These Apples Are Delicious!

Come On Over

2008-04-27T20:38:00.001-04:00

I don't know why I thought I could keep up with 2 blogs...but I can't :P

So, if you want to keep up with me and my crazy ass life, I suggest you head on over to:

My LIVEJOURNAL!!!!

Ok, hope to see you all there :D

Who Needs Sleep?

2008-03-01T21:37:00.000-05:00

I think I've slept too much today. I went to lay down again around 8 and just could not get comfortable any more. John tried helping by putting in a Lewis Black DVD. Normally if I can't sleep I put on a stand up comedy DVD (either Lewis Black or Eddie Izzard) and I'll be out in no time. But I've been laying down so much my muscles started cramping up.

I think in a minute or two I'm going to try and upload all of my 356 challenge photos that I haven't uploaded here yet. There's a lot...and I need to take one for today.

John did even more of my Ethics homework for me, without me even asking! Don't you just love the irony of it all?

Gah. Gotta go figure out a photo for me today, then I may try and post them.

And To Top It All Off:

2008-03-01T21:36:00.001-05:00

I'm fucking SICK!!!

Damn it!

BUT John was so sweet and did some of my homework for me!!! Yea!! That means, I technically don't have any to do today...but I still may try and get my paper written tonight so I can go to the zoo tomorrow...unless I feel too much like shit...then I'd stay home.

GAH!!

2008-03-01T21:34:00.001-05:00

Today I took a 5 hour moc. test for coding. I got it done in about 4 hours.

I have so much school shit to do this week that I don't believe it to be possible to do and keep my sanity.

So, with that said, I shall be MIA until around the 13th which is when my last final for this quarter is.

John and Kim(ber) move in to the townhouse on the 8th. After this Monday I'm not even going to see John until the 13th 'cause he and I both have way too much shit to do.

Wish me luck.

I'm gonna need it.

Is It Over Yet??

2008-02-21T01:31:00.000-05:00

Jessie called Obama the 'N' word to my face today. Then she laughed at me when I got angry at her. I left the table and sat by myself until she left and then I rejoined Amanda and Carolyn. I've never been so angry in my life. I was literally shaking. I WILL NOT associate myself with such a blatant raciest. I CANNOT do that.

I said in this post all I need to say about how I feel on the subject of racism. But today I hear also that Bill O'Reily from Fox News made comments about Obama's wife saying something about needing to lynch her (here's an article about it.). I cannot get over the amount of racism I'm experiencing all of a sudden.

Now I'm watching a documentary on Obama on MSNBC....I am praying that he is elected president. I feel so much hope that he will change things.

I don't know what to say. I'm exhausted; I'm spent. My mind literally hurts from the shit I had to deal with today from Jessie. The only good thing out of this is that I will never deal with her again. I could go into school tomorrow and she may act like nothing happened. But something DID happened. I saw in myself that I can stand up for what I believe in without yelling. I always say, "the louder you yell, the less they'll listen," and that is true. If I had yelled at Jessie she would have gotten defensive. I walked away. I was the bigger person. I walked away.

She ran to Dr. Hammond's office. He's the guy you go to if you have a learning disability or something so you get the accommodations you need. She's in his office (literally) at least once a week, often more. For petty things. In coding today, she came in late and said she was in Dr. Hammond's office.

I did NOTHING that I could get in trouble for. No matter how angry she is at me. I walked away. I did not say anything that could be taken as a "verbal attack" or "assault" because I SAID NOTHING. And I have 2 witnesses.

I wish I didn't have to go to school tomorrow. I don't know how much more drama shit I can take. (Note that this was not the only drama that took place today...the other things are very inconsequential but added to my stress level.)

Tomorrow is Thursday (my Friday)...one more day. One more day.

We've Been Mentioned on Tellie!!

2008-02-19T23:30:00.000-05:00

Louisville, KY was just mentioned on MSNBC about how important we are to the Democratic primary election!!!! They compared us to Western Virgina and said that Obama could "over perform" here (meaning that he could do well)!! This makes me happy for 2 reasons: 1) Obama could win Kentucky, and 2) Kentucky is actually important in the primary election...and our primary isn't until May 20th!!!!

Onto other stuff:

I've decided (with groovcat's instance) that I'm going to jump in a bit late for the 365 photo a day challenge. Granted, I started on day 48, but still.

Day 48:

Day 49:

I'm sitting at my computer.

Day 50:

I'm really driving in this photo. Took this on my way to school this morning. I put the camera on my dash board. Took me forever to do this 'cause, well...I was driving and well, I have priorities such as not dying in a car crash.

I've decided that I'm not going to follow any prompts. I'm just going to do a "day in the life" type thing.

Black History Month Means NOTHING to Jessie

2008-02-19T00:44:00.000-05:00

So, this post will actually be about school today and not the weekend, like I had wanted it to be. I guess I should say it's more about people and their attitudes and why I am still constantly surprised by them.

First of all, today at school my friend Carolyn had a conversation with Jessie which, sadly, I was not present for. I need to preface this: I DO NOT LIKE Jessie. She is a narrow minded, hypochondriac who must meddle in everyone's business. I do not wish her any harm. I just wish she would leave me alone. I have actually told her to her face that I do not like her, and she laughs and calls it our "banter" and "what we do." Ok, there is no "we." She just does not get the fact that I can't stand her. She's like a stray cat that you fed once and now won't leave you alone.

Ok, so with that said, Carolyn and Jessie were sitting in the lunch room before class and some how the subject of the presidential election came up. And some how or another Jessie called Barack Obama the 'N' word. She actually used the word. I was speechless when Carolyn told me this.

I knew for a while now that Jessie is prejudice...she told me in so many words when discussing why she was so angry that her sister in law was marring a black man. I was just flabbergasted that she actually used that word.

There are reasons that at school I do not tell everyone that my boyfriend is transgendered. I do not want to risk what could happen if someone was to find out. Jessie told me that she has "no problem with gay people." (And I know I'm clumping gays and lesbians into the same group as transguys and girls...but I'm quite sure she doesn't even know what transgendered means...) But then when talking about David (who is THE [literally] gay guy at school) whom she says she "loves to death" she describes him by making a limp wrist motion. She takes unnecessary pot shots at many gay people's sexuality...even fictional ones.

I continued to express my shock at the fact that Jessie had called Barack Obama what she did when Amanda (another student) heard us. After we told her what had happened she responded that I shouldn't be so surprised. After all, we *do* live in Kentucky.

That got me thinking. While, yes, I live in Kentucky, I have been fortunate enough to 1) live in Louisville, a relatively liberal city (especially for the south), 2) have been brought up by parents who did not distill any type of prejudice in me and 3) live now in a bit of a bubble of my own making; of friends and other people who I know will not give me shit. And while I know that discrimination and hatred exist in the world going to school at Spencerian has opened my eyes to the harsh reality that they exist in my backyard.

I don't think in my life time I have ever dealt with a person who was openly hateful of another "type" of person. Granted, in high school I dealt with kids who would shout the word "fagot" at a friend of mine while throwing candy at him. But they, I thought at the time, were just kids being stupid. I now know that those "kids" have not grown up and that they might now have kids of their own who they are teaching these hateful views to.

What baffles me even more though, is to know Jessie's back story. In high school she was picked on relentlessly by the kids at school. Presumably (though she has not told me) due to her weight and her various medical problems. She knows what it is like to be treated like shit because she is different. But yet, she hates others for the very same reason.

The only thing I can think of is that these two things (her being treated poorly in high school and her own 'prejudice' of black people) do not form a connection in her brain. She feels that they have no common thread. Because, I'm sad to say, she does not view black people as either people who have feelings or who diserve to be treated equally.

I am thankful that I have been able to tell a handful of people at school about John. I pick and choose very carefully who those people are. Very few people know, but I am becoming more open about it. I talk about it freely in the lunch room with Carolyn and Amanda and Amy when she is there. I told a guy in one of my classes today who was totally cool with it (he said since he grew up in Bosnia he was just thankful to be alive and didn't have any desire to hate others since he saw so much hatred in his own country.).

Part of me wants to tell Jessie. 1, I know that she could not do anything physical to me, and anything verbal she could say to me I could come back at her much more eloquently. I was an English major after all. Besides, anything that she could say would mean nothing because her words are backed with hate and not knowledge. And 2, maybe it would get her to leave me the fuck alone.

"Snow? What Snow??"

2008-02-14T00:53:00.000-05:00

So, after taking 2 long hours to get John home from work on Monday I decided I was going to take a personal day, even if school was in session. I have no absences this quarter (except one in Filing) and it's already week 7 so, who cares. I had heard a rumor that Spencerian has only declared a snow day ONCE in recent memory, so the chances of having one on Tuesday were slim to none.

As the night was drawing to a close, WHAS11 news (the news channel we are told to check for school closing btw) had listed on their ticker that Spencerian was CLOSED. It did not say for what day, but it also did not specify night classes. This was at about midnight. I got up at 8:00 assuming we did not have school (and know I wasn't going to go even if we did...) only to log onto the school's website to find out that we were on a 2 hour delay.

JCPS (Jefferson County Public Schools for my Non-Louisville friends) was closed. About 80% of Spencerian's student population is single mothers with school aged children. Classes would not be letting out until nearly 6:00pm.

Did they *really* expect ANYONE to show up???

Apparently, about 30 students did. And only a handful of teachers. So many teachers weren't there, in fact, that students were instructed to go to the cafeteria for an "exciting seminar" (according to the signs still on the wall today) which turned out to be about how to take a test. If you did not show up for this seminar and sign in, you would be counted absent.

So, today, JCPS was on a delay, but we were on a regular school. I didn't make it to 2nd period (I don't have a 1st period....and yes, I'm in college and we have periods...and bells...) because of traffic and the fact that my neighborhood was covered in ice and snow. But Mrs. Wilds told me 3rd period (I have her 2 periods in a row.) was that our test that was to be on Thursday has been postponed until Monday. Same with 3rd period. Our quiz that was to be today will now be tomorrow. And our test that was supposed to be tomorrow will be on Monday. It's as though school was out, even though it wasn't.

There are rumors going around about if we'll be counted absent or not. The 30 students who WERE there don't think others should be 'cause they actually "braved the elements" and showed up. Those who didn't go say it shouldn't count as an absence because it said on TV that we were canceled, and once you have your answer, you're not normally going to recheck it later. Some rumors going around are that if you missed tomorrow and would have been dropped from class because of too many absences it won't count. But otherwise it will. I don't think that's fair because it should be everyone or no one.

Spencerian needs to get their fucking shit together. That is all I have to say about that. If the TEACHERS cannot get to the fucking school then *maybe* you shouldn't have class. Or at least make a decision and stick with it.

I'm tired of the bullshit of this school. Mrs. Wilds went over our test that will be on Monday. Basically asking us the questions that will be on the test. She got to one of them, a question about a specific drug. Turns out that drug was NOT ON OUR LIST of drugs to know. This list is made by the head of the department. The test is made by the head of the department. We told Mrs. Wilds that we did not have that drug. And said, "Then why is it on the test?? [pause] Well, I guess you all get a freebee."

I'm trying to stay calm about the whole thing. But I cannot get out of this school fast enough. If any of you ever think about going to Spencerian I HIGHLY DISCOURAGE it.

Random Trip to Meijer

2008-02-10T00:18:00.000-05:00

So, John and I did not want to go home after going to Denny's, so we went to Meijer and we found a few interesting things:

.
For
jgkimmy
'cause I know how much she loves converse. It's a planter btw.

Next to the converse planter I found the fattest squirrel ever! Some of you might not know how much I love squirrels...but I do. I almost bought it until I discovered it was $18.00!!

We found a camouflage (sp?) crock pot to which John remarked "Mom! I can't find the crock pot again!!"

This sign was down the "ethnic" food isle at the store. You know, the isle that has Mexican and Chinese foods. Well, apparently "Southern" is now an ethnic group.

And this is how we found this poor giraffe. Poor little guy.

In other news: I had lunch with James yesterday. It went well actually. Slightly awkward, and we haven't talked since then yet. But Kris agreed that if it had been Jason that broke up with James instead of James breaking up with Jason then I shouldn't give him another chance. But since it ended the way it is, then giving him another chance is okay. Not that if Kris had disagreed with me then I wouldn't try to pursue this friendship. It's just nice knowing he's behind me on this.

Also, I got a new printer today. It is wonderful!! I've never seen pictures printed so crisply! It's a HP Photosmart C6280 All-in-One. I <3 it much.

That's about it for now. :D

The Bitch Is Back

2008-02-07T22:16:00.000-05:00

groovcat is now officially one of my favorite people ever:

I don't know why it's so small....it's bigger on groovcat's page.

I Was Kidnapped!!!!!

2008-02-03T22:58:00.000-05:00

Today was much better than yesterday. In fact, yesterday got much better after dinner. Kim, John and I went to the mall and well, went kinda crazy. It was so much fun to just let loose and not worry about anything or anyone. I didn't think about homework or what people were thinking. It was just pure fun.

We went to Pottery Barn, and I sat down at one of the desks where it's set up to show you how your desk could look like if you were rich and shopped at Pottery Barn. Anyway, I picked up the phone that's sitting on the desk and a little boy (maybe 3 years old) walked up to the desk and looked at me, so I said, "Do you have an appointment?" and he just looked at me like I was crazy. Then he said he wanted to play with the phone, so I handed him the phone and he tried to dial it and "talk" to the person on the other end, but he looked at me and said, "No one answered," so I told him that they must be at lunch. I also, at some point, asked him if he brought a resume, and what preschool he went too before his father dragged him away. It was too much fun!

Also at the mall 2 gay guys hit on John. Good times.

