Musings of a chick

What I'm thankful for this year and other musings

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:26:00 +0000

I'm thankful for Doug
I'm thankful for my family and friends
I'm thankful for my three bee-yoo-tee-ful kitties
I'm thankful that I can still write...getting the MOTIVATION to write new blog entries, well, that's another story.
I'm thankful that I can sing, even though my range has lowered
I'm thankful for my job
I'm thankful for all the blessings of this life.

I am the champion because I killed a humongous roach here at work today. It was monstrous, and it could fly on top of everything else. I smushed it good...PETA be damned.

It's hard to believe that I've been at Walter Reed for almost one year. I'm glad that I am in this department, and I thank God every day that I'm away from my former boss. I still have flashbacks of her, and I have an unreasonable fear that I'll be put back with her but so far that's not the case.

I'm thinking about going home for my 25th class reunion, but I want a couple of dry runs to make sure the good time I had wasn't a fluke. I really had a nice relaxing time in IA, and I don't want any "ghosts" to ruin future visits.

I think conservatives should lighten up on Obama and take a look at their doorstep to make sure it's clean before critiquing his presidency. I am so sick and tired of the blame being put on Obama...we had problems before he even became president, and he's trying to get past all the muck and make changes we all need.

That's all I've got.

No seagulls were harmed in the creation of this post.

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Ed H. has been trying to crack through my leathery exterior in order to get me to update my blog.

So here's an update.

The visit home was wonderful...no ghosts to be seen anywhere. I sang at church for Mom's birthday, and her party turned out great. It was nice just to kick back for a few days with the family and not have to worry about anything.

No complaints.

So until there are some, I'll be out there trying to figure out what to write about next.

Revelation from an unlikely source, and other stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Can't go into details, but I found out that my position in the work debacle from December to late June was justified...in other words, I wasn't crazy. Someone else (a higher-up, no less) backed me up as far as claims regarding my former boss, and other people were noticing it that weren't even "customers".

I feel weird about this...but I am not going to look back. I am happy here in this new position, even when it's hectic or so boring that I use the term "deader than Elvis" to describe it. I have noticed myself blossoming, and it feels pretty damned good. So there you have it.

Right now, the guys in my office are loud and BS-filled about something or other, and their voices fill the air and bring comfort to me as opposed to irritation. I like listening to laughter in the workplace. I had a boss (a long time ago) that wouldn't allow talking at all amongst the employees, even for so simple a thing as informing the receptionist that you were leaving the room to use the restroom. So I am happy to hear voices, even if they are rowdy and raucous.

Anyway, it finally feels like a DC summer...all hot and sticky. I was wondering when it would happen. We've had a mellow summer, weather-wise. I just wish it would rain consistently, not in fits and starts...we need the rain, I think.

Another two months and I'll be off to Iowegia for a visit...I'm kind of anxious in good and bad ways. I am anxious in a good way to see Mom's new place, and to see my sister and the kids. I'm just afraid of the "ghosts" and potential annoyances that may befall me when I visit. I guess that's why I'm not bringing D along this time...I figure that if I have a lousy time, I'm not subjecting anyone to it besides myself. I'm counting on having a good time, though...I don't have to see people I don't want to see anymore, and it's an emancipation of sorts.

Also, I got a mention in the Washington Post Express this week for the blog entry I wrote regarding receipt of a Yogi Bear cookie jar, and it didn't make a dent in my stats. That's OK, though...D noticed and called me at work, so I had fleeting fame for a day.

Well, that's all from me...the entries are gradually getting longer, so take heart, gentle readers...it's getting a little bit better here at Rancho Sudiegirl.

I guess the recession hits us all...?

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:20:00 +0000

I had only heard about this article last week, and my first thought was, "How can someone be so spoiled rotten that they 'squeak by' on that much?"

Then I read the article.

I guess I can see her point of view, but I'm not entirely convinced. She's doing all this for the sake of her kids, for the most part. Plus, she has a high end job and has to look her best, live a certain way, make certain social connections, etc.

But still, aren't there ways to live the life without such scrutiny? In these hard times, everyone's suffering in one way or another. Does she really need suits from Anne Klein or Ralph Lauren to do her job? Can't she shop off the rack like everyone else? Does she need a nanny?

