Feed on
Posts
Comments

The CPA that handles the “big” stuff for my work and his son have been Rickrolling one another back and forth for the past few months.  I found this out when the son (who works here for the summer) mentioned it in passing.

A few hours ago, the CPA asked me to turn on LogMeIn so he could take over my computer and make some depreciation adjustments.

I totally just rickrolled the CPA on my own computer, no less.  And now his son owes me a beer.
The end.

Good weekend. DAMN good weekend.
I’m not sure what I had in mind (as is often the case), but 20 people stuffed into my house for 3 days wasn’t nearly as unpleasant as it sounds- not in the slightest.

The food was good. The fireworks were good. The company was stellar. The best part of the entire weekend for me, though, was loading all the girls into Becca’s vantypething and seeing yet another Cowboy Mouth concert. The surprise? I actually liked the opening act almost as much as CM.

I’d never heard of Losing Anna before Saturday, but I’ll be downloading their album on Itunes this week. Their original stuff was very catchy, but they also had the balls to knock a few covers out of the park. It takes pure courage for a no-name band to cover “Rocketman”- and to play with it- and they did it and did it well. They were also responsible for my first religious experience of the evening, playing “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” just as the sun was setting behind them and they nailed it. It probably helps that that song’s been playing in my head for the past week and in a lot of ways has been something of an anthem for me lately… but anyway. Losing Anna. Check them out.

Cowboy Mouth’s show was one of the better ones I’ve seen them do. Their last outdoor concert we saw was kinda ‘eh’, but this one was quite excellent. It was also fun to be there with a crowd for a change- the six of us that went met up with 2 folks ES and I went to college with, so with a gaggle of 8 it’s far easier to assert your dominance over the front railing and get a good view. They played new songs off of the album to be released soon, and they didn’t dissapoint. All in all, it was a good, spiritual, fun concert.

So, time with my family and friends, sleeping late-ish a whole 3 mornings in a row, a good ocncert, and a ton of video games- I’ll say that this time I did definitely get what I needed.

Just so we’re all clear- Guitar Hero is freaking addictive, especially when you’re trying to involve being in your head. I’ve spent entirely too many hours not only playing, but analyzing the game- and that’s kinda sad, considering what it is. I’ve decided that it has no educational value whatsoever- but it’s building up my dexterity in my hands a bit. I used to have some arthritis issues after work, but after a solid week of playing the damn thing, it’s significantly better. So, score 1 for the damned game.

You don’t want to read about my video game addictions, though- I’m sure that’s boring second only to how boring it would be to sit and watch me play (something only Harp seems to enjoy, or at least, fake enjoying well). Bri was kind enough to offer me some interview questions, so I’ll try that out. BTW- if you want to play, leave a comment saying “Interview me” and I’ll do what I can.

1. Now that you have had an unexpected switch in jobs, what do you see yourself doing as a long-term occupation? Where do you think your working life will take you?

“Unexpected.” That’s a nice word for it… seriously, I was a bit dismayed to find myself in a bookkeeper position when what I really wanted was something in management. Bookkeeping was what I found, though, and to my surprise, I like it. I’m also really good at it when I’m not trying to do the multitasking game of also running HR, purchasing, receiving, customer service, management, and all the other tasks that fell into my lap when I was the only office support for a business. This particular job definitely has it’s perks. While I’ve lost some of the freedom of being able to do what I want when I want (the perk of being your own boss, basically), I like the camaraderie of having real coworkers, I like being able to take a lunch without the cellphone ringing, and I really enjoy the 8-5, ‘don’t take your job home with you’ aspect of it.  Plus, last week I found a note on my desk from my boss that read “Use monkey milk for good morning seal of the grout.  IMPORTANT!–B“.  I have no idea what it meant, but it made my day, and little things like that make me love my job (PS- if you know what that means, please don’t tell me.  I’m enjoying not knowing).
I can’t say I’ll be at this job forever. It is something of a luxury business I’m in, and when I came into it, the finances were rocky. They’re less so now, but not by much, and we’re playing a hellish game of catch-up on mistakes made by the former owner that, honestly, could be lost. I know my job is secure as long as there’s a company to work for, but I can’t say it will still be there if the economy continues to slide downhill. That being said, I’ve learned a lot of very valuable skills managing the books for a company that turns over a lot of bank and employs over 20. I think I’d be able to find employment in a similar position if I went looking- and I would probably try to stick with money.  It soothes the control freak within.   I’ve even been entertaining that whole “back to school” idea, but I don’t want to give up that much time right now.
2. What are your current long-term SCA plans? Do you have any big projects coming up (aside from associates, those are a given).