Today I was kidnapped by John and Kim and we went to the zoo. That, too was a lot of fun, but I was getting WAY behind on homework. After the zoo I got sucked in to watch The Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, and homework/studying still did not get done. Then, Kim went crazy and John made us go to Lowes to look at paint.

At Lowes we walked around designing our future house that we're apparently going to all live in together with the money we're going to make from our hypothetical scrapbook store we're opening one day. We already named it: Scrapin' Crap.

We then went to Applebee's (T.V. commercials really do work since we saw a commercial for it during The Puppy Bowel) where the waitress was a saint putting up with us.

All in all it was a great weekend. I will more than likely fail my Pharm quiz tomorrow...but it will be okay since it's not worth too much of my grade anyway. I need to relax more and have fun.

I did tell them that they are not allowed to kidnap me any more this quarter. Only one kidnapping a quarter, and they used it up.

I'm exhausted. So, I think I shall go for now :D

This NEVER Happens Here

2008-01-30T00:21:00.000-05:00

Major storms tonight. Mostly wind. But damn, it's a lot of wind.

Shelbyville Rd is trashed. John's not sure if he'll have to go to work tomorrow. And here's why:

This is a BILLBOARD sign!!! It fell down! Almost into the road, but just missed it. Amazingly no one was hurt.

These 3 photos were all taken right next door to where John works. He's going to call first to see if they'll be open or not.

And this photo was taken down on Dixie Highway. My school is on Dixie Highway, but that road is SO LONG this could be no where near the school, I have no idea:

This is some scary shit. I've lived in Louisville nearly my entire life, and I've NEVER seen damage like this here. It's still very windy, but there are no big trees near my house...so I think I'll be ok.

I tried to drive John home, but it was nearly imposable...we did manage to get back to his apartment, but then I drove him back to my house 'cause the storm was still scaring him. You can't really blame him: he's from Florida, so high winds are frightening.

The drive to and from John's apartment was not fun. I could barely keep my car on the road. I've never driven through anything like that.

I think I'll be going to bed soon. Too much excitement for one night.

Oh, and btw, all these photo were taken from the Courier Journal's website. Just sayin' ;)

Lots Of LOs

2008-01-28T23:40:00.000-05:00

Is There a Bird On My Head?
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

I Unwrapped a Kim{ber}
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Smells Like Kitty?
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Christmas Bites
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Scooter Nooooo!
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Captain Fantastic
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Aubrey's View On Marriage
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Octopusouphut
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Rock On!
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Fast Friends
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Goodbye Caffeine
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

I Spend Too Much Money on Gas!
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

How I Remember You
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

Now What?
by Octopusouphut
Scrapbook.com

The Owl Saga Part III The Final Fronter...Or Something

2008-01-26T01:32:00.000-05:00

So, this will be quick 'cause it's 1:30 in the morning, and though I have nothing to do early tomorrow, I feel I should try and get up at least by 9:00.

On my way to my PT appointment today I drove by the Starbucks (not a bank, like I thought) where I saw the Owl Wednesday. I saw that it was still there, so I decided to pull into the parking lot to see if I could get a picture.

As I'm driving around the building, I realized that it was a fake owl. A FAKE!!! WTF??!!??

I'm assuming they put the owl up to scare off birds or squirrels or something.

At first I was really upset, like I had been cheated out of a really spiritual moment...or something. But then I thought, the feeling was the same even though now I know the owl was not real. I don't know how to explain it...but it worked out in my head. :D

I'll (try) and update more tomorrow 'cause stuff happened today, but for now I'm going to bed.

I Saw The Sign

2008-01-24T21:59:00.000-05:00

So, in response to my post yesterday about my friend on Scrapbook.com asking me what was going on she sent me this (keep in mind I saw an owl yesterday...):

Was the owl out at daytime?

My friend used to be the state archaeologist. He found himself in a tense situation where he was invited to do something archaology-y by a Native American who turned out to not have the right to speak for the rest of the Native Americans in the state. So basically he had most Native Americans in the state pissed at him - they would show up and have silent sit-in whenever he was scheduled to discuss the issue and the finds from his dig. Eventually he became friends with a few of them and one presented him with an amulet for good luck.

Some weeks later he was driving along and had to stop because there was a live owl in the road during the day. It is unusual up here as well, although there are a lot of owls around. He mentioned it to the friend that gave him the amulet who told him the owl was probably a sentinel sent to watch over him for luck and protection.

Maybe that was what your owl was? Maybe the Powers That Be (God, spirit guides, ancestors, the CEO of Coca-Cola or Wal-Mart, Oprah, take your pick) tried to send you something nice in the middle of a craptastic day?

Wow. I mean. I don't normally believe in signs or god talking to me or whatever...but this really touched me. My reaction to that owl yesterday was very intense. I mean, when John called to ask me where I was all I could say was "I saw an owl" and just started bawling all over again.

Maybe it was a sign that things will be ok.

Just Need To Get Through Today...

2008-01-24T08:13:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine on Scrapbook.com PMed me and asked if I was ok. Here was my response. I think this is the best way to sum up my life since Thursday or so. I wanted to do an actual post going into a lot of detail about everything...but yeah, we all know that'll never happen. So, here it is:

Too much homework; too many tests on the same day (tomorrow) w/o enough time to study (as in getting the info. for the test and going over the entirety of one of the chapters that will be on the test the day before.); A horrible car crash outside of my school; the homework for one of the classes not making sense; my friend dealing with a lot of issues and needing me to help talk it through (not that I mind helping, but I just couldn't deal with it then.) ; my shoulder and neck hurting so bad I can barely sit at the computer; my theripist forgetting to call me last Thursday; my diabetes doctor appointment coming up (and knowing I'm going to get yelled at for a number of this at this appointment); my teacher asking in front of the class what was wrong as I'm having a panic attack and then taking me later (still while class is in session) into another room to try and help me with the test material only to not have any ideas.

I think that's it...and all of this lead to a nervous breakdown on my way to pick up John during witch I cried when I saw an owl (a live owl. Something you don't see often in Louisville), an ugly car, and when someone "stole" my gas pump at Kroger Fuel.

Plus Heath Ledger's death really got to me. Then the bs from Phelps and some jerk on Fox "news" as well.

I'm just worn out.

Just need to get to the end of today. I think I'll be okay then.

2008-01-22T23:30:00.000-05:00

1979-2007

Grades and Doctors

2008-01-17T19:09:00.000-05:00

So, I got my grades for all my test I have taken thus far (except for the 2 I took today...)

In Med. Law I got a 100%, even though I missed a few. I turned in a work sheet which was worth 5 points towards the test.

In Pharm I got a 92% after a 2 point curve. Awesome indeed.

In Coding II I got a 95%. I only missed one question, and it was the question I *thought* I had missed. So I wasn't too upset. I would have been upset if I had missed one that I thought I had gotten right.

In filing I deserve a medal. Since I get my homework (called Jobs) done earlier that nearly everyone else, Mr. Shafer "lets" me help other students that need help. I don't mind helping. I really, really don't. IF they are trying and have at least read the material before hand.

The 3 girls that sit behind me, haven't read anything and aren't really trying. They called me over and said, "I haven't done Job 1 yet, so do I have to do Job 1 before I can do Job 2??" I said yes, since it builds on each other. The cards that you file in Job 2 will be filed within the Job 1 cards. They looked disappointed and said, "Well...now I'm behind!"

Honey, you were behind last week when I helped you with Job 1 since you hadn't read the book. Then I had to explain to one girl what an acronym was. When I explained it to her she lite up like a Christmas tree and said, "Ohhh! That makes sense!!"

The same group also didn't understand what a cross reference card was for. Let's say the guys name is Richard Allen. You would want to make a cross reference card for Allen Richard since either of those names could be his first or last name. The girls thought that you would file Richard Allen under 'A' (correct) and file Allen Richard under 'A' as well (very, very wrong!!) What good would that do????

Okay, I'm going to stop bitching about my stupid filing class now with one last point, I did tell the teacher about them, not to be a tattle tale, but just to let him know. I said I don't mind helping people...if they try first. We'll see what happens.

Tomorrow I have a dr. appointment with a new GP. I'm going to tell her about my neck/shoulders and hopefully she'll tell me to go to some physical therapy

I Can't ThinkOf A Title For This

2008-01-15T00:50:00.000-05:00

3 Great Ways To Start a Phone Conversation:

1. "AHHHH I HATE FELONS!!" <---Kim(ber)

2. "OMG! OMG!! Guess who I just say on TV!????!!!! Guess, guess GUESS!!!!!!" <---Emily

3. "So, I'm not sure if you'll find this funny or not, but....." <----Kristen

In other news about my day:

I got my first Filling test back today. I got the highest grade in the class, a 95%, a fact I know because the teacher informed the entire class that me and Joel (female, pronounced Joe-L) got the 2 highest grades in the class. Not that it was hard, it's freaking FILLING!!!

Took my first Medical Law and Ethics test as well as my first Pharmacology and Laboratory Terminology (aka Pharm) test today and think I did well. Even though I did not study for Med. Law at all. I'm sorry if the Judicial system is common knowledge for me. And I'm sorry that I am the *only* person in the class (including the teacher) who enjoys this class.

I wanted to hit Jessi today for getting mad at me for "picking on her because it stopped snowing." Man, I hate that girl. I also wanted to strangle her Thursday when she took it as a personal offense that it was raining. No I am not joking at all.

I have a test in coding tomorrow which should be no problem at all. In Med. Law we are starting the movie "John Q." which I have no desire to see. It seems interesting enough, but I *HATE* watching movies in class. The desks are not comfortable enough, and I have a hard time paying attention.

Not much else happened today. So...yeah.

In A Nutshell

2008-01-11T10:18:00.000-05:00

Hey all!! I think I've found a height for my desk chair so that I can sit at my desk and use my computer with out killing my neck and shoulders. Yippy! Now if I could just find enough time to use the computer!

Anyway, so much has happened since I last posted, I don't even know how to start. So, I guess it's bullet time!!

School has started, and while it will be a very busy and in ways tough quarter, it may also be one of the most enjoyable.
Kim is moving to Louisville! Though she isn't going to move it with John as we first thought, she'll still be in town which will be awesome!
John is looking for apartments of his own as well. He hopes to be in his own place by the end of the month.
John told his boss's about being FTM and they are totally cool with it. They even changed his name on his pay check before he could get to the bank to do so!
Back to school: My first class isn't until 9:10, which means I get to get up at 7:20 instead of 6:00 in the morning! Also, my last class lets out at 1:45 instead of 2:45 which means I get an extra hour to do whatever the hell I want
I'm the only one it seems in the entire school who enjoys a class called Medical Law and Ethics
There are only 5 people, including me, in my coding class this quarter, and 2 of them I cannot stand!

I think that is all for now. I will try to update more regularly.

And Now For Something Completly Different!

2007-12-21T18:58:00.000-05:00

So I just went to get the mail, and although the mail itself hasn't gotten here yet...John's order from Deep Discount DVD has arrived!!! Inside the box is none other than The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus 16 Ton Megaset!!!!

I can't wait to watch it. And it came at the perfect time...John's spending 4 nights in a row over here, so we'll have plenty of time to watch :D

Tonight my friend Kristen and her boyfriend Stephen are coming over to watch The Simpsons Movie and maybe the first few episodes of "Soap" which is an awesome show staring Billy Crystal from the late '70s and early '80s. Billy Crystal plays a gay guy...need I say more?

And on the 27th John and I are meeting Kris for dinner somewhere. I haven't seen him since September, so I'm so excited to see him again. But that means I need to finish his Christmas gift before then. I've got 6 days...I think I'll be okay :D

Um, Saturday I have to go with the family to get a family portrite (sp?) taken...Dad wants one, so I don't really have a choice :P I wish I could get one of John and me, but we don't have the money and I doubt Mom and Dad will spring for it.

Steph (my sister, for you newbies to my blog) has a friend, Rob, coming over Saturday or Sunday and is spending a few days here we think. From what I've hear he seems like a nice/funny guy. Just wonder how he and John will interact....

Speaking of interacting: I'm going to John's work's Christmas party with him on the 30th. Should be interesting. Some of the other employees know he's trans and that he's got a girlfriend...but not all of them. So, this should be odd. I wonder if John will wear his binder........

Anyway, I'm only half way done with the basement...and it's going to take every fiber in my being not to start watch Monty Python...but I shall try.

My Wiki Album

2007-12-20T14:15:00.000-05:00

Snaged this from zigsternenstaub (<--From Livejournal)
whose, I must say, is MUCH better.

Go to the Wikipedia home page and click random article. That is your band's name.
Click random article again; that is your album name.
Click random article 15 more times; those are the tracks on your album.

Band name: EPIC (cognitive architecture)
Album Name: James Noble Tyner

Tracks:
1. Indiana Football Hall of Fame
2. Rod Zimmer
3. Abrams Creek
4. Tako
5. Dennis Martinez National Stadium
6. Grand Acres, Texas
7. Pelluhue
8. Dolphins (2007 film)
9. Italian films of 1995
10. Uganda at the 1988 Summer Olympics
11. Kashe River
12. Nighthawks Orchestra
13. Laura Gildemister
14. Marie Therese Killens
15. Tim Birtsas

And because mine for the most part sucked, I'm adding a few bonus tracks to make up for it:

1. The Fundamental Elements of Southtown
2. Songs About Me
3. Lake Prespa
4. Oboe Concerto
5. Jarabe

I think that I'll shorten my band name from EPIC (cognitive architecture) to just EPIC...in all caps so that every time you buy our album you must SCREAM IT!!!

