Today was my last day at my job at the UW. It doesn't feel like it's over yet and I can't believe that I don't HAVE to go into the office on Mon. or Tues. of next week. I say HAVE as opposed to SHOULD because technically, I don't have to go in but I should just to tie up a couple loose ends. Hey! That qualifies as volunteer work and that's okay, too. But for now, I will spend the holidays with friends and adopted family and try to relax and enjoy myself. I go to the temp agency on Friday to take my typing test so that I can get myself some temp work while I wait for my interviews to start. And that's pretty much it around here. I already got my PA drivers license and am just waiting on a title certificate for my car to arrive so that I can get my car registered in PA. I am totally psyched about my new car insurance. I have a great plan and my agent is really nice and super helpful. Yup...I've definitely reached adulthood. Only adults would be excited about car insurance. And health insurance. And all things having to do with insurance, I suppose. Did you know that they even have *cancer insurance*? Crazy...but then again, maybe not.

Bbbrrrrrrrrrrr! Ok. It's officially cold outside. But here in the House of G., there is a fire in the fireplace and a too hot hot tub to sit in. The too hot part was my own stupid fault. I quite enjoy t.v. or books in front of the fire with my baby girl curled up against me...yak, yak, yak. So, it looks like it is going to be a very Lanky Thanksgiving and a very Dysfunctional X-mas with the fam. Did I just write "fam"? WTF?!? Anyway, looking forward to being present for the annual fight b/w Nanny and Aunt Mamie over the neck and the wings (Nanny corrected me a dinner last night, Ang:>) and Larry saying "This is delicious, Dollllllllll" in that nasally Larry voice of his. Hee! This year will be a little odd since normally I go the G house for pie after dinner with my parents but this year I will do dinner with the G's & Co. and have pie (maybe) with my dad and his girlfriend. You know, I think that having your parents separate/divorce when you are an adult is probably more difficult in some ways. When you are a kid, and your parents split up and you start splitting the holidays between them, it's just something that you have to do. But when you are an adult, you don't HAVE to do anything and you have to make a decision to attend or not. Because then you have to take the high ground and go be nice to your mom/dad's new boyfriend/girlfriend and his/her kids and grandchildren even tho you don't want to. Bleah. And if you're my brother, you get to skip out on it entirely b/c you are 700 miles away. But he'll get his when he has T-giving with my mom's dysfunctional family;> Aren't I a downer? The only thing worse than holidays spent with your dysfunctional family is not having a job yet and having to say "No, I'm still looking" to everyone who asks.

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon and all I want to do is curl up with my dog and take a nap/read a book/watch t.v. or maybe do all three. I must, however, do job stuff and cannot allow relaxation to commence until I have finished with my appl. and essay. Fun, fun, fun...I suppose I should be thinking about holiday cards, as well. I always get really excited when I buy the cards and writing the first few is fun but then I get bored and wish I hadn't bought any at all. Maybe I should stop sending them...But then, how often do any of us send "snail mail?" And so it begins...

