Daddy Daughter

After last night, we have one more left in Pittsburgh. Isn't that crazy!? Last night we went to McCormick & Schmick's. I had a delicious Bellini (peach puree and sparkling wine) to drink. For an appetizer we had black mussels simmered in a white wine, garlic and tomato sauce. I don't think I'd ever had mussels before but I liked them. I knew from watching Rachael Ray (she rocks!!) you shouldn't eat mussels that haven't opened after they're cooked. There was one on our plate and I told my dad not to eat it. He didn't like that. Lol. He gave me the last mussel because, "I want to play with this one." He says, "What's wrong with you? Why won't you open?" Hahahahahaha. I was cracking up. Then he told the waitress she cheated us out of one. Hilarity.

For dinner I had swordfish with a sun-dried tomato and caper butter. I'd never had a caper prior to my food network obsession, either. I like them. The salty brine gives me some joy. You know I'm a savory girl. I don't get all crazy over chocolate (remember this conversation? My daddy just said, "Chocolate tortilla chips?" "No, D, blue corn tortilla chips." Lol. He was already eating them. If I thought I saw some chocolate tortilla chips, I'd put on the ill grill and quickly remove myself from the vicinity. I'm already not that much of a choc fan and I'm pretty sure that would knock me right into the I don't like chocolate category. Hahahaha!!) Also not crazy over cake.

Look at what a search for fries yields. Shameful! Hahahahaha!! I realized the other day that I had fries 3xs one day this week, 2xs the two days prior to that. So I didn't eat any yesterday to balance it out... but I'm about to eat some again. Don't stick a fry in my face unless you don't want it. I don't know what it is about fries that makes me crazy. I have had an offer to watch When Harry Met Sally (one of my all-time fave movies!!! I quote it incessantly.) and eat fries. I swooned a little bit... lolol.

I fell asleep on the phone last night. I don't think I've ever done that before. I woke up and woke Rashan up fully intending to hold an actual conversation again. I think we exchanged maybe 10 words and fell back asleep. I woke up again at 6 with the phone pressed to my ear. HILARIOUS!!

Have I told you lately how much I love Jon & Kate + 8? Even after an hour I never want it to be over. Ever. I could just watch them online all day. They crack me up!! I've always wanted to have twins (since I was like 9... this is one of those incredibly odd things about me I'll go into further detail about later) so Maddy & Cara are my faves. Oh yes and before y'all get all crazy as you bloggers are wont to do: I CAN TALK ABOUT CHILDREN WITHOUT WANTING THEM RIGHT THIS SECOND SO CALM DOWN!! Crazies.

Anyway here's a picture of me and my dad on our 2nd to last Daddy Daughter day! Next week we should go somewhere else fun. I'm thinking Tusca. One of my coworkers loves it and people were pouring out of it last night so it must be good. My dad told me you should never go to a restaurant with an empty parking lot. No one there so it's probably not that good and the food won't be fresh because they don't have enough business. These are his theories which I've tested only a few times and he was usually affirmed. But I'm gonna miss this place when I leave with the avocado and pico de gallo on the burger. You know I look for Mexican where ever I can find it. I had Mexican last week, right? I was thinking about the churros yesterday morning! They were off the chain! I love churros, man. Oh churros, baby, me and you! ME AND YOU!! Sorry I got distracted. Me & D! One more Daddy Daughter day in the Burgh. And he just brought me a paper towel full of potato chips. I knew you loved me!!

Dad + Daughter =

Daddy Daughter. Thursday again. I scowl at his phone when it rings on Thursdays. Whoever that is knows what's up. Tell her she can call after 9 when Grey's is on and I'm not paying attention to him anyway. 5(ish)-8:59 is Daddy Daughter Day. Quit trippin.

Sometimes I get the impression I'm supposed to be embarassed to be living with my father... but I'm not. Before I moved here two years ago, we hadn't lived together since I was 13, when he and my mom separated. And prior to that, he'd been on the road incessantly with his job. So for the first time, my dad and I were living together full time. Well... now I'm the one with the job with the crazy hours so maybe still part time. No matter! I'm saving money (sometimes) and I like living with my father... most of the time.

Tonight after I bought dinner he said, "Thanks Jameil. I never thought my daughter would by me dinner." "Never? You never thought your daughter would buy you dinner??" (He has 3.) He said, "I never thought about it. I never thought my girls would grow up." Tell me that's not the most adorable thing ever. I wanted to pinch his cheeks. But instead I turned up the NWA. XM strikes again.

Daddy Daughter (Phone Version)

My dad and I talked on the phone for more than an hour Wednesday night. It was great. He's awesome. Since I know you've missed our daddy daughter night's almost as much as I have, here's part of our conversation.

Me: I know you miss me. You walk by my room and just sigh sometimes, don't you?
D: Actually I go in your room, curl up in a ball on your bed and cry. Boo hoo hooooo.

YES HE SAID BOO HOO HOO!!! DEAD!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I love my dad. He cracks me up. And he helps me out, too. Thanks, D. Now come on down to Gainesville so we can have Daddy Daughter Night, please.

Monday Mindspacing Vol. 105

1) My right hand is still killing me.  Please make it stop.
2) I know two nail polish nuts and I asked them what colors I should wear for the wedding.  SON!  They came through with a vengeance!  So awesome!
3) Close your eyes, MrsTDJ & GP!  Vicarious kitty makes her triumphant blog return!!  That Charlotte... LOLOL Love her!!  LOLOL
4) I let my inner foodie run wild on one of our registries!  I added fleur de sel, sea salt flakes, grey salt, black lava salt, truffle salt, SAFFRON(!!!) and nutella!  LOLOLOL  Man I love the internet!!  Someone (probably multiple someones) will look at that and go WHO IS HE MARRYING??? The rest will say, "That Jameil has crossed a bridge... there may be no way back..."
5) Mrs. TDJ and GP, can you escape Charlotte's eyes?  Or is she still staring at you? Tee hee hee!!!!
6) You know that wedding ring shot where the rings are balanced on/one tilted on top of the other?  Yeah... about that.  Mine is a size 5 and 2mm (see: skinny), his is a size 10 and 6mm (see: wide)... they look kind of stupid next to each other.  LOL  Mine fits inside his with room to spare.
7) I never get it when people are either cooks or a bakers...  Isn't it all following a recipe until you learn?
8) I WANT TO WIN SOMETHING AWESOME!!!  Either one of those fashion giveaways or magazine giveaways or a trip or like cold hard cash.  Can we please make this happen???  Please???  Doesn't anyone love me enough to make it happen????  I've been entering contests furiously (at least 5 contests per week) for weeks now (and several times a week for almost a year I'm sure) and I WANNA WIN SOMETHING!!
9) I hate those family connection things on fb... but when Rashan's mom wanted to add me as her daughter... I just felt pressured so I added everyone who asked.  I had like 4 lined up and I'm sure there are more ignored somewhere.  Ugh.
10) I know it's been weeks since K. Rock hated on exclamation points but I have been called to speak in defense of exclamation points.  PEOPLE!  You need to express yourselves more fully! We've already spoken about Happy Birthday.  Or the even worse HBD.  LAZY.  'Congrats' is the same.  DRY.  If you're happy for someone, use an exclamation point!  Or don't communicate on the internet.  Then it will be clear how you really feel.  Yes.  I threw down the gauntlet.
11) Rashan cracks me up!!! LOLOLOLOL  And I love the way he stares at me amusedly when I start cracking up uncontrollably. :)  We can so often tell what the other is thinking that we are confused when one of us says something cryptic and the other one has the ill blank stare.  LOLOL
12) Y'all. Some of the responses to terrible Terrible Father's Day statuses are as bad as the statuses themselves. You can't make people say what you want them to say.  And are you really territorial about this Hallmark holiday? I couldn't count on some of my most frequent bad baby daddy ranters yesterday but others came through in spectacular fashion!  There were even some unexpected ones!  Some examples if you will:

A. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there and to all the moms who had to be dads. Response: Um, Mother's Day already happened. They got their due. :)
*Note: That smiley face doesn't make your response less unnecessary, just makes it passive-aggressive.

B. Happy Father's Day and much respect to all you daddys out there! And not to be too bitter but happy fathers day to all the moms that act as daddy too. And also to all the men that act as daddy to a child even if the child not their own blood.
*Not to be too bitter? But you're SO bitter every other day... Come on! Have some fun! Live a little!  Also, it's daddies. Not daddys.

C. I refuse to say happy father's day to single moms. You are not a father. If anything give that child's grandfather, uncle, cousin or some male role model in that child's life some love. Women can't teach a boy to be a man and every girl needs a positive male to teach her about the knuckle heads to stay away from.
*Le sigh

D. Happy fathers day to all the real fathers not sperm donors or baby daddies!
*Hey! You don't know! That baby daddy may be better than your daddy!
13) If you have 'stay fly' or 'swag' or anything else like that in your name, I don't care how long we've known each other, you can't follow me on twitter.  FB?  Maybe.  Twitter? Absolutely not.
14) 11 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Tried

I really did. I tried not to post today. To break the cycle. It didn't work. Wanna know why? Because there's no reason not to post. I was off today and home all day. I can understand if I was out and about and busy and then got home and was too tired. Today, however, I was just being obstinate. That didn't work.

The Duke/Pitt basketball game is on tv. Know what's horrible? THE GAME'S AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN!!! If it's not in Pittsburgh, I'd rather it be in Durham. Not fair!! I wanna see DUKE!! Okay this is one of the few games I've had the opportunity to watch since I've lived here, do you believe this?!?! Duke ball with :21 left in the game, they get the shot AND the tip-in and miss both!! Overtime. Sold out the garden. RIDICULOUS!! WHY AREN'T YOU MAKING FREE THROWS??? Duke is a free throw team!! Y'all are wil'in. This ain't how we play. And they lost by a point. Wack.

I was listening to the radio today when I heard this, "Yeah, I wanna give a shout out to Monte, locked down in Washington County, BABY DADDY HOLD IT DOWN!!" Really?

Daddy Daughter night led us to search the internet to find an Italian spot close to home.


We decided on JohnnyCarino's. I don't normally do this... but here's us in the car.

Surprisingly, it was pretty good. I'm not the biggest fan of chains. The bread is baked on site and was divine! I also had a muy delicioso Italian margarita. I love those. You can taste the grand marnier in them which I LOVE.

Here's us in the restaurant. (He said the pearls were overpowering (hello? the point!), but black is my color.)


I also bought some egg nog today when I went to the grocery store. I've already had one fat-filled glass. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. It ain't Christmas without egg nog.

Oh yeah. XM. I tell ya. They say we don't talk about anything.


JamesBrown. You. Are. Not. Saying. Anything.

But yes, it is funky... now.

Get Up, Get Out & Get Somethin'

We should probably do that, huh?  Yeah... we were both up talking on the phone for hours last night.  I went to bed at 3 and she was still up.  So we've been sleeping a lot but you know that's what I needed!!!  Feels great.  I don't think we're going to see the dinosaurs today.  We're watching Spanglish right now.  SO gorgeous.  Sorry the flowers there distracted me.  Love this movie.  Elaina (my sister) made barbecue chicken, corn, and green beans for lunch.  YUMMY!! Let's keep this one around!  Until tomorrow morning, anyway.  She starts her new job as a camp photographer!  Yay for the baby!

Tonight I want to go to Six Penn Kitchen.  I'm looking at the lobster mac and cheese and the crab cakes.  Maybe I can get someone to just get the lobster mac and cheese and I'll taste it.  Mmmm... Daddy wanted to stay in for Daddy Daughter Night and I was like "NO!  You said we celebrate me getting into grad school when Elaina gets here, including popping that bottle of Veuve."  Oh yeah!  So of course he gave in.  Hmph!  Act right!  "You know what this is... it's a celebration! Grab a drink, grab a glass!"  Can't wait.  And I'm making everyone dress up, too.  You know I have to run these things around here!  Lol.  Alright more movie time now.  Adios muchachos!

Daddy Droppin Wisdom

My dad has said some questionable things in the last week. That's his way. I guess that's everyone's way. With most people, for every gem or every few gems, there is some really off the wall, out of the way, out the box, nonsensical, ridiculous (get the picture?) comment.

But he's also said some things that were really amazing. One definite good thing that came out of the demise of my relationship is me actually sitting down and having a conversation with my father outside of our Thursday Daddy-Daughter nights (apparently since I don't mention them every week, people think they've gone to the wayside. nope. if we're both in town, we go). I'm not really up a whole lot when he's home, but we've been having some really in depth conversations which have let me into a different side of my father.

Although my mother encouraged it, my father and I never really talked about relationships very much. I don't know why. I was never shy talking to my mom about sex or relationships or anything for that matter. She always made it clear if we had any questions we should come to her so we don't get bad information from our friends (apparently I came back from a sleepover in 2nd or 3rd grade with some sort of insanity involving how babies get here). My sister did not take her up on that offer. I did.