I think that as with a lot of albums, my bonus tracks will shine brighter than the album itself. For instance, "Songs About Me" will be a remake of the Trace Adkins song (which I have never heard) done in a hard core way. No country for me.

"Oboe Concerto," well...that is self explanatory...isn't it?

And "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown" will be reminiscent of "Whitewash County" from Elton's album "The One."

Highlights from the actual album will be "Abrams Creek" which I believe will be sort of a-la "Tumbleweed Connection". Also, "Tako" which is Japanese for Octopus (which I learned thanks to Wikipedia!), so I imagine the song being very Asian-pop. And "Dolphins" sounds like it will be a bit too Ennya for my taste.

Okay, I promise...I'll have a real update soon :P

"Can I See Your Vagina For A Minute?"

2007-12-13T00:27:00.000-05:00

Oh...so you want an explanation to that title, huh? Well, okay. :D

I was sitting in the cafeteria studying the graphic of the female reproductive system which in a mere 1/2 hour I was going to need to label as part of our A&P final. I was minding my own business with my headphones on when John (a student in the class, not my boyfriend) walks up to me, sees the graphic and realizes he hadn't studied it at all yet. So, as I take off my headphones he says to me, "Can I see your vagina for a minute?"

If I was quicker I would have said something like, "If you're trying to pick me up, you need to try to be a bit more subtle..." But I'm not, so I just laughed and handed him the graphic. At that point, Michale also walked by (also in my class) so I fished out another copy (this one blank) I had copied for him to look at. John looks at me and say, "How many vaginas you got?"

At this point, Joe, who is sitting at a different table, and is not in our class, looks over and asks what the hell we're talking about. John says something like, "She's got a ton of vaginas over here!" I look at Joe and say something like, "Would you like to look at it too?"

This whole conversation went on for about 5 minutes. It just cracked me up. Too funny.

On another note, I think I did really well on the A&P finale. I think I did okay on the other finale, though, I'm not sure 'cause I had to rush to finish it.

Night all!

Really Quick Update

2007-12-11T14:14:00.000-05:00

Today and tomorrow's rundowns:

~~ Had my Word Processing finale today which I think went well
~~ Almost didn't make it to my Word Processing final because of traffic. It took me 1 1/2 hours to get to school (normally takes me 20-30 minutes)
~~ Just finished Steph's Hanukkah present, which is good since she comes home tonight and tonight is the last night of Hanukkah
~~ Studying again tonight with dad
~~ Need to go over the female reproductive system diagram a few more times before tomorrow
~~ Need to plan out my answer for a question that will be on one of my finals tomorrow. The question is about Diabetes, so I think I'll be fine even if I plan very little
~~ Got my books and parking pass for next quarter today
~~ Tomorrow at 10:30 is my Anatomy final
~~ Tomorrow at 12:45ish (something like that, I'll look it up later) is my Advanced Terms final
~~ Need to write out notes to study for my Coding final
~~ Need to wrap Steph's present once it drys
~~ I REALLY want to scrap today
~~ It's too nice to be indoors all day (high of 69!! OMGWTF????) but I've got too much indoor shit to do :(
~~ I think that's it!

**EDIT** John just called and told me that he told Kathy about his name change and about the fact that he's FTM....and he didn't get fired!!! Whoooo!!!

The Spoils of My Shopping!

2007-12-10T23:54:00.000-05:00

So, to update the Hanukkah gifts I received, Saturday I got a $30.o0 gift card to Archivers!! And yesterday I unexpectedly got a 6th gift: an iPod dock/CD player! Sweet!!

So, today, since I only had one class at 2:00, I went and did a bit of shopping. I went to Archivers and got a whole lot of stuff:

Scenic Route chipboard, Basic Grey Chipboard, Tim Holtz Grunge Board, American Craft rub-ons, 2 screenframes and 2 sheets of Love Elise PP.

Then, when I got home, I noticed my Hambly package had arrived!!!

Now I can't wait until the quarter is over (which will be Thursday!) so I can play with my new toys!!!

On The First Night Of Hanukkah My Parents Gave To Me...

2007-12-08T09:36:00.000-05:00

So, I was going to do the Hanukkah daily gift update...but I've been so busy with getting ready for finals that I haven't.

So, I'll give you a run down of the gifts thus far. I get one more tonight, and one from Steph when she gets home. (Yes, that's only 6...and yes, Hanukkah lasts 8 days...but as Steph and I have gotten older mom and dad have gotten us fewer things. I was actually surprised that I got 5!)

Day 1: Well, all I had asked for this year were a bunch of gift cards to various stores 'cause since I don't have a job I don't get to do too much shopping...and when I do I only have like 5 dollars or something for the store in question. So, most of my gifts were in very small boxes. Except for one. It was huge! I couldn't figure out what it was. So, I figured I'd open that one first since I wouldn't have time to do any shopping until the weekend anyway, and it was only Tuesday. So, I opened it and it was Electronic Monopoly!!! I was so excited, 'cause now I can play Monopoly by my self if I want to without as much difficulty. No one in my family likes to play Monopoly...so I'm normally stuck wanting to play w/o anyone else who wants to.

Day 2: Since I opened the biggest one first I opened the smallest one second. I got a gift card to Hambly Screen Prints. This was awesome 'cause you can't buy Hambly stuff here in Louisville. The bad thing was the site was down Wednesday night. But I was able to buy my stuff Thursday. Now I just have to wait until it comes in the mail.

The same night John and I exchanged gifts. He got me a BOB. It's from Brookstone. Maybe you've seen them: They look like eggs that wobble like weebles. They tell you the time, date, temp. and they have an alarm and timer on them. So cool.

I got John One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish btw. :D

Day 3: This day I opened a gift card to Target for $30.00! I'm going to *try* to wait to use it until January when they have the "World Market" stuff. I always love that stuff, but am always broke.

This was the first night of Hanukkah that John was over, so he was able to open one of his gifts from my parents. He got a $25.00 gift card to Preston Art Center. Which is awesome 'cause that place has nice art stuff, but he only normally has money to shop at Hobby Lobby for art supplies.

Day 4: Yesterday I got a $30.00 gift card to iTunes! I already used some of it, but I still have $16.28 left. I bought some Stevie Wonder songs, and the 6 new songs from the Matchbox 20 album. I also got some other random songs.

John was over again, and this night he opened a gift card to Old Navy. I forgot how much it was for though. :/

One more night of gifts. I need to finish making Steph's gift as well as Kris'. I need to check my list again (man...I sound like Santa...) to see who else I need to get gifts made for. I sure hope I get Kris' done. I've barely started it, and I'm making him a mini book. Wish me luck on that one!

Finals start on Tuesday...I cannot wait to get these over with. I need a break.

Butters: Escape Pig

2007-11-24T15:25:00.001-05:00

So, my guinea pig, Butters, keeps escaping from his play pen. So, I decided I'd get it on tape so I could show everyone. Of course, today, when I had the camera and everything ready, he couldn't quite make it over the fence:

Enjoy!

National Day of Rememberance in Honor of Murdered Transgendered People

2007-11-20T20:19:00.000-05:00

Please take a minute to remember those who have died due to hate and ignorance:

Remember

Oh Yeah Oh Yeah I Met The Cliks

2007-11-18T13:47:00.000-05:00

So, first of all, if you don't know who The Cliks are...watch this:

Okay. Done? Good. On with the post.

Yesterday John and I drove to Cincinnati (a 2 hour drive) to see them in concert. Keep in mind that they were the opening act for The Cult which is a band I think I've heard of at some point, but have no desire to ever see in concert.

So, we drove for 2 hours to Cincinnati. On the way we passed through Florence, KY where John took this picture:
If you can't tell from the picture, the water tower says, "Florence Y'all" which makes John laugh every time he sees it.

Anyway, after a bit more driving we turned the corner and saw:
Very awesome sky line.

Okay, well...we went to the Kingston Mall for a bit. The John went to Half Price Books while I took a nap in the car. Then...it was on to go see THE CLIKS!!!

What we didn't know was that there was a college football game going on like 3 blocks from where the concert was. So it was very difficult to find a parking place. But we managed, and still got to Bogarts (the place it was held) early.

While we waited in line we ran into a girl named Angie who traveled from Indy to see the show. She was really awesome and fun, and drives a Mini Cooper. She won tickets to the show from The Cliks Myspace.

So, they opened the doors and let everyone in. Well, let everyone in after we were frisked. I'm not kidding. What I thought was strange was that we had to get in lines by boy or girl. So that the girl frisker would frisk the girls and the boy frisker would frisk the boys. Strange because we're going to a CLIKS concert of which the lead singer is transgender. Ah well.

We had to split from our new friend Angie 'cause she had to go pick up her tickets at the Will Call. We didn't see her after that, so we hope she got in.

Well, John and I walked around the small room for a bit. It was set up in 3 small levels. 1st level was by the bar. 2nd level was where they were selling stuff and right behind the audio guys. 3rd level was where the stage was and where you could see the bands real up close.

During the opening-opening act (some crap-ass band called Action Action) John and I stayed on the 1st level. I bought a t-shirt too. Once Action Action (or should I say "Craption-Craption") finished we went down to the 3rd level. I was eye to eye with Lucas (the lead singer). I swear to you he was looking right at me as he was singing. Or maybe that's the fan girl in me talking. :P

During the first song Morgan's drums apparently got messed up 'cause the roadies had to come out and fix them. But she kept playing, and nothing bad happened.

I'm terrible at describing concerts because I get so into them that I don't remember much when I left. All I remember was that it was like Lucas was singing just to me (fan girl) 'cause I seemed to be the only one who knew who they were and knew all the songs.

They did play one new song that I hadn't heard called "SUV" which was very awesome, and I hope it is released some time soon.

During one of the last songs Lucas mentioned that they'd be signing stuff at the table after the show. So, once the show was over John and I headed to the 2nd level and waited for them to get there. Nina was there first, and then Morgan. And then Lucas and Jen showed up. I was first in line to have them sign something...but I just froze. I couldn't move (fan girl). Finally, the 2 people behind John and I asked if we were in line...so John pushed me up to the table.

I managed to confiscate a crappy piece of brown paper into the show, so I got it out and, with a shaking hand, handed it to Lucas and said, "Can you sign this for me??" The four of them signed it, all while I started rambling about how awesome the show was and how we drove 2 hours from Louisville, KY to see them. I don't even know why I mentioned that...but that was all that came out of my mouth (fan girl).

When I told Lucas I drove 2 hours to see the show he smiled at me. (fan girl big time).

Anyway, here's a scan of the crappy brown paper they signed:

That completely made my night.

We didn't stay for The Cult. So, John and I walked back to the car and drove 2 hours home. We got home around 10:30pm. Not bad really.

So, today I woke up and had to scrap the experience:

So, that was really the night. I'm still tired...but it was SO worth it!!!

Caption Time #13

2007-11-11T11:52:00.000-05:00

See, I didn't forget! I swear! Here it is, the Elton John Caption number 13!!!

My Grade is a What?

2007-11-08T08:19:00.001-05:00

Wow. Okay, it's been WAY too long since my last post. But I have a very good reason. I sprained my wrist back on October 13th. It's finally starting to heal enough so that I can type without it killing me.

Not much really has happened over the last 4 weeks (Damn. Has it really been 4 weeks??). Just a lot of doctors appointments really.

There was one really crazy thing that's been on going that I will attempt to explain:

In my AP2 class we took our first test back on 18th of October. That next Monday we got our grades back, and I failed it...miserably. I got like a 36 or something equaly ridiculous. I studied...not as much or as well as I could have, but I did study. So when I got the crap grade I just figured I didn't study enough. Then, another student, John, got his test back. He apparently got a 50-something. Now, you have to understand that John is the smartest person in this class. He knows everything when we review. So, he was obviously upset and confussed that he failed the test.

He kept saying to Dr. Pressman that there had to be a mistake. Something was definitly wrong. But Pressman swore up and down that nothing was wrong. And as far as the rest of the class knew that was the end of it.

So, having failed the first test, I figured I had to bust my ass and pass the second one. The test was on November 1st. I went in, took the test, and left feeling rather confident that I passed.

Monday, we all go back into class expecting to get our 2nd test grade. But no! We were surprised by having to take the 1st test OVER AGAIN!!! WTF????

Dr. Pressman walked into the room and started handing out scantron sheets. Then he started handing out AP2 Test 1, told us we had to take it over, but didn't offer any explaination. When asked why, he responded, "ask your department manager." When one girl came in late (by like a minute...plus Pressman started the class five minutes early...) Dr. Pressman got angry. She apoligized and said she didn't know we were having a test today. Pressman responded by saying, "I didn't know until a few hours ago."

So I'm taking this test again. This test was over chapters 12-15. The Wednesday before we had just finnished discussing chapter 22. So, needless to say, what I remembered about these chapters was minimum at best. I started having a panic attack and almost started to cry. I nearly walked up to Pressmen with a half empty test and said, "I can't do this. I don't remember any of it." But I didn't, and I got through.

Tuesday we went back into class hoping for an explaination. Nope. When one student asked if he had our grades back he said, "The director has them, and as soon as I get them I'll give them to you." Then we asked about our 2nd test, and he said, "I haven't given those back yet?? Let me go find them." He came back with our tests, but said he hadn't double checked them yet. I got a 70, which is barely passing. I mean, if I had gotten a 69 I would have failed the test. Then we went over one of the questions. The answer was "A" and the whole class started saying, "I marked 'A' but it was counted wrong," including myself. So...basically I don't know my grade for that yet either.

Yesterday we went into class and started chapter 24. We our 3rd and final test a week from today, and then our final in a few weeks. It is nearly week 8 of the quarter (we only have 11 weeks, with the last one being finals week) and I have no idea of my grade in this class.

