I did not pick up my iPod this morning on my way to work as I would have liked.  I just didn’t have time.

I’m trying to re-engineer my schedule.  I spend A LOT of time on the road each day.  I wondered, “What if I left earlier in the morning?” in hopes that I would bypass the heavier morning traffic.  Which conversely, would get me on the road earlier in the evening, the end result being that I would have to spend less time in the day driving.

On day two of this experiment, I was in the car 10 minutes earlier than usual (which is really the time I target to be leaving “on time” for my usual driving pattern).  But any little bit earlier is a step (OK, maybe tiptoe) in the right direction.  Except for that I’m leaving earlier in the morning and getting to work on time (which means I leave work on time–boo).

Today’s Gonna be a LONG Day

I left my iPod at Fella’s last night.  This means that I don’t have said iPod with me today.  And I can’t listen to it; which may just about kill me.  Thankfully so far this morning it’s been quiet in the office surrounding my cubicle.

OK, OK.  So I admit, it hasn’t been so bad without background music today.  Only now it’s freezing and I wish I had a throw blanket and my iPod.  And that is until the clock hit 3pm.

The daily three o’clock hours more often than not seems to drag on longer than other hours in the day.  I read somewhere recently that this has to do with circadian rhythms and whatnot.  No matter the reason or the cause, it’s just annoying.  And maybe it’s worse today because the icy tundra that is the corner where my cubicle sits is icy despite the cool-down we’ve had outside the building.  I think my brain wants to hibernate to conserve energy because I feel like I could fall asleep at any given moment.

So last week was my birthday.  It was a good birthday, even if it was an off-year.  By that I mean it was not a “milestone” X0 or a X5 birthday.  I had one of those last year.  Even despite not having Fella to celebrate with until after the actual day, it was good.  I pretty much had a three-day birthday.

Fella was otherwise indisposed for my birthday because his thesis was due the following day.  But we had a nice dinner on Friday evening and then we had a party to celebrate both events on Saturday.

I told someone that I would eventually buy myself a birthday present, I just didn’t know what or didn’t know when.  (I initially joked that my present to myself was my new car, but we all know that’s a load of bull).  But I bought myself something that I’ve “needed” for a little while now–an iPod dock.  It was a good deal at Radio Shack.  On top of that I got the items I needed to get my iPod car ready for the new ride.  It really is a shame that I let that darn iPod at Fella’s yesterday.

Oh thank goodness, it’s 3:57 p.m.  These last three minutes can’t go by fast enough. 

Yay, it’s 4:00 p.m.!

And even yayer–it’s 4:54 p.m.!!!

Yesterday I wrote a snarky, bratty non-post about working in the wine industry.  I opted to not post it (thus rendering it a non-post) because it was snarky and bratty.  And it made the author sound like a Bitter Betty prima donna.  And we wouldn’t want readers to think that anymore than they may already.  So perhaps in the future I’ll convert it into a real post, but for now it will remain unposted.  Just thought I’d share.

My feet are so over the shoes I’m wearing today.  And it’s only 9:30.  Not that they’re some crazy 5-inch heels or anything.  Just plain, old, slip-on loafers.  I think my feet are just being picky today.

In other appendage-related news, I feel I’ve been absolutely duped in the fingernail accoutrements department.  Last weekend I decided to try another nail salon to correct the problems I encountered with the initial application of what was supposed to be gel overlay on my nails.  The good thing is that she seemed to do a better job on the filling portion of the program.  But when she got to the filing and shaping…Houston, we have a problem.  Or two. 

I would have preferred it if she trimmed the length down (I find myself typing with the tips of my nails this week).  And seven little johnnies (whoops, johnny?  Anyone?) she gave me a file cut.  Like a paper cut, but caused by the edge of her file.  Maybe I should have left then, but I just refused to let her touch that finger again.  (The finger is fine now, there were complications from that infliction).

I did more research on the topic Sunday when I got home, as a friend suggested that even gel nails come from a powder.  This comment refuted the research I had previously done on the subject.  Turns out that gel nails do indeed start out as a gel and involve no powder (even though gel is still technically a form of acrylic).  So what I thought I had done was not what I had done at all. 

