9:45am: The stairs next to our salon are being repaired today and probably will be for the next few days. The guys doing the repairing are pretty scary looking. Guy #1 has crazy hair, is missing teeth, and has a handlebar mustache. Guy #2 doesn't look as deranged as Guy #1, but has holes all over his clothes. Guy #1 is using a blowtorch and some sort of saw that is cutting through the metal on the stairs. This saw is creating tons of sparks, which does not phase this guy at all. He has on a pair of protective glasses, but that is it. These sparks are flying directly into his crazy hair, face, bare hands, and open mouth. Perhaps the missing teeth are a direct correlation of sparks flying into his mouth for the past 35 years. Since I am no dentist, I cannot be sure. Maybe he never brushes. Though, you'd think that the sparks would kill any bacteria in his mouth.
10:15am: I think they have run into a problem. Allow me to describe the steps to you. They are framed in metal. Each step has a metal front, bottom and back, which is then filled with tile. It seems that someone forgot to measure the steps width because as I was watching them try to put the first new step into place, I saw them stop, take out the new step, and then measure. This was then followed by scratching of heads, and then banging of metal (I assume to make it fit into place).
10:31am: EWWWWWWWWW! Plumber butt. PULL YOUR PANTS UP!
10:33am: He is now using a blow torch. Now he has on the full helmet thingy. I'm wondering if I should have goggles on too.
10:42am: Stair number one is in. Almost.
Hopefully I won't be blind by the end of this day.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Lonely Brunch
One of my favorite things to do on a weekend is go to brunch. I love almost any kind of breakfast food you put in front of me. Unfortunately, brunch is the one meal I hate eating alone. I couldn't care less about eating lunch or even dinner alone. I love to people watch, and I really enjoy my alone time. Brunch is a different story.
Today, for example, I wanted nothing more than to know that someone would be joining me for breakfast. That's one thing I miss about KC. I have several people that I am absolutely certain would drop anything to eat breakfast with me. Meghann and I were talking about that when I called her today. Breakfast is a new level with friends. When you can almost count on eating at least one weekend breakfast with a friend, you know you have a very solid friendship.
As I was scrolling through my phone today, I realized that the only "breakfast" people I have are in KC or DC. I believe Alex would be a breakfast friend, but she works most weekends. Sabina would too, but she's married and busy with school. Other than that, I didn't have anyone else. :( I didn't let that stop me, though. I went into Snooze and sat at the bar. Didn't really feel like reading the paper, so I just did some people watching. I was surprised at myself at how jealous I was of everyone in there. I was the only person alone. It didn't matter whether it was a couple who had obviously spent their morning lounging in bed, then finally deciding to go get breakfast, or just a few friends who wanted to talk about their night. I was jealous. Actually, I was more jealous of the couples. This is the first time in almost a year that I've been jealous of a couple. I suppose I should take that as a sign that maybe I'm getting close to ready for serious dating again. It just sucks, you know? I'm having a blast in Denver with my friends and a boy, and I'm leaving in a little over a month. Why does it always work that way? Right before you move is when you start meeting really cool people and having a great time. It figures, huh?
Today, for example, I wanted nothing more than to know that someone would be joining me for breakfast. That's one thing I miss about KC. I have several people that I am absolutely certain would drop anything to eat breakfast with me. Meghann and I were talking about that when I called her today. Breakfast is a new level with friends. When you can almost count on eating at least one weekend breakfast with a friend, you know you have a very solid friendship.
As I was scrolling through my phone today, I realized that the only "breakfast" people I have are in KC or DC. I believe Alex would be a breakfast friend, but she works most weekends. Sabina would too, but she's married and busy with school. Other than that, I didn't have anyone else. :( I didn't let that stop me, though. I went into Snooze and sat at the bar. Didn't really feel like reading the paper, so I just did some people watching. I was surprised at myself at how jealous I was of everyone in there. I was the only person alone. It didn't matter whether it was a couple who had obviously spent their morning lounging in bed, then finally deciding to go get breakfast, or just a few friends who wanted to talk about their night. I was jealous. Actually, I was more jealous of the couples. This is the first time in almost a year that I've been jealous of a couple. I suppose I should take that as a sign that maybe I'm getting close to ready for serious dating again. It just sucks, you know? I'm having a blast in Denver with my friends and a boy, and I'm leaving in a little over a month. Why does it always work that way? Right before you move is when you start meeting really cool people and having a great time. It figures, huh?
