Joy and happy times

I wish all a great year filled with happy laughter, love, growth and simple pleasures. It is your life so live it!

*costume change*

While the holidays have been a delightful distraction I still have the same worries and some new ones. I am able to resolve and problem solve my way out of some but see no answers for others. I shall have to don my
other super human outfit to battle my way along. Maybe a cat could help me out.


Hope your days have left you feeling happy. With the new year may I suggest that instead of New Years resolutions that fall by the wayside before the spring you chose instead to make lifestyle choices and commit to them.

Always be true to yourself.

A happy note

From my world to yours Happy Happy Joy Joy!!

The spirit

Happy EVE

Happy Christmas eve to all! I have some laid back plans with the boys for tonight as tomorrow will be tense for me. We are spending five and a half long hours with my parents, one brother and his wife. The reason is simple, the boys want to therefore I buck up. It's very hard for me since there was never a hashing out of the whole "shun Marta" crap and I am a different person than they knew. I have had so many experiences that have changed and shaped me. They also would not understand or approve of my choices in lifestyle. For folks that raised me to not see color, sex, religion but just the person they are very judgmental. I guess what has to happen (again) for those who came in late, is I have to come out of the closet yet again. Hello, my name is Marta, I am a bisexual.

This will be the first year in four that I wont spend Christmas Eve with my ex-life partner's family. Since they helped me move last Spring they have had a lot of life changes that have kept them (all) busy. We lost touch. I hope the reason I'm not invited is they have made up with Big Man. It is his family and they should work it out. He has lots of explaining and begging of forgiveness but he can suck up.

If you are looking for something to do Christmas night and are in the Portland area come on down to Comedy Sportz for the Christmas ProAm show. Rumor has it this is the last ProAm. A ProAm is folks from the regular or Pro team and folks from the Farm team mixed in together for a show. It will be played like a regular Comedy Sportz show. The line up I have heard so far is pretty darn good. On sound is Les, with Ken, Brooke, Chris (his last show as he is L.A. bound) and myself from Farm Team. Bill and Betse are the for sure's from the Pro Team. Check the link on this blog's side bar for info and directions. Come on down and do some laughing after all that family togetherness! Happy f'ing Christmas!

What's Your Pimp Name?

Your Pimp Name Is...

Diamond Shagswell

What's Your Pimp Name?

What Pattern is Your Brain?

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is a multi dimensional wonderland, with many layers. You're the type that always has multiple streams of though going. And you can keep these thoughts going at any time. You're very likely to be engaged in deep thought - and deep conversation.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

"Dude, wouldn't it be funny?. . . . ."

Last night there was a party in the Rec room in my building. It is located on my floor next door to the laundry room about 30- feet from my apartment. It felt like a strange party from the beginning as they papered over the glass on the door and the window in the laundry room. Others that have had parties haven't bothered. They even wrote a sign that said to stay in the party unless at the bathroom (next to Rec. room) or they will get kicked out. It got louder and louder with drunk people staggering in the hall talking loudly to each other and into cell phones. I guess they didn't read the sign.

I managed to stay up to the end of TNA but as soon as it was over at 11:30 I was out. I was having a interesting dream when I heard "screaming" and woke up. It was the buildings fire alarm screaming and lights flashing. The time was 12:10am. I didn't panic or take it seriously and neither did Nick. He went out in the hall (halfway to Rec. room) at the elevator and he could see the fire alarm had been pulled. He said some party goer's with open containers were laughing and trying to get out of each others way to the stairs to leave. I don't see the humor in that type of prank - ever.

We got our coats and I put on slippers to go out into the cold. The noise was ear piercing. The party goer's scattered some literally running into the cold night. We live three blocks from the fire station so it was within minutes they arrived. We do have a few families with smaller children that live in the building. They were scared and cold. Nick told me as the firemen arrived I should tell them the alarm had been pulled on our floor. He said otherwise it would be hours before we could go back in. He was looking at the two little kids that were crying and shivering. I walked into the lobby and told the closest fireman about the pulled alarm and the coincidently there had been a party on that same floor. They looked pissed off (do you blame them?) and they split up going up the two stairwells while two remained trying to get the alarm to stop. We were back in the building in less than 15 minutes. The fireman didn't leave for about an hour. They had the hook and ladder truck parked on the street in front of the building. I could hear the engine and see the lights flashing.

