the Ipod Meme

the game : ipod meme
Stolen from: Girl Gone Great
The Rules: Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question. NO CHEATING.

How does the world see you?
"A Natural Woman" Carole King

Will I have a happy life?
"hypnotise" White Stripes

What do my friends really think of me?
"Dr. King" Mason Jennings

How can I make myself happy?
"Let's Go" Tufts Beelzebulbs

What should I do with my life?
"hope" Bob Rice

Will I ever have children?
"Blood of Eden" Peter Gabriel

What is some good advice for me?
"I don't know how to love him" Jesus Christ Superstar

How will I be remembered?
"Are you strong enough to be my man" Dixie Chicks

What is my signature dancing song?
"My Town" The Samples

What do I think my current theme song is?
"Different by the Same" Ben Kweller

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
"Some Say I'm Not" Mason Jennings

What song will play at my funeral?
"Spoon" Dave Matthews Band

What type of men/women do you like?
Men: "I'd Be a Happy Man" Bob Rice
Women: "Heaven" Better than Ezra

What is my day going to be like?
"Collide" Howie Day

Now: You play.

London Bridges Falling Down....

Ok, so I don't work next to the London Bridge, but i do live next to the old Back Bay Post Office... They have recently, temporarily, relocated down the street from Claredon to the building in which Souper Salad is housed.

The old building is about oh, at most 50 feet from my window and is currently being torn down to build a new, 32 story high office space - because God knows we need more of those around. Our 4 story building is going to be huddled under the cover of all the sky scrapers around. Our building is quite old, and i am sure it can really handle the destruction so close.

The destruction occurs every so often. Randomly one might even say. Like today for instance, started at 8:30 and they seem to be done as of 9:00. Yesterday, they were going at 2:00 and finished around 4:00. WHO KNOWS. Also yesterday they started jackhammering under my window.

I CAN'T CONCENTRATE!

Update at 9:28 - they have started again. Whoopie!

Update: 1/18/07 at 8:49 am - they have started to knock down the wall closest to me. It has bricks, they are flying off towards my building. If i die, tell my imaginary cat that i love it.

ashamed to admit it...

Last night, i was watching the Real World. Yes, I watched it, willingly, before bed. Partially because i am awed by the sheer insanity of it and partially because they were in Colorado working with a program called Outward Bound and I thought it was really neat. I got to thinking about it and all the things the cast of Real World were doing, like rock climbing, belaying and hiking and I got all excited about all the things i want to do. And then i thought about why i wasn't doing them now, and realized its because i have been so ashamed of who i am and what i look like that i didn't want to trust anyone else to let me do the things i have always kinda deep down inside wanted to do. I realized that this whole weight loss thing will be more then just a smaller me, but a chance for me to feel comfortable with who I am, and do the things i really want to do, like go backpacking again, go hiking, go rock climbing and mountain biking.


Thanks Real World for actually doing something helpful for a change. :)

headache

i've been getting bad headaches for the past few days. today, currently, i was whining to Mr. X (a co-worker) about my head aches. He goes through a huge list of what it could be from tumors to anuresims.

Then he says:

Maybe you're like Spongebob and have Plankton in your brain.

Yes, Mr. X, that's it. I have Plankton in my brain.

Renewal.

It inevitably happens each new year. Everyone decides to make new resolutions, new goals for the year, promises to themselves to become better. I, am no different. Except for the fact that I posted my resolutions, meaning people have read them, therefore know what they are. I have a little network of accountability partners set right in to my daily life, and i can honestly say without them, i doubt i could even pretend to get anywhere. Some may find that annoying, but for me, every person who says, did you really eat that whole cookie today or how's the guitar going is helping me. So, thank you.

On that note, i haven't picked up the guitar in a few days. I got busy and stressed about the death of my love, my mac. My dearest mac passed in the night of Thursday, January 4th while i was asleep. It's hard drive fell in to a deep coma, and is cannot be revived. Mac will be greatly missed by Suzi and her nightstand, as well as her Internet addiction. Nothing better to help an addict then to cut them off at the source. Perhaps with this newly freed time, i can actually work on the guitar thing. I have decided that once i start to budget, i will take a few lessons to get me in to it. Perhaps once every two weeks or something.

I have also decided to try and limit the amount of time i spend going out to eat. I think that is where most of my money goes. So, i will now limit that... that helps me learn how to cook, so it's great for me. Sucks for all my friends who are too lazy to come out to Somerville.

Health note: I joined the National Body Challenge. I get a free 8 week membership to Bally's as well as fitness tips and nutritional guidelines. I think that plus WW will make an excellent combo, and boost me to where i want to be - lighter.

