Turning the tide

As I’ve been doing my daily checks of blogs I love to read, I’m struck by the impression that many of my fellow bloggers appear to be in a slump. Some are overworked. Some are encountering some big stressors in the home. And some are just caught in this dreary, cold February fug that makes everything feel crappy. And I know a bit of all of the above has started to fray my edges a bit. So this post is all about shaking off some of this, even for a few seconds. Try this:

* Nothing helps break through your own sense of sorrow than to reach out and help another. In a very selfish way, it lifts your own spirits while doing someone else some good. So put a dollar in the vending machine and walk away. Every morning, visit thebreastcancersite.com and its fellow sites and click away--providing meals, mammograms, books, and much, much more for free. Surprise a friend with a funny e-mail or card. Reaching out can mean so much to help the turmoil inside.

* For one hour, view life from a dog’s perspective. Get on the floor, roll about with a furry friend, and feed off each other’s joy in the simple pleasures. Life should be about this. Livin’. Lovin’. Eatin’. Playin’. And then after this fun, a good old nap never hurt anyone.

* Eat chocolate. Or whatever your favorite food is, diets and healthiness be damned--at least for a few minutes. The Banker and I gorged ourselves on Butterburgers, fries, and custard shakes last night. Will this help when I weigh in every month? Hell, no. But for once I was truly savoring what I was eating.

* Hot showers or baths can never be overrated. I do my best thinking in the shower and sometimes visualizing all my stresses and problems swirling down the drain helps more than you could guess.

* Take a favorite comforter or blanket, draw it tightly around yourself, pop some popcorn, make some hot chocolate and curl up to a good book or movie. Escapism can be like a breath of fresh air.

* Visit a nursery and breathe in, savoring the earth and all the plants growing. Go to a bookstore and watch the children careen about the children's section. Or visit a pet store and play with some puppies. Good vibes are contagious.

* Put on your favorite CD and dance around the room like a fool. My best friend and I, as roommates in college, would play “Turning Japanese” on top volume, bounce about on chairs and couches and look like idiots. We’d breathlessly laugh hysterically and, having had our break, go back to the papers we were scrambling to complete for classes.

* Gather those you love around you. Realize you have a huge foundation of those who are there to understand, support, and love you--through the good times and bad.

These all work for me. But everyone has something different that helps pull them out of the abyss. Maybe it’s time we all did that thing--whatever it is--to help us find the peace, happiness, and joy that's all around, if only we look for it.

In the stars?

I don't usually pay much attention to e-mail forwards. They're like marshmallows, fun but not often very filling. This one gave me pause, though, since it came from Sister #1. Her only message? May. Yup, she's a May baby. So I scrolled to her month and read her description. And with maybe only one or two points, it nailed her.

Then I read my month--October. While I don't get angry too often (Libra scales would dictate I'm often the peacemaker), the rest seemed to be pretty accurate to who I think I am and how people portray me.

So want to know more about me? Read October. But more importantly, does this capture who YOU are?!

JANUARY - Stubborn. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Never looks at people’s flaws or weaknesses. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tense. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Loving and loyal. Loves children. Has great social abilities. Money cautious, can budget successfully.
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FEBRUARY - Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.
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MARCH - Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decor. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.
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APRIL - Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.
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MAY - Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.
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JUNE - Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite. Has lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitates, tends to put things off. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Makes friends easily. Shows character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Easily bored. Fussy and stubborn. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious.
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JULY - Fun to be with. Secretive. Sometimes, difficult to understand. Quiet unless excited or tense. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation for hard work. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly, but not always approachable. Emotionally temperamental. Moody and easily hurt. Witty. Not mean or revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and illogical things. Sensitive and forms friendships carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Broods about the past and misses old friends. Quiet, homey person. Has difficulty making new friends. Prone to having dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.
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AUGUST - Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride of oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.
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SEPTEMBER - Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Stubborn. Quiet. Uncomfortable if have to talk to a group. Calm. Sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Thinking generous. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Secretive. Loves sports and leisure. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships.
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OCTOBER - Loves to chat. Loves those who loves them. Loves to takes things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Sexy. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making new friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Day dreamer. Loyal. Opinionated. Does not care what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Strong clairvoyance. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Honest, does not pretend. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.
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NOVEMBER - Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions.
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DECEMBER - Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short-tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

Fun Day Sunday

Sunday turned out to be bitterly cold--the kind of cold that you wish to avoid by staying in bed all day. You want to watch movies, read books, nap, and eat, all while in the warm confines of your comforter.

