Change of Plan…


I was going to talk about Florida and Disney today, but I have changed my mind.

I was in the shower this morning, now get your minds out of the gutter this is PG rated. I just was so struck by the fact that there was sunlight, actually sunlight coming through the shower window. I took the long walk into work this morning, just so I could see it for a bit. It will be gone by the time I leave work. Ah sun, you give me hope that green grass will soon appear and this winter really will end.

I didn’t have a camera on me to take a photo, but enjoy this one, I borrowed from Mr. Gates.

A Nice Thanks…


I make fun of Southwest Airlines, I tend to call them South-worst. They don’t have the best reputation for leaving or arriving on time. They stood true to this on the flight to Florida last week. We sat for an hour on the plan waiting for something in the nose of the plane to get nitrogen. Now, of course, I want the plane in working order before taking off, but it was annoying that we had to wait. The pilot was serving passengers drinks, I knew at that point, the 15 minutes they said we would be delayed was going to be a bit more. They did give passengers the option to go back into the terminal until the plane was ready to go.

The return flight was off on time and actually arrived a few minutes early, go Southwest.

I received an email this week from the company with a simply, thanks for flying with us. It was a nice touch and I’ll think twice now when I refer to their name.

 
 

Last Week…


I escaped from life, work, Columbus Gas, all of it for a week. I went to where “Dreams Do Come True”.

Hopefully a few pics to come in the next few days. Until then enjoy this pic of all the Disney Princess, which one if your favorite?

I Would Like to File a Report...



Neglected blog! Readers, I need to report that this blog has been abused, it has been neglected and is in need of serious attention. The problem is lack of time, lack of my time. I've been too busy to find the time to blog, but need to. What to do?

Today Sucks...

I'm trying to think positive...

COFFEE, CHOCOLATE, MEN. SOME THINGS ARE JUST BETTER RICH!

Today Sucks…

At least so far, it sucks. I had to get up early to get ready because of this darn snow. I’m tired of it, do you hear me Mother Nature, I’m tired of it. I had to pack two bags to bring into work. One with interview cloths and crap, and a bag with a hair dryer makeup, and other work crap.

I have an interview here on campus later this afternoon. Of course it’s on the other side of campus and I’ll have to put on my boots to get there in the crappy snow, so now what do I do, pack the regular shoes and change or just pull my pant legs out and wear the boots. I figure I’ll just wear the boots, because really I think they already have decided who they are going to hire, it’s not me, so why go through that extra effort. I’m going to be snow covered anyway.

I made it to my office, only to find my suit jacket had gotten wet, because somehow snow got into the bag, argh! It’s hanging up right now, trying to dry. Normally my office is a lovely 75-80 degrees, not today though, what’s the deal.

I did bring my hair dryer, which I did use, because my hair was wet from the snow, even with a hat on my bangs were a mess, so I dried my hair I guess I can dry the jacket if needed. I think I spent 30 minutes after getting into my office getting the layers off, drying my hair, and putting on makeup. There was no point before leaving the house because as mentioned the snow would have just made my face a soggy mess.

You might be asking yourself, why didn’t she just wear the interview cloths to work. Well, good question. I couple of reason.

One, I’m trying to keep my interview on the down low. Mostly from one co-worker that drives me insane with his cryptic calendar and his attitude that he is the only one in the office with his salt because he’s working on his PHD. Who gives a flying fig? Really! I could if I wanted to, but I like my free time and the PHD is not going to provide the salary it should after all the work put into it. If I never get a job above the one where I’m at now because I don’t have a PHD, that’s just fine. I’ve decided once you have your PHD, you lose any common sense you may once have had anyway. Sorry to those who may have a PHD, but it’s true.

Two, I’m having lunch with Jim Tressel. No, it’s not just Mr. T and me off to discuss the incoming recruits for next year. It’s a professional development thing with the college about team work or some such crap. Now, I like the idea of a free lunch and Mr. T is not a horrible presenter, but they want us to wear our Scarlet and Gray for this event. So, I have on my suit pants with a Scarlet and Gray Polo for the first event of the day, this Polo is not acceptable interview clothing. So hence, the two outfits, one day, and Mother Nature just laughing her little head off.

