6 Degrees of Separation

The first of many to come

2007-07-21T17:18:00.001-05:00

So went back to the old stomping grounds last weekend. Headed to St. Louis with my mom to attend Angie's, my friend from high school, wedding. I saw my girls from high school. We had fun: went to the rehearsal dinner, out to Soulard for and evening, the customary late night trip to Steak 'N Shake, the wedding and then Columbia, MO to visit the brother. It was fun to be at the wedding with a few of my old friends, my mom and my brother.

There was a lot of wedding talk, considering my friend Caitlin and Kim are both engaged on top of the fact we were at a wedding. One day I might decide to have one of those things, but as everyone reminds me I do need one of the boyfriend people.

I took a lot of pics and you can check them out: http://ku.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2160104&l=c1d8b&id=16801615

In addition to the wedding Cindy and I met Amanda, my brother's girlfriend. She was nice and the second day was a bit more comfortable around us which showed us a bit more about her.

Other highlights also included a trip to H & M, St. Louis Break Company, Ted Drews, dressing up in some size 15 shoes and drinking a beer in Dillards department store.

Great trip, weird to be back in St. Louis - a lot has changed but many happy memories there.

One year in the desert

2007-07-04T16:06:00.000-05:00

So not only has it been a long time since I have blogged last, it has been one year of living in Arizona. July 3 was one year living here and July 5 is one year at 3TV. That seems like an eternity. A lot of things have been going through my mind the past month or so and it has somewhat to do with my one-year status.
There is a restlessness setting in that has managed to creep into many aspects of my life and well cause some well problems I guess you could say.
Besides contemplating going back to school, I want to move into a house, I need a long vacation, I want this new project at work help me like my job again and well I want to just be happy with who I am.
Life is funny and well lets see what's going to happen.

Just an update on life...

2007-05-29T23:30:00.000-05:00

So this holiday weekend was good. I managed to go out Thursday through Monday have a grill out and go swimming a few times. We in fact came up with a game that involved the pool and drinking (which I wouldn't exactly recommend cause that could lead to someone drowning.) So overall pretty productive. Oh didn't mention that my new friend Katie and I managed to entertain ourselves one night by going around and getting guys to buy us drinks. FUN TIMES. So yeah I have a new friend Katie, who I met through my friend Will. We hit it off right away, which considering that I don't have many girl friends here, is great.
As far as other things work is work, the parents are good. My brother came for a visit-always nice to see him.
That about sums up that. You could say I am content and well preparing for 100+ temps for the next couple of months. =)

Aimlessy writing

2007-05-08T23:24:00.000-05:00

So have you ever thought you were a horrible person cause of something you did to someone, but also because of what you did to yourself. Wow that sounds so much less confusing in my own mind. Cinco de Mayo, that is my holiday. Margaritas, chips and salsa, dancing - but this year there would be none of that.
I had my tequila and went out, but nothing like year's past and the night turned into one of the worst ever.
Is it possible to say the worst thing ever and be forgiven? Especially when my reason for saying those things isn't as bad as what was said? That is the situation I am in, but is it right for me to put myself down. Anyway I am sure noone reading this understands, but the reality of the situation is this could really suck.
Sorry to vent.

DUENDE - Los Angeles

2007-04-25T22:18:00.000-05:00

Went to L.A. and came back with a tattoo on my forearm. At this point no one wants to hear about the trip they just want the story of how I came to have six letters written on my arm.

Yes, it seems like no one wants to believe it but I did actually have a guy named Mark pierce my arm with ink. No henna or wet and stick temporary tattoo, it is PERMANENT and for real (to everyone's amazement and shock.)

So this whole idea started when we made a trip to check out the tattoo parlor where Britney Spears got her most recent tattoo. While there Lauren and Meagan wanted Ashely to get a tattoo, but she hadn't any clue as to what she would want.

We went home that night and I thought I have always wanted to get a tattoo, a six letter Spanish word written on my forearm. The next day we ate at a really good Sushi restaurant in Studio City, which happened to be situated next to a tattoo parlor. We went in to look for an idea for Ashley's tat, but came out thinking I was going to get a tattoo. I made the choice and on Saturday, April 21, I made an appointment to get a tattoo later that night.

At around 10 p.m. after enjoying happy hour, which I knew would be necessary to deal with the pain of the inking process, we went to that tattoo parlor. Mark was the guy who would mark me forever. We had to wait about an hour, which was agonizing considering I can't stand needles or pain. And the buzz completely wore off. But I was determined to do this, cause I stopped thinking about things and just did it. (Something I will think about everytime I look at my arm.)

And so I got the word Duende written on my left forearm.
Now let me explain the meaning as you all probably don't know what it means. Duende is a Spanish word that originated in southern Spain in the flamenco culture ages ago. There are many different interpretations. Websters defines it as an evil spirit. But, it actually means love, to be in love and to be around those people you love. I got the word from a book I read and ultimately Duende means to come into contact with something that fills you with passion. So long explanation short, everytime I look at my arm I will constantly be reminded to seek the things that fill me with passion. Duende = Passion.

Another note, as Meagan pointed out, if I ever go missing I now have an identifying mark, a tattoo. (Pics will come in the next day or so.)

See more of the L.A. story as told brilliantly by Meagan at http://squirrelly.wordpress.com/2007/04/25/la-parenthetically/.

Gosh...it's been too long

2007-03-31T01:03:00.000-05:00

So I haven't written on my blog in ages. Tons of things have happened since then.
I have gotten a roommate, gone to Las Vegas, gone to Mexico, worked a lot and sort of got dumped -- and that is not even half of it.
We are on the verge of April, gosh how time flies. Lets see where to begin...
Travel, cause I love to do it. Well I put a lot of miles on my car driving to Las Vegas for the first weekend of the NCAA tourney and visiting some old friends. Andy and a few of his friends were there and I decided to go up at the tail end of their visit and proceed to have a debaucherous good time.
After two days of sun, fun and nightlife Andy and I then headed back to Phoenix for a night. We then basically turned around and drove to Mexico the next morning. Yeah, we just drove on down and in less than four hours were having Coronas on the beach. Awesome huh? (We all should go sometime.) South of the Border proved to be fun and interesting. We went right in the middle of Spring Break time, so there were all of these college coeds down there living it up, SPRING BREAK 2007!!!! (I chuckle.)
Two days was all we had in Mexico too and then it was back to Phoenix for a night before the whirlwind vacation was over and I need to sober up and sleep. Andy and I hit Tempe for dinner and then we headed to my friend Jesse's bar where I had the opportunity to introduce him to some of my new friends. It was great to see him and get a little time off work.
Work, well that is another story. I am two days away from completing my marathon week of 12 days straight. I will never do this again, scheduling issues made it so and I was able to gain some vacation days so not bad in that respect, but I am going crazy.
I now have a roommate. His name is Brandon, a friend of Ellyn and fellow Kansas alum. We have completely opposite schedules so I never see him. So that is really all there is so report on that development.
Lets see random things, Kim, friend from high school is getting engaged. So that leaves out of the five of us girls Lauren and I as the single ones, really without even any prospects so so far away from getting a ring. You know I just laugh cause I really don't want to be even thinking about that with anyone right now.
Oh that leads me to the getting dumped part. I say sort of cause we really weren't dating, but were more than friends. I mean for all those who know that story I knew this day was coming at some point (ex-girlfriend issues on his part) but it still sucks. Who knows what will happen cause I will still hang out with him, his friends are really some of the only friends I got so it is inevitable. But you know this might actually be a good thing. I am bummed, but sort of over it and optimistic that once he works through these issues, his issues, he will see what a good thing he gave up. And by that time I might be here, I might not life will only tell. I do know though that next weekend I have tickets to a charity event and I need someone to take.
So that is a sort winded explanation of the past month. Scattered in there are Sunday dinners with the parents, shopping for some sassy new shoes and spring clothes and making a new friend at work (her name is Jen - and I am sure based on the fun we had last night there will be more stories involving her to come).
So next time the post will be shorter if I don't wait a month to write.

Life, love, loss

2007-02-26T23:51:00.000-06:00

Warning: This is probably going to be a completely random and rather heavy post.

So with so much time to think about things lately and sick of talking to people about it I thought I would write my thoughts down. And well just putting them into a Word document wasn't going to be good enough. So...
When I am going to meet someone who I can spend the rest of my life with? What do I really want to do with my life? Am I chronically going to choose an emotionally unavailable guy to spend my time with? How can I help her? What does it all really mean? Will I be able to fulfill all my dreams before it is too late?
So many questions no need to have answers, even though I want them.
The other day when confronted with the possibility of losing it all tomorrow I realized that even though next week could suck, today is what is most important. It is so hard to live for the moment, when life does take planning, but really what if everything for the next 10 years was planned and it was all ripped away in a moment. All that time you spent worrying about a plan would be for not.
So no more thinking about the ifs, ands or buts and just think about what is.
As I am confronted with choices, decisions, desires it seems clear that if I truly believe that everything happens for a reason then I will let it happen.
Who knows I might just enjoy things more!!!

On this stupid day

2007-02-14T20:53:00.000-06:00

So it is Valentine's Day and since I don't have a Valentine I have every right to be bitter! I will stop there and just let you know of this website that you have to check out.

It is www.dontdatehimgirl.com. Hillarious and makes me want to post a host of people from my past. I am sure you have a few of your own would like to warn people about.

Happy February

2007-02-03T14:53:00.000-06:00

So in the spirit of the month of Valentine's Day and aquarians I found this to entertain yall. Enjoy these pic up lines. Let me know if any of them actually work. In no particular order here are some of my favs:

* Do you have a Bandaid? Because I just scraped my knee falling for you.
* There must be something wrong with my eyes, I can't take them off you.
* Girl, you better have a license, cuz you are driving me crazy!
* Hey baby, you've got something on your butt: my eyes.
* I hope you know CPR, because you take my breath away.
* Damn, if being sexy was a crime, you'd be guilty as charged!
* I must be in heaven because I'm standing next to you!
* If I could rearrange the alphabet, I'd put U and I together.
* You must be from out of space cause I can see the stars in your eyes.
* If you were a booger I'd pick you first.
* Baby did you fart, 'cause you blow me away!
* Hi, I'm Mr. Right. Someone said you were looking for me.
* Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?
* When I saw you from across the room, I passed out cold and hit my head onthe floor...so I'm going to need your name and number for insurance reasons.
* Do you have a map? Because I just keep getting lost in your eyes!
* Is there an airport nearby or is that my heart taking off?

To buy or not to buy just yet

2007-01-20T00:04:00.000-06:00

So my Mac is dead, thus I need a new computer. I could get a new hard drive as a short term fix, then buy a new computer when the new iLife and Leopard comes out. I am just not sure about what to do.
The reason I decided to buy a new computer is that the Mac Genius (or ungenius) told me that it might be more than the hard drive.
In order to be up and running good, my computer needs a new battery and a new hard drive which is why I deduced that spending the money for a new machine would be a better deal considering the Mac is three years old (which is ancient in tech years).
Then do I want to buy a new computer now when in a few months they are going to unveil a new operating system and iLife.
So this is not the worst of predicaments, but something I am pondering.
Any advice would be appreciated.

The Unveiling

2007-01-14T14:10:00.000-06:00

Here are the pictures of the new condo. I don't think the pics do it justice, so you just gotta come for a visit. Thanks to Fred, Jason and Cindy who helped me move my stuff and especially to Cindy, my designer, who assisted me in most everything associated with getting the place decorated and show ready. Click on this link, http://www.flickr.com/photos/55932702@N00/sets/72157594479298295/ , to view the slide show of pics.

Someone really hates me...hear the tale of moving

2006-12-24T16:05:00.000-06:00

I am now a homeowner, or condo owner really, but they both have mortgages. I no longer have all my belongings in the storage unit thanks to my family who helped me move on Friday. This by no means indicates that the boxes are anywhere unpacked or even in my new place. Let me tell you the story of my moving day, and most of you who know my struggles with everything coming to Phoenix can only imagine what this tale with tell.

