Dammit Jen

It's hot

2005-07-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

It's hot. It's hot. It's hot. Oh my god!!! So yesterday it was 108 and the day before that it was just as hot. I havn't checked the temperature today, but I'll bet the farm that it's up there. I spend most of my workday in the car. I get in and out all day long. Sometimes I run the air. Most of the time I don't. My car just uses so much gas when the air is on. I get paid today. I'm thinking about sucking it up and getting my windows tinted. Does it really make a difference? Is it expensive? Alas, I must do some research. More on this later. I must get back to work.

I GIVE UP

2005-07-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

No more empty promises. I am no longer going to feel guilty about how terrible I am about updating. I am simply going to blog when I feel like it. If that's everyday, then so be it. If it's every month, then so be that too. I understand that I have a bad history. I make no commitments from here on out. If you all want to remove me from your links, I understand and will not be offended. Anyway, I felt like it today. Coffeeslinger has a cool list post of 100 things about her. I thaught it was groovy. I want to make one, but I'm afraid that I won't be able to come up with 100 things that are postworthy about myself. I will try to think up some stuff, and If I come close then I might make one. I'm off to think.

Trying

2005-05-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

So, I've been trying to be a better blogger, but I'm not very good at it. I am in deep at work, and just barely treading water. I havn't left my house for anything but work since last Thursday for about 2 hours. (I had to go to a coworker of Troy's b-day party.) I am soppossed to have a whole lot of past due work in by tomorrow, and I have been stressing out. I have a lot of it done now, but I still have a lot to go. I will probably be up all night. I want to get out of the house! Oh well, maybe tomorrow. I havn't been swimming for the past few days, mostly 'cause I'm not crazy. The pool is not heated, and it hasn't been sunny enough to heat it back up after the rains we just had. Maybe if I get all of my work done, I will reward myself with a soak in the hot tub. Enough putting off my work, I have to go.

Rough day at work

2005-05-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

I had a killer day at work today. Everything worked out alright in the end. It always does. I just get all caught up in the routine of it all, that I am thrown for a loop whenever something shifts out of alignment. I ended up getting off early though, which means that I only worked 9 hours without a break instead of 11. Bizarre hours come with the territory, and I accepted that long ago. That's about as deep as I can delve into the subject.

So no laps yet today. When I left for work this a.m. the pool was not yet open. That's too f-ing early to work if you ask me. Anyway, I just got home, and I need to unwind before hitting the water. The pool is open 'till 11, so I'm still in good shape. I will check in later.

Swimming

2005-05-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

So the new place has a pool. I love pools when I am not responsible for them. I have been doing much swimming. I love to swim. I have been swimming since before I could walk, but you know what I have just realized? I suck at it! I started getting in the pool, thinking how great it would be to finally get in shape, but you should see me out there. I look like a damn fool. I have tried to do laps, and I reach about halfway there before I feel like I'm going to die. Swimming takes a lot out of you. At least I'm trying. I can only get better at it, and in my defence, that pool is damn long! By this time next year I hope to get all the way to the other end. Just kidding. I am going to keep track of how many laps I do each day on my blog. All of you are expected to keep me accountable. Today I did about 4 half laps. That means two real laps total, not 4 and 1/2 laps.

On another note, I never mentioned that Beck(thanks CoffeeSlinger) has a cat. This is interesting 'cause so do we. We decided that since we just moved, we didn't want to take the risk of them clawing any of our furnature or carpet. Both of us being morally opposed to having their claws removed, we settled on the next best thing: Soft-Claws. If you don't know what those are, they are fantastic. They are little caps that fit right over your cat's claws, and then they can't scratch anything. If you have ever seen two male cats try to establish dominance, it is even more fun when they have no weapons.

