What Fruit are YOU??

Did I mention I have a habit of stealing inspiration from Sharon?


You are a Pear...juicy, sweet, and a tasty
treat...you're a giver more than a taker, and
other people's happiness is your ultimate
reward...


What Kind of Fruit Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

A Friend Indeed

**Once again, you can blame Sharon for inspiring this entry...

Surfing Blogs has become as much a part of my morning routine as savoring that first cup of coffee. I look forward to it just as much, and find that I just don't get off to as amusing a start when I don't get my AM "fix." I have Melonie to blame for this latest addiction ;-) I had heard of Blogs already, but mother Mel invited me to check out hers-- Insanity Reigns-- and life haven't been the same since. Melonie is one of the most unique women I know, and reading her musings is like a window into her life. Lame metaphor, I know, yet true.

But I digress (you'll notice that this is common concern in my ramblings). This morning I treated myself to today's post from Sharon about her baby boy's birthday, and she happened to mention a Holly Hobbie birthday cake she'd had as a girl. I remembered my own affection for Holly and her friends, and what jarred my memory the most was the name of Holly's friend, Heather. It occurred to me that I'd had a large Heather doll, and only a small Holly. Which then got me thinking about the fact that I'd had several of Barbie's friend's & family (Ken, Skipper, PJ & Christie, Barbie's African-American girlfriend), but Barbie was largely ignored (after her leg fell off and her hair got cut, some of her allure faded). So I asked myself, what message was my mom trying to send to me-- that your friends are important? That Barbie and Holly wouldn't have been nearly as successful without their entourage, their posse, if you will? That friends are just as important as the famous folk? Even if this wasn't her plan, I think I learned that the also-rans in this world are just is significant as the stars. Why else would they have a Best Supporting Actor/Actress category at the Academy Awards? Why do Oscar winner chronically thank "my amazing supporting cast" in their acceptance speeches? Because at some point in our lives, each of us gets to stand in the shadow of our friends. And while it may not be where we want to be, sometimes it's the RIGHT place to be.

Of course, the jaded part of me says, "Yeah, it's also the way Mattel milks a successful product for every penny by adding additional characters!!" But I'd rather take the reminder that even though we sometimes get to be a Holly, more often we're a Heather. So to all the Heathers and PJ's in this world, here's to you.

Allelujah! I Want to Thank the Academy...

A while back I mentioned that I'm one of those annoying people who, when she hears a word or phrase which echoes the title or lyrics of a song, ends up hearing that song in her head ad nauseum (and usually singing / whistling bits as well).
Today is no exception.

Yesterday I got word that the new job I've been alluding to for the past month is going to be mine. This bit of information might barely raise the blood-pressure of the average Blogger, but to me it's news worthy of a Blue Angel fly over. I've waited nearly 6 years (3 years longer than I anticipated) for an opportunity like this, and my heart is thumping like a hummingbird on speed. It's much like the first time you fall in love... all of the feared unknowns, the shuddering thrills and the un-speakable possibilities that seem to be dangling in front of me, tantalizing.. I've started and left enough jobs through the last 20 years to know that NO job is a perfect fit-- that rarely can the prosaic truth come anywhere near the pipe-dream. That just as in love, the starry-eyed glow often fades into reality the first time Prince Charming has a headcold and wants to be babied, or when her Highness sends you to the store for feminine hygiene products. But for every dashed dream there are usually comparable compensations. And I've already done more than my share of scut work and drudgery to feel that I'm worthy to try my hand at something more fulfilling. Am I still going to be in love with even the idea (let alone the reality) of this new job in six months? I can't say... This job is being created FOR me, in large part BY me, so if the general scheme of things gets fouled up I'll probably be able to lay the burden of guilt at my own door.

But for now, I'm flying into the wind with gritted teeth and girded loins. I'm ready for the new adventure-- as ready as anyone could be when the potential for falling is as great as the potential for success. And so, I present the lyrics to one of my all-time favorite songs by the disbanded UK group, Fairground Attraction. I recommend their album, The First of a Million Kisses, and in particular the song "Allelujah" (from whence the album title comes). I wore out two cassette copies of the album back in the early 90's, and methinks I need to pick it up on CD as well. It's a bit flat on the screen, I'll admit-- but once you've heard it sung you'll know it for the exultant hymn that it is. Even though my mind is on the career move at hand, my heart is singing these words.

Allelujah - by Fairground Attraction

The lights on the westway go on
A million cars hurry home
An ice-cream van shuts off its tinsel bells
Winter won't be long

I see you everyday
I watch you as you walk down this way
We pass on the stairs on this council block
Too shy to find words to say

But your smile is a prayer that prays for love
and your heart is a kite that longs to fly
Allelujah, here I am
Let's cut the strings tonight

So meet me on the corner at eight
Let's get out of this place
We'll kiss the first of a million kisses
and let the past fall away

'Cause your smile is a prayer...

For your smile is a prayer...

We'll kiss the first of a million kisses, ah...

Why I Drink After Five

To understand why I throw a few back of an evening, I'll share an illustrative tale. In general terms, I work in marketing. If you go by my job description, my main focus is supposed to be around marketing and product development. As I work with a staff that is small and ineffective, I (regrettably) find myself answering calls and helping visitors to the office when the support staff is "otherwise occupied."