At least she's working...

Read the article and let me know what you think in the comments.

I know this isn't a totally original article, but at least I'm writing...I'll get there, I promise.

more random ramblings

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:03:00 +0000

First, I found out that my wonderful mom is sending me a piece of my childhood. What is it?

It's a Yogi Bear cookie jar.

She thought of me, and that makes me so happy. Plus, it's a Yogi Bear Cookie Jar! I love cartoons, and she knows it and doesn't make fun of me for it. So that's a double plus bonus for Mom.

Second, I got a comment from a blogger saying she wishes I would write more. I wish I would write more too, and maybe I will once my writer's block goes away. As it is, I write as much as I can but I can't write about everything in my life due to familial strife (I'm a poet and don't know it). So be patient...Sudiegirl will get back in her groove; it just takes time.

Third, I can't believe I've been in MD for eight years and some change...it's amazing. I haven't seen all of DC yet, but I'm sure I will in time.

So that, as they say, is that.

Stealing this idea from Ed H...the Random Thoughts post

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:58:00 +0000

1. First of all, RIP to Les Paul, inventor of the electric guitar and a kick-a$$ guitarist in his own right. When guitar gods like Eric Clapton say this guy is great, you'd better listen. Anyway, he died at the ripe old age of 94, and God love him, he still played semi-regular gigs in NYC.

2. I was at the Archie comics website the other day, and I saw an ad that made me drop my jaw and take notice. Apparently, they're doing a series that flashes forward to Archie and the gang, post-college. The point I'm trying to make here is that Archie marries Veronica in this storyline.

Now I don't know about you, but I'm of two minds about this. On one hand, I root for Betty because she wasn't snobby like ol' Ronnie was. On the other hand, he floats to one and then the other, and you'd think they'd wake up and see that Archie is an indecisive man and both vow to stay away from him. However, Archie Comics are not known for their feminist ideals. Wonder what Gloria Steinem has to say about that? Furthermore, what does it say about me that I worry about whether some fictional character marries another one? Jeez.

3. Where has the summer gone?

4. I don't really have a number 4...I was just trying to look cool.

it's official

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:51:00 +0000

I bought plane tickets this morning so I could fly back to Iowegia in October. It'll be the first time I've been home since Dad died.

Wow...time flies. Or tempus fugit if you want me to go all Latin on your a$$es.

I'm excited and scared all at the same time.

Will I be able to handle going home?

Will there be "ghosts" of bad memories all around me, or will I just be able to kick back with my mom and family for a few days?

How will Li'l Miss Bipolar handle the one hour time change? Will she go visit Dad's grave, or stay away from it?

These and many more questions that haven't even been thought of yet will be explored further as the weeks roll by.

Too bad I'm impatient.

Annoying headline of the day and other fish in the sea

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:31:00 +0000

Walter Cronkite's funeral to honor CBS newsman

(Uh...isn't that what funerals are supposed to do? I have yet to hear of a funeral that belittles the deceased.)

******

Well, hello there kids! How are you today?

It's another day in the life for me. I'm still enjoying this job, so that's a plus. However, I am still suffering from writer's block so that's a minus.

Will this madness ever end? Tune in later, folks, and find out!

I'm shaking my head in disgust with this one

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:32:00 +0000

No doubt you've heard about the governor of South Carolina's latest blunder.

It wasn't enough that he lied about hiking the Appalachian Trail when he was actually in Argentina playing "hide the salami" with his soul mate. Nope.

He was also flying first and/or business class to this little Argentinian love nest.

I can forgive the affair (even though I'm not a constituent and it's not a killing affair if I don't forgive him), but Mr. Frugality kind of screwed the pooch with the rest of it.

If I were a South Carolinian, I'd be majorly honked off and calling for his head on the proverbial silver platter.

Click on the title to read the story in its entirety and let me know your thoughts in the comments. More to come in the way of personal stuff I can share on this li'l missive o' mine.

What do you think?

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:21:00 +0000

The mayor of Los Angeles has said that the city of LA will pay for the funeral expenses of Michael Jackson.

This is bogus, in my opinion. The Jackson family is rich enough, they should put some money forward as a goodwill gesture if nothing else.