2005-05-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hey there anyone who has been kind enough to stay with me and continue to check in every once in a while. Well, things are definately looking up since my last post. Most of you I speak to on a far more regular basis than I post, so you have already gotten the scoop. I MOVED!!!! I found a great townhouse for rent in a beautiful complex in my city that I can actually afford. In a matter of three business days we were moving in. Everything just fell into place and felt right. I got a good feeling the minute I walked in the door, then I asked about the price and just about fell over!! It was affordable. We had to recruit another renter, but we lucked out there too. My best friend (most of you know her) was looking to get out of here place in the OC. I convinced her to relocate out here. It sounds crowded, but it's really not. We have 1175 square feet of well utilized space plus a garage. The three of us are finally getting everything settled, and are on the verge of completion. The place is shaping up quite nicely. We're all getting along well, and do not forsee any problems as of yet. Wish us luck.

On another note. I havn't had much time to spend out with my friends. All of my spare time has been consumed by the move. Some of my friends have been able to drop in and see me, but most of them are just as busy (if not more so) than I am. I look forward to the stage where everything is all finished and back to normal. Then I will be more social and able to get back into my routine. I miss you all (you know who you are) and hope to be able to get out to see you soon. Boxes are calling my name, so I bid you fairwell. Sorry for any spelling mistakes, I wrote this alone and did not have anyone to proof read it. (I miss you Daphne!)

Living situation

2005-04-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

First, a little history. Almost a year ago, the husband and I decided to move out of our very spacious two bedroom two bathroom apartment, and downsize to something a little smaller and a little less expensive. You see, the real estate market out here has exploded, and with the rising cost of properties in the area, our landlords felt perfectly justified in jacking up our rent almost $320.00 in less than two years. We found a place and put in our notice. Three days before we were sopposed to move in, the bottom fell right out. The manager of the new place spoke to me and said that there had very recently been a change in ownership of the complex. They fired all of the old staff, and selectively re-hired two weeks later. What did all of this mean? Lemme tell ya. It meant that my new apartment wasn't going to be ready for another two weeks and the price would have to be re-negotiated. Holy-Shit!!!!!!! I had given notice 27 days prior. I was going to be homeless! I spent the next 24 hours freaking out and looking for something we could move into right away. The only option I ended up finding meant moving into the in-laws house temporarily. Okay, no sweat. Big deal right? Ha Ha Ha. Then the husband lays the whopper on me. He wants to go back to school. We had talked about the idea several times in the past, but it always boiled down to the same conclusion. It would just be too expensive. Between cutting his hours at work, and tuition, we couldn't afford it. Now he had the perfect oppertunity. His folks offered to let us stay, rent free, for as long as he needed to complete school. I hated the idea, but I thaught it would be selfish of me to say no. I agreed. Troy started the ball rolling by making an appointment with a counselor at the University he had previously attended. To make a long story short, he screwed around the last couple of semesters that he was there, and they were going to make it very difficult for him to re-enroll. Troy is very sensitive, and this got him all worked up and disapointed. He quit looking into finishing but all the time saying that it was what he wanted. Recently he has started taking a more serious approach. He has ordered lots of info and applications from a number of different schools. He is ready to pick one and get started. Meanwhile, I have spent the last 11 months completely miserable. His parents have been great. They have been so tolerant of our invasion of their space, and I am not an easy person to live with trust me. I just feel like I have a place to stay, not a place to live. I am used to having my own space, my own stuff, my own furnature, my own pictures on the walls, my own KITCHEN, and my own bed. I miss eating off of my dishes. I miss having dinner guests. I miss walking around in my underwear. I miss being able to have a disagreement with my husband without having an audience. I miss being able to leave a dish in the sink if I'm too tired to wash it and put it away. I miss my chipped coffee mugs that have bad words on them. I miss having my mom come and visit me from out of town. I miss my independance, and I miss my pride. I want to move out. I want us to get an apartment. Troy does not. He thinks I am being selfish. He wants to stay for another two years and finish school. He thinks that an apartment is a waste of money right now. He thinks that we should not move back out until he is done with classes and we are ready to buy a house. I see his piont, but in the almost year that we've already been there, we have accomplished nothing. I know that he is serious about school this time, but I had lived on my own for so long. This whole mess is very hard for me. I cry everyday: out of misery, out of shame, out of guilt that I am so selfish. I don't know weather or not to push the issue. Should I risk our future for my sanity? I need some feedback.

