Hand, Puppets, Experience, & Seafood

Hand status: out of splint.
Puppet Cagematch: We won it!
Marla's birthday experience: Fun (see picture)
Rattlesnake guy dinner: Good.

Eggs & Wardrobe

Sunday was Easter and I went to my friend Tamara's apartment for an Easter potluck brunch. I made Tuna Colby Quickie, which is called Tuna Colby Pie on the Internet. The name I know it by is what my mom called it. I didn't have the right sized pan and used one that was slightly bigger. As a result the casserole (which is what it basically is) was much shallower. But magically it didn't affect the taste of it; it tasted pretty much the same, which is delicious. Thankfully those that tried it at the brunch also liked it.

All the food was quite good and we entertained ourselves by dying eggs and doing an egg hunt in the apartment. The turnout was also better than I thought it was going to be: 8-9 people during different times. It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately I forgot to take any picture while there.

~~~

Last night I decided to start on my wardrobe project. This project is basically going through my current wardrobe, editing out clothes I don't wear, and then buying items that are essential. Step 1 was tonight.

This involved me grabbing every piece of clothing I own and piling it onto the living room couch. Then I went through each piece and put then into one of three categories: keep, donate, or throw away. With the clothes piled high and covering the couch, it looked like a large project. But it didn't really take more than an hour out of my time! So congrats to me.

Dinner With Friends

Had a potluck dinner with a few friends. The dinner was good and it was good to hang out with people I rarely get to see. Afterwards we played Settlers of Catan. I was up to my eyeballs in wheat and sheep but I needed brick and wood.

Odds & Ends

Weather - freakin' awful

Hand - getting better; healing

Got some more steps forward in my wardrobe project.

Pub Quiz

Another win.

Team members this time: Me, Manley, Jen & Len. Won by one point over team Hojos: Brett, Pad, Paul, and Ferg.

Our team name is too awful to publish on the Internet.

1.5 Terabytes

I bought an external hard drive finally and it came in the mail today.

iPhone

Got one.

Pollen

Last night's nice, warm weather seems to have released the flood gates of the pollen dam.

Do Be Doobie Do

Come Softly To Me - The Fleetwoods


This song has been in my head today for some reason.

More Organization

Bought a new printer, scanner, copier
Opened a savings account to go along with my checking account.
Exchanged all my loose change - you'd be surprised by the amount.
Made appointment for purchasing an iPhone.

Sister Moving

My sister, Amy, is moving to Jersey. The past year she was in the middle of nowhere Minnesota, so I guess Jersey is a step up.

She sold most of her worldly possessions and is getting to Jersey via Amtrak. She had to change trains at Union Station here in Chicago and her lay over (can that term be applied to non-air travel?) was 3 hours. During a part of that time, which was right after work for me, I was able to hang out with her and eat some dinner. It was good to see her and I'm hopeful that this move works out. Over the past 2 years I was kind of shut out of her life for reasons I won't go into. But during dinner she let me back in and that was great.

Best dinner of 2009.

Dell Awards

Went there.

23 Steps Forward, 22 Steps Back

Progress is a slow process. Classic three steps forward, two steps back. A good day feels like 2 steps back and 5 steps forward. A bad day feels like 1 step forward and 7 steps back. Or 1 step back and 3 more steps back. But then there's the 4 steps forward and 1 more step forward. Don't forget the more complicated day of 3 steps forward, 2 steps back, 1 step forward, 4 steps back, and then 3 steps forward. So a week is typically 23 steps forward and 22 steps back.



As far my room, I've made a lot of improvement. I'd say it's 80% clean, which is super better. My desk is clean now and it makes me very happy. I've still got more to clean and organize, but I like the direction and pace I've been going at. Sure, I take way too many breaks, but at least I'm getting shit done.

My skin under my splint is super dry. I've broken out into a horrible eczema rash and it itches like crazy. I've been moisturizing like crazy the skin under the splint but it's not really doing anything to control the dryness. I'm gonna try that Norwegian moisturizer and see if that helps at all.

I sold my hybrid bike. I put it up on Craigslist late Sunday night and by Monday night it was sold. I was real pleased with the amount of replies it got despite my lack of bike specifics. I tried to do the same with the air conditioner I never use but it's obviously too early in the year for that since I haven't gotten peep out of that ad.

