Time Off

Now that I know my job is secure for at least a few more months I'm ready for some time off.

I've been hesitant to use my vacation time in the off chance I might have to live off of it for a few weeks in between jobs. I don't have anywhere to go or anyone to go with but I guess just some down time would be good for me. I feel like I am on the go all the time. That is because I hate to be home alone most of the time. I am pretty burnt out, I would love a little time away, relaxing on a beach or something but see above.

I left work early yesterday and I'm at home today doing a minimal amount of work. I'm not feeling really well, my stomach has been bothering me for days (again see above) and I'm just tired. It is all stress related.

I might head out for a walk/jog in a bit, before it gets too hot. I have my first kickball game tonight, I'm hoping it will be a good way to meet some new people.


What I did yesterday after leaving work...

I went shopping and bought myself some pretty, blue chairs for the back yard. I had been eyeing the chairs at Target for awhile. They were $24.99, I saw them on sale one day for about $18 but left the store without buying them (I forgot), I went back a few days later and they were back up to the regular price. I stooped in yesterday to buy a lounger, I don't know why, too damn hot to be outside...I didn't get the lounger but the chairs where marked down to $12.48...so instead of just getting two, I bought 4...they will be a nice addition once the weather cools down enough to enjoy the back yard again.

Employment Update

As of 3:58 pm today my contract has been extended until the end of the year.

This is great news...I should be debt free, except for mortgage and student loan before I need to look for another job.

That will take a lot of pressure off of me when I need to start looking again.

I'm too tired to think of a title

So last night was fun. I headed to Midtown to play trivia with some fellow hashers. We did well, it was a rough second round but we pulled off a second place finish. Not bad since I haven't played in years. I manage to grab a bite to eat and get the beer consumption in check. A good night with no drama.

So where was the drama?

The drama was located about 2 hours before trivia started. I sent an email, it was misunderstood, nastiness ensued, then talking and then a resolution. Still in limbo on this one.

Time off...

I've got a few vacation days planned but no vacation (that's another issue). I'm taking next Friday off for my birthday. I hope to treat myself to some shopping and a nice lunch, nothing more is planned. I'm not really looking forward to my birthday this year since it will be another milestone of being alone. I've always felt that you should be with someone on two holidays...your birthday and new years eve...I've struck out for the last year on both of those.

Speaking of my birthday, I bought myself a new, 27'' LCD flat screen yesterday. I'm very excited about this is one. My old TV is about 11 years old, I won it in a raffle...so not top of the line and is only about 20 inches. The girls are already planning movie night at my place, I guess now I need to buy a DVD player.

The Weekend

Last weekend was great. There was a rough start on Friday but Saturday & Sunday made up for it.

Saturday I drove to Decatur for the hash. I had a good feeling about the trail and it was not unfounded. I was out about an hour, just perfect in this god awful heat. The end was shady, there was a hose and plenty of cold beer and good company. Once the beer was gone (I need to remember to bring more this weekend) the gang headed over to Twain's for some dinner. I had Fish & Chips which I had been craving for weeks and tried a couple of the house brews. Then a smaller group (Dakota, Bill & Nancy) walked over to Ted's to wish my friend Stacy a happy birthday. We were informed of the plan to head over to the Brick Store. We found a table outside, it wasn't any hotter than inside the crowded bar. More drinks, more people, more fun. We lost Dakota and gained Shane when we went to Sushi Avenue to share a late night snack. One last trip to Twain's were I cried just a bit in my beer and I headed home for a decent (relativity speaking) night's sleep.

Sunday was the Black Sheep run, specifically the 7th (I think) running of Catch the Crabs. I missed this trail last year when the pack was stuck by lightning. I was hesitant to go but my good friends Paul and Betsy said they would car pool with me, which meant I didn't have to show up alone. The day went well...no drama...even a few pleasantries were spoke. I had an awesome run thanks to a 1.25 mile tunnel that slowed all the big folks down. While the guys where crawling on their hands and knees and having to rest every time there was a break in the tunnel, little Martha just kept chugging through. I was about the 5th person in...NEVER has that happened before at BS...It felt pretty great.

There was a little confusion about the end but once things were settled we had circle and the Grant Park/EAV crew headed back to Tony's place for another beer before Zocolo's.

The night ended with a little Gordon Ramsey on the BBC back at Tony's place.

I'm very lucky to have the friends I do...I must keep reminding myself of that fact.

Another bit of good news...

I've paid off my second to last credit card this week.

I guess that is it

I put myself through hell the last 10 days and it would seem like it was all for nothing.

The Crazys are Back

I drank too much last night and didn't get enough sleep...it doesn't help my current mood. If I had anything else to do today I would probably leave work right now but then I would just be sitting at home driving myself crazy.