I registered for classes, so i am well on my way for nursing school. Get those pre-reqs out of the way and then start applying. Does anyone want to volunteer to take my GRE's for me?

Traci had her baby, and i am now officially a Godmother. The strange thing, i am SO proud and excited. It feels almost like i had the kid, and am showing him for her. Also, i have been having major mommy pangs. Its just no good at all. Every where I go, i see babies, and i want one. Well, perhaps, i want the whole package. I dunno.

Anyways.

Please meet baby Gabriel Michael, born January 3rd, 6:31pm.

He is 5 pounds, 11oz and 18inches.

That's all for now. I'll get more regular again. Well, hopefully. My dear heterosexual life partner Kayla is letting me borrow her dear mac. i will be back on again :)

Happy New Year!

Happy 2007! Hope you all had a fantastic New Years Eve and New Years Day!
Isn't it funny to think 7 years ago was Y2K and we all were warned of the end of the world? 7 years ago i was in the spring semester of my junior year of high school - it was one of the hardest years of my life, that i remember. Lots of emotional issues and family events that year. But i got past it and am here now :)

Last year i actually sat down and wrote out resolutions. Upon reflection, i realized that i honestly kept to most of them. There were one or two that i just went overboard with, but i think this year will be better. I decided to put some of them up, for accountability reasons. You have all been great so far supporting me and i hope it continues.


1. To continue working on my weight. (i am not allowed to quit WW).
2. To figure out a budget for the up coming year.
3. To join a gym OR follow a strict home regimen of work including yoga and resistant bands.
4. To pray more often (perhaps learn to be comfortable praying out loud).
5. To learn how to play the guitar (i've had this thing for 5 years, it's about time i play it).
6. To keep in better contact with friends farther away (this includes visiting far - away friends).
7. To volunteer more.
8. To meet new people (perhaps join a new group or something).
9. To read more (newspapers count).
10. To take more pictures.


Alright. I am off to work on resolution number 5. I've got my "guitar for dummies" book and i've already emailed someone about lessons. Perhaps i'll be able to sing worship songs with guitar soon (one of my little wishes).

Interactive posts, how i love these!

To see 2 important American Icons go.

Former President
Gerald Ford and
Music Legend
James Brown
have passed.


Who will be the third?



Interactive blog time :)




Who do you think is next?





Here's what Matty in the Morning thinks: http://www.kiss108.com/pages/Matty.html

WONDERFUL

Health officials puzzled by whooping cough outbreak

December 26, 2006

BOSTON --What city health officials at first thought was an outbreak of whooping cough among employees at Children's Hospital Boston may have been something else entirely.

But exactly what is still in question.

It started when a 19-month-old patient came down with the classic symptoms of whooping cough, a respiratory disease also known as pertussis. Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, slight fever, and mild cough, which can develop into a violent and persistent cough.

A laboratory test confirmed he had the disease.

Three dozen hospital employees and one other patient tested positive for whooping cough from late September through early November.

But further testing, different from the initial tests, could find little evidence of the highly contagious bacteria. Now no one can say for sure what made the workers sick, but pertussis hasn't been ruled out.

Federal and state health officials joined the city in trying to figure out exactly what ailed the workers, all of whom recovered.

The Children's Hospital cases were at first confirmed through a test called polymerase chain reaction, or PCR.

Based on the tests, Children's moved to contain the outbreak.

"Children's, much like we do at the local health department, really relies on laboratory tests to guide us on what the diagnosis is, especially illnesses that can look like a lot of different things," said Dr. Anita Barry of the Boston Public Health Commission. "Having accurate test results early on, particularly when they're consistent with the clinical symptoms, really launches us into control steps."

State lab workers then performed other tests, including the laborious task of culturing samples and taking blood samples from hospital workers.

The additional tests were almost uniformly negative for pertussis.

Samples were sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

"The results were inconclusive," said Dr. Amanda Cohn, a medical epidemiologist for the federal agency.

There are competing theories, ranging from a cold virus to a bacterial relative of pertussis to the virus that causes the condition commonly known as walking pneumonia.

It's unlikely that the causes of all the respiratory illnesses will ever be fully known.

"What I can say is that whatever it was, it went away," Barry said. "And that's the good news."

------

Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe

Minor Breakdown...

I guess I've been pretending too much to be much stronger then I actually am. It helps, the outward appearence, to pretend to look like you can handle anything, that it doesn't matter if a guy doesn't look your way or return your feelings, it doesn't matter that you're spending the holidays not with your family (I mean sure, mine family is crap, but still...), it doesn't matter that all these things rolled in to one person may eventually lead them to crash.