Thursday, February 22, 2007
I don't understand people
So I was sitting at a coffee shop today, outside, in the wonderful sun. It was so nice that I was completely fine sitting in just my tee shirt. Anyway, I was having a nice time, doing things that needed to be done, when I noticed 3 jack asses walk into the coffee shop. They were all dressed in Triumph motorcycle gear. They sat down and drank their espressos for awhile, finally getting up to leave.
I doubt I would have noticed them leaving had they not started their motorcycles and revved them for freaking ever. Seriously, my respect for them went way up once they demonstrated their masculinity through the revving. Anyway, as they were driving off, I saw one of them spit on the Boxster parked in front of the coffee shop. I don't get it. It made me so mad at the bastard, yet sad for the owner of the Boxster. What did that do for the jack ass? How on earth does spitting on someone else's belongings actually make you feel better?! "Oh man, I totally just hawked a big loogy on that porsche. I feel awesome!" Obviously he is a loser, but still. I wish I'd had a bat with me.
I doubt I would have noticed them leaving had they not started their motorcycles and revved them for freaking ever. Seriously, my respect for them went way up once they demonstrated their masculinity through the revving. Anyway, as they were driving off, I saw one of them spit on the Boxster parked in front of the coffee shop. I don't get it. It made me so mad at the bastard, yet sad for the owner of the Boxster. What did that do for the jack ass? How on earth does spitting on someone else's belongings actually make you feel better?! "Oh man, I totally just hawked a big loogy on that porsche. I feel awesome!" Obviously he is a loser, but still. I wish I'd had a bat with me.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Last night's makeup
I always know I had a great time, when I wake up and realize I still have on the previous night's makeup. I always take off my makeup before I go to bed, unless I've been drinking. It's actually kind of nice, because then I don't have to spend time putting on fresh makeup for the day.
As much fun as I tend to have when I go out with my girlfriends, my nights always end up strangely. I really don't know what I do when I get home, but things always disappear. And magically, there is always a plate of half eaten nachos next to my bed. Yes, healthy, I know. But apparently this is what I crave when I've been drinking.
Let's take this morning as an example. First of all, last night was a bit crazy. Sara and I met at Tryst for a drink (or two). Then we went to meet Summer, Summer's mom, Summer's mom's partner, Jacque and Robbie at Jax. Jax closed at 10, so we went to some place called the Cruise Bar or something. I had never heard of this place before, and it was seriously like stepping into another era. You know in The Shining when Jack goes into the bar and suddenly it's full of people, even though there is really no one there? Well, that's how this bar felt to me. Then we went to my beloved Herb's. Finally, we ended the night, just me, Sara and Summer, at Spill. Keep in mind, I had to be at work at 8 30 this morning.
Okay, so I woke up around 6 30 for the first time, realizing I should do some hangover prevention. I drank 2 large glasses of water and had some advil, then fell back asleep for another hour or so. Eventually, I dragged myself out of bed. Was still unsure as to how I would be feeling, but I knew that a coffee and a breakfast burrito from the coffee cart near my salon would do the trick. Realizing I had succeeded in basically avoiding the bad parts of a hangover, I quickly got dressed and tried to leave. Unfortunately, I ran into a few problems.
1) Plate of mostly eaten nachos next to my bed. (not really a problem, but I hate eating unhealthy things right before sleeping)
2) Could not find purse. After a quick search of the loft, I found it cleverly hidden on a random chair in the corner of my living room. Unfortunately, my keys were not with the purse.
3) Could not find keys. I made myself stop and think for a second. Normally, I throw my keys onto my bed. But, since I had slept in that bed, I assumed that I had kicked the keys off of the bed and onto the floor, along with my big comforter. I then found the keys wrapped up in the comforter.
4) Then came the hard one: my jacket.
Sometimes, when I'm a little drunk, I am very careful with my clothes. I put my shoes back in their boxes and I hang up my pants and jacket. Other nights, I am extremely careless with my clothes. I kick my shoes off as I'm walking in, probably leaving them right in place for Rich to trip on. Take my clothes off as I'm stumbling towards my bed, leaving them wherever I happen to be when it comes off. Last night, I was a bit confused. The shoes had made it to their box. But a bra was on my printer. My pants were hung up, though, yet the purse was in a random spot. So, had I hung up the jacket? Or just thrown it somewhere? I looked in closet #1 and no jacket. Closet #2, also no jacket. Then, I looked in the living room, assuming it was on the couch. (I like to leave it there.) Still no jacket. Finally, I returned to my room and looked around again. I saw it sticking out from under my desk. God knows how it ended up there.
Luckily, my scarf was right next to my jacket, so I was finally able to leave and get my coffee and breakfast burrito. Today was chorizo! Yummy.
