So, the dude that called me randomly and tried to pick up on me called my cell phone again while I was in Lalaland. He called and I recognized his phone number - I had Matt call him back. He calls, the guy picks up, and Matt starts talking 'gangsta-speak' as I call it (Matt's quite good at that, I think he was ghetto in a previous life). They exchange a few pleasantries and hang up. I don't think that guy is going to bother me again. :)

I've been brushing up on my own 'gangsta-speak' hanging around Matt - although whenever I talk like that I want to end everything with "MUTHAFUCKA". I don't know why. "Yo, what up MUTHAFUCKA??" "That shit is tight MUTHAFUCKA". I just seems to be the natural conclusion of any gansta sentence.

I hope everyone had a holly jolly Christmas and got what they wanted! Matt and I spent the holiday down in LA with Mark, Lizette, and Mom. It was a pretty quiet Christmas, but very pleasant indeed. Days were spent playing Half Life 2 and Counterstrike, and nights spent playing Half Life 2 and Counterstrike. :) I got a whole assortment of loot: pasta cooker, slow cooker, Ionic Breeze air purifier, $$$$, Banana Republic gift certificate, a poo book, a introspective book, Evil Genius video game, Tricky CD, and Matt's parents gave me a ski cap and a very pretty necklace/earring set his mom made.

For your viewing enjoyment (if you have a fast connection), I present to you the following:

Pictures of my new apartment in Pacifica
Kitchen/Living room
Hallway
Bedroom
Bathroom
Garage
Outside

Another Isabella movie. (~7megs)

China covered with Christmas ribbons!

For the end of the year, I'm going to try to come up with a "Top 5 List" of the most noteworthy events that happened to me. I can think of two so far..

The past few weeks I've gotten calls in the middle of the night. Like, 12:30-1ish in the morning, and since I'm an old lady and fall asleep at around 10:30 these days, the calls wake me up out of a pretty deep sleep. I was annoyed enough to call back the next morning (at 6am) to see who the hell it was that dialed my number. The first time I called back I got this old man who answered. From what I surmised, his housemate or son was the one that called. When asked why he would've called me so late, the man said it probably had to do with his business which he didn't know much about and may involve exporting/importing because he travels around the world. uh, ok. Is it just me or does this have 'prostitution ring' written all over it?

The next call I made was just a few days ago. Someone left a message at 1:30 in the morning and I called back early the next morning and left a PO'd message demanding to know why they were calling me so late and who the heck it was (I was a little gouchy because I was woken up, yes). A guy called me back a few minutes later and said he dialed the wrong number and apologized to me. Oh ok, whatever, that's fine. Then he proceeded to ask what my name was, where I was headed to today, and what I was doing later that night. Nice. With great disdain in my voice I got off the phone with him. I'm pretty good at the disdain thing and I don't think he'll be calling again.

Hooray, last day at work then I'm off for almost 2 weeks!!

It always disturbs me when I go into the bathroom and I see/hear someone in the stall just sitting there. I sit down to pee and get all freaked out knowing that other person is there listening to every sound I make. I think to myself that I better pee in a hurry before that person thinks I'm going to poo (which would be embarassing) but then I get too nervous and can't pee! AHHH.. and what if I fart? That would be even more embarrassing. So I clench my butt so I don't fart, and being all freaked out, I usually just sit there in silence with that other person, waiting for the other to make the first move.

I got that apartment in Pacifica! I sign the papers officially tomorrow and I won't be totally excited until those papers are signed, but it's pretty much a done deal. Will tell more about it once I sign.

'Tis the season... of apartment hunting and GTA3, real life version!

What a crazy weekend. I knew Saturday was going to be rough - ride Isabella in the morning, drive up and down the upper peninsula to look at 4 apartments: in San Bruno, Daly City, Pacifica, and Millbrae, then to my company office party which was held at the SFMOMA. Tiring, but not all for naught, there is an AWESOME unit in Pacifica that we saw that I *loved*. It's about a block from the ocean, in a quiet, cute neighborhood. The location is right smack in between where Isabella would be boarded and work which is perfect. I'm supposed to hear from the property agent tonight to see if I get the rental tonight *crosses fingers*.

Sunday was supposed to be our "day off", but it turned out to be crazy also. We got a little time in the sun when we took China to Pt. Isabelle. In the middle of the field we found a lost football and spent about an hour kicking and throwing it back and forth. Ladies and gentlemen, I still throw sadly like a girl. Very sad.. s'ok though cuz I can kick wallop it pretty good.