I've been drinking

2005-02-27T00:02:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been so long. I have limited access to the internet, and I share the laptop with the husband. No excuse really, I could always use one of Daphne's. I've just had a lack of motivation I guess, so sorry. Anyway, I am drinking at Daphne and Arc's and I seem to have found inspiration in a bottle of Patron. Great stuff. I generally don't drink, 'cause alcohol kind of tastes nasty. I do however enjoy a good bottle of Patron from time to time. Tonight it is one of those times. All of the good friends are here, except for Becky, Becca, whatever. I am having trouble typing, I don't know if it's a good idea to post in this state. I don't want to get too loose with my words. I might say what I really think of everyone. Actually, I really love all of my friends a whole bunch, so there's no real threat aside from maybe me getting a little sappy. Also, bad spelling and grammar mistakes that Daphne will probably give me hell for. But she does it in love, so it's okay. Oh-oh, I have hit a road block. I've run out of material. What should I talk about? I just asked for a topic from the friends. Arc said something gross, Daphne said Wine. I choose wine. I don't know much about wine. I think it tastes like bad grapes. I did like the movie Sideways though. The end was odd with the...whell if you've seen it you know. It started off real slow, but it caught up to itself. New topic: You all know by now that Arc and Daphne are getting married soon. I am very excited for them. I have the honor of being a bridesmaid in the event. It meant so much to me that they asked. The husband is also in the party. I have seen pictures of Daphne in her dress, and it is beautiful! New topic: Did you know that you can get a DUI on a bike? New topic: Pants. I just realized that pants is one of those basic words that I still have trouble remembering how it is spelled. Oh well, I guess I'll have to go back to first grade. Do you still get nap time by the first grade. I think that everyone should get nap time. I know lots of people who could use a good nap. Maybe then they wouldn't be so damn cranky. I think I'll move to Mexico where they have siesta time. I am done now, the inspiration has worn off. Time to re-fill my glass.

Back and Better than Ever!

2005-02-16T18:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, probably not better, probably not even good, but back none the less. I have been super busy for the last several days, and just havn't had the motivation to post. I hope you all will forgive me. That said, y'all wanna hear what I've been up to? I don't care you're gonna. I had Friday off for something having to do with some president. Probably something I would have learned in college, had I actually finished. That's beside the point. I didn't have to work. I don't care which dead guy we're celebrating. Anyway, I went to Disneyland. A couple of the girls from work invited me, and they were bringing kids. Having no children of my own, I borrowed one from Daphne. She let me take her six year old daughter(my favorite little girl with a great big personality). It poured buckets! Helped with the line though! Did she complain? Did she cry? No way, that little woman was a trooper! She had a blast. I have never seen Disneyland through the eyes of a six year old. It's a whole new experience. I think I'd like to get a six year old of my own one day. Then there was Saturday: Notyetfamous came out and we did some shoe shopping, had coffee, colored hair, and went out for pizza. It's always good to see Becky, Becca, Rebecca, whatever her damn name is! It's nice to have such real friends. (I have found myself surrounded by wonderful people lately) On to Sunday. I got my own hair done. Then it was time to work. I had some leftover stuff to do from the week. Back to work as usual on Monday. Ah...Valentine's Day. I cooked dinner for two at home, rather than fighting the crouds. I braught home a bottle of wine for Husband. I don't like wine, I think it tastes like grape juice gone terribly wrong. My husband wrote and recorded a song for me. This was the single most toutching thing he has ever done, aside from saying okay when I told him to marry me. He really raised the mark. Good luck topping that next year! Enough mush. Tuesday, I just wanted to relax after work and I went over to Daphne's. I missed her and her bunch. Poor laptop, cold and lonely. I decided to give her some attention tonight. I'm gonna go now, but I'll be back when I have something important to say, or when I think I have something important to say. The latter is more likely.