So I’m fixing to take them all off here this week.  I’m especially concerned about the one finger that has a tip on it because the initial tech thought the nail was too short.  So off they come!  After I buff off the UV top coat that is resistant to acetone.  And then take a soak in that thar acetone for a spell.  The last time I went through this process I was a junior in high school (after prom).  I spilled the acetone on the palazzo pants (my favorites at the time) I was wearing, which ruined them because they were a synthetic material.  I’ll not be making that mistake again.

My next nail appointment will be with someone who actually does gel nails and with whom I can clearly communicate.  I think perhaps someone at my regular hair salon, no matter the expense (which it will have, I’m sure).  It doesn’t make sense to keep wasting money on the wrong thing.  Which didn’t happen last weekend, as the cutter did not charge me on account of cutting me, thank goodness.  But all I can think of today is “I want these things off already!”

I keep hearing about the NKOTB concert on the radio.  And admittedly, I want to go!  Maybe it won’t fill that hole I have in my heart from not being allowed to go as a pre-teen.  But I think it would be a hoot never the less.  Can an all growsd up Joey McIntyre pull off the falsetto to do justice to Please Don’t Go Girl???  Inquiring minds want to know!

Last night I finally took the time to catch up on some TiVo.  I finally watched the episodes of Lipstick Jungle that I’ve been holding onto since March.  It was enjoyable, although I found myself thinking “Do people really live lives like these?”  Like, are there real life people that are essentially mirror images of these characters?  To some extent, there must be some basis in reality, but in the same breath it would be irresponsible of me to think that they could be entirely based on real people.  But loosely based; very loosely.  It also got me wondering what shows will be coming back in the fall.  October Road???

I’m totally sick of the Coldplay iTunes commercial.

But when I hear the song on the radio, I kinda love it.

I just passed the listing for WGN on my TiVo guide.  It gave me major pangs for Chicago.  I love that place.  Sometimes I really wish that Fella would be open to the idea of living somewhere other than here, even for just a little while.  While we’re young and childless.  I would love to live in Chicago.  Again.  Although I’m not sure it really counts as living somewhere when you’re nine.  Yeah, I know, it counts, it’s just not quite the same.

I’m so glad today is Tuesday and not Monday.  I’m sure most fearless readers would tend to agree.

I’m also trying really, really hard to let go of my bitterness about that stupid, stupid speeding ticket from yesterday.  In case you don’t read the comments to my previous post, I was clocked at 36 in a 25.  Is it significant enough of a difference to warrant a citation?  Of course, me thinks not.

Clearly I might be the wrong person to address that question, though.  I tend to think that a posted speed of 25 is archaic for residential neighborhood.  If I recall correctly, most residential areas in another city I spent some time living in, have a posted speed limit of 30mph.  It’s murder trying to actually drive 25mph.  I know; I had to this morning on my commute through a rezzy ‘hood (where a moto-cop or two are known to hang about in the mornings).  Murder!!!

I’ve hit a wall this afternoon.  Usually I come up on this wall at about 3:00 p.m., but today it’s early (2:15).  I’m tired and a little bored, so all I want to do is eat.  Although I’m not at all hungry.  Maybe I should get some hot tea.  Hot because I work in a corner of the office that is a frozen tundra.  I have had a cold breeze from the air-con blowing on me all afternoon.  No joke.  My box of tissue on my desk is waving in the wind.

The tea worked on the hunger thing.  Now it’s 3:45 p.m. and I’m rolling.  Thinking about needing a snack, but still not exactly hungry, either.  I’ll hold out until closer to quitting time–I always get hungry on my ride home.

ISO…a good nail salon. 

I was going to a place (I’ll call it The Piggies Shop) that seemed to do a pretty good job.  Until it seemed they no longer were.  I kept trying in hopes that there would be one stand-out mani/pedi-ist.  That time never came.  I just kept having the same problem–my big toe (sometimes both!) would always feel like it was growing out…ingrown.  It never became an actual problem, but it’s not a great feeling, either!