I don't have much to say about this other than I disagree with what the mayor's doing.

What do you think of this? Should the city of LA pay for MJ's funeral, or should the family pay for it?

Note your answers in the comments, please...

So what did our fair heroine do on the 4th of July weekend?

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Not a hell of a lot, really.

D and I went to see fireworks, and went to church on Sunday like good little Episcopalians.

It's funny...since I started blogging again, I am still having trouble coming up with topics. You'd think, after I removed myself from exile, that the topics would flow like water, but NOPE NOPE NOPE. Still stuck.

This whole Michael Jackson funeral thing is pretty intense. I'm surprised they're not making it a national day of mourning. I'll be at work, of course, with no way of watching the memorial service on TV. Bummer...I really want to see who comes out for it.

Planning on going back home to IA in October, and kind of excited about it. I'm going out for Mom's 70th birthday, and my sister and I are trying to figure out what to do to celebrate it. Not sure if we'll do just a family thing, or have an open house, or what we'll do. Should be interesting to see how all this long distance planning will turn out. If Ruth and I can keep from killing each other, things should turn out just fine. I know...I know...I was very vehement about not going back to IA but I guess "old age" (as in 40) has mellowed me to some extent. I'm not going to LIVE there, it's just for a VISIT. It'll be fine.

Today, it's deader than Elvis in this department, so that's why I'm blogging...just to pass the time if nothing else. It's skeleton crew time around here, but tomorrow it should be back to "normal"...whatever THAT is.

As I mentioned, I like this department. I like the people, and the environment is so much better than where I was. I liked my co-workers, but I had lots of issues with the boss (as you can read a couple of entries below). It amazes me that someone that lousy at people management can be a manager, but I guess that's what happens in this crazy world. As for me, I don't have any goals that manifest themselves in management so I'm cool. I just want to work and leave my troubles at the door when I'm done for the day. I couldn't do that in the previous job, but I can with this one. It's a good thing, as ol' Martha Stewart would say.

What else can I tell ya? Not a whole lot, really, other than I called it that MJ overdosed, and it looks like I'm right based on the evidence presented thus far. I really wish that hadn't been the case, but that's what we're looking at, methinks.

Bye for now...

That's the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it...

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:08:00 +0000

This place is so much mellower than where I worked before. People are nice and helpful, and it's a good place to be so far.

More news as events warrant.

PS: One question I have...I noticed that Diana Ross hasn't spoken out about Michael's death. Does anyone else think that's strange, considering the friendship they shared?

RIP Michael Jackson

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:35:00 +0000

Didn't want to include a pic on here as it would make me feel too sad.

Is it just me or has Michael Jackson's passing touched a nerve with Generation X'ers as far as mortality is concerned? I mean, he was only 10 years older than me.

Wow...scary stuff.

Will be happier over the weekend, I promise.

RIP, Farrah

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:48:00 +0000

I admit, I was never a "Charlie's Angels" fan, but Farrah is an icon and will be missed. Whenever they come around again, watch "The Burning Bed" and "Small Sacrifices" so you can see how good an actress she really is.

The Hollyweirdness continues...

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:52:00 +0000

Surrogate makes Parker, Broderick parents again

(Uh, weren't they parents before?)

Phil Spector is hoping to get a few comforts of home in his new prison cell, and a television, iPod and computer access are at the top of his list.

(Gee, maybe he should have thought of that before he killed Ms. Clarkson?)

Here I spent all this time being depressed, and so many celebrity issues went right past me. What was I thinking? (this is a joke...I couldn't really help being depressed...)

Tell me more, tell me more...

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:57:00 +0000

So I have this evil boss, right?

She's worse than any other boss I've ever had save one, and they were both comparable in terms of nastiness.

She would YELL down the hall for me if she needed me to come to her office.

She would badmouth me in front of my coworkers.

She would blame me for misplacing things when she actually misplaced them herself.

She called herself "honest" but my contracting bosses caught her in one lie after another.

The only saving grace at that job were my co-workers, three of whom went to my contracting boss to complain about my government boss's treatment of me.

So now, I'll be in a much better place than before, and with a pay raise to boot.

Miracles do happen...I'm living proof.

So where's she been?