Just Another Work Day

2005-02-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

I went to work today. I know it's a bad idea to talk about work on your blog, so I'll be vague. I have been in a slump for a while, that I couldn't seem to get out of. I have been doing my job alright, but I'm referring to my general attitude toward being there. I guess everyone goes through it. Anyway, back to today. I was expecting just another Tuesday, but somehow today had a different feel. I was inspired, I was motivated, I wanted to be there. It was like how I used to feel about going to work. I have been working especially hard lately, paying close attention to deadlines, and other such things that I generally avoid. They seem so unimportant and far away until they are behind you, running you down. Now they're no longer chasing me. Maybe getting ahead is allowing me to appreciate right now, the task at hand, and the reason I am really here. I have always loved my job, but I have a tendency to get bogged down in busywork, to the point that I forget why. I have a new outlook. I am happy. I have much I want to accomplish, and it all seems possible. I am going to make a difference, if only to myself. Working to the best of my ability always makes me feel good. I know this post has been kind of cheesy so I promise that it's over.

Strangers Welcome

2005-02-02T17:27:00.000-08:00

I currently allow anonymous comments on my posts. I do so to open the forum to those without blogs. Until recently, most of my guests have had the decency to sign their name at the bottom of the text. Now I have a little more traffic, and that is not necessarily the case. I very much appreciate differing opinions, but I would like to know who is leaving them. Also, I think that by allowing such comments, I open myself, and my online friends up to attack, as nobody is held accountable for what they have to say. Do you feel that I am wrong for wanting to know who left the comments? Does it make me a coward to block those not willing to own up to their words? Will it make your comments less honest if you all have to sign your names? Another problem with blocking anonymous comments is that many of my online friends that currently read my blog, will not be able to give me feedback. I have yet to decide on the matter, so please aid my decision by telling me your thoughts.

Dropout

2005-01-30T22:29:00.000-08:00

It is not my intention to have a blog that addresses controversial or sensitive topics, however there is a little subject that hits a nerve somewhere in my left cheek that I would like to bounce off y'all. I am 24 years old and will be reaching the "halfway to fifty" mark in a few short months. Society would have you believe that I am a 24 year old loser. Society would have you believe a lot of things, but we'll let that go for now. Although, in my own way, I am a much accomplished woman, I have not hit the conventional bench marks the mass population still holds to be representitive of success and intelligence. I have spent my youth focusing on unconventional aspects of life. I have made my husband, my family, my job, my friends, my personal growth and development, and self education my most important priorities over the last several years. What I havn't done is finished college, made a lot of money, or purchased a home.
Making lots of money usually comes with a price that I am just not willing to pay at this juncture in my life. I have a job that pays the bills working for a non-profit organization with whose moral practices I am comfortable. As for the home, I live in Southern California. Good for you, anyone who was lucky enough to buy a few years ago. As for most of my generation, I have some advice: MOVE OUT OF STATE. Unless you can come up with a minimum of 50 grand to put down on a home that will cost you at least 300-600 thousand dollars for a simple track home, you are out of luck. And that's only if you get lucky enough to put in your offer first. Most homes stay on the market here for about five minutes. Okay, maybe that's exaggerating a little, but they go pretty quick. The biggest beef I have is with the issue of education.
In our "great" nation we like to use the term "higher education". I think that the term could be a little more subjective than meets the eye. I have chosen the route of not attending college. Now I am fast approaching an age where I am expected to have a degree, and I'm a little confused as to why it is so damn important to everyone! Am I not intelligent? Am I not educated? Do I not generally keep up? Many of my friends and family have put such an emphasis on my going back to college that it makes me ill. All the time I get "What school did you go to?" "What was your major?" "Oh realy? Well, you're gonna go back, aren't you?" Stop it! Structured education is not for everyone. I'm not going back, so quit trying to make me feel like a moron.
I know many "successful" people that come from both sides of the fence. If you want a career in which it is required of you to have a four year diploma, then aquiring one might be a priority. If not, than I think college is a choice. I think I am in a minority here. I have found that the more letters you have in front or behind your name affects how you are viewed in society. I think that's stupid. Some of the most intelligent people I know were self educated. That is not to say that there is nothing to be gained from schooling. Finishing college is often worthwhile, and is definitely an accomplishment. I just don't feel that it is the accomplishment. And it dosn't make anyone better than anyone else. My priorities are different, not lesser than those who went the other way.
I am curious to know if I am the only one who feels this way, 'cause aside from a handful of my friends nobody seems to agree with me. Your feedback would mean so much.
Disclaimer: Spelling and grammar are not an indication of the author's intelligence when presented in a casual forum.

