Yeah, yeah, I'm still here...

There have been some Thursday Thirteens going around the blogosphere, but since today is Friday, I'll give you my Friday Fourteen, in no particular order:

1. Work is crazier the usual. One of my Account Managers, The Golden Boy, has turned in his resignation, so I'm scrambling to fill his position but it's getting pretty difficult to find competent people. Our current Temp Receptionist would be fabulous as an Account Manager, but she's moving in the Fall - grrrr. My other Account Manager is "temp to hire" and her error ratio is still pretty high after four months - I mean this is basic "secretary 101" stuff - so I need to decide to continue to invest time and training or start over. The other Account Manager, The Busybody, who was hired about six months after I was has always hated that I got promoted and became her boss. She's been griping about her pay raise (and she got the highest percentage out of the whole team - including myself!) Gah!

2. We are in full production mode with rehearsals, etc. for a Rock Opera we're putting on in June based on the American Civil War. We have a cast of approximately 40. We put on this production about four years ago and I was dreading trying on the old costume - but I have good news, it still fits! I'll try and get a photo this weekend.

3. I've started back to the gym. It was just over a year ago that I passed out in my aerobics class - due to blood loss and severe anemia - thus bringing to the fore the downward spiral my health was taking. I want to take two or three days off work and tack on a weekend and do a "Biggest Looser" type of camp to try and jump start my weight loss. It's hard writing this on the blog but, I want to get below 200 pounds. I know it's not really the numbers, but how you feel and how clothes fit, etc. but there's just something about crossing a particular line. I've been hovering just above 200 for years, unable to break through that barrier, so to speak - that to get below it would be a big boost.

4. Speaking of gyms, I don't understand why people circle the parking lot looking for a parking place close to the door.

5. Speaking of health - I'm having issues again. Gall stones this time, along with my continuing digestive issues. I had a really bad attack in Chevy's last week and nearly ended up in the Emergency Room. I went to my primary doc at Kaiser and all she did was prescribe meds - once again treating the symptoms and not finding the cause. The next morning I went to my Chiropractor, who is also a Clinical Dietitian, and he spent over an hour mapping out a strategy for diet, determining food allergies and eating for my blood type. I've since changed my primary doc and will be meeting with him next week to determine what to do about the Stones of Gall.

6. Looks like I need to become a chicken/turkey vegetarian. I need to cut out all red meats and learn to like fish. Major life changes, but I'm ready.

7. What's with all the socks on the knitting blogs these days. There's even rumors that Bron may be going over to the dark side, "just to say [she] did." That's what they all say and then they get sucked in - be afraid Bron, be very afraid. By the way, I have a book of crochet sock patterns if you want it.

8. I haven't knit a stitch or beaded a bead in so long that I am going through serious crafting withdrawals. I really need some fiber therapy. I am just one sleeve away from finishing the Marcella Jacket - one sleeve! And it will most likely be too warm to wear once finished.

9. I am so behind on my crafty obligations, it's not funny - it's sad. I need to make Kathy a bracelet that was swapped for some lovely Noro Yarn - have no fear Kathy, you will receive a hand-beaded Knitti-me original sometime soon. My friend Cassandra is due some kitty cat earrings for her birthday and my friend Melony's birthday is coming up. And the outstanding obligation I am most ashamed of is my Secret Pal Colette. I owe her big time. I have all the parts of her final package, but I have to get them all in one place, packaged up and sent out.

10. I was standing in line at Pep Boys last night, waiting to pick up my car, when the woman in front of me came over and said, "You are so pretty." I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing and I said, "Pardon me." And she said, "I just wanted to tell you that you are pretty." I was speechless. I think I babbled my thanks, but it was really disconcerting. (And it wasn't any sort of come on either.) I am so focused on what I dislike about myself, that I have a hard time believing people when they say complimentary things about me. Especially with my husband, he will say I'm beautiful or something and I think - he's just saying that 'cause he want to get some...but perhaps he really means it. I don't know...

