Spent last night trying to sympathize with hard-luck cases in Oprah magazine, juxtaposed against wonderful expensive stuff I felt the need to buy (why is a cotton T-shirt for $100 a bargain?). Think Oprah is trying to be a good person, but wonder about her inherent need to brag about herself. Also trying not to be too satisfied with wonderful dinner at almost forsaken Italian restaurant. Guilt ridden, but really not. Too full and happy. Must donate canned goods and money to homeless Floridians. Must be more like Oprah.

Faced with minor dilemma--want to go to Howl-o-scream, want to play poker, need to write paper on subject matter of which I've read nothing. Gambling...socializing outdoors...wanting good grades...

Poker it is.

Unhealthy thought of the day:

You know, if I were to run into a tree, I'd be really hurt and possibly unconscious and then people would not want a piece of me for at least a little while and I could sleep.

I'm not sick and I'm not going to run into a tree, but it's really sad when hospitalization is an exciting way of getting some rest.

The stuff that happens to me:

A wasp decided to live in my hair and eat my face. Ended up spraying it with Pledge and killing it with a hammer.

It's not unus-ual to be loved by anyone
Bop badabop
It's not unusual to have fun with anywuh-uun
Da-duh da-daaaah...

I just wanted to share the pain...thanks to mellie's blog, this is what has been running over and over and over in my head. Thanks, thanks a lot. I also blame my mother for her poor taste in 70's pop music scarring me in utero. At least it's not...

the Copa
Copacabana (cabana!)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
Aaaat the Copa
Copacabaanaaaaah
Music and passion were always the fashion
at the Copaaaah...

Damn.

Went rollerblading yesterday and realized a few things:

1) I haven't fallen down in a long time
2) Falling down really hurts
3) Not getting knee pads was a bad idea
4) Coordination and balance in other activities means nothing on rollerblades
5) Hecklers suck
6) Crying in public sucks
7) I have a wonderful boyfriend who didn't heckle me, tried to keep me balanced, was concerned when I fell (many many times), and really cared when I cried

In a bind....should I stay home this weekend or visit friends I hardly ever see in DC? If I stay I get to sleep, de-stress, catch up on class reading, and do nothing, but renege on a promise to visit and be selfish and anti-social. If I go, I'll get out, be social, have fun, but wrestle with DC traffic on a Friday afternoon after a long long week of hell and lose my weekend travelling. Again.

Why doesn't anyone ever visit me?

Many co-workers asked if I was alright. Maybe walking around the office for three hours with sunglasses on top of my head is a cry for help.

New attitude and am better now. Scheduled a massage and decided to drop tasks willy-nilly and am amazed at lack of repercussions. Must do this more often. Now I'm trying to get blogger to publish (publish, goddamnit, stop spinning!!) while listening to "the man" talk about how I earn too much, and how by cutting my inflation adjustment and locality rates, we can make this agency a better place to do great work. Ha right. Another reason to care less about work.

Need to regroup and hold back fist of death.

I'm not PMSing, did not wake up angry, and actually displayed a ton of patience...but really.

I ordered a desk, two and a half weeks ago. Was promised delivery in a week, did not show.

Called delivery company, they promised delivery within a few days, but could not schedule a time. Asked them to call me or leave it on the porch. Left a sign on the door. Did not show.

Later, I was out of town for three days. Got a sign on the door that they attempted delivery earlier that morning, so called delivery company again, they said they would try again the next day. Again, told them to call me or leave on the back porch. Left a sign on the door. Nada.

Called on Friday, and they promised delivery on Tuesday. Same note. Nada.

Called today and was told that delivery was attempted three times (what?!) and by company policy, the order was returned--to Baltimore. Was told that if I wanted the desk, I would have to reorder as my order was cancelled and my account credited.

Called Office Depot, and after multiple holds and assurances that I didn't want to call Office Max, talked to original sales lady. And after calling the warehouse in Baltimore that cancelled my order but DID NOT credit my account, she reordered the desk from Norfolk and promised it would be delivered tomorrow. But there was no way to guarantee a time for delivery, so I should leave a note on my door. hmmph.

During this whole debacle, I used my pleasant tone and thanked them repeatedly. Held back temper successfully, although I think yelling would have done good for my blood pressure. Really wanted to use scary voice and remark condescendingly that:

1) yes, when I call 1-888-GO-DEPOT, I hope I wasn't intending to call Office Max
2) your drivers obviously cannot read signs, operate their company cell phones,
and/or never got out of the truck
3) what space/time continuum do you all live in? I'm obviously caught in
some sort of accelerated worm hole

But that gets you nowhere with stupid people.

Finally! The end of a bad week. Too little sleep, too much work, and too much worrying about how I'm not sleeping and working more. And to top it off, too much walking around in suit, high heels and pantyhose in humid DC swampiness. Very chafed and over-bathed.

So now, I look forward to visiting friends amidst threats of destruction and chaos of yet another hurricane. For once, I'm glad I'm not in the Bahamas.