As of yesterday, I officially accepted new position with Century Martial Arts in Midwest City. I'm joining their MAIA marketing team and am beyond excited about this opportunity! My new job will allow me to work with Web marketing, event planning, and numerous other areas.
During the past 48 hours, I've experienced a huge range of emotions -- elation, sadness, trepidation, pure terror, and nearly every feeling of happiness you can imagine. It's going to be a big change for me to leave the post-secondary world and transition to the corporate world, but I don't think I could ask for a better company.
I do plan to eventually move (probably sooner rather than later), but really haven't started to look for somewhere to live yet. I'll most likely commute for a short while, but ultimately, would prefer to find somewhere closer -- a nice neighborhood in MWC, OKC, Edmond, or Moore, would be my ultimate choice. If you live in the metro area and know of any houses for rent, especially one with a fenced yard, please let me know.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A Watched Pot...
We've all heard the adage that a watched pot never boils. Well, I have a new one to use instead. A listened for phone never rings. I'm waiting, not so patiently, on a phone call and my phone has not run with it yet today. It has rung a couple of times (and my BlackBerry and work phone went crazy all day), but not with the call that I'm waiting for...ring...please ring (but only if it's with good news)!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Bureaucracy at its Finest!
WONDERFUL NEWS for the state of Washington's neediest residents! They're each receiving an extra $1 -- yep, one whole, entire dollar -- this month!
The reason? By providing each resident who already is on welfare with a minimum of $1 towards energy assistance, the state can then ensure that residents receive approximately $30 per month in additional federal food stamp assistance.
So, in a horrendous economy, we're now going to spend $250,000 to make slightly more money for our residents? Yep, sounds like a government program to me!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29311565>1=43001
The reason? By providing each resident who already is on welfare with a minimum of $1 towards energy assistance, the state can then ensure that residents receive approximately $30 per month in additional federal food stamp assistance.
So, in a horrendous economy, we're now going to spend $250,000 to make slightly more money for our residents? Yep, sounds like a government program to me!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29311565>1=43001
Way to Care About Your Employees!
Microsoft apparently just laid off a decent portion of their workforce. As with almost all laid off workers, they were given severance packages.
Now, due to idiotic accounting errors, Microsoft is telling some of these laid off employees that they have to return part of their severance packages. Excuse me? What?
That's SO kind! Here, in a crap economy, you're out of a job, but we'll give you some money. Use it to live on until you can, hopefully, find a new job. Oopsie! Our mistake! You have to give some of it back!
Then, of course, add in that Microsoft can't even figure out their own software? That's quite ironic.
Read more about Microsoft's idiocy and inherent greed here:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-02-23-microsoft-layoffs_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Now, due to idiotic accounting errors, Microsoft is telling some of these laid off employees that they have to return part of their severance packages. Excuse me? What?
That's SO kind! Here, in a crap economy, you're out of a job, but we'll give you some money. Use it to live on until you can, hopefully, find a new job. Oopsie! Our mistake! You have to give some of it back!
Then, of course, add in that Microsoft can't even figure out their own software? That's quite ironic.
Read more about Microsoft's idiocy and inherent greed here:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-02-23-microsoft-layoffs_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Hood Ornaments
I finally broke down and went to the Mart of Darkness to get some groceries and other items this evening. My trip nearly ended in tragedy for a woman and her dog.
Due to the police having a car pulled over at the end of my street, I had to go around a back way to leave my house. As I was driving down a side street that I don't normally use, I realized that the street lights were not shining. No big deal, right? Wrong.
Just as I processed the thought that the street was pretty dark, a woman suddenly appeared just a few feet in front on me in the street. She was dressed head-to-toe in black (also had dark hair) and was walking down the street -- directly in the path of my car. I immediately hit the brakes to avoid hitting this previously unforseen woman when I realized that she was accompanied by a black dog...who was not on a leash. She lunged to grab her dog by the collar so that he would not be hit, either. I'm truly not sure how I avoided hitting either of them. I'm just thankful that I have good brakes.
This woman gave me the most hateful look that I've seen and I could tell that she thought that her near-accident was totally my fault. I don't know about everyone else, but I remember learning, long about second grade, that you should wear light-colored clothing when walking, especially at night. I also learned that you should walk off to one side of the street and, if you're taking your pet along with you, that he or she should ALWAYS be on a leash! Last but not least, I also learned that you should avoid streets that are not well lighted.
I'm very glad that I didn't hit this woman or her dog. I just hope that she learned a lesson and will take at least a few precautions from here on out.