Headache

2005-01-27T22:50:00.000-08:00

I have the worst headache in the world. I think it's because I didn't get adequate coffee intake today. I am drinking a monsterous cup right now but it may already be too late. I know I know, who drinks coffee at this ungodly hour? Well, I do dammit! I have to. I cannot survive on plenty of sleep alone. This is primarily because I find it impossible to get plenty of sleep in this crazy economy. Partly because plenty of sleep for the average person is not even close to enough sleep for me. Is anyone out there as dependant on caffine as I am? I think I could give up oxygen before I could give up coffee. I know it's bad for me, and believe you me, I have tried to quit several times. Ultimate success has always been just out of grasp due to the fact that I become so intolerable that my friends will make me drink a cup in order to handle me.

By the way, I finally have my Sedona Pics up. Enjoy!!!

2005-01-27T22:48:00.000-08:00

Sedona, Arizona

2005-01-27T22:47:00.000-08:00

this would have been a great shot on a clearer day!

Home at last

2005-01-23T22:26:00.000-08:00

Were back, sorry I skipped the last day of our adventure which was yesterday. We drove home today. All in all I had an amazing time but it's still good to be home. huy (Daphne pressed buttons on my keyboard.) Yesterday we were back in Phoenix with family, and for fun we went to play laser-tag. We signed up for the "Iron Man" tournament game. It was a thirty minute game. That's a long time of running around and climbing with a big ol' lazer and very little light. It was great fun. If you have never played laser tag, It's worth the effort. We go whenever we are in Phoenex 'cause they have the best laser tag maze. It's two stories with lots of places to hide out....until someone shoots you in the back! That someone was me. Ha ha ha. Actually, I'm not very good but I always have fun. Tomorrow it's back to work, but at least I get to see my best friend Becky after work. I'm going to her house when I get off and were gonna hang out and catch up. I have some pictures of Sedona for you all, and I will post them as soon as I can. Good nite.

Day Seven

2005-01-21T23:09:00.000-08:00

Warning, tired and cranky. I drove for seven hours today. Our main attractions for the day were the two gas stations that we hit on our way from Santa Fe to Sedona. Upon arrival, we changed clothes and went out for dinner where we ate to the point of discomfort, and paid way too much money to feel that way. The food wasn't even that great. It was okay, but nothing special. It was dark when we rolled in, so no pictures. Maybe tomorrow. Well, this hotel has cable, which is a treat for me, so I'm gonna be a couch potato. Can you say run-on sentances? Good nite.

Day Six

2005-01-20T15:03:00.000-08:00

Santa Fe. We woke up, late, and headed for the plaza to look around, and maybe do some shopping. What we found was this great anti Bush anti War rally in the center of the plaza. We were interested and attended. The speakers were great, and there were people from all walks of life. There were professionals, hippies, college students, veterans, high school kids ditching school for the rally, some with their parents, and even dogs. After the rally they had a "die in". For anyone who dosn't know what that is, it's when everyone lies down on the ground for a length of time to simbolize all of the needless death that is occuring. I'm glad that I was in town for the event. Here are some pictures.

2005-01-20T15:02:00.000-08:00

Peace rally

2005-01-20T15:01:00.000-08:00

The "die in"

Day Five (Yesterday)

2005-01-20T14:49:00.000-08:00

More driving and a stop in Roswell on the way to Santa Fe. We just had to stop and check out all of the alien stuff. It turned out to be pretty much lame, but we had fun with it anyway. On to our hotel in Santa Fe. We got very lost and had to call for directions. We had dinner and turned in early. I promise a better entry for day six.