Unfortunately, baring some severe illness--which takes the fun out of such a day--I'm incapable of pulling off that kind of laziness. Sister #1, however, can pull off this type of day with flare. It's called Fun Day Sunday: a weekly routine where she curls up on the couch with her dog and becomes totally useless. If she needs to eat, her husband will bring some sort of sustenance to her. And if she needs to go to the bathroom? She avoids this at all costs, holding out until her kidneys are screaming for help.

And if you doubt the regularity or severity of this weekly episode, you need only turn to their dog, Guinness. The furry mutt loves Fun Day Sunday. He knows the phrase to mean "Day to get on the couch and be useless," and gets all excited when the words are uttered. And like his mom, he doesn't want to be moved for anything--including going outside. So he lays on the couch and moans and groans and whimpers because he has to potty but can't be bothered to go outside to do so. Only when it's clear that things are about to take a messy turn does Sister #1 and her furry mutt part ways for a brief interlude, before curling back up on the couch.

You have to admit, that's one helluva way to pass a day.

A lady of leisure

Having spent another long, annoying, mind-numbing day in a small cubicle on a darkened floor with no windows in sight earning a pittance from corporate America, I've decided I want to be a lady of leisure. A lady who lunches. Or does charity work. Or whatever. I don't care exactly HOW I fill the time, but I'd like to see the sun, feel the breeze, and tell if Armageddon has arrived--which I can't do in my current locale.

My mom is a lady who lunches. Or rather plays tennis, does aerobics, keeps up a house, and works for my dad on Fridays (when she hasn't been fired). And having grown up watching a lady of leisure, it makes my sisters and me all the more aware of how odd that lifestyle is in comparison to our own. But at the moment I'd take it in a flash!

I promise the house would be cleaner, the fridge always stocked, the dogs well behaved, my hips smaller, body more toned, books read, writing improved, and my life in order. But after all that, I suppose I might just get bored. A part-time job I could occasionally get fired from would alleviate that problem, I think.

The beauty of book club

Had book club on Saturday, and I must say, I loved it! Yes, it was early in the frigid morning after a long night. But there were mimosas, a French-toast bake, brilliant women, and great conversation. What more can you ask for?

We'd read a book that I'd sped through. So little time, so many books, right? So I wouldn't have understood the real craft of the novel if it hadn't been for a few more-careful readers than myself. So many hints I'd missed. So many play-on-words, so much more there than I'd originally seen. I left the meeting with a full stomach and a much greater appreciation for the book.

So thanks, ladies, for a really wonderful time. You're the best!! (And I think mimosas should be included at all of our gatherings...)

Through Kat's not-so-clear eyes

I'm getting older, and parts of me aren't working as well as they once did. Yes--even the "bionic" parts. I had LASIK surgery at the age of 18. (In my family you're given small diamond earrings at 16 and eye surgery two years later. Odd, but true. I was the youngest to receive the surgery in the tri-state area, before the surgery was even FDA approved.) But now, almost 10 years later I've found myself squinting at street signs and TV screens. Sigh.

Dad had RK surgery ages ago and has needed several touch-ups throughout the years, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that I would also require follow-up surgery. My right eye will undergo a different type of surgery tomorrow, though--a "relaxation" via scalpel. The left eye will have LASIK surgery at the end of February.

So I've the next two days off, but I don't think I'll be having a whole lota fun. I'll be hiding out at home with a patch over my eye. Aargh. Me feels the need for some Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and rum...

A Birthday to Celebrate

Tomorrow, Jan. 26th, is Sister #2's birthday. Since Mom and Dad are lounging on a white, sandy beach, her sisters and brothers-in-law are taking the birthday girl to La Bodega, a killer tapas bar, to celebrate. The Sangria, flaming Spanish coffee, and delicious tapas will be flowing to celebrate that the baby of the family is no longer really a baby. In fact, she's closing in on her mid-20s. But that doesn't mean that she can escape the watchful eye of the family. Ever. Sorry, kiddo. That comes with the territory of being a family.