So Friday, I took a personal day from work to move. Dad was off work and my brother in town, so the four of us set out to transfer my belongings from a 8' x 10' storage unit to the new condo. After picking up the Uhaul we headed to the storage unit. My space is on the second floor so moving the stuff from there to the truck would require carrying it to the elevator, down and then loading it into the truck (not a piece of cake, but not hard). Well it became harder when the little flat bed dollies they have at Public Storage were missing. With only a dolly we didn't have to carry all the boxes, but it would be a significant bit more work this way. On top of that Dad decided he needed to go to work and Jason was not being helpful. Of course arguing ensued cause the Flanzers can't do anything without a bit of yelling at each other. Then came the kicker........IT STARTED TO RAIN. Yes, rain. It hadn't rained in the Valley since the beginning of October and it rained on the day I was moving. Someone upstairs really doesn't want things to go well for me.

At first it was a sprinkle ok, it will pass-NOT SO! We finished loading the truck and started to head to the condo. Traffic was horrible, taking surface streets not the best option. Oh and the rain picked up to be heavier. We got to the apartment forever later and ate some lunch hoping the rain would subside. Again NOT SO, it only got heavier and colder. We decided to move the heavy furniture into the place and put the rest of the boxes in the garage (since we could back the truck up right to it and just bring the boxes down without getting that wet.

So as I right this my garage is full of my boxes and the furniture is just put into the place. I will just go through the boxes while they are in the garage and take stuff up little by little. At least the hard part is over. But gosh did it really have to rain.

Note: The day wasn't all bad, because that night I went to my first Suns game with Matt Leinart.

Post It

2006-12-13T22:37:00.000-06:00

Just a note about stuff:

Tomorrow morning I am going to see my new place. We have a walk through tomorrow morning!!! Only one week away til move-in!!!

On Saturday night when I was out with some friends I was partying with Charles Barkley. Yeah Barkley was in the club with me - and well a lot of other people, but none the less it was a brush with fame.

Jason comes to Phoenix on Sunday. He will accompany me to my work Christmas party-which we will have fun at. Then a couple of weeks of family fun (aka moving, working, eating and presents)

Life is good, Holidays are here

Viva Las Vegas

2006-11-29T21:46:00.000-06:00

So I went to Vegas and it wasn't exactly what I expected, but it ended up being a good trip. The reason for the excursion was KU basketball and it didn't disappoint, plus some shopping, food, slots and a show were a bonus.
The drive up to Sin City was pretty. Mountains, desert, Joshua trees, Hoover Dam and some cute little towns. Not a bad 4 and a half hour trip.
Once we arrived we saw one side of the strip, went to the hotel, ate and then got ready to head to the game. KU sluggishly beat Ball State. Then Cindy and I headed off to see a show - La Reve - means the dream in French. It was cool cause it was like Cirque du Solei but in water.
Saturday we slept late, went to a few more of the hotels and ate the buffet at the Wynn. It was so much food and a good crepe that I had for dessert. After we ate we did some gambling. I am such a wuss cause I didn't want to do a lot of gambling in fear of losing money. I really should learn to take more risks and this is just one example of that.
THE GAME, overtime, stadium full of KU fans- couldn't have asked for anything better!!! It is one of the best KU games I have ever been to.
Sunday was shopping and the trip home (which with holiday traffic took a bit longer then expected).
So all in all a good trip and I might go back to Vegas some time or another. I'll put pics on Flickr this weekend.

Random Thoughts on this holiday eve

2006-11-22T20:41:00.000-06:00

1. Ugh, I have to start working Sundays. So my days will be Wednesday through Sunday. Ugh!

2. Two of my friends from high school, Angie and Caitlin got engaged. Should that make me feel old, sad that I don't have someone or pressured to find a man. Really no, but you know it does make you think, but really just happy for them.

3. So I am going to Las Vegas this weekend and it will be my first trip there. Cindy and I are going to take in some Kansas basketball and do some shopping and some gambling. We will see.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

College Basketball?

2006-11-14T22:50:00.000-06:00

So I am never one to look ahead or overlook the fact that the football season is far from over, but I will for just a moment. Living out here is NBA territory with no good college team in town, no one seems to care about college basketball. Not even sports guys. Ugh.

But anyway, another note. Tonight Butler (Bulldogs) beat Indiana and I am saying it now, Butler is the next team KU might lose to in the tourney if the curse continues. Don't be suprised if they are on KU's schedule come March cause you know how they like to make those match-ups.

Pictures are the best

2006-10-29T19:18:00.000-06:00

So I have rediscovered putting my pics on Flickr.

Check some of them out

They include my trip to Lawrence and a few misc ones! Enjoy!

Note: I have now decided that I will be regulary posting pics, so look for the link to my Flickr pics on the right side coming soon!

You had a bad day...

2006-10-26T17:43:00.000-05:00

How many times do we here that annoying song when we are having a bad day. Gosh!

So yeah I had a rather bad/uneventful week. It might have been cause I was a bit down. You know when a girl, especially me, gets a bit depressed she eats sweets. Well I managed to eat a half carton of cookies and cream ice cream.
But you see when I get really depressed the sweets don't really do it, so I have to take steps to remedy this. And well to make me feel better I bought these:

Fabulous shoes that are awesome and Carlos Santana brand (which I have wanted to own a pair of this shoes for a year or so). I splurged, but in my defense of frivolousness, I don't have a pair like them. Now my heart can begin to be repaired with my feet looking stylish.

It been too long...

2006-10-14T16:40:00.000-05:00

So I know I haven't written in a while, but I have been busy. I know that is a sorry excuse, but it is the truth. What have I been up to?

1. I have been busy at work launching Nats News - my ticket to fame and fortune. I had to build the webpage, learn the tools I would be using and put togehter a few stories before the launch last week. Busy, but fun and a great learning experience. You can check it out online at www.azfamily.com/natsnews. Let me know what you think.

2. I have been looking for a place to live. After looking for a few weeks, I have decided to purchase a two-bedroom condo (scary-yeah) in Paradise Valley (sounds so tropical). The place is about 15 minutes from work, the parents and nightlife so that is great. Such a good location and in a safe place (which was important to my rents) It will be December before I move in cause the place is being totally remodeled, so I got to pick out carpet, tile, countertops and cabinents. I will be getting a roommate sometime in the first of the year, so this is your chance to move out to Phoenix.

3. I took a vacation to Kansas. I went back to L-town for Homecoming. I was wondering how things would go seeing that it was just over three months since I had moved away, but it was a blast. I got to see a bunch of people and spend good time with a few of my favorites. I got to have the Gameday experience, even though Magino and the boys didn't deliver a victory. It was great to act like a college kid for a few days. I think that I will always go back to visit Lawrence even if I don't know anyone there to visit, cause it is such a great little town.

After my weekend I was thinking, as I have been told I do too much, about my friends. Moving around so much when I was younger I didn't really have a lot of good friends or didn't do my best to stay in touch with a few who could have been lifelong friends. It was good to go back and see a few friends that I think/hope/know will be lifers. I love you guys!

I know I have been promising pics, but my harddrive is on its last limb (that means I might have to get a new harddrive or computer-ugh) so it might be a bit before I can share them with you.

Have a good Football Sunday!

To have a roomate or not

2006-09-18T18:58:00.000-05:00

Okay, so on Saturday when I was at work, my parents went looking for condos for me to live. Now we have decided that I am going to invest in a place with a supplemental investment from the parents - because real estate is a far better investment than the stock market.

So the question is one bedroom or two. Obviously one bedroom Natalie would live by herself and if I got a two bedroom then I would solicit for a roomate.

What do you guys think, one or two?

Please help and quick cause we are looking to get it soon.

Listen Up

2006-09-05T23:09:00.000-05:00

So less than three weeks after getting my car back from the shop a stupid kid ran a red light and slammed into me. And this time my car might be totaled.
Here is the story, was leaving work to get dinner, stopped at a light and when I started to excel, RAM, he hit the back door on the driver's side. Luckily he hit me there cause other wise if I had been a few feet back he would have been into my door and there might have been a hospital visit associated with this wreck.
Bad luck yes - cause both times I was obeying the law and had the unfortunate experience of meeting someone who didn't follow the law.

I wasn't injured, except for the seat belt burn on my shoulder, a headache and the shakes that went away after about 20 minutes. And the irony is I was obeying the law and now will be out a lot of money - this sucks, right now things really suck and I just want them to be good.

You know, July was a really bad month and I thought that by September things would be better, especially cause I made a new friend and went out twice to celebrate the holiday weekend, meeting other people who might be my future friends too.

So with all that said Arizona is one big dangerous place. Just today in about a hours time some crazy guy opened fire on a convience store and someone shot at two people in their car while driving on the interstate. Crazy, right?

You know Lawrence was such a safe little place compared to this.

Meagan, you'll appreciate this story

2006-08-29T20:53:00.000-05:00

So yesterday my mom and I went shopping at the mall. We were out to find some trendy outfits/clothes/accesories for the trendy tech check look they want me to have for TV here at my job.

So not trying to break the bank, my mom suggested we go to Claire's to get some necklaces - which I could get to trendize the clothes I already own. I hadn't been to the store in forever, maybe since I was in early high school and it was cool to go hang out at the mall. I was suprised that the contents of the store had gotten a bit better, but at the expense of promotion and branding by teen pop princesses.

Yep Ashlee Simpson has a punky line of stuff, Hillary Duff not at gothic like stuff, The Olsen twins with jewelry plus other trikets and Niki Hilton with a bit of everything - not really that much of anything though.

As Cindy and I perused the stuff there was a few pieces in two of the collections that we liked. It was hillarious cause we first saw Ashlee then I was like, oh my gosh Hillary and so on. I joked that whatever I bought was going to be a fight between the divas. =)

So sadly I ended up buying a headband from Ashlee and a necklace from Hillary in addition to another necklace from the Claire's brand. I still laugh when I picture our shopping experience in that store. You could go check it out and laught for yourself.

Just a little football note

2006-08-26T18:41:00.000-05:00

So I have about 15 minutes before the news starts and have a minute on my busy boring Saturday at the lonely office to make this comment:

I was watching College Gameday preview show thingy and they were talking about Texas, repeat, post Mr. InVinceble and they sited some examples from the past two years exampling the fact that Vince, and him alone, won them a few games durng his career. Can you guess what one of those "without Vince they wouldn't have won games" was? Well your first thought probably was Texas v USC national championship, because it was the most recent, but you are incorrect. It is the one game that KU football will never live down and, even when they beat Texas, will always be mentioned when looking at the KU-Texas match-up. Yep, it is coming back to you, the game in Lawrence during the 2004 season where KU's defense let him slip through for (I believe) a 16-or-so-yard touchdown to seal the Texas victory. Yes, they did mention that today on College Gameday. If you were there you know and if you weren't you certainly remember Coach Magino's comments afterwards. So you can look at this two ways: one, do they have to keep rubbing salt in the wound or two, we were mentioned on College Gameday.

One week 'til the start of 2006 and the chance to hopefully make more happier moments.

Stuff

2006-08-21T19:33:00.000-05:00

So in the last week, I have gotten my car back from the shop, after over a month-yeah!, at work I begun doing tests for a future segment on the news (which also includes a small makeover to fit the image they want for me) and attended the world's longest running rodeo. These are a few of the notables.

The rodeo was quite the experience but really didn't live up to the hype. Even though I have lived in some southern states where rodeo isn't uncommon, I have never been to a rodeo. My dad and I traveled about an hour northeast to Payson, Arizona and soon came to realize that the longest running rodeo wasn't anything to get excited about. It was a rather small rodeo and there were only like five people in each event. I twas a beautiful drive there so worth it I suppose, cause there really wasn't anything else in the town.

Are you ready for some football?