Due to the police having a car pulled over at the end of my street, I had to go around a back way to leave my house. As I was driving down a side street that I don't normally use, I realized that the street lights were not shining. No big deal, right? Wrong.
Just as I processed the thought that the street was pretty dark, a woman suddenly appeared just a few feet in front on me in the street. She was dressed head-to-toe in black (also had dark hair) and was walking down the street -- directly in the path of my car. I immediately hit the brakes to avoid hitting this previously unforseen woman when I realized that she was accompanied by a black dog...who was not on a leash. She lunged to grab her dog by the collar so that he would not be hit, either. I'm truly not sure how I avoided hitting either of them. I'm just thankful that I have good brakes.
This woman gave me the most hateful look that I've seen and I could tell that she thought that her near-accident was totally my fault. I don't know about everyone else, but I remember learning, long about second grade, that you should wear light-colored clothing when walking, especially at night. I also learned that you should walk off to one side of the street and, if you're taking your pet along with you, that he or she should ALWAYS be on a leash! Last but not least, I also learned that you should avoid streets that are not well lighted.
I'm very glad that I didn't hit this woman or her dog. I just hope that she learned a lesson and will take at least a few precautions from here on out.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Making Me Feel Better
When life sucks, there are certain things that are guaranteed to make me feel better: hugs, kisses, time with loved ones, and as my mom knows, this:
My mom is amazing. She knows that I feel like I'm living in a snowglobe that someone has decided to shake as hard as possible and that things are super stressful for me right now. I walked out of a meeting yesterday and found this gorgeous, giant, and amazing smelling arrangement waiting on me. It made me cry, but also made me smile for the first time in several days. Thanks, Mom. You're the best.
My mom is amazing. She knows that I feel like I'm living in a snowglobe that someone has decided to shake as hard as possible and that things are super stressful for me right now. I walked out of a meeting yesterday and found this gorgeous, giant, and amazing smelling arrangement waiting on me. It made me cry, but also made me smile for the first time in several days. Thanks, Mom. You're the best.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Shameful Waste of Money
To be quite blunt and obvious, the economy sucks. The state of Oklahoma is facing a $600-$900 million budget shortfall for the upcoming year, which means that many state agencies are going to be facing massive budget cuts.
Putting aside the fact that I am employed by a state agency and have to wonder what these budget cuts may mean for me, I still was horrified by the following story that was released this afternoon on the Daily Oklahoman's Web site:
http://www.newsok.com/glenn-coffees-staff-members-receive-hefty-pay-raises/article/3346148?custom_click=headlines_widget
Glen Coffee, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem, has provided his staff members with raises ranging from 12-59 percent.
Let's think about this for a second: some state employees may be facing the loss of their jobs because of a lack of funds, Governor Henry wans to avoid tapping into the "Rainy Day Fund" (and I'm not getting into that here, but I don't think I agree with his stance on it) to cover the budget shortfall, and Senator Coffee offers his employees massive raises? Something's just NOT adding up to me. Those raises are funded through taxpayer money - that's money that I helped contribute. Instead of funding massive raises, that money could be used to help with education budgets, corrections budgets, roads/bridges, or so many other things. It's not enough money to make gigantic headway towards the deficit that we're facing, but when there are people laid off because of a lack of state funds, I'd like to see Senator Coffee explain his rationale to them when they're distraught and wondering how to feed their families. You know that won't happen. Instead, the greed of one man has chosen to line the pockets of a very few.
Maybe I'm doing something wrong, here. Maybe I should change my party affiliation and go to work for a Republican member of the Oklahoma legislature! Oh, wait...I have scruples and morals. It's a sure bet, though, that I'll be contacting Senator Coffee and expressing my disdain. I encourage all Oklahoma citizens to do the same:
Capitol Address
Senator Glenn Coffee
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 422
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405.521.5799
405.530.2304 (fax)
coffee@oksenate.gov
Putting aside the fact that I am employed by a state agency and have to wonder what these budget cuts may mean for me, I still was horrified by the following story that was released this afternoon on the Daily Oklahoman's Web site:
http://www.newsok.com/glenn-coffees-staff-members-receive-hefty-pay-raises/article/3346148?custom_click=headlines_widget
Glen Coffee, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem, has provided his staff members with raises ranging from 12-59 percent.