I don't have a good feeling about things right now...there has been almost no communication in the last couple of days. I know we said we would touch base on Friday and maybe talk some more but I'm not even getting responses to simple, friendly emails.

Speaking of Crazy...how nuts to you have to be to drive around in a car full of trash???



Taken yesterday in the parking garage at work. Yes the trash does go all the way up to the windows!

Job Hunting?

Well if anyone remember a few months ago, I lost my job for about 18 hours. The next day I was told the contract was extended until the end of August. Well guess what...that deadline is approaching quickly and I haven't heard anything but rumors. I've been told the contract will probably be extended until the end of the year...but nothing concrete as of yet. We do have a big staff meeting today and I am hoping for some good news. As much as this job drives me crazy some days, it is in a great location (only a 7 mile commute), it is very flexible as far as time off, working from home, etc. and my boss (while a little crazy sometimes) is very nice and seems to like me a lot. Plus the paycheck isn't too bad either.

I got a call yesterday from a recruiter with an open position in banking. This has some appeal to me. First, banking is much more profitable than public health, second, if (big if) things work out the way I want there could be a chance that I may move to a city that is very big into banking. It would be nice to have some experience to take with me. The pay is slightly better, I'm not sure about additional compensation. The down side would be a longer commute, a more 'professional' work environment and it is only a 6 month contract (temp to hire position). I have an interview set up for Friday. I don't have anything to wear...the dress is business professional...I've been business casual for the past 9 years. Oh well an excuse to go shopping.

Otherwise nothing new to report.

A new week and a new outlook

Well last week was just terrible. I wasn't eating, I wasn't sleeping, I was completely stress out by recent events. For weeks I've been trying to determine why two normally reasonable people were still reacting in such an awful way to each other. The events of the past weekend had taken its toll. I did not want to continue this behavior any longer. I was tired of the fighting.

So I'm not sure what will happen but I have to follow my heart and live with the consequences. We are talking (not yelling, not snipping) about the big issues that lead to the relationship going so wrong and working on being friends.

You would think 'being friends' would be simple...but I feel we need to even discuss that. Our past communication has gone so wrong, there have been so many misunderstandings and missed opportunities, that I want to discuss everything so each of us knows what the other is expecting.

We are set to talk again this Friday.

All my cards are on the table

Now I'm just waiting to see what happens.

I do know now how it feels to walk in someone else's shoes...

Lying Low

It is too damn hot and I am too damn tired to do much this week.

Ass may I introduce to you Couch, Couch this is ass....

Also is it Laying Low or Lying Low...where is an English major when you need one...I guess I could look it up.

Later that day....

Martha is still cranky...her email has been down for over 2 hours.

Monday and Moonlight

Well I made it through my first day back...it wasn't easy. I was thinking about taking the day off but why waste a day off when you aren't feeling well. I decided to save it until I was feeling better and could enjoy myself.

Nothing much to report. It is quite clear at this point that D and I still have issues that we can't seem to work out. As I said yesterday, I tried to just ignore them...but she wasn't having it. In D's defense, he was actually behaving himself and trying to stay away. She was the one pushing my buttons. He also did listen to my side and agreed with me on some points. Yes I wish I could have just kept walking away but sooner or later I had to stick up for myself.

Instead of going home, sulking and hoping for a phone call, I ran home, changed my clothes and headed out to the Moonlight Hash that my buddy BWANA was haring that evening. It was a hot, sticky, miserable run. I think I was still pretty dehydrated from the weekend, I hadn't ate much all day...and well the heat was bad for all of us.

Thankful for my anal-retentive attention to details I remember BWANA telling me weeks ago it was going to end at Dakota Blue...once I hit Glennwood I made a beeline towards Grant Park. I picked up EZ-Cheecks along the way. It is always good to see her, we discussed boys both past, present and future.

I ordered a bean burrito (I'm back on the diet) and skipped the beer. I ran a super short circle and was home (after taking the scenic route back to the car, thanks ButtBob for the tour) by 10. I took a shower, sat for bit in front of the TV, and thought about what a good night sleep I was going to have. Once again I was wrong. I tossed and turned most of the night. Well there is always tonight. There will be no running for me when I get home, if I do anything it will be at the gym.

I'm thinking a trip to the store might be a better use of the evening...Martha's cupboards are bare.

Shoot the 'Hooch

okay it was really the Cartecay River in Ellijay...just as fun none the less.

I ran into a small road block on my way to Ellijay on Friday. I took my car to the shop on Thursday to have my brakes replaced and tires rotated. I dropped the car off at 7:15 am and rode my bike the 3 miles to the office. Finally around 4:30 I called...they were just now having a look at the car and didn't think it would be ready by 6 but were going to try...damn! By the time I knew for sure, everyone had left the office and I didn't have a ride home. So I hopped on the bike and rode the 8 miles home...you would have thought I had to ride across the entire city. It was hot and I too beat by the time I got home to make it to my Thursday night run in Cabbagetown (which meant getting back on the bike).

