Out with a Bang, Not a Whimper

You'll die from a Heart Attack during Sex.

Your a lover not a fighter but sadly, in the act of making love your heart will stop. But what a way to go.

'How will you die?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Mouse 1: Me 0

I have a mouse in my house. It always makes me feel as though I'm dirty or not a good housekeeper. I'm kind of okay with finding them in the winter - they get cold, try to find shelter, unfortunately it's my shelter, so I have to kick them out. But, finding one in the spring...nope, don't get it and don't want it.

I came home from grad class on Friday night to find my two boys going beserker in the study. I knew it had to be something, but something could have been an insect, a toy they were fighting over or worse case a rodent. At least it was a mouse - best case in terms of rodents. It could have been an icky huge RAT! Which I have had in my crawl space, a big mommy rat and her babies decided to take up residence under my bath tub and die! Merry Christmas to me - but it did lead to my major renovation projects and now I have a new loo! Woot woot for me!

So, I have no traps and am hoping that the boys catch him - that they don't eat him and that they don't decide to bring him to my bedroom to show mommy the present! I wake up the next morning to find no evidence that my cats have done their job. Slackers! Deadbeats!

I had to go to grad school class on Saturday morning and couldn't go out and buy traps until Saturday late afternoon - still no sign of Mr. Mouse. So either he wised up and moved on to another house or is living in the underbelly of my humble abode. I'm thinking the latter. I have to call the exterminator. Ugh. More money down the tubes.

I'm out this morning reading the

So the score is Mouse 1: Me 0.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I have had a pretty interesting week. Well, maybe not by every one's standards, but by mine. I have some decisions to make soon that I will write about after they've been made. Not to be all Ms. Dramatic, but I'm a big believer in the power of the jinx so suffice to say, I'm sending out as many positive vibes as humanly possible for someone who is usually quite the pessimist. So, if anyone who is reading this will do the same, I'm sure the universe will thank you later for it - and I'll return the favor any time you ask.

Tangent warning: do you ever get nervous when you don't receive a lot of mail? This week, I've only gotten like 2 pieces a day...where are all my catalogs?!

I think I'm one of the only people on the planet who does not watch Grey's Anatomy. I can't get into it. I don't think McDreamy is all that dreamy nor do I feel McSteamy is steamy. And why is it that we can only have television shows that center around 3 topics: lawyers, doctors and cops? Seriously, are there no other careers out there that have drama? And now the hot variation on the theme is the forensics aspect. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Bones and CSI (only the Las Vegas version) but does every show have be going in that direction? Forensics is now one of the hottest growing fields for undergraduate studies in America.

I'm a big fan of 3 comedy shows: The Class, My Boys and The New Adventures of Old Christine. I'm very excited because TNAOC just came back with a special 1 hour or 2 1/2 hour shows last week. The Class and My Boys better be coming back for a second season.

I was also a HUGE Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, and Angel too. I just heard that Joss Whedon, show creator, came out with a new graphic novel series that picks up where Sunnydale imploded. It's too bad the show ended, but I do want to get the comic books to see where he takes them.

There is a big St. Patty's day parade in KC this weekend. It will be pretty crazy, combined with all the March Madness, the bar scene will be out of control. Not that I would really know, as I'm not a fan of crowds. It was different when I lived in NYC and you could subway or cab it everywhere, these days you're driving out there with every other yahoo who is either on their way to get drunk or is drunk. I'm so old. But I am part Irish, albeit probably a small part, but I still have my Kiss Me I'm Irish T-shirt to wear this weekend. Mwah!

2 months down, 20 more to go

I'm not enjoying my grad school course at the moment. I just got a preview of my next course, Management Information Systems, and now I'm not excited about that one either. When I was recruited into this program, I was told the majority of the professors were adjuncts and that we would be studying "real world" cases. Well, thus far it has been a ton of textbook reading and individual essays and worksheets. Very little in the way of case studies.

I'm going to stick it out as I did make a committment, but all this has done is bring back all the reasons why I can't stand the world of academia. I've never agreed with doing activities just simply to check the box. I had really hoped to learn something during this experience and thus far I can't say that I have.