As much fun as I tend to have when I go out with my girlfriends, my nights always end up strangely. I really don't know what I do when I get home, but things always disappear. And magically, there is always a plate of half eaten nachos next to my bed. Yes, healthy, I know. But apparently this is what I crave when I've been drinking.
Let's take this morning as an example. First of all, last night was a bit crazy. Sara and I met at Tryst for a drink (or two). Then we went to meet Summer, Summer's mom, Summer's mom's partner, Jacque and Robbie at Jax. Jax closed at 10, so we went to some place called the Cruise Bar or something. I had never heard of this place before, and it was seriously like stepping into another era. You know in The Shining when Jack goes into the bar and suddenly it's full of people, even though there is really no one there? Well, that's how this bar felt to me. Then we went to my beloved Herb's. Finally, we ended the night, just me, Sara and Summer, at Spill. Keep in mind, I had to be at work at 8 30 this morning.
Okay, so I woke up around 6 30 for the first time, realizing I should do some hangover prevention. I drank 2 large glasses of water and had some advil, then fell back asleep for another hour or so. Eventually, I dragged myself out of bed. Was still unsure as to how I would be feeling, but I knew that a coffee and a breakfast burrito from the coffee cart near my salon would do the trick. Realizing I had succeeded in basically avoiding the bad parts of a hangover, I quickly got dressed and tried to leave. Unfortunately, I ran into a few problems.
1) Plate of mostly eaten nachos next to my bed. (not really a problem, but I hate eating unhealthy things right before sleeping)
2) Could not find purse. After a quick search of the loft, I found it cleverly hidden on a random chair in the corner of my living room. Unfortunately, my keys were not with the purse.
3) Could not find keys. I made myself stop and think for a second. Normally, I throw my keys onto my bed. But, since I had slept in that bed, I assumed that I had kicked the keys off of the bed and onto the floor, along with my big comforter. I then found the keys wrapped up in the comforter.
4) Then came the hard one: my jacket.
Sometimes, when I'm a little drunk, I am very careful with my clothes. I put my shoes back in their boxes and I hang up my pants and jacket. Other nights, I am extremely careless with my clothes. I kick my shoes off as I'm walking in, probably leaving them right in place for Rich to trip on. Take my clothes off as I'm stumbling towards my bed, leaving them wherever I happen to be when it comes off. Last night, I was a bit confused. The shoes had made it to their box. But a bra was on my printer. My pants were hung up, though, yet the purse was in a random spot. So, had I hung up the jacket? Or just thrown it somewhere? I looked in closet #1 and no jacket. Closet #2, also no jacket. Then, I looked in the living room, assuming it was on the couch. (I like to leave it there.) Still no jacket. Finally, I returned to my room and looked around again. I saw it sticking out from under my desk. God knows how it ended up there.
Luckily, my scarf was right next to my jacket, so I was finally able to leave and get my coffee and breakfast burrito. Today was chorizo! Yummy.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Steamboat Springs
After a very scary drive on Rabbit Ears Pass, I arrived last Thursday in Steamboat Springs. Nissa and Ryan were already there with Sullivan and a whole group of people. Friday was my second snowboard lesson ever. I actually did pretty well, even had a few runs after my lesson ended. After my lesson that day, Nissa and I hung out in the hot tub for a little bit. Then was dinner with the whole group. After dinner, 6 of us decided to go to the hot springs. It was absolutely gorgeous. There are several different pools ranging from hot to ice cold. At one point, I braved the ice cold pool, just so I could say I did it. I think that's part of the whole hot springs experience.
So then Saturday rolled around. A man that was with the group, Bob, insisted on giving me a snowboard lesson too. He is probably in his mid 50s or so and seems really good at snowboarding. Anyway, he took me down some blues, which I thought I'd never try. It was actually a lot of fun, aside from the really hard falls that I had. Something I learned: the steeper the hill, the harder the fall. I was really happy that he made me go down the blues, but at the end of my lesson with him, I was done. My legs were like rubber. I've always kind of scoffed at people that say, "my legs are on fire", but that day my legs really were on fire. And I'm pretty much in good shape, but snowboarding is just a whole different story.
Anyway, on Saturday Ryan wanted to take Nissa to the hot springs, so I told them I would watch Sullie. First of all, I can't even remember the last time I babysat, let alone an 8 month old baby.