I'm really upset by this. Hopefully we'll get some answers today, though I doubt it.

Okay, my arm is starting to tighten up, so that's all for now!

Someday Out of the Blue...

2007-10-21T09:21:00.000-04:00

My wrist still really hurts...but I want to try and get this down before I forget....

2 nights ago I had a dream about an old friend of mine. Heck, he could be reading this now. I hate that I had to say "old" friend...'cause we used to be so close only a year ago. Then things happened, and I miss him still. I thought I was over it, but then I had this dream, where we were all happy again.

I don't know what truly happened to make him stop calling and ignore my emails. I have a pretty good idea though. And if that is the reason, then that makes me very sad. Because that same reason (read "reason" as "person") screwed me over earlier in my life.

There's nothing I can do about this. I emailed him one finale time, nearly 4 months or so ago, and said something like, "If you still want to be friends let me know, otherwise, this is the last you'll hear from me. I'm tired of worrying about it all the time." And I never heard a thing.

I can't tell him what to do...but I wish I knew *why* he hates me now.

Caption Time: Mine Goes To 11

2007-10-14T10:09:00.000-04:00

Okay, it's been a few weeks, and today is Sunday, not Saturday...but here it is anyway:

My Day: A Run Down

2007-10-10T10:03:00.000-04:00

Oh goodness. Why am I board?

Well, since I'm *so* board and have nearly an hour until my next class, let me run down my normal day this quearter at Spencerian:

My first class starts at 8:15. It's Word Processing 1 with a Bitch of a teacher. Since it's in the computer lab I can get there early and check email and stuff before class starts. Which is good 'cause the teacher is nomraly 10-15 minutes late anyway. Grr.

By the end of the quarter we have to turn in 4-5 5 minute timed writings with 40+ wpm and 5 or less errors. Then we have to do 3 "test-out timings" (same requirements). Well, as of yesterday I turned in all my regular 5 minute timings with my highest time being 60 wpm (5 errors) and 2 of my 3 "test-out timings." 1 more to go there.

Also, every Tuesday we get our packet for the week. The packets are due the following Monday at the end of class. This week's packet we learned how to copy and paste. Yeah. I'm nearly done with that too. Only thing I need to do there is fix some typo errors.

So, I wonder what I'm going to do Monday in that class...tomorrow I'll finish my last "test-out timing" I'm sure, fix my packet and take my 10 minute test on "find/replace."

Okay, Word Processing 1 gets out at 9:05. Then I have a 2 hour break until 11:05 when I have Anatomty and Physiology 2 with Dr. Pressman. I love Dr. Pressman except for his speed. He used to be a medical doctor and now teachers. He's like 80 or something. But he knows his shit! Love it. Only thing is we finished chapters 12-15 in 7 days!!! Insane. I talked to a friend that has someone else for AP 2 and they just finished chapter 13. Good God.

Okay, then I go straight to Advanced Medical Termanology for Medical Coding. I have Mrs. B. again, but I have to say she is a completley different person at noon than she is at 8:15. Also, the class only has 7 people in it. (Soon to be 6 I'm sure since one girl has already missed like 5 days...and we've only been here 10 and you only get 8 misses...). That class is actually a lot of fun. A lot of work, but it's cool.

Then I get an hour break (yeah, 3 hours worth of breaks every freakin' day. It's really not as great as I bet you think it is.). During this break Jessie and I have lunch. She's in my Med Terms class and the class I have after it which is:

Intro to Medical Coding. So far I am kicking this classes ASS! I completly get the coding. I love it, it's almost...fun! When I finish a homework assignment for the class I want more to do. Of course, we're only in the first part of the class, and I'm sure once we get to surgery codes it'll get harder, but for now I'm loving it.

Okay, so that's my day. I'm on campus from about 7:45 until 2:45 every day. It sucks. And around 5:00 I take a nap 'cause I just spent. Then I have dinner at 6:00 and then try and do some homework. But so far (knock on wood) I haven't had much 'cause I'm able to get most of it done during my 2 hour break in the morning.

Which is why I'm board now. I've nearly finnished my packet for Med Terms. Just 2 more things I need to do, but I have to do those at home. And I finished (more or less) my Word Processing Packet that I only started today. I have a test in Coding, which I'm going to study for with Jessie at lunch. And AP 2...well, I *should* be studing that since we have a test on the 18, but that's so far from now it can wait a bit.

Okay...well, that's all for now I guess.

Oh, wait no. John got a new job he'll be starting soonish! Can't wait. He'll be working normal shifts! 9-5 Monday-Friday! Woot! And he'll be making the same pay as he was at Target!!

Okay, my fingers are getting tired. All this 55+ wpm is killing me. lol

BOYCOTT MICHAELS!!!!!

2007-10-07T10:09:00.000-04:00

If you live in the Louisville, KY area, or in the E-Town, KY area and you shop at Michaels Arts and Crafts, then you might know my former coworker Kate. She has recently been unfairly fired from her job after many years of exceptional employment. She started at E-Town as a cashier and worked her way up to A&C Manager at the Hurstborne store. She was also traveling to E-Town once a week to be their book vender.

She (as well as myself) are asking people to boycott Michaels. While it may seem silly if you don't live in Louisville/E-Town, I'll at least ask you to read her request:

If you haven't heard by now, I have been unfairly fired from Michaels store #5003 in Louisville Kentucky. The official cause of termination was that I 'threatened a customer." Anyone that has known me for any amount of time knows thats a total falsehood. Don't worry about me, because I'll be fine. What I'm asking from my friends are letters of character reference, and also that former employees of said establishment write down any and all rules, policies, federal and state laws, and violations of ethics that they were witness to. It would be a great help toward my litigation.
In addition, if you would like to register your shock or express your dissatisfaction about this incident, the store address is:

Michael's 5003
1955 South Hurtsbourne Parkway
Louisville Kentucky 40220
(502)499-7360

Please feel free to address your questions, comments, and concerns to the store manager (Jack). Also, please retain a copy of your letter in case they should "not make it to the intended destination".

Thanks so much for your time!

More Later...

2007-10-03T23:54:00.000-04:00

Hello, my name is Tracy, and I am a control freak.

The first step to solving a problem is to admit there is one...right?

More later. Must go to bed.

Free Floss Is Good Floss

2007-10-03T09:46:00.000-04:00

The world works in misterious ways.

Monday night I was freaking out over a money issue that I *think* I've gotten straightened out now. (hope, hope). Then, last night I go to Kroger to buy some dental floss...and got it for free!!

See, the policy at Kroger is that if the item rings up for a higher price than the sign, you get it for free. I know this because when I worked at Valu, customers would remind me of this fact any time a price would be ring higher than the sign. I'd have to politely tell them that, "this is not Kroger. Our policy is to change the price to the correct price for you." They'd get mad, and so on...but whatever.

So, when at Kroger, I try and pay attention to my prices. The floss was labeled $1.59, but rang up for $2.99. I told the lady and she went to check the price. I was right, so I got my floss for free :D And the funny thing is that that was all I bought...er...didn't buy as it turned out.

I was so excited. I had just saved 2 bucks! That means I have 2 dollars for food or something fun...not that dental floss isn't fun...oh wait...it isn't :P

Wanna know something strange though? After I got to the car and told John what happened I said, "I should have gotten two of them!!" And I hear this so often from other people too. The store/cahsier/whoever makes a mistake on 1 item, they fix it for you, above and beyond what you expected them to do, and then you only think about how you "should have gotten more of that item to get the deal." Isn't that a bit selfish...or maybe greedy is a better word.

Anyway, that's my thought o'the day. My 2 hour break is halfway done. One hour to go...and the interwebs are starting to bore me....

Am I Who I Thin k I Am??

2007-09-30T00:13:00.000-04:00

So I took a trip down memory lane today, and wound up falling on my ass.

Have you ever felt like you're loosing your identity? Not like in a credit card theft type way. But that you aren't the same person you used to be and you don't really like that fact?

It started out with John and I looking through my art portfolio from high school. I didn't realize what really cool stuff I had done. And then I thought about how I don't do art any more. John informed me that scrapbooking is indeed art...and I agree...however, it's a completely different type of art. I don't know, it's not as artsy of an art. You still use the same principals of design (line, shape, space, color etc) but...it still feels different some how.

Anyway, as I was driving John home I started rambling about how I feel like when I'm at school I'm loosing my identity. I have to wear maroon scrubs for one thing. Everyone at school wears a different color depending on their program. Whatever. But I feel like a cow. Not as in fat, but in that I look like everyone else.

In high school I made it my mission to be different. I was NOT going to be the same as everyone else, and I wasn't. Now, I am. I feel like I'm selling out. In high school I had dreams of being a writer; being some type of artist; basically doing something creative as my career. Now I'm going to school for Medical Coding; the least creative thing ever. But I have to do what I have to do in order to make a good living so that I can support John and I, and support any artistic endeavors I choose to partake in later.

But I feel like people at school don't know the real me. They see the maroon wearing girl that looks like everyone else. That's why I'm not giving up my black-rimmed glasses just yet. They are really the only thing that stands out about me physically that yells, "I'm not the same as you!! Ha hahahah!!"

I hate that I'm so hung up on appearance. But I just want people to see the real me. And they aren't. They're seeing what the school makes me look like. And I hate it. They assume I'm just like everyone else. And I'm not. I'm sooooo very different. When I tell them I'm engaged they assume that I have a man that's just like every other man. And I don't. But I'm afraid to tell them the truth because so many of these people live in the boonies of KY or IN and barely know any gay people much less trans.

I don't know what to do with all this information. I guess just plug along through my next 3 quarters and deal. But I just feel like such a fake.

The Oven Song!!

2007-09-22T17:05:00.000-04:00

Okay, to continue with the Elton-nes of the last post; I present to you "The Oven Song"

There's a bit of a back story to this btw. Emily has this on a bootleg VHS tape and a bootleg CD and I burned this song from her. It is one of my favorite Elton songs. I know, I am the silly.

Anyway, enjoy!

Elton Caption #?????

2007-09-22T09:50:00.000-04:00

It's been way too long, and I'm sorry (mostly to Amber, since she's the only one who every partisapates in this!) that I haven't posted an Elton Caption the past like 3 Saturdays...been busy.

No promises...but I will try my darnedest to have an actual update by the end of today...if not today then I will get one up by Sunday.

Sappy Time!

2007-09-22T09:44:00.000-04:00

I randomly found this on AOL today. I don't normally go for all the sappy stuff...or when I do I keep it to myself! But I just thought I'd share this one:

I Need To Update

2007-09-13T22:28:00.000-04:00

I know I need to update...but not today. My computer is being a bitch. Not just the AOL Dial-up part of it. But the whole thing. John's sick (he's got strep) so I've been taking care of him. And my parents are still in Italy (they're coming back sometime Saturday) so I have to keep the house up and running by myself! Plus I just got back from Cincinatte yesterday and and still recovering!

One quick note about my finals: I got STRAIGHT FUCKING A'S!!!!!

Yeah, that's it. Hopefully things will calm down tomorrow and I'll update for reals.

It's My Birthday RIGHT NOW!!!!!

2007-08-28T22:25:00.000-04:00

Okay, here it is as promised:

The official, super duper, mega, ultra, crazy, over-the-top, pic-heavy birthday post!!!!!

Can you handle it?

Okay, it all started Thursday after school. Keep in mind I had a rotten day at school. I was at my wits end. But it was all going to be okay, because I was to have my therapy appointment after school.

Wrong. I got a call from the office and they said she was having a "medical procedure" done and had to reschedule.

Well, okay. So that was taken care of so after class I went to get John from U of L (where his therapy appointment is as well) and then take him home with me. He got to spend both Thursday and Friday night with me.

Thursday basically sucked however. The toilet clogged to the point that the bathtub got backed up. The whole basement smelled like shit...literally. My dad was getting angry 'cause he didn't know how to use the "snake" to fix it (that's apparently my mom's job. Who knew?) and my mom's flight from Chicago kept getting delayed until it was finally canceled. (Before it was canceled however, the latest time for it's arrival was going to be at 1:45. My dad was actually glad it got canceled so that he wouldn't have to pick her up so late.)

But, Thursday was not a total loss. That night I stayed up very late. So late in fact that I was able to watch The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson. I had never seen this show before, but The Cliks (see photo below of there awesomeness) were performing so I had to stay up to watch.I have to say that I enjoyed the show. Craig Ferguson is freaking hilarious, and reminded me a lot of Eddie Izzard. Sadly, they were on the very last bit of the show so I had to stay up for the entire show. But this also meant that they performed live on my birthday just for me :D

John and I then went to bed at nearly 2:00am. Actually, I think I just became unconscious and John got back onto the computer. Anyway, I woke up promptly at 9:00ish and let John sleep until exactly 10:00ish. Then it was off for my Birthday Adventure.

First stop was Thortons because I needed something to eat. John ran in to get me some donuts, and this is what he came back with:

As you can see these are quite literally my birthday donuts.

After that we went to the bank because John got paid and he, well, needed to go to the bank. But, this was all good for me as well since he gave me my "tangible" birthday present (he'd already gotten me a subscription to Scrapbooks Etc. but the first issue hasn't come yet...I think I'll get that in October) which was $30.00 to do with as I saw fit.

But before I could spend the money that was now burning a hole in my wallet, we had to...and I mean HAD to go get John's hair cut.

Before:

Get it? See why it needed cutting? Okay. So, here are the afters:

and:
Okay. So now that that was (finally) taken care of, it was off to Archivers where I could spend my $30.00 on scrapbook stuff! Woo Hoo!

So, when we got there, I realized that the parking lot at the mall, where Archivers is located, has the best photo-op location. So, I took more pictures of John with his new hair cut, and then he took some pictures of me:John on the rocks with no ice.