Happy Birthday Kitten!!

The Green-Eyed Monster

Okay, not quite green. Perhaps a good-natured sage or even a mint? Mom and Dad are vacationing in Costa Rica this week, and as I sit in my darkened cubicle for too many hours a day, I wish I were there, too.

Instead I stare at the screen saver...images of vibrant blue waters, thatched huts, and swaying palm trees. And it makes me want to hurry up and plan our Farewell to Independence Tour. The Banker and I always planned to take a big trip before settling down, and this year we're hoping to take such a vacation. Where to? When?

Well, we're weighing our options and our pocketbooks. And in the meantime, the cubicle walls are beginning to close in. And those phone calls from The Four Seasons are making me weep.

An odd outing

On Wednesday, I made a small trip after work to the local YMCA. I was greeted by a kind, energetic woman who gave me a tour of their childcare facility. It wasn't as bad as I'd feared, the children looked happy and well-care for.

Not that we're expecting. But the YMCA only accepts eight infants at a time, and the waiting list is two years long. So it's like a weird bit of insurance. A back up.

So many questions are swarming about. Is this what I want? Would I be okay with my child growing, learning, exploring, without me? I'd always wanted to stay at home...but could I handle that, emotionally, mentally? Can I afford NOT to work? What is best?

Right now, I can't pretend to know, and that's really troubling to me.

A reminder of my age

Today I was reminded that I'm no longer as young as I once was. The weather had plummeted a good 20 degrees overnight and a bitter wind sprang up that turned bare skin a harsh red. And in accordance with this unsettling change, the horses were on edge. And so during my riding lesson this afternoon, my typically steady mount gave me a bit of a tumble. While I was able to get back in the saddle and play it off, I'm now definitely not feeling lighthearted about the fall. In fact, I'm achy. A very deep-seated, throbbing that has traveled from my lower back through my shoulders and into my neck and skull. So I'm heading off to bed at this early hour, much like an eight-year-old would. Feeling very, very much older.

A bit of awkwardness

So a lovely gal from my high school recently e-mailed me asking for my impressions on my first job at a local weekly business newspaper. It seems she's interviewed at this establishment and wanted me to weigh in on my short tenure there.

How does one nicely say that I wouldn't wish that job on my worst enemy? That women flee from that place in droves? That the boss sexually harassed me by constantly asking if I meant things in the conjugal sense? That while we once were editing an article onscreen I pointed out he'd failed to erase a period, and he turned to me and said, "Yep, it's that time of the month, isn't it?!" That he encouraged me to use my feminine wiles to get information from my father's and my father-in-law's associates? That he constantly talked shit about his wife? That he was a short, nasty man who is so thoroughly displeased with his life that he must spread that hostility? That he wants a take-no-prisoner, go-for-the-jugular form of journalism that often requires its reporters to be total schmucks? That the asshole made me cry on my birthday--of all days--in the office (a pleasure I'd solemnly sworn never to give him)? That the job pays shit and that she's worth so, so much more?

I'm sorry. It's just that thinking about that place has brought up so much vitriol. I ran from that place with my self esteem in shambles. It was only under the kind nurturing of two wonderful men three states away that I would realize I was okay and that this creative world was, in fact, a place I could call home.

(Sorry Shel, I know this hits close to home. Please forgive my rants and my memories that have no doubt been colored by the passage of time.)

Insult to funk

Pchit! got his. As did Chuck. And Sharfa. But I've fallen through the proverbial cracks. And I understand. I really do. Life at the Magazine Mansion is crazy, hectic, a-thrill-a-minute. And I'm a small fish in the blogging ocean. But the thought of some sort of crap arriving in the mail was enticing...and for an offer of a million babies--how can one refuse?!?

Dirty little secret

I hate to admit this. I really do. It truly is a shameful, shameful secret. I sometimes, sometimes, find America's Funniest Home Videos actually...funny.

I know. I'm hanging my head in shame.

And I've got nothin'

Really. Not a single, solitary anything worth writing about. And it's been over a week since I've last posted. Usually something worthwhile/annoying/amusing/ironic/compelling happens to me in such a stretch of time. But not this week.