My father has also let me into his thoughts on marriage and cohabitation. On marriage he said, "What makes marriage special is going through the leaps and bounds together. You're young together, grow old together, increase your financial stability." He was 35 when he married my 27-year-old mother. He said he was very set in his ways and that he believes the older you are the harder it is for you to blend your life with someone else's. Which makes sense. I just never thought of it like that. I also never thought to ask my father his thoughts on marriage since my parents are divorced. I guess a person with a failed marriage can also know a thing or two about what makes one work.

I was also watching my new crack, Run's House. I love that show. Run and Justine's family is so beautiful. They're fun and funny. Seeing their joy and love improves my outlook on life. It inspires me not to give up. And oddly enough, I was watching the Re-run with Run's daughters Angela and Vanessa doing commentary and Vanessa said something that resonated with me when it comes you achieving your goals. "Sky's the limit. Rock out." I KNOW THAT'S RIGHT! I'm notorious for my ambition and I'm going to make it happen. Everything.

I've also actually started another one of my new year's resolutions. Hm. I thought I put find a church on there. Tsk, tsk. Well that was one of my goals. I went to a church this Sunday recommended by a co-worker. Yeah... no. Not for me. Too small, bad sound system (hush, you have to have goals), too many songs, off-topic preacher, etc. etc. But I was glad I went because it inspired me to find one I DO like. I will be a church hopper until I find the church that's right for me. That means good choir, preferably somewhere close with multiple active ministries, but most importantly, a preacher who makes sense and does not ramble. I can't stand the 30+ minute sermons that relate in no way to the Bible and use 7 different topics. FOCUS! I am accepting suggestions.

Obsession Is A Sin

I am completely and utterly in love with this painting. Love it. You know how I feel about vibrant colors. I adore them. I don't even know what kind of flower that is but it's gorgeous! I think about this painting for hours a day. I kind of need it. So I'm pretty sure I need to buy it... but how do I justify the minor extravagance of even the price of the print? Leave your suggestions in the comments... lol.

I have so much cleaning to do. Argh. I need some real sleep. I haven't had any in about two weeks. You know my relationship with that phone. I've been sleeping in shifts a few hours long. That's also partly because I am working a lot. Oh work. You may me want to become a cutter with your long, long hours. Saturdays and Sundays seem to be getting longer. I'm no spring chicken you know. 11 hour days start to wear on you after a while-- you know 2 years.

One of my fave coworkers Cat, you know the one moving to Myrtle, had her going away party. I dragged myself out of bed after hitting snooze for about an hour to go even though by the time I got there I could only stay for about 20 minutes. Turns out it's probably for the best, though, since I wasn't drinking. It's pretty hard to stand in a bar with people who are nearly levitating and you're not drinking JUST because you have to go to work. Hahaha. I am sans social life. It's quite sad. But I will survive. Oh as long as I know how to --- (what's this word? Love?) I know I'll stay alive. Then Rashan, La and Joy had to go and meet, further ruining my life. I WANTED TO MEET LA AND JOY BEFORE ANYONE ELSE!! THAT'S NOT FAIR!!

My sister is coming on Tuesday. I think I'm gonna make her go see the dueling dinosaurs with me. I'm gonna try to use my 4-year-old student i.d. and she will definitely be pulling out her fresh one so we can slide some extra dollars off of the price! Don't call me cheap. If you do, you're just jealous. I want to go to this middle eastern restaurant, too since it's near there. That menu! The prices are so great I want to order like 15 things and make her try them all with me. It'll be great. I can't remember if she likes adventurous (i.e. non-"American") food. I think she does a little.

Ooh! Daddy should take us to Kaya for Daddy-Daughter Day this week. She should like that. Good times. He's so excited to have his fabulous daughters with him. I gave him his father's day card yesterday since I knew I wasn't gonna see him today and he was so excited. It was too cute. I'm the thoughtful child. I know that sounds vain but that's the consensus from both parents and my sister, so there. Not that the other one's not thoughtful, but I'm amazing. Nah mean? Hahahaha.

Gym Crazies, Frust, & My Crazy D

Sigh. I'm a magnet for the gym crazy. I just am. The other day this old lady says to me, "You have such nice square shoulders. Has anyone ever told you that before?" What????? "Um... no." "Yeah, see how mine are sloped? Yours are nice and square." "Oh... uh... thanks." WOW. You are a little tiny (at 5'1, I can look down at her) ball of crazy. This is the same woman who told me she piddled. Sigh. I think she will make conversation with a wall, though, honestly so I just humor her.


That reminds me that I called my grandmother the other day. Every time I call her she either tells me I made her day, her week or her month. It's fantastic! Lol. You know how I am about compliments. Oh you slay me! Lololol. So if your grandparents are still alive (she's the only one I have left), give them a call please. They'd love to hear from you. Most of her grandchildren don't call because she used to be really mean. Omg! I have to utter something for you. "Devil get on outta here." Of course there are tangents. Did I really say "teeny tiny itty bitty baby lizards"? Were they small?


Back to the other gym crazy. G. Oh G. Why did Stace & Rashan talk you up? I hadn't seen you in at least a week and a half. That's a lot considering you work out near daily. I didn't know if maybe you got locked up (they won't let you out) but I guess not. I don't really care enough about your jail situation to ask. Is that wrong? I don't care. Saturday at the gym who do I see him working out with a dude and a girl. I smile and wave and keep it moving. He smiles (he does have a cute smile. Something about dimples...), waves and yells out "AY!! WHERE YOU BEEN?!" No. You didn't. Couth. It's not hard. Or maybe it is. I reply much less loudly, "Around, where have YOU been?" then continue to walk downstairs. Except I hear "AY!!" EVEN LOUDER. Huh uh. I can not condone your bad behavior. I just glower through my upper eyelashes as I walk down the stairs and continue on my way. Get your life together, please. That is not cute.


I was reading My Utmost for His Highest (the problem with a lack of awareness of days is that sometimes you get behind and don't even know it... I think I'm a day behind. I'll just uh! double up, uh uh!) yesterday morning or the day before and it was talking about lust and how giving in to it like being owned by your frust... or whatever sort of lust you have, with the definition of lust being something you believe you must have NOW. I was like huh???? FRENCH FRIES YOU DON'T OWN ME, SON!! So yeah. That has given me further resolve to give in no more to my frust. Because I thought about it. It becomes a slippery slope. You give in once and say, "Why not just one more time and one more time and oh who cares?" Not the kid!! YOU CAN'T RUN ME FRENCH FRIES!! ONE MORE WEEK B! (Or should I say F?)


