Archive for March, 2005
Last day
by Donna on March 31st, 2005
My last day as manager. Might even be my last day in the office for quite some time! Of course, I say that and the next thing I know I’ll be back next week. Regardless, I have been acting as if it is my last day. I cleaned out my desk and I endulged in sweet potato fries for dinner yesterday.
I hope everything works out well. I hope this new position works out well.
If it doesn’t, I’ll just find a job somewhere else.
Wow
by Donna on March 29th, 2005
I left work at 5:30. Instead of walking across the glass enclosed bridge, I went outside and crossed the street. It was still daylight and the weather wasn’t freezing. Instead of eating in the room and watching tv while surfing the Internet, I decided to break free and take a walk and eat out. I walked to Portillo’s and ordered a salad. It wasn’t delicious but it was different. Walking back, it felt good to be moving and not cooped up in my hotel room.
Today marks the 3 year anniversary of the phone call that ended my unrelationship with Heiko. That phone call was the last time I spoke to him. He seems like such a distant memory. A stranger. Yet, I can’t help but wonder how he is doing. I have no clue. I like to think he is bloated and married.
I have been giving a lot of thought to eHarmony. Lisa says if I want to meet a man I should just move to Alaska or disguise myself as a Russian mail-order bride. Certainly good ideas but I think instead I shall try these things:
1. Join Gym
2. Go to the shore more often
3. Attend County Theater Film Discussions
4. Go to the Mercer Museum’s Under the Stars summer film fest
5. Wednesday at the Philadelphia Art Museum
6. Speed Dating/Lock and Key parties
7. TBD
OKAY!
by Donna on March 28th, 2005
I finished my expense report for last week. Now I just need to pack for this week’s trip to Chicago. Hopefully I won’t need to travel as often with this new position. Wouldn’t that be lovely?
Pet peeves
by Donna on March 28th, 2005
Starbucks stops pouring the coffee about an inch and a half from the top of the cup. I am paying mucho dollars for that Latte, I want it filled to the brim!
More than 1 serving per container on a container that looks like it serves one. This drink is 100 calories but it actually serves 5 and so if you drink all of it, you have just consumed 500 calories.
When the cashier drops the coins atop of the bills when handing you your change. The proper etiquette should be to drop the coins in your hand and then place the dollars on top. This way it is much easier to put the change into your wallet without dropping coins.
When people pronounce ASK like AXE.
Please turn off all portable electronic devices. Why must I turn off my mp3 player when the plane is taking off or about to land? I can understand cell phones and laptops but mp3 players? Silly!
eSchwarmony
by Donna on March 28th, 2005
I changed my eHarmony account to “Do not auto renew.” I figure I will take a break for a week or so and then use a discount code to rejoin at a reduced price. It’s been so quiet the past month or so. Very few matches and even fewer requests for communication. I am getting tired of it again. Truth is, no matter what they do, these online matchmaking services are just blind dates. I have to assume the success rate is probably close to getting struck by lightning or winning the lottery. I realize that if I really want to find myself a significant other I am going to have to wade over to the portion of the pool where the fish are located. Once I no longer have to travel 4 days a week, I can join the local gym. And there must be other clubs and such around that attract a non-psychotic element. I just have to find it.
Easter
by Donna on March 28th, 2005
I had such a nice Easter. Saturday we went to my Aunt Helen’s house. My cousins were there and I got to see them and their kids. It’s sad that we don’t see each other more often. On Sunday it was just my parents, Lisa and me. We had a delicious meal of ham, kielbasa , cheese, and pineapple bread pudding. Mom and Dad gave us a coconut Allfather egg. Yummy! The rest of the evening was spent with my Mom’s friends. They came over for dessert. Everyone made a huge fuss over Bobo. Lisa and I left around 7:00. Back at the Donna villa we searched Rhasody for songs from our childhood. Now I can’t get that Eric Carmen hit, “Turn the radio up, for the sweet sound, hold me close never let me go-o-o, take me over the edge, let me lose control, Baby! Baby!” out of my head!
Easter Basket
by Donna on March 27th, 2005
Happy Easter!
Christos Voskrese!
Napster to Rhapsody
by Donna on March 26th, 2005
I loved Napster but I am going to cancel my account.
I was surfing around their site and found a link to Netgear Wireless Digital Music Player Model MP101. This could be what I am looking for to get music throughout the house. I plugged it into CompUSA’s search engine and was amazed to find it on sale for 55.00! Without much thought I clicked Buy it Now!
Lisa and I set it up without any issue and in a blink of an eye my old illegal mp3s from Audiogalaxy were playing in the living room. Of course, I wanted this mainly for Napster, not my downloaded stuff. I read the user guide and discovered that even though Napster linked to it on their Web site, IT ISN’T SUPPORTED!!!! If I want streaming Internet music, I would have to download RealRhapsody. I hate Real. I really hate Real. I hate their jerky video and little popups. Regardless, I downloaded the app and installed it. The first name I searched for was Serge Gainsbourg, and you know what? THEY HAVE HIS ALBUMS! Next I entered Henri Salvador, Francoise Hardy, Smokie, Willie Bobo, Miriam Makeba, Bertrand Burgalat and RHAPSODY HAD SONGS FOR ALL OF THEM. Now, don’t get too impressed. Rhapsody didn’t recognize Stephan Remmler, Max Raabe, 1910 Fruitgum Co. or Ohio Express. Still, this was MUCH better than Napster. I also found Rhapsody’s interface much more user friendly. The other cool thing is I can blog playlists– so let me know if any of you use Rhapsody.
SUMMARY
Two thumbs up for Netgear Wireless Digital Music Player Model MP101 and RealRhapsody
Good news
by Donna on March 25th, 2005
My successor was announced today. He wasn’t my choice but at this point, I simply don’t care. On April 1, (coincidentally April Fool’s Day) I will stop managing and move on to a bigger, better role with the company. This means, amongst many other things, my trips to Chicago will lessen. My stress should also abate since I won’t be constantly on the fly.
This has been going on since June. Even though I complained and moaned over the traveling, I learned so much. It was a great experience, a wonderful challenge and I am sad to see it end.
June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March. 10 months. 80 flights. 160 nights spent in a hotel room. 480 meals expensed.