This time I made a list of things to mention, so here goes...First, I have to say that often times doing the right thing is hard. Really hard. I did not get the job offer that I was hoping to get and today the person who got the job over me had her first day. We were all expected to congregate in the lunch room for a "meet and greet" type-deal with fruit and bagels, etc. I had planned to sleep late and then take a leisurely stroll (ha!) to New Holland to pick up $$$$$. Then this morning I decided to take the "high ground" and not let them get me down. After all, it's not the new person's fault that I applied and interviewed for the same job twice within 2.5 months and got rejected twice within 2.5 months. So, bleah. She's very nice but that doesn't mean that I am volunteering to hang out with her. So, that's that. I am currently looking for employment elsewhere and hope to find something soon. I don't really want to have to talk about the Stamp Act to a room full of 8th graders:> I guess I could be Alissa's assistant...Second, I went to church for the first time since I was 12 or 13 years old. Well, not including weddings, etc. I tried out the UU church in Lanky and it was a very nice service. I didn't get that feeling like I was going to be struck down where I stood like I felt in my former church of long ago. I think I could get into this...it's a lot about community and tolerance and "thinking globally and acting locally" and that's something that really appeals to me. Third, I think that instead of being cremated and having my remains tossed any old place (upon my death that is--not just taking a stroll down to the old crematorium for fun) I think I'd like to have my remains made into diamonds. They did an article in the Sunday newspaper here and it was quite interesting. I think funerals, on the whole, are a ridiculous waste of money. I mean, you're dead. Why would you waste thousands and thousands of dollars to prolong decomposition? Just a plain old pine box costs $700. WTF?!? Put my ass in a cardboard box and shove me in the oven. Besides, burials are such a waste of space. I mean really. You're dead. What are you going to do about it? Use the life insurance money (if there is any) for a vacation or give some to charity or fund a scholarship for a family member or something. Or use it to create diamonds from the remains of your loved one. They reported in the paper that it only costs about $2-3k to do it. That is so much cheaper than a funeral and you could have a little piece of mom or dad or whomever to carry with you, unless you lost it and that would be bad. And they say that these diamonds are frequently of higher quality than diamonds found in nature. Interesting. Definitely some food for thought...

No time to blog today. Must be up at 4 am (well before the butt crack of dawn) to do some presentations. Only 2.5 weeks left of insanely early presentations. Then I will have a week off for the holidays and it will be back to looking for a job/temping/whatever the hell else comes along. I always have lots of things to address in my blog, but like Alissa and Scott have already mentioned, it's hard to remember what you wanted to say by the time you get to sit down and blog...sigh...Another day perhaps. Will blog soon--I promise:>

...sigh...I'm a bad blogger. Anyway, I think that the worst of the campaign is behind me. I had 3 ridiculously busy weeks and now things are slowing down and it's time to start getting the $$$$$. I interviewed with a total of 5 people in the last 2 weeks and hope to hear their decision by the end of this week or early next. Hopefully they will want to hire me and I can get on with my life. I need to get a PA driver's license, change my plates, get PA car insurance, and a place to live. I can't do any of this until I get a permanent job. So, it's been an eventful 3 weeks since last I blogged. I've done close to 30 presentations, walked in 2 parades, and my dog was sprayed by a skunk. Oh, and by the way, tomato juice does NOTHING for the god-awful stench of skunk. Shana has had 5 baths and will get a bath once a week until the smell is gone. She smells okay right now, but when you are sitting next to her you can kind of smell it a little. We've taken to spraying a little perfume on her:> Poor baby.

On Saturday I went to Sugarloaf Crafts Festival with Alissa. Very nice show with lots of fun things to see and taste. The maple syrup stand was yummy:> I did a little holiday shopping--always nice to support craft show carnies (HA!). Some of the vendors had bright blue or neon pink hair--interesting. I visited the silver bracelet lady that I visit every summer and fall at the Guild show at F&M. Someday I might actually buy one of the bracelets I try on every time I see her. We had a nice time, tho and then it was time to return to Lanky. I cleaned my car inside and out on Sunday and ran some errands and now I can cross a bunch of things on my "to do" list. I feel betty already. One of these days I hope to cross "move into own apartment" off my list...

What a busy week...of course I say that every time I get on here but it's the truth. Better than being bored out of my mind and wondering when I am going to get a job. Speaking of job, I had my interview at the UW yesterday and I hope to make it to the second round. I will keep you posted. In the meantime, I am doing the Panheim Marade tomorrow night. Woo! Aren't you so jealous? Hee hee. Going to walk beside the raffle car and throw candy and try not to get mobbed by greedy ill-mannered children (and adults). I had a lovely time on Sunday with Gwen and Amanda. We didn't do much but we did get to Cactus and I had half of a swirly margarita. Hey, I had to drive home after that. It was a gorgeous day in D.C. and stupid me wore a black turtleneck. Duh. But once the sun started to set I was in good shape. Gwen's new place is so neat! I loved the orange bathroom:> Too bad your fireplace is tiled up, G, that would be so cool! Thanks for a nice time, G and A! It's always nice to see your friends. Time to go do some vegging out before bed. Ta!

