AUGHHH!
I have been without internet & basic cable for a day over a solid week. It feels like 6 months. I never knew how debilitating not having internet access could possibly be!
Here's the story, people. Last week, I was enjoying my free preview of every cable station known to man (a nice perk of having basic cable - they give you free previews every now and again). I turned it off to work out, came back and BAM! NOTHING. No internet. No cable. Gone was the TLC/MTV/Discovery station orgy. *sniff*. But really, NO INTERNET?!?!?! GASP! You have got to be kidding.
And so begins the messy and rage-inducing saga of my life for the past 8 long, interminable days. To make matters even worse, our DVD player is on the fritz, so unless I want to watch a DVD on my laptop, it's watching and re-watching the videos. Grrrrr.
I can't even really go into all the sordid details of dealing with Comcast and the numbskulls that have taken over and fully staffed my apartment's management office. It just makes me too angry, and I've tried to be really zen about the whole thing and go on walks to the ocean for the calming effect. Suffice it to say, my apartment's management office is staffed with quite possibly the world's bitchiest secretary, who seriously makes me want to run out and buy a voodoo doll. She is single-handedly responsible for FAILING to give the 24-hour notice to the 2 apartments underneath mine so the Comcast people could go in and re-connect our internet and cable (don't get me started on why they wired only OUR apartment through the closet of the 2 apartments below me. What, am I surrounded by FRICKIN' IDIOTS?!?)
So we are 'theoretically' getting all our services back tomorrow afternoon between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Hopefully this will be more successful than the Saturday, 1:00-5:00 pm OR the Tuesday, 9:00 am -12:00 pm appointments. Because I really can't take this having to come to the library, sign up for a computer time, and have to deal with these 'privacy' screens on the computer monitors that are inevitably completely BLURRY down the middle of the screen and it's making me dizzy, not to mention making it seriously difficult to actually read what I'm typing. But I daren't remove on pain of death, to be sure.
Anyways, peeps, I'm feeling very out of the loop. (I don't even get the newspaper, so I haven't even gotten any news for the past 8 days. And no, there's no extra money for buying a paper. Really.) I miss you all! Hopefully, by tomorrow night I'll be typing away...all about my visit to see a taping of Two and A Half Men...going to LA's Fashion District...all the books I haven't been able to finish reading...all the movies I've been watching...
So as my timer runs down (oh, don't think you can just hop on a library computer and use it willy-nilly), I'm going. I have email to check and news to read up on. And really, how have I lived through the past 8 days without knowing what TomKat's every move has been?!?! The cruelty!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
doing my own 007...
So I was just going through some of the pics from my post-bar trip to the San Diego Zoo...and thought this one really fit my mood tonight.
Going Undercover
Going Undercover
Sunday, August 14, 2005
That's what I get for being curious...
In the past few months, I've gotten back in touch with people from high school and college. It's been really cool because I've been feeling all lonely and separated from family & friends waaaaay out here in LA. But it has inevitably left me feeling super nostalgic. Examples: being at boarding school for high school (it was a religious thing, not a disciplinary thing) and dealing with stupid rules and deans & doing the Austin Powers dance [yes, Val, I'm talkin' to you]; living across the hall from Ladyberries* in college and letting Sinead O'Connor get us through the dramas; living on the lake during law school and all those law school shenanigans and highlighter fights with Kav...*
Naturally, this leads me to be curious about other people I've lost touch with, mostly those from college. Through searching the links on one of my college friends' websites, I found a site of one of my college boyfriends' friends. And it had pictures of the college boyfriend on it. This led me to compulsively google him and the other college boyfriends, because I somehow became possessed with having to know what they're doing (read: how crappy their lives inevitably are, duh).
This is where I become befuddled: I tracked down the 2 major college boyfriends, and reading about them caused me to have an actual physical reaction. And I don't mean a good reaction. It was completely awful. I felt like something was sitting on my chest and that I was going to start hyperventilating. And neither of the boyfriends were necessarily bad relationships, just cases of badly matched people, I guess.
At this point I feel like I need to say that I don't know the last time I thought about either of these 2 college boyfriends. I have to just blame it on the nostalgia and blatant curiosity, because it's been at least a good 7-8 years since these relationships, and I was never one to jump from boyfriend to boyfriend. So what gives with the bad physical reaction? I dunno. Both of the breakups were really bad, but I'm not one to go with the 'we're still good friends' load of BS. As Husband likes to say, with me it's "all or nothing".
So if anyone has anything to say about this, let it flow, please.
*OK, guys, sorry if you didn't want our past outed, but it's packs of lovely memories for me, so deal. :)
Naturally, this leads me to be curious about other people I've lost touch with, mostly those from college. Through searching the links on one of my college friends' websites, I found a site of one of my college boyfriends' friends. And it had pictures of the college boyfriend on it. This led me to compulsively google him and the other college boyfriends, because I somehow became possessed with having to know what they're doing (read: how crappy their lives inevitably are, duh).
This is where I become befuddled: I tracked down the 2 major college boyfriends, and reading about them caused me to have an actual physical reaction. And I don't mean a good reaction. It was completely awful. I felt like something was sitting on my chest and that I was going to start hyperventilating. And neither of the boyfriends were necessarily bad relationships, just cases of badly matched people, I guess.