BTW the two gals that had been having the party had been the very last people out of the building. They changed out of their party clothes into their "pajamas" but still had full makeup on. They looked and acted sooo guilty but were claiming the party had been over and they were in their apartment relaxing. Nick said after we got let back in the building and he checked our place (man of the house securing the place) he went out in the hall and same said gals were hauling all the party goods out of the Rec. room not looking very relaxed. It will be interesting to hear if there is more to this story.

Me too, Bron!

You're Brigitte Bardot!


What Classic Pin-Up Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Intimate walk

Dont you throw that snowball!

OH! You are in such trouble!

For Bron "Diverse"

A bit of my world

I stole this from Danielle who had Stolen from Deb

10 Random Things about Me…
* I only drink water roomtemperaturee - NO ICE
* I love the beach
* I forget what I need at the store if Idon'tt have a list
* I don'’t like people that play games
* I like to dance anywhere
* I love to read
* I have killed spiders and flying stinging insects all by myself
* I am drawn to girlie stuff
* I love my trolley
* I tend to sing in the car


9 Places I'’ve been….
* Mexico
* Canada
* New York
* California
* Nevada
* Boston
* Washington
* Top of mountain
* Disneyland

8 Ways to Win My Heart….
* Let me know what you are thinking
* Plan time just for us
* Remember the little things I say
* Be yourself
* Surprise me with things from the heart (and hand)
* Be willing to explore new things freely
* Let me be myself and except me
* Show me what is important to you

7 Things To Do Before I Die….
* Surf
* Graduate from college
* Travel to places I have always wanted to see
* Live in San Francisco again
* Pay off all my debts
* Feel I made a difference with my sons
* Know who my father is

6 Things I'’m Afraid of….
* Not being able to support my boys
* People that take revenge
* Dying alone
* World leaders killing all of us in their macho game of world domination
* People that take things and loved ones from you


5 Things I don'’t like….
* Selfish behavior
* Bad coffee
* Being Stalked
* Lazy excuses
* Mean people

4 Ways to Turn Me Off….
* Only care about the outside package
* Scheming
* Putting everybody else down
* High Mateniance behavior


3 Things I Do Everyday….
* Talk to and text D.B.
* Smile at the simple things in my world
* Hear music


2 Things That Make Me Happy….
* A hug from my kids
* A moment to knit

1 Thing on My Mind, RIGHT NOW….
* Taking care of me and mine in my world

Things don't always work out

This morning I am feeling like someone is watching over me. The morning commute is the first really icy one that has people spinning tires and sliding into places they didn't intend to. I am at home, cozy in sweaties feeling smug. The area I would have to drive to is having road closures and more stopped that going traffic.
*Thank you*

I have wanted Deeg to stop by for some time but when he is here we are heading out somewhere and have no time. (he tends to run a bit behind the rest of the world) I felt that some of my electronics were not hooked up correctly and I wanted my tape player hooked up. I have a lot of tapes including almost all my Christmas music. Last night when Nick and I were walking our 'hood doing errands Deeg texted me and said he would come by and go to 50 cent taco night with me! We headed home and Deeg soon arrived.

The speakers were in the wrong slots and the connection to one was out. I had to find a cutting tool and we fixed that. We got the VCR hooked up "better" (Wil didn't do it wrong - just different), and got the radio antenna plugged in to the tuner. The tape player was a bitch to get working! It was on and playing but not coming through the speakers. Part of the problem was the speakers so we fixed that but it still couldn't be heard. It had been working at the old apartment so we kept trying things. Finally the only thing that would work was to run it through the wrong jacks. SUCCESS! Now all my entertainment center works.

We messed with all that for 35-45 minutes. It was sometime right after 6pm and time for tacos! Nobby Tavern has 50 cent taco night every Monday during football season. I enjoy this tasty ritual but have not made the four block trek this year until last night. We had a good time hanging out and savoring our build your own tacos. The lesbian waitress was flirting with me but as much as I enjoyed that she wasn't my "type". Deeg had to work today so he headed home around 8 and I prepared for RAW.

It was nice to stay up and watch RAW with my guys. I got all cozy in my bed and they came in and watched with me. When Nick went to bed at 10 and Wil went to play computer but asked me to call him in if/when they announced who the new GM of RAW is. I'm sure you have guessed by now that I soon fell asleep and missed the rest. That's okay, I had a nice night.

As much as I disliked the (temp) job I did enjoy getting a steady paycheck. I'm hoping I can find a temp job to get me to January or, dare I say it, a real job? I am all over it! I also hope to catch up on the tasks in life that are overlooked. See ya!