2006-08-12T15:28:00.000-05:00

Well of course I am and today the Arizona Cardinals opened up their preseason. As I sat at work and watched the preshow and now watching game it is weird to think about rooting for another team.
The thing is Green Bay will always be my team, but you always want to pull for the home team. But now that I think about it I was never really into the Kansas City Chiefs. When I lived in St. Louis I rooted for them, but maybe as a bandwagon cause of their success they were having at that time. Who knows.
I am excited to go out and see the new stadium they have built for the team and hope the Matt Leinart hurries up and agrees to a contract so I can see him play. And maybe if I stay in Phoenix long enough I will become a Cardinals fan.
While the new arena and Leinart have created excitement and led to a sold-out season, people here aren't really fans of their team. In conversations I have had with people at the office, there seems to be an attitude that they will just flop again and so there aren't any expectations out there. And apparently even if they have a good preseason, which I guess they usually do, that doesn't mean anything for the season according to what people here think.
I am going to give them a chance, they looked pretty good against the defending Super Bowl champs in the first quarter. I mean red is my color.=)

This could make you laugh:

2006-08-08T21:09:00.000-05:00

I don't know what my horoscope is trying to say but read it, you'll laugh:

This is a favorable time for you to conjure up an imaginary friend who also happens to be a muse. You can pretend that he or she is perfectly real, just invisible. Or you can fantasize that he or she is a mostly buried part of you that you rarely express, or maybe your ideal of what a friend should be. I urge you to give this ally a name. Visualize his or her vivid personality and appearance in detail. See the world through his or her eyes. Have dialogues, exchange confidential information, hold hands, and soak up the balm of your tender communion.

Finally it's August

2006-08-01T20:35:00.000-05:00

July was crappy, so crappy in fact that I boycotted my blog and turned to a paper journal (yes I know, reverting back to olden days) and I thought someone was trying to tell me that I shouldn't have come to Arizona.
In July I started a job, that I didn't like and still don't love, but it is alright. On my first day on the job I was rear ended, which caused my car to be out of comission for about three-and-a-half weeks (it is still in the shop expected to be back on Thursday). Moving my stuff to Phoenix proved to be a huge challenge, it arrived a few weeks late, and it didn't all arrive in one piece. On top of that I have had hassles with the moving company claims and the car insurance claims.
But, alas, it is now August and well I know things are going to turn around. In dealing with all this and adjusting to working on Friday night and Saturday mornings I haven't had a chance to go out, socialize and meet people. That is going to change. I soon realized into the month of July that I couldn't be miserble and that that I was starting a new life in the Valley.
So now with the new month, I will hopefully be starting my new beginning on the right foot. I still miss living in Lawrence and I hope that part of me will always miss that time (I don't want to forget those memories).
So with all that said, I will be posting so many pics as I got my computer sort of working again and I will start regulary blogging again.
Thank gosh it is August (even though that means the end of summer-wait I don't care about that now-living in Phoenix I can still go swimming in December-that is why you all must come a visit!!!)

Saturday night at the Barnes and Noble

2006-07-16T00:49:00.000-05:00

So meeting people has proven to be tricky and well, I haven't had much luck yet, but it is still early (I haven't even been here two weeks).
Tonight I spent two hours at Barnes and Noble, looking at books, the fantasy football magazines, In Style and seeing if there was anyone my age that I might randomly strike up a conversation with. (Weird if you actually think about saying oh I met my friend at a bookstore, plus if I did talk to someone they probably would have been weirded out by my forwardness-but who knows, it was worth a shot.) Well there wasn't anyone within my age range there.
Getting proactive is the way to solve this problem. I have tried at work this past week, but it turns out there aren't really any young people that work there. There are some people in their late 20s, but it seems also that there have been a rash of marriages among those people so they might not be the answer.
Today my mother and I went to return the rental car and she introduced me to this girl who worked at Enterprise who she had met when she rented the car. I guess my mom had told the girl about me and stuff and well one thing led to another and I got her number. Also today I sent a Facebook message to this girl that went to middle school with me who lives here. So we'll see what happens.
I know that it will take time, but there are only so many Saturday nights I can spend at Barnes and Noble.

First day on the job..sucked and other tales

2006-07-09T20:12:00.000-05:00

Well, after a two-day drive from Lawrence to Scottsdale the life in Arizona was beginning. We arrived late Monday night after driving about 900 miles that second day. Fourth of July was relaxing, I ate my hot dog and headed to bed early, since Wednesday was my first day on the job, bright and early at 9am. I had to wake up at seven that morning, which was early. The drive to work would take about 45 minutes to get to work, ugh. Then low and behold it was raining, something it never does in Phoenix. Not a good sign for the first day on the job.

It proved to be a bad sign.

Work wasn't awesome, as I had to sit in a chair for eight hours that day watching how the other online producers do there job and teaching me the utilities they use to post stories and video on the internet. FUN!!!-NOT... So after that not so great time at the office, I was headed home and some ass-hole in a tow truck ran into the back of me at a light. IDIOT!!! He took full blame so I won't have to pay the $3100 in damages and I wasn't hurt (which was suprising considering the state of my car). (I'll post a pic.) So after all that I got home (car was still drivable) and just wanted to never go back to work again.

I realized that I couldn't quit only after the first day and that it could only get better from here on out (thanks to some good advice). If I hadn't had my parents here to go home to that night, I would have been on the road back to Lawrence that night.

Another thing to add to all this mess is the movers still haven't picked up my boxes and furniture at the apartment, which had become a hassle needless to say.

It is hard adjusting to this new place. I don't know how I am going to learn the city, it is quite big considering all the surrounding towns. And so far I haven't found any young, unmarried people at the office to hang out with. And well I know I could hang out with young married people, but who likes feeling like a third wheel, so we'll see what happens with the development of my social life. By August I might have to venture out alone and be a brave soul sitting at the bar by myself. That is what it might take and well then I guess I will have to put missing people and what I had in Lawrence aside and just do it.

Right now the guest room of my parents house is my home and I will give being here a chance just as long as everyone can pay attention to road signals and not hit my car!

Concluded the trip around the world...

2006-06-25T15:23:00.000-05:00

Well I didn't travel around the world, but I certainly made my way around Europe hitting four countries (England, France, Italy and the Vatican) and seeing a total of about seven cities, plus a couple more from the back of Mike's car.

Rome was amazing. It is incredible how old that stuff is. I mean when I visited the Roman Forum I was walking where Ceaser once walked and where he was killed. It weird also that much of that stuff was just found only about 200 years ago and it is BC stuff. Crazy, we could be sitting on something really old and we don't even know it-well it isn't like the U.S. has that much history, but it is a cool idea.

After 22 days of traveling, living out of a suitcase, sleeping on shitting matresses and showering in what probably wasn't the cleanest showers I was ready to come home.

As I look backk on things it was a great opportunity to get away with two good friends and see a little bit of the big world we live in. Though there was ups and downs nothing could be taken away from all the history, stuff, momuments, men, beaches and other stuff we saw and did.

Highlights included Venice and watching the Italy v US World Cup game at a bar in Rome. I will be getting pictures up as soon as I move to Phoenix, so I'll let the blog know.

Good times, lots of gellato (so good though) and great oldies.

I have already started planning out another adventure overseas. Can't wait!!!

Can I pick you up in my water taxi?

2006-06-17T09:56:00.000-05:00

Venice was what I thought it would be and more. The one spot I marked as a must visit on this trip was Venice and it lived up to all that I read about it. Really the city is like nothing you have ever seen before. You have to take a vaporetti or water bus to get almost anywhere. We stayed out by the aiport and had to take a bus into town, but the places to visit and the downtown area is all on water-so very neat. It does look like the pictures you see and the images from the Italian Job and other movies you have probably seen set in this location. I want to go back.

In Venice we did the touristy stuff on the first day we arrived, then on the second day we went to Murano Island where they make glass, then on the third day we went to the beach on Lido island and got some sun. It was nice and the well the Adriatic Sea is much warmer than the Mediterranean and there was sand instead of Nice's rocks.

Rome is old and well we are at the end of the trip so we are getting a bit worn out of touristing. One more day and then the 14 hour trek home. I will tell you all about it when I am stateside from the comfort of my technological devices and sum up the EuroVaca 2006 in the upcoming days as I prepare to begin the packing of my apartment.

Sorry so short, but I am so tired from a day being holy at the Vatican.

Italy awaits and so does the end of the trip

2006-06-10T09:39:00.000-05:00

I am going to utilize the free internet in our Nice hostel to write one more blog before we head to Italy this evening.

Nice was nice, it was great cause we got two days to beach and a bit of shopping in before we head to Venice, but the city itself is not so French Riviera. We met some Aussies and Lauren met the toilet when she had too much bad Sangria and beer. It was the first really drunken incident of the trip and good thing it happened in the comfort of our own hostel. We stayed in this hostel that had a villa feel which was in an old monestary on the hillside about the beach. It was pretty nifty, but for those of you who have seen the movie Hostel, it has some errie similarities. And for a time some events that occured were too familair to the movie, which fyi is based on a true story.

With eight more days left in the vacation I am looking forward to a good shower and my bed (which would afford me a good nights sleep). This has been an amazing trip, but it has worn on me a bit I must admit. I knew coming in to it that I wouuld need a vacation after my vacation, which unfortunately I am not going to get.

I have made my plans and I will be moving from Lawrence on July 3, so anyone around the area should stay turned for a huge going away bash time and date.

We will spend four days in Venice and the rest in Rome before coming home on the 19th. Everyone will have to see my pictures as I hope they are as good as I think they will be. Let me know what you are up to if you get a chance and I will try to keep the blog posted.

Miss everyone...

France: Great pastries, rude people

2006-06-09T02:28:00.000-05:00

So we have reached the halfway point in the vacation and well things have been going well. After our stay in Canterbury and Cambridge with Mike Boyd and his family we took the Eurostar train to Paris and had four days there. Paris was nice, it was my second time there and I realized that for me Paris is a one time visit place. We did some different things than the last time I was there. The highlights included seeing a service in Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eifel Tower at night flashes little lights every hour for 10 minutes (it is georgeous and I think my pics are pretty spectacular) and seeing Denise Richards and Ritchie Sambora in the Louvre. Our hostel was really close to the Louvre so we hung out there at night, which was beautiful.

We actually have had our fare share of Hollywood moments. When we were in London we saw a premiere of Wah, Wah, a new British film, where the highlights of the stars included Gabriel Byrne, Miranda Richardson, Nick Holt (from About a Boy-all grown up now) and Ian McKellen to name a few. We have seen lots of Da Vinci Code filming spots/places, so when I get home I am going to go and see the film to relive some trip moments.

After seeing the sights in Paris, Eifel Tower, Sacre Coure, Napolian's Tomb, Louvre, chocolate eclairs, baguettes and a few other things we traveled to Nice by train. Yesterday was our first day here and we layed on the beach and got some sun. Becca got a little burnt and we all got some sun (a little too much maybe in a few places we will see when the peeling starts). You can tell that Nice has had its hay-day, but they are trying to do some construction to spruce up the downtown. They have two areas a newer part of downtown and the old town, with little winding streets and shops (mainly touristy in nature), but the gellato is flowing and you could get any flavor you want (avocado to lilac are some of the more exoctic). The beach is little pebbles, so no white sand and I have been unsuccessful at convincing the other two to travel to a sandier place for the day. Tomorrow we take the night train to Venice and will have four days there before our last stop in Rome.

The trip has been fabulous and I will hate to leave, but look forward to my own bed a nice shower, not living out of a suitcase and seeing people back home. Miss you all and soon enough will be stateside...

Seeing the entire southeastern part of the UK

2006-06-03T12:36:00.000-05:00

For the past few days we have been spending time with our friends in the UK and it has been lovely! Mike Boyd, who we goes to school in Canterbury and parents live in Cambridge. Yesterday we drove to Eastbourne in Sussex and saw these beautiful cliffs, in fact one of them Beachy Head, is the second most place where people commit suicide (very interesting point huh). The drive was lovely and we stopped at a few senic places that really can only be described by the pictures I took.

Today we were in Cambridge for the day and Mike's mom and sister Kimmy met up with us after Mike dropped us in town and we tooled around the medieval streets and saw the collges that make up Cambridge University. I felt so studious walking in the college halls. It is georgeous campus area and green spaces inside the university walls.

Tonight we are staying with Mike's parents' house and then head to Paris in the morning. We will be taking the Eurostar and it should only take about one and a half hours.

It has been great relaxing and feeling like an Englishman(woman). Seeing our friends Mike and Gary has been a lot of fun and eating horribly has been a part of the plan. It has been a bit cramped riding in Mikey's car, but I have seen so much that is unforgetable.

