Was that really necessary?

So, as I stated this morning my motivation at work has disappeared and I was going to do my best to stay offline and on task while at work.  Sigh. I must confess that a few times while I was the phone I did look through certain sites, but didn't linger, so I am proud of myself for keeping on task.  BUT! I didn't get any more done than I normally do AND! I forgot to eat lunch.  So not only was I starving when I got home, but I still feel like I got nothing accomplished ... though I did get some things taken care of.  Oh, and I took care of 2 major projects the boss was gonna hurt me if I didn't solve.  So yay!

I'm still going to do my best and not be online while at work .. cept for work issues of course.  I missed talking to everyone and by the looks of things, missed some stuff that was going on, but maybe this plan will mean that I won't have to work as many hours or on weekends.  Though I'm sure I still will since vacation is coming up and I have tons to do before then.

Take care friends!

Oh, weather update...yesterday it poured rain, then snowed when I got home.  Today it rained a little and then there was a complete downfall of hail! and now its bright with blue skies.  The Pacific Northwest weather is way to crazy right now. 

motivation ... or lack thereof

Not sure if it's from working long hours at work 6 to 7 days a week and not having a vacation since the beginning of December 2009, but right now, my motivation is zero.  In fact, I think its probably in the negative digits area.  I still get some work done, but it's definitely not at the "giving it all I got, Capt'n" spectrum.  I'm thankful I have a boss who sees all the work I have done and goes easy on me, with moments of "don't make me beat you" emails.  She also confessed to me last night that she feels the same.  Motivation? what's that again?  Everyday I wake up and say, "this is it.  this is the day that I'm gonna get my stuff together and plow through all these files and papers sitting on my desk". 

One major factor in my lack of moto is social networking ... Plurk, Twitter, Facebook, etc.  All of these distract me and I find myself just staring at my computer screen and not getting much done.  It's gotta stop.  I've said a few times that I'm going to go on hiatis from these sites, but continue to take maybe a break for a few hours, but then I'm back in full force.  Sigh. 

So, as my friend Ryan has said, today is the day...not tomorrow, not the start of the week, but today.  It has to be.  I need it to be.  I don't care if my crops wither or I don't get tons of eggs or cards or presents on a virtual game.  And if I have to MAAR then I have to MAAR ... not to be confused with MAR, cause that is different.  I am terrible at self-discipline.  Just look at me ... yes, I know you can't, but if you could and knew the thoughts in my head, you'd know. 

I'll keep up with my blog and all, but in 20 minutes (only cause I gotta finish typing this and post it), I'm going to try to ... no, that's not right .. I'm going to DO my best and not be online except for after work and on the weekends.  Cause you know wise Yoda did say, "Try not.  Do.  Or do not.  There is no try" 

Take care everyone! and keep me posted on all your happenings ^__^

Half Marathon Training

I'm going to be doing my first ever half marathon this year!  I'm really excited, but at the same time extremely terrified!  This half marathon is going to take place at Disneyland during Labor Day weekend which will be tons of fun!  Last year my mom and brother were in the actual race, whilst (did you catch that Ryan?!) I was volunteering with the race committee.  I had a blast helping out and lucked out by having my post be at the finish line!  I was albe to see my mom and brother finish and get some good shots of them nearing the end.  This year I've decided to go for it and compete. 

Recently I've gotten outside and started walking/running, but have discovered that the new little town I moved to is all primarily hills.  Ugh, that's giving quite a workout on my legs and butt, and I'm told that training on these sorts of routes is good because then when I get to the actual race which is mostly flat, it'll be easier for me.  I even got a new pair of running shoes and love them!  I live in the Pacific Northwest and of course its spring where it rains quite a bit.  So now I gotta get myself in gear and train, even in the rain.  (yes, I rhymed)