Let's think about this for a second: some state employees may be facing the loss of their jobs because of a lack of funds, Governor Henry wans to avoid tapping into the "Rainy Day Fund" (and I'm not getting into that here, but I don't think I agree with his stance on it) to cover the budget shortfall, and Senator Coffee offers his employees massive raises? Something's just NOT adding up to me. Those raises are funded through taxpayer money - that's money that I helped contribute. Instead of funding massive raises, that money could be used to help with education budgets, corrections budgets, roads/bridges, or so many other things. It's not enough money to make gigantic headway towards the deficit that we're facing, but when there are people laid off because of a lack of state funds, I'd like to see Senator Coffee explain his rationale to them when they're distraught and wondering how to feed their families. You know that won't happen. Instead, the greed of one man has chosen to line the pockets of a very few.
Maybe I'm doing something wrong, here. Maybe I should change my party affiliation and go to work for a Republican member of the Oklahoma legislature! Oh, wait...I have scruples and morals. It's a sure bet, though, that I'll be contacting Senator Coffee and expressing my disdain. I encourage all Oklahoma citizens to do the same:
Capitol Address
Senator Glenn Coffee
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 422
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405.521.5799
405.530.2304 (fax)
coffee@oksenate.gov
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tornado Alley
I grew up in Kansas, so you can basically say that I grew up in tornado alley. While I've lived my entire 30 years without actually seeing a tornado on the ground, I have seen the considerable damage that they can do. Even with seeing all of this damage, and knowing several people who lived in Greensburg and lost everything they owned, I didn't give tornadoes their due respect until this week.
I was in OKC in the House of Representatives Chambers at the State Capitol when the first tornado warnings were sounded earlier this week. Sure, it worried me a little, but at the time, I considered it more of an inconvenience than anything else - I knew these storms were going to keep me from getting home on time and that irritated me. In the end, we made it home, after multiple delays, basically no worse for the wear.
This evening, as I was watching the late news and seeing footage of the tornado that hit Lone Grove (part of the same storm that tore through this area), the reality of what I experienced on Tuesday and what I've always known, hit me: we sometimes take tornado warnings too lightly. Sure, we don't always need to panic when Gary England is yelling at us to take shelter, but I sometimes think that we need to look at the bigger picture. Just because we've never personally been hit doesn't mean that we won't be hit the next time. Just ask those people who lost everything in Lone Grive, or those in Greensburg, Picher, Moore, Andover, or anywhere else that has been hit.
I'm not an alarmist. When I was younger, I was terrified of tornadoes. Looking back, I can't say when that fear abated and I became jaded, but I think it was shortly after I weathered a tornado in Pratt in my best friend's basement. I think I lost my fear that evening when I heard that the hardest hit area of town was at Fifth and Jackson, right where I lived. Late that night when I got home, I didn't expect to find a house standing, but it was there, safe and sound, with the exception of needing a new roof from hail damage.
Perhaps it's time that I stand back and re-evaluate my stance on tornadoes. Just because I've been lucky this far doesn't mean that I'll always be lucky. It's just something to ponder.
I was in OKC in the House of Representatives Chambers at the State Capitol when the first tornado warnings were sounded earlier this week. Sure, it worried me a little, but at the time, I considered it more of an inconvenience than anything else - I knew these storms were going to keep me from getting home on time and that irritated me. In the end, we made it home, after multiple delays, basically no worse for the wear.
This evening, as I was watching the late news and seeing footage of the tornado that hit Lone Grove (part of the same storm that tore through this area), the reality of what I experienced on Tuesday and what I've always known, hit me: we sometimes take tornado warnings too lightly. Sure, we don't always need to panic when Gary England is yelling at us to take shelter, but I sometimes think that we need to look at the bigger picture. Just because we've never personally been hit doesn't mean that we won't be hit the next time. Just ask those people who lost everything in Lone Grive, or those in Greensburg, Picher, Moore, Andover, or anywhere else that has been hit.
I'm not an alarmist. When I was younger, I was terrified of tornadoes. Looking back, I can't say when that fear abated and I became jaded, but I think it was shortly after I weathered a tornado in Pratt in my best friend's basement. I think I lost my fear that evening when I heard that the hardest hit area of town was at Fifth and Jackson, right where I lived. Late that night when I got home, I didn't expect to find a house standing, but it was there, safe and sound, with the exception of needing a new roof from hail damage.
Perhaps it's time that I stand back and re-evaluate my stance on tornadoes. Just because I've been lucky this far doesn't mean that I'll always be lucky. It's just something to ponder.
Octuplets
There's a major debate going on in the media over whether we should feel pity or anger for/towards Nadya Suleman, the woman who gave birth to octuplets last month. Here's my take on the situation:
In some ways, I feel a great deal of pity. This woman is very obviously mentally ill; I'm sorry that she found a fruitcake of a doctor who implanted eight embryos in her uterus, rather than a doctor who would direct her to a mental health provider, which I truly believes she needs. I feel pity for this 14 children. I'm sure that she, in her own way, loves them, but will any of them ever receive enough attention? With that many children, any couple would be stretched thin, but as a single mother, it's pretty much a given that some of those children will be pushed aside in favor of others.
