Be Back Next Year

Hello wonderful bloggie people. Just an update for you. I won't be back to post until next year. (Sometime next week) Lots of things going on. As in planning my graduation party. Yep I forgot to mention, I graduated from college. Got my degree in language. (French) So per MTG's suggestion I'm throwing a NYE/Graduation bash, which me and my friend will be DJ'ing the night away. Of course you're invited if you can make it down here to TX. Anyways, have a wonderful, safe New Years. See you next year.

Crossing the line

Hey there it's me again, Mix Tape Girl. I actually had a fun time posting last time so I'll do one more. Besides A.D. is too busy watching Die Hard on HBO to type anything. "They're playing a Christmas movie," he says. Yeah guys shooting each other up during Christmas time, sure gets me into the spirit of the season. Okay, so I like it sometimes but not today. Though the whole manly rampage thing would have worked wonders today at the store.

So here's what happened. I went to the store after work to pick up a few things. I took my time, browsing, grabbing this and that. (Hey I had coupons, that aren't going to use themselves. See the perfect excuse to buy that new shampoo I've seen, with a dollar off coupon.) But I surprised myself I only used a hand basket and not a shopping cart.

Anyways, I browsed around, making my way to the register. Now every place that I've been to, even with people in front of you, I've always just put my goodies on the conveyor belt. Today was no exception. The lady in front of me had just finished putting her goods on the checkout belt. No biggie. There was more than enough room for me to put my few goods on the belt too. Reaching over to grab the ever so useful separator stick, the woman in front of me interrupted me.

Evil Woman: "Excuse me. You don't put your things down till I'm checked out."

Me: (Thinking.... pardon my language. WTF did you just say? But in being stunned by reality saying...) Huh?

Evil Woman: "Your things. Do not put them down until I'm checked out. I don't want your things touching mine." (This being said in a most discourteous manner.)

Having had one of those days, I'm thinking. "Oh no bitch. Not today." (Pardon my language again, but I'm really miffed.)

Now I understand wanting to keep your goods separate. When I go to the store and put my things on the checkout belt, the last thing I want is for another persons peasant goods to be touching my caviar, capers, and....just kidding, in honesty its more like, pads, shampoo, discount hair scrunchies from the fifty off bin, Hershey dark chocolate almond bar, and few cans of spaghetti sauce and noodles, and my Lean Cuisines for lunch at work. But seriously I know that feeling of private personal property of someone touching your stuff even before you buy it. Which is why I'm a huge believer in the separator stick. That last thing you want is my Cheetos chatting it up with someone else's Jimmy Dean sausage log.

But things will touch eventually. No big deal. Well not to this lady. She was adamant that I take my things off. She was getting ready to grab my stuff and start putting them into my hand basket again. Cutting her off before she could, I slapped the separator stick down between our things. And putting on my best Jane Austen genteel attitude and forced smile, instead of the raging wolverine that was ready to rip this crazed womans' head off, I inform her.

Me: "I'm putting this separator stick down between our goods, so they don't touch. That shouldn't be a problem, SHOULD IT?" While giving my stare that says, "Know what I think of you? Nothing. I freaking own you. Bring it bitch."

The woman scoffed and turned away, the cashier already scanning her things. The people behind me where ready to jump this lady if I didn't. Some muttering some things in Spanish that even I'd rather not say towards her. But the power of the separator stick held true. Providing the "Don't pass over line", that can fend off the wars of the grocery store.

So after getting all done, I promptly ate my Hershey's bar which I so needed after that. Though I saved half to drink with some wine later in the evening.

I defer to...

Hello bloggie people. Sorry for the lack of posts but I'm feeling really naff. This stupid cold I have won't go away. So seeing as I'm tired, full of snot and ready for bed, I hear by delegate this next post to someone who's been asking me to let them post for a while. So without further addo (is that spelled right? who cares), here is a post right from Mix Tape Girl.

___________________________

Okay first of all it's "ado" A.D., just so you'll know. I see you rolling your eyes at me. Hmmff..I bugged A.D. to let me write a post but now that I'm here I have no idea what to say. Hi, I'm Mix Tape Girl. (waves politely...that was lame) I'm just filling in for A.D. till he gets up on his feet again. Which he would have if he would go to a doctor like I tell him to, and stop going outside in the cold and wet weather. Men. Oh okay, I do believe I know what I'll post about. That's what this blogging thing is called right, a post? (A.D. gives me a thumbs up so I'm okay there) I'll just post about todays events from my point of view. Well events from this afternoon anyways.

My BFF: Are they still up there?

Me: Yes they are.

