I'm surprised my dad didn't just name me "Lawnmower".

What kills me is that I took a landscaping class in highschool {duh, why else, the guys} and messed around with that a semester {year?}. So, when my father became inable to do the yard work, my older sister, who wouldn't ever help when he was able either, told me the yard work was all my job since I had the 'training'.

What also killed me was how my two older sisters used to always ditch me outside, working alongside my parents at the imagined phone ringing or 'Oo, it is hot, I need some tea' and never return.

I think I was punked too much as a kid and now I don't do it to mine but maybe they need it?

So, today I saw a "Bag Lady."

Now, I've seen bag ladies before, but this one took me by surprise. As I was running my errands and trying my best to suck down a Starbucks coffee (damn, Peet's SPOILED me!), I noticed an older lady without any bags going through the trash. Out of the first bin, she pulled out a Carl's Jr. bag, a Ralph's bag, and some other paper bag. She goes to another bin, and pulls out more bags. Third bin: more bags.

I smiled and went back to writing up a rough draft on a proposal for a communications class. I saw a real bag lady!

yeah...we tried that on occasion. but then all one of the others had to do was 'hmm....wheres so-n-so? he has the rake' (even if he didnt).

to be caught cutting out on a work detail was akin to outright treason. if anything at all, you just bought the remaining workers the rest of the day off and yourself, well...just picture 'cool hand luke' diggin a hole.

yeah, dad was serious TX old school.

Well, they being my older sisters, I wasn't allowed to 'tattle' on them. Geesh. And this was before the whole 'Princess' deal.

LOL I love your 'treason' verbage...so pirate-y of you. :)

Does anyone actually stop and consider what they'd do for a Klondike Bar?

Actually, no. Given thoughtful consideration, nothing. Now ask me about Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.....

There are a number of web sites that specialize in cables. I don't have time to search right now, but they are out there in droves.

Alternately, you can go to Orvac Electronics in Fullerton. Not too much more than the internet sites, but about a 1/4 the price of Best Buy, etc.
I hope he/she bought an Oppo. Jesse turned me on to them (although I haven't purchased one yet, I will be getting the DV-981 HD when I have a moment to breath. That sucker will upconvert to 1080P)

Many years ago, I went to an Oingo Boingo concert (it was a toy drive and the concert was in a tent somewhere in Long Beach I think). Fear was the opening act and there was a mosh pit up front. My friend and I went up to one edge of the mosh pit, each wrapped one arm around a tent pole and used the other arm (usually elbow) to smack any mosher who came our way. Fun stuff (and they loved it).

WWJDFAKB?

What would Jesus do for a Klondike Bar?

My spot at concerts was between the stage (or boards) and the pit. My very sharp elbows always came in handy.

I know a lot of people say "work is crazy right now" but seriously, my work is crazy right now.

I've just been crowned emissary to OfficeMax for the entire library, at a time when we just moved in so everyone needs everything. I'm getting emails that say ASAP and IMMEDIATELY and BEFORE OPENING. When items arrive it's checklists and running around delivering. Stocking 5 public restrooms plus our 2 staff ones is no joke.

I'm also one of two Queens of Signmaking. Everything from "No change, no refunds" on money machines to the big phony check for the opening ceremony. I get to play mind games with the plotter (huge printer) to make my Word and Publisher docs actually print correctly, then inhale fumes from the laminator. Whenever I think I'm finished, I get an email from a volunteer who wants a sign for their souvenir booth. Oh, and a "Use other driveway" sandwich board. And a "Registration Here" 8.5 x 11. Hey, could you make a sign for our Golf Ball Drop fundraiser?

My signage skills have landed me the job to end all jobs - making each and every sign for the aisles. The sign guys promised me a "template" and delivered one piece of cardstock and said "use Arial". Right. We're opening when? In a week and a day? Great.

Every other day I'm training people to use the new RFID technology. Every other other day they're testing the sorting machine and I have to witness it not work, over and over. (It's in my work area.) I think the guys from the company just ran away after a while - I haven't seen them in a week. Repeat after me - I can't control it, don't worry about it, I can't control it...

Meanwhile, there are people to direct in other chores, like setting up enough recycling bins near public printers, getting enough hold slips for the Customer Service desk, pairing card applications with cards and flyers, etal.

I slowly stopped taking breaks. It's harder and harder for me to unplug at home. I was supposed to take this coming Tuesday off so I could work both Friday and Saturday, but I've decided I couldn't possibly relax at home during the week before opening. I did promise my boss that I'd start taking breaks again. Even as she praises my versatility, reliability, and capability, she tells me to slow down.

Only one more week to go - and then we deal with being open.

:)