Since Palm Sunday (today) to Easter is Holy Week and I eat way too much fast food, I decided to give up fast food for Holy Week. This will require me to cook... for the first time in probably months... I know that's bad but it's the truth. My dad buys my food a lot (he brings home lunch) and when I go to a restaurant, I always take home enough for my work lunch the next day. What? I have a small appetite. Plus I eat out on Tuesday before Bible Study to pass the time, then I eat out on Thursday for Daddy Daughter. And we can't forget breakfast on Sunday mornings before church. Those are just the guarantees and don't include my usual stop at A.rby's on the way to work almost every night. They recognize MY VOICE and know my condiments. It's really quite bad. So this is the first step to getting a handle on that.


My daddy is nutty. He cracks me up sometimes. The best days are days like yesterday (Saturday) where I go to work for my whole life 11 hours (that's not the good part), go to the gym, come home and talk to Stace for 2 hours while D cooks my breakfast. Good stuff man, good stuff. Well the working hard, then grabbing my just reward part. AND getting something accomplished to boot. Kielbasa, 2 eggs over hard (I don't like runny yolks), grits and wheat toast. Oh breakfast, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I still need to memorize that poem... Do you know people who say rememberize? Horridnessocity.

Day 3: My Parents

This daily blogging challenge has landed on a topic I don't mind talking about... my parents.  I was going to talk about both of them but I started with my dad and kept going and going and going so mom's going to get her own separate post.

My parents separated when I was 13 after years of arguing and bad behavior.  I was sad that he was leaving, but happy that my mother was finally taking a stand.  They were terrible together.  Their divorce became final when I was 17 but my mom didn't tell us for about 6 months because she was afraid of how we would react.  I was always on her side so I really didn't understand this.  But it really had to do with my sister.  She always wanted our parents to get back together.  I guess she didn't realize how unhappy they were as a unit.  They are much better apart.  Their divorce has been amicable and they are almost friends.  He still gets on her nerves but now she can escape.  Click!  But he still calls her his only wife.  He never wants to remarry.

We saw him whenever we wanted and his home was our second home.  He'd come home after traveling for weeks and have nothing but beer & mustard in his refrigerator & peanut butter in the pantry, the only things that would keep for those long periods away.  We loved going to the grocery store with him to pick out what we wanted to eat.  He would push us on the end of the cart long after we should've been doing it.  I know I had to be 17.  LOLOL!! 

My dad traveled a lot for work when we were younger, sometimes to exotic places like Mexico, Brazil or Sweden for weeks or months at a time.  So we didn't know him very well growing up.  In the summer, though, their off-season, he would be off for weeks at a time.  He would cook us breakfast or lunch or dinner and be our toy.  It was like having a fun visitor during the summer.  A strange thing to say about your dad, but it was true.  He made an effort to be there for our major events and even some minor ones, band concerts, choir solos.  He once told me he had co-workers who missed their childrens' graduations and one man missed his daughter's wedding.  I told him this is unacceptable and not allowed.  Between us, my sister and I have graduated 5 times and he's been present for every one.

My dad is a middle child... OF NINE!!!  He was the baby of his family for less than 2 years i.e. not long enough to remember it.  The day I realized all of this was the day I had a moment of clarity about why he is the way he is.  He is such a middle child, lost in the shuffle.  He is constantly picking at people TO GET ATTENTION.  If he realizes there is something that gets you riled up, that's the topic he will bring up at regular or semi-regular intervals.  It can be maddening.  But my mom taught me a trick for dealing with this: never let him see you sweat.  If he doesn't know he's irritating you, he'll stop and say, "You're no fun."  The first time I saw that in action, I was so overjoyed at beating him at his own game, I started cracking up!  I was out of college and living with him when this happened.  Another middle child trait he possesses: his loner ways.  I cannot name a single friend of my father's from my childhood.  I hear some names now when we talk but he's never had a lot of friends.  (Sounds like someone else I know... (Ahem. Rashan.))

When my sister and I were younger, he would help with our math homework.  He was in the military for several years, went to college for a year but never finished.  His parents never encouraged him to go to college.  It wasn't really something that males did where he was raised.  He's from Robeson County, the poorest county in North Carolina.  His father was a farmer, his mother a housewife.  Most of his five sisters went to college.  None of his 4 brothers did.  But my father was huge on education.  He wanted his girls to have the best.  We grew up with everything we needed and a lot of what we wanted within reason.  He's very proud that two of his daughters are college graduates. 

He has two other children from a relationship before my mother who have not done as well.  He was often a bad father to them.  It really hurt me to see the difference in how he treated us.  I used to be very angry with him and let him know it frequently until I talked to my brother about it.  He said, "You can't hold on to those things."  It was an epiphany for me.  How can I be mad when the one I feel he mistreated has forgiven him and has a good relationship with him.  So now my father and I have a lot more peace in our relationship.

I'm very glad that I moved to Pittsburgh for 3 years and lived with him after college.  Because he traveled so much when I was growing up, it really was our first time living together full-time.  I chronicled our relationship many times on this blog including our ups and downs.  I was able to talk to him like I thought fathers and daughters should and I think help him become a better father.  I think he would agree and so would my sister.  We had daddy-daughter days where we'd go out, just the two of us, for dinner and/or a movie.  We had a great time.  So my dad is not perfect but we've always known that he was there for us and I'm glad to say he still is. And it's also HIS birthday month!  His birthday is August 21st, two days before mine!  :)

Let's Talk About Nothing

I worked 60 hours last week. Since last Saturday as in September, I've only had one day off. One. That's also why I haven't blogged in a couple of days. Sorry guys. I worked more than 12 hours yesterday. I've skipped the gym multiple days.

Hey Fat Arms!!
This guy at work said guys don't care about that skin under your arms, only women care about that. He said you will never hear a man talking about that part of a woman's body. Hmmmmmmmm. I never thought about that. Men... is this true? I will TOTALLY never lift a barbell or free weight or ANYTHING again if 5 of you confirm. GO! LOLOLOL. GOOD THING I SKIPPED THE GYM!!

I'm drinking a beer. Yep. At 11:30am. But I've been up since midnight so for me it's happy hour. Like some people have a glass of wine, I'll have a beer or two. Today it's Amber Bock. Yum. I used to start at 10:30 or 1, right when I got home from work. When I first started working there I was sooooooooo extra stressed. The last 3 days have been extra crazy, too. I didn't get drunk, though.

Homecoming. It's in 10 days!! Geez. Well, that's when I leave. I'll be reunited with the homies!! If we don't do anything but go to a couple of bars we'll have a blast!! Especially since I've put J-rod in charge of our entertainment and he's agreed. Should he flake I'll hunt him down and will feel a-ok about it. It'll be great!

I love my mom. She's so great. AND she just cut off her hair and went natural! Get it girl! Can't wait to see it. Her hair is extra soft and curly anyway (ol' 1/8 white self) so I don't know what she was waiting on. But she loves it.

OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB!!! This month's book is Love in the Time of Cholera. I loooooooove that book! It's fab. Go read it. It's long. Be warned.

Rock of Lov.e R.eunion. I'm watching it now. Da.llas said she doesn't date black guys. Sigh. The self-hate is soooooooo un-cute. There is no reason for you to be black and not date black guys. You can listen to rock and date black guys. There are black guys who like rock. I promise. So wack. Get that together girl. Please. That might be the reason you have the extra straight weave pulled over one shoulder and the extra nappy bang pulled to the same side. You know I love the nattys (naturals) but you have to rock it right. Get it together honey!

And He.ather looks sooo drunk and botoxed. But I like her. She's fun. Now I'm about to watch America's Mo.st Smarte.st Mode.l. Hahahahaha. Can't wait. So funny. This one girl looks frighteningly thin. Yikes. For Daddy Daughter day me and dad had wings, pizza, beer and watched Ugly Betty and Grey's. I let him talk through the former but quickly shushed him all through Grey's. He was a bit miffed by that but it had to be done. Sorry D! Still love you mucho. Promise! Lol.

Mindspacing Vol. 7

Pretty sure there are way more than that but it's the 7th post I could find which specifically mentioned mindspacing i.e. flying through my mind rapid fire just grabbing everything there.

* Still didn't hear back on that apartment with the hardwood floor. Pretty sure I need it and will be stalking the rental company.
* Errands to run tomorrow include: picking up altered pants and dry cleaning, buying last minute packing stuff and buying something (but what???) to bring with me to my co-worker's burger night tomorrow.
* Watching Project Runway "The 5th Season of Fabulous" as Heidi christened it. YAY! The latest ep. doesn't come on until 7. The guy who got cut first is delusional. You do not make beautiful clothes. You make ax murderer chic. Pretty sure there's not a market for that. "A pterodactyl out of a gay Jurassic park???" TIM!! LOL.
* My co-worker bought me a giant cookie for my going away. I hacked away at it indiscriminately today taking care not to eat any of the frosting flowers. You know how I feel about frosting. It's synonymous with cake. Ew.
* Stop referring to yourself in 3rd person, Suede. It's annoying. And dumb. (PR again) Shhh to all of you curling your tongue to call me a hypocrite.
* Tonight I don't have to work and get to talk to Rashan for hours and hours and hours! Yay!!
* If my dad doesn't have a date tonight I think we'll have our last daddy daughter day. Pretty sure I can also get him to cancel his date to hang out with me since he calls them, direct quote, "The date from hell." That's his "girlfriend" of about 5 years who has 2 young children-- 6 and 8. Don't get me started on that. And no, they're not his kids! Lol. He wasn't in Pittsburgh then.
* He bought a case of Yuengling. But after drinking the last two days in celebration, I'm good on additional alcohol.
* Tired of this whiny weird garbage bag woman which means at least 3 more episodes of her and her awful voice. Great. (PR)
* I need to work out. Pretty sure I can get my dad to go to the park with me tomorrow. That works because I need to recycle my old InStyle mags. I'm not carting them across the country. Mad sad right? I know.
* I want one of those Mood bags from Project Runway. Pretty sure I need this mug for my birthday (22 DAYS!! YOU KNOW YOU LOVE COUNTDOWNS!!) even though I don't drink coffee or its by products (which my (FORMER!!) coworkers consider a miracle as I work(ed!!!) overnights). I still like mugs SOMETIMES.
* I also want this long-sleeved Gator tee! Ooh and this tank top! But this is hideous!! People. You don't need a gator on everything. I'm on the fence with the pink line... I need to see it on me. I'm not big on logos from companies on my clothes.
* Tim Gunn used the phrase "hot mess" as a descriptor. Somewhere PCS is celebrating!!
* I need to pack my face off! But I haven't today at all. I just haven't felt like it. I could've probably been done but ehhh that's no fun!
* Team Ugly Brown fabric = hilarity! Love the phrase from one of the designers. We're watching PR together and D said, "It just jumps out at you and scares you." Hahahahahaha. We're discussing all the outfits. Fab.
* My dad's ringer is the loudest possible. Turns out he has no date tonight and is already on beer number 2. I think I'm gonna order pizza and wings. It's our old standby. Pizza and wings ordered.
* NEW EPISODE I HAVEN'T SEEN APPROACHING!!!
* My pointer finger is itching.
* I know I should be washing clothes... I should do that now... yeah? Yeah. Especially the things that need to hang to dry...
* 48 hours from now I will be in CHARLOTTE!! And I should have my new computer!!
* Why did I spend $449 at the car shop? Stupid brakes and rotors. At least I had the money.
* I know a few other things I want for my birthday but I don't feel like linking to it right now. I think I need another nap.

Miss Popularity

It's gonna be a busy week! I went to the gym after work today, then the mall. As soon as I finish this post I have to take a nap because I'm going to see former blogger Ace (I don't think he's posted since June!!) perform w/a band & in Irish bar downtown tonight. Well more like afternoon. I figure I'll head over there around 4, get there around 4:30 and leave at 6. I know that's crazy but c'est la vie when you have to be at work at 1 a.m. and he's not performing until 4-8. Plus it's still daylight so I shouldn't get snatched.

Tomorrow my schedule's free. No noon Bible study because we're doing joint Holy Week services all week with another church. I won't be attending because... yeah that whole sleep thing. I might go to the church office to volunteer, though. We'll see.

Wednesday I'm going to see Phar.rell with cool new co-worker.


Let me tell you how much I love that song!!!!!!!!! So fab. Is that A.merie in the video? I'm hoping maybe they (N.erd) will have some fab special guests but I doubt it since it's at this itty bitty club. And it's also Pittsburgh. This place isn't known for it's great diverse artist appearances. But I'm excited about this concert. It will require another "nap first" day. I'm also supposed to get up with blogger D.P. and his wife. He also invited me to Easter dinner at his momma's house. "We be grubbin, everybody likes when mama cooks somethin'. Eat mac and cheese and greens and stuffin. We be grubbin... ay ay look here look here."

Thursday me and dad need to get in some Daddy Daughter day action since we missed it last week-- fell asleep on Wednesday, Bible class on Thursday. My co-workers have also asked me to join them on what they deem "The Experience." I don't even want to know but it's kind of scary. Lol. Cool new co-worker is going, too, though so we've already determined we'll leave if it gets too crazy. Ha!

Is that enough? Too much to me. I'm tired just looking at it. I might not go to any of it! Lol. I kid I kid! (Maybe) Alright! I already have my ticket for the concert so I'm def going to that. My dad cooked lunch today-- fish and rice. That's the third day in a row. The previous two days it was breakfast. Can we do a happy dance for him cooking? I'll take care of that for you.