I don’t see this interview going well. They changed the time of the Mr. T event and now I have a student right before, one of my “stretching students”, and will be running late to run across campus for the first time today for this event. Then back a few more appointments and then back across campus again. Normally bring on the time out of the office time, but does it have to be snowing, accumulating 3-5 inches today! Today! AGH! I need Friday, now or at least 430pm!

`

Weekend Update…

This will not be a funny as an SNL weekend update, but it will give you an idea of my world, from my view.

Friday night: Pizza and pints at Byrnes. Ah, lovely!

Saturday: brave the 9 inches of snow to go to Kohl’s. The airport reported 9 inches, I didn’t measure, but since I’m only a short distance from the airport, I would guess a good report. Spent two hours in Kohl’s during power hours. I talked to my Mom for a bit before going into the store because there were so few cars, I didn’t want to be “that person” shopping in a snow storm. Which is really funny, because I’m not really a shopper. Trip to local library. Trip to Kroger, with the entire county. Huddled under many blankets to keep warm. A bit of laundry done. Watched a movie from library.

Sunday: Woke up to bugger down the street scraping sidewalk, argh why didn’t he do it Saturday! Hot shower to warm up cold nose. Tool around house doing dishes, laundry, and such. Hitch a ride with Ms. H to Tea House for a late-morning snack. Accompany Ms. H to Kohl’s, I had Kohl’s cash, it couldn’t be helped. Of course no clothing was found for second interview Thursday or first interview Tuesday, but oh well. I always need a spare pair of gloves and sunglasses. Return home, more in-depth cleaning, watched some of the game. Made yummy garlic cheese burger for dinner. Broke favorite glass, argh, shattered in bits, I guess the gods didn’t like the way I cleaned the kitchen floor the first time. Watched game, annoyed that Colts didn’t win. I didn’t really care, but tired of hearing about “storybook” year for Saints. Sleep.

Monday (so far): holy macaroni, freezing walk into work. Long day of emails and appointment. Is it 430pm yet?

There you have it, good times.

Long Time, No Blog…

Sorry readers, if you are still out there. It has been almost a week since I have blogged. Mostly I’ve just been super busy and haven’t taken the time. I know it’s commitment and I need to make it, but let’s face it I have commit issues in general and none of you are surprised.

I’ve been busy.

I had a couple of interviews the last couple of weeks and one coming up although I don’t know when, I got an email that I would be called to schedule it, but haven’t gotten the call yet. I’m not sure that the first two interviews went so well, but we’ll see I guess. I should know if I’m going to be called for second interviews by the end of this week, so I’ll keep ya posted. When I get the call for the other one, I’ll keep ya posted. I get out of sorts with these type of things. My stomach takes on a mind of its own. I admit it, there is some vomiting going on, can’t be helped. This is why I’ll have to elope, I’ll never make it through a wedding ceremony. There would a barf-a-rama, which would just not be pretty.

I’m also planning an alternative spring break trip to Vinton County, Ohio. I’m taking a group of students to Vinton County to do some programming in the schools on going to college, majors, options, etc. It will be an adventure. I thought we were going to be staying in a B&B, now I fear we are going to be a cabin of some kind. Hmmm, I don’t camp, I’m a bit concerned, but I keep telling myself I can do anything for a week. It’s an awesome resume builder and gets me out of my office for a week. My biggest fear at this point, I snore, can’t help it I do, and yikes I’m going to be in a cabin with 7 students while snoring, I may not sleep the entire week.

Can you imagine in all of this I found my passport, which has been missing for over two years now. I need to leave the country by Feb. 7 when it expires, or simply re-new it. Heeeheee. I’m just excited to find it, so I can keep the stamps, I worked hard for those, many of the places were not even going to stamp it until I asked.

Ok, off for now.

Roller Coaster…


No, not of love, regardless of what the Chili Peppers say. This week has simply been a roller coaster, too many ups and downs and too difficult to keep up with.

Two 12 hour work days back to back. ARGH! No fun, but had to be done. I don’t have to do this too often, which is why I left my old job and took this one.