Well, I guess that's not entirely true. New Years was great fun. Sister #1 threatened to light a man on fire as he kept grabbing her when her husband slipped away to the restroom or the bar. So that was amusing. And other stuff happened this week. I got the world's worst freelance assignment (Hemorrhoids?!? Hemorrhoids?!? You want me to right about THAT?!?!). But as I have no other sources of freelance in this dismal place, I took it. And I got together with some friends but even that was not so terribly fun.

Everything seems to be happening through a haze, the colors muted, the emotions feeling a bit flat. Maybe it's because I'm nursing on ongoing case of exhaustion and an unrelenting sore throat. Or it could be that I'm getting lazy, easily bored, and am slipping into a bit of a funk.

Yep, I believe I may be firmly encased in a funk. It's the sloshy, shoe-sucking sort of muck that just makes me want to curl up in bed until I can find more energy or something to get jazzed about. In fact, I think my bed is calling...

A year in review

As I gear up for this evening and clean the house for soon-to-arrive guests, I couldn't help but mull over this last year. What have I accomplished? Am I where I want to be? What changes has this year wrought?

Last New Year's was spent in Colorado with my family. We rang in 2005 more with a whimper than with a bang, all of us overstuffed from a great meal and exhausted from a hard day on the slopes. The year would bring a graduation, a wedding, the birth of three babies, a departure from my in-law's house, and a happy return to our own, partially remodeled home. In that span of time a sister-in-law would "come out" into proper society, I would be revel in not being a debutante, The Banker and I would visit the House of the Mouse, I would change jobs, and on Christmas Eve a miracle would occur--my old roommate's husband would turn the corner in his fight for life at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in D.C. An explosive device buried in Iraq would force him home and my roommate would learn the lengths that love will go.

And to capture and remember it all, I started this blog.

There were many things I didn't accomplish that I wish I had this year. I didn't write for myself the way I'd hoped I would. I didn't make leaps and bounds in sculpting something of my own. I'll need to strive to do better in 2006. I need to focus myself and establish some clear-cut goals. I need to be more patient, less judgmental, and more appreciative this year. And I hope to have a helluva lot of fun, too.

But before then, it's time to party. Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year's!!

My brother-in-law's secret talent

My brother-in-law's an awesome guy. First off, he's a total prince to my sister, who'll be the first to admit that she's a handful. Secondly, he keeps their house neat and tidy, puts up with my sister's spoiled dog and weirdo cat, and works his butt off at a fulltime job---all while getting his Master's degree in Criminology. Impressive, no?

Well now we can add another talent to that list: ghost whisperer.

My brother-in-law works downtown in a 100-year-old home that's been converted into a neat office. And this historic home has quite the history, including Jack, who passed away in that house many years ago but still likes to call it home. My brother-in-law had heard of Jack, but being a sensible, no-nonsense former Marine, he didn't pay it much mind.

Until yesterday.

Early in the morning, my brother-in-law headed to the office, unlocked the door, turned on the lights, and headed to his desk. "Hello! Good morning!" a voice greeted him from the other side of the office.

"Good morning!" my brother-in-law responded as he sat down at his desk. And then his jaw dropped and his blood ran cold. He'd unlocked the door and turned on the lights. No one else was in the office.

That is, except for Jack...who seems to be quite the friendly guy.

Warmest wishes to all

After our little medical scare earlier this week, I'm so much more cognizant of how fortunate we are. The Banker is pretty much back to full speed, and for the moment, I've held off any more signs of sharing his nasty little virus.

As we're gearing up for our holiday balancing act between our two families, I just wanted to offer you all the warmest holiday wishes! May you be surrounded by loved ones and enjoying this season. And for 2006, may it be filled with health, happiness, and much love and laughter for you all!!

Love in the time of diarrhea

The Banker awoke last night about 2 a.m. to a serious bout of vomiting, and well, you read the title. At about 4 a.m. when his retching hadn't subsisted and the stomach cramps reached screaming level, we went to the local E.R. He couldn't get warm, was entirely dehydrated (the nurses couldn't get his veins to offer any blood), and was yelling and writhing in pain.

At just shy of six I call my in-laws at The Banker's request, and my father, who I know will be up at this unearthly hour. I lose my composure on the phone with my Dad, turning into a frightened kid who needs her Momma and Dad to tell her everything is going to be okay.