At this point I feel like I need to say that I don't know the last time I thought about either of these 2 college boyfriends. I have to just blame it on the nostalgia and blatant curiosity, because it's been at least a good 7-8 years since these relationships, and I was never one to jump from boyfriend to boyfriend. So what gives with the bad physical reaction? I dunno. Both of the breakups were really bad, but I'm not one to go with the 'we're still good friends' load of BS. As Husband likes to say, with me it's "all or nothing".
So if anyone has anything to say about this, let it flow, please.
*OK, guys, sorry if you didn't want our past outed, but it's packs of lovely memories for me, so deal. :)
Oh, this is just cute
And to think, what rejected crayon you are all turns on the color underwear you are presently wearing.
You are |
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Friday, August 12, 2005
55 Fiction Fridays
So this is my second attempt - it went much more smoothly than last week's.
"Hey! Over here!" he called. She glanced around, searching. Ah, she thought, there you are. As she walked toward him, she pondered how to let him know. She paused. Okay, here goes. "You're great, but I just can't." "Okay", he said, "I'll be here next Sunday, same place, same price."
"Hey! Over here!" he called. She glanced around, searching. Ah, she thought, there you are. As she walked toward him, she pondered how to let him know. She paused. Okay, here goes. "You're great, but I just can't." "Okay", he said, "I'll be here next Sunday, same place, same price."
Sir Mix-a-Lot
Can anyone tell me why Sir Mix-a-Lot is doing Target commercials?
No, really, why? I mean, is he that strapped for cash? Can anyone answer this mystery for me?
No, really, why? I mean, is he that strapped for cash? Can anyone answer this mystery for me?
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Fat Camp
So, this is how this particular fat camper falls off the fat camp wagon. Oy vey.
I'd decided to start fat camp last week to shave off those 'barzam' pounds. I've been doing pretty good - going for walks, doing Billy Blanks' form of torture, yoga, the elliptical machine (not all on the same day!). I've also really cut down on my alcohol intake and limiting my sugar intake.
However, when Husband said he was going grocery shopping last night, I got a craving for those damn sugar cookies. Talk about a way to jump off the fat camp train. Woo! I ate 1 1/2 of those last night - and my body experienced something akin to euphoria. It was wonderful. Of course when you're at fat camp, one must pay the price for such indiscretions, and mine today was rollerblading along the beach. Not much of a punishment, but exercise nonetheless. And good thing I've got almost a full container of those cookies. Hee!
I'd decided to start fat camp last week to shave off those 'barzam' pounds. I've been doing pretty good - going for walks, doing Billy Blanks' form of torture, yoga, the elliptical machine (not all on the same day!). I've also really cut down on my alcohol intake and limiting my sugar intake.
However, when Husband said he was going grocery shopping last night, I got a craving for those damn sugar cookies. Talk about a way to jump off the fat camp train. Woo! I ate 1 1/2 of those last night - and my body experienced something akin to euphoria. It was wonderful. Of course when you're at fat camp, one must pay the price for such indiscretions, and mine today was rollerblading along the beach. Not much of a punishment, but exercise nonetheless. And good thing I've got almost a full container of those cookies. Hee!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
penguins, TV, and books I'm currently hating
Finally went to see "March of the Penguins" last night. OMG. Daddy, I want a baby penguin NOW!!! Can you get much cuter than a baby penguin? And jeez, I think if human parents had to go through even 1/3 of the effort penguin parents do in order to have children, Britney Spears may not be pregnant right now. Hee!
I've decided that TV holds much more fascination when you're watching it to avoid doing other things. I'm still watching some evening TV (am I the only one excited about Boston Legal tonight?), but daytime TV has totally lost it for me. It's sad, actually, because even a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to be able to watch The View, Oprah, Ellen, and Cosby re-runs guilt-free. And now I just don't care.
As far as my reading list goes, I think I'm going to have to incorporate a category entitled: BOOKS I REFUSE TO FINISH. I've so far slogged my way through the first 40 pages of Catch-22, and it just makes me want to gouge my eyes out. Maybe I'm not reading it with the proper perspective, but seriously, Yossarian, we need to chat, because right now I just want to smack the crap out of you. Is anyone else reading this book and feeling the same way? And can somebody explain to me why this book has gotten such good reviews? Gag.
Anyways, time time to get back to my Bond movie...nothing like a good 007 afternoon.
I've decided that TV holds much more fascination when you're watching it to avoid doing other things. I'm still watching some evening TV (am I the only one excited about Boston Legal tonight?), but daytime TV has totally lost it for me. It's sad, actually, because even a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to be able to watch The View, Oprah, Ellen, and Cosby re-runs guilt-free. And now I just don't care.
As far as my reading list goes, I think I'm going to have to incorporate a category entitled: BOOKS I REFUSE TO FINISH. I've so far slogged my way through the first 40 pages of Catch-22, and it just makes me want to gouge my eyes out. Maybe I'm not reading it with the proper perspective, but seriously, Yossarian, we need to chat, because right now I just want to smack the crap out of you. Is anyone else reading this book and feeling the same way? And can somebody explain to me why this book has gotten such good reviews? Gag.
Anyways, time time to get back to my Bond movie...nothing like a good 007 afternoon.
Friday, August 05, 2005
55 Fiction Fridays
So, I'm joining Maisnon and Neel Mehta in starting my own 55 Fiction Fridays.
She sat in his favorite chair with a glass of Pinot Grigio, studying her nails. How had it happened? All the correct elements were there. The proper approach was taken. The perfect combination of elements, approach, and time, yet it was terrible. She'd never figure out how she managed to keep ruining the baked potatoes.