But I wanted to since they were letting me crash with them for free. I started having crazy fears right before they left, like, what if she chokes on something? I don't know baby CPR. I used to, but I need a refresher course. What if she cries the entire time? What do I do?!?!?! I tried not to let on that I was a little nervous, because I didn't want them to worry. After they left, Sullie and I played for about a half hour, then she started crying. I could tell she was really tired, so I had her lay down next to me in this big arm chair. After a few minutes she fell asleep in my arm, holding one of my fingers. It was pretty freaking cute. She slept like that for an hour, and of course during this hour, my phone rang several times. I refused to move though, for fear of waking her. Needless to say, I survived, and Sullie was basically happy. I left on Sunday, and luckily the roads were completely dry. I was so excited to come home, and get in the hot tub at 24 hour fitness so I could help out my sore muscles and joints. When I arrived though, there was a sign saying "Sauna is broken". I asked if the hot tub was working, and she said yes. But she was wrong. I got in the hot tub, it was lukewarm at best, but I stayed in it hoping that it just needed a little bit of time to warm up. In no time, I was shivering in the hot tub. I was so mad. So, I just stood in their shower for a really long time, hoping that the hot water wouldn't run out like it does at my place.
Today and yesterday I am/was insanely sore, which I'm blaming on the broken hot tub. And, I guess, the blue hills. But man, was it worth it.
By the way, the picture at the top was our meeting spot for lunch on Saturday. (Bob is the one in the bright yellow jacket, and I'm in front in the purple jacket (the only one smiling at the camera)). Apparently they do this every year. Pack their lunch and wine, and bring it to these 2 picnic tables that are probably at about 9,000 feet.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
7 lbs of cookie dough
As I've said before, this weekend I'm going to meet Nissa and Ryan in Steamboat. As a thank you, I decided to bake them my chocolate chip cookies. I figured while I was at it, I may as well make a double batch so I can keep some for myself and also give some out. When I finished making the dough, (yes, I make them from scratch) I realized that the bowl was really heavy. Being really curious about how much it weighed, I went to the scale in the bathroom and weighed my cookie dough. I'm sure you've already guessed from my title that the dough weighed 7 lbs. Can you believe that? That's crazy. And, I believe that Rich's scale is actually a little off, so the dough probably weighed a little bit more than 7 lbs.
Good story. I'll give everyone that asks a quarter for their time. Maybe not a quarter. I'll give you a nickel. How about that? A nickel from a Nicol. I crack myself up.
Good story. I'll give everyone that asks a quarter for their time. Maybe not a quarter. I'll give you a nickel. How about that? A nickel from a Nicol. I crack myself up.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Rough morning
As I suspected, I had a hard time falling asleep last night. Which made me oversleep today. I haven't overslept in a very long time. For starters, my cell went off once, I pushed snooze, and then it didn't go off again even though it was still in alarm mode. Then, my backup alarm didn't go off. Unless I was so out of it that I shut it off in my sleep. Very possible.
So I wake up at 8 32. I'm supposed to be at work at 8 30. Great. Rich was taking a shower, so I couldn't even grab my makeup. Luckily, we keep toothpaste at the salon, so I did a little finger brushing this morning. Yuck, I know.
Normally there are so many mall ride buses that you have to choose which one to get on. Seriously, if I were to decide to walk on a normal day, at least 10 buses would pass me in the process. Today, of course, there was only 1 and I had just missed it. I felt like laughing at my luck, but only for a little bit. I had to walk the entire way, which isn't far, but considering the start to my morning, it did not help. Not one bus passed me during my walk. Grrrr.
I don't know how I did it, but I got to work at 8 44. Only one technician and the laundry guys were waiting for me. (I'm the only one with a key.) Being 14 minutes late isn't the end of the world, but I really hate being late.
On top of that, I have to go back to the grocery store today because stupid King Soopers didn't put my eggs and vanilla in my bag! And of course, it's on the receipt. I was so excited to make cookies last night, and because of them, I couldn't. DAMN IT.
So I wake up at 8 32. I'm supposed to be at work at 8 30. Great. Rich was taking a shower, so I couldn't even grab my makeup. Luckily, we keep toothpaste at the salon, so I did a little finger brushing this morning. Yuck, I know.
Normally there are so many mall ride buses that you have to choose which one to get on. Seriously, if I were to decide to walk on a normal day, at least 10 buses would pass me in the process. Today, of course, there was only 1 and I had just missed it. I felt like laughing at my luck, but only for a little bit. I had to walk the entire way, which isn't far, but considering the start to my morning, it did not help. Not one bus passed me during my walk. Grrrr.
I don't know how I did it, but I got to work at 8 44. Only one technician and the laundry guys were waiting for me. (I'm the only one with a key.) Being 14 minutes late isn't the end of the world, but I really hate being late.