The blogging might become a bit more infrequent as I head off from having a computer around, but I will try to keep the blog up to date, so check back. E-mail me as I do miss everyone and wish you all could be here too.

Snogs and shags, Love yall!

Halfway through the first week...

2006-05-31T11:45:00.000-05:00

It is Wednesday here in the UK and we traveled from London to Canterbury to stay with our friend Mike (he studied at KU in 2005, that is how I know him). We packed all the sights of London into three days, gosh I am going to have rock hard legs after this trip and all the walking we have been/will be doing.

We got to catch a movie premiere in Leicester Square of the movie Wah Wah and saw famous British actors, Gabriel Byrne being one of the most famous and also Gandolf from Lord of the Rings, Ian McKellan and the little boy from About a Boy, Nick Holt, who is all grown up now, to name a few notables.

This morning, after taking the train to where Mike parked his car we experienced the motorways of England and drove on the wrong side of the road, or the right side to these across the pond. It was great fun to see the countryside and all the little English houses. We then arrived at Mike's flat after taking a short drive around the city. This afternoon we saw the Cathedral and Chaucer and the Canterbury tales museum thing. Things over here are so much older and have so much more history than things in the US. It will be great fun hanging out with Mikey and seeing this part of southern England. Our friend Gary is going to join us on Friday and we will continue to reunion. Sunday we will head over to Paris on the Eurostar.

The trip has been fun and today officially marks the half week point of the first week of the trip. There is still much more to go, but it will be awesome. It was weird though cause I am not a homesick person, but when we were in the hostel the past three nights and I have been laying in the horribly uncomfortable bunk-bed trying to fall asleep, I have found myself thinking and wanting to be at home, but when we are out and about I want to be on the trip. I guess the thoughts might maybe be because I am thinking about my impending leave from Lawrence and moving a bit, even though I have tried not to think about that and no worries won't bring down this awesome adventure.

Much more exciting tales to come and the pics are looking awesome, the camera lens is great for getting good pics. Can't wait for the rest of the trip.

It looks like I will be updating the blog about twice a week, so check back for updates on Euroinvasion 2006 and then when I return in two-and-a-half weeks for a sampling of the thousands of pictures I am/will be taking.

E-mail me so I know your thinking about me too!

-Snogs and shags

London

2006-05-29T18:39:00.000-05:00

So we have arrived safely and everything is good! London is awesome, we have walked a ton (great exercise) and seen most of the city with still two days to go. My camera is awesome and will have great pictures. Still so much more of the trip to go.

Keep checking back for updates (as I hope it will continue to work even when I am in non-english speaking lands.)

Traveling...

I have made a decision and I made it myself: I am moving to Phoenix

2006-05-23T20:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I got the unknown call from Phoenix, and it was Tina Tran offering me a job in Phoenix, Arizona. I counter offered on the salary and told her I needed to think about it and would speak with her today.

Recently I have been thinking, making the plus and minus columns and weighing the decision if the call should come. I suck at making decisions and this is a huge one to make. With all that has been going on in the week before I go on my trip to Europe this really is the last decision I needed to pile on my emotional, streesed out brain. But after calling my advisors (aka close friends and my parents) to ask their advice and discuss some other things that were on my mind it was on me to make the choice. Knowing that I would not be required to sign a contract and with a new challenging presenting itself I had to accept the position.

So I did and will be starting to work at KTVK on July 5. My last day at the Journal World will be June 28 (so I have a week and a half when I return from my trip). It will be sad to leave Lawrence, the Journal World and some people, but as I always say everything happens for a reason and so we'll see what this new step in my life has in store.

Change is a fact of life

2006-05-13T21:57:00.000-05:00

Well after a two-day trip to Phoenix, things could be changing. I am not going to reveal all the details for fear of a jinx, but I have a strong feeling that my time living in Lawrence might be dwindling. I will keep yall posted, wish it luck and well pray that I will be able to make the right decision in the face of choices and separation anxiety.

Trivial Pursuit on a Friday night

2006-05-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

Cinco de Mayo, one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. So festive and filled with chips and salsa, mexican food, margaritas and tequilla (all of my favorite things). This past May 5 was filled with all the above and more. It began with a mango salsa, I made myself, a Mexican martini, a triple date dinner at a local Mexican restaurant, a trip to Red Lyon (downtown bar), a heated game of Trivial Pursuit, meeting up with people at Johnny's (another bar) and an emotional meltdown that was followed my a return to my house to retire for evening. Yes sounds like a rollercoaster of an evening that was filled with ironies, what could be labeled as a date, a board game and drunken Natalie moments. Overall good times, wouldn't have been Cinco de Mayo without all of that.

Season finales/Impending holiday

2006-05-04T20:02:00.000-05:00

I almost forgot how much season finales bug me. I mean gosh, now I have to wait a whole summer to find out what happens. Not fair. If someone wants to watch a show they will watch it next fall. I mean, now everyone who saw the One Tree Hill finally will wonder who died and who is pregnant. I guess I will have to wait till next year.

On another note, ABC took away Commander in Chief for sweeps and is going to bring it back in June. Think it is getting cancelled soon. That was a decent show-what is wrong with ABC. They also took away In Justice which was really good, but had the misfortune of being on Friday nights. I think they should keep both quality shows, but whatever tv networks.

While I'm blogging just wanted to say Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!! Have a margarita, it is a rule and don't forget some chips and salsa. Don't exactly know what I am doing but it has the possibility to be fun and will include tequila and salsa.

Hasty decisions

2006-04-28T18:57:00.000-05:00

So, two posts ago I wrote that 'I hate my life' and after a week or so to think about it, I wrote the post in haste. No life is worth hating, and while I was having a bad night, by no means should those feelings determine the state of my life. I am very fortunate to be in a good place. One thing I must realize before jumping to any sort of conclusion is that things change, people change, people grow apart, realtionships will end and people will find new jobs and move away. All those things and more are facts of life and no matter how much you don't want them to happen they will and you will have to adapt/change with them. The better you handle the changes and the idea that it does happen is the real challenge. No matter how much my life might be changing my family and good friends will always be there - at least I hope so cause I know that I will always be there for them.

Gay Cowboy

2006-04-20T18:53:00.000-05:00

That phrase, 'Gay Cowboy', is the biggest oxymoron. So I just got done watching Brokeback Mountain, which by the way took two days cause I dozed off a bit at the end the night before. It was a bit boring and was like a slow trot (ha, much like riding a horse-yeeha). The reason that this movie got so much pub. is that Heath Ledger stuck it up the ass of Jake Gyllenhaal. Not a great movie-average story really with a big twist. And if you want to see Jake and Heath go at it, rather graphically, then rent it.

I hate my life

2006-04-19T22:10:00.000-05:00

Enough said. (At least for today.)

You see I just needed someone to talk to, but everyone was busy or didn't need to be bothered with my stupid troubles. So I am talking to my blog. I am not happy with things right now and I really don't know why. I mean I am going to Europe in five weeks, I have a job, the weather is nice, i have lost some weight and well I do have some good friends. But while these things are good, there is so much more that is not. Lately I have been examining where my life is going and what do I really want to be doing with it. In a search for a new job I have come to the conclusion that there is no job I want to do. But really I just don't know what I want and am unable to commit to something. There are issues in the family and in my personal life, so everything combines to make me think, I hate my life.

-Note: And on top of it all I am watching stupid television programs. UGH.

Life

2006-04-13T01:09:00.000-05:00

It is funny how things work out, or don't, or don't go as planned, or right - just happen. Do you ever really know what your next step in life is supposed to be or for that matter how do you decide?

When I stayed in Lawrence I said it was for a reason and even though that reason has failed to reveal itself I still have faith that that was the case. Well right now, I am looking for a reason to stay or go and if go, where?

Today I was talking to someone about things and well I was saying that it is so great that for the first time in my life I have no obligations. I am not tied to school, to my family, to a boyfriend (husband, family) etc. The options are endless and well one way or another I must find a way to seize it.

But in order to do that I must get my life in order, plan my impending trip to Europe (going May 27!!!) and start to look at all the opportunities that exist for me - all the while taking advantage of the opportunity and time I have here in Lawrence.

No one ever has all the answers, but that is what keeps us guessing!!!

March Madness is over...April showers have arrived

2006-04-04T22:14:00.000-05:00

Well, Meagan has left, Florida is the National Champion and it is raining outside. TERRIFIC-NOT.

March Madness ended with a thud and a not so shining moment, what a boring game. Meagan's visit ended with a little Harry Met Sally and some dancing.

It was fun to have an old friend in town, relieve some sorority memories, talk about sex, eat a lot, drink not as much as planned and but most importantly, have alot of fun times!!! Can't wait til the next reunion.

Now that April has begun, things will move quickly and time will go by before we know it it will be summer. Until then we will have to endure some showers.

By the way: updated the Thought of the Month.

If the shoe fits...

2006-03-26T19:25:00.000-06:00

Well I didn't get to see the incredible comeback or the improbable or unthoughtof overtime win for George Mason today, but when I head about it made my whole day better. [I had been at the Topeka Exporcenter for 9 hours (state wrestling tournament) and was already pissed off before I left my house this morning, so the news of the victory was awesome.]

I might only have picked one of the teams in the Final Four, but one team is probably better than most people did and well, I am so glad that history was made when Florida completed the afternoon with a victory over Villanova (in the modern-day bracket seeding there has never been a Final Four without a number one seed). And looky there, no Big East team or ACC team is in the finals. GO SEC, obviously showing their chops with two teams heading to Indy.

I am rooting for an LSU-George Mason match-up, and the way this March has gone anything can happen!!! And I have a connection to old George, I once lived in Fairfax, where the university is located.

Thank god March was so mad!!! Always interesting and never dissapointing. Already looking forward to next year.

I want to go back

2006-03-22T20:03:00.000-06:00

Two days back at home in Lawrence and I want to go back to Phoenix. It doesn't help that the temperature are around 30 degrees and this morning there was snow on the ground.

The rest of the trip was fabulous. It did rain on Sunday, but that gave us time to put together some of the house so I could see a bit of what it is going to look like when my Mom gets done doing her decorating magic. I ate too much, but it was good, and I spent some quality time with the 'rents. It is so awesome there. I mean I woke up Saturday morning and hiked a mountain that was about 15 minutes from our house. Another afternoon I made homemade lemonade from lemons I picked from the backyard. So cool stuff. I would recommend it to anyone and well I might seriously consider it for myself.

I have a new addition to the apt. I bought a cactus!!! Yeah for trips.

Movin' to the Desert

2006-03-16T18:39:00.000-06:00

Okay so Phoenix is awesome and beautiful and has a different/better feel than the Midwest. Mountainous landscapes are awesome and make me want to go play outside. I know, I know in the summer I will be singing a different tune when I am dying of heat stroke, but for now I have fallin in love with being here. I don't know if I am going to be able to get on the plane Monday.

So far I have toured around the city seeing downtown, Chandler, and Gilbert, ate at an awesome Cuban/Spanish restuarant (a new fav. of mine), went to Ikea, been to old Scottsdale where I bought a cactus (yeah a new friend, went to an Andy Warhol art exhibit) and made fresh squeezed lemonade (yes I even picked the lemons off the tree in the backyard and squeezed the juice from them). The trip is about halfway over, but there is so much still on the itenerary. Spring training game, shopping, hiking up a mountain, dinner at an Italian restuarant, drive to Pinnacle Peak and scenic trip, St. Patrick's Day fun with Lauren and Rachel and Cindy, and a bar-b-que send off. Ugh and I am sure we will cram in some more fun!!! Yeah for visiting the 'rents and getting some sun while I am at it.

Don't forget KU game tom. and other exciting bb match-ups.

On another note-look at my cinderella go-UW Milwaukee beating Oklahoma. March is getting madder.

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"In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes." - Andy Warhol

Madness is upon us

2006-03-09T21:01:00.001-06:00

So in March anyone can win, anything is possible and cinderellas are born. It is what makes this month so much fun (and of course spring starts too).

In the spirit of the season (and this totally is a season) watch some basketball, fill out a bracket and pray the glass shoe fits.