Then there are the pictures of me:Tracy on the rocks...I however, do have ice.

Okay. So, with the photo op out of the way it was into Archivers for me. I spent $20.00 of the $30.00 John gave me. I bought a bunch of rub-ons (including some new Daisy D's) and some Love Elise! stuff that I'd been wanting.

After Archivers we went to lunch at Steak and Shake (which John paid for). If I remember, that was pretty uneventful. So, after that it was to Target 'cause John needed hair stuff for his newly cut hair.

As we walked into Target this woman was walking out with her youngish son (maybe 8 years old or so). Apparently the kid wanted some toy and from what I could gather the mother had said that he had to wait until his birthday. So, the child decided to scream loudly in the parking lot, "It's my birthday RIGHT NOW!!!!" which then became my mantra for the day (as well as the title of this blog post.)

After Target we headed to Dee's Crafts, a local Scrapbook store (that also sells yarn and fake flowers in case you were wondering/cared). On the way there my iPod played Stings, "Walking on the Moon". I guess John had never heard this song before and found the lyrics amusing (as he does with most Sting songs...and rightfully so I should say). So, then, without warning he changed the lyrics to:

"Casseroles are what you bake, walking on the moon."

Which might very well be the funniest thing said the whole day. Which is why it got it's own line and was centered and bolded.

Okay, so at Dee's I managed to spend the remaining $10.00 of my birthday gift. I got 2 7gypsies self inking stamps. Very cool.

From there we went home. John took a nap and I organized all my new toys. Also, at this point, Kris called. I however, missed the call. But I listened to his message and he said, "See, I didn't forget your birthday...like I normally do." That made me smile. I called him back and we talked a bit.

Next on the birthday itinerary was dinner with my parents. We went to Rafferty's, which I chose, and was very good. Only bad thing was I left my doggy bag at the restaurant. :(

But my dad has one of those dashboards that displays the date, so I had my mom take this picture for me:
After that we went back home and just sort of chilled until 8:30 when John and I left for the Cheese Cake Factory for...what else? Cheese Cake!!

Everyone showed up, which was good. And Nic was there. Nic works with John at Target and also works as the valet at CCF.

Okay, here is where I admit that I am a terrible scrapbooker because I forgot to take ANY pictures of me with my friends while at CCF. I know, I know. Shame on me right? I didn't even take a picture of our waiter who looked just like George Michale. And I'm not talking "Wham!" George Michale. I mean NOW George Michale. Very awesome indeed. I even gave him a bit more tip because he, well, looked like George Michale.

I did, however, realize I didn't take any pictures of anyone once we left CCF and I was walking with Laura to her car so she could give me a bunch of stuff I had left at her house weeks earlier. Here are the pictures that John took of us:"Is there something in my teeth?"

And, well...that was really about it for the night.

Except for one thing:

When John and I went home, he kept trying to distract me by having me check my email. Finally I did, even though I was very tired and just wanted to go to bed. Then, suddenly, Little Thing (seen below)
came up to me (with John's help, of course) and started coughing and gagging. I looked at him and said, "What's wrong?" and then he opened his mouth. Around his tongue was my engagement ring. I slid it off his tongue and then John took it from me. He got on his knee and proposed again: a year to the day he first asked me to marry him.

He said, "You better say 'yes' or this will be very awkward." Of course I said yes and was very happy with the second proposal.

Finally I went to bed. John didn't go to bed until 4:00am, but he laid in bed with me until midnight so that I officially spent the whole day with him.

All in all it was an excellent birthday.

One finale note (and picture): When I picked John up from work Sunday morning he had another surprise for me:
A tiny cake. We ate it in fourths over 2 days. It was a very tasty tiny cake.

And thus concludes the blog update that took me over 1 hour to type because AOL is a bitch and hates to upload photos.

Good night. I am going to bed. :D

The Very Over-Due Caption Number 9

2007-08-27T19:57:00.000-04:00

Since this was my birthday weekend, I find it only fitting for the Elton John Photo of the Week to be from his 50th birthday party...which was 10 years ago! Can you believe that??

And, by the way. I will...I promise...update about my birthday. If not tonight than tomorrow. It will be a very long post I assure you. And picture heavy.

Memories....

2007-08-12T20:44:00.000-04:00

John and I took a "road trip" today. Okay. Not really. We drove around trying to find my elementary school. It really wasn't too hard...I've lived in the same city since I was four.

Anyway, we found it...but I didn't get out to take pictures or anything. I should have though. But I could see the playground from the car...and it made me very sad.

They changed the playground! Back when I went there (in the late, late '80s and early '90s) they had all these wooden play bits. Like Parallel Bars and stuff, with signs that had instructions on them with what you were supposed to do on each "station." Of course no one read the signs...we just liked climbing on stuff.

Anyway, that was ALL GONE and replaced with a really fancy looking plastic thing with slides and stuff. Very awesome...I guess.

I just have so many memories tied up in those crap wooden stations. I would play by myself often. I had my own little fantasy world in my head where there were cats (like tigers and pumas...not house cats) and monkeys. And it was fun.

When I saw it was all gone I almost started to cry. I don't know why really. I guess it was yet another sign that I'm growing up and that the world doesn't stand still.

So Sad It Makes Me Angry

2007-08-11T22:45:00.000-04:00

And this is why I don't believe in organized religion

I realize that not all Christians believe this way or would support what this church did. But it's the fact that there are churches out there that do believe this and do behave this way that makes me sick. Not only sick...but just plan tired.

Caption #8

2007-08-11T17:28:00.000-04:00

Right on time and everything! It's the Elton John caption of the week!

I Thought I Graduated High School...

2007-08-08T11:01:00.000-04:00

Yeah, school sucks. Not the actual learning aspect. But the people. Or, I guess I should say some of the people.

I am actually making friends here, unlike I did in high school. But I also seem to be making enemies too. Which is the same as in high school.

Yesterday I was talking to a girl in my Med Terms class about Anatomy and Physiology (A&P). She said that she has the same teacher I do (Mrs. B.) and she loves her. I, on the other hand, cannot stand her. As she and I talked there seemed to be many differences between the class I have her for and the class this girl has her for:

My Class:

It's FULL! Too crowed. Granted, it's gotten smaller since some people have dropped. But it's still crowded.
It's first thing in the morning. That means I get to listen to Mrs. B. pronounce the word "gout" as "goat" at 8:15 in the morning. Fun.
Since it's first thing in the morning Mrs. B. is late...a lot.
The other students in my class will not shut up. They talk too much and they don't seem to care about the work.

Her Class:

Last period of the day. That means she can listen to Mrs. B. say "gout" as "goat" at 2:00 in the afternoon and find it funny rather than frustrating and annoying.
She told me that there are only like 7 people in her class. How the hell did that happen??
Since it's the last class of the day Mrs. B. is never late.
She told me that there is a problem with cheating in her class...but other than that the class is well behaved.

So, as the girl and I were exchanging "notes" on our classes, I mentioned that this other girl (let's call her Mary) who is in our Med Terms class is also in my A&P class. The girl asked me to point her out to her, so I did. Not a big deal...or so I thought.

After class I was heading to my car but stopped by the door to get my keys. At that point "Mary" and this other girl walk past me and the other girl says, "Were you talking about us in there?" I was taken' aback by this and didn't know what they were talking about so I said, "No." Then she said, "Whatever Bitch," and walked away.

See what I mean? High school. Gah!

Okay, so then today in A&P I thought we had our test today. Mrs. B. had said earlier that it would "probably be on Wednesday." Okay, first of all you CANNOT give your students an approximate date of a test. I need to KNOW when the test will be. I've got too much other stuff to do that I need to be able to plan out my week.

So I go into class and am all ready for the test. Did we have the test? No. Of course not. She said that because of yesterday she didn't feel "comfortable" that everyone was ready yet. Know what I think of that? I think that if you're not ready it's your own damn fault. I was ready, but I didn't get to take the test. Now I have 2 tests tomorrow and a Mock Interview. Fun.

So, for the entire class (well, not really...she was late and then couldn't get the computer to work.) we played this game. Now, keep in mind that this room only has 1 computer. We had to go up one and a time to the computer, (which is hooked up to a projector so we can all see.) click on a color then on a bone and then type in the name of the bone. Thus labeling the skeleton. A complete waste of time since we could only go up one at a time.

After A&P I went to Medical Administrative Techniques (MAT) where we are currently using this computer program that is so out of date I'm surprised we don't need those huge floppy disks from the late '80s/early '90s.

The room is set up in an "L" shape which sucks 'cause I sit in the "bottom" of the "L." There are 2 teachers in the class so normally Mrs. Hail will work with my part of the class while Mrs. Whitman works with the other part of the class.

Today the assignment was super easy. Basically all you had to do was FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. It's really that simple. But for some reason, 4 of the ladies on my side of the room missed that day in Kindergarten. So, the other 3 ladies in my half of the room (including me) couldn't hear Mrs. Whitman talking, telling us what to do. I'd get Mrs. Whitman's attention, then she'd tell us that Mrs. Hail's supposed to help our side of the room. That would be fine, except for the fact that Mrs. Hail is trying to figure out why the other 4 ladies fucked up, and how to fix it. If that wasn't bad enough, those 4 ladies were being so impatient with Mrs. Hail, so Mrs. Hail was just getting frustrated all the way around.

So that has been my day. One of those days where I should have just stayed the fuck in bed. I'm tired.

I'm Free!

2007-08-06T20:28:00.000-04:00

So, Sunday was my last day EVER at Michaels. I could not be happier. The last two days were rough..but I was determined to make it through them. It wasn't fun...but really, since Sam was fire back last November, had it ever really been?

Debbie was closing manager both nights, and she was her usual uptight self. Telling me how to do my job...when, obviously I know what I'm doing. I was so close to just leaving...but it has been SO long since I've left a job on good terms that I was determined to do so this time.

So, Sunday night, as we waited for the security alarm to ring so we know we could leave, I said "Bye everybody!" trying to be a bit sentimental. Maralynn said "bye" and so did most of the other girls...but Debbie just walked away.

Over a year I've worked with the woman, and she didn't even say goodbye. Fine. Be a bitch.

In other news...school is school. Not much really to say. I've been doing very well on all my tests, so that's good.

I also had lunch with a couple girls from my Med Terms class: Anglia and Chesney (sp?). It was awesome that they practically forced me to have lunch with them. I was literally in my car leaving Wendy's 'cause I had just eaten, and Anglia pulled up next to me and said, "Get your ass out of your car and eat with us!" So that was cool that they actually wanted my company!

And finally. I made this today...just a few minutes ago actually. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but I think it's so cute that I must share it:

What do you think? I'm thinking I could make these on cards with different random things that the birds are saying. Could be cute stationary.

I've really gotten back into the whole "being creative" thing, which is fuckin' awesome! I've missed creating, and I'm glad I seem to be able to do it again. It's amazing what a reduction in stress can do for a person.

Well, I do have some homework to do, and then I'll be off to take John to work...so, see ya later :)

'Cause This Is How I Feel Tonight (Or Caption #7)

2007-08-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

'Cause this is how I feel tonight, this is the caption picture for today:

I'm A Fag Hag!!

2007-08-02T16:00:00.000-04:00

I finished a LO last night!!! It's been so long since I got an actual LO done, that I'm just happy that I got something completed.

I don't think I can upload this to Scrapbook.com 'cause of the word "fag" being so big. But this is a very important LO for me, so I wanted to share it.

It says "I'm a FAG HAG and proud of it!" and then around the arrow it says: "They've come and gone...but they are still my boys!" On the left side of the page are all the names of all my gay guy friends over the years.

Wow...

2007-07-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

I wanted to post this on sb.com....but I know I'll get WAY too much back lash. So I'll post it here.

Go to http://postsecret.blogspot.com/ and scroll to the last secrect of the week. They change the secrects each week on Sunday, so you have a week to look at this.

Is it sad that I looked at the postcard and said to myself, "I really like the stickers they used..."?

I'll update more later. I need to get to class soon....

Slugbert, The Friendly Dill...

2007-07-27T23:46:00.000-04:00

This just proves that you are never too old to play with you're food.

John and I went to McAllister's Deli the other day. I was having a real bad day, but then when he went to the bathroom, I started sticking my pickle with the toothpicks that held my sandwich together.

When he came back from the bathroom, I presented him with this:

Slugbert, the friendly dill.

Then we came up with a theme song for him: "Slugbert, the friendly dill. Always gets himself in a pickle!" I wish you could hear me sing it, 'cause it actually has a tune and everything.

Then, John started poking his pickle with his toothpick. His sandwitch only came with one toothpick, so we came up with this guy:

Slugclops, The Unislug.

Okay, so that night...or maybe the next night. I was eatting some potatoe chips, and this guy came out of the bag:

The Chipinator!

He even has two little legs!

So, I've decided that this would make a great TV show. It would show Slugbert and Slugclops fitting the evil Chipinator. The clasic good versus evil story. Where healthy food over comes the iron fist of the junk food!

You'd watch it...right?

The Best News Ever In A Long Time

2007-07-25T23:20:00.000-04:00

Today, July 25, 2007 I put my 2 week notice into Michaels!

I have never been happier about a decision I've made regarding work ever.

This is how it's gonna work:

Mom and dad decided that I have been way too stressed since school started. Which is very true. Weekends are hell since I have to get John to and from work (no bus) and work myself and study and do homework. Oh, and sleep and eat. So they decided that they would pay my AOL and my half of the phone bill. They'll still give me $190.00 every 2 weeks to help with gas and other expenses. John will still need to pay his half of the phone bill and both of us will still pay for gas for the car.

