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Home Ownership

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, I bought a house in Texas! Been busy with packing, moving, settling in. Finally got my home computers up and running and decided I needed to catch up on my blog. Boy, do I need to catch up on my blog!

The house is awesome, we just love it! Big pool in the back yard. The garden is mostly sub-tropical plants that remind us of where we lived in Hawai'i.

I wake up every morning in glorious gratitude for my new home, and the blessings in my life.

If I haven't yet called you or written you, don't worry, I haven't forgotten you. I'm just now getting to a space where I can start shooting off notes and letters. (Okay, you got me, I just unpacked the stationery!)

I've dreamed of owning a home for so long, it's awesome to finally be here. The house is very nice: great neighborhood, outstanding school district, and did I mention the pool?

A huge thanks to everyone who supported us in our move! Love you all!

Bureaucratic Resistance

American Heritage definition of a bureaucrat: "An official who is rigidly devoted to the details of administrative procedure."

Douglas Adams' definition of a bureaucrat: "Vogons"

While the bureaucrats I've dealt with for the past two days have been very nice human beings (at least they looked human), they have also been very rigid. I really didn't realize how flabbergasted I've been about bureaucrats until this afternoon. Well, the real truth is I knew, I just didn't think about them much as I avoided them at all costs.

I now deal with the DMV online as much as I can. IRS? My accountant is my buffer. The only holdout has been the Social Security Administration. For 12 years now I've avoided dealing with them. I finally decided enough was enough. I *have* to change my Social Security Card back to my maiden name.

So yesterday I drove up to the local office with my paperwork, only to be told the copy of my divorce decree wasn't "official." I could have had an old work badge with my married name on it, and they would have accepted it, but not a photocopy of my divorce decree. Does that seem odd to anyone but me? Someone would go to the extent to fake a divorce decree with all that legal mumbo-jumbo, but they don't think someone would fake a work badge?

The solution, my friendly bureaucrat told me, is to have the state I divorced in send me a certified copy of the divorce decree. Sounds easy enough. However, you can't order them on line. You can't fax them in. You can't call and ask for a copy. You have to snail mail a request to them(which, by the way only requires that you fill in your relationship to the divorcee, but does NOT require proof that you are who you said you were) and $10 (in the form of a money order, not personal check or credit card), for which they'll take 6 to 10 weeks to process. Or, I can just go in to the office in person...hmm, not very helpful.

So last night I scowered my files and found a paper related to custody and child support with the official seal on it and took that in today. Turns out that the official seal on the child support document, combined with the unoffical copy of the divorce decree were sufficient. For my "new" name, all I had to do was show my driver's license. (A birth certificate, by the way, is not acceptible.)

While I remained calm and creative throughout this process, I remain puzzled. I understand that the rules are in place to help reduce fraud, but the alternatives available to me seemed to open quite a few possibilities for fraud. I would have the hardest time sitting in front of someone saying with a straight face that the divorce decree they have with both names in it is NOT an acceptible form of proof of name change, but an old badge from a previous job with the old name on it is. My mind does not work in bureaucratic patterns. I guess as I continue my job hunt, I'll have to rule out government jobs!

Catching Up

Wow, was chatting with a friend today who was gently ribbing me for not having posted in a while. Then I realized it's been a MONTH! Where does my time go?

Well:

* work—one full time job and two part time jobs

* Soph

* volunteering—WFO, board work with Vintage Stitchers, and L@C, and Sophie's school for grad activities.

* keeping up with email/written correspondence

* sort of keeping up with housework

* sleeping

So basically, I'm trying to fit in the fun things like visiting friends, reading, stitching, shopping, and relaxing between all the other stuff. Mostly unsucessfully, but getting some in.

So having documented all that, I realize something has to give (besides sleep, that's not working out so well).

I hadn't really realized that people do visit here to catch up with me. Not sure if that's a byproduct of our busy lives, or just a new method of keeping in touch. I'm going to make an effort to stay in touch personally with folks instead of catching up through their blogs. I love blogs, but I love my friends more!