My only current long-term plans involve my upcoming tenure as Diamond Principal Herald. And oh, do I have plans… as do all incoming officers, I’m sure. There’s no reinventing of the wheel, thank god- the office is in decent shape. I’d like to encourage some aspects of heraldry in our kingdom, namely heraldic display. We’re getting so much better, but could still do more- and I’m a magpie about the pretty. I have a few less fluffy aspirations, too, but they’re still not quite fleshed out.  Outside of heraldry?  My main goal is to not take on any really ambitious goals for awhile that are more lofty than “sew more garb.”
3. If you had to leave your current town/SCA group, where would be your first choices to live? In or out of GA, doesn’t matter.

This one is really hard for me to think about.  When I was a kid, I somehow got myself indoctrinated into the belief that it didn’t matter if you settled down at “home”, it just mattered that you tried out “out there” before you settled.  I still strongly adhere to that belief.  I tried leaving twice- once to Jackson, and the other time to Dallas.  Granted, both are still in the region, but were as different from home as water is from air.  Both had perks, for sure, but neither felt right- I always felt like I was floundering without my support network and familiarity.  Now living less than 100 miles from the place I consider to be my hometown, I’m comfortable- and I don’t want to go anywhere.  For any reason.  That wasn’t the question, though.  I think I could dig the Hot Springs, AR area.  I’ve always felt very soothed by the scenery there.  I could also dig NOLA, for all of the very obvious reasons.  I can’t imagine leaving the South, though.  I just don’t think I’d click right anywhere else.

4. I have found that it isn’t just the people who inspire me that have shaped my development - it’s also those I disagree with. What people, both in an out of the SCA, have caused you to do the most soul-searching? This can be for many reasons - inspiration, personality traits, situation, or even disagreement.

Oh, dear.  This is a good one, Bri.  Good in one of those “Gee, I hate you” kind of ways.

If I think about the long span of things, I’d have to say that my father has inspired my introspection the most.  The quintessential “redneck” man, my dad and I are often about as far apart as two people can be and still be people.  He’s a die-hard bigot- I advocate gay rights.  He’s republican, I swing more towards the democratic end of the spectrum.  Working together for 5 years stressed our relationship to the verge of the breaking point many times, but also taught me an immeasurable amount about myself.  Once you strip off all the layers that drive me batshitcrazy, there’s a heart of gold there, a man who will help just about anyone in need, and someone who trusts quickly and abandons reluctantly.  I hope that some of that managed to rub off, and on those occasions where I ask myself “what would daddy do?” I usually find myself right if I go with that answer.  Unless, of course, that answer would be “shoot the bastard.”

In the SCA, I can think of a few.  Namely, Sabine.  She and I don’t always have the same kneejerk reactions, and when we don’t I often find myself examining my own thoughts far more deeply.  She is my sounding board in almost all things SCA, and has been for years,  and I can say without a doubt that she’s shaped my thought processes and reaction methods in vastly valuable ways.  Another one I often don’t see eye to eye with is my own James.  For such a good couple, we are often on opposing sides of the spectrum when it comes to our philosophies on how the SCA works (and, of course, should work).  Through our conversations I have really come to value the other sides of many a coin.

My other big one- Bellringer.  He’s one of my dearest friends, my Guido, and eternally has my back, even when he doesn’t want to.  That sort of confidence makes it easy for me to fake having my own- because I know faithfully that no matter what kind of mess I make, he’s going to be there to make it look like I did it on purpose and had a good reason.   He’s also the one I can rely on to look me in the eye and tell me I’m wrong even when he knows I don’t want to hear it.  Despite claiming to be “anti political” and “just here for the fun” he’s one of the wisest SCAdians I know, and he’s the one I fully blame for pushing me towards a service-oriented track.
5. So, what kind of chickens are you looking at, now that your marauding canine neighbor has created havoc.