*dancin! dancin! danciiiiiiiiiiiiin! dancin machiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!!*

Accomplishments?

Daddy-daughter night yesterday was beer, pizza and chicken wings and me dodging his entreaties about politics. Day. Off. I don't know why I have to explain every single week that NEWS is my JOB and I don't want to talk about it when I'm not at work. He goes, "That's work to you?" Are you joking? You know where I work. Get it together. I've been living with people my whole life. Enough's enough. I'm tired of entertaining people 24-7. I'm moving out in August.

2-hour Grey's season finale last night. I'm not going to give any details away but there was too much closure. I know that's a weird thing to say but I feel like I could stop watching forever and won't have missed a whole lot. It felt like a series finale. I'm not too sure about the direction they're taking some of the characters, particularly Callie so maybe I'll do just that. Who knows.

I don't know why my mood just went so severely downhill. I think it was my father talking to me. I can't ever just walk in the house and be. Remember that episode of SATC where C.arrie asked Aid.en not to talk to her the second she walked in the house? That's how I feel every single day that he's here when I get here. Can I have like 15 minutes of not talking. Same way when I wake up and he's awake. Please go away. I know that's probably wrong or weird but I need to decompress from whatever I've just experienced whether it's work/gym/bible study-- some sort of interaction with the world-- or sleep. I'm not a morning person and waking up at 10:15 or 11:45 p.m. doesn't negate that. It's morning to me. Leave me alone.

I got some things done online today. Then me and my coworker who is moving to Myrtle B.each (ew-- SUCH a touristy beach. I like crowds but not at my beaches.) went to S.quare Cafe. I had a cheese and avocado omelet topped with salsa with a side of wheat toast and potatoes. Very yummy. I usually try to get their specials (like the chicken crepes) and am usually quite pleased. The spanish eggs benedict was yum-o! Particularly that hollandaise... mmm! After that we went to the conservatory since it was media day and we got in for free. It was very pretty and huge. It took us an hour and a half to walk around minus the tour. We both expected a lot less green and more flowers, but it was still interesting.

I think I'm also annoyed because though I accomplished some things-- cleaning up and cleaning out some stuff I don't need anymore, there are other things I wanted to get done today that I didn't and I need to go to sleep in the next 45 minutes or so. I never do anything on my days off and I'm too tired to do much on my days on. I rarely come straight home which is very annoying. I'm very over this schedule. Very very over it. Want to know my least favorite day of the week? Friday. I go in at 11:30 p.m. and don't get off until 10:30 Saturday morning. And I spend all day Friday planning how much sleep I'm going to get and what things in my life that need to be done I will be ignoring. It's horridnessocity personified. Alright I'm done being grumpy for now. At least it's pretty warm today. I'll take my consolation prize.

He Really is Insane

As he grabs a giant glob of butter, I say loudly to D's chest, "I'M SORRY!"
To him I say, "That was for your heart."
He replies while looking at his chest, "I'M NOT SORRY!" Muttering, "You break too easily."

LMAO!!!!! CRAZY MAN!! This was while we were at dinner (Daddy Daughter night, of course) last night at this place called the Wooden Nickel. Don't recommend. The non-smoking section was a mere formality considering it's uber tiny and directly next to the bar. The food was fair. My salad was drenched in ranch and the prices were outrageous for the type of place it was. Small menu, $16 to $30+ entrees. Even the chicken salad was in the neighborhood of $14. I wanted to try something different. I started to walk out when I saw the "non-smoking section" and then again when I saw the lame menu. Stick to my instincts.

Next week is Thanksgiving. My dad is going out of town, of course. I don't have to work, but I also have no plans. I'm kind of okay with that. Since I usually work holidays, and my dad goes out of town, I take the Boston Market route. It's become my routine. The last 2 Christmases I went there. Last Thanksgiving I went to Norfolk to hang with Wynel and her now-hubby Sinclair's family. WHOA! This time last year, I certainly would not have been thinking they would be married!! That's crazy. The passage of time just smacked me in the face. And this time next year they could be parents. Who knows? AHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Wynel said Sinclair asked if I was coming to Thanksgiving again this year. Isn't that sweet?! I decided I'm saving my money this year. I did extend invitations to others to come hang with me, but no takers. Ah well. I will revel in the Christmas music! And I may go shopping! (So much for saving money)

OOH!!! My mom is the best!! She bought me a subscription to Rachael Ray mag for Christmas!!!!!!!! I got the email yesterday and here's what it said. "[Mommy] has given you a one-year gift subscription to everyone's favorite cooking magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray. How cool is that! I mean to have my christmas shopping done ahead of time this year, ha, ha! or should it be ho, ho, ho!!!" And how hilarious is it that I can't tell which part is her writing and which is Rachael Ray. So jolly! Yay!!!!!!!!!!

I have this thing about leopard print. Me and Stace. We hate it. It's so fake sexy. And I really can't stand it with red. Do you know my dad also wishes it would go away??!?! FAB!! Oh! Also, this daily blogging thing has given me and Stace the wherewithal to get back to semi-regular posting on the Record Dish, too! So check, ch ch check check check a check it out! Have I told you much this one Rihanna song makes me want to get up and dance? O.M.G.!!

I had to download it as much as I normally object to Rihanna. I still can't stand umbrella ella ella SHOOT ME IN THE FACE!!! That reminds me. I need to update my ipod playlists for the gym. There are at least 7 workout playlists with too many songs, there's another called newest from at least 2 months ago. Reeeemix! I bought Chris Brown and Britney Spears, mostly for dance stuff. Any other suggestions for upbeat workout music??? Leave 'em!

Also... it's snowing. The average high is in the low 50s. The high today is 37. Bah humbug.

GET ME OUT OF HERE!!

I know it's a bit early in 2008 to want to get away, but may I? The thing about my job is that we're not allowed to take vacation days during the ratings periods and the week preceding. That means February, May, July, and November. Done. So I feel like I need to get out NOW or I have to wait until March and I don't know if I will make it. I just need a 3 month week FINE!! day break from this city. Stace didn't help. Coming here and all. Y'all know I'm fun in a 5'1 1/4" package with fabulous shoes!! I don't know how to do something or be somewhere without enticing fun to come play. That is not exactly encouraged with my present schedule. Going to bed at 4 in the afternoon and waking up at 11:45 does not a fun-loving schedule make! Life can be so wearying. I'm also thinking of breaking the now 63-day blogging streak. You know, break things up. But it's SUCH a habit that I really just want to see how long I can go.

