It’s Beer. Hooray Beer! May 24, 2004 ~ 4:19 pm
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closedTwo commercials have made me smile in the past few days. One was a Jaguar commercial with the background music of “I’m In Love With My Car” by Queen. Hey, if Zeppelin can do it, Brian, Roger, and John need a cut of the action, too.
The other one was a commercial for Red Stripe beer. I don’t know if it’s marketed nationally or not, but Red Stripe is a Jamaican beer that’s fairly common in NYC. I can’t describe the commercial, but the tag line is “It’s Beer. Hooray Beer!” Check the entire Red Stripe ad campaign out at http://us.redstripebeer.com/media You’ll laugh your ass off, that’s a promise. My two favorites are “Dance” and “Ugly Man” (”Ugly Man” was the one I saw this weekend).
“Doin’ Alright…” May 24, 2004 ~ 11:22 am
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closed5 points to anyone who can name the artist who recorded the song that is the title of this post. Oooh, that’s possibly a hard one to guess. 
And no, it’s not Def Leppard. Duh.
Today is better. No shoulder pain (although Rick is convinced there is and I’m just not telling him because I’m a tough girl), work is a decent pace instead of a frenetic pace, I saw Shrek 2 with the Rick and the girls yesterday, which was a blast, and um…well, it’s sunny outside and Aunt Flo has left the building.
I was thinking, and part of the problem with the depression this weekend was attributable to Aunt Flo, too. I am not a happy person sometimes when I’m having my period. This weekend was one of those times. Love it when stress and periods combine, turning me into Raving Crazy Bitch. It’s like Jekyll and Hyde, I swear. I’m normally a happy person, really. 
So part of the Paris airport collapsed this weekend. Rick’s younger daughter told me this yesterday with glee. I think she truly believes that this will prevent her from joining her mom in Paris in two weeks, and she will in fact be able to attend her friend’s pool party. By an unhappy coincidence, the pool party and Paris departure date are the same day, and she is “the only one in her class who will be missing the party”. I remember the level of tragedy this is for an 8 year old, and I empathize. But I don’t think she’s getting out of the Paris trip that easily.
Meanwhile her father asked me what days my vacation was again, and when I was going to Philly. He was very happy when I told him I wouldn’t be gone either Monday of my vacation, because his softball team is playing double headers those days. Since I don’t often get to be the supportive softball-watching girlfriend that I would like to be, I’ll be watching the games in Central Park both Mondays. Gotta remember the sunscreen.
Other than that, I dunno what I’m doing for the vacation. I begged him to take me to Plimouth Plantation in Massachusetts because he has a car and I don’t, but he’s vetoed that idea. He can’t commit to anything so far in advance. It’s not his fault…he’s a Cancer, for starts, and likes to be at home because of that, and his birthday is July 11 - the double number (1-1) makes him waver on a lot of decisions. I can’t say anything, I’m a Libra (scales) with Gemini (twins) rising, and I was born in 1977. I’m screwed all the way around as far as decision making goes - always seeing both sides to everything. But back to the vacation…I think I want to hit some of the historical museums in NYC. Like the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. And Ellis Island. You really need to spend a whole day at Ellis Island to absorb everything, so that’s what I’ll be doing.
Oh, and another reason I’m happy…it’s Fleet Week! For those of you who don’t live here, that’s when the entire Fleet (mostly Navy, but some Marines and Coast Guard as well) that’s nearby invades NYC. Hot guys in uniform everywhere you look. Gotta love it.
Okay, back to the crap on my desk. Can’t find anything, which means I have to clean. Pleh.
depression May 23, 2004 ~ 10:38 pm
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closed(Note: Mom, I know you’re reading this…I’m just saying it to get it off my chest. There is no need for an immediate phone call. There is no need for a phone call based on this at all.)
As everyone who isn’t reading this blog for the first time knows, I’ve been under mad stress lately. I’ve stopped taking my zoloft (I didn’t like what it was doing to my weight or my sex drive), and have no intentions of going back on it unless absolutely necessary. And maybe not even then. But this weekend, I had a few episodes with depressions/panic attacks. I think it was mainly stress-induced, although after reading Michael’s blog, maybe it was just the moon phase or something.
When I get like this, I don’t want to be around anyone. I almost got up and left Rick’s house about four times yesterday during the course of the day. Not because of anything he did, but because I just couldn’t handle being there. I had to focus on what I was doing, cos if I let my mind wander, I started thinking about how I wanted to be by myself, how I wanted to be anywhere but there. And that wouldn’t have been fair to the kids, who wanted me to hang out with them. Same thing happened today. Not as many times, not nearly as severe, but boy, did I want out. When I left, I walked. A lot. I walked from 75th and Broadway down to Broadway and E. Houston (that’s pronounced How-ston, kids, not like the city in Texas) - like 5 1/2 miles. Okay, maybe that’s not so far, but it was 85 degrees out and about 80% humdity. It was not a walk in the park…except for when I was walking through Central Park ;).