7am Wake Up Call

There is an endless debate as to which pet is better, cats or dogs. I'm not going to start the debate, as I love both, but have cats as they fit my lifestyle better. But, if you do have either as a pet, there should be some sort of a test, an etiquette test before you are allowed to bring the animal home.

The techno freak neighbors have a new puppy that I've mentioned before that apparently requires no supervision and sticking him outside at all hours of the day and night in the back yard is clearly giving the dog enough attention. I've also mentioned before that our houses are quite close together. As a matter of fact, I would say that my house is literally 6 feet from their house! Last night the dog was outside at 11pm barking his little head off! And this morning I was woken up at the lovely hour of 7am by barking again! It's a freaking Saturday!

I don't let my cats roam all over God's world and back with no thought to their safety and well being. I expect people who have pets to give them more than just the basics in life of food and water. They require training and attention. If you don't have the time to invest in that, then don't freaking get one!

I know as the weather continues to get nicer, the more the damn dog will be left outside. Fine - he can play and enjoy sunning himself, but if you are sitting inside your home and your dog is barking incessently and whining to go inside - LET THE DAMN THING IN!!!

I love my little house, but it is times like this that I am tempted to sell and move out to the middle of fricking no where to get away from all people and animials. Is it too much to ask for peace and quite until at least 8am?

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Update on Justin Timberlake concert: it was AWESOME! Quite possibly one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Pink opened for him and I have to say, M & I were wondering if she really did have a voice as she's been on a few music awards shows and completely sucked. But her singing was pretty good - she only sang for about 40 minutes, pretty lame. She was kind of boring. Then, Justin came on - and it was so cool - Timbaland showed up!! So Justin performed for close to 2 1/2 hours, Timbaland did a 20 minute performance by himself that included a tribute to Aaliyah. We sat next to a very cute 17 year old couple. Loads of tween girls there as we predicted, but also quite a few older gals such as ourselves. We bought loads of memorabilia and of course had to wear our matching jackets for the drive home.

The drive to/from Omaha sucked. It was so boring. I thought maybe the drive back home would seem shorter...no such luck. I'm off to meet with my grad school team, should be interesting as thus far we haven't really had productive meetings. And, I'm trying to work up my fortitude to not get shafted yet again with the lions share of the work. Based upon the lovely mood I'm in now, they may be in for a big surprise.

I'm Bringing Sexy Back...Yah!

I'm so excited! Tomorrow night, my friend M and I, along with every tween in the entire Midwest region are going to watch Justin Timberlake bring sexy back! It's been quite some time since I've been to a major concert. The last really big one was when I managed to get front row tickets to see Prince! Thank you New Power Generation Fan Club. :) I didn't even know I was getting front row. I knew I would get good seats because with his fan club, you get to pre-order and then you go and pick them up at the will call. I should have known they would be stellar as KC isn't exactly a huge city. But it was still really funny when I got the tickets and I'm walking back to join M and I looked at her and said, "we're on the front row", her immediate response, "shut the f#ck up". Too funny.

My SiL was irritated because I just joined Prince's fan club to get good tickets this concert only. She's a HUGE DMB fan and has been a fan club member for years and has probably seen DMB close to 20 times. She's never gotten front row. Hee!

Prince put on an amazing show. It was so cool to be so close to see exactly how high his little boot heels really are! He brought some people on stage, unfortunately, not me or M, but one girl didn't know all the words to one of his songs - so he kicked her off! Hilarious!

So on Thursday M and I are driving up to Omaha, the closest we could get to Mr. Sexy Back in our area. Especially as Chicago sold out in like 2 seconds. It's also been a while since I've been on a road trip - should be fun.