Okay, I Get It!

Wow, if you ever again question how powerful your words can be, think back on the story I'm about to share. I've been going non-stop in all facets of my life for several weeks now. I know I'm not getting enough sleep, barely maintaining the nutrition I need, and simply not providing myself any downtime.

In a conversation with a friend in a similar situation on Friday, we mused that the only time we ever take for ourselves is when our bodies break down on us, and that's simply not an acceptable way to take a break.

Saturday morning dawns, beautiful weather, full of plans and errands and work...then...ouch! I pull a major muscle in my back, which immediately spasms across several other muscles and I'm stopped dead in my tracks. Completely immobile, flat on my back for hours.

I did get up to go to a party I'd wanted to go to, after several hours of ice packs, Advil, and massage. Sunday morning, I was immobile again for quite a while.

So now I'm starting to get some mobility again, and can actually laugh with out tears of pain. This is NOT how I should be spending my down time. It's time to reassess priorities and not pack my schedule so tight. I'm ready for this breakthrough, where I'm not driven to earn every second of down time.

Wish me luck!

Incredible Musician

From classical to surf punk, I'm passionate about the music I listen to. I never stop sampling all genres and add to my eclectic musical collection. I don't talk a lot about music on my site, even though it's very important to me.

For the first time, I'm using my site to plug someone's gig. My friend, Eric Wilson, is an incredible musician. His accoustic sound is hard to pin down in a genre, so I encourage you to check it out for yourself and see. Listen to three of his songs on his site (including the moving "Lavender"), or a longer set in person at The Viper Room in L.A. on April 24.

If you like his sound as much as I do, download his songs to your iPod and tell all your friends!

I'm Going Through Changes...

If it seems odd to be quoting Ozzy Osborne, you'll forgive me. There are a ton of changes in my life right now. A friend told me today that coming up with a plan for the future often makes the interim changes more bearable. So I've decided that's a great place to start. I'm choosing to not give into the overwhelm that surrounds so many options.

I've decided to also look at the essentials in terms of my time commitments. Had to recently pass on two very nice to have events. I'm not devistated by them though. I'm glad I had the opportunity, it just wasn't the right time. The time will come again. I'm now more open to the possibilities.

Friends and Relationships

A friend just sent me this amazing article about the effect of female relationships on women's stress. It explains a lot and has provided me with huge insights. Hope you enjoy.

Getting to Know Me Part II

A friend of mine sent one of those getting to know you emails. I usually don't
participate, but I'm thinking differently about some of these things these days.
Hope you have fun reading these. Feel free to post yours as a comment, I'd love
to know more about you too!

]]> Welcome to the Spring 2005 edition of getting to know your friends. Change
all the answers so that they apply to you, and then send this to a whole bunch
of people including the person who sent it to you. The theory is that you will
learn a lot of little things about your friends, if you did not know them already.

1. What time did you get up this morning?

8:18 a.m. Hit the snooze a couple of times! :-)

2. Diamonds or pearls?

Diamonds! (My birthstone, of course!)

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

Robots

4. What is your favorite TV show?

Hmm, hard since I don't watch TV...probably "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

5. What did you have for breakfast?

Oatmeal and pecans and 2 glasses of water.

6. What is your middle name?

Ann

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

Mediterranean

8. What foods do you dislike?

Uh, meat.

9. What is your favorite chip flavor?

Nacho Cheese Doritos.

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment?

Green Day—American Idiot.

11. What kind of car do you drive?

1998 Chevy Cavalier, teal

12. Favorite sandwich?

Cheese, tomato, and avocado on a sourdough roll with sliced pepperoncinis.

13. What characteristics do you despise?

Not that I have any judgements :-), I guess when people never take responsibility,
always find a way to blame others.

14. Favorite item of clothing?

My new pink jacket!

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?

Currently my hot spot is Tortuguera in Costa Rica where the Green Sea Turtles
nest.