Matt and I then went to El Cerrito to finish up some Christmas shopping and to stop by Trader Joe's. On the way to the car, we had a shopping cart full of groceries and we were slowly making our way to my truck. We were walking along the side of a one way lane in the parking lot leaving plenty of room for cars to pass. An older lady in a blue Civic drove literally, straight towards us. There was probably 20 feet between her and the cars parked along the other side! Matt was walking in front of me and he waved her over to the other side for her to avoid hitting us. Most normal people would have gotten the hint, "duuuh... self, don't hit the pedestrians", but instead, she didn't slow down and she waved for US to move over to the other side of the street! WTF. There wasn't even enough time for us to cross the street in front of her without her running into us head on! She didn't move over at all as she passed us and her car passed us by a few inches. Close enough for Matt to smack her car without having to reach out. Close enough for me to scream/yell, "OH MY GOD!!"

Fortunately a policecar was making his rounds around the El Cerrito plaza parking lot and Matt was able to flag him down and give him a pretty good description. Crazy lady. Maybe she was having a hard day and had to take it out on a young couple. Maybe her son just died and she wasn't thinking straight. Or maybe she was just another reason why birth control should be mandatory for those with IQs less than normal.

Anyhoo, done with presents, done with wrapping. Woohooo! YAY!

Holiday Dieting tips (I totally follow these rules, especially numbers 5 and 6)

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet
table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see
carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum
balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt
scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You
can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares
that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to
turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have
one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of
gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of
your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano.
Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or
whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?
It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control
your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat
other people's food for free. Lots of it.

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New
Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do.
This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the
buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of
eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like
frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position
yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before
becoming the centre of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of
shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or,
if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin.
Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert?
Labour Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the
mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have
some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party
or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.
Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Yesterday I went on a day trip down to San Diego for my company. I really have no idea how business people do it.. just that one day left me so tired and exhausted I crashed at about 10 that evening and didn't wake up until 7 this morning - I forgot to turn on my alarm. Oops. I got sick on the airplane ride back.. I just wasn't meant to travel without being heavily drugged.

Boarding the plane in SD for Oakland, I ran into an old friend of mine, Marg! What a coincidence.. we had both gotten earlier flights and ended up on the same plane. Funny enough, she was an ex of my ex which is how we knew each other. We chatted and caught up with one another - she owns Blade, the grey merle smooth collie I used to have. Note to self, gotta send her Blade's baby pictures and his pedigree papers if I can find them.

The apartment search goes on.. I'm looking at a place in Brisbane tomorrow after work and I have a few lined up for Saturday that look promising.

An oldie but goodie! Still the same result..

Gazelle: "

Take the What
animal best portrays your sexual appetite?? Quiz
"

I've been sick all weekend long so I didn't do too much. The throat thing I was better Saturday evening, but traveled up to my sinuses later that night. Matt was with me most of the weekend - I hope I didn't get him sick! We were pretty careful not to exchange too many bodily fluids (TMI?). Everytime I kissed him I'd peck at him like a chicken with my lips pursed closed so I wouldn't give him any of my bacteria-ridden saliva.

I saw two in-law units, one in San Bruno and the other in Brisbane, none of which I liked very much. I'm going to try not to get discouraged on my search, but its hard not to compare each one I see to the original place I almost had.. it was sooo nice! It seems like it's pretty hard to find a nice place that allows dogs. I'm still on the lookout though, perusing through craigslist everyday..

So much to do this week! Tonight, see Isabella. Tomorrow I fly down to San Diego for work and come back the same evening. Wednesday - try and get the rest of my Xmas shopping done, Thursday - see Isabella, Friday - Xmas shindig with the homies, Saturday - company Xmas dinner and maybe Matt's friend's party. Crikey.

China smells like vomit. I think she slept in her pool of upchunks the other night because she smells soooo awful!! Everytime she passes me I get a whiff of her and start gagging. Oh well, she gets two baths this week. UGH

I'm feeling a little better today. I kept quiet all night with all the medication I was on. My throat hurts to cough much and this morning when I'm coughing its been these really dry coughs where yellow solid stuff comes up. Loverly. I'm pretty sure its laryngitis because two of my coworkers across the hall have had it. When I open my mouth to talk this foreign voice comes out and I look around to see who the heck it is and I realize, hey, that's me.

I have to let you all know that I'm boycotting Christmas cards this year. I've done cards every year for as long as I can remember, and unless its a joint card, I'm not sending any out! I REFUSE!! It's all about the gifts anyway, isn't it? Yeah, that's what I thought. Well, the actual reason is that I'm lazy and don't want to do 'em. (see 'sloth' below)

Sick at home today. UGH. People at work need to stay home when they're sick so they don't infect everyone, namely ME!!

I was up coughing all night, using the rest of my cough medicine, no cough drops.. so I'm left with ginseng tea and honey. China was apparently up all night as well. She ate the rest of the plastic pot she'd been working on and threw that up all over her bed. When it rains it pours I guess. I think my body had a feeling I was getting sick - yesterday I was ravenous, I couldn't get full.. and today I don't want anything.