-----------------

Right, so on other note I am excited to be going to Phoenix on Tuesday to visit the 'rents. Never been to Arizona, so it should be an adventure. I guess I will see if it is a place I could see myself living. Exciting stuff, I just hope the weather will be condusive to swimsuits and suntans. I am going to catch some spring training and enjoy a Warhal exhibit. Lauren is going to be there visiting Rachel, so I will get to see her for a couple of days. Plus it is going to be St. Patty's Day so there is some fun green beer to be had. I will get to see yet another new house and am looking forward to seeing the renovations they have done. I will give the blog a full report when I get back. I love going on planes.

Programming note

2006-02-27T22:06:00.000-06:00

Everyone must watch the 'Cutting Edge 2' on ABC Family on Sunday March 12. The 'Cutting Edge was quite a movie and if you've never seen you must rent it. Don't forget to mark your calendar.

Anyone up for a game of kickball or flag football? The weather is gorgeous and I am up for some sort of outdoor game.

'I didn't know I didn't want to until it already happened'

2006-02-26T21:57:00.000-06:00

Tonight I was watching Gray's Anatomy and well the main character Meredith had sex with George soon after he told her that he loved her. Woah. Right. Then there was awkwardness between them. It turns out that during sex she started crying and made him feel bad because she realized that it was not what she wanted. She said that at the time he was saying all the right things, but really didn't return the feelings.

Sometimes the 'right things' can make you do things you don't want to do. Also it says that getting involved with a close friend can doom your future relationship. At the end of the episode George moves out and it is implied that their friendship will never be the same.

A note taken.

On another note: Do you believe in karma? I

Karma will always find us. We can't escape it. It will always follow us home. In the end karma just evens the score.

Random thoughts from me

2006-02-23T19:00:00.000-06:00

I am going to put this into a list so it is a bit more understandable, but really this post contains a bunch of interesting, pondering, nifty things to think about, discuss or laugh at.

1. When you think your job sucks just think about this job. Today I was coming home and there was this girl who was delivering the lawrence.com magazine to all the door in my building. Poor girl, she was already a bit unfortunate and on top of that had to wear this vest thing that held the rolled up door hang mags walking up and down the apartment stairs putting one on each door. The only positive I see in that sucky job is the exercise.

2. Every once in a while I have a moment that makes me think I am becoming my mother.

3. Is it possible to pull a butt muscle?

4. Why do people sleep with people to get ahead? There are so many issues with this, but I know in some cases it works. How unfair.

5. And on that note, lets follow it up with this. Would you ever have sex at your office? Think about it.

6. SO, with the recent things that have been happening in my life I can't not write a thought about boys. Ugh they just make you crazy. Can guys and girls just be friends. When Harry Met Sally tried to make it seem so until they ruined it in the end. I have been a believer in this idea but recent events have made me call it into question. This idea will be an open debate for me over the next few weeks. Then, the second thing is girls aren't supposed to make the first move. Are they? Not in all cases, this responsibility is totally shared so make a move or take a hint once in a while (you know who you are). Damn.

I had some other thoughts, but I have forgotten them. Maybe I'll think of them and add them later.

Unable to commit

2006-02-22T23:14:00.000-06:00

Well the phrase no longer applies to just relationships people. I realized that I can't commit to anything.

Decisions have never been my strong suit and still today they aren't. Stop asking me to decide okay. I'll do what I feel is best knowing that I have the support of my family. The journey is important, not the destination.

Something to think about, moments and memories. What ones are profound in your life?

Clapping and laughing uncontrollably

2006-02-19T23:33:00.000-06:00

So the weekend is over. It is weird now that I am not in school anymore I don't look forward to the weekend like I used to. Maybe that is because I still have to work on the weekend, thus it isn't like a rest or break from the other five days of the week.

After having an interesting week that started off with a hellish Monday of layout and six hours of sitting/standing in a junior high gym I was welcomed by Valentine's Day on Tuesday. Red, candy, and flowers who needs them. My horoscope had the audacity on this day to tell me in the tonight part 'dinner for two'. I ate solo but filled the evening with two movies, neither did I watch alone. So Wednesday and Thursday ushered in more games at the junior high and on the week I rachted up about 20 hours covering junior high ball.

This week I thought a lot about my future, getting a new job, what I really want to do next, and am I happy with the current state of my life and my realtionships with other people?.?. Saturday proved to be interesting and Adam's shot habbit proved to be dangerous for me (but nonetheless interesting). I started out the day working (ugh) but then saw KU rape MU and experienced the glorious fun the iSight has to offer.

Okay paragraph break for the iSight. Clapping uncontrollably. You can have a one-way vido conference with someone, so Meagan and I proceeded to converse for an hour and a half, she was able to see me and I was able to hear her. It was glorious fun, the most I might have had that night. The vodcats might be coming soon....

Well Monday morning will come to soon and it will all start over again. In the spirit of the Olympics, Buena note!

I'm old now

2006-02-11T12:23:00.000-06:00

Well I have finally recovered from my birthday week of fun. And overall it was fun! Monday there was bowling and beer, I sucked at bowling and maybe drank a bit too much beer, but my good friends were there to celebrate my 23rd. Then on Thursday was the big day. There was El Mez and margaritas followed by a lovely cake that Adam made and decorated so appropriately and after I blew out the candles we headed to the Ranch for some dancing.

Thanks for all the phone calls and birthday wishes and we will wait for another year of birthday fun.

Check out this gallery from the Ranch.

If you have access to Facebook I have posted all the photos from my birthday.

Breaking News

2006-02-05T12:31:00.000-06:00

Last night all of the memories of the newsroom came rushing back to me as I held the tripod and Adam carried the camera. BREAKING NEWS, something that always got us Multimedia Newsroomers in a frenzy of excitement. Well I got to experience breaking news but in a new newsroom (a bit sad) but just as exciting cause it was with the Journal-World.

Last night I had been over at 1326 Mass for a Crux cd release/boys wanted to have a party party, decided to go down to a bar on Mass with a few people for an hour and then return to the house when the bars closed. Leaving a few minutes before 2:00am to walk back to the boys' house, nothing on Mass looked out of place then moments after we were out of the danger zone/slash area of the incident we saw police cars wizzing by, but really didn't think anything of it, til I learned that there was a shooting at the Granada.

At that moment I can say that I was a little drunk and wasn't thinking breaking news. So back at the party I mentioned to Alyssa and Adam that we should go and get pizza (Alyssa who is visiting from NYC needed to get some Wheat State Pizza) and we were in agreement. After getting in the car I mentioned to Adam about the shooting and well, if you know him, when there is a story we must go.

I had no coat (cause we were just going to get pizza) and was drunk, but after swinging by Dole to get the camera we headed down to blocked off Mass. Street to begin our breaking news coverage. I contacted Candice who was at the JW to let her know the situation. After it was indeed confirmed that there was a shooting and that life flight was coming for a victim I called Candice again to let her know that she should get a reporter out here and a photographer as well, cause this was going to be a big story. (She couldn't get hold of a reporter, so I called myself into action.)

Adam and I preceeded to walk around and try to get some info, as Adam shot video. As we tried to get some information we ran into/was approached by a man who witnessed the incident. He was an interesting man, a bit odd you could say, who was not from Lawrence. He gave us a sound-bite and recounted the incident out in the street. The life flight was landing (which by the way was a pretty cool thing to witness up close) and the victim was wheeled on a stretcher from the ambulance to the helicopter. I talked to the witness a little more, and in his weirdness he preceeded to tell me about himself and that he just needed a wife and mother for his daughter, a woman to have his kids and he also mentioned while I was questioning him that he wanted me to be that. (WHY do I seem to attract all the wrong guys.)

So freezing and freezing, no longer drunk (seemed to sober up quickly in this situation) we were unable to get an interview with the police captain and decided that we exhausted all the info and should get warm. We preceeded to go back to the house, share the stories with the few stragglers left at the party and then I went to the newscenter to write a breaking news story for ljworld.com.

All-in all breaking news is exciting but at the same time sobering (no pun intended). I'll tell you why. We were standing outside of the police tape and there was a woman with two other people. As I was eavesdropping on her conversation with a police officer I discovered that she was the daughter of one of the victims (incidentally the victim that died on the way to the hospital). At the time I shared some information with her (the police weren't being helpful), but wasn't about to pry into the situation. Adam on the other hand wanted to see if she would talk to us, but never asked as some detectives came and took her away to answer her questions. At that moment I realized that her father just died, why in the hec would it even cross my mind to ask her if she wanted to talk to the media.

So by 6:30am I finally was able to go to sleep. What an exciting night.

Disturbing discovery

2006-01-26T20:06:00.000-06:00

So I went to Target today and to my distrubing suprise there were swimsuits out on the rack. Ugh, it isn't even February yet, the semester just started (so not time for Spring Break) and well swimsuits suck. I better get hard core serious about losing some weight and getting into shape before it might actually be time for me to seriously start thinking about getting one of those suits.

Netflix

2006-01-25T01:33:00.000-06:00

So I am a Netflix user. And I have a problem. Netflix has just become a reason for me to rent horrible movies. Case in point, right now watching Into the Blue. Horrible movie. I need to re-evalute my que so there are some more quality flix coming to my door.

TGIF

2006-01-20T15:57:00.000-06:00

I am not really thankful its Friday cause my Saturday is going to suck, but alas the weekend still have a nice feel to it. Well, all the kiddos at KU went back to school today, thus making me feel even older and more removed from my days of walking up that hill. I, on the other hand, did my usual go to work thing.

Sidenote: TGIF makes me think of Full House.

As I approach my 23rd birthday I have begun to think about my life and its direction a bit more. Gosh I am getting old. HA! It is weird how I have become very unfocused (not in a spin out of control off the path of bigger and better kind of way). I mean when I was younger, even a year ago I had a plan, was motivated to achieve more than I am right now, felt a bigger sense of challenge, but wasn't necessarily as spontaneous, open and me as I am right now. I don't know what is different, but I have a new sense of what it is like to be, instead of what it is like to constantly think about achieving. While I haven't lost sight of my dreams, I think I can appreciate the state of being spontaneous, crazy, a bit lazy but none the less focused on the ride more than the destination. [Wow didn't think I was going to be so thoughtful/deep about it being a Friday afternoon. I just started this post cause I have nothing to do a work while I wait for my page dummies to come from advertising.] So yeah, I can be content with things right now cause I know that whatever happens in the future or in the next two days will be what I want and that is what makes living life so much better (even if you don't really feel that you're doing much but the daily routine.)

Must love blogs

2006-01-13T22:03:00.000-06:00

Has anyone out there who reads my blog ever done speed dating, gone through a dating service or done internet dating?

I was thinking about venturing into the world of someone other than my mother trying to set me up with someone aka the above dating service things. The saying for this month, love yourself and someone with love you back, well as Meagan wrote, one of my "endlessly optimistic mantras" might be overly cheesy, but I got to have faith that I will find my love nerd match even if it isn't in some bar, through a blind date or a friend at work. Bring on the world of these silly dating services or maybe I should go the old fashioned way putting out a personal ad. Funny huh, but it is a thought.

Blah, Blah, Blah and something kinky

2006-01-12T20:50:00.000-06:00

So I haven't written in a while so I thought I would. Life has been life. Work has been work. And I have been swimming through things this new year. Haven't accomplished my resolutions, but did start my exercise class so I guess I might be on may way. Ugh, gosh, when does Spring arrive or something more than what's happening right now.

Oh, forgot to tell yall about my experience at a fetish party. Had to go to one for Party Pics and it was interesting. Whips, chains, dog collars, gropping booth, topless women, spanking and etc. It was a different experience and overall enlightening. Learned some new tricks. HAHA.

Good news: With the new iLife '06 video blogs will be coming soon!!! Stay tuned.

Why?

2006-01-05T20:45:00.000-06:00

Why is everything always about plus one? If you read this and know, let me know.

35 wasn't meant to be

2006-01-05T09:48:00.000-06:00

I think it was karma that dashed USC's hopes of a three-Pete. The Bush push came back to haunt them or maybe it was the legs of Vince Young. Whatever it may be Matt will go out with a loss, but never fear we can watch him on Sunday in the future. It was probably one of the greatest games I have ever seen, you missed out if you didn't watch it. Sad to see the college football season end, but it certainly went out with a bang. (or maybe more appropriately with a Young running touchdown).