2005-01-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

Those crazy aliens!

2005-01-20T14:42:00.000-08:00

Streetlamps in Roswell

Day Four

2005-01-18T23:08:00.000-08:00

Carlsbad Caverns! Great day. I got to eat a tuna sandwich 800ft underground. I like tuna sandwiches. I'm thinking of making a Tuna the official mascot of my adventure. I had salmon for dinner last night too. Odd behavior for a fish keeper? Nah... I never eat fish in front of my aquarium. Tangent over. The caves were amazing. We did the self guided tour. They give you this little stick with buttons to push (I like having buttons to push) that is coded to different parts of the trail. It tells you all about how great the damn elevator is. Being that I hate elevators to begin with, I could have cared less. I was more into the geology. The magic talking stick barely toutches on that. Everything it did tell you we all learned in sixth grade. Do yourself a favor, and forgo the stick on your visit. There are plenty of signs and plaques on the trail that are far more informative. I had much trouble taking pictures with my camera. A little curious bit of knowledge, everything is reflective down there. Unless you know what you are doing, save your film/memory and buy post cards. Here are some vain attempts. I had them developed tonight. Also there are some film pics of the dunes from yesterday that I had developed too. Good nite, I have to get up early tomorrow to get my free breakfast at the hotel.

2005-01-18T23:01:00.000-08:00

Carlsbad Caverns

2005-01-18T23:00:00.000-08:00

This was my favorite attraction

2005-01-18T22:55:00.000-08:00

I'm very proud of this shot, and I had to hike to get it

2005-01-18T22:54:00.000-08:00

you're never too old to play in the sand

2005-01-17T23:44:00.000-08:00

I thaught this was a good shot of the dunes

2005-01-17T23:42:00.000-08:00

"Little blue dune buggy in the sand"

2005-01-17T23:40:00.000-08:00

barefoot in the sand (that's me)

2005-01-17T23:36:00.000-08:00

tuna-cheeto satisfaction

2005-01-17T23:34:00.000-08:00

The husband

Day Three

2005-01-17T22:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we got an early start today and headed for White Sands. Just before the entrance, there is a border patrol checkpoint. It wouldn't possibly make sense to put a border patrol booth near the boarder, no, the middle of the damn state is better. So the officer waves all of the cars through right? Right, except for us. He starts asking us all sorts of questions. He wants our registration. Fine, were from out of state, whatever. That makes some sort of sense. My car is a new vehicle and still does not have plates, more on that another time. So I referred him to my temporary registration paper that is taped to my windshield. Dialogue:

Cop younger than me: "you don't have anything on paper?"
Dammitjen: " that is my temporary, paper registration."
Cop: "this is your registration?"
Dammitjen: "yes, that's what they give you when you buy a new car in California."
Cop: "So where are you from?"
Dammitjen: "California"
Cop: "whatever, go on through!"

He wasn't very smart, but he made up for it by being a complete dickhead.

Our day in White Sands was unforgettable. If you have never been there, get in your car and go right now! I mean it log off and get your keys. Bring a coat, it's a little chilly. The park is beautiful! It looks like you are driving through rolling hills after a blizzard. The sand is actually that white. I took some great pictures with my film camera, but I have to get them developed. I am posting some of the digital ones right after this entry.

Lunch was lots of fun. We braught tuna and mayo to make tuna sandwiches. Realizing that we didn't bring a can-opener, we stopped on the way to the park to pick up a cheap one. Cheap it was. I don't mean good bargan, I mean piece of crap. I couldn't use it at all, and it took Troy 20 minutes to get the can open. Then I accidentally used way too much mayo. There was no going back at that point. We were hungry. I made them anyway. Added bonus: we had Cheetos! Remember when you were very small and used to put chips in your sandwich? I'm bringin' it back. Everything turned out alright in the end.

