Happiness is a state of mind...

Being unemployed is depressing, I've decided.  I am trying to will myself to be less depressed about it by concentrating on my housewife duties.  So far, it seems to be working.  Happiness is a state of mind.  I WILL be happy!  Today I am happy because I am meeting my Lapwing ladies for lunch.  It's only been two weeks, but it feels like it has been much longer.  I am also happy about the new book I'm reading, "Home: A Memoir of my Early Years" by Julie Andrews.  It is a fantastic book.  I've always been a big fan of hers as a singer and actress but didn't realize what a talent she has for writing.  Apparently she writes children's books, I wonder how those are?

"Absolute Power" was a wonderful book, but a terrible movie.  Do not waste your time seeing it.  Unfortunately it shows Clint Eastwood does not always equal success...

I've spent the past several days scanning in old pictures and posting them on Facebook.  I'm trying to clean things out and throw things away.  I don't think it is necessary to keep old pictures of my wrecked Chevy Beretta around...

Here is one of my favorite pictures.  It is of me, at about 2 years old -- look at those cheeks!

I've also decided that I am determined to learn to play the violin.  I bought one just after we got back from Japan and haven't touched it.  Yesterday I learned how to set up the bridge, tune (which didn't work -- I may need to buy a tuner, the online one is strange), and rosin the bow.  I managed to get sounds from it that didn't cause blood to spurt from my ears, so that's a positive thing.  I do not plan to take formal lessons.  I hope to gather the information I need online and at the library.  It should be interesting!

I better be off to get ready for lunch!

I have no good excuse for why I have not written in several days.  It's not like I've been busy working!  Last Friday, I FINALLY signed the paperwork I needed to sign and got out of there.  On the way home, I stopped at Nonie's house for some liquid consolement (I know, not a word) and good conversation.  I could easily have sat in Nonie's comfy chair all night drinking glass after glass of wine, but we had a date with Mexican Town!  Sean, Laurie, Nick and I headed down and met up with Reuben and Rob and had a wonderful time.  I think we went through 5 pitchers of Margaritas...

Saturday night I got to see my old friend that I haven't seen in about 6 or 7 years, Tim.  Tim and I used to hang out Freshmen year at Northwood, with his roommate Josh, watching Christmas Vacation over and over again while drinking Pucker.  Good times.  Tim was in town for the auto show -- he currently lives in Chicago and works as a freelance journalist.  Although it was short, it's always nice to see an old friend.  

This week has been pretty uneventful.  I filed for unemployment on Monday and went to Michigan Works! on Tuesday.  What a depressing place that is.  Even the exclamation point at the end of their name doesn't make it any less gloomy in that place.  I've been going to the gym every day, knitting and reading an awesome book, "Absolute Power".  Nick read it before I did and wants to rent the movie off of Xbox Live, so I figured I'd read it too.  It's awesome!  You must read it.  Don't worry Nonie, I'm going back to your book after this one is done, which should be tomorrow :)

I'm also ebaying again!  I just sold something this morning and want to ship it out today.  However, I don't ship until I get payment and I was hoping I could run errands and drop this baby off at the post office at the same time.  If I don't get paid soon, that isn't going to happen today, which isn't the end of the world, I suppose.

Well, my tea's getting cold (blueberry green tea, thanks for leaving it at Lapwing, Michele!) so I'll end it here for today :)

Come on, already...

Sitting here waiting for my final check and paperwork.  Lapwing closes today.  They told us hours ago that we're being let go today and here we sit.  Come on, already.

I knew yesterday that I was going to be let go today, even though I wasn't supposed to know.  So, Nick and I had a pity party for me at the Royal Oak Brewery.  Thankfully our buddy Charlie was bartending, so he cheered us up with some fermented adult beverage cheer.

Tonight we're off to Mexicantown!  Mexicantown is an area of Detroit where, you guessed it, there are lots of Mexicans and burritos and churros and margaritas.  I think a margarita and some TORTILLA CHIPS and salsa are just what the doctor ordered.

I think I'll just continue to write this entry until they give me my check.

What else can we talk about?  Hmmm...  Oh!  I can tell you about my experience at Game Stop the other night!  I had to go in while Nick drove around because Royal Oak has a plethora of shops and bars and restaurants and what-not and only about 10 parking spots in the whole place.  Makes no sense.  So after I waited in line for 4 years, 39 days, 6 hours and 3 minutes, I was finally able to make my purchase.  The guy working there was a talker.  In the time that I was in there (which was more like 20 minutes or so) I found out that the guy is 20 years old, has a one year old puppy, used to date a girl with an autistic kid or brother, goes to school, and had to clean the place before he left for the night.  DUDE.  GIVE ME MY DAMN HEADSET AND LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!  Next time, I'll drive and Nick can run in.