As you can see, I’m over it now. Everything’s fine again, it was probably just the stress. But I’m wondering, since a lot of us have depression fairly regularly, does anyone else get like this? Where you have to get out and away from other people, even if they’re people you love? Just curious.
Hey, and Breakfast Club is on AMC right now, if anyone feels like watching the extremely censored version. Ya know, somehow “Claire, how’d you like to see a picture of a guy with elephantitis of the butt?” isn’t quite as effective. And please tell me why they felt the need to censor the line about the jock strap? I didn’t realize that “jock” was one of the seven dirty words…
antivirus May 23, 2004 ~ 10:36 pm
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closedHelp. Anyone have an idea on how to get antivirus shields for two systems (my mac and my pc) without paying an arm and a leg? My mother is convinced I have a virus (I’m not so sure, I’m thinking it’s my brother), and there is no way I can afford to d/l antivirus shields for both puters. The Mac one alone is like $70!
Any ideas?
Landmark Post May 23, 2004 ~ 10:12 am
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closedHey, we’ve reached post number 100 according to the Blogger stats. Wow.
I’m home for a bit today (as you can tell, because Rick has no computer and therefore I wouldn’t be posting from there), so I figured I would post. I was going to be at his place the whole weekend, but I slept funny or something and pinched a nerve in my right collarbone area. So I couldn’t move my arm for most of the day without pain, and I wanted to be in my own nice bed last night. Today it seems to be better, so that’s good. I’ll be going into town again soon to hang out with Rick and the girls. Apparently the younger one has been asking since she woke up this morning “Is Julie coming back today???” It’s good to be loved. Oh, and the older one found my blog, and was very proud when she told me that yesterday. Now I have to watch what I say on certain topics. Ah, the perils of a public blog.
But I wanted to catch up with my fellow bloggers before I left, and was very very glad that Lizzy’s daughter was home. She’s been in my thoughts all weekend.
Random thought: Do all states have “Adult Go-Active Happy Meals” at McDonalds, or is it just here? This seems like the cheesiest idea ever - the toy surprise being a pedometer. Give me a break. Or better yet, go see the move Supersize Me like Rick and I did Friday night, and you will never be able to eat Mickey D’s again.
And I think that’s it from here. Have to go have breakfast, take a shower, all that good stuff, so I can head into Manhattan before it gets too God-awful hot. Might talk to you later tonight, or definitely tomorrow. Have a good Sunday, everyone.
Getting out of here May 21, 2004 ~ 3:30 pm
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closedHappy weekend to me. Now off to buy Kim’s present and hang out with my boy (who always says “I’m 50″ when I call him that. “Yeah, hon, but you act like you’re 12, so it balances out.” :))
Anyways, mad psyched. Just bought my Amtrak ticket to Philly for my vaction - I’m going to hang out with Kim for four days and do all the historical things like the history geeks we are. I can’t wait!
And on a side note, I saw Smokey and the Bandit II last night on WE. That made me happy. I love those old Burt Reynolds movies…they’re so cheesy and he’s so full of himself, but they are fun!
Okay, that’s it, I am gone…cya Monday if not before!
You wanted the best, you get the best. May 21, 2004 ~ 2:15 pm
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closedOr the worst, depending on your viewpoint. Just because I have collected quite a list of them and the office is fairly calm right now…you get the Continued List of Stupid Names! Aren’t you excited? Here goes…
____ Nimrod: Nuff said. Can you imagine going through life with a name like “Nimrod”? That’s just asking for playground teasing.
Hetha ___: I’ve actually seen this spelling several times. It’s apparently Brooklynese for “Heather”. Say it out loud, and you’ll get it. But really, what was Mom thinking? That the kid’s gonna live in Brooklyn their whole life? She’d better hope so.
____ Brie ____: Middle name or not, it’s still cheese in my book. Maybe her parents and Gwyneth Paltrow are friends? Because Brie goes with Apple, doesn’t it?
_____ Arce: One letter away from an arse.
Roody ____: Yeah, it’s “Rudy” in disguise. See the above note about “Hetha”.
____ Dick: I’m gonna preface this by saying that my brother’s first name is Dick. However, he’s 55, and that was an acceptable nickname for Richard when he was growing up. And as a last name, “Dick” ain’t a nickname.
Suze _____: Isn’t this a lot like just giving your child a nickname instead of a name?
Waukeshiah _____: Maybe it is an ethnic name, you have to sound it out about four times to make sense of it. And the kid must’ve had a hell of a time learning to spell it!
