(Post title credit to RENT)

Well, in reference to the friends-locked post from yesterday, I'm doing okay. Last night I went to karaoke with Mike (who's been very sweet about this whole ordeal) and sang 'Fast Car' by Tracy Chapman, and ended up crying my fucking eyes out afterwards. (I was singing that as a tribute to her, because the song reminds me a lot about us. Look up the lyrics and you'll understand.) 

I felt a little better last night after talking to friends, and I appreciate everyone who's offered their condolences. I have to work in fifteen minutes, and I know a few people at work know about it (that's where I got the call), so I hope I don't break down. For right now, I just have to put her out of my mind. I have the rest of my life to think about her, but I can't. Not right now.

Aside from that, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I'll be sure to let you know how my holidays go, and what I get for Christmas. As for today, I need to focus on making it through without breaking down.

Later, guys.

EDIT: I went into work and my manager told me to go on home. So, I'll be using this day to reflect. Thanks for all your support, you guys.

Well, today has been a good day so far!  Mom called me at noon to ask if I wanted to go to lunch and then to a bookstore. I stayed up most of the night and so was very tired, but I couldn't pass that up. We went to Rosie's Pho and had some soup (yummy!) and then went to the Book Box, a new used bookstore that's sprouted up in Pflugerville. I went inside, and it was glorious. Shelves of paperbacks, hardcovers, old leather volumes, they had complimentary coffee and fudge, pottery and paintings (all done by local artists) and the lady who ran it (Beth) was extremely nice. Apparently it's been there for four months or so. I am now determined to keep it in business, and I think I know what I want when I grow up! A little bookshop just like that. It was magical... I bought:

• The Stand by Stephen King
• The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
• Napalm and Silly Putty by George Carlin
• The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• 1984 by George Orwell
• The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

A lot of the books were hardcover, so it was a tad bit expensive, but it was worth it. I definitely want to give them my business now. Right now I'm just watching Gone with the Wind and gathering books to donate to the shop - you get store credit there if you trade in. I certainly shall! Well, that's all for now. Keep dreaming.

Yesterday was my day off, which I spent with Mike, and it was our makeshift anniversary due to the fact we're working on our actual anniversary. We basically played poker, watched TGWTG and AVGN, went out to lunch, and slept in. (Not in that order.) A lot of people choose to go out to a really fancy dinner or dancing or something like that. However, I think that our small anniversary means we'll be together for a lot longer. It's all about spending time together.

Anyway, love stories aside, work's going just fine. I've been cut nearly every day so far, which is good to have some rest. What the store does is put on more hours than they need in case people decide to call in sick or something like that. However, apparently nobody's been calling in sick, which may be odd around the holidays, but it makes an odd sort of sense because people need more money for gifts. So, they have to ask people if they'll go home so they won't be in shit with their bosses. And being a team player and already done with shopping, I usually say yes. Plus, some days I'm just tired.

My period came this week. Ugh. That's a gift I do not want. But it's been acting weird in an okay way. When I got it, I got the usual initial flood, and then I had a day of cramps of doom that made me want to die, but now, I've had close to no cramps, and I'm only getting small patches of blood each day. Every time I think I'm used to it, it switches things on me. Bah.

Today I'm working the usual 12:30-9:00 shift, and then another day off. I'm in a pleasantly good mood despite my red gift, let's hope it lasts.

See ya!

(Post title credit to Muse's 'Supermassive Black Hole'. I would've included the full lyric, but it's too long. Bah.)

Well, I got cut early nearly every day this week. My paycheck is gonna be shit, but I don't mind it much, really. I ran into a homeless man today and I didn't have anything to give him, so I bought him some lunch instead. He was really nice and it made me realize that I need to work harder in my community. But that was my good deed for the day.

I finally updated in 'A Day in the Line', however nobody's reviewed it yet. I hope everyone hasn't forgotten about me. Not much else going on right now. I guess I'll just have something to eat and then probably hang out.

Til then...

(avatar and post title credit to RENT)

Not much going on lately, but thought I'd post anyway. Yesterday, me and Mom and Dad got our passports renewed. Dad's just expired, and mine's been expired since '05, so we thought we'd just do them together. He's hinting at a trip to Belgium, but he does that all the time, so I don't know if he's serious or not.

Then Mom took me to Barnes & Noble (my favorite place) to pick out presents, and I think she got some things for me too. :D Then we had a surprisingly-good lunch at Applebee's, and off to home we went. I work today from 2:00-10:30, so that's not so bad. My days off next week are Tuesday and Thursday, and luckily, Mike also has Tuesday off. So I'll be going over there after work Monday night.