When mom told me this, I almost started to cry. It's taken such a burden off of me already, and I only just turned my notice in today. No more panic attacks before work because...I won't be working!!!!!

I just can't explain how relaxed this is making me. I'll have time to do things...like laundry and cleaning the basement...and scrapping!!! I won't have a lot of money...but hell, it's better to be sane and broke, than rich and crazy (just look at Britney Spears for an example of that!)

I still have to work this weekend, and probably next weekend as well...but that's IT! I feel like I can breath. It's wonderful.

I have some really funny photos to post later, but first I have to get them off my camera and onto my computer...we'll see when I get to that. Maybe in two weeks???

Caption #6 (For Real!)

2007-07-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

Yeah, so...last week should have been caption number 5. Oh well.

So, this is caption number 6, and we'll just pretened there was a number 5!

Running Through My Brain

2007-07-17T22:47:00.000-04:00

So, I've been doing way too much thinking about stuff lately. I told Emily I was going to post about what happened at work the other night. But now, it seems so inconsequential that I don't think I will.

I think instead of my normal, "Today I did this, that and the other" blog I'm actually going to talk about my (gasp!) feelings.

First thing is that I've been doing so incredibly well in school. I can barely believe it, honestly. Back in high school I got nearly straight A's and B's, except in Math, and Science, but that's another story. Then I went to collage and my grades sank to C's and D's. At first I was so upset by this. I knew I could do better...but I just couldn't figure out how to do it. So then finally I just took the attitude of, "Well, a 'D' is passing, at least," and "I just can't do it!" That way I wouldn't have to try and then be disappointed if I failed.

Then it got to the point where I saw no end in sight at UofL. And even if I did graduate, what would I do? I would have a degree in English, and yet not want to be a teacher. My options would be limited. Especially when I saw my friend Laura graduate from collage and is now working at Half Price Books. You know, I could get a job like that without a collage degree. Oh, wait...I have one!

So, on a whim I decided to go to Spencerian and get a degree in Medical Coding. Honestly, I wasn't even sure what Medical Coding was when I enrolled (and to be completely honest, I'm still not entirely sure!). And now, I'm getting A's on ALL of my tests. I haven't gotten less than a 91% on any of my tests. Even the Medical Terms tests! Not only do those involve memorization, but spelling as well (my two hardest areas!).

I ran into my friend Sara's mom (Sara was the girl who's wedding I went to last month) at TJ Maxx tonight. She and I started talking about what I'm up to and this and that and she said I look very happy and very relaxed. And that was so nice to hear.

I think I just feel like I have, not only a goal, but an obtainable goal that also has an end in sight. I'll only been in the program for 12 months at most. Since I passed out of some of my classes, it may be less. Then I'll have my externship, and then hopefully I'll have a job...no, a career, soon after that.

I feel like I'm on my way.

Not only that, but money will be better. Once I turn 25, which is actually a few months after I graduate, I'll be getting my inheritance from my grandparents. It's a pretty hefty amount of money. I'm not going to say how much...but it's plenty! So with that on top of a good paying career, John and I will be set.

I'm so excited about my future right now. I can see that things are going to be okay, and that they will work out. It was only a month ago that I was crying that I had no future and that I'd be living with my parents forever. Now, that has all changed.

I also talked to my friend Kristen tonight. She's been having some issues that I've been helping her with since I have gone through a lot of the same issues when I was in high school and collage (the first 2 times!). Anyway, somehow we started talking about John and me. She said that we make such a wonderful couple and that there's no pressure when she hangs out with us. She told me that we are so relaxed with each other, and it's obvious that we "work."

It just makes me feel so good that my friends take my relationship with John seriously. I think my mom is finally coming around...slowly. She said a few months ago to a friend of hers, while I was standing there, that I was saving up money to move into an apartment with a friend. Hello! He is not a friend, he's my fiancé. And if you're not comfortable saying that then at least say boyfriend.

But for the most part I don't think my mom understands how much I love John, and how much he loves me. I don't think she (or my dad or sister) understand what we go through every day. How we are there for each other no matter what. She doesn't understand why I pick him up on Saturdays from work at 6:30 in the morning when I'd rather sleep in. She thinks I'm getting walked all over maybe. But I'm not. He does just as much for me, if not more.

Anyway...I'm rambling now, and I was going to talk about high school and therapy and all this other stuff that's been on my mind. But It's 11:00 and I need to go to bed.

Okay Emily, I posted to my blog. Did you get your fix?

Caption #4...I Think...

2007-07-12T23:49:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I know...I skiped last week. Oops. It's been a very long week for me this week. So, I'm posting this week's Elton caption tonight before I forget. I know, I know, it's only Thursday. But honestly, when I started posting this like 10 minutes ago I honestly thought that it was Friday, and there for almost Saturday due to the fact that it's 11:48pm.

Okay, with that being said, here is the Elton John Caption of the week:

Updates, Updates, Oh My Goodness!

2007-07-09T11:27:00.002-04:00

So I've realized recently that I've started all these "stories" here on my blog, and never really told you all how they were resolved. So, I'm going to try and do that now.

In regards to the post intitled: "You Can Only Eat an Elephant One Bite at a Time"

* Jack "fixed" the schedual for me. By that I mean he took me off the schedual for Monday-Wednesday and then wrote me in to come in Friday night. On Monday and Tuesday, however, he did not replace me. So therefore they did not have a closing FES that night. On Friday when I came in, everyone was surpised to see me. They didn't think they had an FES that night. Dee said that she knew I was schedualed, but didn't think I'd show up.
* The next week he schedualed me for July 4th, which I wasn't too happy about. For one thing, he just assumed that I didn't have class that day (which I didn't...but that's not the point.). And we all know how my 4th of July turned out don't we (See post intitled "The Fourth of Crap-uly" for more details.)
* This week Jack didn't schedual me for Friday. Which is great in a sense 'cause I actually will have a day off of school and work at the same time! I'm just hoping he knows I can work Fridays.

In regards to the post intitled: "The Keyboarding Test"

* I did not pass. However, I don't need to take the entire class this quarter. See, I passed the five-minute time fine. So, all I need to do is my 10-key and all the units. The units are the make a table and do a block memo and all that other stuff. Once I finish all of that to my insturcters satisfaction then I'll be finished with the class for that quarter! Yeah!
* I finished my 10-key on Thursday. I just have my units now, which is cool. I do need to "re-visit" my 10-key just to practice every so often she says.

In regards to the post intitled: "Please Check Them Out"

* I'm still very obbsessed with this band. So please do check them out. :)

In regards to the post intitled: "The Fourth of Crap-uly"
* Not much really needs to be updated from this one. So I'll just move on to what's going on now.

I fell on Thursday night. I was leaving the landry room going into the garage. There are two steps that lead from the landry room to the garage. I was turned facing the door so that I could shut it, and aparently I thought I was on the last step, when in reality I was on the top step. So when I went to step down I fell. I brused left knee and hurt my left big toe pretty badly. It's still purple and a bit numb. Both ankles hurt ocasionally, but mostly my right ankle, which is the one I broke about four years ago by falling down a differnt flight of stairs. (Have I meantion that I hate stairs??) But that ankle only seems to hurt when I get off work. My back hurts a bit too, but not as badly as I was expecting it to. And just yesterday my right knee has been in pain. About every four or five steps I took last night after work, I would get a sharp pain through my knee. Then it would go away until the next fourth or fifth step.

Then, the next day, Friday, at work I slammed my left thumb in the safe door somehow. I thought it would be brused and ugly. But it's not. It still hurts. But it doesn't look bad. Today I have a Doctor's appointment with Dr. Dee to have him look at my toe, knee and back. My mom said I need to make a list before I go see him. And the sad thing is, I think she's right. I think that's it.

I have a test tomorrow in Medical Terms. And I have a test on Thursday in Anatomy and Physiology. Also on Thursday I have a small project due in my Carrer Stratogies class. Oh, and I got my second Medical Admisnistrative Techniques back, and got another 100%! So I'm thrilled about that.

Okay, this post is turning into a novel. And I only have a half hour left before class. So, bye!!

The Fourth of Crap-uly

2007-07-05T09:41:00.000-04:00

That's right, my 4th sucked. It started out well enough. I got the Goodie Box together for the swap I'm in and packed it up and everything. Got the stickers together for the lady on SB.com who has a summer camp in need of stickers. I even got Kim and Teagan's b-day presents together to mail.

But then I had to go to work.

Work wasn't actually bad. We closed at 6:00 (an hour earlier than when we close on Sundays even!) but we didn't clock out until 7:06. Since I got there at 1:00 (and actually clocked in 5 minutes early since Jack asked me to) I was there over 6 hours which ment I should have taken a lunch. But I didn't, 'cause I thought we would've been out by 6:30 since we were so dead. So I had to mark on this sheet that I didn't take a lunch so they won't dock me 1/2 worth of pay.

Then I went and got John and we got Wendy's drive through. When we got back to my house the block party was fully underway. But could I enjoy it? No. I had to go inside and study for a test I had today.

So I went in, ate my (now cold) dinner and hung out with John a bit before I started studing. I studied for about 10 minutes because the matireal was so easy (what is the difference between Verbal and Non-Verbal communication? Give an example of each).

Then the fire works started.

I had never realized how afraid of fireworks I am until last night. I seriously had a panic attack from them I was so frightened. And I figured out why I was so scared.

In 2000 I went of a school trip to Europe. We were in Paris on Bastile Day (which is like the 4th of July in America). There were fireworks, but there were also firecrackers. Which scared the shit out of me since they were exploding right next to my feet.

That same night in Paris one of the girls from our group, Jennifer, went missing. To make a (very) long story short she had met up with some French guys, went to their apartment and then went to a party with them. At the party there was a stabbing and everyone was arrested, including Jennifer. She was taken to jail and eventually Mrs. Kriby (one of our teachers) was notified and had to go to the jail to translate and figure everything out.

My roommates during the trip were Jennifer and Ashley. Ashley's boyfriend was also on the trip, so Ashley would go up to his room and stay there. And, obviously Jennifer wasn't there that night. So I was in my room all by myself hearing the firecrackers going off, which is worse than fireworks, 'cause at lest with those you can see pretty things. With firecrackers, all you see is a small explosion. So, in my room, sitting on the windowsill looking out, feeling like a war was going on, not knowing where one of the girls was that night.

I guess hearing the fireworks last night so close to my house and not being able to see them (even when I went out back I couldn't see them, 'cause they were out front and I didn't want to go out front 'cause I was having a panic attack) was enough to bring back memories of the trip.

Okay, so finally it was 10:30 and I had to take John home. When I got home it started thundaring and lightining. And I realized that I had homework I still had to do that was due today.

So I did that real quick and didn't get to bed until 1:30ish. I had to be up at 6:00 to get to class by 8:15. That ment I only got about 4 1/2 hours of sleep. (And I'm feeling it!!).

So, today, I took the test which took me 5 minutes to finish. And then when I asked if she collected the homework she said she wasn't going to take it until Monday. So I said to her, "Good thing I staied up late doing it then, since it was due today." That really ticked me off.

Oh well. I have to get to class now. Then run to Wendy's for lunch and then my last 2 classes.

Hope everyone else had a good 4th.

Please Check Them Out!

2007-07-02T07:47:00.000-04:00

I don't know if anyone's noticed, but on my side bar is a music video of a great band, The Cliks. I don 't normally put videos or music in my sidebar 'cause I can't watch/listen to it on my computer at home. But I went ahead and put The Cliks on there because they are so awesome, I want everyone to know who they are. You have to actually hit play, because I set it up that way! If I had set it up for auto-play then I would have a hard time loading my own page at home! Anyway, check them out. They are becoming my new band-obsession. Not that they'll ever replace Elton. No one could replace Elton!

Random Pictures Of Things I've Bought...Oh, and a Picture of John!

2007-07-02T00:10:00.000-04:00

So it's time for some photo fun!

Louisa asked me to take a picture of me and John "all dolled up" at the wedding. Well, that's when I realized that I hadn't gotten a photo of me and John together since he moved here, which was over a year ago! So, my mom took this one before the wedding:

Friday, after I failed my typing test, I decided to do some shopping to cheer me up. I was still on Dixie Highway, which is on the complete other side of town from where I live. So, I decided to go to the Peddler Mall that's down there right by the school. The Peddler Mall is like an indoor, perminite flea market/yard sale. Anyway, I found this table and fell in love with it. Then I saw that it was only $20.o0...so that's when I decided I had to buy it!

About a week ago John and I were at Target and I found this pupet and just had to buy him. We named him Little Thing and soon discovered he has a very strange crush on my friend Laura. Go figure.

And finally, here's a picture frame John found at the Dollar Tree next to Michales. I don't know if you can read it but it says, "Little Prince." And yes, the frame is pink. I just had to buy it. So, of course I did. I don't know what photo I'll put in it...but who ever I do will undoubtlbly be gay when they grow up! I also realized that I need to work on my impulisive spending!

That's all for now, I will hopefully update more fully tomorrow with details of many things!

Check It Out

2007-07-01T10:25:00.000-04:00

I've started a different blog, right here on blogger for a class assignment. It's called, "The Stranger Experiment" and I think it'll be an interesting thing. Check it out if you'd like. The link is in my profile.

Caption #4

2007-07-01T09:23:00.000-04:00

So, yesterday was Saturday, but we all know I was busy yesterday with the wedding.
So, in hounor of marriage, couples, and just plan having fun...here's the Elton John Caption of the Week:

I Got Tagged!!

2007-06-29T23:34:00.000-04:00

Okay, Amber tagged me...so here I go:

Choose seven random facts about yourself and post them on your blog. At the end, list seven people you are tagging.