Loosing things, searching the small nooks of my house and then finally finding them in the most random location, after giving up on ever finding them at all. (No not my passport, by the way.)

Feeling like a success one hour and a complete failure the next.  Changing pretty much on the hour every hour for the past three days, it's difficult to keep up.

I’m ready for this week to be over. I have a couple of meetings tomorrow that I need to go really well, so please do a little “luck” dance for me.

As Ben Franklin said:

In wine there is wisdom, In beer there is freedom, In water there is bacteria.

I have no idea if this is true, it was in an email I received, but I think Friday night I’m going to enjoy a class of wine or two. *smile*

More Irish Fun…

Now because it's Monday, because this is my blog, and well because I love the Irish, here's a bit more for ya.


Gotta love the accents---Dylan Moran.  funny!



(Enjoy a cup of Chamomile Tea?)

If you have some time, Dylan has a show on Hulu, Black Books, funny stuff if you are looking for a new laugh.  Thanks Ms. H for noticing this on Hulu.  His stand up is a riot too if you ever get a chance to see more of it.


Beer Commercial with Irish!  Try to watch the first time without reading the sub-titles, it makes it a bit more funny.  HEHEHEHEHHE!

A Closer Look at Dingle, Ireland...

You will always be Dingle to me.  Listen to those accents kids, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  Only 54 days until the wear'n of the green. Start preparing, March 13, we'll bring in the Irish fun at my house. It's a bit early, but has to be, the 17th falls right in the middle of the darn week.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Year of 34 and New Things Continues…


Ok, so I haven’t been good about keeping you updated, but wanted to give you a quick heads up.

1. Watched Yodeling Contest2. Saw Salad on a Stick3. Eat Emu4. Rev Theory & Shinedown Concert5. Iowa State Fair6. Placed a bet on a horse race7. Won on a bet placed on a horse race. 8.Played a $.25 lottery ticket9. Purchased a Cubs T-Shirt10. Walked around a Bass Pro store 11. Ate Dewey’s Pizza 12. Ate at Mario’s Seafood 13. Ate at Potbelly’s14. Ate at Jimmy V’s 15. Watched Zombieland 16. Played Wedding Photographer 17. Attended a Crew Game 18. Cored a pineapple with amazing ease—love the Pampered Chef tool. 19. Took senior pictures, not new, but the fact he was holding shot gun—new! 20. Drank Mike’s Hard Limeade 21. Bought a Mickey Finns CD and saw them at Byrnes.22. Watched New Moon 23. Made a pumpkin-ish pie from scratch 24. Watched Julia & Julia


25. Watched the Princess and the Frog—Cute, but wished there was a bit more of the hidden adult humor. C+


26. Attended Ladies 80’s Night at Skully’s---fun,fun, will have to do again, soon- April maybe?


27. Drank Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation—oh my baby, it rocks! You have to get it now. I love having a cup in the evening with some marshmallows, yes I am 5. It’s also tasty at work, but without the marshmallows.

28. Watched Leap Year—-AH! A movie set in Ireland how could I not love it. It was predictable, but lovely. A bit of it was set in Dingle, the town I lived in while in Ireland. I traveled the entire Dingle Peninsula and don’t think the movie was shot anywhere near there. My guess is near Galway, it’s gorgeous don’t get me wrong, but be sure it’s not Dingle. B-


29. Held the hoof of a sow to save the life of a new born piglet--Yeah, can’t say I’ve ever done that before and really don’t care to again. But, everything once right.


30. Watched 2012---I didn’t think it was as bad as all the critics said. I mean parts were a bit out there, but it did make you think a bit. C+

What is Your Woe?...

When I flip back through old photos often I have completely forgotten I even took some of them. I stumbled across this one and it made me smile and made me a bit sad at the same time. This poor girly can’t be more than 2 years old and she seems to have the world’s problems on her poor shoulders.

I don’t know the little girl, she was posted in front of me in her stroller at a fair. The bleachers gave me a perfect angle to take a few pics, she was too cute. However of all the ones I took, this one is the one that struck me.















I hope today your shoulders are worry free.  If they are not, tomorrow will be another day, promise. *smile*

If I Can You Can Too...