(As it turns out, this was like pulling teeth for me to get 55 words of fiction out. The story kept taking turns I didn't want to go with, and I had to keep starting over. With 27 words, I'd already spent about 10 minutes. But I think this will turn out to be a good mental exercise for me. Me, with the creative writing undergrad degree. 10 minutes to come up with 27 words of fiction. HA! Okay, so it took me 30 minutes to craft the whole thing, and it's really stinky. But it was fun! You should try it!)
She sat in his favorite chair with a glass of Pinot Grigio, studying her nails. How had it happened? All the correct elements were there. The proper approach was taken. The perfect combination of elements, approach, and time, yet it was terrible. She'd never figure out how she managed to keep ruining the baked potatoes.
(As it turns out, this was like pulling teeth for me to get 55 words of fiction out. The story kept taking turns I didn't want to go with, and I had to keep starting over. With 27 words, I'd already spent about 10 minutes. But I think this will turn out to be a good mental exercise for me. Me, with the creative writing undergrad degree. 10 minutes to come up with 27 words of fiction. HA! Okay, so it took me 30 minutes to craft the whole thing, and it's really stinky. But it was fun! You should try it!)
Book Reviews
(I'll be periodically updating this posting as I work my way through my library loot.)
Rule of Four: ok, I got hooked after Chai warned me away from it. I kept expecting it to become something great, but it didn't. I felt like the book couldn't decide whether to be a Dan Brown-DaVinci-Code-thrilling-adventure or a college-coming-of-age story. I think it would have been better had it committed to one or the other. But it just seemed to waffle. And that bugged the crap out of me. I really enjoyed the bits where it was a college-coming-of-age story, but when it would get into the thrilling-adventure bit, it just didn't jive.
Rule of Four: ok, I got hooked after Chai warned me away from it. I kept expecting it to become something great, but it didn't. I felt like the book couldn't decide whether to be a Dan Brown-DaVinci-Code-thrilling-adventure or a college-coming-of-age story. I think it would have been better had it committed to one or the other. But it just seemed to waffle. And that bugged the crap out of me. I really enjoyed the bits where it was a college-coming-of-age story, but when it would get into the thrilling-adventure bit, it just didn't jive.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Loot from the library
I went to the library today to stock up. Here's what I came home with:
Trying to Save Piggy Sneed - John Irving (shamed to admit I've never read any John Irving)
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller (a book I think I ought to read)
Women In Love - D.H. Lawrence (looked great)
Lolita - Nabokov (another book I think I ought to read)
The Rule of Four - Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason (looked interesting)
The Alienist - Caleb Carr (I keep seeing this book everwhere)
I'm on the waitlist for:
A Prayer for Owen Meany (thanks, kav!)
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Mr. Maybe (thanks, CariG!)
Assassination Vacation (thanks, kav!)
Feel free to tell me how lame/awesome you think my choices are, and what else I should be reading. Oh, and I'll definitely post my reviews as I work my way through the books.
Trying to Save Piggy Sneed - John Irving (shamed to admit I've never read any John Irving)
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller (a book I think I ought to read)
Women In Love - D.H. Lawrence (looked great)
Lolita - Nabokov (another book I think I ought to read)
The Rule of Four - Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason (looked interesting)
The Alienist - Caleb Carr (I keep seeing this book everwhere)
I'm on the waitlist for:
A Prayer for Owen Meany (thanks, kav!)
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Mr. Maybe (thanks, CariG!)
Assassination Vacation (thanks, kav!)
Feel free to tell me how lame/awesome you think my choices are, and what else I should be reading. Oh, and I'll definitely post my reviews as I work my way through the books.
Cracker Jack Box Surprise
(Warning: this posting isn't for men, really. I mean, unless you've got a penchant for reading about women's body issues. And if that sort of thing is up your alley, well, then I can't help you.)
Yesterday, as I was sitting in Vegas, all nice and relaxed, I had a thunderbolt of reality hit me on the 'noggin. I remembered I had a gyno appointment this morning. I didn't want to re-schedule it because I didn't want the $25 charge (stupid cancellation fee) and it was my first non-planned parenthood doctor visit in about 5 years, not to mention the fact that it's been about 2 years since my last checkup under the hood. (Naughty, I know. Lay off.) So since I was a little excited about getting good care for my nether regions, we drove back last night so I could go get poked and proded today.
During the exam is when the FIRST cracker jack box surprise occurred. Apparently, the 'yearly' exam now includes a lovely little anal probe. AH! HA HA HA HA! SURPRISE! Why haven't you other women been telling each other this little tidbit? And why has nobody told ME about this?!?
The SECOND cracker jack box surprise occurred when the doctor sent me for an ultrasound. And not the kind of ultrasound where they put jelly on your belly and slide the thing over it. No. This kind of ultrasound involves a sort of wand that they insert. AH HAH! LOVELY! SURPRISE! And it wasn't just that, it was the fact that they poke and prode inside the uterus. AHHHHHHHH! PAINPAINPAIN! As it turns out, I've got a collapsed cyst on one side and definite endometriosis symptoms on the other side of my uterus. (The WHITE-HOT pain was the indicator, apparently.)
Surprises aside, it was a lovely visit and I HEART this doctor. She's FABULOUS. And the office bathroom was the loveliest, coziest, nicest doctor's-office-bathroom I've been in, and that's saying something. And it's nice to know that my atomic-bomb cramps have a cause that's not just in my head.