Back on the road. We had to make it to Carlsbad tonight for our big day at the caverns tomorrow. But Troy, the big geek that he is wanted to stop at the space museum. Fine, this trip is not just about what I want to see, so I agree. The museum was closed, but the gift shop was open. Troy made his purchase. He got a space t-shirt with a clever little phrase about the creation of the universe. On our way, or so we thaught....No sooner do we get a few blocks away when My husband gets pulled over by one of New Mexico's finest. The officer clocked us at 45 in a 35. Was he actually serious? That seemed a little silly, but the officer was very nice, and he let Troy go with a written warning. No fine. He too was baffled by the whole registration thing though.

This was another night of driving much longer than expected due to lame speed limits. Our average speed was about 40. At one point, we were headed through a town with a speed limit lower than W's I.Q. and we were passed by a kid on a skateboard. No lie. If I had brought along my bike I would have made better time.

I guess life is a series of trade-offs. Example: New Mexico is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. They have great food (La Posta was awsome Daphne), and very little smog. On the flip side you have rediculous speed limits and ten bored cops to every one out-of-state traveler.

Day Two

2005-01-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

We spent the day driving through the eastern part of Arizona and on into New Mexico. We are spending the night in Las Cruces. We had planned to check out the Gila Cliff Dwellings on our way, but it took us much longer than expected for our drive. We had to skip it. Oh well, it wasn't a major stop for us anyway. We had the miles all accounted for; what we hadn't accounted for was the rediculous speed limits (restraints) that would be inflicted on us. There were some stretches where the speed limit dropped down to 35mph. I understand having speed restrictions on school zones, and in neighborhoods, but there was nothing around. Just a straight highway through the desert. The problem was mostly that all of the cars that ended up in front of me were actually obeying the speed law. I guess there was a bright side. If there had been no one in front of me forcing me to go so slowly, I could have ended up with one hell of a speeding ticket. As it ends up, skipping the Cliff Dwellings put us right on schedule for arriving, without a traffic violation. Here are a couple of pictures of our drive. Tomorrow it's bright and early with the next installment of our journey, for better or for worse.

2005-01-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

we took the high road

2005-01-16T21:04:00.000-08:00

Miles and miles of miles and miles

Day One

2005-01-15T13:19:00.000-08:00

Day one of our adventure. We arrived in Phoenix a little behind schedule last night, but thats okay. We are here visiting with family for one more night, then tomorrow we are going to the Gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico. Then we will spend the night in Las Cruces. I cannot post pictures until tomorrow night, cause I will not be able to use my own computer 'till I get to the hotel where there is wireless.

Hiccups

2005-01-14T01:43:00.000-08:00

I get the hiccups all the time. I know that the hiccups are harmless, but to what point? I get them at least five times a day. I wonder if that's normal. I make the most embarrasing obnoxious noise when I hiccup. My friends who have known me for years still get a kick out of it.

2005-01-14T01:09:00.000-08:00

This is a test photo

Adventure

2005-01-13T21:03:00.000-08:00

So I am embarking on an adventure. Tomorrow evening at 4:30 my husband and I are leaving for our first real vacation (more than a weekend) in a year. We will be traveling parts of the Southwest including New Mexico and Arizona by car. Our stops will include Phoenix, Gila Cliff Dwellings, Las Cruces, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell (I know it's lame, but my best friend Becky thinks it's cool), Santa Fe, and Sedona. I have recently purchased a digital camera, and if I learn how to use it I will be posting some pics of my trip as I go.

On another note, My best friend's damn boyfriend broke up with her again. This time I think it is over for real. Although I know how badly she must be feeling, I know it is all for the best. He dosn't deserve her anyway. I don't know why any man would break up with a woman with so much going for her, and she's pretty hot to boot. Some men are just gluttons for punishment, and they're all pretty dumb most of the time. Maybe she will find one who is a little less dumb that knows what's good for him.

More people

2005-01-12T18:58:00.000-08:00

My Dad-

Well, technically my step-dad, but who cares about technically! He is the man who was there when I did most of my growing up. He married my mother when I was 11 and in my opinion is the best thing that ever happened to us. The poor man survived my teenage years, which was no picnic let me tell you. He has been nothing short of amazing in the patience and tolerance department. One of the most honerable men there ever was.