Shut up! Two in the same week, I know I am on it! Ok, so I haven't blogged every day, but well sorry.

Now, Buffalo Chicken Stromboli

First, the night before or at least 6 hours before you want to make the Stromboli, get the bread dough out of the freeze, there is a quick 2 hour option on the bread bag.

You will need a loaf of frozen bread dough, you can find this in the freeze section near the rolls and such.

Now, if you wrap the frozen bread too tight, when it thaws it will start to grow down your counter tops.

I recommend putting it on a plate or cutting board and loosely cover it with the saran wrap.

Now start your chicken.  Can I get an OH!

IO!

Ok, now that it done. Cut your chicken into small chunks, likely 1/2 a breast per Stromboli, depending on your preference. Put the chunks in a skillet on low heat, add salt and pepper to taste and some hot sauce.

The Kroger brand is really tasty and cheaper, so go for it!

Now, while the chicken is cooking through, take about 1/3 to 1/2 of your bread dough and roll it out flat.

Then dice a few onions, green peppers, and mushrooms if you like-I like.  Put 'em on the flat dough.

Add a little hot sauce!  Nicely done!

When your chicken is cooked add it to your veggies along with some cheese, I picked good old mozzarella, but you can use what you like.

Now carefully bring the two sides of the dough up and pinch it together. Be sure to tuck the ends in, you don't want your goodness to ooze out.

Pop the stromboli in the oven at the temp your bread dough requires, see packaging, likely 350, until the dough browns.

There you have it, stromboli now you can add any "gusts" you want.  I added a bit more hot sauce to my Buffalo Chicken Stromboli on the top, I like it hot.

If I Can You Can Too...

Looking for a cheese spread with a little kick for your crackers? This is so easy.

Jalepano Cheese Spread

You will need a block of softened Cream Cheese.

Next you will need a few jalapenos. Now the recipe I found on the web called for Bread and Butter Jalapenos, but I couldn't find those. I did find these Hot and Sweet Jalapenos. You will need about 1/3 of a cup of these diced into small pieces.

Mix the cream cheese and diced jalapenos together, add a bit of the juice from the jar too, a few tablespoons or so.

You are done.  Seriously!  You just need to add the spread to the top of your favorite cracker--my choice Triscuits.

Easy, tasty, and different. 

Ladies Room Discussions-Just Don’t…


I know I’ve covered this topic more than once. Which usually means I really like it or it really drives me crazy. In this case, this topic it really drives me crazy.


I have pee anxiety. I can’t pee if someone is talking to me, well unless I know you really well. I also can not have an academic discussion about the current curriculum while trying to pee. I’m sorry, there is a time and place in the ladies room is not it. I hate public restroom. I believe there should be a common room with facilities to wash your hands, then individual rooms for actual “business”.


ARGH! Thank goodness it’s Friday, now if only it were 430pm.

I Don’t Want to Deal With The Weather…

I’m over this weather, I can’t deal with it any more. I have to think of positive things because if I don’t I might loose my mind in this freezing cold.

One very happy thought is that St. Patrick’s Day is only 68 days away! YEAH! To get in the St. Patty’s mood enjoy a bit of Irish music.

This is an interesting version of one of my favorite songs, I like it!

Dropkick Murphys - Fields of Athenry



These guys are great, love them. They were grand at the Southern Theatre last year.

The High Kings- Rocky Road to Dublin



Sad, lovely song! Gotta love it.

The High Kings -The Parting Glass




Stay more warm kids and keep thinking, March will be here soon. *grin*

2010 Resolutions…

1. I miss the joy of reading a real letter received through the post. My resolution is to mail at least one letter a month to make someone else’s day. How very grand of me I know. If you would like to be considered for this true treasure, make sure I have your address on file.

2. I would like to do more cooking in 2010, simple, complex, doesn’t matter, just more.

3. If I’m going to do more cooking there should be more “If I Can You Can Too” entries, or at least get the photos up from the ones I have done.

4. Take more photos, good or bad ones, doesn’t matter, just more. Can’t like or hate what you haven’t taken.

5. Hmm, I feel I should have five resolutions….hmm…right… I plan to Drink, Eat, and be Merry in 2010.

Do you have any fun resolutions for 2010?