Anyways, ladies, just so you know, prepare for the anal surprise and the ultrasound wand surprise next time you go for a visit. I just want all my peeps to be prepared.
Yesterday, as I was sitting in Vegas, all nice and relaxed, I had a thunderbolt of reality hit me on the 'noggin. I remembered I had a gyno appointment this morning. I didn't want to re-schedule it because I didn't want the $25 charge (stupid cancellation fee) and it was my first non-planned parenthood doctor visit in about 5 years, not to mention the fact that it's been about 2 years since my last checkup under the hood. (Naughty, I know. Lay off.) So since I was a little excited about getting good care for my nether regions, we drove back last night so I could go get poked and proded today.
During the exam is when the FIRST cracker jack box surprise occurred. Apparently, the 'yearly' exam now includes a lovely little anal probe. AH! HA HA HA HA! SURPRISE! Why haven't you other women been telling each other this little tidbit? And why has nobody told ME about this?!?
The SECOND cracker jack box surprise occurred when the doctor sent me for an ultrasound. And not the kind of ultrasound where they put jelly on your belly and slide the thing over it. No. This kind of ultrasound involves a sort of wand that they insert. AH HAH! LOVELY! SURPRISE! And it wasn't just that, it was the fact that they poke and prode inside the uterus. AHHHHHHHH! PAINPAINPAIN! As it turns out, I've got a collapsed cyst on one side and definite endometriosis symptoms on the other side of my uterus. (The WHITE-HOT pain was the indicator, apparently.)
Surprises aside, it was a lovely visit and I HEART this doctor. She's FABULOUS. And the office bathroom was the loveliest, coziest, nicest doctor's-office-bathroom I've been in, and that's saying something. And it's nice to know that my atomic-bomb cramps have a cause that's not just in my head.
Anyways, ladies, just so you know, prepare for the anal surprise and the ultrasound wand surprise next time you go for a visit. I just want all my peeps to be prepared.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Relaxation Central
So I'm in Vegas right now (anyone coming? Wanna get drinks?) and we keep extending our stay because we don't want to go home - it's just so darn relaxing and quiet and NICE. Except that we're ripping someone else's wireless internet, so the signal sucks and the internet is SLOW and it DRIVES ME CRAZY to do anything online because although I'm relaxed, I'm not blessed with the virtue of patience.
But I'm enjoying the alcohol, food, swimming, gambling (I'm a penny-slot-maching maniac), and total and unabashed TV over-indulgence. It's FABULOUS. I'm currently watching the 40 awesomely bad/worst dirrty bad songs on VH1. It's lovely, and I think R. Kelly is wearing the crown for the MOST bad songs on this list. Hee hee hee.
Anyways, I'm just feeling so out of touch with the rest of the blogging world that I had to suffer through the wretched internet to post.
And I realize I totally neglected to mention in my last posting CARI G. Thanks for being such a great friend over the years! I can't wait 'till you come home!
But I'm enjoying the alcohol, food, swimming, gambling (I'm a penny-slot-maching maniac), and total and unabashed TV over-indulgence. It's FABULOUS. I'm currently watching the 40 awesomely bad/worst dirrty bad songs on VH1. It's lovely, and I think R. Kelly is wearing the crown for the MOST bad songs on this list. Hee hee hee.
Anyways, I'm just feeling so out of touch with the rest of the blogging world that I had to suffer through the wretched internet to post.
And I realize I totally neglected to mention in my last posting CARI G. Thanks for being such a great friend over the years! I can't wait 'till you come home!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
OK, so I'd like to thank the Academy..
SO, before I go to eat supper and continue the drunken spree, here's who I'd like to thank:
Mz. Rao- for being my sounding board and whining source through this process. I don't know how I could have gotten through the process without you. It will take a lifetime to thank you for your understanding and support.
Ms. KAV - !!! what can I POSSIBLY say - you saved me through law school with your friendship, and saved me through the bar with your memorization sheets. The postcards EVERY DAY IN JULY and the Christmas-in-July-bar-care-package also HELPED IMMENSLY. without you, I'd be in a straight-jacket...seriously! THANKS! If I was clever, I'd be able to link to your site, so everyone go read me link to: CarterSimone.blogspot.com/. I have her bookmarked, so GO CHECK HER OUT because she's WITTY and CLEVER and about the best friend a girl could ask for.
GG: your humor and honesty was FABULOUS! PASS!!! I hope you PASS and wish you only the best things in life. Again, if I was web-savvy, I'd do a clever link to: barexam2005.blospot.com.
JM: YOU CRACK ME UP!!! I wish you were moving to LA or I was moving to San Fran NOW because we would *totally* be friends. And her site is: pagingmrgreen.blogspot.com. As soon as I move to San Fran we are SO TOTALLY getting together, along with GG, because I think both of you guys R-O-C-K in that cheerleader, 'give me an 'R' sort of way.
Eve: again, sorry I'm not web-savvy enough to link to you, and I'm on Husband's MAC computer, so I don't have your weblog favorite-ed, so I can't link to it, but you're SO NICE and INSPIRATIONAL and GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
Witty Sex Kitten: thanks for providing such humor and coming along for the ride. (see the web-savvy excuse above).
Law Fairy: 'ditto' above comments for GG and JM. And perhaps I feel an inordinant connection to you with the whole Chicago thing. See above web-savvy excuse after.
HUSBAND: thanks for putting up with me during this process THREE TIMES. And thanks for putting up with me this time enough to come to the hotel with me. YOU ROCK. And getting me Body Shop giftS totally gets you 3 FULL DAYS of beer wench. I LOVE YOU!!!