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:51:00 +0000

To be honest, I've been fighting off a big beastie depression since I started this job. My boss is a scary woman, and I've been struggling with depression off and on since I started.

So basically, that doesn't make for interesting blogging.

But...dear friends...I will be leaving this position for bigger and better things effective Monday, June 29th when I start my new job (still at Walter Reed).

So I'm feeling better, and hopefully I'll be back and ready to annoy you all. That is, if you're still reading this.

Bye...

Mardi Gras Gig? No thanks, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes.

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Had a gig last night, and it was really lame. It was the Mardi Gras ball in Frederick, MD.

Normally, this gig is pretty good...you get to see lots of people on the dance floor and very interesting costumes (as it is also a costume party for those who wish to participate) and masks. The Mardi Gras queen and princesses are pretty and young, and all in all, it's a good time.

Not this year.

The only thing that didn't change was the fact that the Mardi Gras princesses and queen were pretty and young. The rest of it was very lame.

The biggest mistake, I think, was the fact that they wanted us to be set up and ready by 8:30 PM, but at 8:30 PM they were still involved with the princess presentations. It's like they just magically wanted us to *POOF* be ready to play. Usually, for a gig, Don sets up everything well ahead of time so all we have to do is show up and get our sections organized. This time, we weren't allowed to do that. So people were making comments about WHY wasn't the band ready already? God I hate that.

Another big mistake (at least for us) was the fact that they had two dance floors. They had us and they had a DJ in the courtyard. Usually, the "older folks" prefer our music and the "young un's" go for the DJ. This year, hardly anyone stayed to listen to us. In addition, they didn't have snacks for sale, meaning people showed up to see their kids, then left to go get something to eat and didn't come back.

As for myself, my skirt ripped so badly I had to turn my skirt sideways so people wouldn't get flashed in the rhythm section.

All in all, a very lame night.

I could have been sleeping. At least after the gig, I FINALLY got to go to a Waffle House (they're big in the South, and we're far enough south that we have one in Frederick) and have some down time with a few of the guys. It was another case of the day being saved by fried food. Can't beat it.

So there...a post about the gig, Ed. Hope you're happy!

A Long Awaited Blog Post About Nothing In Particular

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:07:00 +0000

I know I've been delinquent in writing...it's been crazy learning my new job and all. I find that when I get home, I don't have the energy to write. Well, today I have the energy and am going to write a little bit about a lot of things.

First of all, I wonder what Chris Brown had done to Rihanna before he actually put his fists to her. Usually, abuse starts slowly...isolation, verbal and psychological abuse are present before the first physical blow is struck. I hope whoever leaked that picture got a decent payoff because they aren't going to have a job anymore.

Secondly, the weather here has been up and down a lot. Today it's sunny, but chilly when the wind kicks up. I can't wait for spring, but I can wait for the crowds at cherry blossom time. Yuk...I dread those crowds.

The job is slowly gelling together. It's a challenge. That's all I can say, really. It's a challenge. (Wait a minute...I just said that.)

I got to see my mom a few weeks ago, and right after that I got sick with an intestinal bug. Yuk. I'm having a hard time getting my energy back from that. I haven't sung in choir for a little while now, and this weekend will be no exception because I have a gig on Saturday that will run late and I KNOW I won't wake up in time for church on Sunday morning.

I turned 40 on February 9th. The world didn't catch on fire like I thought...just a nice, relatively uneventful birthday. We like those here at Rancho Sudiegirl.

So that's the skinny. Sorry it's so boring, but things will eventually come around.

What do you do...

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:37:00 +0000

when you're thankful for something in some ways, but not others?

Like my job, for instance. I'm very thankful for it in many ways, but not as thankful in others. My boss is a challenge to me, but is it a good or a bad challenge? I'm not sure.

I am thankful I have a job, though. I'll fight like hell to keep it.

In other news, my mom surprised me...she flew out to Philadelphia and is staying in Dover, Delaware for at least a week. I'll see her next weekend; sort of an early birthday present. I'm glad. It's been a while since I've seen dear Ma-ma in the flesh.

Weather has been a little warmer, which is a good thing.

What would you like to talk about, dear readers? Let me know in the comments.

Saying yes...

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:55:00 +0000

Just finished watching "Yes Man" (shhh...it was a bootleg...don't tell, 'k?) and it made me think a little bit.