On top of that, I have to go back to the grocery store today because stupid King Soopers didn't put my eggs and vanilla in my bag! And of course, it's on the receipt. I was so excited to make cookies last night, and because of them, I couldn't. DAMN IT.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Just one of those nights
I've been thinking about Caleb a lot today. A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from his phone number that made my heart stop. Unfortunately, I missed the call, but a message was left. It was his mom just wanting to talk to me for a little bit. I should really change it from his name to either his mom's or dad's name, but I probably won't.
He made me a mix tape a long time ago that I love. When he made it, instead of writing the real titles down for each song, he made up titles for them. They were inside jokes that he and I shared. It made me and still makes me crack up every time I read them. I can't even remember what some of them were about, which makes me really wish I could ask him and also really angry for not remembering. These aren't the things I can ask other people.
The last time we talked, which I believe was just a few days before he died, I asked him if he could remember what songs he put on the tape so I could know the actual titles. He just laughed saying something about how he should have put both the real and fun titles on there. I'm sure I responded with something like, "don't worry about it, we can figure it out later." I also asked him for another tape, since I was wearing out the original one. I'm in the process of trying to transfer it from tape to CD, but I am so paranoid that the tape is going to break in the process. That would break my heart.
I don't know what else to say. I'm so tired, but I know I'm not going to be able to fall asleep tonight for awhile. Or maybe writing this is exactly what I need and it will, in fact, help me fall asleep.
He made me a mix tape a long time ago that I love. When he made it, instead of writing the real titles down for each song, he made up titles for them. They were inside jokes that he and I shared. It made me and still makes me crack up every time I read them. I can't even remember what some of them were about, which makes me really wish I could ask him and also really angry for not remembering. These aren't the things I can ask other people.
The last time we talked, which I believe was just a few days before he died, I asked him if he could remember what songs he put on the tape so I could know the actual titles. He just laughed saying something about how he should have put both the real and fun titles on there. I'm sure I responded with something like, "don't worry about it, we can figure it out later." I also asked him for another tape, since I was wearing out the original one. I'm in the process of trying to transfer it from tape to CD, but I am so paranoid that the tape is going to break in the process. That would break my heart.
I don't know what else to say. I'm so tired, but I know I'm not going to be able to fall asleep tonight for awhile. Or maybe writing this is exactly what I need and it will, in fact, help me fall asleep.
A note I was just handed
A deaf guy just came into the salon, asked for a piece of paper and this is what he wrote (word for word):
"My car got broken into & stole my credit cards. I'm trying to find help w/ gas to go to the hospital at FT Collins. My girlfriend had a miscarriage this morning & I filed a police report so they are looking for the person."
"My car got broken into & stole my credit cards. I'm trying to find help w/ gas to go to the hospital at FT Collins. My girlfriend had a miscarriage this morning & I filed a police report so they are looking for the person."
Jennifer vs. Snowboarding
I did it. After having lived here for 2 years, I finally went snowboarding. I decided to go last Thursday. So, in order to force myself to go, I signed up for a lesson on Monday. In doing so, I had no way out. I was extremely nervous because I've never done any sort of sport on snow before, but I was determined.
I arrived about an hour before my lesson, which was nice because then I could relax and get myself psyched up for it. Right before I got on the gondola that took us up to the base of the mountain, I asked a guy a question about where I should get my pass, and this was his response, "Hey, you know, you're making the wave, I'm just riding it." That cracked me up, because he was completely serious. I didn't think people actually talked like that. Anyway, I took this stoner-sentence as a good sign that I was going to have a good day. When lesson time came, I joined the others at the meeting spot and waited. All of my girlfriends kept saying, "if nothing else, you're going to have a hot snowboard instructor!" and they were right. Dustin was pretty cute, but he seemed really young, which means our relationship started and stopped with the lesson. Plus, he lives in Florida for 6 months of the year, and if I haven't said this before, I hate Florida.
The lesson started with learning how to strap into the board, and how to look cool while carrying your board. Then we got on the lesson hill, where you stand up for the first time on your board and try to go down the hill. I actually surprsied myself and did pretty well at that part. Then, they chose about 5 people who were feeling pretty good at this point, to actually go up on the lift and try the easiest of the hills. I was included in this group.
Dustin taught us about a few certain kind of turns. I was doing pretty well, not hurting myself too much, until this one jack-ass from our group ran smack into me. I landed directly on my tail bone and it hurt like hell. At this point, I was tired, my tail bone hurt, and I was frustrated because I wasn't quite getting the hang of the last turn. For those of you who don't know me that well, I can sometimes get an attitude. (This may be why, when growing up, my nickname from my mom was "Mouth". I guess I talked back a lot...) Anyway, after this I got a little lippy with Dustin.