FAMILY: thanks for putting up with my fixation with California. I know you are all in the Midwest and can't figure out why Husband and I moved WAY the f*ck out to LA, but thanks for bearing with me. You guys rock.
LADYBERRIES: thanks for getting curious about me and geting back in contact with me. It feels REALLY GOOD to have support from the college days. YOU ROCK.
VAL: I know you read & don't comment, so here's a BIG shout-out to you- you meant a LOT as a high school friend, and you mean A LOT as a current friend. Thanks for getting back in touch with me during the past few months and being so supportive. YOU ROCK, too.
Divster: thanks for being such a nice friend who excuses me temporarily droping off the face of the earth and willing to jump in and be supporting. YOU ROCK, too.
TAYLOR: OMG, I am SO GLAD we got back in touch after 15 (approximately) years. YOU ROCK, TOO!
Mz. Rao- for being my sounding board and whining source through this process. I don't know how I could have gotten through the process without you. It will take a lifetime to thank you for your understanding and support.
Ms. KAV - !!! what can I POSSIBLY say - you saved me through law school with your friendship, and saved me through the bar with your memorization sheets. The postcards EVERY DAY IN JULY and the Christmas-in-July-bar-care-package also HELPED IMMENSLY. without you, I'd be in a straight-jacket...seriously! THANKS! If I was clever, I'd be able to link to your site, so everyone go read me link to: CarterSimone.blogspot.com/. I have her bookmarked, so GO CHECK HER OUT because she's WITTY and CLEVER and about the best friend a girl could ask for.
GG: your humor and honesty was FABULOUS! PASS!!! I hope you PASS and wish you only the best things in life. Again, if I was web-savvy, I'd do a clever link to: barexam2005.blospot.com.
JM: YOU CRACK ME UP!!! I wish you were moving to LA or I was moving to San Fran NOW because we would *totally* be friends. And her site is: pagingmrgreen.blogspot.com. As soon as I move to San Fran we are SO TOTALLY getting together, along with GG, because I think both of you guys R-O-C-K in that cheerleader, 'give me an 'R' sort of way.
Eve: again, sorry I'm not web-savvy enough to link to you, and I'm on Husband's MAC computer, so I don't have your weblog favorite-ed, so I can't link to it, but you're SO NICE and INSPIRATIONAL and GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
Witty Sex Kitten: thanks for providing such humor and coming along for the ride. (see the web-savvy excuse above).
Law Fairy: 'ditto' above comments for GG and JM. And perhaps I feel an inordinant connection to you with the whole Chicago thing. See above web-savvy excuse after.
HUSBAND: thanks for putting up with me during this process THREE TIMES. And thanks for putting up with me this time enough to come to the hotel with me. YOU ROCK. And getting me Body Shop giftS totally gets you 3 FULL DAYS of beer wench. I LOVE YOU!!!
FAMILY: thanks for putting up with my fixation with California. I know you are all in the Midwest and can't figure out why Husband and I moved WAY the f*ck out to LA, but thanks for bearing with me. You guys rock.
LADYBERRIES: thanks for getting curious about me and geting back in contact with me. It feels REALLY GOOD to have support from the college days. YOU ROCK.
VAL: I know you read & don't comment, so here's a BIG shout-out to you- you meant a LOT as a high school friend, and you mean A LOT as a current friend. Thanks for getting back in touch with me during the past few months and being so supportive. YOU ROCK, too.
Divster: thanks for being such a nice friend who excuses me temporarily droping off the face of the earth and willing to jump in and be supporting. YOU ROCK, too.
TAYLOR: OMG, I am SO GLAD we got back in touch after 15 (approximately) years. YOU ROCK, TOO!
OH YEAH, BABY, IT'S DONE
SO, I've had sex twice (I packed husband in the luggage and booked an extra night so I wouldn't have to pack) and drank most of a bottle of champagne!!!
I'm going to go eat and blog later... WAY TO GO, ALL MY COMPATROTS! YOU DID IT!
I'm going to go eat and blog later... WAY TO GO, ALL MY COMPATROTS! YOU DID IT!
Monday, July 25, 2005
There it is, the good old fashioned Cry Therapy
I was starting to be a big jealous of those of my compatriots in this exam process who had already gotten their Cry on. (Sorry kids, not web-savvy enough to know how to do one of those cool links so I can give proper credit - I promise to learn after the bar. For those in the know, I was thinking of JM over at Paging Mr. Green) WELL, that just got laid to rest.
My emotions have been a bit all over the place today - ecstatic to psychotic to pensive to downright morose. Tonight I tried to look over some checklists and couldn't focuse AT ALL. So I watched a bit of mindless TV and then decided to have a Lush-filled bubble bath.
I was in the middle of enjoying it and had started saying self-affirming things such as: "I'm gonna' do great!", "I'm feeling great!" (a la Bob Wiley style from What About Bob). And in literally 2 seconds I went from feeling calm and peaceful to completely bawling my eyes out. Seriously, great, body-shaking sobs. So now I got my Cry on. I'm feeling nice and calm, except my eyes are all aflame, so I'm going to slather on my comforting Vanilla Bean Noel lotion (I know, not season-appropriate...well just deal) and read through my Madonna-laden Vogue, and go to sleep. IT'S TIME TO SHINE, KITTENS!
