Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Keeping Things in Perspective

What is it about emotions that makes them so difficult to manage?

Have you ever been asked what you truly wanted from someone you care about, and you freeze? You want to, but have absolutely no idea how to articulate your wants and needs due to the crushing fear that overwhelms you at that point. What is it about such a simple question that stops us in our tracks? Is it the wounds your heart has endured in the past? Is it the fear of laying your heart out in the open, only to have it seared with a "sword"? Or, is it more the possibility of endless love that we fear? The happiness that "could" come with a switch of the brain and a willingness to try.

One foot in, and one foot out of the room. But at least you're trying.

Or, maybe it's easier to just let it go. That way it's safe - and no one gets hurt.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Pocket Turbulence Update

I just want to say this....I am SO proud of myself. I simply cannot remember the last time that I was one day from a pay-day, and I still had money in the bank. And, I'm NOT KIDDING. However, as of right now - I am a little over 24 hours away from my check being direct deposited into the bank, and there is already a balance there...and it is NOT NEGATIVE. I have started an auto-savings account, and have money in another savings account. RIGHT NOW! Can you believe it??? Me either! I honestly didn't think I could do it. But I have. I am, and will remain, in control of my finances. And, I am happy...and proud. Yay me!

Friday, February 24, 2006

Evolution

Vulnerable, raw, emotion, fear, possibility, positive energy...sweet, hot lovin'.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Tales from the Crypt

How many people out there love it when you're sick? Yeah, me either. I hate to be sick. But I am. Very. I hate my sinuses. Doesn't it just feel lovely when your head hurts so bad that you just cannot possibly hold it upright? And, your throat feels like there's an SOS pad stuck there and WON'T move. Oh, and don't forget the part where you can feel that all in your ear, too. Niiice. Not. Oh, and I just love it when your friends and advice nurses tell you that the best thing you can do is breath steam...which, in case you didn't know, takes ENERGY to actually get the steam rolling. And, you would so much rather die than exert anything close to energy. Yeah. I'm thinking not so much with the steam.

But besides being sick, things are still good. And, that's the best part.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

My First List

How you know things are OK:

1. When you don’t feel good physically, and you still feel like life is going OK.

2. No one calls to bug you or to leave psychotic messages on your voice mail.

3. You think that living alone is the best thing since sliced bread!

4. Even though you may not be completely on track, you know how to get back there. And you will. Eventually.

5. You remain calm in a situation where you normally would be completely out of control.

6. Life is just life. And, it happens. And, you feel okay about it.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

The Mundane

My blob posts have been slowing down, it's true. I've been having trouble coming up with topics to write about. I guess when the bitterness disappears, where's the funny? Bummer. Anyhow, things are going great. Senseless in Seattle isn't bothering me, my finances are looking up, I'm involved in several things at church (singing, helping out, etc.), and work is just normal work. Not too much drama to speak of.

I think I'll try to come up with a list. Lists are good, right? Just ask her....she ROCKS at making lists!

Good day.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Looking Up

I just wanted to touch base about my financial shortcomings...OF PAST. I'm so happy to say that with the tools that a great friend gave me, I was able to gain control of my finances in a very short time. Now that I have the control back, I am able and capable of remaining in control. And, this, my friends, makes me happy. Yes, I needed the tools....but I am responsible. Yay for being responsible this time!

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Happy Valentine's Day Internets!

Well, they say today is the ultimate day for lovers. What do "they" know anyway???

Yes, I can be bitter....but I can also be very sweet. ;-)

And, actually, I'm in a surprisingly good mood for someone who gets NO LOVE on V-day! However, as a friend tells me...you have friends and family who love you. And, that's all that should matter anyway. Amen, and amen.

Friday, February 10, 2006

Maybe Someday

A friend of mine invited me to participate in 8 minute dating with her this weekend. I turned her down. I'm not ready. Don't ask me why...I'm just not. OK? I told her that even the thought of it made me FROZEN with fear. Right now. But that will change. I've promised myself that it will change.

When she told me the cost, which for me seems high for a non-guaranteed PARTNER, I asked her, "Let me get this straight...you PAY them to feel FROZEN WITH FEAR ALL NIGHT LONG...or wait, I mean to have fun? Do they guarantee these men are single? Do they run background checks? What do you GET for that money???" But apparently, after reading up on it, there actually are benefits, even if you don't find a partner that night. Check it out!

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Sleepless in Seattle

Have you ever felt complimented and creeped-out at the exact same time? I have. I do. And, here’s how.

Let me give you some background. I met a guy online about three years ago. We dated, long-distance, since then, until about a year ago. We had some good times. But, we also had some bad times. Now, within those couple of years, there would be month-long breaks here and there where I would get sick of his shit. And, by shit, I mean intolerance, criticism, as well as judgmental, projecting, and aloof behaviors. Not to mention no sign of commitment. During those times, I would not only NOT want to talk to him or see him anymore….I WOULD TELL HIM SO. Indeed, I would make it very clear. However, this man would always be persistent and continue to call or e-mail, and I would always give in and talk to him again…eventually. Now, mind you, I like persistent men. However, this one…he’s gone overboard.

The last time I actually talked to him was in October 2005…early in the month. It took about a month or so, but he finally quit pestering me. But not until AFTER I made a filter on my work e-mail to send a response looking like it came from the administrator stating that I did not wish to receive e-mails from this party any longer. Nor, after I had blocked him from e-mailing me on my personal account. It seemed as if he were getting the point. Finally. Oh, there would be a periodic phone call or e-mail here and there, especially on a holiday, but for the most part it seemed as if he had finally gotten the point. Quiet. Peace. At last.