Eek!

We are finding out at the (temp) job that come Wednesday we are probably on break til after the first of the year.

Um, today was it for temps til Jan 2nd or 3rd. Gosh I hope the other temp job I interviewed for on Friday pans out. :)

The time of year

This is the time of year where most people lose their perspective in a big way. We think too much about the meaning of things (that we shouldn't) , we angst over what to get as presents and whom to get them for, to send cards or not and generally spend too much money we don't have to be spending. Media and retailers hype this even more.

I don't think any of us should expect to get presents but be delightfully surprised if we get one. The first thought in our head should not be *I didn't get something/as nice for (blank)! I have to go do this NOW!* Rather it should be some happy noises and/or body contact depending on the person/situation.

The same can be said for Christmas cards. They are not a duty but should be sent if you choose. During my marriage things had to be done all proper "Miss Manners" like. The Christmas card list was just under 100 mailed out with another 20-30 handed or with presents/fudge/cookies (in tins). I have chosen not to send cards the last four years.

Now for presents. There is such a thing as the perfect present AND it doesn't have to cost a lot but it can. When picking a present you should really think about the recipient. What is important in their world? What are their hobbies? Is there an activity they would like to do more but cant? Make something because you can not because you have to. I love handmade gifts. Most people don't like to give certificates but the rest of us would love to receive them especially if the person acknowledge something that is important or special to us. I don't consider it a cop out. Here is one example of one that might be good.
~ You know someone that likes to go to the movies but cant afford it. Get them gift certificates from a Theatre and include a hand made one or two that state you will drive and go with or make dinner before the movie. That personalizes it.

I myself don't consider practical gifts an insult. If you listened to things I said I needed or wanted in everyday conversation and got it for me I would love it! It is probably something I would get a lot of use out of but for whatever reason I don't get it for myself. Things like an electric blanket or new "cool" alarm clock will remind the recipient of you all year long.

Give presents because you want to period. This is not the time of year for guilt and going into debt but rather for being thankful for the people in your life. Enjoy the simple things all around you and smile.

Things that make you go HUH?

There are random things I read and hear that make me wonder about folks. Here are a few to share before I make the best of a semi day off. (I went in at 7am and was sent home at 8:15)

~ Making a call at work earlier this week I asked the receptionist for the lead and she replied "Honey, he hasn't worked here for years and years!! In fact he is dead! Have a nice day!"

~ A guy was quoted as saying to "Love laws that bombed". "Before we moved in together, I negotiated a deal with my girlfriend that allowed us each to have one fling a year. It sounded like a kick-ass plan, until she acted on it. So much for my bright idea.

~ A co-worker was heard saying this as the temps filed out the door to a free day. "God, that is so unfair! They should have known to send me home first since I was out partying all night!"

~ On the news this morning there was a story of a drunk man stealing 18 christmas trees from a nicer neighborhood store then going through same hood selling them for half price. They had the name of the store on all the trees. He sold four trees before police caught up with him.

~ "How to Get Control on Crazy Days".

A Quiet Place

Glitter snow

I will still be standing

Big kitty to cat

I would like to say thank you to a calm, straight forward voice of reason that brought me back to reality in my world. I have had a bit of trouble seeing things straight in my world. Too many things happening at once I didn't have time to sort through and deal with. I was missing things right in front of me so they were pointed out to me as well as some nice words.

One of the things pointed out to me is that I have the knack to see when things aren't working and taking the radical approach to fix things. I also, in seeing what needs done, keep going forward as much as possible with a positive attitude. I know laying in my bed crying will not solve my worries. I do cry but a long time ago I learned you need to release you fears and pain but don't let it engulf you. I remember living in my cute double studio aching over the whole mess that had just gone down with Big Man then Sassy. I was in the kitchen in the early evening cleaning the kitchen with music playing crying my heart out. I released my pain while doing my chore. It sounds weird to read but it felt good to let go of some great pain and positively getting my chore done.

It was nice to hear that I am amazing. I have had so much happen to me that most people couldn't handle period much less with a smidgen of positive attitude. That was a nice complement I accept it and thank you. Yes, I am still standing.

The thought that really helped me most in my conversation was I am not afraid to take the problem head on in a radical manner to get back on the right track. Sometimes there is no need to go that far. If it's not broken don't fix it. I can see clearly now and will take it as it comes and take any action necessary according to the situation. I don't have to be a super hero and go to extremes to solve everything but I have shown over and over that I can.