Live ones.

I’m not the animal husbandry one in this house.  I know which end is the head and where the food goes, and the rest of it solely lies on the shoulders of my partner.  He says he’s got a line on some good ones that should do a better job of defending themselves (and will include a rooster this time), and I trust his judgment.  To this day, I have no idea what breed the last ones were.  I know that they were heat resistant and would have laid blue or green eggs, but I couldn’t tell you what they were other than ‘chicken’.  I don’t doubt that my knowledge of the next batch will be about equal.  When it comes to our little farm- he nurtures things.  He’s the one that does most of the watering, can tell when it’s time to turn the compost, and picks out the breeds.  I do most of the mowing (which is now taking about 8 hours a week), help him with what he needs me to do, and offer color commentary.  It’s definitely a partnership, but he’s the brains of this operation.

That was fun.  And a necessary break into the ‘real.’  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go rock out.

I’d just like to point out once again that 2008 is NOT the year of the awesome.  Just in case anybody missed that.

Rest in Peace, George Carlin.  I hope that obeying “the unwritten rule of the road” isn’t necessary wherever it is you ended up.  Or at least, I hope you’re the driver.

Crapgoogleshit.

I know- it’s an unconventional subject line.  It was also one of Beth’s favorite curses- and cursing is oh-so-appropriate today.

She’s gone.  At around 3:40ish this morning, resting peacefully in her own bed surrounded by her loved ones and being gargoyled by her cat, she left for greener pastures.

I know she was in pain.  I knew it was going to be.  I am ever grateful that I could be with her to hold her hand and love on her one last time, but it’s not easier for all of that.  Not at all.

I feel horrid.  I’m sitting in her home, surrounded by her lovely things, and knowing that I need to go.  Go to work, go to make plans, go to be whatever it is I need to be- but I don’t want to leave her refuge.  Her safe place.  I feel like I might be safe while I’m here, too, and I don’t want to walk out the door and break the spell.  I also probably need some sleep… but can’t, so forgive me if I’m incoherent or rambly.

Friday the 13th, indeed.

Fuckin’ grrrr.

This morning, 6:45 AM found me stomping across my lawn and the neighbor’s in blue jeans and a tank top- no shoes- with a boxer in tow. Fuming. And James about 20 yard behind me, because he took the time to actually put on footwear.

I’m pretty sure I visibly saw the neighbor’s eyes get bigger through her kitchen window as she realized that that was her dog. And did I mention- no shoes? Yeah. I’m sure that wasn’t a ‘good morning’ view for her.

So… her dog had let himself into our chicken pen by ripping out a chunk of mesh. And helped himself to some chickens. We found one hiding under the workshop and got her locked up safely, but the rest are dead, though one other may have flown the coop for good.

I wish I could say that she understood and was going to make it right, but I really don’t think so. She seemed very inconvenienced by the request that the dog not be allowed to free-range, and seemed quite skeptical that her precious pooch was capable of bird murder. And, I suspect in her eyes part of it could be my fault… for having the audacity to want to raise fowl in the country. She’s one of those.

If it ain’t one thing…

So, the one surviving chicken is going to live with a friend who has chickens, since they’re social birds. We’ll be getting more hatchlings as soon as we can, assuming we can find some, and possibly some electric fence wire. I just don’t want to have another 2 month’s of work, effort, nurturing, and feed go down the drain in 30 seconds if I can help it.