Today after the gym, I brought home BostonM.arket for me and dad. Yum. We also sat and chatted in a Daddy-Daughter day type way. I always ask him a lot of questions about his life. I'm piecing it together. He moved to Charlotte after graduating from high school, then joined the AirF.orce, traveled a bit, then moved back to his hometown, Rowland, NC. We're watching "TheWhol.e10Yar.ds" and enjoying glasses of wine. Well, he's enjoying it. It's red which I usually find to be bitter and disgusting. Today is not an exception. First drink of the new year. I was about to go to work not long after ringing in 2008. My toast? With water. *shudder*

Winter Workout

Is everyone aware that it's still FALL!?!? I had to remind myself as I looked out the window this morning at the snow-covered pine trees while the flakes fell. I like to watch snow falling. I like for people to bring me food when it's snowing. I like to watch children playing in the snow. I even like to make snow angels. I DO NOT like to drive in it. This means I have not gone anywhere since I came home at 10:45 Wednesday morning. Since I'm off Thursdays and "Fridays," that means I go nowhere until I have to go to work Friday night.

I'd planned on going to the gym Wednesday and Thursday. When I didn't go either day, I said "Friday! Friday's the day!" Except it was snowing when I got ready to go out and I promptly u-turned in my house, just as I was about to put on my snow boots. No indeed. I'm not afraid of snow. I just would prefer to stay out of it if given the option.

Since I skipped the gym, I decided to give myself a winter workout and shovel the snow. That way I don't have to worry about it when I finally leave the house tonight, I get my workout in, AND I can warm up my car and clean off the inch or two on top of it. Another thing I don't have to be bothered with tonight. Score two for me. Plus I figure if I get my hair all sweaty, I'll go wash it and watch "Sideways" since I bought it. I now buy DVDs when they're on sale at Target. $6.50 or $5. Who can beat those prices?! Love it. So I bought "Sideways" and "Hotel Rwanda." I'd decided I would start collecting Oscar-nominated films. Why not? I know my dad will watch the latter with me so I'll bust it out one of the Daddy-Daughter days when Grey's is a rerun and there's nothing at the movies.

The workout. I put on my "A Christmas Workout!" playlist (yes, with the exclamation point) that I made yesterday and went to work. After I'd cleared the walkway, around my car, and my dad's space, I wiped the snow off my car. Then I looked down and said, "Hmmm... maybe I should've done this first." Ah well. What's a few more scoops of the shovel? I got a 25 minute workout in AND saved myself some trouble later today. But now my right hand hurts. Maybe twisting my hair isn't the brightest idea right now. Afro it is. I'm also washing clothes. See? I can be productive without leaving the house! :P Not feeling the Christmas spirit right now despite my efforts. I'll explain tomorrow. Bah humbug.

Nosy

I'm bored and a bit at a loss right now. So I need y'all to get your none of your business on and ask me some questions. As long as it does not make the blog prude in me cringe, ask away.

Also... I had a fab dream about Rocky last night. It was a delight. He stayed at my mom's house and we were hanging out. Then we went to the park and he surprised everyone there. He became like my big brother... though I guess he'd be more like a dad since he's old enough to be mine... Working with people old enough to be your parents erases those parental vibes from them. So he was like an older brother, dropping knowledge and just chillin. Too bad I can't remember specifics on what we were talking about but what a great dream!! I also sent him a twitter yesterday! Oh yeah I remember in the dream his wife's friend checking up to make sure I wasn't putting the moves on him. I actually loved it because I think Shell is SO fab and I want everyone to do everything they can to protect their union and beautiful family. I love his daughters' names, too. Definitely thinking about incorporating those when I pop out some school chidlers.

I also mailed off my ABSENTEE BALLOT!! and my grandma's birthday card (she'll be 81 on Sunday). Next up: the never-ending stream of bridal showers, weddings, and graduations. Jesus keep me near the cross. Daddy-daughter day today. I want some ethnic food. Maybe I can convince my dad to get Mexican. Cross your fingers. And I might even find my hubby chef. Hey Diva, who's the Top Chef chef who works near you?

Thursday 13

I don't know why I love these so. I guess because they're amusing. Like Claud's and Shuv's (Still no word on whether she's okay with me calling her that. I saw it in some Brit Lit book and it's stuck.) and Sandy's.

I'm really excited about life today! I should say right now. Because saying today is a bit eh with my mood swings. Don't worry, they're not violent. Just a bit unpredictable. BUT usually easily shaken. Today is daddy-daughter day and he's given me carte blanche to select our activity. I'm considering the Ind.iana Jones movie. We'll see. But for today's Thursday 13, I will do 13! things! I'm! excited! about!

1) Being off Saturday night! If nothing else I get to go to Church on Sunday before 11:45. Unfortunately my pastor won't be there. As Prez, he'll be away this weekend. Boooo. Before you say something like what a waste! Allow me to let you know 1) I can't stand missing church or dragging myself in there and 2) don't like being extraordinarily tired in there and not being able to do anything else on Sunday, 3) I asked one of my coworkers about going out Saturday and never got a response. OH WELL!! I'm absolutely okay with either hanging out with myself (lol) or hanging out with myself! Plus I know some people who will be more than willing to entertain me on the phone for hours and hours and hours.

2) A trip to Florida! It's so time again! Me and Stace will have another great time! You know how we roll!

3) SATC movie!! I wasn't into it that much until the last year or two. I like to wait until shows are in syndication to pay any attention to them. You know the blog prude in me that carries over into real life, "your little PG-13 life" as one loser described it, likes the lessened nudity. Anyway the show comes on while I'm at work so I've seen at least 5 episodes a week for the last year or so (I didn't know about it being on before). That means I've gotten to like it a bit and want to see the movie! Yes, I know it won't be censored. I'll just cover my eyes. Lol. I'm kidding. There's a 12:02 am showing. I think I might go. I wish there was someone here to go with. Anyone want to come with?

4) Rocky. YOU ARE SO AWESOME!!

5) A CHANGE!! I know it's coming! I just know it! I can feel it! "Can you feeeeel it!!?" *running in place* And I know G(od) is gonna hook me up!

6) My line sister's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICHOLE! YOU ROCK OLD LADY! 26? Wow! You're gettin' up there!

7) Seeing my mommy again. She's so fun.

8) Being in love again. Love is so fab. You get to run and jump and sing! Lol. I'm cracking myself up. I'm watching Stace's fave, L.ove Actually. Movies are so much easier to understand when you finally see the beginning! I hadn't ever seen it before or I'd seen the end so many times.