But it does matter, cause i did crash. I had a minor breakdown in the truck.

After a wonderful weekend in NYC and a few days upstate relaxing, Patterson was driving me to the bus station. As we were driving, i was thinking about how great he's been, how nice the christmas lights on the streets around look, and then i realize that we're almost to my dad's exit. Which is when for some reason, i started to get really sad. I started to get angry that i was being driving to a bus station on Christmas Eve, only to spend Christmas Day working. I started to cry just as Patterson asked me what my favorite part of the weekend had been. Then i just let it all out, i just was overcome with emotion and just bawled. I bawled for the fact that i didn't have a christmas tree, had no one to spend the day with, that Patterson's mom had told me she loved me, that it's been years since my own family had told me that they loved me - so many things just racing through my head all in a time span of exit 11 to exit 9. Patterson then promptly turned the truck around and fueled my silly christmas desire to look at christmas lights in neighborhoods. Of course we got a little lost in the neighborhood, but that's fine.

I guess some how i need to learn to let go of all the issues that i carrying around with me. Some how, years later the lack of christmas tradition still wears so very thin on me and i wish that i could some how recreate it. I want christmas lights on the house, i want christmas trees and candles in every window. I want family to all come over and enjoy cookies that i've made with friends and family. Then i want to go to church with loved ones (eventually this will include my adorable children who will be wearing beautiful christmas dresses with big bows and the boys will have vests and bow ties). I want christmas day to be filled with laughter and joy, even if everyone doesn't get what they want. I also want snow.

Maybe i want the impossible, the improbable, the unlikely. Maybe much of what i am looking for in life is impossible. Maybe there no one out there for me, maybe there isn't a future with kids, maybe i am not meant to be a nurse, maybe i will never have a christmas like the one i want, but i can atleast wish right? A girl can always continue to wish for good things?

Usually, i don't post song lyrics on this but here goes:

Stand - Rascal Flats - Me and My Gang

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless
Like you've lost your fight
But you'll be alright

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause its all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand,
Then you stand

Life's like a novel
With the end ripped out
The edge of a canyon
With only one way down
Take what you're given before its gone
Start holding on, keep holding on

Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place
Ooohhh

the next few days....

So, i am getting very excited (although, still sick) about going to NYC tomorrow and spending the whole day in lovely NYC. Lots of walking to be had, lots of excitement and wonderfulness.

The plan is to get to South Station for a 2 am bus to NYC. Then meet Patterson and the gang at Penn station (where i can luckily check my bag). Then we're off to the WTC, Empire State Building, FAO Schwartz (they put in a new piano!!), the three story Old Navy, Rockefeller Center (not quite sure how to spell that) and whatever else, and then top the evening off with my first viewing of the NYC version of Rent. I've only seen it in Boston. I am very very excited, yet because i am not 100% well, this will be interesting. I cough a lot and have to catch my breath, so I might be the slow kid, unfortunately. When we're done in NYC, i am taking the train to Albany to spend a day with Patterson then taking the bus back to Boston so i can hopefully work on Christmas Day. We'll see how i feel and if there are any diagnoses.

I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas weekend. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night :)


PS does any one else find the Celine Dion commercial, where she is singing under the tree kinda creepy. I mean, i just don't feel the need for her to be there. But whatever, someone must like the commercial.

update: Here's a picture from the trip. It's me, Patterson, Val and Kevin in Times Square.

copied from AdoptaMicrobe.blogspot.com

Bordetella pertussis

Hello.
You can call me B. pertussis.
I'm a Gram Negative bacteria.
I am spread to people by respiratory droplets.
I cause whooping cough, which can be highly fatal in infants.

How do I do this?
I get into the throat and make toxins.
First I give you a cough, then your throat swells up.
If it swells up enough, it can block your airway, giving your breathing a "whooping" sound.

____________________________________

I'm kinda used to being sick. It happens a lot, I know that, my friends know that, everyone knows that. And i only stay out of work when it will affect my co-workers or those i work with. But this time, it blows. Usually, i feel better with in a few days. This is going on day 6 of feeling run down, but the worst part - is my inability to breathe. There is this heavy weight on my chest so that when i try to take a normal breath all i do is choke and then cough up something green. Lovely, i know. It just really sucks. Really, really sucks. I hate it.

It's also possible that i might not be able to go to NYC with Patterson and friends. Which totally sucks. I have been looking for this all month, and now its going to be lost to a dumb cough.

I have no idea how work is going because I can barely talk, and usually its around 2 in the after when i can speak and no one is sitting at their desk.