However, most recently, he has begun calling me again. With a vengeance. After FOUR MONTHS. Okay, maybe only three…but still. I’m talking DAILY. Not only does he call, but he leaves messages as if he thinks I might want to talk to him. He text messages me, as well. Sometimes even DIRECTLY AFTER I have ignored his previous call. If those don’t work, he tries the e-mail route again. He is constantly telling me how I ‘NEED’ to do this or that… completely ignoring any of our previous conversations. Or, sometimes he’ll even insult me or try to guilt me into calling him. I think on one occasion he pulled the nice card, and tried to sweet talk me into calling him. In my head, it seems as if he’s thinking…’Just let me get her on the phone. I know I can get to her if she’d only talk to me.’

Why won’t he simply let it go? Why won’t he move on and harass someone else? There’s got to be someone else to harass, right? He lives in Seattle, of all places. There’s plenty o’ women in Seattle to harass.

A friend of mine says this guy is mentally ill, even diagnosed it as delusional. That he’s breaking all the rules.

Should I be complimented that he wants to talk with me (or whatever) just THAT bad? Or, should I be filing harassment charges? Is it wrong that I’m getting amusement out of ignoring his attempts at contacting me? What will be next – telegrams? Smoke signals?

Who knows. But I’ll keep ya’ll posted.

Play on Words for the Day

My parents have been ever-known to their grandchildren as Grammy and Bapa. Even as the grandchildren grow, they still call my parents by these names.

Last night, while I was surfing the internets, my daughter spotted an online ad that caught her eye...."Mommy what's that?" she asked, as she pointed to a picture of Kanye West and Mariah Carey. I replied, "Um, I don't know....pictures of singers..."

As the advertisement made full clearance, I noticed 2006 Grammy Awards. I said, "Oh, it's an advertisement for the Grammy Awards."

"(gasp) Grammy's getting AN AWARD???"

Yes, I laughed outloud. It was SO cute.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Pondering Souls

Today is a beautiful day in Portland, Oregon. While riding over the Hawthorne Bridge, as I was talking to a friend (who was driving), I asked, "Do you ever look at people and wonder...." As, I paused to gather my thoughts, he replied, "....what they're like in bed? Uh-huh."

BWAAHHAAAAAHHHAAAAAAA!

That was the BEST come-back of the century! Okay, maybe just for the day. But still....

He's great!

Monday, February 06, 2006

Celebrity Status

I have a home-based business, selling for this company. I had a home gathering on Friday night, and had some great sales. At the party, the hostess' daughter, approximately age 4, announced to the other children present, "Tracy Hill is here! Tracy Hill is here!" It was as if I were a celebrity or something.

Then later, she announced to me directly, "You are my most favorite scrapbooker!" Although it was so cute and made me feel special, I wanted to point at her own mommy and say, "You should check out some of HER work!" She wouldn't have gotten it, though.

Later, she was too embarrassed to ask me directly, but had her mom ask me FOR MY AUTOGRAPH! How cute is that???

I gave her a signed business card.

Looking back...what a great night!

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Why Me?

I got a call from a potential suitor today. Somewhere in the discussion, I asked him whether he had a house, an apartment or what??? You should have heard him go overboard explaining why he lives with HIS MOTHER. Not to mention the part about how his baby's mama lives in a SHELTER right now. No...I did NOT ask if it was a women's shelter for abused women. Yes, you're right...I probably should have. But I didn't.

Oh, wait...I'm not EVEN done.

He asked if I liked floral things because of the background of my picture that was in my original post. I told him that although I do like floral things, I'm not a real girly-girly girl. He sounded disappointed, and asked, "Do you wear a dress sometimes?" I told him rarely, but sometimes and he literally said, "Oh, phew."

Say it with me......ewwwwwwwwww........

Why was I complaining about being single again???

Dreamweaver

Dreams are strange. But cool, sometimes too.

Last night I had a dream that I got fired. And, not only did I get fired...it was a super, duper bad experience. I went balistic! I had A COW. Connie, the Cow. My evil previous boss was involved. They made me pack my things. They escorted me out. And, I was going OFF. Yelling, cursing, and the likes.

Maybe these recent layoffs have been bothering me more than I care to admit. Or, maybe it was just some random dream.

But why, oh, why did my boss (whom I rarely see, mind you) pay me a visit this morning, and say, "Got a minute?" Scared the living you-know-what out of me. The ONLY visit he's ever made to SEE ONLY ME.

But it turned out okay. It was, in fact, a positive visit.

But, man....

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Dating Stinks

Or, does it? I've recently posted an ad on my local Craigslist site. The results were quite pleasing, actually. However, I'm dreading the whole "get to know you" stage, as well as the first date with a couple of suitors. Even though I'm actually happy that these men were gracious enough to take the time to respond, and stick with it long enough to actually ask me out, I am just not looking forward to that stage. You know....THAT stage. The initial exploration of the person you thought you saw in the picture. Do they look the same, or was that just a bad/good day? Are they as nice as they seem via e-mail? Are they gonna pay this time, or ever again, for that matter? Do we go dutch? Do we talk about it? Let's get it out of the way and talk about it now...before we meet. I'll handle that, thankyouverymuch. That awkward conversation, and thinking of things to talk about while slurping a latte...stuff you haven't already talked about via e-mail. And, then there's the good-bye. That part I hate the most. Do you hug? Do you shake hands? I'm a girl - I don't shake hands. Duh. So it goes....I have a couple dates coming up. Force be with me. TTFN