My thoughts…

Today is a bit random, second day of a new term and all, so my entry will be like my random thoughts.

First topic work…

Yesterday I saw 19 students, this does not include the multiple phone calls and emails and doesn’t include an hour meeting that I had, or the 15 minutes I took to eat my yogurt and left over pizza. I’m crossing my fingers today is not as bad.

I create a quarterly newsletter for my students in my primary major. I’ve been doing this for over a year now with no problems. I copied my new supervisor (I always copied my old supervisor) and bam, all crap broke forth. He emailed to see if all the advisors in the department do one, however he sent it to all the advisors not just me. CRAP! Now I’m a bit of a type A personality, I have a hard time just doing nothing most of the time and need new projects to keep me entertained, I do better with projects I create than ones I’m giving which is how the newsletter started. A colleague in a different department does a weekly newsletter which is insane and I don’t have time for, but a quarterly one I can do. It also looks good at my annual review. However, my coworkers don’t really like the idea of a newsletter. They don’t like walk-ins either, I do both. I’m kinda walk to my own beat, but always have. I do what I have to do to give my students the best service, and yet, I was not the one nominated for outstanding advisor of the year, a co-worker was last year. Sorry, I am a little bitter, which is likely why I have bad karma. Well, then the Chair got a copy of the newsletter and then asked me to send it to the entire department. Anyway, now the office pretty much hates me, although they don’t thrill me much either, but it’s easier to fly under the radar.

The weather…

Yesterday I left my office, a bit late as expected on the first day which is why I wasn’t stressed about getting to work on time, and walked into a winter wonderland. Well it was a wonderland for about 30 seconds, then it turned into a snow globe. I was in a snow globe that a large giant was shaking to bits. No matter what direction I walked the snow was hitting me directly in the eyes. I mean seriously, cold, ok it’s Ohio, but a freaking tornado of snow is a bit too much. Damn giants and their bored selves.

This morning I felt like I was going on a long winter’s hike just to get to work. Boots, pants tucked into boots, 1990’s flashback to pegged legs, big winter coat, scarf, argh! I really need just a hint of sunshine. It’s dark when I come to work, dark when I leave. I think it’s a violation of my civil liberty to have me work in a bomb shelter where I never see the light of day. I would almost rather be the guy salting the few steps they salt on campus. At least then I see some daylight, and I would own coveralls and other proper winter attire to keep warm in.

I can only categorize this section as, Seriously?...

I received an email from a guy that I had a first date with, there was a reason for the first date only. The summery of the email was that I rocked, well duh, and it was a new year and he just wanted to see why we didn’t click. Well, let’s see you were just not good enough for me. It that an ok answer for ya? I would normally just delete such an email, people don’t really want an answer to this question. I admit, I’ve pulled out the “it’s not you, it’s me” line a couple of time, it’s just easier. However, this time I was in a mood and gave a reply and I was kinda brutally honest and told him exactly why I thought the date was a horrible failure and it was mostly his behavior during the date, kinda just too much, too angry at the world, too obsessed with only one kind of music, too not good enough for me, did I mention this. I believe you don’t go back, so sorry, but no chance kiddo. So I get an almost immediate reply back, asking for a second chance are you kidding me! This just goes to prove, that you really can’t treat a guy well, I did for too many years on one that was not going to marry me and not going forward beyond where we were, so I really do know. They really don’t want to be treated well, they want you be a complete bitch and treat them like crap and they will love it. Are all men mental? Are there any normal ones out there? I tell you why you suck and you want a second chance. I tell you how great you are and you don’t care at all. ARGH! Men! Single sucks sometimes, but seriously I guess I just fail overall because I don’t understand the interworking of the male mind. I shouldn’t even think that I would want a child, good grief I would never understand a boy and a girl I would never be able to teach to understand a man. I think I would be better off having an alien, I might not completely screw it up.

ARGH! Is it Friday yet?

Old Man Winter…

Can you please go find yourself a hot young thing and head to Florida with all the other old coots? I’m done with you.

So, life was busy yesterday and this was all I got down, but didn't post. I'll try to post a better entry later today.