Before I mentioned that I'm terrified.  This is because I'm afraid to fail.  I'm afraid that I'm going to be one of the people that they have to pick up in a golf cart cause I'm too slow.   I keep telling myself to stay focused, keep training, and I'm gonna do great ... now if I would just listen!  One of the things that I'm really looking forward to is being in this race with my mom.  I haven't run with her before so I'm not sure if I'll slow her down or be able to keep up, but it would be awesome if the two of us could cross that finish line together...hand in hand ^__^ Just thinking about that possibility brings tears of joy to my eyes.  She's been so encouraging with this whole thing and wanted me to do the half marathon last year, but I wasn't ready mentally, emotionally or physically so I decided to help out instead.  This year, I'm ready! or as ready as I'll ever be. 

I have some books mom gave me and in one of them the author talks about how any sort of marathon, or half, or 5K, 10K, 8K, whatever is not about competing against other people, but competing against yourself.  Which means, I need to focus on my progress and not worry about anyone else.  I'm a beginner and it'll show, but I'm excited about the adventure!

So, stay tuned and I'll keep you all updated on my progress.  There's a guide in one of the books for a 26 week schedule, which means I gotta start it in April...that's only 2 days away! YIKES! lol ... but this is important to me and I'm gonna get myself focused.  RUN STRONG!

Baby ... aka Anne

Baby mine, don't you cry. Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart. Never to part, baby of mine
Little one when you play, Don't you mind what you say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine, Never a tear, baby of mine

If they knew sweet little you, They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you, What they'd give just for
The right to hold you, From your head to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows, But you're so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine

Name: Anne
Color: Grey and White
Theme Song: see above
Likes: fur to be rubbed the wrong way including her belly
Siblings: Gilbert
Birthday: July 15, 2003

My sweet "little" Anne-girl.  It's funny that some people think she's just a myth, a figment, non-existent.  This is due to the fact that when someone other than me opens the front door she runs and hides cause she's a bit of a fraidy cat.  She knows her person (me) and as far as she's concerned that's all that matters.  Though if you were to spend time with us, you would soon find out that she is not a ghost or invisible because she is actually a loud mouth!  I've never heard a more noisier cat...loud, long meows, mostly when she wants to be fed which is all the time.  And that would explain the fact that she weighs about 30 pounds.  Most often at night she'll jump off the bed, wander into the living room and then start howling cause she is alone.  So, I pat the bed, call her name and she comes waddling back, jumps on the bed and purrrs as she realizes "oh there you are!"

Anne isn't quite as lively as Gilbert, but I adore her and in fact right now, she's curled up on the couch snoring. 

Bubbs ... aka Gilbert

Gilbert, Gilbert, what a little kitty
Gilbert, Gilbert, what a little kitty

Some call him Gil
Some call him Gilly
Some call him Bert, Bert, Bert, Bert, Bert

Some call him Gil
Some call him Gilly
Some call him Bert, Bert, Bert, Bert, Bert

 
Name: Gilbert
Color: Orange and White
Theme Song: See above
Favorite Toy: Any he can get his mouth and throw around the place
Siblings: Anne
Birthday: April 15, 2003
 
I was told that when Gil was "fixed" he'd probably mellow out.  Uh, no.  In fact, I think it wound him up even more!  He's happy to run around the apartment, jumping up the door frames and spinning circles inside his tent.  He also reminds me of the fish on "Finding Nemo" that is obsessed with bubbles.  My cats' water dish is the type with the container full of water on top and it trickles into a bowl.  When new water is being "let go" it makes bubbles go up into the resevoir and Gilbert LOVES to try and catch them.  He'll bat at the container and stick his paws inside the bowl to try and grab them.  He's even discovered that if he moves the top part/bottle, it'll create these bubbles.  On occasion he will get a little carried away and knock the entire thing over and spill usually an entire bottle of water all over the place ... cats, gotta love them.
 