Right now I'm thinking of getting something to eat. So, until then, my minions!

You stay classy.

I most definitely think that there is a lot of pressure for people to be in a relationship/have kids in this society. Anyone who's read one post in this blog knows that I'm in one, and I personally like it, but not everyone needs to have a relationship to validate themselves. I know plenty of people who choose not to marry, or to marry but not have kids, or anything like that. And that's perfectly fine. It's all about what you want in life.

My friend tells me about how her Mom keeps pushing her to have children, seeing as she's been married for a few years, but she doesn't want to have any children, and neither does her husband. I see no point in having unwanted children. It should be the person/couple's choice.

The pressure is worse around the holidays, because people look and see all the joy directed at kids, and all the movies that show a woman who finally meets the man of her dreams at Christmas, which can get very wearing on a lot of people. I went through the normal phase of wanting a boyfriend during high school, but after graduating and getting older, I actually got really comfortable with being single. Nothing wrong with just living for yourself and loving yourself. Then one day I met Mike, and after a 10-month courtship, I flew up there and sealed the deal. And that was my choice. Just do whatever makes you happy.

Now, you know I have to turn some things into a debate, and this issue I just gotta touch on. I think that the pressure in society and the media to get a boyfriend/girlfriend, get married and have babies is contributing to a lot of teen pregnancies in this country. Not causing, mind you, but contributing. I mean, think about it. And a lot of couples these days don't even get married, even with kids. Which is fine, that's your choice, but it's odd that teen pregnancy is the norm these days.

Some of my friends at work are young moms, and they're the nicest people, but some of their questions make me think 'Wait, what?' For example, they find it a little surprising that Mike and I are in our 20s, have been dating for almost two years, and yet have no kids. Mike and I have discussed children, and we both agree that we want them, but many, many years in the future. Definitely not now. We both have our dreams, and we both like just living for ourselves and each other rather than worrying about a tiny human being, especially when we have neither the money nor maturity to raise a child.

Then people are wondering if we're sexually active or not. I'm not very modest, so I don't mind saying, yes, Mike and I are sexually active. Why don't we have kids? Well, there are these things called condoms, and if you learn how to use them right, they do a pretty good job. Mike and I have had relationship talks, and we both agree that we can see each other getting married and having kids someday, but not right now. Right now, we're just content to date and have a good time.

And even if people don't want a relationship or kids, if they're happy, why interfere? Like I said, it's all about what you want.

Well, today's turning out alright. But first, a recap from yesterday!

Yesterday was my day off, and Mom and Dad took me out to Rosie's Pho Noodle House. I love that place, and haven't been back since they screwed up my order some time ago, and boy did they make up for it. My soup was full of awesome wonton-y goodness. Then we went to Goodwill where I browsed VHS tapes and rack after rack of tasteless romance novels while Dad found some great new chairs that he gave to Mike as a Christmas present. Mike finally has furniture! Yaaaaaaay! I'll be going there in an hour or so to see them and to spend some time.

After that we went to Walmart (ugh, don't get me started on that place, but we needed to get a gift for someone) and Mom got some stocking stuffers and also some gifts for my siblings. Then we stopped by Game Crazy and picked up more gifts for my siblings, and also one for me, but I'm not allowed to play it until I open it on Christmas Day. (It's Mario Kart Wii, I've been wanting it forever.)

That evening, I participated in a new chat show called QI - Quite Idiotic, hosted by my friend jess_teh_skox on the Idiotsite. It's a really fun show about challenging trivia and obscure facts. Last night was about air and the atmosphere, and it was quite fun! Our friend Mike (different Mike) won with 9 points, and I was the biggest loser with -40 points. (It's pretty easy to lose points in that game.) But all in all, it was fun, and I'd definately do it again. Jesse was great as host. (And yes, it's based on the British game show, hosted by Stephen Fry.)

Today, I had to get up at 8 AM to go to work, and was supposed to stay until 4:30, but got cut at 11. So, I went home, Mom got me some Sonic, and I took a nap after watching some Nostalgia Critic. (That Guy with the Glasses is my new crack. If you haven't checked out him or the Angry Video Game Nerd, do it. The links are in my sidebar.) Then I called Mike to see how he liked the chairs and made plans to come over. Karaoke tonight!

Well, that's about it for me. Shine on, you crazy diamonds.

(Song title credit to The Carpenters...I think. I like their version the best, anyway.)

