under" refers. Kim weenied out and didn't tell her.

So, of course, I had to call Grandma and make sure she knew what it was ... Unfortunately, I was too late!!!!! She asked my uncle.

I am terribly disappointed that I didn't get to explain it to Grandma.

The music's on and I'm dancing
I'm normally in the corner just standing
I'm feeling unusual
I don't care cause this is my night

I hate iTunes. I NEVER bought anything from them ... Until GLEE. Now I can't stop ... iTunes gets them first. Seriously. Do I not have any convictions??

the magic date has been set

06-01-10 for little baby sink 2
if this turns out to be the actual date, Sophia and her new sibling will be two years and two days apart ... Kim and I are three years and three days apart ...

how have i never heard this song before??

Run Joey Run
David Geddes

Daddy please don't, it wasn't his fault, he means so much to me
Daddy please don't, we're gonna get married...just you wait and see.
She called me up, late last night, she said Joe, don't come over
My dad and I just had a fight, and he stormed out the door
I've never seen him act his this way, my God, hes going crazy
He says he's gonna make you pay, for what we've done, he's got a gun, so

Run Joey Run Joey Run
Daddy please don't, it wasn't his fault, he means so much to me
Daddy please don't, we're gonna get married...just you wait and see.

I got in my car and I drove like mad, till I reached Julie's place
She ran to me, with tears in her eyes, and bruises on her face
All at once, I saw him there, sneaking up behind me, WATCH OUT!
Then Julie yelled, he's got a gun, and she stepped in front of me
Suddenly, a shot rang out, and I saw Julie falling
I ran to her, I held her close, when I looked down, my hands were red,and here's the last words Julie said...

Daddy please don't, it wasn't his fault, he means so much to me
Daddy please don't, we're gonna get married.....aaahhh..ahhhhahhhh....ahhhhh
Run Joey run Joey run Joey run Joey
run Joey run

www.textsfromlastnight.com

I am home for the entire week and I'm not sick. I don't know what to do with myself. However, I will figure it out on my morning beach walks which I have missed tremendously.

Speaking of dead animals ... While using my husband's computer today to load my new iPod (that is another load of drama) I noticed that the photos of the dead rat, named Steve, are saved on his desktop. I almost vomited.

What am I going to do if Lola kills another animal and brings it into my room before Joe gets home? I am living in fear.

I vote for Edward Cullen Sink for a boy and Isabella Swan Sink for a girl

I am completely obsessed with the parallels between the Lincoln and JFK assassinations. I am so glad I unearthed that first edition in DC ... I may just have to create a Lincoln / JFK death tour. Now ... How to gain access to Jackie's bloodied pink Chanel suit that is still in a climate controlled vault in Kennedy's library. That would be way better than of time I saw Lincoln's sheets and jacket with his blood! I know am a little on the macbre side of things ...

super year so far

while i am in absolute and total denial that it's almost may, and my 37th birthday, the year has treated me well so far .. is it terrible that i am sort of waiting for it to end tragically? i'm so black and white.

work has been superb ... it's like everything i've been working for during the past 5 years has finally come to fruition. all of the sudden, everything is perfect. and yet, there are looming clouds of change overhead ... one way or another i will have different responsibilities by the year's end ... i have to figure out how to anniversary the largest bonus i've received since 2001, and whether or not we're going to move. and if we move, will it be within california or another state? i really could live in chicago at a moment's notice. joe's job is flexible, so really, there are some big decisions ahead ... and if we stay, when am i going to find the time to finish remodeling the shack?

well, i guess that's enough pondering for one morning ... i'm off to kick some ass and take some names.

Working on a personal goal ... How long can I go without the IT department making me change my laptop password. It's been 5 years and almost 3 months. Serious security theater ... It's almost on par with the airports.

I did mention the issue almost 3 years ago and was told, "well, that shouldn't happen.". So, now it's a game.

Mariah Carey (or Cary?) this early in the morning may cause me to do harm to myslef or those around me

cough drops

seriously. this allergy thing is going to be the end of me.
just realized that i can't take most cough drops because they have citrus or red 40 in them. do we really need red 40 in cough drops? thank goodness for organic, no shit added, cough drops. but i will point out that the "good" ones are like 3x the cost of "regular" ones ... criminal.

i may quit my real life and become a lobbyist for the abolishment of red 40 in our food. if england has banned it, why can't we?

Lewis and Clark map is awesome.

remind me to tell you all about the dad/daughter situation at the dc hard rock last night

FYI. Security is tighter at the capitol than any airport through which I've flown.

Thanks a lot, Bin Laden. (Alan quote from "the hangover.")

I just sat in "the gentleman's section" in the house gallery. it was truly amazing to see "where the magic/bullshit takes place." Interesting fact, cameras, or anything else with a battery, is not allowed in the house or senate galleries. Why? Because in 1954 some Cuban Nationals, pissed about the Immigration bill, opened fire using guns that looked like cameras. The bullet holes ares still visible.

walking into a hotel room is like going on a blind date.

AND ... Train travel is so much more dignified. There's no boarding drama ... No luggage carousels ... No lost baggage ... You get to keep your stuff with you and it's easier on those who who are prone to sinus infections.