In other ways, I'm extremely angry. This woman already is receiving government assistance for her previous six children. I can only imagine that, not only with her assistance continue, but actually will increase with the addition of eight more. This moronic doctor took major risks with both the mother's health and the health of her children. He's giving good infertility specialists a bad name. I'm angry that she's set up a Web site to solicit donations.
Was this all done for publicity? Did she think that she'd be hailed as a wonderful mother? Did she think that she'd receive all sorts of free gifts and money? There's just something wrong about this entire situation.
In some ways, I feel a great deal of pity. This woman is very obviously mentally ill; I'm sorry that she found a fruitcake of a doctor who implanted eight embryos in her uterus, rather than a doctor who would direct her to a mental health provider, which I truly believes she needs. I feel pity for this 14 children. I'm sure that she, in her own way, loves them, but will any of them ever receive enough attention? With that many children, any couple would be stretched thin, but as a single mother, it's pretty much a given that some of those children will be pushed aside in favor of others.
In other ways, I'm extremely angry. This woman already is receiving government assistance for her previous six children. I can only imagine that, not only with her assistance continue, but actually will increase with the addition of eight more. This moronic doctor took major risks with both the mother's health and the health of her children. He's giving good infertility specialists a bad name. I'm angry that she's set up a Web site to solicit donations.
Was this all done for publicity? Did she think that she'd be hailed as a wonderful mother? Did she think that she'd receive all sorts of free gifts and money? There's just something wrong about this entire situation.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
My Princess
Tess, my sweet dog, has injured her back again and is absolutely miserable. I, in turn, am miserable because there's not much I can do to help her feel better.
Tess first hurt her back slightly more than two years ago. Since her initial injury, she's done pretty well -- she had a relatively amazing recovery and hasn't had too many problems...until now. A week and a half ago, she slipped on the ice and re-injured herself. I took her to the vet last week and she's now on pain pills, but they, unfortunately, don't seem to be helping as much as I'd like.
Last time she was hurt, she had to spend the majority of a month inside her kennel -- even when I was at home in the evenings. As of today, she's staying in her kennel when I'm not home, but is out and about if I'm here with her. I'm awfully afraid that she's going to be relegated to her kennel full-time again, which just makes me sick. I guess if it works, then it's worth her unhappiness,
I'll be calling her vet first thing tomorrow to see if there's another alternative. Last time, she took a course of steroids, which seemed to work better. The only problem is that, in order to put her on the steroids, she's got to be off of this pain medication for 24-48 hours. Perhaps there's something she can have in the interim.
One final thought...both Tess and I are blessed that she has such a wonderful vet (Dr. Amanda Elmenhorst). Amanda and her staff are amazing and truly care about Tess and are doing all that they can, both for her and me.
Obviously, she doesn't exactly love to have her picture taken!
Tess first hurt her back slightly more than two years ago. Since her initial injury, she's done pretty well -- she had a relatively amazing recovery and hasn't had too many problems...until now. A week and a half ago, she slipped on the ice and re-injured herself. I took her to the vet last week and she's now on pain pills, but they, unfortunately, don't seem to be helping as much as I'd like.
Last time she was hurt, she had to spend the majority of a month inside her kennel -- even when I was at home in the evenings. As of today, she's staying in her kennel when I'm not home, but is out and about if I'm here with her. I'm awfully afraid that she's going to be relegated to her kennel full-time again, which just makes me sick. I guess if it works, then it's worth her unhappiness,
I'll be calling her vet first thing tomorrow to see if there's another alternative. Last time, she took a course of steroids, which seemed to work better. The only problem is that, in order to put her on the steroids, she's got to be off of this pain medication for 24-48 hours. Perhaps there's something she can have in the interim.
One final thought...both Tess and I are blessed that she has such a wonderful vet (Dr. Amanda Elmenhorst). Amanda and her staff are amazing and truly care about Tess and are doing all that they can, both for her and me.
Obviously, she doesn't exactly love to have her picture taken!
Friday, February 6, 2009
An Awesome Gift!
This afternoon, I received an incredibly thoughtful gift from one of my closest friends (in fact, he's become like a brother to me since I moved to Oklahoma). My friend Matt went to Africa in December/January and returned with this for me:
It's not the best picture in the world, so in case you can't tell, it's a hand-dyed apron in my two favorite colors, which coincidently, are the colors of my kitchen; throw in the daisies, which are my favorite flower, and it's just awesome! Matt, you rock!