I stayed in and finished packing for my trip. I was planning on being at Georgia's house at 1 so we would miss Friday night rush hour. I didn't get back from picking up the car until 12:40...I threw everything in, figured out the new bike rack and took off towards Clarkston only about 45 minutes behind schedule.

We made it up to MOEs in good time, some how avoiding all but the tiniest amount of gird lock on the connector.

I knew this was going to be a tough weekend, my ex was going to show up with his new 'girlfriend'. I went up there will all good intentions of just trying to avoid them and enjoy the weekend with my friends. Unfortunately, that is not how things worked out. There were a couple of confrontations, some name calling, alcohol abuse, silliness and stupidness a pretty full weekend. Saturday was better but still not great. The river was really low and it took us over 4 hours to float down. There was no drama on the river, I got to have a relaxing time (when I wasn't stuck or bruising my backside) with my friends and I kept a nice buzz going for the afternoon. I have to give the weekend a 6 out of 10. Which is sad because I was really looking forward to relaxing and having a good time. Lord knows I need it.

I'm going to have to think long and hard about attending the next event.

I left around noon on Sunday...feeling like death. The original plan was to head to Hog Mountain, that wasn't going to happen. I made it home in pretty good time and spent the rest of the evening on the couch.

Bad Monkey - Mystery Solved

A few weeks ago I tried a new beer, Victory Golden Monkey. An interesting and yummy Belgium-type ale . I had three or four one night and had to almost be carried out of the bar. Now 4 beers isn't a lot for me...I can drink that much and still run a hash. What I didn't realize until last night was that Golden Monkey is a high-gravity beer!! 9.5% - so it was more like I had 8 beers.

Thank god, I thought I was going soft.

Last Night - Part 2

First I would just like to say if you don't like what you read here...stop reading my blog! Simple.

Background

As most of you may know I've been a little lost lately. A 2+ year relationship had ended and I never felt I was really appreciated or given a chance to make things work. No matter how hard you want a relationship to work out, you just can't do it alone.

I've had a few dates with guys I've met. Nice guys, treat me pretty well but no one I can see a future with, backgrounds, values, etc are just too different or just no 'click'.

I had another date last night and it went well.

Jim

About six weeks ago I signed up on eHarmony, thought why not? Everyone in the commercials seem happy (I'm a sucker for good marketing). After 70 or so rejections (both active and passive) I was beginning to think this wasn't going to work either.

I started communication with a guy named James. What caught my eye? He described himself as spontaneous, loyal, outgoing & genuine all good qualities in my option. His leisure time included playing tennis, biking & running, these could be activities we share. Lastly, what was he looking for? Someone who smiles a lot, is loyal and dependable. Well that's me! I'm glad to see someone (unlike my past relationship) can appreciate the value in those qualities.

We emailed a few times, we talked on the phone...it was all going well. He seemed very easy to talk to, very outgoing, I found out he was a engineer and he thought what I did was really cool (smart is sexy)...I was encouraged.

He called me on Sunday, sometime between the run in the morning and the hash in the afternoon. He was impressed that I was a little drunk and getting ready for my second run of the day. He didn't want to keep me, said he would call a little later and we could plan to meet up later in the week.

So...last night.

We were to meet at the Flatiron at 7:45, he called, running a little late because of traffic...I started to worry. In the end he was only about 5 minutes late, no big deal. We hit it off immediately. He was just as outgoing and easy-going in person. We each had a Hoegarden and decided to head down the street for some dinner. I suggested the Glenwood, we sat on the patio, ordered some food and just talked about sports, school, home, family, the only time the conversation got a little strained was when the subject of past relationships surfaced. He was married once, I just recently escaped a long term relationship...a few questions were asked. He asked why it didn't work, I told him my side, he said sounded like the ex was very selfish and narcissistic...lol I couldn't disagree. I told him things where still a little strained since the ex and I still had to see each other but we/I was trying now to co-exist.

Finally about 10 it was time to go. He still had some studying to do and is leaving for Dayton to attend his high school reunion. He walked me to my car, gave me a nice hug and asked if he could call me when he gets back on Sunday!! I said yes...

In the end, it does seem like we have similar values/backgrounds, we are both very social, active and smart. I don't want to get ahead of myself but I have a good feeling. Even if a romantic relationship doesn't develop, this is the kind of person I would like to call a friend.

I will keep you all posted.

Last Night

More to follow!

New Things

Things I've tried since gaining my freedom:

1) Rock Wall Climbing
2) Olives
3) Calamari
4) Peas
5) Pilates (Google doesn't recognized this as a word)
6) Camping alone
7) Dark Side

With mostly positive results. What should I try next? Any other suggestions?

Golf lessons
A non-urban Wheelhopper
Kickball
Scallops