Now on with the NFL playoffs...

Resolutions

2006-01-03T20:38:00.000-06:00

So in the spirit of black eyed peas, BCS bowls and Dick Clark I am going to commit to the blog my New Year's Resolutions.

In no particular order or importance:

1. Dance Aerobics. I know that every year everyone makes the resolution to lose weight. I am not saying that, I am just going to get moving to music and establish a routine of being fit. (before everything starts to head south)

2. Be more spontaneous!!! This spontaneity will help in curbing my over thinking of every situation in my life and help me to be more decisive in my decisions, so I can get what I want from others, work and life in general. It could also play into creating some fun times and interesting situations.

3. Get the resume updated and start looking into what a career in Spanish language television has to offer.

4. Learn Flash and become an expert in Photoshop. Just because I have been out of college for six months or so doesn't mean I should stop learning. I mush reactivate my brain and rejuvenate my creativity.

5. Speaking of creativity, I am going to paint. Don't know exactly why this makes the list but I talk about doing this painting using photographs and never have, so I will.

Now those are my five resolutions. Not forgetting that each and every day I always strive to be a good daughter (keep in touch with the fam.), be a good person (help old ladies across the street) and always have fun (booze, boys, bars) with whatever I am doing.

You only get one life so live it. (Even if that means you aren't accomplishing all of your resolutions.)

Second day of '06 Update

2006-01-02T21:04:00.000-06:00

Well in my second day of 2006 I had to work, but luckily got to watch a lot of football as I laid in bed til 1pm before I went in to the office.

So New Year's Eve was relatively quiet and not very eventful as usual. I went into Kansas City to Ellyn's parents house before leaving to pick up her boyfriend Nick (whom I was meeting for the first time) and heading to a New Year's party. We played some drinking games, counted down to one and toasted with some champagne. After hanging out for a while we ventured to another party which was completely opposite in atmosphere from the first. Finally heading back to Ellyn's parents house for bed.

On New Year's Day Ellyn's dad made breakfast and we watched some NFL action. Saw Brett Favre in what could have been his last game and saw Dick Vermeil cry as his Chiefs won their last game, unfortunately not making the playoffs. After having dinner I headed back to Lawrence and put in some time at work (freeing up my morning of laziness and football watching).

Overall the New Year was good and I got to spend time with good friends (not lonesomely in my apt.)

Today thus begins the countdown to the end of college football. (in general so far a good bowl season). We'll see how the rest of these bowl games end up.

{One note on the Rose Parade: raining so it ruined what was supposed to be a spiffed up parade and Toni Braxton and LeAnn Rimes not exactly spiffy enough.

New Year's Eve -Hiss, boo

2005-12-31T18:11:00.000-06:00

So why is New Year's Eve no more fun at 22 than it was when I was 2. At two I fell asleep probably before midnight and this year I might as well just be sleeping. Going to a party, but I don't it expect it to be anymore exciting than previous years.

Taking a look at this evening in years past:

As a kids it was a babysitter and she let us eat ice cream, cookies and pizza while we stayed up til 12:15pm then it was to bed-if my brother and I weren't already sleeping from our crash and coming down from our sugar highs.

In middle school it was sparking champagne at a girls sleepover. God we thought that was so adult, but really looking back it wasn't that cool. I guess we were among friends and could gossip about boys while we laid in our sleeping bags dreamily looking at Dick Clark on TV (gross-can't believe I typed that).

In high school we tried to get a friend's parents to agree to let us have a party where there would be alcohol and boys, but no one's parents were keen on the idea of boys joining the sleepover (no drinking and driving you know).

Then in college, well I never spent a New Year's Eve in Lawrence, so really just reverted back to those high school days. Oh I do remember last year where I went to Austin, TX with the family and all my expectations of Austin as a mini Boston, MA were let down. Austin is still a cool place though.

Really as I think about it New Year's is overrated. Sorry to be so cynical.

Fashionable uniforms

2005-12-29T19:38:00.000-06:00

So I am watching the Oregon - Oklahoma game and they just announced that Oregon has nine different uniform combinations that they have worn this year. Gosh, uniforms just keep getting trendier and trendier. And apparently next year they are going to have three different helmets and incorporate chrome in their black, green, white and yellow color scheme. Just hope they keep on winning or they will just look stupid.

He can keep me company

2005-12-29T19:33:00.000-06:00

Now that I am relatively done with my travels for a while, I decided to get a new fish. In the spirit of the new state my parents have decided to call home, his name is Zona, a beautiful crowntailed beta. (I'll get a pic up soon.) He loves his bowl and since he is a little smaller than Milton he shouldn't get too cramped. I am glad to add Zona to the family and I hope everyone else will welcome him as well. (Hopefully I won't kill him too.)

Mexican martinis anyone?

2005-12-29T19:30:00.000-06:00

Yeah for the Mexican martini! Celebrating Ellyn's trip to Lawrence, I broke out the tequila and we had some drinks. They were good, a little different than the original Austin version, but will suffice in Lawrence. So anytime anyone wants to come over for one let me know and I'll shake one up for you.

Christmas is over, bring on the New Year!!!

2005-12-26T16:54:00.000-06:00

Despite Christmas eve dinner on plastic plates and living among boxes during the holidays, this time of year always makes some funny memories.

After working all week to try and publish my little Game tab when there are no games, I was able to head to Dallas for a short holiday visit and the last trip to the Lone Star State as a resident (well I guess with my parents having their current residence).

Arriving at Love Field I greeted my brother at his gate which is always fun cause it is not something you get to do very often with the tightened security and all. After I arrived at the house, conversation and leftovers ensued then I headed to Fort Worth to meet up with the boys and have some fun (And I needed to after the week I had had.) The evening consisted of media-room free alcohol one bar then this piano bar. After all that Adam and I wouldn't venture back to the rents house so we crashed at the hotel. I had to wake up at the crack of dawn though to get home so my parents could have the car and I could greet the packers. Adam didn't get up after persistent calling, so I left and made it home in time. The packers came, and preceded to pack while I slept on the couch. The parents returned home and since they had gone to closing on the house, they returned home homeless of sorts.

Later that evening we ventured to TCU for the Fort Worth Bowl which featured the stingy Kansas defense against the high-powered Houston offense. Tailgating fell through since we were running late and so we just went to the game. Joining the throngs of KU fans (way to go fans, we really represented!!!) the game began and the high powered offense that Houston was supposed to have was non-existent and well KU was the one with some offensive power. The first quarter was awesome, there was a lull in the middle of the game, but by the end we were dominating and making some exciting things happen. Maybe people will be excited about the start of football season next year. So that was Friday.

Oh yeah, I had to wake up at the crack of dawn again so that I could take Adam to the airport. UGH

I got a little nap in before having a lazy Sat. with the fam., among the boxes. Presents came that evening as we celebrated both Christmas and Channukah on the same evening. (We decided next year we're just going to celebrate Kwanza as well, what the heck.) Yeah for presents. I got some clothes from the 'rents jewelry from my g-parents, purses were the hot thing from the aunts and uncles, other clothes, target gift card, etc. stuff. But the real awesome thing, du dunna duh----an sight. (The only bad thing is the only person I know with one is my brother-not that I won't talk to him, but I would like to talk to all of those out of townees.) I haven't had a chance to use it yet, or even see how it works, but I am hoping that I am going to be able to use it to do some video blogging!!! So stay tuned for that one.

Sunday was Christmas Day and that meant we went out to my Aunt Patsy's house for a meal and some dominoes or Skip-Bo. My grandparents weren't there cause they stayed in Nashville, so it was extended family at the party. It was good to see them though cause with us moving we won't get down there for a while.

That was that and so the holidays ended with me taking my plane home.

Oh can't forget the evening when I got to see Ellyn and start our week of fun!!! I stayed at her house and drove to Lawrence and work this morning. Oh work-SUCKS-maybe I don't want the Holidays to be over just yet.

Surprise!!!

2005-12-19T20:43:00.000-06:00

We did it, completely surprised my mother Cindy for her 50TH BIRTHDAY. (Yeah she is 50!) I traveled to Nashville, Tennessee (my birthplace) for my cousins graduation and mother's surprise party. We saw family and friends, ate, slept and had Christmas. The short trip was nice, haven't been to Nashville in a while. We had my mother's party at the Loveless Cafe. An old place that is pretty famous home cookin' cafe. There were about 30 people there and Cindy's old college roommate came over from Memphis for the party. Got some dirt on those college years. Mom and I had a birthday shot when we went for drinks after dinner. It was a real good party and weekend for my mom.

I got to meet Meghann, Jason's girlfriend and new roommate in Chicago. She is my age, which is weird to me, but a nice girls. We'll see what happened in the windy city.

All I want for Christmas?????

2005-12-12T21:51:00.000-06:00

Gosh I wish I needed two front teeth, cause I have no idea what I want this year for the holidays. HELP! If you have any suggestions please let me know.

What is wrong with me though, I mean there is probably a million things I should want, but for some reason things just don't look appealing. UGH!

Told yall I let you know...

2005-12-12T19:55:00.000-06:00

So the company Christmas party was Saturday and as I expected went by myself. Not as bad as I had expected as there are other losers out there who don't have a wife, husband or significant other. We had some good conversations, I met some of those wives, husbands and significant others, a few drinks and karaoke. Yes, I sang karaoke and a lot of it, five or so songs. But don't worry everyone else couldn't sing either so I blended in with my bad singing voice. Overall entertaining though and at least the first is out of the way!!!

Start spreading the news......I am going to be a part of it, New York, New York

2005-12-09T16:37:00.000-06:00

Da da dunna duh.....

So Adam, Rylan, Maggie and I took a small bite out of the Big Apple! It was good to get back to the city the never sleeps and let me tell you I never slept on this trip. From taking advantage of the fact that bars don't close til 4 am and waking up at 4am to go to Good Morning America sleep was definitely not a priority on the trip. But that for all the more fun!!! It was fun, got to go shopping, Maggie got lost in Times Square, got buy shoes (different than shopping when you are in NYC), ate Essa Bagel, a canoli, lamb, Chinese and Italian (to name a few), saw the sights, went ice skating in Bryant Park, Empire State Building in a snow storm (it looked as if we were in a snow globe-very cool, even though it was very cold), up town, Times Square, downtown, East Village, West Village, Colombia University, Knicks v Celtic, KU v St. Joe and then a 6am plane ride home. Uh that sounds exhausting and I am sure that I forgot a few things (namely Adam's 6 times he went to the bathroom from the Kansas City airport to arriving at my aunt's house). Adam and I got a seven plus out of nine, met Adam's GMA co-workers, saw my cousins and Ali, spent lovely time with my Aunt Charna (who graciously let us invade her apartment for two nights-THANK-YOU), saw Bailey Skiles and Erin 'Diggs' Eastwood and did I mention H & M. So all and all it was a good trip.

I realize this is so short. As time goes on I might add bits a pieces so that I will remember all the crazy times in the big city.

And a message from the Manhattan Transit Authority: Please do not ride on the outside of subway cars, as it can be dangerous and cause serious injury or death.

Da da dunna duh....

Burning down the house

2005-11-30T11:42:00.000-06:00

My stove caught on fire!!! and my apartment could have burned down!!! That is the second near death experience I have had in three days.

So I was baking a birthday cake and boiling a pot of water for my noodles that I was going to have for dinner, when all of a sudden I look and my stove is on fire. Appartently there was some stuff in the burner that caught on fire. Luckily acting quickly I turned off the burner, grabbed the fire extinguisher but turning off the burner put out the fire. My fire alarm began going off shortly after the fire went out, but luckily I found the button to stop it and not harm was done. But it could have been bad if I didn't act quick.

Oh, I got my noodles cooked and made an awesome chocolate mousse cake!!!