Well, the last few days have been interesting. I've been working, of course. It hasn't been all that bad. I closed last night and got out ten minutes late because people chose to wait until 12-1 to do all their big order shopping. Half of them said they were just getting out of work, which is totally understandable and I didn't mind that, but the other half said 'Oh, we just felt like coming right now.' and 'Wow, you guys actually close?? That sucks!' Yeah, not for me. Jerk.

Yesterday we drove about a half hour away to Elgin, TX to get our tree from the Christmas Tree Farm. It's a pretty good size, 10 foot or so. I think the biggest one we had was a 20-footer a few years ago. Then we tied it to the roof and went to a BBQ place where they had really good ribs and glass soda bottles. I always love the nostalgic feel of those things. We should be decorating on Tuesday, which is good, since I have that day off.

As for the snow? Big letdown, as I expected. Ten minutes of flurries and then the sun came out. Why can't we see snow anymore? It's like we got cursed by moving here. Even when we go up to Pennsylvania, they say 'Oh, it snowed four inches yesterday, but it melted before you got here!' *sigh*

Mike's doing alright. However, our schedules are so different next week we most likely won't get to see each other. I hope we share a day or two together soon.

Right now I'm just passing time and getting ready for work. It's 3 right now, and I work from 4:00 to 12:30. Basically the same shift as yesterday, but I go in a half hour early and get out a half hour early. Not a bad trade. Tomorrow I work 11:45-7:15. Believe it or not, I don't work any evenings next week! The latest I work is 10:45! I've gotten so used to evening shifts I don't mind them much, but mornings aren't bad, provided I'm not working too late the day before.

Well, that's all for now. It's Sunday, so I can wear my Eagles jersey, and since it's December, I can wear my Eagles Santa hat as well! You're allowed to wear either a Santa hat or reindeer antlers, so things are a little festive where I'm working. Makes for a nice change of pace.

That's all for now. I'll see you all later.

(Post title credit to John Lennon)
I went to bed at around 5 AM last night....and woke up at 5 PM today. BUH?! I was floored when I saw the clock. I guess my body really needed the sleep. I hope I'll be able to fall asleep again tonight!

I'm still really hoping we get snow tomorrow. Now I'm really hungry, and I must fix that.

See ya! (short post, I know)

Oooh, this is a tough one. I'd either want to be able to move things with my mind, or be able to fly. Because flying = awesome and quick transportation, and moving things with my mind = not having to get up and countless double-takes from strangers.

I'd probably pick flying. I've wanted to be able to do that since I was a kid.

My life is pretty great to begin with, so I don't think anything needs much change, per se, but I am working toward a serious life transition. I finally started the college process (for real this time), and I'm just waiting back to see if I'm accepted into Texas State University. This is the chance I have to study hard, get a good career, and really make a name for myself. To live life the way I want to.

If I had one night left to live, I would throw a big party and invite all my friends and family to come visit. We'd have dinner, music, dancing, and laughter, and I'd tell each one of them how much they meant to me. For my last meal, I'd want an array of seafood, shrimp, oysters, you name it.

Then once the party was over and everyone was home, I'd go to the bedroom with my husband and make love one last time, before telling him how much I loved him, falling asleep in his arms, and gently passing in my sleep.

It reminds me of this quote:

“Christmas was close at hand, in all his bluff and hearty honesty; it was the season of hospitality, merriment, and open-heartedness; the old year was preparing, like an ancient philosopher, to call his friends about him, and amidst the sound of feasting and revelry to pass gently and calmly away.” – Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers

Hey there. Reason for the post title? In Austin, Texas...on Friday, December 4th...the weather forecast predicts snow.

Not sleet. Not hail. Snow. Fucking snow. In Texas. I'm ECSTATIC. The last time it snowed here was in 1995! At least that I can recall. It was awesome, my entire cul-de-sac froze over and everyone was out playing. I loved it. And now they're saying it can happen again! I just hope it follows through and my hopes aren't dashed.

I've been at Mike's apartment the last two days, it was fun, we've just been hanging out. Went out to Cheddar's for dinner tonight and had a great meal, and our server was really nice and attentive. He definately earned the 40% tip I gave him. Thanks, buddy. You made it even better than usual. :)

Right now I'm watching WWE Monday Night RAW and eating some pizza as well as Mom's steak and Guinness pie. Mmmmmmm!

My DVD of A Christmas Carol I ordered came, my favorite version with George C. Scott from 1984. If you haven't seen it, rent it. It's really good.

That's basically it for right now. Another day off tomorrow.

Bye!