Speaking of concerts, on my SiL's blog, she did a great section on which concerts you've been to over the years. My brother's very first concert was apparently Air Supply! Hee! I'm not sure I can top that but mine was Flock of Seagulls. For a while there in the college days I was going to concerts quite a bit, every fricking palooza within the south eastern statewide area. I can't even begin to remember all of them which is sad, and not because I was in some drugged out haze either - which is even more sad! But here is my attempt:

After my foray with Flock of Seagulls, I ventured into the Hair Band realm: Tesla, Ratt, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, G&R, Cinderella, and I'm sure countless others that I can't remember in that genre. Then, it was college days of "alternative". I really did go to the first 4 Lalapalooza's. The first one being the best. Then, to a number of the festival type concerts with bands like Widespread Panic and Blues Traveler. Used a fake ID to get into a bar to see Toad the Wet Sprocket - think it was a requirement in college. REM, Depeche Mode, Sugar Cubes, some great college cover bands - dated a guitarist in one of those bands for a time...he was nice. :) Harry Connick Jr., Henry Rollins, the Beastie Boys, Lyle Lovett, the Grateful Dead - before Jerry died, Prince, Hall & Oates with Michael McDonald - it was a great concert, but now I have that stupid "I keep forgetting" song in my head, which I suppose is better than Yamo Be There. Garth Brooks, The Wreckers, Los Lonely Boys and many more that I am missing. I used to love to go see live music, now I'm just not a fan of the crowds. But thankfully in Omaha, we are staying at a hotel that is across the street from the venue - so no worries!

Used and Abused

I finally have an explanation as to why last week was quite possibly one of the worst weeks of 2007...there was an eclipse! I went out to run errands on Saturday, why was the entire world out doing the same thing at 3pm and why were they all on crack?!

My prediction that the members of my grad school group are completely taking advantage of me because I'm single and have no life has come true. H & J emailed me to say they couldn't make previously agreed upon meetings and just expect me to coordinate everyones schedules - uh let me just say to quote Whitney Houston, "hell to the no"! Then, C wants me to go all the way out to her house in the boonies to work with her on Sunday, which is fine as she cooks lunch and she's a great cook. But this time, she was not prepared at all for me to show up. She ended up asking me for help to write her portion of the paper! Look, I know I don't have family, but that is your decision and it shouldn't impact me! Just because I don't have 3 kids doesn't mean I should have to do the lions share of the work for the entire team.

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The Terrorist was relatively good this past week. I was able to sleep with the door open 3 out of 5 nights. Quite the improvement. He pops up in the weirdest places. This morning I couldn't find Schoompy...I think he has a new hiding place from the Terrorist. I don't understand how he does it - hides from me. He's huge! He's 12 pounds of white fur, he doesn't exactly blend! But I looked all over the house this morning, of course with the Terrorist trailing behind, to try to find Schmoopy to no avail. Then, I finally go into the study to work and he saunters in an hour later. Still have no idea where he was.

I'm debating whether or not to get the Terrorist declawed. My vet's office made me feel incredibly guilty for even asking about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an advocate and the reason I got the Schmoopy and his brother Fat Boy, who passed away, was because they were already declawed. I wasn't the one who did it to them. It's just that the Terrorist uses EVERYTHING as his scratching posts these days! And, he pulls himself up on my furniture with his claws - the number one issue with my bedroom. I'm afraid he's going to tear up my mattress - and frankly, if anyone is going to do that, I would like it to be me! So, I don't know what to do.

Tape Worm

It's March. It's March 1st. How you say? Time is flying! And what is up with the weather we've been having lately. I swear yesterday, it got up to 60 degrees - quite the change from the land of the ice and snow that we've had lately, then we got a hellacious thunderstorm with hail. Today, it snowed only to be followed by sunshine! I'm looking into the sky waiting on the frogs to show up! I think Tornado Alley is going to be very busy this spring.

Update on grad school: we turned in our first group paper and got a 100% on it! Woot Woot! I don't recall ever being competitive before about grades as I was never really interested in school. In undergrad, school got in the way of my social life. But now as I have no social life, I am killing myself to get a 4.0.

It was supposed to be officially announced today that I have a new boss. My interactions with this person and his organization haven't started off on a great note. Today there was a meeting to "welcome" us to the team. He told us to basically put our heads down, do our work, and shut up. I'm obviously paraphrasing, but the essence is there. He's very big on hierarchy and bureaucracy. He seems to feel both of those are acceptable environments in today's work life.

I was warned by my previous manager that I would not be able to be as open and direct in my feedback as I have always been. Well, I already bit that bitter apple in my first one-on-one conversation with my new manager. He asked for my opinion...and silly me, I gave it. I don't know what the hell I was thinking.

Red Tape is my new middle name.