Gil is a very loving and affectionate cat.  Though at times he gets way too excited and will use his teeth to show just how much he loves and adores you.  But his favorite place to sleep is on the pillow beside my face.  If he can't see my face (as I have turned over and have my back to him) he will actually get up and move to the other side of the bed just so he can see me.  This is the typical Saturday morning game as he is trying to wake me up to feed him and his sister.  Oh! and he hates to be alone.  If I'm not in the room or am leaving a room he is in, he will stop what he's doing or even wake up from his cat nap and follow me to wherever I'm going.  True story!
 
Another Bubbs quirk ... he loves to talk.  He's a chatterbox and this morning in fact he found himself trapped in the tub behind the shower curtain as he was wanting to drink the water since his bowl was empty. *side note: I did fill their water bowl before leaving for work, so they are well taken care of*  When he realized he would have to touch the water covered curtain he just sat in the tub and meowed and meowed.  I told him I was about to go fill his bowl so he better figure a way out.  Of course he found his motivation when I left the bathroom. 
 
I love Gilbert.  At times he drives me bonkers, but he's the most quirkie, affectionate, hilarious and adorable cat I've ever had.  Never knew a cat could have that much personalility!  If you were to come visit, and you should, he would be all over you in an instant; wanting to meet you and smell your breath.  You heard me, smell your breath.  If you were to blow in his face (LIGHTLY! like you were trying to cool down soup) he would put his little pink nose right up to your mouth so he can know you better. 
 
Just beware, when you are walking around the apartment, he will jump out and grab your legs and then run away like you're supposed to chase him.  Oh and as I mentioned before, he's a biter, but its all in the name of love according to him. 
 
So, Bubbs, my little lovebug, you are one crazy little kitty, but I love and adore you! Never change!

Windows

Now before you think I'm getting all nerdie and techie on you, I must clarify that I'm talking about actual windows...the ones you look through to see the outside, not computers.  For those that are still reading, enjoy!

Okay, so my office has two tall windows and quite often I hear little *peck peck peck*, turn around and there's a little baby bird saying hi.  I also realized that during the summer I'll be sitting at my desk and hear a *bonk bonk bonk*, turn around and there's a bee continually flying into the glass.  Not quite sure why the continue to do this, except my office is painted yellow and there is a bright red shelf right in front of one of the windows.  It could also be God's way of saying, "hey, here's a little friend saying hello".  OH! did I mention I've also had a butterfly bonk into the glass? well, I did. 

I like the view from my office.  There's two huge trees right outside and when I'm on the phone I'll turn around from desk and watch the squirrels and the birds playing in the trees.  I even had the ...umm...uh... opportunity, I guess you could call it ... to see a couple squirrels showing that they were twitterpaited for one another.  It's like my own Discovery Channel!

Currently as I type this, all the little critters have scampered or flown off, but they'll be back...they usually are. 

Here's a pic I took one day from my office ...

You can sort of make out that there is another rainbow above the bright one!

Where we're going we don't need ... roads.

OMG! Back to the Future is and always will be awesome!  Seeing it on the big screen was amazing and we had the best crowd!  Usually you go to a theater and everyone is silent and if someone makes a peep others tell them to be quiet.  Not for this awesome movie.  The entire crowd, including me, was hootin and hollarin the whole time.  Especially when Einstein zoomed off in the time machine and the flame stripes appeared...applause!  and then again Marty ... applause!  It was great!  People would even shout things out and we'd all just laugh.  Clapping, cheering, lol'ing ... not something that happens with newer movies or ones that have just moved to the smaller theaters.  It was sort of like going to one of those Sound of Music or Rocky Horror Picture Show sing-a-longs.  People were quoting things and of course the line at the end, the title of this blog, EVERYONE said it and then began applauding. 

Alright, I'm exhausted and it probably shows with my lack of creativity/wording.  It was worth staying up way past my bedtime for, but I'm thinking its going to be a struggle during work today. *yawn*

1.21 gigawatts? Great Scott!