1) I'm going to a wedding tomorrow for my friend that I have know since kindergarten. Crazy.
2.) I hate fish in real life, but love statues or anything that's not really a fish. I don't even like photos of fish. But...I want to go to the Newport Aquarium!
3.) My boyfriend is transgendered.
4.) I've wanted a dog since before I can remember. I used to throw pennies into the fountains at the mall and wish for a dog. But my mom's allergic to them, so I have yet to have a dog.
5.) I have to pick John up at work at 6:00 in the morning tomorrow.
6.) I went into work today and no one knew I was scheduled. WTF?
7.) My sister will be going to Arcadia University for grad school next semester.

Okay, well, Amber tagged most of the people I would have, so let's see who I have left!

I'll tag: Eliza, Tara, Kimberly and John. Of course...if Amber hadn't tagged Kristin, Allie and Louisa I'd be set with my seven...but oh well.

The Keyboarding Test

2007-06-27T11:22:00.000-04:00

So, yesterday in keyboarding I asked the instructer what the test was like. I was honestly just looking to make conversation since she was nice enough to let me borrow her book this week so I don't have to open my so that I can return it when I pass the bypass exam.

Anyway, turns out there's more to this test than just keyboarding and typing speed. Here's what will be tested:

* Type a simple table
* Type a block-style letter
* Type a 2-page academic report with proofreader's marks
* Type a block-style memo
* Perform a 5-minute timing with 35+ wpm and 5 errors or less.
* Perform numeric 10-key with at least 150 dpm and 3 errors or less

EEK!

I thought this test would be a piece of cake. Now, I'm not so sure.

I don't know how to type a simple table, a block-style letter or memo (what is block-style anyway??), I'm not sure if I remember all the proofreader's marks I learned in high school (and if I did, could they have changed??) and I'm not too confidant on my 10-key.

When I signed up for the keyboarding bypass exam I thought it would be just that: keyboarding. When I signed up for it they didn't give me a "study guide" or any information about it...and I didn't think to ask.

So, let's say I don't (god forbid) pass the keyboarding exam, then this will be what I'm left to deal with:

* Every day Monday thru Thursday I have a 2 hour class which is my last peirod of the day. This means, if I do pass out of the class I'll get to go home 2 hours earlier!!
* We have to do each leasson-set twice. At the end of each leasson-set is a mini-test which must be completed twice. That means I must complete, and complete well (meaning 35+ wpm with 1 or fewer errors) 4 times.
* Each mini-test is grouped in twos, meaning at the end of each lesson-set you must take the mini-test twice but they are connected. If I "pass" the first of the 2 mini-tests from the first attempt of the lesson, but don't "pass" the second mini-test from that attempt at the lesson then I have to re-take both attempts of the mini-test. Does that make sense?
* I have an entire week to complete the lessons. This week's lessons are 1 and 2. Lesson 1 being the "home row" and lesson 2 being keys "r," "e," "o," and "i" I think. Yesterday I completed all of lesson 1 (incuding all four mini-tests) and all of lesson 2 minus the four mini-tests. I would have finished the four mini-tests for lesson 2 it weren't for the fact that we had to go over as a class how to use the program, oh and how to use email.
* If I finnish the lessons assigned for that week that doesn't mean I get to go home. And it doesn't mean I can "jump ahead." What it means is that I get to work on 10 key for the rest of the week.
* I have to email the professor every Monday to let her know how I'm doing. As in "I'm having a good week," or "I'm having a bad week."

So incunclusion I'd really like to test out of this class...but I'm not sure I'll be able to. I might as well go ahead and take the test since I (read: my parents) paied the $40.00 for the test. But if I could get a refund I might actually do that too since I don't really have the time today or tomorrow to study for my bypass.

GAH!

Dear Lady Who Sits Infront of Me,

2007-06-27T07:49:00.001-04:00

Dear Lady That Sits In Front of Me in Anatomy and Physiology,

I do not care that your husband is filling for divorce after only getting married in April.

I do not care that your 13 year old daughter has, "her mother's mouth."

I do not care that you almost had a "melt down" last night because you are "too old" to be doing all this homework.

I do not care that you are also working, raising 2 kids, looking for an apartment and going through a divorce all while attending school.

And I especially don't care about all these things when I'm trying to listen to the teacher talk about body cavities.

Sincerely,
Tracy, who sits behind you.

P.S. I'm pretty sure the guy who sits next to you is not interested in you in any way, shape or form. Especially your shape and form.

Caption Time #3

2007-06-23T12:18:00.000-04:00

Okay, here's this weeks Caption Time!

You Can Only Eat an Elephant One Bite at a Time

2007-06-22T21:21:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday, when I saw the schedual and noticed that Jack schedualed me Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I wrote him a nice note pretending I didn't see the schedual. All it said was, "Don't forget, I start school on the 25th and can only work Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays." and then signed my name.

I went in today to get my check and check my schedual. He schedualed me Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

I went back into the office and said, "Jack I start school this week and you schedualed me to work." And now, the drama of "Tracy and Jack" brought to you in vivid technicolor:

Jack: "I could have sworn I gave you Thursday off."

Me: "You did, but I have school Monday through Thursday."

Jack: "You told me you needed Thursdays off."

Me: "No, I said Monday through Thursday."

Jack: "Let me see it."

(I take the schedual to Jack.)

Jack: "So, you can't work at all this week?"

(I had asked off Friday morning (only) for a test I need to take to get out of keyboarding. And I had asked off Saturday for a wedding for my friend since Kindergaten. I had okayed both of these with Jack on Monday.)

Me: No. I can work Sunday and Friday night (which he didn't schedual me for). I told you this coming week was going to be a pain because of the wedding on Saturday.

Jack: But you only asked off for the whole weekend.

Me: (Getting angry) No. I asked off for Friday morning but said I wanted to work that night. I have to take this test so I can get out of a class.

Jack: So you can't work at all durning the week?

Me: I can only work Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Jack: You can't work nights??

Me: No.

Jack: You have night classes?

Me: No. My classes get out around 3:45.

Jack: Then why can't you work nights?

Me: 'Cause I have homework and stuff.

Jack: Then why did you only ask off for Thursdays?

Me: I DID'T JACK! If you get out the sheet of paper I wrote it on, I'll show you.

(Jack rumages throught the request off forms and pulls out the one asking off for Friday morning. On which I wrote in all caps and largely that I wanted to work that night.)

Me: (Pointing) See, I even wrote it in large letters.

Jack: This has nothing about the week.

Me: No, I wrote that on another paper. It was on notebook paper.

(Jack searches some more but can't find it.)

Jack: So, you can't work during the week.

Me: Correct.

Jack: (Getting angry, almost yelling.) Well, what do you want me to do?? (Sounding dejected) I'll have to figure something out.

(At this point, I storm out of the office, on the verge of tears and plenty pissed.)

I don't know what's going to happen at work now. I'm going in tomorrow at 2 for my shift and I'll see if Jack fixed it (I don't think he works tomorrow), and if he didn't? I don't know.

I know I can't go in on Monday...or any of those days. And I know I'll have to call in or I'll be a no call no show. But, if I have too many call ins for days he's schedualed me he could very well fire me.

I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself...but I'm starting to worry about what will happen if I *do* lose my job.

I guess I cross that bridge when (or if) I get there.

I Am A Silly

2007-06-21T17:24:00.000-04:00

So, John and I are silly. There's no getting around that. As you can see from these pictures he took of me the other night. I guess that's one thing I love about John more than any other: I can be silly with him. Anyway, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:

The Popcorn Almost Killed Me!

2007-06-20T23:47:00.000-04:00

I don't even know what to say any more. My work moral is so low it's nearly non-existant. I have 2 days off in a row, but I have so much to do it probably won't feel like 2 days off.

And holy shit...I almost choked on some popcorn. Wonderful.

Anyway. I start school on the 25th. I caught a glimps of the yet to be posted schedual for next week...and what did Jack do? He aparently scheduled me for the week instead of the weekend!

Okay, I'm actually going to talk about something other than work. Ready? Here I go:

Today John and I decided to go on an adventure. We took the bus, called TARCS, downtown to the Main Public Library. John takes the TARC every where normally, unless I can drive him. But I've never been on one. So, it was an adventure for me. I was all nervous we were going to miss the bus and miss our stop.

We didn't of course, but it was kind of fun to actually get somewhere and I could just watch the sceanery and not have to constanly cuss out the people who cut in front of me without useing their turn signals. Anyway, it got me thinking that I should look and see if there's a bus I could take from my house (or near my house) to school. I guess I should look into that soon.

Let's see, what else? I'm having problems getting refills for my RXs lately. I called my insulin in to Walgreens on Sunday. I knew that they'd have to get intouch with the Dr. so I called it early. Tomorrow's Thrusday and it's still not ready. I need it tomorrow. I'll be out tonight once I do my night dose.

This happened about a week ago when I had to get my needles filled. Walgreens said that they called the Dr. and the they said I had to come in before they'd fill it. Of course, Walgreens didn't tell me this until 2 days after I called in the RX and now I needed them that night. So I called the Dr.'s office and they said they hadn't heard from Walgreens at all about my RX; they didn't even know I needed it filled. To make a long story short I got it filled that night, but it was a big hassel. If I have the same problem tomorrow I'll need to see about switching pharmacies. I don't need this stress to get my RXs filled.

One last thing that happened today: I think Butter's almost died. I fed him his veggies and some fruit today. He was up on his loft and he started coughing and then heaving funny. Finally he stopped, and climbed back down and ate some more of his green pepper. He seems fine tonight, but it was really scary! I mean how do you do the hymlic manuver on a Guniea Pig?

Okay, I'm going to actually try and get to sleep before 1:00. I'm going to see my *new* theropist tomorrow, so wish me luck. My old one finnished her program and is only going to be working on her disertation next year, so I'm getting transfered to another girl, who's been there a while too, and who I know a little from being in the office. So, we'll see how that goes.

Night!

Some People...

2007-06-19T00:24:00.000-04:00

So, the bathrooms are still broken at work. So, before I clocked in, I ran to Stapels again to use theirs. (There gonna start wondering about me if I keep this up!) On my way back to the store I pass a sign that's been taped to the door. It says something like this:

Michael's Unfair to Customers!
Did you know that some people who receave the Sunday paper also get a Michaels ad with a 40% off coupon inside? But, Michaels will not allow the CJ (our newspaper) to put their ad in outlying areas of the city. Aparently, not all customers are created equally.

Okay...that is completly bullshit and not true. We are forever doing a zip code survey asking each customer their zip code so that we know where our customers are from. We need to see if it is worth it money wise to put ads in Southern IN's news papers our Shelbyville's newspapers.

We want the CJ to put them in ALL the papers, but they won't. It's not us. But when you call and complain to them they tell the person on the phone that it's our fault.

Further more...people need to get a life. If you have enough time on your hands to make out that sign...then, well, you need a hobby.

Caption #2

2007-06-18T12:44:00.000-04:00

Okay, I know it's late. But here's caption number 2 for you guys!

What is Left to Say Really?

2007-06-17T23:44:00.000-04:00

Work. I hate that word.

It really wasn't too bad today, except for everything that went wrong. Luckly most of the things that went wrong did not affect me. Except one.

When last we left my little adventure, the power had gone out and I went home at 8:30. I came in today at 11:00, even tough I wasn't schedualed until noon, 'cause there were some things I wanted to buy that I wasn't able to get last night 'cause of the power.

So, I was walking towards the back near the restrooms when a man stopped Courtney, who was walking with me, where the restrooms were...she told him they were out of order. I asked Courtney why once we got to the back and here's what happened:

The floor guys came last night to clean the floors for the remodel. They needed it badly 'cause we moved all the shelving, and so where the old shelves were it was filthy! Debbie and the rest of the crew left around 10. Aparently what happened over night was that the floor guys clogged the toliet...the brand new toilet...with paper towels, smoked in the breakroom and left the butts around (it's illiagle to some inside in Louisville, fyi) did maybe one or two asiles, and then left. Quite. They said it was "too much work" so they quit. No shit. I kid you not.

So now Jack says he's going to sue them not only for all that shit, but also 'cause now we have to rip out all the tile and start from scratch 'cause they fucked it up so badly!

So, the toilet was clogged. We had to call a plumber, who came around 1:00 or so. Then Jack had to clean the RR 'cause aparently sewage was all over the place and it smelled, quiet litterly, like shit.

That was the one thing that affected me, 'cause no one could use the bathroom until it was fixed and clean, which was around 2:30 or so.

Okay, next problem: we were supposed to have a "Free Wedding Event" today. We'd advertisted it for weeks. None of the instructers showed up. Not one! So, poor Veeta, the floral designer, taught people how to make bows. Luckly no one was really too upset about this...except for Veeta!

Okay, around 4:00 Fornachia was supposed to come in. She called in however 'cause her 2 year old daughter is sick again. Her daughter is always sick...and I believe it. One day the babysitter called Michaels on her way to the hospital with Fornachia's daughter. But Debbie was just pissed off 'cause Fornachia is "always calling in". Yeah, when her daughter is sick! Show some compasion ass hole. She's a single mom with the dad no where to be found.

Last thing: Jack somehow forgot to schedual an FES to close tomorrow. So Debbie asked me if I could work. And for some dumbass reason I said "yes." That doesn't really make today bad...but it won't make tomorrow good I'll tell you that!

I almost can't wait for school to start...that way I don't have to work so much. I'm getting so sick of it...and I just heard today from Veeta that we'll be getting our first bit of Christmas stuff in at the end of July/beginning of August.

I'm NOT ready for Christmas...EVER!!!!!!!