Nike _____: I’m hoping this child was named for the Greek goddess instead of the shoe. But I really have my doubts.
____ Manlove: I know, it’s a last name, it can’t be helped, but doesn’t this sound like a porn star name?
_____ Gist: Getting right to the gist of things…
Sharolyn ____: What, her parents couldn’t decide on Sharon or Carolyn??
Wook ____: I have no idea what this means in this person’s native land. However, everytime I see it, I think of Chewbacca, the Wookie.
And finally…I had to do this.
Winsome Johnson: I’m not making this up. It’s a real name. And it, too sounds like a porn star name. In a way that old “Manlove” could only aspire to.
That’s it for this round. But there will always be more…bwahaha!
In which I speak in parenthesis (a lot). May 21, 2004 ~ 11:13 am
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closedI am *so* freakin’ happy it’s Friday, I don’t know whether to shit or go blind (that’s my mom’s wonderful saying, I learned it by watching her, as that old “Don’t do drugs” commercial said). My mind is gone (as evinced by that last sentence), my neck still hurts from the StressSpot (it came back), I don’t know whether I’m hungry or nauseous (happens a lot), but on the plus side I get to leave work at 3:30 today. It’s a reward for Hell Week. I’m gonna go get a birthday present for my college friend Kim (how do I know so many Kims?) - I figured out the best present for her ever, but I can’t post it cos she reads this. All I’m gonna say, Kimmie-san, is think Victor Garber. And music. Then I’m off to spend quality time with Rick, which may involve a movie, but will more likely end up as Another Night On the Couch. Which is also nice. And tomorrow he gets his girls for the weekend, so we’ll probably go see Shrek 2. They saw it last night, but we have been assured by the older one that it would be perfectly okay with them to see it again. After that, the weekend is up in the air. I have no plans. I like it that way.
We are officially two weeks from the start of my vacation. Not like I’m keeping track. And also two weeks from opening day of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I will brave the opening night crowds to kick off my vacation in suitable fashion. Because I have a thing for Alan Rickman, even when he is greased up to portray Snape. Alan Rickman and Colin Firth, the two actors (besides Rick, of course) that I will go to see in anything they do.
Now, my random thoughts on the blogs I read this morning:
Assclam: Thanks to Michael, Lex, and Monique for taking up the “assclam” banner. Now I don’t feel like such a dumbass that I mis-heard it, because hey, it’s a cool word in it’s own right. And besides, I remember when Matt (the cousin who called me “assclown”, which I mis-heard as “assclam”) thought it was the world’s greatest insult to call someone “Fur” something. As in “Furfoot,” “Furboob,” or that ultimate insult “Furbutt”. Yes, he was four, but it’s damn good blackmail now that he’s 21 and a big, tough Marine. 
The healthy trend: Many of my blog friends out there are eating healthier and trying to do better by body, mind, and spirit. Go, guys, go. I think you may all have found the perfect setting in which to try this. Think about it…you post about it, we respond and give you positive feedback, which spurs you to do more. It’s like a WeightWatchers meeting online. Without the Points or the membership fee.
Andy Kauffman’s Return: Traci pointed out that we have hit the 20 year anniversary of Andy Kauffman’s “death,” which (if it was a hoax) was supposed to mark Andy’s triumphant return. Well, lo and behold, suddenly “Andy” has a blog! Link’s on the left. Dunno if it’s actually Andy or not, but it’s an interesting read, and if it’s really him, he’s Rick’s and my neighbor on the Upper West Side. We’ll keep an eye out for him and let you know.
Aunt Flo: Or as we used to call the monthly visitor in high school, Elmo (it’s little, it’s red…hell, just go with it!). I asked this last month, and repeat it again this month. How are so many of us with only cyber-ties, on the same schedule? This is especially weird since I’m on the Pill and pretty much regulated as such. Let’s all gather ’round in a sister-circle and sing “Kumbaya” or something. On second thought, make it something Lep. Which leads me to…
Malibu Storm’s remake of “Photograph”: I posted this on Rhonda’s comments section, but this remake is a bust for me. “Photograph” has always been an angsty song about impossible love, for me at least. That’s why JTE’s style of scream-singing fit so perfectly. Now here are three kids who look like Barbie and Ken dolls singing it slowly, calmly, nicely. Just doesn’t do it for me. This isn’t like Emm Grynner’s version of “Sugar.” Emm’s remake turned the song into a sexy, sultry ballad, which the lyrics supported. Malibu Storm’s “Photograph” doesn’t do that, and just doesn’t cut it, IMO.