I just found out yesterday that the in-law apartment in San Bruno fell through. They decided to rent their upstairs unit instead, getting $800 more a month.. which I don't blame them for. But I'm a little worried now and I'm kicking up this apartment search up a notch.

What posesses My Launch radio station to play Ashlee Simpson in accordance to the songs I've ranked so far on my launch radio? Let's see.. I have Evanescence, Morcheeba, Portishead, Seether, Mandalay, Jem, Gorillaz, Massive Attack, DJ Shadow, Mono. How did it concieve of Ashlee Simpson being something I'd like to listen to?? YEEEUGH!

Speaking of which, last night after we came home from a lovely dinner party at Merima's, Matt and I were hanging out in the living room. I was on the couch watching Dexter's Lab and Matt was quietly sitting with his eyes closed in the lounge chair, relaxing. Thanks to God's gift which is TIVO, I was fast-forwarding through the commercials until I came upon a commercial for Jessica Simpson's 2004 Christmas album. REWIND REWIND PLAY. I was transfixed on her contorted face yet again and broke out of my horrified trance by Matt starting to laugh at me and what I was watching. He got up to relax in the other room, still laughing at me. Yes, I am sickly obsessed with her. Like a scab that needs to be picked, I can't leave it alone.

Recap of the rest of the weekend (going backwards): Hiked Tilden Sunday, hung out with Mark and his girlfriend, Jen on Saturday - ate at Cafe Raj on Solano. It was decent food. Saturday afternoon entertained ourselves with condoms. The best part of that was it exploding onto our downstair's neighbor's patio. Thank GOD I'm moving. I've tried really hard to be a silent upstairs neighbor, but with one thump or two (definitely not enough to warrant us being loud on PURPOSE) he bangs on the ceiling loud enough to shake the whole building down! Screw it. Don' matta anymore!

You scored as Gluttony. Pride 56% Gluttony 56% Wrath 44% Sloth 44% Lust 38% Envy 25% Greed 25% Seven deadly sins created with QuizFarm.com

Gluttony and pride.. hmm, doesn't surprise me much. I really thought wrath would be way up there on the list.. but I guess I don't get mad too often. When I do, fire shoots out of my eyeballs (as most people close to me can attest). :)

Sooo.. last week I purchased a big supply of um.. well, "supplies" on ebay. Matt and I amused ourselves Saturday morning by filling it with as much liquid as possible, testing its capabilities. See for yourself. (*.mov file, 6 megs)

Last night I watched Nick and Jessica's Christmas Special. I'm not sure what posessed me to watch the show other than to watch Jessica's face contort as she lip-synched throughout the show. It's fascinating to watch her face and mannerisms - like road kill, I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. I thought she was really the most talented between the three blondies (Spears, Aguilera, Simpson), but watching her sing over the past year has made her singing really unappealing. And what's with the breathy voice now? It's so horrible, I thought Ashlee sounded better and that ain't sayin' much.

A few nights ago I went on an evening ride on Isabella. Now that darkness falls about 5:30 or so, I'm usually riding back to the barn in the dark. I was a bit scared at first, but now I'm learning to just trust Isabella and trying not to steer her too much (I did this one ride and almost walked off the edge of the trail, yikes). China is VERY VERY annoying - occasionally we run into hikers or bikers wearing headlights and she won't pass them on the trail. Anyways, back to my ride. I returned about 6pm, nonchalantely walking into the barn. Some guy I'd never met before says to me, "We've been looking for you.." Me, "Huh?" A friend at the barn, Barbara, sees me and exclaims, "There you are! We were so worried, we were going to send out a search party if you hadn't arrived by 6:30!" Oops. Ah well, riding at night sucks. Today I'm going to a ranch out in Pacifica to check out the pastures where I might move Isabella when I move over to the peninsula. She'll do SOOO much better out in pasture where she'll be able to run, interact with other horses, and be barefoot again. yay! I'm making a goal for next year to compete in 4 endurance rides. This year I did 2 CTRs and an endurance ride (pulled at 18 miles), so I think its an achievable goal.

What's up with no one commenting on my mullet? I'm deeply saddened. :~( My haircut appointment is next week and I'm seriously considering cutting a substantial portion of my hair off.

Please help me decide which haircut to get. I haven't gotten my hair cut in over 6 months and I'm finally getting it done here

1. Mullet. My coworker says it's a "power" haircut and will most likely get me promoted at work.

2. Kind of a Rachael hairdoo - I had this in junior high. It still looks pretty cute, my 2nd choice I think. I like the layers.

3. The Rachael 'doo with bangs. I'm up for something different.

4. My current haircut is pretty similar to this one. It looks good in the picture, but has a tendency to look 'blah' if you don't style it much, which I really don't.