9) Going on a walk tomorrow. It will be my third time working out this week. I've been slacking on the exercise so it's good to get back into it. I've only gone once a week for the last couple of weeks. Travel makes getting there crazy. I'm feeling my pecs today which is always fun. My workout hasn't been challenging to me lately. It's boring me. I need more variety. Does anyone want to be my trainer?

10) Getting out of Pittsburgh. Doesn't matter when or for how long. I know I just left 2 weeks ago but I'm ready again. Lol.

11) Weddings! I just realized I haven't told you about all the weddings I've been invited to this year and the reason I have or will miss it.

a) KS (co-worker), got married in Vegas, late April. Ratings period. The May "book" as we call it starts in late April.

b) Kim (cousin on my dad's side), married in H.ilton Head, SC, early May. Ratings period. I got all teary-eyed and upset looking at the pictures of that one. I was really sad I wasn't there.

c) Jasmine (cousin mom's side), Mississippi, early June. She's 20. No real reason.

d) Lauren (another co-worker), Here, early July. Going!

e) Erica (cousin on dad's side), Charlotte, late September. Going!

And I have another bridal shower/engagement party to attend in 2 weeks of fave roomie's line sister. Phew! Are you tired?? I am! Lol.

12) Pictures! It'd be nice if someone could crop all of these for me. This is an extraordinarily lazy edition of TT huh? I am just not in the mood to work. Is that so wrong? I think it's so right. So so right. Say you like it.

13) Being me! They were all talking about my posing when I took this picture hence the hysterical giggling you see! Hahahahaha.

Apparently my cousin Kim was taking pictures before her honeymoon and said, "This is the Jameil pose." Lol. It wasn't the above but I love that I was there in spirit! Too fab.

Improvement

The best thing about life is that it ebbs and flows. That means no matter how bad things seem right now, at this very moment, eventually it will all be behind you. The plans for homecoming are coming together... finally. I'm determined to have fun because at the very least, I'll be reuniting with my girls who I LOVE!!, dressed fabulously and seeing a few familiar faces. PLUS I have my business cards finally which means I'M AN ADULT!! So I'll be handing those out just to prove it. I'm thinking of making it rain with them. It'll be great.

For Daddy-Daughter night last night, Dad & I went to Olive Garden. Great idea since I'd been wanting an Italian margarita ALL DAY! So fab. It comes with a sidecar of amaretto liqueur. You pour it in and it completely transforms the flavor. Delicious. Excuse me, delicioso! Maybe that's Spanish. I also had zuppa tuscana (soup with sausage and cabbage) and prosciutto-stuffed chicken with orecchiette (ear-shaped) pasta. The pasta was a bit dry but the chicken was good as was the soup.

I also talked to our class dictator, I mean president, from Hampton on instant messenger yesterday. He was president all four years and had everyone brainwashed to spell his first and last name every time he got up to speak. Oh the hilarity. Graduation weekend, he got us spelling at the banquet. Everyone there was already up to speed and spelled at commencement. His speech was better, and more memorable, than the president's, who was our graduation speaker that year. Let it be known that there really isn't much anyone can say to hold my attention at a graduation ceremony. They bore me. No one is here to listen to your speech, no matter how riveting, unless you're Oprah. We are here to get those pieces of paper which somehow give us credibility.

That was the biggest let down for me. I got my degree on May 9th, 2004 (at football games, me and my friend JoEllen used to yell out a la Lil John, "MAY 9TH!! IT'S ON THE MAP!!" It was so funny.) and it was like, "Now what? I spent the last 4 years of my life working for this. A piece of paper." I didn't have a job and was about to be ripped from the family I'd created at my home by the sea. I didn't cry, though. I'd gotten all of that out of my system the night before when we ran across Ogden Circle.

(For non-Hamptonians, there is a large grass-covered circle in front of Ogden Hall surrounded by a thin cement border. When you arrive, you are told if you cross that circle (which is actually an Indian burial ground), you won't graduate on time. My mother, also a Hamptonian, told me about it and the people she knew who crossed it and did not graduate on time. When I got there, I helped perpetuate it and took note of all the people I knew who crossed it. None of them graduated from Hampton on time, if they graduated at all. Explain it how you wish.)

Traditionally, the night before graduation, or the Friday before, I can't remember, regardless, all the graduating seniors meet at Ogden Circle and at midnight run across screaming and yelling. We congregate and take pictures... and drink. My mom said the drinking was not a part of it and the older alumni were not too happy about that. Ah well. Then all who want to participate gather on the steps of Ogden, where it all began with our freshman induction, join hands, and sing the Alma Mater. My mother was a music major and is active in the Charlotte Chapter of the Hampton Alumni Association, so I've been singing this song in all its parts for the majority of my life. I LOVE THIS SONG!! Me and my mom sing it in harmony in the car whenever we're headed back. It's fab. That night, the 7th or the 8th, after we sang the alma mater, as me, my sister and the drankin patnah headed back to the d.p.'s room to refill our cups, I started bawling. It was so pitiful. Lol.

So the day of graduation, I was more disappointed, lost, and maybe even disenfranchised than sad. I knew it was the beginning of something else, but I didn't know where I was supposed to start. This reminds me of a strange memory of Homecoming 2001. Me, the d.p. and her crazy roommate were walking around after the game. At Hampton, you're indoctrinated with a love for your class. All of the classes have names which the senior class passes down to the freshmen. Quintessence (aka QT, the purest, most concentrated essence under the sun), and lesser classes, Onyx and Ogre. The seniors when we arrived were QTIV, we were QTV. Q-U-I-N-T-E-S-S-E-N-C-E, QUINTESSENCE FIVE! Q-T-V!! Even people who don't think they will get all into the class stuff. It's like gang wars. We have colors and everything.

So anyway, we're walking around and these guys see one of us has on a quintessence shirt. They start chatting us up and we find out they're in QTI. HOTNESS!! They have a bucket of chicken so we ask for some. They oblige and then we're off. SO BIZARRE!! And hilarious.

Yesterday I started planning my outfits. I had to get excited before I could get my outfits together. I will be breaking out one of my fabulous hats, either for the game or for the bazaar. I haven't decided yet. Hopefully it won't be raining because I'm wearing the black one with the feather. It's wool and you know how wool smells when it's wet... disgusting. Blasted sheep. But sheep I love you though. While I was planning the outfits, I realized I still needed to try on all of my jeans. I have this thing about jeans. I don't ever give any away. My friends gave me tons of jeans in college so I have about 20 pairs in various sizes. The smallest ones made me take a deep breath before sliding them on, only to find out THEY ALL FIT!! YEAH GYM!!! Man I'm so glad I've been working out. Hotness! I have lots of stuff to wear on the bottom. Now whatever shall I wear on top? Decisions, decisions. I love trips.