That’s it for now. There may be more as the day progresses…
Breathing Room May 20, 2004 ~ 3:23 pm
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closedI’m knocking wood as I say this, but today has been a lot better at work than I expected it to be. I’ve had time to tackle some of the things that have been sitting on my desk since the Commencement countdown began (two weeks now), catch up on almost all my work email, and most importantly, breathe. This is the first time since May started that I haven’t had an unbearable muscle knot between my shoulders (apparently, that’s where my stress likes to sit…it’s the stress sidecar or jumpseat, if you will). It’s kinda nice. And it’s beautiful outside. And I finished Anne Rice’s Memnoch, the Devil at lunch. I’d forgotten how much I like the Vampire Lestat (the character, not referring to the book, although it’s good, too) until lately. Fans of Anne Rice and Lestat, read Memnoch. It is some heavy stuff, a whole ‘nother take on Heaven, Hell, and human nature, but one hell of a fun ride that makes you think about whether the whole story is a colossal mindfuck. I love things like that, that make you question all your ideas about what’s going on, but are entertaining along the way! Like reading a Pinter play.
What else was I gonna write? I forget now. Probably just as well, I should get back to the work on my desk. And after work, a walk through the park, where I will sit myself in the shade of my favorite tree by the lake for a while and start a new book…an Elizabeth Peters, Amelia Peabody mystery this time. The bonus on top of this being that when I finally decide to go home, I will be able to open the door and window, something that’s been impossible with all the rain lately. Can’t wait.
And hell yeah, I’m still counting down till June 5th, when my vacation starts.
Oh, anyone know where Jules has gone off to? The rest of the Vegas crew seems to be back, but no updates on Jules’s blog. Where you be, woman???
And just a thought, I just spellchecked this before posting, and Blogger’s spellcheck thinks “blog” is a typo. Um, Blogger people? You might want to fix that!
Klump Post May 19, 2004 ~ 10:33 pm
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , comments closedSo I haven’t posted as much as usual this week. With Commencement about two weeks away, and this being ticket distribution week, I haven’t had any free time at the office to blog. I spend my entire day making sure that ticket distribution is going as smoothly as possible, that everyone who has contacted us about it will be on the list for ticket pick-ups, etc., on top of my regular job of auditing degrees. Plus, I am still dealing with incompetence from the chief fuck up in the other office…she laid a doozy on us this morning.
Every night, at close of business, I compile a spreadsheet list with all the names of students who have called us during the day to say they were not on the ticket pick up list. I divide the spreadsheet into two pages, and separate the students according to their graduation date. I was asked to do this by Chief Fuck Up, or “Omarosa,” as Rick calls her, because of her tendency to fuck up and then blame other people. I have been using the exact same format for the list since I started making them, last week. Omarosa then inputs the spreadsheet into the master ticket distribution list, ensuring that everyone gets on. Well, this morning my office is invaded by five students who we told to go pick up their tickets today, their names would have been added by the time they came in. Their names aren’t on the list. I call Omarosa and ask her what’s going on, while trying to do damage control…I have yesterday’s spreadsheet open in front of me, and their names are clearly on it.
Get this…she didn’t look at one of the “pages” and had thus left 22 names off the list this morning. Called her on that stupidity real damn quick. I seriously believe she’s lying awake nights trying to figure out ways to screw me and my staff over, I really do. Because there is no way she could have come up with so many ways to do so, so consistently, without forethought.
Argh. Other than dealing with her, and the massive amount of stress that is my job, life is okay. Rick took me out to dinner Monday night to give me a break from it all, and we came home and watched “Colonial House” on PBS. Has anyone else been watching this? There was a whole segment about how on the Sabbath, people weren’t allowed to do any work. Then the camera cut to the modern-day colonists who are living as though they are in 1628. They were out playing baseball. Yeah, because the Puritans would have allowed that to happen. God.
Last night went and saw Big Dance Company’s production of Mac Wellman’s Antigone. Totally deconstructionist, but a lot of fun. Jordana took me, so I had a good time hanging out with her before the show. We had dinner in the East Village, and I shit you not saw a woman come out and start watering plants in a red flannel nightgown. What’s the big deal? For one, it was on a really crowded city street. There were hundreds of people around, and she was in a nightgown that kept flying up her ass as the wind blew, giving us all a lovely view of her privates. Only in NYC.
Tonight, babysitting my friend Tony’s kids in Staten Island. They are sweeties…one is 6, and performed his enire class’s roles in the upcoming school assembly for me (he knows all his classmates’ lines), and the other is 9 months, a little doll. Now they’re in bed, but it was a great change of pace. Takes some of the stress from work off.
Of course, it’ll be back bright and early tomorrow when I go into work. Today was the last day of ticket distribution, so all hell will break loose tomorrow as irate students phone in asking why they can’t get tickets now. Fuuuun. If you don’t hear from me for a few days again, you’ll know why!