Thanksgiving Gaylord style

2005-11-30T11:24:00.000-06:00

Well I had my first (I think) and last Thanksgiving in our Dallas house. Meagan Kelleher came up from the LC to feast with the Flanzers and my Uncle Cliff surprised us on Thursday when he showed up with my grandparents. Before the dinner my dad, grandmother, Meagan and I went to the Gaylord Texan (a huge hotel/convention center) where took silly picture and established Gaylord as a new adjective. I post the pics and you can see the numerous Christmas card moments we had. We feasted on ham and turkey, a new recipe for sausage stuffing, cranbery sauce, potatoes and a squash vegetable thing, oh and the crossiants. Plus who could forget the chocolate pecan pie. I was sick (the worst day of my cold in fact) on Thanksgiving and well it sucked cause the food didn't taste the same, ugh. Meagan was subjected to game night with my family and I slept off the pounding headache. Of course my brother insisted he won everything and what I heard in between waking up sounded like they were having fun. Friday was a lazy day, watching football. Then we went to Forth Worth to go to a mexican restaurant, Joe T Garcias. Great place, took me back to Spain, as we sat outside (yes in Nov.) and ate okay fajitas and drank margaritas. Oh right, this happened after getting stuck in a parade light traffic and my dad being lost (cause men never want to print out directions). Apples to Apples and ice cream, mall shopping on Saturday and KU's overtime victory against Iowa State, bowl eligibility and ribs. More Apples to Apples, cookies and hot tubs and pools. That about sums up the holiday. GAYLORD

Chapter 1: The small bladder

2005-11-14T17:36:00.000-06:00

Back from the road trip to Austin and I will start off by saying it did not dissapoint. Lots of driving, bathroom breaks, Texas touchdowns, Natalie mistakes and can't forget the alcohol. Now I am sure that short discrition intrigued you, so lets jump right into this first chapter.(There are five chapters total so don't forget to keep scrolling.)

Luckily our journey on Thursday was just to Dallas and waiting there was my mother and brother and chocolate pecan pie. We had the trip essentials: Bubblicious, sunglasses and some good tunes, so we were set to leave Lawrence and head down I-35. Adam and I (we drove down together in Adam's CRV) had to stop in Topeka so that Adam could fill out some paperwork at his new tv gig, but then we were on the road, only about 15 minutes later than I had originally thought we would be leaving Topeka. It was an ever interesting drive down. We stopped about every hour, so that Adam could use the bathroom and then get another drink to ensure we would have to stop the next hour. It was great weather for our drive which made things pleasant. Adam and I played the favorites game, chewed our Bubblicious, which Adam had a hard time keeping in his mouth (he hasn't had many years of expereience with blowing bubbles), and I played DJ (a very good one in fact-oldies, newbies and goodies). Despite the extended length of the drive it wasn't bad. When we arrived in Dallas I took a round about way getting to my parents house (but you gotta know that I didn't get us lost, we just could have gotten off at a quicker exit!) My mom made us dinner, we played darts and Labarith and grilled my brother about his upcoming new living situation. I spent time with my mommy which was good, but unfortunately had no time to go into the hot tub. =(

After sleeping in, waffles with chocolate chips and some parents moving to Phoenix stuff, we got ready to go. Oh, funny thing, so my mom was having a garage sale on Saturday, and when I walked outside she had already put Adam to work (I guess you could say it was his room and board). On our trip to Austin, we stopped in Waco and saw the new bear pit on campus. (For those of you who don't know, they have two live female bears on there campus. Fun in Waco, brought back some memories of the two months I spent there for debate camp. (NERD). AND of course we can't foreget the bathroom break-"Hey it is not my fault I have a small bladder." ...........

Chapter 2: Austin City Limits

2005-11-14T17:35:00.000-06:00

We arrived: only 4.5 hours after leaving Dallas, but we got there. Adam and I went to Jaime's apartment, a friend of Adam's from the New York summer. We had a nice welcome to Austin, cause minutes after going upstairs, and Adam using the bathroom, we came back down to go to dinner and a tow truck was about to tow Adam's car away. Luckily we showed him the visitor pass we were bringing down to put on the dashboard and after a twenty-five dollar offer from the tow guy-which we did not pay- we were on the way to the restaurant. Trudy's, famous for the Mexican martini. Mexican and maragrita martinis made me a happy girl! The food there was good too and the Mexican martini was a nice compliment (i looked up the recipe, so whenever you coming into town or coming over let me know and I can make sure I have the ingrdients on hand). After dinner, we decided we should hit up the liquor store and got there right as it was closing. Liquor stores in Texas close at 9pm-by the way. The guy made fun of me for buying beer at his liquor store cause you can get that at the gas station (note: bought some rum too so there mister liquor store owner). Also, this particular liquor store required you have a Texas license, so good thing my parents decided to stop in Dallas for a year on their nomadic journey to live in all 50 states. - I digress - Then, we returned back to Jaime's apt. for some pre-drinking, got ready and headed down to 6th street!!!!!

Are you ready for some fun?......?.......?.......?

Chapter 3: Good times; Great Oldies

2005-11-14T17:33:00.000-06:00

6th Street is like Mass St. on steroids, so you can only imagine what the possibilities were for the night's festivities. Starting off at Maggie Mae's, which had an open area downstairs and a rooftop bar area with a huge screen television. At the top the roof you can look at all of 6th Street at the people filling the streets looking for the next bar to go to. (Very neat place.) Later we then took to the streets to find a new bar. Another bar, another couple of drinks, which continued for the rest of the night. A one bar there was this huge martini glass filled with alcohol and called an El Dorado (no the bar was not called the El Dorado). Throughout the night we met up with various people we knew from Lawrence. It was good times, and some other stuff I can't explain on the Internet. Oh right forgot that Adam fell off the curb and hurt his ankle while we were waiting for a taxi. Funnny!!! Yeah for night one in Austin!...!....

Chapter 4: Saturday, Saturday da da da

2005-11-14T17:27:00.000-06:00

Dreaming sweet dreams causing me to sleep a little later than I should have, we eventually made it to eat breakfast at Kirby's Diner. Then we headed to the game. THE GAME 52-0 at half really explains it all. After a while I was participating in the eyes of Texas cheers and enjoying the atmosphere of a real college football atmosphere. At least we won the third quarter!!! The game really was just the warm up for the last night in Austin. And believe you me, I think I made the best of it. Shots, beers, drinks and good friends sums it up without sharing all the details.

When the bars closed at 2:00am that was really just the beginning of the evening. Back to the La Quinta (which is Spanish for High Speed Internet) and Jimmy and the rest of the suburban crew joined us for some beers. Adam had gone back to his friend Jaime's house and retired to rest up for the drive home. So we made a friend with a nice security guard and some Hurricane Katrina victims. Around 3:00pm or so, Rylan and I realized that he was locked out of his room and my purse was locked in, so what to do. The security guard couldn't help us cause Ryan Coliani (Rylan's hotel roommate) had deadbolted the door, so we were stuck.

So Rylan and I made the best of the evening, by going to tour the captial of Texas and all the fun stuff that surrounds the building. We took pictures with the statues and monument things. After we completed that tour we made our way to campus cause really what else were we supposed to do. To campus, seeing the bell tower thing, the stadium and wading in the fountain, we had seen UT campus. It was nearing 6:00am and we had walked and seen a lot of Austin. I remembered that Kirby's restuarant was 24 hours and close to where Jaimie's apartment was, near where we were on campus. We figured that we could get some food and then hopefully Adam would return my phone call. Not so and we ended up walking back to the hotel as the sun was coming up. (Ah sounds so romantic, right, if were weren't completely exhausted). Still no answer when we banged on the hotel door, so we sat and tried to rest/sleep cause we were exhausted and not drunk anymore. A little while later around 8:00am Ryan opened the door to the hotel room and we went directly to lay down and sleep. A couple hours later Adam called, we arranged to get picked up after Rylan sent some pics to the Kansan. With our heads on a pillow the evening had finally ended. Oh, you should see the pics.

The worst part was we had to drive home that day..........

Chapter 5: The long and winding road

2005-11-14T17:23:00.000-06:00

The roads aren't exactly winding, but I was on a role with the songs for chapter titles.

Got on the road finally around 1p.m. - a bit later than I thought we would. We had picked up a new passenger on the way (Rylan rode home with us). Took us four hours to get to Dallas where my mom had made us dinner - yeah for home cooking. After stopping for about an hour and a half (Adam had to write and e-mail a volleyball story) we got on the road back to Lawrence. I drove from Dallas to about 100 miles south of Wichita. By the end of the drive I was so tired that my leg could push the pedal and I was going 60 mph and hallucinating seeing things. Luckily 30 minutes ahead there was an exit (that is what you get in Oklahoma - nothing for miles) so I put on the cruise control and we trudged forward. By this point I was delirious-no sleep and a car ride don't make for a good combo, so I was acting crazy, but I guess keeping everyone entertained. Glad I could entertain you with my stupid idiocy. Attempting to sleep but being bothered to keep Adam awake - silly boy you actually got sleep Saturday night. I believe that we stopped at every middle gas stop thing on the Kansas Turnpike before pulling into Lawrence and arriving at 1326 Mass. After unloading my stuff and giving Trey his present, I was on my way home to bed, but only six hours of sleep Sunday night cause the reality of being back in Lawrence means working.

So that was the trip, lots of fun, but game roadtrips usually don't dissapoint. Til the next one......

Right...

2005-11-09T22:07:00.000-06:00

Yeah for Thursday coming. I have been working so hard to get things done so I can take a trip. I am looking forward to seeing my mother tom. and also going to the KU-Texas game (even if we are going to lose.) I need to get my chin up, so to say, cause the next two months are going to be filled with good desserts, presents and trips. Even though it will be a lot of work too. Maybe I can look at the work as a bonus for the other stuff. Right...

Milton, RIP

2005-11-05T09:16:00.000-06:00

Today, Milton passed away. He has been under the weather, feeling ill for the past couple of days. Changing the water, an extra pellet of food, nothing seemed to help. This morning when I woke up, he was dead. We had a nice ceremony for him and said a prayer as he whirled around the toilet bowl. He lived a good life and will be missed. Maybe he was sacrificing himself for a KU victory over Nebraska, he was red after all. Fear not though, Milton Jr. is on the way and will put the life back into the fish bowl soon.

All donations can be made to the Lawrence Humane Society in his honor.

The infamous company Christmas party

2005-10-31T21:41:00.000-06:00

Megs, this ones for you:

So last week I got an e-mail for the company Christmas party and needed to RSVP. The invite said let my boss know if I was coming and if I was bringing my spouse, significant other, date or friend. Well last time I checked I wasn't married, in a serious relationship or even dating. I know I just admitted my loser dating status and non-existant love life-UGH! Luckily I have friends-THANK GOD for that! The thought that really crossed my mind was not if I was going to respond for one or two, but "Gosh, I thought once I graduated college I wouldn't have the task of trying to find a date to attend a function. After graduation you have no more school dances, sorority formals or date parties" -but alas you have work parties and there is the option to bring someone with you.

Well to let ya'll know I responded to the e-mail with 2. Now I have until December 10th to decide who I want to take. Many of you know who I'd like to take, but really I know that won't happen so it will be a last minute decision. (At least I didn't have to write out an enormous check to the social coordinator for me and my yet to be determined date.) Who knows maybe I might find an actual date before then (and as we usually say there is still a month-even though we know if I haven't had a date in such a long time like I am going to have one in a month.)

GOOD THING THERE IS GOING TO BE ALCOHOL AT THIS PARTY.

I'll let you know on December 11th how the eveing went. Yeah, for my first office Christmas party!

Good cries

2005-10-28T13:07:00.000-05:00

I think I should be happy, but alas I cry.
The next couple of weeks should be exciting and I should be so happy to have friends visit, my dad come to Lawrence, a trip to Austin, followed by Thanksgiving and a trip to NYC, but no, for some reason I am not. Don't get me wrong there are moments of happiness I have had and will have during all of this excitement, but last night all I could do was cry. It was one of the biggest cries I think I have ever had. The tears started out of happiness for getting to see Ellyn, but then we couldn't stop cause we were sad that she was going back to Naples. Later I had more tears and even still after that I had more tears. Haven't cried like that in a long time. And when I woke up this morning my eyes could hardly open, but I felt better cause I had such an intense cry. Funny how that works.
As I write this I know my eyes are puffy, and I lost two contacts in the mess but the sun is shining and life is too short to be sad, so I am wiping away the tears until the next time I need to have a good cry-cause every once in a while they are necessary.