Thems The Breaks

I broke my hand at work. The story of how is dumb and if I know you in real life then I've probably already told you it. If you know me but haven't heard the story yet, then you'll have to wait until I actually see you in person. If you don't know me then just get comfortable with the fact that you'll never know. Too bad.

I can still work but worker's compensation covers all medical fees. Above is a splint and I didn't need a cast or surgery. I have to have it on for 6 to 8 weeks.

Cleaning & Sleep Over without the Sleeping Over Part

Besides meeting my fellow CSz inductees, this past weekend also starts my campaign to get my room cleaned at organized. I specifically made sure Monday through Thursday this week I have nothing going on after work. No rehearsals, no shows. That way I can focus on the work that needs to be done.

And to my credit, I started early on Saturday. Already three full garbage bags of crap have been cleaned out of my room. The closet area is clean. I assembled the dresser I bought awhile ago. I cleaned my bathroom. And my room is already noticably cleaner. And my spirits are risen and I'm feeling good about myself.

I did take some breaks. And one break was rather large in time. The large one was spending a good portion of Saturday with Tam and Nat. We tried to go to a movie but it was sold out. So instead we hung out for most of the day. We went from place to place, doing errands, and generally keeping each other from being bored. I bought a pillow. We also walked around in the nearly empty Linens & Things store. They're basically selling everything that isn't nailed down. It was really sad and a real wake up call about how bad this economy is. Is this just a sign of things to come? Scary if it is.

Sunday morning we went to see the movie we tried to see the previous day. It was a French movie called The Class and it was good but definitely not a feel good movie. It basically showed how screwed up the modern public education system really is. The movie made me tense. After a quick meal after the movie, I finally ended my break and got back to cleaning.

It also snowed yesterday and that kind of sucked.

Another Newbies of Summer of 2007 Brunch

We had brunch. It was fun.

Weather's Cold & I Got A Cold

I was home sick yesterday. I'm at work today but I'm still sick. It sucks. Fortunately I hear that I'm not alone; a lot of people I know are sick this week.

The weather's cold again, also.

Epiphany? Fall In Love With Myself?

I'm sure you, dear reader, have heard of the fact that you have to love yourself before you can fall in love with someone else. I've heard it, too. And I get it. But today I think the lesson finally really hit home.

Instead of wanting someone to fall in love with me, perhaps I should fall in love with myself first. In that, work on being the version of myself that I like. Not adopt a completely different personality, but get off my ass on certain aspects of my life, take control of my life's direction, and start loving the person I am instead of focusing on the parts about me that I'd like to change.

I do like myself, but I do often look at what I don't have instead of focusing on what I do have. And don't wait around for someone else's love to provide the stable base I think I need in conquering the world. No brainer stuff, for sure, but an area that I think I'm finally able to walk the walk, instead of talking the talk.

Valentine's Depression

Valentine's Day affects me more than I'd like it to. I think it affects the chronically single people more than others. Most people that I know that are in relationships don't give Valentine's Day much weight. But as the holiday approaches, with more and more Valentines decorations around town, it forces me to face the fact that I don't have a special someone to share my life with. Or that the various possible special someones aren't looking at me as a possible candidate.

Fullan Brunch

My good friend and fellow Rattlesnake, Katy, is moving tomorrow. She'll be driving to Los Angeles in her new car. To help send her off in style, the Snakes had a Fullan Brunch. It was pot-luck style, too. We got pretty damn full on some great stuff and the weather today was pretty nice as well. Towards the end of the event Katy had to leave because she still had a lot of packing to do. We all gave her hugs and wished her good luck in this new chapter in her life. There were tears towards this part of the party, but mostly smiles. It's not like we'll never see her again after all.

Good luck, Katy!