My emotions have been a bit all over the place today - ecstatic to psychotic to pensive to downright morose. Tonight I tried to look over some checklists and couldn't focuse AT ALL. So I watched a bit of mindless TV and then decided to have a Lush-filled bubble bath.
I was in the middle of enjoying it and had started saying self-affirming things such as: "I'm gonna' do great!", "I'm feeling great!" (a la Bob Wiley style from What About Bob). And in literally 2 seconds I went from feeling calm and peaceful to completely bawling my eyes out. Seriously, great, body-shaking sobs. So now I got my Cry on. I'm feeling nice and calm, except my eyes are all aflame, so I'm going to slather on my comforting Vanilla Bean Noel lotion (I know, not season-appropriate...well just deal) and read through my Madonna-laden Vogue, and go to sleep. IT'S TIME TO SHINE, KITTENS!
Sunday, July 24, 2005
it's almost GO time!
So I'm halfway between wanting to absolutely freak out and wanting to break out into sobs. I've been a little nervous since I woke up, which isn't good when you're trying to finish the Trader Joe's not-from-concentrate tangerine juice because you'll be gone all week and it just sounds yummy right now.
I think I'm also nervous because I'm packing Husband up in my luggage and taking him with me. Somehow, I'm just not so sure this is a good idea. He's not so sure, either. But I guess we're both game to play with the devil and see what happens. I think it'll be nice to have a food lackey...and to have a "GET ME THIS NOW" manservant for a few days. Of course payback will undoubtedly be a-comin', complete with beer wench and (I'm sure) some sort of costume. But this is getting off track....
In any event, I'm just trying to keep myself occupied so I'm not sitting on the couch biting my nails and flipping through TV channels or nagging Husband and truly driving him crazy. I haven't yet decided if I'm going to be posting during the exam. I don't think I will, mostly because if I do that, then I'm going to have to check all the other sites I go to compulsively, and I really don't want to run across someone posting about what they wrote on the exam...especially if I didn't write that. So maybe this is my last entry before I'm rid of this ugly monkey the bar exam. Maybe my next entry will be Thurday night when I'm drunk out of my mind.
In the meantime, GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE TAKING THE BAR! See you on the OTHER SIDE!!! (Which brings to mind songs from Boys II Men and Bone Thugs 'N Harmony. Don't ask, really. I plead Durham Insanity.)
I think I'm also nervous because I'm packing Husband up in my luggage and taking him with me. Somehow, I'm just not so sure this is a good idea. He's not so sure, either. But I guess we're both game to play with the devil and see what happens. I think it'll be nice to have a food lackey...and to have a "GET ME THIS NOW" manservant for a few days. Of course payback will undoubtedly be a-comin', complete with beer wench and (I'm sure) some sort of costume. But this is getting off track....
In any event, I'm just trying to keep myself occupied so I'm not sitting on the couch biting my nails and flipping through TV channels or nagging Husband and truly driving him crazy. I haven't yet decided if I'm going to be posting during the exam. I don't think I will, mostly because if I do that, then I'm going to have to check all the other sites I go to compulsively, and I really don't want to run across someone posting about what they wrote on the exam...especially if I didn't write that. So maybe this is my last entry before I'm rid of this ugly monkey the bar exam. Maybe my next entry will be Thurday night when I'm drunk out of my mind.
In the meantime, GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE TAKING THE BAR! See you on the OTHER SIDE!!! (Which brings to mind songs from Boys II Men and Bone Thugs 'N Harmony. Don't ask, really. I plead Durham Insanity.)
Saturday, July 23, 2005
If only someone had told me...
The first time I took the CalBar, I think I vibrated for the entire two months I studied with nerves. I didn't know what to expect in terms of parking, food, would I even be able to focus for 3 entire days? Who's advice should I follow? Should I not study at all the Monday before the test? Should I not study anything during the evenings of the test? Augh! So here is some stuff that I've found works for me, and some odds and ends of information that I *really* wish someone had told me.
1) You can take a pillow (not in the pillowcase) in to the exam with you - might be helpful in case your arse starts to get numb. I always bring one, just in case.
2) Wear lots of layers - they like to keep the testing room freezing like a morgue. If you wear a hooded sweatshirt, you can't put the hood on your head. If you do, your proctor will slide a note in front of you, interrupting your writing, telling you to 'REMOVE YOUR HOOD IMMEDIATELY'. Trust me, it will happen. So don't wear anything on your head. But you can strip down if you get too hot, so I'd err on the side of wearing too much, because I'm miserable if I'm too cold and can't think properly because I'm shivering.
3) Keep your earplugs in when you leave the test site. Here's why: last summer, I walked out and heard everyone talking about this 'exception' that I'd never even heard of and hadn't used on one of the essays. You don't need to go through that sort of trauma. Just leave in your earplugs to help drone out any thing like that, because there's NO sense in freaking out - it's done, and you need to relax during the lunch break so you can come in to the afternoon session fresh and focused.
4) If you take a lunch and eat it in your car, keep the windows rolled up, because I can guarantee that there will be people also eating lunch in their cars right next to yours, dissecting the exam, piece by piece. Talk about a way to ruin one's appetite. So just leave the windows rolled up, listen to your ipod, or go find someplace quiet to eat.
5) Don't drink too much during lunch - or drink it all at the beginning of the lunch break. You don't want to just get started on the afternoon session and have to go pee - it just breaks your concentration.