Rewind to a week ago.  I took a sick day for dentist & doctor appointments and other personal reasons.  I had a little time to kill and decided to take the plunge and get a “set” of gel overlay on my already grown nails.  I opted to not try again at the aforementioned salon, but another comparable outfit down the street from my house (I’ll call it simply Piggies). 

I’m not an expert on artificial nails or procedures, but I’m pretty sure the gal did a really lousy job.  My thumbnail chipped the next morning.  “Tall man” on the same hand is having similar issues, but just recently committed a non-fatal, yet disfiguring chipicide.

I discussed a little via text with my friend who is a longtime wearer of artificial nails what to do.  She of course concurred with my gut instinct was–I should go back and demand that they fix the problems.  The catch?  I don’t know that I want this tech (who from the sound of it is the only one in the shop who could do this procedure) getting her hands back on my hands.  Fella agreed with me on that last sentiment–don’t waste the time and energy going back for a sub-standard service.  Not to mention, after doing some additional reconnaissance research I’m not even entirely sure that she did the exact procedure I wanted.

So where does that leave me?  Two salons that I won’t go to and a ton of mixed reviews of others in Yelp.  I don’t want to go anywhere that’s gotten mixed reviews (both places I won’t go anymore also have mixed reviews on Yelp, come to find out).

Short of learning a foreign language to break down the communication barrier or taking out a low-interest line of credit earmarked only for spendy spa nail services, I’m at wit’s end.  I found one outfit on Yelp that has just a couple of good reviews.  I think it’s right near my seamstress, actually, so it could be worth a shot.

Update: It’s 4:12 and I just had a bona fide hunger pang.  Bring on the afternoon snack!

the day is–er was here.  The car will be (or already is) mine!!!

I’m still getting used to the idea.  Actually, I’m still worried that something might still go wrong with the deal.  What can I say, I’m a paranoid freak.

In other car news…my hometown five-oh christened the new ride today.  I got my first speeding ticket on my dad’s first ride around town.  What kind of a dick was that cop, right?!  JHC.  I secretly think it’s a sign to maybe slow the eff down a little bit.  I can’t fly under the radar anymore like I could in my mom’s old hoopty or that other POS.

Without the caffeine pill addiction.

Or more accurately, I feel like those kids on that Disneyland commercial.  “We’re too excited to sleep!!!”  Do you know it?

But seriously, I could not fall asleep for the life of me last night.  I’m excited that this car thing is right on the horizon.  I’m excited that it appears we were approved for a great interest rate on the financing.  It’s going to be my first brand-spanking-new car ever.  And it’s exciting.

Also exciting, my office closes down early today.  The holiday weekend kicks off a couple hours early for me!  Hopefully this means that I won’t get mired in the gnarl of traffic on my drive home.  Usually it seems that people are heading north-easterly on these holiday weekends, rather than in my south-westerly commute direction and I avoid the bottlenecks.  [Looks for wood on which to knock].

OY.  I went on a walk with some co-workers about 90 minutes ago.  I think my heart has stopped racing finally, but my chest still feels a little tight.  I know it’s just a result of not enough sleep last night and perhaps a little caffeine consumption this morning (no more than usual though).  But it could also be b/c I feel like a whirling dervish today trying to get some crucial things out today (I am definitely operating in overdrive).

The whirling dervish act wound down pretty quickly after noon and I found out the president was gone for the day.  I needed his signature on the thing I was trying to get out today.  Oh well.

My commute was pretty normal.  I don’t want to know how it’s going to be at 5 (whether better or worse!)

But I’m off to enjoy my long weekend–you should too!

…not ready to have children. 
I love kids.  I do!  But tonight I found myself surrounded by several families of piss-poorly behaved children.  I don’t know how these mothers do it.  Their kids basically go about their lives waving a big middle finger (or in a lot of cases two) day-in and day-out.  And the mothers don’t care.  Don’t care about the disservice they’re doing their children, not to mention the world around them (which yes, includes yours truly).

…totally ready to have a new car.
Soon.  Very, very, very soon.  How soon?  Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow.  But it’s on the horizon and getting closer by the minute.