So, you guys do know that I have the two smartest, most brilliant, lovely, and awesome proteges in the world, right? Because that should probably be understood to understand the post. Got it? Great!
So… Bridget, of course, completed her first feast last weekend alongside her sweetie, Griffin. I didn’t get to stay for the whole day, but from what I saw and heard, her kitchen ran beautifully despite one of those crises that could bring a seasoned feastcrat to their knees. And the brilliant part? Even though I had promised to be kitchen staff for the weekend and bailed halfway through, she still sent home a bread pudding with James. Not “some” bread pudding- “A” bread pudding. A 13″ X 9″ X 2″ bread pudding. With rum sauce. Because she loves me (and because they had, in family tradition, prepared so much food that the guests were begging for mercy before the dessert remove, but mostly because she loves me).
And Becca- brilliant for an entirely different reason. I’ve been avoiding much blogging lately not because I’m lazy or distracted, but because I feel I have no words for what I want to say. I have plenty that I want to write, but not that I want to put into writing. Make sense? And with heavy stuff on my mind that I feel like I should find the right words for, it seems very inappropriate to blog about weird dreams or my constant and unbending desire for a Wii or any of that other stuff going on in the mundane. But- anyhow… she wrote a blog entry recently that helped me out a lot on that front- because now I know I’m not the only one wanting to write down what I can’t write down right now.
So… that’s my day. And then there’s this song stuck in my head (where it’s been for days now) and I don’t even like it. I’m sorry- I know I’m supposed to because “OOh, John Mayer” and “Oooh, deep” and “OOh, repeating the same freaking thing over and over and over is sexah” but I just don’t. But like many things I don’t like- there it is.
Have no fear for giving in.
Have no fear for giving over.
You better know that in the end
It’s better to say too much,
than never to say what you need to say again.
Even if your hands are shaking,
And your faith is broken.
Even as the eyes are closin’,
Do it with a heart wide open.
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Fucking song. At least I have brilliant proteges.
Oh. And I just bought a Wii.
(This was supposed to post Friday. Only counts when you hit “publish”, though…)

So, I should probably explain, since apparently my last post caused some concern.  I didn’t mean to scare anybody, or cause undue worry.

A friend passed away on Thursday night.  We weren’t really close, but he’s been a fixture to one of the most important groups of people in my life for as long as I’ve known them.  We were close enough that last time I saw him I could say “I love you” and mean it, and I did, but not so close that I knew he was in a hospital in my town last week.  Which hurts- but it is what it is, and I’ll be ok.  My heart breaks for his being gone, and for the huge hole he’s leaving in the hearts of a lot of very good men who are mourning the loss of their brother- the first Tri Chi to pass on.

And then there’s a numbness that tells me I’m becoming way too “good” at grief lately.  This weekend, it was offset a bit- I got to spend some time with some wonderful people, and managed to touch base with almost all the people who mean the world to me.  There was some fun kitchen time, a wonderful evening meal with good company and on the good china, no less, and more laughs than tears.  So as long as we can keep that up, I think we’ll all be ok.

Again with the bad…

“They” say that bad things happen in 3s.

“They” are full of shit.

Um, that’s all.  I just need to find a reasonable time and place to have a good cry, and possibly lose my shit for an hour or two.

That’s me today.

So… Crown List.  If I had realized that James was going to be sick and we were going to decide to leave after Court, we probably would have stayed home (because, let’s face it- 12 hours in the car for 30 hours away from home is not a fun ratio at all).  Of course, if we had decided to stay home, we wouldn’t have seen Ashi’s announcement for his impending vigil to contemplate his invitation into the Order of the Chivalry, nor would my sweetie be the newest member of the Order of the Silver Lamp, so it was totally worth it.  I know I couldn’t be prouder of either one of them.
So, those are my high points.  There were definitely low points, too, but most of those are honestly only residing in my head and not the direct result of anything anybody else realized they did.  The drives there and home were loooong and uneventful, but I can say they were more pleasurable than they would have been in the old truck, even if James hates the cupholders and the location of the plug outlet.  If I had driven for that long in Chuck, I’d be in traction today- instead I’m just lazy and resting inside for the hot part of the day until it’s time to cut grass.

So- I’m being useless this afternoon (which is ok, because by the planned schedule, we shouldn’t be home yet).  James is still feeling under-the-weather,  but I think that sleeping in his own bed and not a dorm was the best thing for him last night, and it was delicious to get to sleep in rather than getting up early to drive.

- Next »