Well, I am friends with a lot of people who smoke. My parents are both former smokers, and a lot of people at work like to go outside on break to smoke. I sell dozens of packs of cigarettes at work each day. And my feeling is, people can do it if they want to, but I personally think it's disgusting.

I think it wouldn't be right of me to tell them 'Hey, don't smoke.' There are exceptions. Like, say hypothetically, I were pregnant. I wouldn't want to be around someone smoking, as the second-hand could hurt my baby. Smoking socially? That's fine, it's your own life, do what you want. I do like it in some restaraunts and hotels when they have a smoking and non-smoking section, that gives you more of a choice.

My parents throw parties at the house a lot, and the rule is you can smoke all you want, just do it out on the deck. As for rights of smokers, I think that they got themselves into this, if they wanna smoke a pack a day, that's their right as consumers. However, non-smokers should be able to draw the line at some point. (As in, if they feel their health or space is being threatened.)

Side note on smoking: people who smoke take it really seriously. That's obvious, but as someone who has never smoked, it strikes me as silly and sometimes annoying. For instance, at work, people have to have it exactly the way they want it. "No, I can't have the shorts, I have to have the 100s!" "No, I can't have regular, I HAVE to have menthol!" "NO, I CAN'T have the SOFT PACK, it HAS to be the BOX!"

Lord, the last one really makes me shake my head. What the hell does the packaging matter, it'll kill you at the same rate! If anyone out there knows why this matters, please tell me.

And that's my two cents.

(Title credit to The Chipmunk Song.)

Well, as you can see, it's December 1st, and I changed my layout to a holiday theme, at least until December's over. Then I'll switch back to the other layout that I love so very, very much. I like this one because food is one of my favorite things about the holidays. I know I'll be trying my hand at some baking soon.

I'm over at Mike's apartment right now, he finally got internet access. Amazingly, I got cut from work on Sunday, which floored me. I NEVER get cut when I'm a closer. But apparently there were two 1 AMers scheduled for that night, an odd thing to happen. So I got out at nine, and Mom was very happy she didn't have to come out at 1 AM to get me. I went home and stayed up wayyyyy too late, and payed for it in the morning.

I literally had to force myself out of bed to get there on time for my 12:30-9:00 shift. I work that shift a lot, which is an okay timeslot, but it takes a lot out of me. And today was no different. We had our usual rush, and at various times I felt like I was going to faint, due to lack of sleep. But after work, Mike and I went back to his apartment and ordered some pizza. And after pizza and a lot of soda pop, I felt better.

Now I'm just lying on the floor typing this and listening to some tracks Mike recorded at karaoke. We'll be undoubtedly going there tonight to sing.

(I started this post last night, but I'm finishing it in the morning...er, afternoon.)

Well, now I've woken up and I'm watching the Whose Line UK Christmas Special. I love Mike McShane. (What is it with me and Mikes, anyhow?)

Time for leftover pizza! Later!

(Just kidding. She's a great author.)

Yesterday at work was interesting. I got out at 9 instead of 11, and at around 7:30, the power went out! That's happened earlier this year, but this time it was odd because the weather was not the least bit bad. It was apparently just our workplace, but Mike said his apartment went out too. It was just for a few minutes, but it was weird. I was laughing and joking and having a good time, but some people freaked out. Trying not to laugh HURTS.

I burned my Christmas Mix '09 today. I'm also finally burning some of the remaining CDs to my computer. After this, I think I'll have my full collection on here! I sent in the Texas State application and essay a few days ago. I should know in a few weeks if they want my money or not. Today I work from 4:30-1:00 AM, so there's no chance of getting cut today. What they generally do is have three people stay until midnight, then it's one person who goes solo with the manager. Today's Sunday, so I get to wear my Eagles jersey to work. We're playing the Redskins today.

I have Tuesday and Thursday off this week, so I'll probably be going to Mike's apartment. Luckily, he finally has internet access so I'll be able to make a pit stop in the chatroom. I do miss playing in there. I need to print out my Christmas letter so I can send out the cards. However, I'm pretty sure half the addresses in my notebook are wrong, so I need to make some calls to figure out who's where.

Not much else. Work in two hours or so. Wish me luck!

Byeee!

Well, Thanksgiving is over and done with, and now it is time for the Christmas festivities. It won't be December for a few more days, but I believe it's an appropriate time to start getting into the spirit, getting out the music and decorations and whatnot.