My In-Laws-

Good people, very Catholic, but that's their thing. They have welcomed me into their family with open arms and have never made me feel like an outsider. Everyone who walks through their front door is family. They are very good at keeping in toutch with even extended relatives, something I wish I was better at. They raised four children, their youngest being my husband. I think they did a pretty damn good job too. I am fortunate that my husbands family are people that I respect and whose company I enjoy. I have heard countless horror stories about the in-laws of other friends of mine.

My Uncle-

My closest extended family. I have never known my biological father, but never really noticed. My uncle always picked up the slack in that department when I was a child. When I was very small we lived in the same house, and later he and his wife (more about her later) lived next door. Now they live further away. This is the man who took me everywhere with him. All of my cousins and I always gravitated towards him 'cause he was always so much fun. He never realy grew up. I mean that in a good way. He can still appreciate a good video game, and hold down a great job, all while being a devoted husband and father.

My Aunt-

My Uncles awsome wife. Great wife and even better mom. Their son (my cousin) is one of the smartest and coolest kids I know. On breaks from school I always loved visiting their house for weeks at a time. When I moved out of my parents house to go to college (which I never finished) they were nice enough to let my live with them in order to be close to school. Something which must have been a huge inconvenience on their part. We love having her as part of our family.

Gus-

My husbands cat. We used to have two cats, one good, one bad. Mine, the good one, ran away. Gus is the bad one. Very sweet, but very bad. Gus used to pee on my stuff, now gus lives outside. He dosn't pee on my stuff any more. For all of you animal rights activists out there who think it's cruel to make him sleep outside, he can come sleep at your house and pee on your stuff. Besides, he has very comfortable living quarters on the covered porch complete with kitty house and expensive blanket.

People I know and love

2005-01-11T22:52:00.000-08:00

Word (yes I said "word")to those who are kind enough to put up with me

Troy-

The husband. Kind loving, attractive, somewhat hobbitish, open minded, quiet, intelligent, sometimes arrogant, video gaming, hard working, romantic musician with whom I share my life.

Daphneblue and pseudo husband Bryan-

Couple friends. Married without the paperwork. They have been dating longer than I have known any of my friends. They have two beautiful girls with whom I have the good fortune of spending much of my time. The origin of the name dammit-jen.

Robert and Ade-

Couple friends. Married for 2.5 years. Robert: Works too much. Used to see him all the time, now he has like eight jobs. Ade: Aspiring eccentric with the amazing ability to listen, without criticism, to all of my meandering stories and complaints about reality.

My Mother-

The most amazing woman I have ever met. She is supportive, loving, a little paranoid (she worries too much), generous, and fair. She is the one person I respect most in this world, and the greatest role model a daughter could ask for. My mom is creative and very gifted. I don't think she has ever failed at anything. One day I hope to be half the woman she is.

The Best Friend-

I don't know if she wants me to use her name. An amazing artist, talented, and creative. The best support system known to woman. She knows me so well, the real me not the acceptable-to-the-rest-of-the-world me, and likes me anyway. She can tell me when I'm not living up to my full potential as a human being without making me feel like a horses hind quarters. She can deliver a compliment with the utmost timing and sincerity. I wish that I could thank her for the contribution she has made to my life, but that would be impossible.

new blog

2005-01-11T20:41:00.000-08:00

This is a blog, this is only a blog. Had this been a real website you would have been instructed where to go and what to do.

On that note, thanks for dropping in. I'm new to the art of blogging, new the whole concept of computers, if the truth be told. Can you believe it. Born into the generation of computer technology, and completely befuddled by it. I purchased a laptop (do they still call them laptops?) about five months ago and aside from the occasional excursion through cyberspace with my husband, my new toy has spent its first few months being ignored, unloved, and stashed in the corner of my bedroom. Poor laptop! Feeling guilty about the neglect, I decided to take her out for a little adventure. A quick (quick is a relative term) tutorial of blogspot curtousy of my good friend Daphne_Blue and we're on our way.