16. What color is your bathroom?

White

17. Favorite brand of clothing?

Clothing has brands?

18. Where would you retire to?

Someplace tropical: Australia, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico.

19. Favorite time of day?

Late at night.

20. What was your most memorable birthday?

Maybe 16. Had a sleepover in a tent in our backyard. We scared each other silly
with ghost stories around the fire, and most of us didn't sleep much that night.

21. Where were you born?

Glendale, CA

22. Favorite sport to watch?

Olympic Track and Field, or any ice skating.

23. Who do you least expect to send this back to you?

Jen, because she sent it to me to begin with.

24. Person you expect to send it back first?

Chiara

25. What fabric detergent do you use?

I think I'm currently using Tide.

26. Coke or Pepsi?

Coke, what else with a name like mine?

Getting to Know Me

Yesterday, I celebrated the best Valentines' Day I think I've ever had. It was nurturing, relaxing, luxurious, fun, and ended in a hot date...with a group of friends.

But there was something else. Over the weekend I saw for the first time, how shut down I've become. I wouldn't know me if I looked me in the face. So yesterday was the first day of getting to know me. Taking care of me. It was a lot of fun, and a little like falling in love. It was impulsive, decadent, interesting. I'm seeing so many ways that I shut down my impulses, which takes me away from my friends and family. I may still show up, but I'm not totally there. You know...the lights are on, but nobody's home.

Well, I've had enough. I'm home, and here to stay. I'm stepping out with my arms open wide to all the people and experiences I've been holding at arms length for so long. I'm vulnerable and strong at the same time.

This is a work in progress, and it's going to be fun work.

For Your Holiday Baking Pleasure

This is such a simple recipe, I had to share it. Enjoy!

Tequila Cookies

List of ingredients:

1 cup of dark brown sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1 cup of granulated sugar

4 large eggs

2 cups of dried fruit, such as dried cranberries or raisins

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 bottle Patron Anejo tequila (or your favorite brand, as desired)

Directions:

To make this recipe easier to follow, be sure to set out measured ingredients
before starting. Sample the Patron to check quality. Take a large bowl, check
the Patron again...and to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level
cup and drink. Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large
bowl until fluffy. Add granulated sugar...Beat again. At this point it's best
to make sure the Patron is still OK, so try another cup ...just in case.
Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break the leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in
the cup of dried fruit and nuts, pick stray fruit and nuts off floor... Mix
on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry loose
with a drewscriver. It's important to sample the Patron again now just to check
for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of....salt, or something. Check the Patron.
Now shift the lemon juice. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink.
Whatever ingredients are left. Greash the oven. Turn the shookie keet 360 degrees
and try not to fall over. Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish
the Patron, and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

Best when enjoyed with friends.

Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition

I'm speechless, in total shock. Not sure yet what this means for me, but please keep me in your best thoughts that I end up with exactly the job that is perfect for me, regardless of company.

PeopleSoft Agrees to Definitive Merger Agreement with Oracle at $26.50 Per Share in Cash

PeopleSoft Agrees to Oracle's $10.3 Billion Takeover Bid

Oracle Faces Tough Sell To Convince PeopleSoft Customers

Oracle-PeopleSoft Merger Sets Up Clash Of Titans

Finally, Oracle to buy PeopleSoft
Software maker says it reaches $10.3B deal for rival, ending 18-month takeover battle.

Help, Help, I'm Bein' Repressed!

Which Monty Python & the Holy Grail Character are you REALLY?
brought to you by Quizilla

Which File Extention Are You?

Thanks to Chiara, I've found out that I'm:

Which file extension are you?

Ever Unclassifiable

I am a hybrid of:
Academic Girl
Progressive Girl
Click on the pictures below to read more:
Take the 'What Kind of Girl Are You?' quiz at CookingToHookup.com

It's not that I'm surprised by the results or anything. It does have me thinking though...why are women, in particular, so attracted to taking quizes like this? Or is it just me?