It's not the best picture in the world, so in case you can't tell, it's a hand-dyed apron in my two favorite colors, which coincidently, are the colors of my kitchen; throw in the daisies, which are my favorite flower, and it's just awesome! Matt, you rock!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Danger! Danger!
I have a young nephew who is severely allergic to dairy products. When I'm shopping for him, I truly appreciate the products that display allergen warnings on their labels. This morning, however, I got a kick out of one.
I bought a can of mixed nuts earlier this week (good carbs for my diet!) and just happened to glance at the back of it as I was opening it. "Allergy Warning -- Contains: Peanut, Almond, Cashew, Brazil Nut, Hazelnut, Pecan." Really? My can of nuts contains...nuts? Color me shocked! That's about like putting a warning on a gallon of milk: "Warning: Contains Milk". I haven't seen that one yet, but I'm guessing it's out there somewhere.
Disclaimer: I am not, in any way, belittling food allergies. I know they are VERY serious business.
I bought a can of mixed nuts earlier this week (good carbs for my diet!) and just happened to glance at the back of it as I was opening it. "Allergy Warning -- Contains: Peanut, Almond, Cashew, Brazil Nut, Hazelnut, Pecan." Really? My can of nuts contains...nuts? Color me shocked! That's about like putting a warning on a gallon of milk: "Warning: Contains Milk". I haven't seen that one yet, but I'm guessing it's out there somewhere.
Disclaimer: I am not, in any way, belittling food allergies. I know they are VERY serious business.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Letting Kids be Kids
It's not a secret that I love music - you'll rarely find me without some form of music playing, unless it's because I'm watching TV or in a situation where it's not possible. I also love to sing, but here's the kicker: unless I'm totally alone, I will NOT sing. A friend recently asked me why I don't sing, so I told her the truth, which is as follows:
When I was in middle school, I was asked to join my church's junior choir. I was just a kid - maybe 12 years old - and I enjoyed singing. I still had the gleam of youth that allowed me to think that I wasn't that bad of a singer. Well, my choir director quickly disavowed me of that notion; up until one cold winter Sunday, I enjoyed singing. Our choir director announced that everyone would be singing a solo or a duet...everyone, that was, except for me. I was told that I wouldn't have that opportunity and that it was better for me to just sing very quietly in the back. I was humiliated and embarassed beyond belief. So upset, in fact, that I refused to stay for church that morning. I went home.
Until a few days ago, I'd never told anyone this story. No one. Not my mom, not my friends, not anyone. So, why now? I guess it's because I've noticed all too lately that kids aren't being allowed to be kids. So I was a horrible singer and she didn't want to let me embarass myself by singing without much back-up -- she could have handled it better. Let kids be kids. If they want to sing, don't take that opportunity from them. Just chalk their horrible voices, if they can't carry a tune, up to providing them with a positive childhood experience. Don't judge them at such an early age - they'll get enough of that in school from their peers.
Am I still scarred from this experience? Kind of, I guess. I won't sing in front of anyone except my dog. BUT, I haven't let it stop me from being a total rockstar in my car, in the shower, and in my office if no one is around!
When I was in middle school, I was asked to join my church's junior choir. I was just a kid - maybe 12 years old - and I enjoyed singing. I still had the gleam of youth that allowed me to think that I wasn't that bad of a singer. Well, my choir director quickly disavowed me of that notion; up until one cold winter Sunday, I enjoyed singing. Our choir director announced that everyone would be singing a solo or a duet...everyone, that was, except for me. I was told that I wouldn't have that opportunity and that it was better for me to just sing very quietly in the back. I was humiliated and embarassed beyond belief. So upset, in fact, that I refused to stay for church that morning. I went home.
Until a few days ago, I'd never told anyone this story. No one. Not my mom, not my friends, not anyone. So, why now? I guess it's because I've noticed all too lately that kids aren't being allowed to be kids. So I was a horrible singer and she didn't want to let me embarass myself by singing without much back-up -- she could have handled it better. Let kids be kids. If they want to sing, don't take that opportunity from them. Just chalk their horrible voices, if they can't carry a tune, up to providing them with a positive childhood experience. Don't judge them at such an early age - they'll get enough of that in school from their peers.
Am I still scarred from this experience? Kind of, I guess. I won't sing in front of anyone except my dog. BUT, I haven't let it stop me from being a total rockstar in my car, in the shower, and in my office if no one is around!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Some Days...
Some days you're the windshield; some days you're the bug. I need a day where I'm the windshield. Please.
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