He kept telling me to do things with my feet that were supposed to help me succeed in doing this one turn. At one point I told him to just stop instructing me. Luckily, he laughed at that. Nothing was working, I wasn't getting this stupid turn. Then he came over and fixed something on my bindings and noticed that one of my boots should be tighter. I made him tighten it, which made him start complaining about going from a snowboard instructor to a boot tightener. Anyway, with my bindings fixed, and my boots tight, and no instruction from Dustin, I nailed the turn without falling! Unfortunately, that was my last run down the mountain and I had to go. Overall, I had a great time and am really excited to go again.
In fact, this weekend I'm going to Steamboat with some friends of mine from Ohio, Nissa and Ryan. Hopefully, I'll be able to stay up a lot more than I did during my first attempt at snowboarding.
Oh yeah, on my drive home I passed a tow truck with a U-haul on the back! Stupid U-haul.
I arrived about an hour before my lesson, which was nice because then I could relax and get myself psyched up for it. Right before I got on the gondola that took us up to the base of the mountain, I asked a guy a question about where I should get my pass, and this was his response, "Hey, you know, you're making the wave, I'm just riding it." That cracked me up, because he was completely serious. I didn't think people actually talked like that. Anyway, I took this stoner-sentence as a good sign that I was going to have a good day. When lesson time came, I joined the others at the meeting spot and waited. All of my girlfriends kept saying, "if nothing else, you're going to have a hot snowboard instructor!" and they were right. Dustin was pretty cute, but he seemed really young, which means our relationship started and stopped with the lesson. Plus, he lives in Florida for 6 months of the year, and if I haven't said this before, I hate Florida.
The lesson started with learning how to strap into the board, and how to look cool while carrying your board. Then we got on the lesson hill, where you stand up for the first time on your board and try to go down the hill. I actually surprsied myself and did pretty well at that part. Then, they chose about 5 people who were feeling pretty good at this point, to actually go up on the lift and try the easiest of the hills. I was included in this group.
Dustin taught us about a few certain kind of turns. I was doing pretty well, not hurting myself too much, until this one jack-ass from our group ran smack into me. I landed directly on my tail bone and it hurt like hell. At this point, I was tired, my tail bone hurt, and I was frustrated because I wasn't quite getting the hang of the last turn. For those of you who don't know me that well, I can sometimes get an attitude. (This may be why, when growing up, my nickname from my mom was "Mouth". I guess I talked back a lot...) Anyway, after this I got a little lippy with Dustin.
He kept telling me to do things with my feet that were supposed to help me succeed in doing this one turn. At one point I told him to just stop instructing me. Luckily, he laughed at that. Nothing was working, I wasn't getting this stupid turn. Then he came over and fixed something on my bindings and noticed that one of my boots should be tighter. I made him tighten it, which made him start complaining about going from a snowboard instructor to a boot tightener. Anyway, with my bindings fixed, and my boots tight, and no instruction from Dustin, I nailed the turn without falling! Unfortunately, that was my last run down the mountain and I had to go. Overall, I had a great time and am really excited to go again.
In fact, this weekend I'm going to Steamboat with some friends of mine from Ohio, Nissa and Ryan. Hopefully, I'll be able to stay up a lot more than I did during my first attempt at snowboarding.
Oh yeah, on my drive home I passed a tow truck with a U-haul on the back! Stupid U-haul.
Bucho's fault
*This was from myspace, but since I'm sure some of you who read my blog aren't on myspace, I figured you may enjoy it too.*
The rules of this game are: once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog with 6 weird facts/things/habits about yourself. Finish by choosing 7 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.
1. I've never been baptized, confirmed or had my bat mitzvah.
2. I keep all of my shoes in their shoe boxes.
3. I love the song Poison by Bell Biv Devo.
4. I think it should be a rule that everyone has to start dancing when Al Green comes on.
5. I talk and sometimes walk in my sleep. (I've woken up with forks in my bed; I'll tell you the story if you ask.)
6. I'm somewhat superstitious. (I throw salt over my shoulder if I spill it. Things like that.)
I tag Stacie, Lee-Bee, Jonathon, Ags, Francisco!, and Adam.
The rules of this game are: once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog with 6 weird facts/things/habits about yourself. Finish by choosing 7 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.
1. I've never been baptized, confirmed or had my bat mitzvah.
2. I keep all of my shoes in their shoe boxes.
3. I love the song Poison by Bell Biv Devo.
4. I think it should be a rule that everyone has to start dancing when Al Green comes on.
5. I talk and sometimes walk in my sleep. (I've woken up with forks in my bed; I'll tell you the story if you ask.)
6. I'm somewhat superstitious. (I throw salt over my shoulder if I spill it. Things like that.)
I tag Stacie, Lee-Bee, Jonathon, Ags, Francisco!, and Adam.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Reminder calls
Here is one more thing that I hate: People who choose to have a song playing on their cell phone in lieu of having a regular boop.... boop when I'm calling to remind them of their appointments.