MAJOR kudos to Gwen or fixing my f-ing blog!!!!!! Wooo! So, yeah, new blog with new name and now I have comments so there better be some mad comment action going on here. Is that what the kids are saying these days? Life continues to be a whirlwind for me but I'm okay with that. I still really like what I'm doing but I am so glad that I am wrapping up presentations at Sigh Hteel this week. Last night I had to give a talk at 11 pm and 12 am, which was fine b/c I can leave work early the next 2 days to make up for it, but the 2nd talk was kind of amusing. I was doing my thing after the various supervisors gave their safety talks and now I know not to expell bodily fluids near my co-workers and that if I MUST chew tobacco, that I must also carry around a bodily fluids container in which to place said bodily fluids. Eeeeeewww....Anyway, job is good but FT and P job is better. I have applied for another open position with the UW so we will see what happens. Not too much else is going on since all I do is give presentations at odd hours of the day and night. Hung out with Phil and Larry (oh, God, I can't believe I wrote that) Saturday night and actually had a nice time. Larry totally cracks me up:> This Sunday I am going to D.C. to see Amanda and Gwen for the day and I hope we are doing something that involves Cactus Cantina (hint, hint, nudge, wink).

testing archives.

now we're really testing, baby. watch me change color.

Ooh, I am a bad blogger. I'm also very busy now and so that's my excuse. My new job is great and I'm very excited about what I'm doing. I gave my first presentation on Friday at LGH. Well, we've been practicing in front of each other for a week so this was my first real presentation to people that haven't heard the "dog and pony," as my boss calls it. Yesterday was the Day of Caring and I am proud to say that Lanc. UW has the highest volunteer turnout per capita in the nation. That is darned cool! Over 3,000 people participated this year and we were all very successful. And we got cool red t-shirts to wear. I almost participated in the mucking out of the Conestoga River but I was on food detail instead. I'm glad my years at I's really did count for something b/c I can make a sub in record time. It was just like doing the sub fundraiser for ORCA. I should call Doc. Hmmmm. I went to the HHS vs. MC football game Friday night. Go Black Knights! We kicked some serious Barons butt. HHS won 26-10 and it was a really good game to watch. Except for the guy kicking the field goals (I thought Mrs. P was going to go down there and show him how it's done) the team played well and it was very exciting. Both the team and cheerleaders had new uniforms as did the MC band. Remember how ugly their uniforms were? They have white ones now with maroon and gold sequined sashes. V. nice. We got there late and missed the HHS band but I'm sure we'll catch them another time. And the line for Finks' was as long as ever. And after I waited in line forever to get mine, the bag split open and all the fries fell out on the ground. I guess I'll have to trek out to Roots this week for more or (gasp) I might have to go to another football game. Go Black Knights!

Greetings from the Land of JOB! Yay job! I was going to complain about my suspicion that F**d M****r Co. is conspiring against car owners who want to do an oil change themselves but it seems so ridiculous now that I did it and it's done and I don't need to do it again for another 3,000 miles. Whatever. I think I'll just pay somebody else to do it for me b/c it wasn't worth the headache of trying to find the unusual type of oil required and it cost me almost as much as having it done at the dealership. Anyway, my new job is really cool so far. We are all still in training until Monday but I think we will be very well prepared to go out and get the $$$$$$$ for the United Way of Lancaster County's 48 member agencies and services. I am really excited about this opportunity to do something that really makes a difference. One of the great things about UW Lanc.Co. is that in Lancaster County, one person DOES make a difference as opposed to Philadelphia who has thousands and thousands more people. We were able to tour a few of the member agencies on Tuesday and we will be going again on Friday. It was really neat to see how UW support can do so much at these agencies, and in turn, for the clients and no one is ever turned away. I really think this is going to go well and hopefully it will turn into something permanent after the campaign is over. Keep your fingers crossed for me:>

