Thoughts on the Jaws series

It's no secret to those who know me that I'm obsessed with sharks. Which is funny because people who know me also realize that I won't go more than ankle deep in the ocean. So I guess rather than obsession it's more of a healthy terror.

So when searching though On Demand this weekend and I saw the first three Jaws movies were available, well, I had to watch.

Jaws (the original) - This is my third favorite movie of all time. Bruce is my favorite monster ever!!! I remember when it first came out. Hell, if your father had tortured you with the image of the movie poster you'd remember too. But I didn't see it until I was in high school. Seeing as it was at that age that I started dating i don't think it's at all odd that to this day when I start dating someone new I dream about shark. Well, at least, it's not odd for me. While I do tend to root for Bruce in the movie, I'm still upset he ate the dog.

Jaws II - I actually saw this movie before the original. Sad, but true. To this day, when Brody calls Bruce II over to bite down on the cable, I still hear "Come here you big sausage!" I don't know what childhood trauma caused that misunderstanding. Remember what I said about the dog in the first? Well, I forgive Bruce for that since he managed to eat the helicopter in this movie. Best...feeding frenzy...ever!

Jaws III - I remember renting this one when I was in high school too. And I remember watching it and thinking that it was one of the worst movies ever, especially the special effects. Watching it now, well, all I can say is it's worse than I remembered. The opening credits make me chuckle too. Did Louis Gossett Jr.'s character name really have to be listed in quotation marks? What's not to laugh about with that?

Now I really need to rent Jaws IV. Mentally, I know it's worse than III, but I just can't wrap my head around that possibility right now.

September 10, 2001

Nine years ago today, I got home and got a phone call from a girlfriend of mine. She and her husband were fighting and she was upset. She wanted to know if worse came to worse, could she stay at my house? I told her of course she could.

Then I called another girlfriend of mine to tell her how down I was feeling. She proceeded to unload all of her problems on me, and I ended up not having a chance to vent.

By the time Marc got home that night I was almost in tears feeling overwhelmed at all the drama that had been foisted on me. Luckily, the first half of "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" was on that night and I got the chance to laugh.

Of course, the next morning none of that mattered anymore. The world I knew, the New York I had just explored that winter was changed forever.

I hope I never forget the horror of that day. Remembering what we went through that day is a constant reminder to live a responsible fulfilling life, to make up for the lives that were lost.

Two way auditions

So, I've been out of work now for a few weeks. I've been sending out 5 to 10 resumes a day and interviewing with everyone who is willing to meet with me. And here I am, still looking.

Anyway, I got a phone call yesterday in response to a resume I sent in for an administrative assistant job. The business owner told me he was in construction and there were only two people in the office, although during the busy season he often has a crew of 8 or 9. So I went in for the interview this morning. I was feeling a bit against this position , mostly because in an office with so few employees benefits can be quite sketchy. Also, construction has to run thin in bad weather, and in Oregon the weather is often bad for business. Therefore, I know that admin. ass't positions are likely to get hours cut in the winter.

It didn't look any more stable when I got to the office. The owner kept me waiting for 20 minutes, then blamed it on his being long winded when he's talking to someone. In my experience, anyone who keeps a possible employee waiting like that will do the same to clients, ensuring short lived and unpleasant working relationships.

Once the interview started he looked over my resume, and noting that I had been in the insurance biz he began stating his opinions on health insurance. He then asked me for my opinion. Please understand, if the guy hadn't already shown me how irresponsible he is in running his office I NEVER WOULD HAVE ANSWERED HIS QUESTION. After giving him my opinion, he went on to lecture me on why I'm wrong. After half an hour of it I stood up, told him the interview was over and that I would never be comfortable working with him.

The moral is...while interviewing, always remember a job needs to be a good fit for all parties. Don't settle for a job out of desperation if it means working for a douchebag.

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.

Best investment I ever made...