Seriously, I don't want to listen to the god-awful song that you have chosen. It is always way too loud, distorted, and just a bad song all together. And the worst part about it, is that I have to listen to it, because I have to leave a message or actually speak with someone about their upcoming appointment. This is torture.
Now, if it was my friends choosing songs for my "listening enjoyment while my party is reached", I would not be venting. You know why? Because they have great taste in music, and would not choose the latest Justin Timberlake song. Except maybe Stacie. She loves that song.
Seriously, I don't want to listen to the god-awful song that you have chosen. It is always way too loud, distorted, and just a bad song all together. And the worst part about it, is that I have to listen to it, because I have to leave a message or actually speak with someone about their upcoming appointment. This is torture.
Now, if it was my friends choosing songs for my "listening enjoyment while my party is reached", I would not be venting. You know why? Because they have great taste in music, and would not choose the latest Justin Timberlake song. Except maybe Stacie. She loves that song.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Pet peeves I have
I have many pet peeves, but this blog will focus on the ones I have that are related to my job.
I am a "Salon Coordinator", which is what they want us to refer to ourselves as. But really, I am a receptionist. I work at a waxing salon. That is all we do here; just rip out people's unwanted hair.
Here are some sample conversations that I have daily:
Scene 1.
ME: Thank you for calling {insert name of salon here}, this is Jennifer, how can I help you?
STUPID CUSTOMER 1: I'd like to make an appointment for a wax.
ME: Okay, what service are you looking for?
S.C.1: A wax.
ME: (pause) Yes, but what kind of wax?
S.C.1: Face.
ME: (pause) Any particular spot on your face?
S.C.1: uh... yeah.... my eyebrows. (this is usually followed by a frustrated exhale, in a way that suggests I've been asking stupid questions.)
Scene 2.
ME: Thank you for calling {insert name of salon here}, this is Jennifer, how can I help you?
S.C.2: Ohmygod, HI! I'd like to schedule an appointment for a brazilian.
ME: Okay, do you have any particular time in mind?
S.C.2: Yeah, I need um, something, um, at either, I don't know, 4 or after?
ME: (Excited because I found the one appointment long enough for what she wants, and it just happens to be exactly at 4.) Oh great, we have a 4:00 for you.
S.C.2: That's not going to work. Is there anything later?
Right about there is where I really need to hold back, and not say something like, "If that actually will NOT work for you, why did you just say 4:00 would work?!?!?!?!?!?!"
I'm not joking when I say that I have these conversations daily. It's probably even multiple times a day. For those of you who know me, you are probably laughing at me. I tend to have little patience in general, and with stupid people it's far worse. The fact that this happens as often as it does is either doing wonders for my patience, or it is creating a blood clot in my brain that will rupture the next time I am asked the question, "well, does it hurt?" "OF COURSE IT HURTS!!! YOU'RE GETTING YOUR HAIR RIPPED OUT, IN A SENSITIVE AREA, WITH HOT.... (gasp) (gurgle) (sound of me falling to the floor from my chair)."
I am a "Salon Coordinator", which is what they want us to refer to ourselves as. But really, I am a receptionist. I work at a waxing salon. That is all we do here; just rip out people's unwanted hair.
Here are some sample conversations that I have daily:
Scene 1.
ME: Thank you for calling {insert name of salon here}, this is Jennifer, how can I help you?
STUPID CUSTOMER 1: I'd like to make an appointment for a wax.
ME: Okay, what service are you looking for?
S.C.1: A wax.
ME: (pause) Yes, but what kind of wax?
S.C.1: Face.
ME: (pause) Any particular spot on your face?
S.C.1: uh... yeah.... my eyebrows. (this is usually followed by a frustrated exhale, in a way that suggests I've been asking stupid questions.)
Scene 2.
ME: Thank you for calling {insert name of salon here}, this is Jennifer, how can I help you?
S.C.2: Ohmygod, HI! I'd like to schedule an appointment for a brazilian.
ME: Okay, do you have any particular time in mind?
S.C.2: Yeah, I need um, something, um, at either, I don't know, 4 or after?
ME: (Excited because I found the one appointment long enough for what she wants, and it just happens to be exactly at 4.) Oh great, we have a 4:00 for you.
S.C.2: That's not going to work. Is there anything later?
Right about there is where I really need to hold back, and not say something like, "If that actually will NOT work for you, why did you just say 4:00 would work?!?!?!?!?!?!"