Well, it's official. High school football has begun. Tonight, HHS will not play Central but will play E-town instead. Last night on the local news they discussed nothing but football and the re-org of the L-L League. For about 10 seconds I missed all the hoopla. And then it passed. But still, it reminds me of a less stressful time. I mean, of course there was homework stress, and first day of school stress, and marching band stress and having to wear a uniform that consisted of well-placed bits of sliver lame over WHITE SPANDEX that became totally transparent in the rain!!!!! Ahem. So, as I was saying, there was no "I don't have health insurance" or "I can't believe this ridiculous quote for car insurance" or "I totally got shafted on my stafford loan." It's tough to be a grown-up sometimes and I think that's all I'm getting at here. But I do sort of miss red and black face paint, confetti and "Basin Street Blues." But now I'm starting to sound like an idiot so I'll go get ready to take the girls out to play at the tennis courts. Shana and Killian are really into chasing tennis balls and each other around the courts until their tongues hang out. It's pretty darnded cute.

I tried to avail myself of commenting services from YACCS but they are no longer accepting new YACC users. Perhaps another time. I did go to Roots yesterday and got an awesome parking space. I also effectively managed (can you tell that I recently worked on my resume?) to avoid Finks French Fries-- the best fries ever! Thrashers fries are good, but Finks fries provides a touch of nostalgia lacking in Thrashers. Yay fall weather and football games and the Time Warp in the stands! Woo! I am such a nerd. Anyway, I was unable to discover the legend behind Whoopie Pies. Will have to don my anthropologist hat (exactly like Indiana Jones' fedora) and go out into the field for some research. And now I'm an even bigger nerd. I suppose I should stop while I am ahead.

Hmmm. You know, I'm not exactly in the Windy anymore. I'm in the Lanky now. Hmmm...Fummer in the Lanky...uh, not so good. So I get an email this morning from the Office of Annual Giving about participating in the Phonathon in 2 weeks. Hmph. I really like my new friend M, but she's on the Alumni Board and is the one who gave out my email address so that they could ask me to participate. She also gets on my ass about donations. Not too bad, really, since I've been unemployed, but I had to promise to donate $15 after I start working. "It's not the amount that you donate, it's that you donate." Blah, blah, blah. And you know, I don't mind the idea of donating to my Alma Mater since the school was kind enough to give me a full-ride scholarship, but I have to tell you that I am not impressed with the new Pres. and I'm not sure I like where the College is heading. Still, the time to give back is soon approaching and I will do my duty and give a little something. And I do mean little b/c my first priority is to get an apartment and go haul my crap out of my mother's house and into said apartment. Off to Roots now. No more outtings to Roots in the middle of the morning after today. I will have to go at 5pm when everyone else that is not a tourist or a stay-at-home mom goes. I can smell the Whoopie Pies already...Whoopie Pies...I'll have to ask why they are called Whoopie Pies...hmmm...

Well, my last week as an unemployed person is upon me. So far, all is well. I got up at 7:45 (trying to get myself back on schedule) and am ready to get busy. Just the usual chores of laundry and grocery shopping and going to the gym ("Oh, the GYME" for Simpsons fans). I'm quite excited about my new job and getting to meet lots of new people. I think it will be good:> I wish I had the financial means to go *skydiving* before going back to work--I'm envious of J's excursion into the world of 120 mph. And hey, the "trash can mouth" thing is pretty darned sexy:> Maybe when I have a permanent job and real health insurance that does not threaten to void my policy for participating in said activity. I would much rather jump out of a plane than go skiing down a hill. Ooh, laundry's done--must go! Happy First Day of School to Amanda and Alissa and HEF!!! You guys are awesome!