We won't be going to Pennsylvania this year, which is a nice change, seeing as we've gone up there every year for the last...four years or so. It'll be nice to just have a Christmas at the house this year, with no stress of travel. We'll be getting a tree soon from the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm, and Mom has decided to bake up a storm this year, something that I have no objection to.

I'm already getting gifts for my family, but my parents are really hard to buy for. I'm sure I'll figure something out. Mike'll be spending Christmas with us, after we realized there's no way we can afford to go up there this year. However, we're shooting for a Spring Break trip instead. Work is doing alright, and the place is really looking like the holidays. And since November is ending, it's no longer out of place. I wonder when our Christmas music will start. Soon I'll get to wear my Philadelphia Eagles Santa hat to work.

I got off work super-early today because thanks to Black Friday, we were DEAD. I should savor that, because we'll probably never be that slow again. Literally, we only had three registers open, and nobody was there. I got cut at 8 when I should've been going home at midnight. Not that I'm complaining.

Tomorrow I work from 2:30-11:00. Not bad. I have Tuesday and Thursday off next week, also good. I like it when they're in the middle of the week, keeps me sane. I went to go see A Christmas Carol 3-D yesterday, and HOLY HELL they renovated the movie theater. It looks so much different than when I used to work there. The place looks cleaner, the menus are on flat-screens, and they even got new concession food. It looks great. However, I still don't want to work there ever again.

The movie itself was wonderful. Jim Carrey was great as Scrooge, and they were very true to the book. It was undoubtedly the scariest rendition I've ever seen. Every few minutes something would pop out to make you jump. I was clutching my seat some of the time. But the animation was wonderful and an overall great movie. It's not my favorite rendition of the tale, my favorite is the one with George C. Scott that was made in 1984. He is my favorite Scrooge. And of course the Disney and Muppet renditions are great too.

Well, that's all for now. Catch you on the rebound.

A Day in the Line

By LadyBookish242 AKA Taylor

Rated PG-13, rating subject to change

Pairings: Drew/Greg, Ryan/Colin, Brad/Chip, Wayne/Jeff

Plot: The gang share a large house on Anderson street, going through days of life, love, and mindless retail jobs.

NOTE: Some of the retail scenes in this fic are inspired by true experiences by myself and acquaintances. Yes, really.

Disclaimer: I do not own the show ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’ nor do I own any of the persons portrayed. I do not mean to slander any of the persons portrayed in the story.

( Getting your daily allotment of starch? )

(Avatar is because I think I know what I'll be doing after dinner.)

Happy Thanksgiving! I woke up at 1:30 and we'll be eating at 3. Mike's over here to eat with us, and I'm topping off a 3-day stretch of rest. Mike and I took the 24th and 25th off for his birthday, and I certainly enjoyed the relaxation time. I got him a few presents and we had dinner in celebration.

Work has been alright other than that. It's been OMGSUPERFUCKINGBUSY due to Thanksgiving. I mean, I can understand that people wait a while to get Thanksgiving stuff. My Mom bought all of our groceries on the 23rd. But I did a walk-in to get some things yesterday and it was MOBBED. I felt really good that I didn't have to work that day! We're even open until 2 PM today, which isn't so bad because at least everyone gets a chance to go home and spend it with family and friends.

In honor of those people, I'd like to share Taylor's List of Rules for Shopping at my Store On/Near Thanksgiving:

• Frozen turkeys take a few days to thaw out. Do not come in our store at 7 AM on Thanksgiving Day and buy a frozen turkey with the intention of cooking it that day. There is no possible way to thaw it out that quickly, and that is not our fault.
• While on the subject of turkeys, don't come in on Thanksgiving Day and act surprised and angry that we don't have a turkey in the size you need. Common sense tells you that waiting until the last minute is not a good idea, and besides, you won't be able to cook a frozen turkey the same day anyway.
• Don't call the store on Thanksgiving Day and expect us to have a fresh turkey in stock for you to buy. Don't yell at me about it. It isn't my fault you told your kid to take the turkey out of the garage freezer three days ago and he didn't do it.
• If you want to order a complete meal from our deli, you need to order a few days in advance. This is clearly on the signs and flyer. Do not come in Thanksgiving Day and expect us to have one for you because we don't. Threatening to call our corporate office won't make us give you one either, because we don't have them on hand.
• Don't complain about the lines being long at the checkouts or the aisles being so packed you can't move, or about having to park so far away from the store. You chose to wait until the last minute to do your holiday shopping, just like everyone else standing with you. You know it's like this every year...why not shop a week early next time?

Okay, I think that's it. Glad I got that out of my system!

Happy Turkey Day!