Ah, 80's movies...gotta love them.  Tonight in fact, me and my friend Lisa (HeyLisa for those on Plurk) are gonna go see "Back to the Future" at one of Portland's local movie theaters!  We are super excited!  The Laurelhurst Theater is awesome and they typically show a movie that's been out of the theater for quite awhile. 

At the Laurelhurst Theater this year they are showcasing a different movie style/genre/whatever they choose each month ... for the month of March it has been Sci-fi and this week its BttF.  One other awesome perk about this theater...you can eat pizza AND drink beer and/or wine while watching the movie!

I am so ready for some Michael J Fox cuteness, listen to Huey Lewis and the News in the background, and to hear Doc Brown say, "Damn! Where is that kid?!"

P.S. for the same amount of money to pay for just a movie ticket (no snacks or drinks) at a bigger theater, I can pretty much get admission to the movie, a pint of beer and a slice of pizza ... how is that not a great deal?!

"Hands in pockets" store

It's funny the rules you grew up with as kids follows you into adulthood ... well, it's true for me.  When I was little and mom would take us shopping she had a rule about stores containing breakables.  These stores were called "Hands in Pockets".   Everytime we'd enter a store that looked like it had even just a small amount of breakable items, she'd tell us before entering "okay, hands in pockets".  This meant you put your hands in your pockets and keep them there until we stepped back out of the store.  No touching, not even any pointing at things.  On occasion my brothers or I would get excited about seeing something and pull our hands from our pockets and point or touch the breakables ... and a few times the item would break.  Sigh. 

I've come to discover that even though I'm an adult and know that if I break it, I buy it and should be responsible enough to not let this happen, I find that when I go into a store with fragile things, my hands magically find themselves being slipped into my pockets for safe keeping.  It's like I hear my mom's voice in my head telling me to put them there and keep them there.  I even find myself telling my nieces the same thing when we enter a store, "yep, that's pretty, but please put your hands in your pockets cause that's the type of store we're in.  We look with our eyes, not our hands." 

Moms are very wise.

And now presenting ... the kitties

Ah, cats, how they keep me on my toes ... literally!  Gilbert likes to attack my legs when I'm walking around.    Anne just likes to talk your ear off with her loud, long meows.  But I love them.  They keep me very entertained.  I laugh everday because they do hilarious stuff.  Take for instance Gilbert.  He will run around like a crazy maniac and then jump as far as he can up the door frames.  When he was younger he used to get well over halfway up! 

Look at them ... aren't they adorable and sweet looking?! Wait till they wake up. lol

P.S. Gilbert is in orange and Anne is in gray
P.P.S. They are both very talkative cats

This is only the beginning ...

Howdy howdy howdy!!!!

I decided that I needed a place to put my off the wall thoughts and express whatever I'm feeling during the day.  Previously I went to a counselor every week for over a full year and talking through things and being able to express to someone my thoughts was very helpful.  I hope to have this place be that helpful.  I also have several friends that put together podcasts or vidcasts and while that would be fun to do as well, I don't have the proper equipment (tee hee, Dougie) nor do I think I have a good voice for something like that, so a blog is the next best thing!

And for some this could be a warning, but I do have 2 cats and they will more than likely frequent this sanctuary I'm creating.  I have plenty of stories about both of them ... Gilbert and Anne ... because in all honesty, they are crazy!

Things to expect to read in my posts will range from the following:

• day-to-day happenings (I will have tons of work stories)
• my cats (see above warning if that's how you take it)
• all things Disney (parks, movies, music)
• movies, videos or music I've seen or heard
• trip reports (I don't take too many of these lately, but when I do, they are awesome!)
• exciting and at times frustrating news (cause hey, it's life!)
• and everything in between

So, pull up a chair, get yourself a beverage (coffee, tea, water, soda, beer, margarita, etc) and let's see just how crazy and kookie I can get! lol

If there is any topic that you want me to give my thoughts on, just send me a message and I'll see what I can do. 

Take care, and as always, have a brazzle dazzle day ^__^