NOTE: Boss, Administrative Assistant & Receptionist were all at lunch simultaneously, leaving me to hold down the fort.

1. First visitor - Gentleman arrived who proceeds to tell me his life story (while asking for a city bus schedule). He's originally from Alaska (half Inuit / half Native American), raised by foster parents, been living in Florida (3 different cities), got fed up after hurricanes, came here with 4 friends, this isn't working out, living in Salvation Army shelter in Ohio. Good luck, Quinn. Here's your map.
2. Second visitors - Couple seeking to use the Heritage Area stamp in their travel journals. Normally not noteworthy, but as I have learned all too well, you don't EVER attempt to stamp their book for them. Tree-huggin, National Geographic / Smithsonian Magazine reading academic types who love history and the passion and romance of adventure, but who's panties get in a knot if you smear the ink in their travel journal. Here's your stamp. GTF out of my face.
3. Third visitor - Man comes limping in, asking for a new detailed city map. Proceeds to tell me 1) why he's limping (stubbed toe), 2) why he needs the map (his old one is shot-- he asked me to throw it away), 3) tell me that he's FROM HERE, but just likes maps. Here's your map. Now GO HOME.
4. First caller - Margaret - Woman told me HER life story: how she got our number (old brochure), why she hasn't visited before (broke up with boyfriend she used to travel with), about the deer she saw in her yard this morning ("the buck was E-NORMOUS!") Spent over 10 minutes talking non-stop before giving me her name and address. Here's your brochure. Call back when your meds kick-in.
5. Second caller - Woman with the Catholic diocese called and asked for 50 State Guides and 10 State maps-- but ONLY if they had the new Gov's signature on the back. When she arrived later to pick them up, and saw the maps were different from the ones she wanted, she rejected them with a sigh and asked for 50 visitors guides as well. Then she let me haul the 3 cartons out to her car (she was kind enough to hold the door). Here's your information. Big ups to the Bishop, ok?
6. Third caller - Psychotic motorcoach operator who routinely calls our office (3-5 times a year)-- BIG booming voice with a New York accent. NEVER remembers who he spoke with here, swears no one ever returns his calls to help him, and couldn't I fax some information out regarding his questions? (apparently they don't have Internet in the Old Spice- laden Dark Age in which he's living). I answered his question promptly & and asked if he was with XYZ Tours (he was STUNNED that I knew), to which he immediately offered to take me out to dinner when he comes to town (verbatim words he used last week when he spoke with our receptionist). I told him sweetly that my (non-existent) husband wouldn't appreciate his offer, but thanks for the offer. Here's the phone number. Call me when the Viagra poisoning wears off...
7. Fourth visitor - One of our volunteers, bringing in left-over bus schedules. She has nothing better to do, and wants to chat. She's also dull as paste and makes me long for root canal.
   
8. Fifth Visitor - Stinky grunge chick whose opening comment is, "What's fun to do in this town-- and don't say gambling 'cause I already shot $200 doin' 'at already!" I wanted to offer her some Bacitracin for the nasty, scabby spot where her eyebrow piercing had evidently been forcibly removed, but got distracted by her she-male pal who likewise gallumphed up to the desk and breathed recycled Sonoma (cigarette) breathe on me awaiting the answer to the all-important question. Girls? I don't think you can handle all the fun we have to offer. Keep movin'...
9. Fourth caller - Friend, this time-- but one who needed 3 invoices printed out TODAY for ad placements that went out last year. Each one for a different amount / publication / with different posting dates. Needs them before 5pm. I'll get right on it...
   

All of this went down in less than an hour. Straight up or over ice?

Another Meme

Google search for “(your name) is” - using the double quotes and substituting your own name

Pull the first ten hits that make sense and compile them into a list – it can be fun…

• Laura is usually right.
• Laura is it love?
• Laura is not a psychologist nor a psychiatrist.
• Laura is not, however, is a careful thinker or knowledgeable analyst...
• Laura is among the most memorable examples of Film Noir
• Laura is featured on National Public Radio's 'Weekend Edition
• Laura is, at least outwardly, the quintessence of a musician’s...
• Laura is the president of The Productivity Pro®, Inc. an international consulting firm in Denver, Colorado that specializes in productivity improvement
• Laura is masseuse to the Emmanuelle
• Laura is Mae Jordan, photographer sent to Africa for a photo-shoot

SERENITY NOW

This tranquil picture is for all of you who are having a less-than-serene week (I know... it's only Tuesday!) Go to your happy place. Things have to get better... they HAVE TO.

The job change I'm looking towards will (God willing) start January 1. The catch? My pay would stay the same for the first 6-month probationary period, then jump some after satisfactory review. Things should be settled by the end of October: (1) whether I get to change job descriptions, (2) the money, (3) WHERE I would be housed. I feel like poor Keiko after "Free Willy"... It was obvious he wasn't happy in Mexico, but they knew it would be nearly impossible to do a thorough integration into a pod from the homelands. The whale without a country. That's me. If I had a dorsal fin it would be listing oddly to one side and I would have fish breath. I just keep telling myself that things could be a hell of a lot worse, and that for every ebb tide there's a corresponding high tide not far behind.