I talk to my Parents every Sunday night. Obvious subject of conversation yesterday was the weather. Yesterday was my first serious snow since I've moved to Oregon. And the temperature has been appropriatly cold to go along with it.

Luckily, my apartment is small, so heating it isn't a horrendous burden (I say now, before I start getting my real winter electric bills). But, of course, they asked how I manage to keep warm at night.

"Simple," I tell them. "I invested in mammals."

You try being cold when you have a sumatran rat monkey curled up under the covers with you, not to mention two medium haired kittens curled up under your chin. I'm glad I invested when I did.

Thank you, J Jacques!

Sometimes I don't know what I would do without Questionable Content.

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=774

Seriously, I told my friends that going forward, I'm off the market because I'm tired of dating. From their reactions you would have thought I said I'm going to start kicking puppies in my spare time.

Wicked

"So if you care to find me

Look to the western sky.

As someone told me lately

Everyone deserves the chance to fly.

And if I'm flying solo

At least I'm flying free.

To those who ground me,

Take a message back from me.

Tell them how I'm defying gravity,

I'm flying high, defying gravity."

-Stephen Schwartz

Yeah, I'm going to be okay.

How far gone?

So, I met someone new a few weeks ago.  We spent about a month talking on line, by phone and by text message.

At first I wasn't sure about this guy, but the more we communicated the more I could see how much we had in common, and how much fun we could have together if we met in person.

So we met for dinner downtown about a week and half ago.  It was a great evening.  Dinner, dessert, drinks afterwards, lots of conversation and getting to know each other.  And we made plans to get together then next Sunday.

Talking the day after our date, we decided to get together for dinner on Saturday night too because there was a restaurant I knew of that I thought he'd like.  We had another great night, just hanging out, talking and enjoying each others' company.

Sunday morning he text'd me to say he couldn't make it for our plans that afternoon.  No problem, I was kind of tired and could use a day without any plans, so we decided to get together the next weekend instead, and maybe cook dinner together sometime during the week.  He must really like me, huh?

Turns out things weren't going as well as I thought.  On Thursday he e-mailed me to say he's been hanging out with his ex, and that with the weather getting colder he's not up to going out a lot, so he wished me well in finding someone else.  What I find funny is the fact that I already knew what was going to happen.  I could recognize a pattern that occurs in my life fairly often, and I knew that no matter how well everything had gone up to that point, that he wasn't as into me as I had hoped for.

So, at what point can you say that someone has broken up with you?  Do you have to be officially boy/girlfriend?  Seeing each other exclusively?  Or can it just be when you find someone that you're so comfortable with and attracted to that you can see having a future together, and finding out he doesn't feel the same?  

Thought for the day...

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1274

Feline Olympics

Suffice it to say, yesterday was not a good day. For various reasons, when I got home all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch with my beasts and watch disc 1 of Eli Stone.

Well, the kittens still haven't figured out where their box is now, even though I've shown them several times where I moved it to. So before I got to curl up on the couch I spent time cleaning the floor.

Then, as I was almost done with the first episode of ES, my television turned off. I checked all the wire, connections, plugs, and still, no power. Worse...since it's a television/dvd combination, I couldn't even get the dvd out of the player to watch it on my computer.

At that point Levi started trying to climb up whatever bare skin he could find on me. I would have shotputted him at the television. For animal cruelty reasons, it's a good thing I was too lazy to make the effort.

And I hadn't even been drinking...

So, last night I had a dream that I was at work, studying for my life insurance exam on-line (yeah, who would have thought that?).

Here's the twist...instead of reading info off the website, the info was in the guise of a horror movie. So, I guess the point was to not only watch stupid teenagers get hacked to pieces by a derranged killer, but to watch the survivors collect the death benefits. Novel idea, no?

Anyway, true to form, watching this "movie" started to freak me out, so I paused it. At that point, my boss walked out, saw what was paused on my monitor, and started up the movie again while gleefully saying, "Great! Here's where they find his decapitated head!"

Kudzu is part of Obama Nation!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jll5baCAaQU