Facebook finally listened

2005-10-27T13:04:00.000-05:00

Everyone should be so excited. If you don't already know Facebook has a new feature that allows you to create photo albums and post pics of you and your friends for all to see. Dangerous maybe, awesome definitely.

Why??????????

2005-10-16T21:29:00.000-05:00

Why is it when I want to say something I can never get it out, but then after the moment has passed me by I know exactly what I should have said and done? UGH!!! My life would probably be totally different if I had the ability to act.

Note: Some of you might wonder where this is coming from, so yeah last night I should have done and said, but of course my inability prevented me from doing it. Now all I can do is look back on the situation and wonder what would have happened if I would had done it differently. UGH!!!

Feelin' lucky

2005-10-12T22:08:00.000-05:00

Today the Kansas Powerball jackpot was $240 million and well based on my dream last week of winning the lottery, I saw it as a sign I should play. I have never gambled, bet or played the lottery before, so this was a big first. I called my mom before I went into the gas station to ask what numbers I should pick or how many there are cause I wanted to be prepared my first time. That didn't produce any results, I didn't know which numbers to play, so I tried my luck with the quickpick. I bought three tickets cause the other day on 90210 they went to Vegas and three was the lucky number (plus three and seven are my lucky numbers). Of course my luck sucks, as always, and I didn't win big. I did match two numbers, but I am not sure if I get anything for that? It was a fun experience and I will always remember my first time - even if I didn't get lucky.

Life is so similar to 90210

2005-10-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

I watch 90210 almost everyday now thanks to DVR, and if I don't get to it that day then I wll watch it the next.
On Tuesday I was watching it, (FYI: now they are juniors in college), and Kelly was volunteering at at AIDS hospice. (This is after the whole cocaine mess.) Two things stuck out in this episode, one, Kelly got some blood on her and was afraid of getting HIV, luckily she didn't need to be worried about the blood getting on her but about unprotected sex she had had in the past. Right, always a lesson in those type of shows. The second thing is it was Rosh Hashanah. What perfect timing. Funny and all. Then the other thing that is currently an ongoing story line. is Valerie is having an affair with a married man- and most of you who read my blog will understand how that one relates to life. So, if you ever get a chance turn on SoapNet at 4:00 pm, you can catch an episode. It takes you back to the early 90s and aside from the hair and fashion what is going on in those episodes is so true to my life and many of your lives today.

Side note, I wish we had a Peach Pit, but maybe Louises Downtown can count as that considering how much we frequent that location. Still it would be fun to have a place like that to go to. Right, okay.

[Don't think I am crazy, just a little guilty pleasure, and we all can have one of those.]

Being a good Jew

2005-10-05T22:12:00.000-05:00

Right, so I think everyone knew I was Jewish (or half Jewish that is). Since it was the high holy days I went to services this morning at the Jewish Community Center here in Lawrence. Everytime I go, which is on the holidays, I always ponder the meaning of what the service means, what is means to be a Jew. I realize that it is Rosh Hashanah, the new year and that I can ask forgiveness for my sins, but what is written in the text is something I don't exactly know what to believe (which is really my biggest thing about religion). Overall, I am not a highly religious person. I have faith and I know that exploring my Jewish heritage is important to me. I mean I went to services and my parents didn't make me. It makes me remember my grandparents, who are now deceased, and other family memories. Now whether I need a service to feel those connections is beyond me, but I do know that when I have a family I will allow them to make their own religious beliefs, cause one thing is for sure, I am glad my parents let me explore and find my own belief.

So I haven't written in a few days

2005-09-27T12:55:00.000-05:00

After that last post I am sure all of my three blog readers needed a break from my antics and thinking. After I wrote my last post I died my hair black (well it supposed to be dark brown, but it didn't exactly turn out that way-but home dye kits never do). The dye job was in response to my mood, but also cause the sun had a number on some highlights and they were growing out, plus it is fall and fall means darker colors! Today is a gorgeous day here in Lawrence and I am inside at work. I think I might get to enjoy it a bit later though.
Tonight is the premiere of Commander in Chief and I have made a pie that I am taking over to 1326 Mass to have a watch party (that show followed by SVU - a stable fav.). Oh so glad that my hellish Monday is over for this week at least. Don't forget to check out my work tom. I'll try to get a pick of my new lock up on the blog soon.

{Meagan I love you and glad to hear you and your apartment are okay. Thinking of you and praying you will get to leave work soon.}

Too much information

2005-09-21T19:52:00.000-05:00

I might be getting ready to share too much information for a blog (we'll see what I write), but you know who cares. So lately realtionships have been the topic of conversation.

When I talk to my friends on im, on the phone or in person it seems like relationships, whether they be friendships or romances, are discussed. We are human and thus create relationships with others, but do these relationships have to complicate our lives so much, consume our conversations and occupy a large part of our thoughts? Yes.

Life doesn't have to be that complicated, really it doesn't. We are the ones who create the complications. (Think though what life would be like without those complications.) Anyway, relationships aren't supposed to be easy and depending on the level of emotion associated with a particular relationship things can get more complicated.

[I always seem to give out so much relationship advice for not really having much real life experience to draw on, but maybe in my past life I had something where I draw my advice from.]

In my opinion: guys and girls can be friends, good friends without any romance (maybe some sexual tension); sometimes love doesn't last forever; the feelings might not always be mutual; and things always happen for a reason (even if we can't see that reason).

Someone recently told me "you can't always get what you want" quoting a Rolling Stones song. If you look at the next part of the song it says, "but if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need."

As of late what I want doesn't seem to be available, but I know I can get what I need or at least something to satisfy a need. (and who knows it might be what I want and I just didn't realize it.)

What is it that we all need? I know for me I want to have it all, but does that make me greedy? No, it makes me optimistic about the possibility of finding my soul mate or my true love, of spending the rest of my life with someone who gets me and I get them, it allows me to look into someones eyes and see the color of their soul. We all have the power to get what we need, we just have to make the move and go for it.

I joke with my friends that if I am not married in 10 years I am going to have a huge party so that we all can get together and party (something we would have done at my wedding if it would have happened in those 10 years). Gosh I hope it doesn't come to that-but who knows what fate has in store.

When it comes down to it, we all want relationships, friendships and romances. Each person we build a relationship with helps us with the next one we encounter.

Moving around so much as a child, I have had so many friends, many of whom I have not kept in contact with, but all who made me a better person. People come in and then walk out of our lives, so it is important to decide who we are going to build relationships with that will last forever.

Premiere Week

2005-09-20T21:10:00.002-05:00

TV shows are back, Dancing with the Stars had a dance off and Monday is over could my Tuesday be any better!

Where you in that picture in the Kansan?

2005-09-15T16:22:00.000-05:00

For those of you in Lawrence you might have seen the pic of Jimmy and I in Sex on the Hill on Wednesday, and well if you haven't seen it I will get it posted on the blog ASAP. So Jimmy and I posed for a picture at Rylan's request for a story that was in Sex on the Hill about student and teacher relationships. So I was the sexy teacher and Jimmy the student looking down my shirt or at my boobs. This picture ran big and in color and everyone who knows us or wants to make fun of the irony cut it out to save.

Yesterday and today so many people asked me if that was in fact me in the rather scandilous pic. A photog at the Journal World asked, a copy editor asked, the guy at Cork and Barrel asked, people at Brothers asked when I was out doing Party Pics last night asked and today the managing editor asked. It generated a lot of talk and I guess if my picture did that well then-although it is funny to have people at work ask me about it.

An elephant and a treadmill

2005-09-14T20:07:00.000-05:00

Disturbing and funny was this story I heard on the news about an elephant named Maggie in Alaska who was a bit overweight. So the zoo decided that Maggie needs to start working out and today they put an elephant sized treadmill into her living space in hopes that she will work out. An elephant working out, now that is something I would like to see. Well let me tell those zookeepers something, Maggie is a mammal and I know from my own experience that dangling a treadmill in front of a mammal doesn't mean they are going to get on a regular work out plan. And to Maggie, it is okay to be a little overweight, we all could stand to lose a few pounds or firm up some flabby areas, but all in due time. So if you want to work out, walk on the treadmill or you could just sit around and eat peanuts and spray water in those zookeepers faces.

(Wow, just wrote a note to an elephant. HILARIOUS

Funny story for today!!! Yeah!!!

The best are part of waking up.....

2005-09-14T09:47:00.000-05:00

Is opening the door and getting the Journal-World on Wednesday. Today when I woke up I was so excited to see Game in the paper! It was all me, I had 97% control of the layout and it turned out pretty good for the first one. Dan, my boss, said that he was pleasantly suprised, which made me happy. The website went smoothly as well and so I think things are off to a good start.

So yeah, my day sucked

2005-09-12T20:14:00.000-05:00

It really has been a long time sinced I breathed in the same air for 10 and a half hours straight. Well today I did just that as I spent 10.5 hours in the Newscenter of the Journal World. UGH!!! So today was the first layout since I was made producer of this little insert and it sucked a lot. I spent my Sunday being fried in the sun, then I had to be at work til 10:00 pm, than had to go home and write a story. I have interns who don't know what minimum 500 good words mean and well I am venting on my blog. On top of all of this I am hungry and tired cause I haven't gotten much sleep and haven't eaten anything but two eggs today. All I want is some chocolate pecan pie and a nap. So yeah on Wednesday if you live in Lawrence I hope you will take a look at my work or if you don't live here read it online. (There is a little link on the side of my blog.) So yeah after I hear back from the printer I am going home to watch Laguna and go to bed! Thanks for letting me vent.

Interesting Live Journal

2005-09-09T20:10:00.000-05:00

Check this live journal out. Very interesting accounts from New Orleans.

Silly internet tests

2005-09-07T21:56:00.000-05:00

So, Lauren sent me a link to an internet test to find what breed of dog I am and I discovered that I am a collie. While I was on the site I took a few others, okay more than a few, and discovered that my color was stirling blue, my match is a bad boylife were a movie I would be a suspense thriller, in my fairly tale I would topple the evil stepsisters and the Golden Girl that I am most like is Sophia. Interesting? Here are a few explanations of the results I found interesting.

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Natalie, you're most like Sophia

While she may misplace her glasses often, Sophia's still sharp as a tack — mentally and verbally. You don't have to be Sicilian to be a sassy character like Sophia who's got her own opinions and ideas about everything.
Smart and clever, you're wise beyond your years no matter how old or young you actually are. And underneath all that strong will, you've got a soft side and a big heart that makes you great to have around. When you're cooking, telling stories, or cracking everyone up, you're sure to liven up any event. Mama mia!
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Natalie, if you were a movie, you'd be a Suspenseful Thriller

Nothing is simple. Especially you. Like your movie match, you've got lots of plot twists, and you'd like to keep it that way. That's right, you're no open book.
Whether or not you actually lurk in the shadows, you do like to keep people in the dark sometimes. Mysterious and enigmatic, you keep people guessing. When they think they've got you figured out, you enjoy throwing a curve ball their way. Maybe it's the element of surprise that tickles your fancy. Perhaps it's the shock value. Or maybe you're just intensely private. In any case, you keep life intriguing and unpredictable. And that's what makes you such an interesting individual.
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Natalie, in your Cinderella story, you'd get to Topple Your Evil Stepsisters

Whether you're battling evil stepsisters, arguing against an unfair grade, or trying to put a bully in their place, one thing's for sure — you fight for the underdog. Let's face it: The world's not always fair. But you, more than others, know you can help make a difference.
So whether you're leading a rally cry, starting a new club, or just welcoming the new girl in school before the mean kids get a chance, you've got a strong sense of what's right and wrong and are armed with the smarts to fight for justice. So roll up your sleeves, Cinderella. You might not always feel like people notice your efforts, but deep down everyone knows you're the real belle of the ball.
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Take some tests yourself

Holly jeez...

2005-09-07T16:09:00.000-05:00

So apple has tried to micro our lives even more with the ipod Nano. In color, 2G or 4G and tiny. Can do photos, album art 1,000 songs and more. Check it out. Steve I hope you realize thousands have died in the Gulf--so stop trying to gadgetize our lives with unuseful products and make an iPod that enables you to enter in information not just sync with your mac. Jeez