I'm not joking when I say that I have these conversations daily. It's probably even multiple times a day. For those of you who know me, you are probably laughing at me. I tend to have little patience in general, and with stupid people it's far worse. The fact that this happens as often as it does is either doing wonders for my patience, or it is creating a blood clot in my brain that will rupture the next time I am asked the question, "well, does it hurt?" "OF COURSE IT HURTS!!! YOU'RE GETTING YOUR HAIR RIPPED OUT, IN A SENSITIVE AREA, WITH HOT.... (gasp) (gurgle) (sound of me falling to the floor from my chair)."
Monday, February 5, 2007
They should change the name to "U- Fix n' Haul and We laugh"
In case you can't tell from my title, U-haul blows.
I, when renting for myself, have had decent luck with them. The one truck I rented from them worked fine and got me to Denver. Unfortunately, that is not going to make up for the hassle that we went through this weekend. Or the hassle that my friends Joseph and Sabina went through when they were moving to Denver.
We'll start with them. Long story short, their truck broke down 4 times. Each time, U-haul sent out "U-haul approved" guys to "fix" the problem. And each time, the man fixing the problem would say that they were good to drive again. After the fourth time, Joseph hired some guys to move their things from the U-haul truck to the Penske (or Ryder, I can't remember) truck. He left the U-haul carcass where it was, and does not know what happened to it. They decided to file against U-haul and ended up getting reimbursed for everything.
I heard this story from them about a year or so ago. Needless to say, when I showed up on Thursday morning to help Kristina and her husband, Andy, move to Minnesota, I was not thrilled to see a really crappy looking U-haul sitting in front of their house. I tried to stay positive and kept telling myself the only reason I was thinking bad things about this U-haul was because of Joseph and Sabina's drama, and not because it was a 95 and had 220,000 miles on it. Then we were just about to get in the car to start the drive, when I heard, "Ahh... Shit" from Andy. And then I heard it from Kevin. Kristina and I went over to the truck and there was a pile of green liquid sitting under the truck. Apparently the hose that does something with the coolant had fallen out. I guess it was a quick fix, but it was problem number one.
The driving went surprisingly well. Extremely slow, but well. Kristina and I were in Andy's Volvo following the truck that Andy and Kevin were driving. We made it to Council Bluffs, Iowa around 10 pm or so. It had been pretty windy, but we decided to keep going a little bit further, hoping to make it to Des Moines. We were on the road for about 10 more miles, when mine and Kristina's hearts almost fell out of our chests. The wind caught the truck (which also had Kristina's car on a tow trailer behind it) and the trailer and just shook it back and forth several times. I think we both thought it was going to fall over completely. Luckily, it did not. But, that made us decide to stop at the next exit, which was in Underwood, Iowa.
At this exit there was a gas station and a motel that had a lounge. We got a couple of rooms, brought the dog and the fish inside, and went to get some dinner at the I-80 Lounge that was part of this motel.
You know in movies when the record scratches to a stop when a stranger walks into a place? Well, that exactly what it felt like when we walked in. It was me and Kristina and Kevin. Andy had stayed in the room with Niko. I opened the door and saw that the bar was right in front of the door and was packed. Right as we walked in, every single person sitting at the bar stopped what they were doing, turned to look at us and just stared for several seconds. It was very strange. What was even weirder was the contrast between the lack of people outside and the very lively inside of this bar. We assumed that this was the place to go in Underwood.
Okay. So we got some dinner, ate, and crashed. The next day, we started again. We were going for about an hour or so when we saw, what we originally thought, was a ton of snow coming out from under the truck. Then we realized that the truck was smoking. We were about a mile from an exit, so Andy just kept driving it to the exit and managed to make it to a gas station. Once again, we lucked out because this gas station also had the Valley Country Cafe, where we ate breakfast while waiting for U-haul approved guys to come fix the truck.
I'm not exactly sure what happened, but once again it had something to do with the radiator. All in all, it took only a few hours to take care of that. I was pleased with that, since I kept thinking we'd be stuck in the middle of Iowa forever. And we all got to eat a good breakfast.
That was actually the last problem we had with the truck. We made it to Minnesota, finally, and did our unloading of the truck on Saturday. By the way, a little bit of advice: Don't move to Minnesota in the middle of the winter. It was -17 degrees while we were unloading their possessions. That's just insane.
My point of this rant is to warn everyone to never use U-haul. These are not the only stories I've heard. If you know of, or have your own U-haul story, write it in a comment. U-haul just doesn't care about the trucks they give out to people. Penske, on the other hand, replaces their fleet every 2 years. They may cost a little bit more, but in the long run it is definitely worth it.
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