Oh, and I realize now that I forgot to post a Caption Picture yesterday...I will tomorrow...right now I must sleep!

You Know You're Working Too Much When...

2007-06-14T23:56:00.000-04:00

So, I was in line at Moe's for some lunch with John today when my cell phone rang. Here's how I answered it:

"Thank you for calling...oh. Hi."

I answered the phone as though I was at work. Gah! Thank God I didn't work tonight and don't work tomorrow. Apparently I need some time off.

Last night work was much better than Tuesday. For one thing...the registers worked! Well, actually, that was the only thing that was better...but it was a HUGE thing!

After we closed Dee (who actually closed for once!) was closing down the registers. She got the first two down, but then couldn't get the rest of them. Barbara had to come help. Finally, they were shut down, and we went back to bag up our drawers.

While in the office, I kept asking Dee "dumb" questions. I was tired, and nothing was sinking into my brain apparently. As Dee left the office to get the reports she said to the rest of the people in the office, "If Tracy asks any more dumb questions just smack her."

That honestly almost made me cry. I'm trying so hard to do everything right, and I was taught as I grew up that there are no such things as dumb questions as well as that it is better to ask 100 times until you understand than to not ask and do it wrong.

Okay, so we clocked out after that and were headed towards the door when Delphine said to me, "Tracy...there's still ribbon in the wood aisle." So I turned around to face her and said, "There are other people in this store Delphine. I'm not the only one...so why don't you tell everyone else? They all need to know too." So she turned around to face the rest of the day side crew and sarcastically yelled, "There's ribbon in the wood aisle!"

I was honestly livid. Turns out, Kate was there last night to buy something right before we closed. So she walked out with me as we all left. After everyone else was gone I started bitching at her about how sick and tired I am of Delphine picking on me and only me about the store looking like "shit."

(As a side note, Kate and Delphine are pretty good friends, and Kate and I are good friends too. Delphine and I used to get along fine.)

Kate said she wasn't sure why Delphine was just picking on me, but she did say that Delphine is supper stressed out right now and told her that she was about ready to "walk."

Anyway, Kate said she was on her way to Sonic to get a Slushi. I said I was hungry but was broke and so she said she'd give me a couple bucks for something to eat. We're always buying each other food and stuff, so it wasn't a big deal, even though she's my boss. Well, she took out her wallet and all she had were 20s. So she handed me a 20, and I refused at first, but then she said, "You'll just owe me. I'm not hurting for cash right now, so it's okay. You need to get something to eat and relax." So I took the money and went at got Wendy's (my all time favorite!) and went home.

Now, on a completly unrelated note. I am without a computer until at lest tomorrow night...might be longer. My computer is showing me the "Blue Screen of Death" every once and a while...so I need to take it in to have it checked out. My parents, who bought me the computer a few years ago for a b-day gift, agreed they'd pay up to $200.00 for repairs since I have to have the computer for school. So I'm going to call Up-Tech, who we've used before, tomorrow, to see what's up and how much it may cost to fix it.

So in the mean time I'll be using my parent's computer upstairs.

Okay, so, I think I'll be heading to bed shortly. Night!

The WORST Day EVER

2007-06-13T12:43:00.000-04:00

Yesterday at work hand to be, hands down, the worst day I've ever had at any job ever.

For those of you who don't know, right now at Michaels we're going through a major remodel. It's almost done, and looks awesome. Monday night, the computer guy, Phil, came to instale the new registars. He was there all night (he was schedualed to do it then) and into the morning. They're these real cool looking registars with flat screens which are touch screens and really snazzy. We're aparently the first Michaels in the district to get these.

So, I'm schedualed to work Tuesday 5:00 until close. We close at 9:00 and normally get out between 9:30 or 9:45. 10:00 is normally late for us. Anything after 10:00 and we all get bitchy.

Okay, so I walk into the store at about 4:30 'cause I had planned on doing some shopping before I clocked in. Jack (the manager), Kate (the A&C department manager) and Debbie (the floral manager, and also the closing manager this night) along with Phil were standing around the registars...which were NOT WORKING! Poor Phil had been there all night and now all day trying to get these things up and running. He hadn't slept in at lest 24 hours. They tried to send him back to his hotel to get some rest, but he just left to get breakfast and came back.

Aparently the registars had not work all day. The cashiers had to hand write out recipets. They had to use the scan gun to check the price, then write the price and the SKU number onto the invoice sheet. Then they had to take any discounts off of the regular priced items (since the remodel is going on we're having an instore special on a lot of stuff we're trying to get rid of...so there's alot of stuff we have to manually discount.). Then they have to add up the order and figure out sales tax. They had to write down the form of payment and figure out change with the calculater if it was cash. If it was credit/debit they had to use a crayon to making a rubbing of the CC number. All by hand.

Okay, so when I clocked in at 5:00 the registars were being temperamental...but were basically working. Every once and a while one would go down and the casher would have to switch to another reg. But really, not a big problem.

So, once Phil left Jack decided to leave too. Debbie had to start the long process of putting in all those invoices into the registar so that they could be processed. Most of them went in no problem, but aparently she was having a problem with a bunch that the SKU wasn't in the system...so aparently someone wrote the wrong number down or something.

Debbie was getting very frustrated. And I don't blame her.

It was getting close to 8:45 so I started doing the closing announcments. Debbie is flipping through the "tranning book" for how to shut down the regs overnight. It's not in there.

Then she finds out that ALL of the cash invoices have to be done that night. She still has a stack of them to do, plus alot of the problem invoices were cash.

So, we close and the remodel crew comes in and starts there stuff. I have suddenly become in charge of everyone 'cause when I went up to ask Debbie a question she didn't even acknowldege that I asked her anything. So I figured it was best to just leave her alone.

So I had Jen, Maryland and Aaron under my control. They got everythig we needed done, done (bathrooms, breakroom, trash etc) and we were working on the last of the returns. Once those were done I wasn't sure what to have them do.

Delphine, who normaly works in the day shift, but is working on the remodle crew right now, came up to me pissed off and said, "I know what you need to do. You need to recover. This place looks like crap. We work our butts off every night and we come in and it looks like shit."

I too was getting very frustrated and tired at this point and I snapped back at her and said, "We work our butts off too Delphine."

Then she said, "Now that we're remodled we are held to a higher standard than we were before. Everything has to look perfict. All the shelves have to be fronted (items pulled to the front of the shelf) and all pegs too."

So I go find "my crew" and tell them what Delphine said. They weren't happy either 'cause on a normal night it might take 2 hours to do a normal recovery. We don't know how we're supposed to do this "perfict recovery" thing. But we had nothing else to do, so I told them to just walk around and fix things and try and make it look better until we hear further instructions from Debbie.

So, I'm in the craft paint islle and I hear Delphine talking to the remodle manger's assistant. She was telling her the conversation she had just had with me. Of course, she didn't know I was one asle over and could hear every word. So I poked my head around the corner and waved at her. Then I heard her backtrack a bit and say, "And it's not just her. It's everyone. They aren't taking this seriously. They're actting like it's a joke..."

So I left that asle and went to work on the wedding asle which is on the other side of the store. After a bit I hear Delphine again. This time complaining to Tonya (normally in the frame department...but temporarlly on the night crew.) This time Delphine is saying how "we're never done (in terms of recovery), that there is always going to be something to do 'cause the store has to look perfict." I was this close to going up to her there and saying "There is no such thing as perfict." But I didn't.

After that, Debbie calls me to the front and tells me to start pulling the drawers. We can't shut them down 'cause we don't know how. But we have to bag them anyway.

We used to have 6 registars...now we have 8 plus the framing drawer, so that's 9. The drawers had not been labeled yet, so as I took each drawer out I had to take some recept tape and write the registar number on it and stick it in the drawer so that when we got back to the office we'd know which was which.

When I got that done I took Aaron, Jen and Maryland back to the office. Once there I realized we hadn't gotten new bags yet to put the money in. The bags are all labled for the old drawers. We had a total of 6 bags, and luckly we had a total of 6 drawers to bag up. I had them make new lables for their bag and had them slide it inside ontop of the old label. Then I went to print reports. The reports tell us how much cash we did in each drawer. We then take that number and write it down in the log.

Well, I went into the computer room...and the computer was missing. So, I paged Debbie and she told me to just write our plastic bag number (differnt from the bags we only had 6 of) and innital it like normal but to leave the cash amount blank.

Finally, we got all of that done. We went back up to Debbie, who, along with Barbara (the remodle crew manager) were still working on the invoices. I told her we were done and she said, "Did you clock out?" and I said no...and she told us to clock out.

We clocked out at 10:30pm that night.

I later found out that Debbie didn't leave until 11:30. And she had to be back at work at 6:00am today.

And thus concludes the worst day of work ever.

I have to close again tonight. I hope to god things run smoother.

My Schedule

2007-06-10T13:05:00.000-04:00

So, on Friday I went to regestration for Spencerian. I got my schedule, so I thought I'd share:

MTWTH 8:15-9:05: Anatomy and Physiology 1
MTWTH 9:10-10:00: Medical Administrative Techniques
TTH 10:10-11:00: Career Development
MTWTH 12:00-12:50: Medical Terminology
MTWTH 12:55-2:45: Keyboarding

On the 29th I'll be taking a test to get out of Keyboarding. So if I pass it (which I'm sure I will) I'll be done everyday at about 1:00. I do have to go to the keyboarding class for the first week, since class starts the 25, and the test isn't until the 29. Oh well.

Also, on Monday and Wednesday I'll have a 2 hour break rather than a 1 hour break since the "Career Development" class only meets Tuesday and Thursday. SO, on Mondays and Wednesdays I'm planning on eatting out, while on Tuesdays and Thursdays I'll briing my lunch.

Finally, there is one other "class" I have. It's about HIPPA, which is the medical privacy thing. It's a "self taught" class. I got the DVD for it, and I'll find out more about the class on orentation which is the 22.

I was able to transfer 14 credit hours from UofL and IUS! So that makes me happy. I got out of both English classes, the Psycology class and one of those "Get Ready For College!" type classes. So that's 4 class I don't have to take! Yeah!!

I still need to go get a rolling backpack since I'll have a ton of books to lug around everyday. And with my back, I know I won't beable to carry them in a regular backpack. I also have to get new shoes. I'm not looking forward to this. I have to wear all white tennis shoes. No strips or anything on them. I hate shoe shopping with a passion. I also got fitted for my "uniform" which is basicly scrubs. I look like a big grape. But so will everyone else, so it's okay, I guess.

Well, that's all for now. Later!

Make a Caption #1

2007-06-09T23:22:00.000-04:00

So, I'm going to see if I can keep this up. I'm going to post a photo of Elton once a week (probably on Saturdays) and you all have to add a caption as to what you think he's saying/thinking.

Okay...so here we go:

This Is A Butters

2007-06-07T17:50:00.000-04:00

So, now that I have a blogger blog and since I already have Picasa...I figured it was about darm time to post some pictures of my pigger, Butters:

1.

2.

3.

4.

1. Here is his cute nose. He was sniffing the camera! Silly pig!

2. This is one of the best photos of Butters ever. I must give credit to John for taking this one. We got a copy of it and it's now framed on top of my computer hutch next to all the photos of my past animals.

3. Here's me and the pig. So sweet!

4. And finally Butters about to take a nap next to his hay ball.

Well, I don't have a lot of time to post much else right now. Just thought I'd show you the pig!

The Luckiest

2007-06-02T08:32:00.000-04:00

Good morning all. If, that is, anyone reads this. Anyway, I had to get up at 6:40 this morning to pick John up from work. It stunk, but it was okay. I was able to go get Waffel House for breakfast, so it made up for it. Plus John said he'd do something really nice for me...he just doesn't know what yet.

I got really ticked off last night 'cause I went upstairs to use my parents' computer to upload some photos onto sb.com...but I have to use my flashdrive to put the photos onto their computer. Well, wouldn't you know that my flash drive decided it didn't want to connect to their computer last night.

I'm really tired to death of dial up. I talked to my dad yet again about getting DSL for the basement like they have upstairs, and after much confusion figured out that it's still a no-go. He doesn't want wires running through the house, doesn't want a separate phone line, and doesn't want a wireless router. So looks like I'm stuck with AOL. Grr.

The only good thing, so far, is that blogger seems to alow me to upload photos even though I'm on dial up. Yea for that!

Speaking of photos, I'm starting to work on a journal/book of songs that mean something to me. Here's the first page:

It's Ben Folds' song "The Luckiest." It's me and John's song :)

Okay, I'm getting sleepy again...maybe I'll take a nap...not sure.

Starting Over

2007-06-01T10:53:00.000-04:00

So, here I am again. Starting a new blog. Why? What happened to Livejournal?? Well, let's just say they pissed me and a whole lot of other people off. I'm not going to go into it...just going to start fresh.

So, my car is in the shop at the moment, so I'm stuck at the house for the morning until my mom gets home. The brakes need to be replaced...eep! Fortunitly my dad's paying for it...this time. He says I need to learn to use first gear so that I don't wear them out so fast.

I don't work today...I was supposed to hang out with Kate (my boss/friend at Michaels) after she got off work today. We were going to go to Dee's Crafts and do some shopping...but she texted me last night and said she can't 'cause she's broke.

I made an appointment with the finacial adviser at Spencerian College for next Thursday, the 7th. Anyway, they asked me to have my dad fill out some forms for a loan and bring them in at the appointment. Since I'm not 24 yet (will be in August!) I have to use my parents' income. Anyway, I told dad about this and he said he doesn't need to fill it out 'cause he doesn't have any information yet. I can understand that, but at the same time, we're going to go to this appointment and I'll look dumb 'cause my dad wouldn't follow directions.

Okay, well, that's it for now I think.