6) During lunch breaks, they lock the doors and don't let you back in until about 15-20 minutes before the next session starts. This is important because this inevitably includes the area where the bathrooms are. If you are sweet, the bouncer-proctors will let you in to run in to the bathroom, but then you have to immediately run back outside.
7) Don't eat anything too heavy for lunch. I ate a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich, with a granola bar. The peanut butter helps carry me through the afternoon, and the sandwich didn't make me want to pass out like eating a pasta salad would.
8) Take a hard candy or something small that you can fit in your pocket. This is useful because I noticed that during the MBE, right around questions #40 and #140, I start to lose focus - so I go to the bathroom, splash a little water on my face, and while I'm in the bathroom stall, quickly unwrap the candy and slip it into my mouth. I'd be too nervous about time & the proctors catching me to consume anything else more substantial.
9) People tell you not to study the night before or the nights of the exam. I did. It's not serious studying, but it's looking over a few things, like MBE tips or looking over short outlines for my more problematic areas. It helped me relax because I couldn't just sit there - I had to feel like I was doing something productive.
10) Eat breakfast every morning. I ate oatmeal and a banana for breakfast every morning, and I didn't get hungry. And if you do, use it to your advantage - at least you're not falling asleep because you ate too much!
11) Be prepared to have to get fingerprinted and give a handwriting sample. It sucks, because you don't want to have to write any more than absolutely necessary, but it's required.
12) For each test session, you have to write some information (your exam number, etc) on a big envelope into which you slide your answers. DON'T WRITE ON THIS BEFORE THEY TELL YOU TO. If you do and a proctor sees you, that can be grounds for kicking you out of the exam. Stupid, yes, but just play the game.
13) About 15 minutes before the exam starts, the main proctor will read a bunch of instructions that most people just zone out to. They also tell you when to write your exam number and other information, though, so I would suggest paying attention and only going to the bathroom if you have to.
14) Unless you're seated next to someone you know, I wouldn't strike up a conversation. Invariably, the person will either be a complete know-it-all and leave you feeling less than confident, or they will be completely freaking out, and you don't want to deal with anyone else's nervous energy. Also there will inevitably be the guy who wants to talk about what you think will show up on the essays and the PT's...this guy won't be able to 'take a hint', so just ignore him. And, well, if you are that guy, just don't.
15) The proctors: there are what seems like hundreds of them. They wander in between the rows, in front and behind you, while you are taking the test. What's worse is that the floor is inevitably squeaky, so you can hear them comin' and goin'. It's really obnoxious. But now you know, so do everything you can to just zone them out.
16) You will hear people sliding their chairs in and out during the entire test. Because they clump so many people together in one big, fat room, and put everyone in those cheap metal folding chairs, there is soooo much squeaking. So if for no other reason than that, bring earplugs. And if you're at Ontario, beware that you're so close to the airport that you'll hear airplanes taking off - only it will sort of sound like thunder.
1) You can take a pillow (not in the pillowcase) in to the exam with you - might be helpful in case your arse starts to get numb. I always bring one, just in case.
2) Wear lots of layers - they like to keep the testing room freezing like a morgue. If you wear a hooded sweatshirt, you can't put the hood on your head. If you do, your proctor will slide a note in front of you, interrupting your writing, telling you to 'REMOVE YOUR HOOD IMMEDIATELY'. Trust me, it will happen. So don't wear anything on your head. But you can strip down if you get too hot, so I'd err on the side of wearing too much, because I'm miserable if I'm too cold and can't think properly because I'm shivering.
3) Keep your earplugs in when you leave the test site. Here's why: last summer, I walked out and heard everyone talking about this 'exception' that I'd never even heard of and hadn't used on one of the essays. You don't need to go through that sort of trauma. Just leave in your earplugs to help drone out any thing like that, because there's NO sense in freaking out - it's done, and you need to relax during the lunch break so you can come in to the afternoon session fresh and focused.
4) If you take a lunch and eat it in your car, keep the windows rolled up, because I can guarantee that there will be people also eating lunch in their cars right next to yours, dissecting the exam, piece by piece. Talk about a way to ruin one's appetite. So just leave the windows rolled up, listen to your ipod, or go find someplace quiet to eat.
5) Don't drink too much during lunch - or drink it all at the beginning of the lunch break. You don't want to just get started on the afternoon session and have to go pee - it just breaks your concentration.
6) During lunch breaks, they lock the doors and don't let you back in until about 15-20 minutes before the next session starts. This is important because this inevitably includes the area where the bathrooms are. If you are sweet, the bouncer-proctors will let you in to run in to the bathroom, but then you have to immediately run back outside.
7) Don't eat anything too heavy for lunch. I ate a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich, with a granola bar. The peanut butter helps carry me through the afternoon, and the sandwich didn't make me want to pass out like eating a pasta salad would.
8) Take a hard candy or something small that you can fit in your pocket. This is useful because I noticed that during the MBE, right around questions #40 and #140, I start to lose focus - so I go to the bathroom, splash a little water on my face, and while I'm in the bathroom stall, quickly unwrap the candy and slip it into my mouth. I'd be too nervous about time & the proctors catching me to consume anything else more substantial.
9) People tell you not to study the night before or the nights of the exam. I did. It's not serious studying, but it's looking over a few things, like MBE tips or looking over short outlines for my more problematic areas. It helped me relax because I couldn't just sit there - I had to feel like I was doing something productive.
10) Eat breakfast every morning. I ate oatmeal and a banana for breakfast every morning, and I didn't get hungry. And if you do, use it to your advantage - at least you're not falling asleep because you ate too much!