BFF: Does it take that long to install wires?

Me: Are you kidding? They were done over an hour ago.

BFF: So why are they still up there?

Me: They're sorting things out.

BFF: (Looking out window to roof) Huh? But their just standing there. Their not even talking.

Me: Yes I know. It's a guy thing.

BFF: So can't they do that inside.

Me: That would be too easy. Again as A.D. says, its a guy thing.

BFF: But it's cold and drizzling outside. Their going to get sick.

Me: You mean sicker.

BFF: A.D. will anyways.

Me: He loves the cold. He says it makes him feel better. The colder the better.

BFF: He's nuts.

Me: That's what I said. Besides I've already yelled at both of the to come inside just before you came. They just nodded. I told him if he gets sicker he's taking himself to the doctor. And not to say that I didn't tell him so.

My BFF and I sip our hot chocolate and sit at the table talking. I glance every so often outside to check on the boys. Their standing on the edge of the roof over looking the wooded park area of the subdivision. The steam from their mouth and noses looks like their smoking pipes from where I sit. A.D. and his BFF stand up there not moving not talking. They've known each other for years. It's creepy in a way, but utterly cool at the same time their friendship. Well they're more like brothers. Each one knows what the other is thinking without saying a word. A.D. asked his BFF to come over today after his work to help him do some computer cable thing. I don't know exactly what, something to do with a server or something A.D. bought to start his business project. In short his new office has wires everywhere and its a mess. His friend has had quite the year. Getting in a major car wreck that nearly killed him and his father. And now he just learned yesterday that company he's working for (a major electronic retailer) is going out of business and he'll be out of a job by the end of the month. After working there for about twelve years.

As they were in A.D.'s office tying computer lines together, the spoke maybe all of five words between them. But they handed each other tools and equipment that each other needed without saying a word. It's interesting just to watch them interact. Honestly A.D. is a very quiet, I would say shy person if you didn't truly know him. But his friend is even more so. He doesn't drive yet, doesn't drink, always extra cautious about doing things. I laugh to myself when I think that A.D. is the more outgoing of the two, as seeing them together you would never guess. But together they are a ever thinking unstoppable machine. And I say this because it's true. Get them together on a court for some basketball and you'd see what I mean. This in fact is true in other aspects of things they do together. It's been a long while since they've actually DJ'ed together but when they do, its amazing. I definitely need to get them to do another party and spin together, it's been far too long. Watching them work the vinyl and CD's and laptop and their other equipment is a sight to see. I shall have to think of a way to plan this.

I talk to my BFF some more. We're discussing "girlie things" as A.D. ever so eloquently puts it. I look up again out the window. No movement, yet. The drizzle is slowly turning into light rain. "A.D. get your butt in here now! You're going to get sicker!" I scream to myself in my head every time I look out. Finally having waited long enough, I get up and go outside to tell both of them to come in. I yell out at them and get a response. A.D. looks down at me and smiles. The look of deep thought disappearing from his face as he smiles at me. My BFF throws his cowboy hat up to him. He puts it on. His hair coming out from the sides. He needs a haircut, it's getting long again. A.D.'s BFF, looks at him and nods. A.D. voice is deep and says, "We have an accord then." His BFF nods approval. They both slide down the ladder and come inside.

A.D. speaks to me and I can tell he's losing his voice. He's talking from his diaphragm more than usual. His usual deep voice sounding deeper and more like a low growl than it usually is. He sounds like the way Batman talks in the movies. (Can you tell I've been watching his movies? I'm making Batman analogies.)

A.D.: I'm driving BFF home. I'll be back in a little while.

I acknowledge and they leave.

My BFF: Is he mad? His voice sounded all dark and evil.

Me: (Laughing) No silly. He's just losing his voice. You know what? Let's go to the store. I've a feeling that he's going to be needing some NyQuil tonight and I know he doesn't have any. Oh and you can help me figure out how to get them to DJ again too.

Okay as I finished typing that last line, A.D. was looking over my shoulder. Apparently men "don't have BFF's". I asked him what his kind call them. He didn't know but apparently BFF is strictly verboten, and any such reference can mean the man police can take away his man license for that kind of mention. At which point I told him that I was typing the post and he had better had taken the NyQuil I got him. He coughed and went away.

Well sorry if that post stinks. I'm sure it did. But it's my first. I would like to have typed something nice and elaborate but it's late and I want sleep.

Ninja Warrior

I have found my true calling. I must train to be......a Ninja Warrior!!




Ha ha ha!! I love this show!! But dammit if it isn't cutting into my book reading time. I think I'm addicted. See what happens when you go from 80 channels to 200 when switching TV/ISP providers.