The main character felt compelled to say yes to things because he was afraid of bad things happening if he didn't. So to him it was magical thinking.

I don't say "yes" to much either, because when you're bipolar, saying "yes" to too many things is a bit dangerous and then you over commit and then you get depressed because you can't do everything. Including run-on sentences.

But I'm going to try to be a little bit more positive about things, even if it kills me. Which it could easily do. (God...I'm just unable to leave the negativity alone, aren't I?)

Has anyone out there seen "Yes Man"? If so, what do you think about saying "Yes" to more things? Is it a good or bad idea?

First post of 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:25:00 +0000

I can't believe I am going to be 40 this year. Wow. This is the big one, folks.

(I realize that there are readers who are already 40 or older but this is the first time I've been 40 so cut me some slack...)

I'm not sure what direction to take this blog. More personal? The usual mishmash? Who knows? All I know is that my boss' unknown nickname is "Old Yeller" because she yells at me from across the hall to come to her office. I am being mega careful with respect to writing about work because this is a new job and I don't want to step on any toes or anything like that. In this day and age, I'm thankful to have a job and don't want to screw it up.

So on that note, I'm off in search of more topics.

Smooches!

In which our heroine is sick of looking at blue polo shirts

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:22:00 +0000

Yep, I had to work today, and that meant helping out the head admin with sorting blue polo shirts (both long and short sleeved) into various groupings.

I hate polo shirts now.

However, I like having a job so I sorted polo shirts.

Yesterday was a nice quiet Christmas day. D and I went to see "Doubt" (a very good movie; I highly recommend it) and then had Chinese food. Just the kind of day I wanted, and I like getting what I want. (Oh, no...I opened the door for the Mighty Dyckerson to come in and wreak havoc...oh well...)

But seriously...RIP to Eartha Kitt. Ed wrote a better tribute to her than I could so check him out on my side bar.

And have a safe weekend, y'all.

Another boring post - sorry, Dyckerson

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:23:00 +0000

Well, it's Christmas day and I'm typing this from my "lair".

Not much happening - D and I went to church last night and I forgot to eat before we started choir rehearsal. I almost passed out during my little solo! Duh...note to self-eat before choir.

Today, it's bright and sunny. Last night it was in the 50s with no rain (rain was predicted).

You might wonder why my posts are so boring...it's because I am holding back on writing about my family. This includes any forthcoming "Moment of Dad" posts. You see, I have some relatives that like to read this blog and mis-interpret what I say, then go out and tell all their friends in our backwater town that I'm crazy. I have enough problems, I don't need that because it hurts my mom and sister. So I'm stuck for topics to write about half the time.

If anyone has solutions to that, please provide them in the comments.

At any rate, merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sunday Smatterings

noreply@blogger.com (Sudiegirl) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:00:00 +0000

It's a chilly Sunday here in MD, and it supposed to get way cold tonight. Colder than usual, in fact. Bizarre, since at the beginning of the week it was 69 degrees.

I'm not sure why I'm stuck on things to write about now. I'm trying to be careful about writing about work since I work in a contracting position. I don't know what kinds of things will be coming across my desk and I want to be as careful as possible.

My family is doing well. It's funny, but since my dad passed, we've kind of rebuilt our family into something different. I guess it goes to show that you can surround yourself with caring people who aren't related to you, but still seem like "family". Sometimes God surprises us with "people gifts".

D and I are still together, and DD is out of the picture. Not really sad about it either. He's never going to change and that's probably why he'll remain single for the rest of his life. Just an old grouchy bachelor with a coke problem.

I haven't kept up with Hollyweird news in a while...perhaps I shall again, but maybe not. I've found that they don't really give a damn about what I think (can't imagine why) so why preach to the choir?

I am dreading the crowds for Inauguration Day...it's going to be crazy. A friend of mine was just named Deputy Chief of Staff for Michelle Obama, which means he'll be working as an admin assistant of sorts for when she travels to the North Central part of the U.S. I think that'd be a cool job. Very busy, but very cool. I asked him if he could do something about the crowds and he laughed at me. That wasn't very nice!

Anyway...not much more to say here. Again, have a happy holiday season and a fine '09!