After waiting for two hours in the E.R., we finally see a doctor who spends easily two-and-a-half minutes with us before blandly saying that this flu thing is running rampant and the E.R. is full of its victims. The Banker continues to, as the doctor kindly puts it, "sail from both ports." I play nurse and work to clean him up and change him into some clean scrubs. Some 15 minutes later The Banker is put on an I.V. and given something to quell the nausea. Finally, thankfully, he falls into a fitful slumber.

My in-laws arrive just minutes before my Dad walks in the room. Just seeing my Dad helps me pull myself together, take control, and insist that now that the screaming Tourette-like episode has passed, we should be fine. I send everyone on their way with a stern reminder to wash the hell out of their hands.

It's now past 6 a.m., and I'm supposed to be well on my way to my fourth day of orientation. I've been up since 2 a.m., and my body is beginning to slightly shudder from the lack of sleep and sustenance and from the emotional toll brought on by seeing your 200-plus-pound husband whimpering and begging you with the eyes of a scared boy to make the pain go away.

I make a call to someone who has a friend who works for my new really big company. She gives me her friend's booth number and I call, zero out, reach the switchboard, find two names I can vaguely remember from my first whirlwind days of orientation, and leave rambling messages while The Banker slumbers.

Some four-and-a-half hours after we rushed to the E.R., we slowly creep home. My really big company has called, given me the day off, and The Banker is going nowhere but to bed. I stumble to the pharmacy and grocery store. On the list: popsicles and chicken soup. Then, bed.

Now at almost five, The Banker is slowly getting back on his feet while I try to catch up on lost sleep and attempt to stay healthy. But I must admit, there's this creeping, rolling feeling in my stomach...

A piece of humble pie

I'm now, officially, the producer of a low-end product. My new job requires me to slightly edit but primarily piece together elements of previous products to form a pseudo-new product that will go to all the Marts of the world. There is something undeniably humbling about this. It's a beginning, a great way to learn this new business inside and out, and I'm assured that I won't remain long. After all, I need to learn the rules before I can know when to break them.

But still. I'm the Ambassador of mediocrity in my given trade. =-) Well, for now anyway.

It's eerily quiet in my cavernous building with so many off for the holidays. And as I mentioned before, my floor is exceedingly dark, since it was once the home of the graphics department. My over-active imagination starts the lights aflickerin' and the horrible horror movie music begins to fade in. I picture row after row of identical cubicles, exit signs that lead to nowhere, and me being chased by some dark figure.

The palm trees, stuffed animals, Christmas decorations, art work, and other personal paraphernalia always kill the mood, though. I've decided, I too, need to funk out my cubicle (referred to as booths at the company, though that makes me think of some terrible carnival where a carnie or clown is stalking me...I think I need to stop reading Gaiman's latest book), but will wait until I get more a feel for this place.

The good news? I have more energy today than I did yesterday and volumes more than I did on Monday. And I think I've found some quirky, like-hearted souls who I hope will appreciate the weirdness in me. So I guess we'll see!!

Sorry, The Callow Queen

I know I've been lax about updating how the first few days at the new gig have been going. I've just been so unbelievably exhausted at the day's end that I haven't had the energy to hold up my head, much less write anything. I'm inching by on fumes as we speak, so this will be brief. Once I've regained some semblance of a normal energy level, I'll expand a bit.

This place is HUGE. I've gotten lost several times. The people I've met have been very kind, but there have been so dang many of them I'm struggling to match names and faces. And the company has me shadowing people for the next two weeks--every hour has been carefully accounted for, including "Reading Time" and "Research Time," whatever these may be.

My cubicle is smaller (much to my father's embarrassment, it seems I'll never have a proper office), and there are no windows to be found unless I get terribly lost. But the people really are nice, the cafeteria is great, there's a ton of chocolate and junk food always about (farewell waist line unless I can find some self control), and creativity really, truly is nurtured here.

So we'll see. It's all been a lot overwhelming, but I'm hoping I'll start to find my niche soon. And once I get comfortable, I hope to abuse my discounts to no end. =-)

And should I not get to update later this week, for my few blog readers out there, I want to wish you a wonderful holiday season and a 2006 filled with much love and laughter! All my best to you!!