11) Be prepared to have to get fingerprinted and give a handwriting sample. It sucks, because you don't want to have to write any more than absolutely necessary, but it's required.
12) For each test session, you have to write some information (your exam number, etc) on a big envelope into which you slide your answers. DON'T WRITE ON THIS BEFORE THEY TELL YOU TO. If you do and a proctor sees you, that can be grounds for kicking you out of the exam. Stupid, yes, but just play the game.
13) About 15 minutes before the exam starts, the main proctor will read a bunch of instructions that most people just zone out to. They also tell you when to write your exam number and other information, though, so I would suggest paying attention and only going to the bathroom if you have to.
14) Unless you're seated next to someone you know, I wouldn't strike up a conversation. Invariably, the person will either be a complete know-it-all and leave you feeling less than confident, or they will be completely freaking out, and you don't want to deal with anyone else's nervous energy. Also there will inevitably be the guy who wants to talk about what you think will show up on the essays and the PT's...this guy won't be able to 'take a hint', so just ignore him. And, well, if you are that guy, just don't.
15) The proctors: there are what seems like hundreds of them. They wander in between the rows, in front and behind you, while you are taking the test. What's worse is that the floor is inevitably squeaky, so you can hear them comin' and goin'. It's really obnoxious. But now you know, so do everything you can to just zone them out.
16) You will hear people sliding their chairs in and out during the entire test. Because they clump so many people together in one big, fat room, and put everyone in those cheap metal folding chairs, there is soooo much squeaking. So if for no other reason than that, bring earplugs. And if you're at Ontario, beware that you're so close to the airport that you'll hear airplanes taking off - only it will sort of sound like thunder.
Friday, July 22, 2005
jumping on the bandwagon
Since all the cool kids are posting their schedules for the next few days before the bar, I'm going to join them and do likewise. So here it is in all its glory:
Today: I still have to outline 1 property essay and 1 professional responsibility essay, do one memorization sheet per topic, and try to do about 10 MBEs in each topic.
Saturday: Outline 1 evidence essay and 3 (ha) community property essays, do a memorization sheet from each topic, and try to do another 10 MBEs in each topic.
Sunday: I'm going to do a memorization sheet from each topic (I'm sensing a pattern here...), 10 MBEs per topic, and try to fully write out 3 essays in a row. If the 3 full essays don't happen, I'm not gonna' cry.
Monday: Do the memorization sheet thing, pack, and drive down to San Diego to get to my hotel before check-in, because I'm OCD and am hoping they'll give me a good room if I get there early (not near an elevator shaft, close to ground floor, non-smoking, etc). After checking in, I'm going to wander around the hotel grounds and find which ballroom the exam will be in. Then I'll probably pace around my room until it's time to eat some supper (pasta - it's all about brain food) and then try to occupy myself until it's time to go to bed. I'll probably check out the pool, sauna, and jacuzzi somewhere in there, too.
And that's it. Totally do-able. Those MBEs every day will most likely come from one of those PMBR books, because all the Bar/Bri questions I've marked up to hell and I'd like some fresh and clean questions.
I just can't wait until this whole stupid thing is over with. Okay, back to those 2 essays... Oh and I have to add that I'm so not going to cry if I don't get to the MBEs, either. I've done plenty thus far.
Today: I still have to outline 1 property essay and 1 professional responsibility essay, do one memorization sheet per topic, and try to do about 10 MBEs in each topic.
Saturday: Outline 1 evidence essay and 3 (ha) community property essays, do a memorization sheet from each topic, and try to do another 10 MBEs in each topic.
Sunday: I'm going to do a memorization sheet from each topic (I'm sensing a pattern here...), 10 MBEs per topic, and try to fully write out 3 essays in a row. If the 3 full essays don't happen, I'm not gonna' cry.
Monday: Do the memorization sheet thing, pack, and drive down to San Diego to get to my hotel before check-in, because I'm OCD and am hoping they'll give me a good room if I get there early (not near an elevator shaft, close to ground floor, non-smoking, etc). After checking in, I'm going to wander around the hotel grounds and find which ballroom the exam will be in. Then I'll probably pace around my room until it's time to eat some supper (pasta - it's all about brain food) and then try to occupy myself until it's time to go to bed. I'll probably check out the pool, sauna, and jacuzzi somewhere in there, too.
And that's it. Totally do-able. Those MBEs every day will most likely come from one of those PMBR books, because all the Bar/Bri questions I've marked up to hell and I'd like some fresh and clean questions.
I just can't wait until this whole stupid thing is over with. Okay, back to those 2 essays... Oh and I have to add that I'm so not going to cry if I don't get to the MBEs, either. I've done plenty thus far.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
and then anxiety pounced...
So I've been pretty laid back and calm about the exam until last night. I couldn't sleep because I was completely anxiety ridden. And then I woke up 2 hours ahead of schedule to lie awake in bed and be completely overcome with panic.
Anyone else going through the same thing? I mean a couple days ago, I was like 'gee, I wish the test was this week so I could just get it over with...I'm just so tired of studying' and now I'd like another month, thankyouverymuch. Even my stomach is a mess this morning. I just can't shake it off. Augh!
Anyone else going through the same thing? I mean a couple days ago, I was like 'gee, I wish the test was this week so I could just get it over with...I'm just so tired of studying' and now I'd like another month, thankyouverymuch. Even my stomach is a mess this morning. I just can't shake it off. Augh!
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