It's hard to write a blog when I'm not feeling at my full wittyness. :(

Maybe I will write more after I get my stuff.  Or maybe I'll be too busy enjoying adult beverages at that time... :)

mmmm Tortilla Chips

It's only 9am and I've already learned a valuable lesson today:  Tortilla chips and coffee do not really go well together...  I have equal love for them on their own, but together... no.  Perhaps because of this realization, I will be able to control myself and save my tortilla chips for lunch or a snack as was originally intended.  I can't not have coffee in the AM, so that part won't change.  

This is further proof that I enjoy tortilla chips entirely too much and too often.  I just remembered that I didn't have any yesterday, so maybe I am making progress of some kind?  In case you were wondering, Garden Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Chips are the best.  Don't argue, Grampah Mahk...

I've found a way to appreciate the snow, and it is this:  When it snows, I get to wear my LL Bean boots.  For those of you in the glove state, I'm talking about duck boots, except better.  I'll post a picture below so that we're all on the same page here.

As you can see, they are hideously ugly.  I love them.  I am going to start a trend similar to the vomit-inducing Ugg Boot trend, only it will be with LL Bean Boots.  Run out and buy a pair now so you can be a part of this trend.  (http://www.llbean.com)

I have to report that I did, in fact, make it to the gym last night!  As predicted, 8pm is the time when everyone in my neighborhood tucks their ankle-biters into bed or irons undergarments.  The gym wasn't empty, but it wasn't off the hook either.  My favorite elliptical machine was open and that is really what mattered most.  Thankfully I had a magazine to look at because someone had the TV set to that show where a man travels all over the world eating clam lungs and drinking whale urine martinis.  I couldn't watch it.  I've been known to eat a chicken testicle (Japan -- thanks for that, by the way, Ken) and I enjoy raw sushi and eel, but this guy eats stuff that just shouldn't be eaten.  Anyway, I digress.

The Vegan Mexican Lasagna was good, except that I de-veganized it by smothering it in cheese.  I'm not entirely sure that was necessary.  Maybe next time I will skip the cheese.

Thanks for all of the comments about the blog -- here, on email and on Facebook.  I'm having a blast blogging again and I'm glad you guys are out there reading my random, senseless musings :)

Let it snow?? NO

I know it's too early to complain about snow, being that it is only January, but enough already.  I think I need to move to a warmer climate.  That won't happen anytime soon, so I should just deal.  Here's another thing to complain about:  Michigan drivers.  Listen up.  Get off of your cell phone, remove your head from your rear end and DRIVE!  But, not 2 inches from my bumper, please, I don't trust you to stop on time.  Another pointless complaint since there is nothing I can do about that either.

My desk is quite messy, and I'm not exactly sure why.

As all of you as my witness -- I AM GOING TO THE GYM TONIGHT!  I will beat the New Year Resolution gym-goers off the elliptical machine with my ipod headphones if that's what it takes, but by God I will work out!!  My plan of attack is to wait until about an hour before the gym closes.  Hopefully all of the other people will be home putting their kids to bed or ironing their underwear for tomorrow or whatever people in my neighborhood do.  I'll let you know how I make out!

Vegan Mexican Lasagna for dinner -- I'll let you know how that turns out too :)  Shhh... don't tell Nick it's Vegan.  :)

The final thing I'd like to share is a logo I created for my dad's racing team.  What do you think?  Maybe I should go into graphic design...

This is copyright, by the way.  Because I said so.  Fear my wrath.  Seriously.

I need more coffee.

Fixed! (Maybe...)

I heard there was a problem posting comments so I opened up comments to anyone.  Hopefully that works.  If you don't want to sign up, just make sure to sign your name after your comment so I know who it's from :)

I'm currently drinking coffee from my 24oz Biggby cup my crazy (in a good way) boss Amy gave me for Christmas.  It's going to be a wonderful caffeine-filled day!  Thanks Amykins! 

I should blog.

I think I should blog again.  I have a full account of the six months of my life that I was in Japan because I blogged.  I like to post things and have people comment on them.  So I should blog.

So, here I am at work.  Blogging.  Work is kind of a dark place filled with uncertainty mixed with dread a side of indigestion.  We ate too much at Honey Tree again.  We lost our main account.  We don't know how long this place will stay open.  Michigan is a terrible place to be out of a job right now.

On the flip side I just had the best holiday I've had in a long time.  I went home to Maine and spent lots of quality time with my mum and my LL Bean boots.  I ate lots of pizza and lots of lobster and as a result I need to spent lots of time at the gym now, but that's ok.  After a two day long drive back to Michigan, hubs and I chilled out for a few days, attended a Rock Band New Year party, drank too much, and I woke up under a Christmas tree.  

So now your turn.  How was your holiday?  Any ideas for employment for me?  Remember, I need to go to the gym so anything that involves a mini-skirt or spankies will not be considered...