BUT ... There is no security ... No ID checks ... Easier but makes me a little nervous.

Another thing I didn't know about train travel is the immense difference in timing. There is no security to clear and you don't check your bags. No one cares how many liquids you have in your bags or if you're carrying a swiss army knife. You don't board until a few minutes before the train actually leaves, much like a subway, but you have to schlep your bags. But, I found out, last summer. That a red cap guy is your friend. If you sit in business or first, you have access to these guys and for tips, they'll take your bags and get you on the train early. Who knew? I know I'm rambling, but it's all so new and I'm super proud of myself for figuring it all out.

I can absolutely understand why people who don't travel often hate and dread it. Today, I'm traveling via Acela from Philly to DC ... this is my 3rd trip on an Acela, ever.

Having only been to the Philly station once, I was a little nervous about making it, on time and in one piece, at 5:30 in the morning from NJ. It's only a 20 minute drive, but it's crossing a state line so in my head it's a bigger deal than it should be.

I took a wrong turn as I got into the city. With my knowledge of Philly and GPS I made it to the station with plenty of time to spare.

But there were NO signs directing me to where I should leave my rental car. Again, because I do travel a lot, my instincts kicked in and I figured it out. But honestly, it wasn't easy. I was pretty close to calling travel, cancelling the ticket and just driving to DC. But I hung in there.

To be continued ...

I could get used to this ... Consumers are not allowed to pump their own gas in the state of NJ (the only other state like this I know about is Oregon) ... full serve pricing is the same as self-serve ... Love it!

too hot in the hot tub

really? 75 degrees and humid before 9 am in NJ? i would die if i lived here. perspective has changed.

I can tell you that the woman in 19A needs to get a clue. She's eating hard boiled eggs and very pungent pickles during the flight to dallas. She's topping it off with tomato juice. I may vomit.

i will admit ...

that 2,000 SMS's a month is a bit excessive ... that's an average of almost 65 / day based on 31 days / month

continued ...

Well, there you have it. The USPS is so broke that they've filed to abolish saturday delivery service, but they can't deliver an envelope 500 miles in less than 5 days?? Ah, I love the government.

I then asked the teller if I could have had the card overnighted to me at my expense ... She told me that was a really good idea. Duh.

It might be time to switch to Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, or the mattress.

I lost my debit card the first night I was in new orleans ... it just vanished ... I cancelled it immediately and ordered a new card after I made sure I was the last one to use it.

That was a week ago. Still having no debit card I had to go to the bank today and do an old school deposit and withdraw some cash. I'm leaving to go out of town again and am a little stressed about not having the new card with me.

I confirmed with the teller that a new card had in fact been sent out ... and to my address ... It went out SIX business days. She assured me that the "normal" delivery window is 5-7 business days and that I shouldn't worry.

SIX days? Certain that it must have shipped from india, I asked her from where the new cards come.

Ready for this? Seriously?

ARIZONA.

Obviously the next question was "how did it ship? Via mule?". She advised via USPS.

to be continued ...

won't have a title ...

blog posts from my blackberry will not have a title ... i think we can deal, right?

i did it!

i linked my blog to my blackberry via SMS!

testing! hello, world!

it can all change in a blink of an eye

driving home tonight, i saw the aftermath of a suv vs a skateboarder. it might be the worst thing i have ever seen in my life ... well, sans the dead guy in new orleans, but that is another story entirely.

i wasn't going to stop, but something deep inside told me that i should ... and while it was very difficult to see what i saw, i'm glad i stopped.

as i got out of my car, the skateboarder's wife drove up on the scene with her two-year old son in the backseat of their car. you can only imagine how horrifying it was to witness her realizing that the victim was her husband.

but, i am a firm believer in that you are in certain places at certain times for a reason. i've never met the woman before, nor do i think i'll ever see her again, but in that moment, she and her son were all that mattered in this world. another stranger and i comforted her, moved her car and then i talked to her mother-in-law on the phone to arrange for her to come and pick up her grandson. it was second nature. once the grandson was safe and the woman was set to ride in the ambulance with her husband, i went home. there was nothing more to do.

again, i don't know why i stopped, but whatever compelled me to do so and then lend a hand gives me hope that most people in this world are truly good people. it's too bad the dirtbags steal the limelight and make us forget just why we're all here.

first and foremost

if blogspot had a fabulous, blackberry interface like twitter, i'd be posting all day long ... wtf?

look closely

www.textsfromlastnight.com

i have a feeling that i might be posting on this site in the very near future. or have i already? :-)

pretty woman

oh i so didn't mean to make the last post sound so "pretty woman!"

occupational hazard

i sleep in so many hotels each month that i forgot where my own bathroom was last night ... now that's just sad ...

crossroads

the past week has been filled with major, noteworthy and somewhat unexpected changes. it's strange how one person's decision can start a ripple effect that causes life-changing decisions to be made.

if everything falls in line and makes sense, could I really live in philadelphia?

odd

I find it strange that a purchase of red bull cola today prompted a pepcid coupon to spit out with my receipt. Even so, I would love to be a part of those marketing meetings!

testing ...

If I can post from my blackberry ... I may be able to post more often