The most wonderful time of the year...

Everyone has holiday traditions, right? For me, it's the December edition of missung lyrics.



My favorite is Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song"-
"And so, it's been said, many times, many ways
"Merry Christmas, screw you"


But there's also "Deck the Halls". Everybody knows the Fa la la la la part. But how many know the second verse? I'll bet I'm the only one that sings:
"See the blazing yule before us, fa la la la la, la la la la
Strike the harp and then Chuck Norris, fa la la la la, la la la la"

And there's the version of "Let It Snow" that a high school friend of mine liked until I sang it a few too many times in her presence.
"And since we've nowhere to go
You're a ho, you're a ho, you're a ho"

Anyway, whether traditional, unique, or just plain twisted, may you and yours have a great holiday season!

Who woulda thunk it?

I have a friend from high school that is an honorary sister. My Dad used to always refer to her as his "other daughter". Which is a good thing, considering her relationship with her own mother was less than rewarding.

I think everyone in our high school group has a story about Helen (the mother) wigging out on us for various reasons. Some mildly entertaining, some just embarrassing, and at least a couple of them involving our own parents giving Helen an earful about how inappropriate she was to us and her daughter.

Turns out that Helen had some mental health issues that came to attention in the 90's, which explained a lot.

And now Helen is sick with cancer. My friend is on her way right now to California because Helen's doctors say she only has a few days left. I called my parents yesterday to let them know, partly because my friend should be contacting while she's in town, and partly because I know both my parents want to be there to support her through this.

While on the phone with my Dad I started crying. Which makes me wonder. Is it just because I have a tendency to cry at the drop of a hat? Do I feel actual grief for this woman who made me crazy during adolesence and young adulthood? Or am I just hurting for my friend, whose emotional rollercoaster ride is bound to be conflicted?

I guess it's all part of the human condition. Whatever the reason I feel the way I do, my heart goes out to my buddy. She'll get through this with the strength she's demonstrated in the over twenty years I've known her. I love you, Dude.

Blondie

If you've ever seen my apartment, you'll know it's right by a man made pond. A pond swarming with avian life. It has geese, ducks, and last summer there was even a heron making regular appearances. (I made sure to keep the SRM locked inside when the heron was around.)

I love watching them. Hours of senseless entertainment. And there's one duck that always stands out. I don't know how else to describe her than blonde. Her feathers are all cream to light brown. And last week the SRM and I noticed that she's been hanging around the garages at the far end of my side of the apartment complex. We saw her there every morning last week, and it seems odd because it is so far from the pond and she's always there alone.

Then we walked by yesterday morning. She wasn't there. But...as we walked past one of the small planters, we saw the object of her fascination. She's nested there. And there are eggs.

This morning instead of quacking at us and waddling off as she usually does, she stayed on her next. I'm taking that as a sigh that her duckings will be making an appearance soon.

I can't wait to see them. Hopefully at least one will get its coloring from its mother. :^)

One of those conversations you love to have...

So, I'm in my boss' office yesterday and she tells me how when she meets with a client who is bonkers, she writes my name and number on the back of her business card in the hopes that the nuts will call me instead of her.

Boss - "And you thought this would be a good transition."

Me - "In this economy and job market any transition is a good transition."

Boss - "Thanks for making me feel like a last resort."

Me - "Actually, two other advisors contacted me when they heard I was available."

Boss - "I guess I better start being nicer to you then, huh?"

Ripping open old wounds

So I set myself up for some drama yesterday. Last November I started seeing a guy, who then ended things. In December he showed up again, only to disappear again in January.

Out of nowhere, he IM'd me yesterday. No, wait, in all fairness, I have to say, I had e-mailed him back in January asking him to just give me confirmation in was over. Turns out he thinks we're incompatible and he's sorry he hurt me, but we had some good times, didn't we?

Ok, if he doesn't think we're good together, he has every right to end things. But to wait two months to grow the 'nards to tell me? That's just tacky. I think at a certain point apologies lose their ability to be sincere, and just move into the territory of being said to ease the apologizer's conscience.

That said, it still feels good to not have any loose ends out there. It took me twenty years to figure it out, but I'm not going to forget that it is better to be alone than to be with the wrong man and lonely anyway.

Here's to defying gravity solo for the time being!

An amusing week...

So, last Friday was my last shift at my part time job. I'm doing well enough for myself now that I don't need it, which is a releif. It was also pretty funny, because the manager I worked with that night totally embarrassed a teenage couple that was loitering in front of our store, which made me laugh so hard I cried.

Then it was off to SoCal to spend my birthday with my parents. Had a great time, as was expected. I also hung out with some friends, including my ex. Turns out he has a new girlfriend, and I know her because they worked together when he and I were still together. My words of advice? "Don't fuck this one up." I wish him all the best. He deserves after putting up with me for all those years.

I picked up the Sumatran Rat Monkey from jail (otherwise known as the PetsHotel) on Wednesday. He's been tuckered out ever since. Who knew all day playtime could be so draining? He's so cute when he sleeps.

Seeing as it's Friday the 13th, I've been forcing myself to watch the movie series. At least the first four. New experiences are good for me, correct?

Little Bastard...

So, this morning I had to drop Kudzu off at the PetsHotel for the weekend. I felt so guilty leaving him since he always needs so much attention.

Of course, the second I got him checked in and the employees started to lead him back to his "room" he got excited and happy again. Then I felt betrayed.

Is this how my parents used to feel when they sent me off to summer camp?

Woot!

The economy is down, and times are tough. We all know that, and I certainly found out personally at the end of last month when I found out I was getting laid off.

Luckily, my employeer was able to find another advisor in the region that needed an assistant, so I was offered a new position with the company yesterday. But I can't help worrying for all those who aren't as lucky as I am.

Still, 1/20/09 was a great day, I can feel the change and hope in the air, and I know good things are coming.

I love him, but...

Ok, so I went back to SoCal for the holidays, and boarded the SRM. I was so happy to get him back when I got home that I decided to walk him over to Starbucks so he'd have a bit of an adventure while I got breakfast.

I put him in his harness, and then his little reindeer jacket and we walked over no problem. Then I hooked his lead around a table leg, no problem.

Of course, I wasn't in Starbucks for thirty seconds when I heard, "Miss, your dog got loose!" He had pulled out of his jacket and harness and was trying to get inside to find me.

Don't get me wrong, the unconditional love is great, just slightly embarrassing.