Untitled (track 1)

As I write this the cool north wind finally revisits my town. The window shears blow open knocking some magazines I left on a small table by the window down. As soon as the wind hits me the cool air re-opens my nasal passages and I can breathe again. I haven't been able to breathe properly since Thursday. It's December and the temperature is 85 degrees with near 70% humidity. It's a sauna outside. The mold levels are through the roof. I know when this happens I won't be breathing right for a while.

But the wind shift drastically changes the temperature. Within an hour the temperature drops a good 20 degrees and the humidity falls to where you no longer feel it on your skin. I can breathe again, my sinuses draining properly now. My ears unclog and I can hear normal again. No more echoing.

I haven't posted anything in a while as I fired my last ISP/Cable provider (Time Warner) whom decided to up their bill a good 50 bucks. So having now switched my provider to Ma Bell, I pay less than I did before and get really good internet service (no more dropped wifi waves) and 100 extra channels on my telle. I can't stop watching the Japanese channels and their crazy shows.

MTG is out of town on a much needed vacation from work. She kept debating on going or not but I told her to get out of here before work dragged her down. And while on vacation one does not check work e-mail or anything remotely work related. Thusly I demanded she leave her crackberry and laptop, and only taking her personal mobile with her. Just get out of here and have fun. So away she went to spend a week and a half with her friend up north. Calling a couple of times to check on me.

I was pretty much ok until the stupid weather changed again. The beginning of last week was great. Temps in the 40's no humidity. Then Thursday night, the temp went from 60 to 70 and the humidity went sky high. The mold count rocketed and I damn near lost my voice from being stuffed up. It's December the weather shouldn't be getting close to 90 degrees. It was 90 further down in South Texas. Cold one day hot as hell the next. No wonder half the people are sick all the time. Oh well, I should know better. It never actually gets cold down here for a good while until mid-January.

Once more my hair is grown very long. Not to my shoulders or anything mind you but I need a hair cut. My dad told me however that the old gentleman I go to is probably no longer in business. I had to check for myself. I drove down to the projects where his shop is, located in the middle of an old shopping center. And my dad was right. He had been forced out. They owner of the center demanding five times the rent he paid, only because the government welfare office rented and remodeled half the space there. I read his sign he taped on to the glass door of his shop. "Dear friends" it begins. "Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you for the past 40 plus years. It is with a sad heart that I retire from cutting your hair, telling stories, reminiscing of past times, talking sports, politics, or whatever came to our minds. I will miss providing this service to you, your kids, your grandkids, and other souls who walked in my door. I will not be opening up a new business anywhere else, and will retire all together. I wish you the best in your endeavors. God bless and stay safe my friends." I read the sign and stare through the windows into the open space with nothing there. The outlines of the barber chairs the only visible reminder of what used to be there. I can see myself reflection in the glass. My hair long enough to be blowing across my face. The hand painted sign of his shop the only thing left on the glass. The people coming and going from the welfare office next door now pay no attention to what used to be. I get back in my car and drove home, unwilling to stop at a Supercuts or other place where they only know how to style hair and what number cut you want. So I left my hair go.

As MTG is away I moped around the house doing paper work for my business and filling out applications for licenses that I need. I got most of it completed and my agenda's just about in order for when I'm actually going to start everything. I haven't quit my job just yet. That'll be some time later. I have to make sure that my project takes off first. But I'm planing an exit strategy as well from my current job. I had skirted around the issue of going out on my own in business but finally thought that what good are dreams if you never make them come true. So I cast my lot in, and see what cards the fates hand to me.

While feeling miserable from my allergies on Saturday, my friend called me and asked if I wanted to go to Austin with her and her folks. Thinking that I'd be miserable either in a car or at home I opted to go. It was actually a very good time. I made new friends despite being stuffed up and miserable. Though I didn't do too much talking at first, manly because I couldn't hear clearly what was being said but eventually did get into the swing of things. I must say her parents gigantic van is super nice. Telle and everything in it. And very tall as well, you literally have to climb inside of it. We were almost level with the windows on the 18 wheelers. We did some things and went to dinner with some new friends. One of which seemed compelled to continually hug me through out the night. Not that she meant anything by it but she was one of those touchy, feely people. I'm not exactly that way so I squirmed ever so slightly every time she did.

And thusly my weekend comes to an end. I finish off my pisco sour and type the final words to this post. The cool wind blowing my hair around as I sit by the window. I wrap some strands of hair around my fingers and let it fall over my face just for kicks. And think of where to look for another good barber, and I wish Mr. Amaya the best, dear friend.