RAIN!!!!!!!! It has finally RAINED in LANKY! Wheeeeee! I mean, Lanky isn't the only place that's afflicted by drought, but I am way excited about rain. Except that my dog refuses to go out to pee while it is raining. It's supposed to rain all day but it's not right now, so guess it's taking a break. Now it's a lazy rainy day and I don't want to do anything but lay around and nap. Must do work. Have things to do. Maybe after I post my blog:> So, I have to admit that I saw Kyle from the Real World at Park City last Sunday. Alissa made me do it! Well, truth be told, I had forgotten. Alissa and I were having dinner at T.G.I.F.'s when SHE reminded me. I swear. So, we decided to go check it out. He walked right past us with his big stupid head. And all the while A and I were getting hit upon by some guy at the little kiosk that sells those rainbow coloring things from t.v. He told us that he was too old for us, or something like that. Skeevy mall guy. But you should have seen how many girls (and 2 guys) were lined up for Kyle's autograph. The line was 3-4 across and all the way back to Formal Affairs (the store immediately inside the doors of that entrance). I read in the paper that he was there until 10 pm signing autographs. I wonder if he signs body parts...Just kidding. And you should have heard the girls scream when he came out flanked by mall security. Oh, so funny. Stupid Kyle on Podunk Mall Tour. What an idiot. I should have heckled him. I should have yelled that I'm not impressed by his "dry, rythmless humping." Hee hee hee. So very, very funny.

You know, I'm starting to lose my faith in the justice system a little more each day. Now, for those of you who keep up with the local news here in Lanky, the MT graduates who were arrested on charges of assault while at Senior Week in OCMD are going to get off scott-free. I knew this was going to happen. And the description of the assualt changes every time. Now the guys just threw food at the naked body of an underage girl while she was passed out. JUST THREW FOOD AT THE NAKED BODY OF AN UNDERAGE GIRL WHILE SHE WAS PASSED OUT. What the hell is this?!? The one kid is at Princeton already at football camp and they are acting like nothing happened. Now, only one of the three guys arrested is actually facing charges and he will probably get off, too. Who in their right mind thinks that it is acceptable to videotape a girl who has passed out from too much alcohal while others take off her clothes and throw food at/insert food in her???? And now they are getting away with it with less than a slap on the wrist. No one is going to hold these men accountable for their despicable acts and it won't be long before everyone forgets about it. It just makes me sick.

Okay. Have regrouped and blown off steam. Not a good idea to freak out on one's blog if that is all one does on a regular basis. Have managed to procure a 12-week gig with potential employer discussed in previous blog. Got a call yesterday (only 2 days later than promised but is okay now) and was told that they chose the other candidate b/c she has previous fundraising experience. That's a valid reason not to pick ME. Hee hee hee. Anyway, have been offered a short term position with the possibility that it could turn into a FT permanent position at the end of the 12 weeks. If there is no extra funding to support such a position, I am sure to find another job as 12-week position will allow me to meet with many bigwigs in Lanky. Then maybe I will end up with something in the for-profit sector--we will just have to wait and see what happens. I remain in the LAND OF SUCK until I receive a paycheck (in about 4 weeks). I start my new job the day after Labor Day and until then, I will try to enjoy the remaining days of unemployment, like going to Roots in the middle of the morning and sleeping in until 8 am and then leisurely drinking a cup of coffee and reading the paper. And no more trips to the gym at 2 pm. Will have to go at 5 with all the other alumni who want to work out before going home for the day. I realize that I COULD work out in the morning but that would mean getting up at the crack of dawn just to go get sweaty and then having to take a communal shower with a professor or something. I am NOT going to go there. Yay new job!

Welcome to the LAND OF SUCK! A new term coined by Amanda that accurately describes my current state of affairs. My blog is frequently full of the negative and I had vowed that if I didn't have something positive to say about my life then I wasn't going to post it. Well, screw that! Today, I got another big blow off by a potential employer who, once again, did not have the fucking courtesy to at least let me know that they had decided upon the other candidate. And it's okay that they didn't choose me, but for god's sake they could have at least called like they said they would. I feel like my fucking college education means nothing since the only jobs that anyone would want to hire me for require only a high school diploma or a GED. How sad is that? Well, I guess it's off to the LAND OF SUCKY WAITRESS GIGS.