The doctor isn't quite sure what is going on. It's possibly some normal bronchitis, pneumonia, or wonderful whooping cough. All which can be taken care of by anti-biotics. But, the chest x-ray they took was a little off, so the doctor and the radiologist are going over them today. Hopefully calling me to either tell me i'm dying or that i am 100% ok. Wonderful

I'm sorry to whine. It's a dumb little cough, but its making me angry. I encourage you all to send gifts, including new clothes, ipods and movies. Also read adoptamicrobe.blogspot.com and chart out which diseases i might get next.

its been too long...

So my lovely readers, i am afraid i have been preoccupied with other things. I have been working way too much lately and not having much of a life.

Saturday was our Christmas party at work. I had been feeling worn down, but still worked over 97 hours the past 2 weeks. We had an amazing Hanukkah party on Saturday night, at which I got a little too tipsy. I apparently went to sleep without saying good-bye to the boys. Shaun got me a very cute stuffed giardia and Jon got Marian and I a lovely box of chocolates. The next morning, Jon, Marian, Crimson and I made cookies for our Thursday night group. Marian and i were then tricked in to going to the 4 O'clock service. We expected both Jon and Crimson to come with, but we were abandoned at the T.

Today, i spent the day at home because i had a fever and i have no voice. It really sucks being sick a lot. I hate it. I spent most of the day sleeping after going to bed at 7 last night. I hope to feel better though because i am meeting Patterson and friends in NYC on Friday.

Tonight Marian and i watched TV in my room, cuddling on the bed. It's been nice, until Marian groped me. Literally reached over and caressed my right boob. Jumped right over the body pillow barrier made for a safer bed share and just rubbed it. Just like that. Wow. Roomates gone wild.

the true story: Marian was talking about scratch and sniff t-shirts, represented by the picture here (read the script on the t to find out why Marian was so interested in it). She was explaining how cool they were, yet how very inappropriate. She says "what are you supposed to do, just scratch and sniff, that's completely wrong!". But instead of leaving it at that, she decided it would be helpful to me, if she actually demonstrated this process, thankfully leaving out the sniff part.


Really, it has been a lovely night. I have been in bed all day and then got some action. I might just stay home more often. ;)

audience participation, please

I am writing this post for help.

Could you please tell me the difference between...


being in love loving someone

confession: i have other blogs

So, i use myspace and facebook to stay in touch with folks. On MySpace, i have been bloggin for a few years, however, i usually only reserve that blog for song lyrics that i find either suit how i feel that day or are particularly moving. I find the songs from Pandora Internet Radio, which i find truly one of the greatest internet radios. Pandora allows you to pick artists or songs that you really like and they will find similar, lesser known artists. I have found many a hidden jem through them.

Today, i found my newest favorite song, and felt the need to share it with everyone, not just on MySpace, but here too... 'cause its funny, clever, and hits me where i'm at.

I've been driving around town
With my head spinning around
Everywhere I look I see
Your '96 Jeep Cherokee

You're a bully and a clown
You made me cry and put me down
After all that I've been through
You'd think I'd hate the sight of you

But with every Jeep I see
My broken heart still skips a beat
I guess it's just my stupid luck
That all of Boston drives the same black fucking truck

It could be him or am I tripping
And I'm crashing into everything
And thinking about skipping town a while
Until these cars go out of style...

I try to see it in reverse
It makes the situation hundreds of times worse
When I wonder if it makes you want to cry
Every time you see a light blue Volvo driving by

So don't tell me if you're off to see the world
I know you won't get very far
Don't tell me if you get another girl baby
Just tell me if you get another car

It could be him... or am I tripping
It could be him...

The number of them is insane
Every exit's an ex-boyfriend memory lane
Every major street's a minor heart attack
I see a red Jeep and I want to paint it black

It could be him or am I tripping
And I'm crashing into everything
I can't wait till you trade the damn thing in
By then they will have put me in the looney bin

It could be him my heart is pounding
It's just no use, I'm surrounded
But one day I'll steal your car and switch the gears
And drive that Cherokee straight off its trail of tears

.thejeepsong.thedresdendolls.

my FAVORITE day of the year

Here comes Suzi Snowflake
Dressed in a snow white gown
Tap, tap, tappin' at your window pane
To tell you she's in town

Here comes Suzi Snowflake
Soon you will hear her say
"Come out ev'ryone and play with me
I haven't long to stay

If you want to make a snowman
I'll help you make one, two, three
If you wanna take a sleigh ride
The ride's on me."

Here comes Suzi Snowflake
Look at her tumblin' down
Bringing joy to every girl and boy
Suzi's come to town



I LOVE THE FIRST SNOWFALL. IT MAKES ME SMILE AND SO VERY HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!