11. Have I mentioned I love my iPod? However, I am finding that I am going through the "we have 500 channels and there's nothing to watch on TV" syndrome. I currently have 3,267 songs downloaded on my iPod - you'd think I'd find something to listen to. And really I do. I'm having fun setting up themed playlists. I have a knitti-mix with songs that begin with the first letter of Knitti-me. Anyway, I've been talking with Golden Boy at work, who has over 10,000 on his device and we're compiling our "desert island mix." The premise is if I were stranded on a desert island and had only 50 songs (or 20 albums) to listen to for the next five years, when I finally get rescued, what would those 50 songs be.

12. Reality TV is going strong. So glad the hippies didn't get eliminated from The Amazing Race. Poor Bruce on Survivor. Shane is such a drama queen - but so entertaining - and put some clothes on! American Idol is heating up - getting really tired of Pickler's ditsy act. Glad Elliott is getting some help with his hair - he looked like a monk at the beginning, all that was missing was a brown robe. Saw Paula Abdul on Jay Leno and she was really out of it - blasted.

13. Got my daughter (and husband too, but he won't admit it) hooked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We're working through Season 4 right now.

14. Wow, this was harder than I thought it would be. But was nice to get it all down. So in summary, I am way too busy for my own good. However, I am making really positive choices and changes regarding my health and am in general feeling and doing so much better. Oh, and I think I need a personal assistant.

Comments

[Bron]

Naw, girlfriend - I'm just screwin' with people's heads. I won't be making any socks any time soon! hehe

Add my "Yay!" to the Hippies & my "darn it!" to Bruce. We love our reality TV too. :::Grin:::

You know how I avoid iPod woes? I only have an itty, bitty 35 song mp3 player. (Yep - I'm pitiful! - my kids have Nanos!)

And you ARE way, WAY pretty - believe it!

[Im Chele In [dot] LA]

Over from the other Michele's....
I have to check out this Thursday 13......

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

Yeah on the aerobics and weight loss! I'm headed for the same goal. For me that was my pre-accident of 2000 weight and I felt pretty darn good so that's why that is also my goal. In a year I'm half way there. It's been slow, but I think it might actually be a darn good life-change rather than the dreaded "D" word or that. Best of luck!

[DebR]

I adore the hippie guys on Amazing Race. So glad they're still in it! And I think BtVS is one of the best shows ever.

Here today from Michele's.

[maggie]

Have a great weekend.
Via Michele
MAggie

[Aimee Roo]

Hello! Michele sent me.

Have a good Earth Day tomorrow!

[srp]

Here from Michele.
So busy you are. My mom knits. She is currently working on a ganzie(spelling ?) sweater. She did a pair of socks for my daughter out of the computer dyed yarn that makes stripes automatically.
Hope your work situation straightens out.
Have a good weekend.

[Mike]

I have also recently joined a gym. I hope to drop about 30 pounds

Michele sent me.

[Kathy]

I was a Poultry/Fishatarian for a while back in the late 80s, and then a full-fledged vegetarian for about 10 minutes in the 90s. Um...good luck to you if you're a total carnivore like I am. :) And fish is really tasty! Seriously! Start out with mild stuff, like tilapia. Try swordfish, which doesn't really taste like fish at all.

I was wondering why you weren't blogging as often...and now I know...you're much too busy for one human bean!

[elaine]

Good luck on the exercise regime and food plan ( I prefer that term versus "diet" - it has the word "die" in it afterall ). I've been doing five meals a day of very lean proteins, a few complex carbs (rice, brown rice, sweet potatoes, rice noodles, oatmeal) and lots of vegies and water! You can do it!

[Pamela]

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with your health. I know from bitter experience that it can be very difficult to deal with chronic health problems.

You are very pretty, by the way, so don't be surprised when another complete stranger tells you so ;)