A Random Lottery of Meaningless Tragedy... [entries|friends|calendar] sophie832 [ website | Live Journal ] [ userinfo | livejournal userinfo ] [ calendar | livejournal calendar ]

CMLXXIV [08 Dec 2006|02:33pm] [ mood | rejuvenated ] I've been keeping this LJ for over 2 1/2 years, always public. I don't want to stop posting because I enjoy getting all my thoughts out and keeping a record of my life. A lot of you know I've taken a lot of shit for my posts, but I have no regrets. If I choose to vent about random crap without using names, that's my perogative. Many people have gone from my friends to my "don't want in my life"'s, and for some reason those people just can't stay out of my blog. They read it anyway, I know they do. Should I be oddly flattered they care so much? I think not. Frankly, I'm getting tired of it. As many such immature "haters" have always said, if I make it public, I have to deal with whomever reads it. That is the one thing they're right about...and I'm not ok with dealing anymore. It's none of your business, and I have nothing to say to you. So, to those of you who get your pathetic kicks out of reading my posts everyday to analyze them for ammo, this one's for you: From now on, all my posts will be FRIENDS ONLY. If you still need to be added to my friends list, contact me :) {9} ♥ Are You Gifted?

CMLXXIII [08 Dec 2006|01:46pm] [ mood | happy ] I have 2 tickets to Sunday's Acoustic Xmas, and some hamantaschen. I am a happy woman :) {5} ♥ Are You Gifted?

CMLXXII [07 Dec 2006|04:37pm] [ mood | satisfied ] Ugghhh! How can some people be so hypocritical???? And how is it that others just fall for it? Why don't the truly honest and loyal ones in the world ever triumph? It reminds me a bit of our govt...corrupt people win more often than not. The ones who play the game, do everything behind everyone's back, win the popularity contests by pretending to be everyone's friend...they end up getting into positions of power. True, every great once-in-a-while, they are shown for who they really are, but even then it doesn't really change their attitude. The dark side of the force is just too powerful, I guess. Either that, or the majority of people are just too stupid and can't get their priorities straight. It's sad to see so many of my friends get taken for a ride, but I can't stop them, and I'm not going to try. They are my friends, but knowing that they are so vulnerable to manipulation makes me feel that I can't be close to them. I would only get stressed and worried, and no amount of venting in any blog would cure it. If only they could know what I know...if only. I can't wait to find out who's next, and if it all implodes someday, I'm just going to watch from afar with a knowing smile, and I will never be manipulated again. {11} ♥ Are You Gifted?

CMLXXI [06 Dec 2006|10:54pm] [ mood | tired ] For once I can say I've had a pretty relaxing week. Granted, part of it was sort of mandatory, but I've enjoyed it. I got to talk to a friend I hadn't seen in a long time, and we really enjoyed catching up. I've done a bit of Xmas shopping (although I still have more to do). I got a new phone, 'cause my old one died. I spent a lot of today with Jennifer, Luis' middle sister, which was nice since I hadn't seen her in quite a while. I've been doing a lot of work at home, but tomorrow it's the office all day for phone duty. Phone duty on a Thursday's not too bad, though, since I already have to go into the office for our weekly meeting, and I get to wear jeans all day (we have blue jean Thursdays instead of Fridays because most of us have the 9/80 schedule). I know my L-man has worked very hard getting all my Xmas presents, and he seems to be sure they are perfect. Of course, I already know they are perfect because I love him so much. I think in the next week we're really going to decorate our apartment for the holidays. I have to get out the menorah (Chanukah/Hanukkah/Whatever starts on the 16th), we still need to put up all our Christmas decorations, and we're still working on the tree (fake or real...'tis the question). Right now, I am verrrrry ready for bed. {1} ♥ Are You Gifted?

CMLXX [04 Dec 2006|09:37pm] [ mood | amused ] A couple of fun ones from Fab: You Are 8% Republican If you have anything in common with the Republican party, it's by sheer chance. You're a staunch liberal, and nothing is going to change that! How Republican Are You? You Are 72% Democrat You have a good deal of donkey running through your blood, and you're proud to be liberal. You don't fit every Democrat stereotype, but you definitely belong in the Democrat party. How Democrat Are You? Are You Gifted?

CMLXIX [04 Dec 2006|04:08pm] [ mood | cynical ] Sooner or later, your friends are going to disappoint you and/or betray you. Other than your parents/siblings (if you are close with them) and your spouse/children, there really shouldn't be any other people in your life that you truly trust. Don't be manipulated or misled. Make your choices carefully, never too fast. Learn it...live it. You will be happier and healthier for it. {6} ♥ Are You Gifted?

CMLXVIII [30 Nov 2006|07:57pm] [ mood | hungry ] This is something from Mel and Sarah...but I am too lazy to do the strikethrough, so I'm just going to bold the ones I like and italicize any I really can't stand (if I don't do anything to it, I either don't know it or am indifferent): ( Songs of '98 ) Are You Gifted?

CMLXVII [29 Nov 2006|08:46pm] [ mood | cold ] This week has been busy, work-wise, and seems to be going slowly, but I wish it would take forever to get to Friday (for a change). Sometimes, Fridays aren't the greatest day of the week :( It is so friggin' cold!!!!!! Winter has finally hit (who knows for how long), and even though I love the complement (is that spelled correctly in this context?) to the holiday season, I HATE the cold! I could never live anywhere with really cold, long winters. I am a CA girl through and through. Luis has been my angel. He is so sweet and supportive. Even though he works all day, he still messages me and calls me, telling me how much he misses me and thinks about me. I am so very lucky :) This weekend promises to be more of a restful one than usual. Next week I am vowing to finish all my Xmas shopping, and to start decorating the apartment. Of course, first I have to clean up. I don't know how this place gets so messy, but it does. I just end up with papers and boxes all over the place. Tomorrow is work, then possibly going to a tour of the old LB Press Telegram building (they are moving to new quarters next week) in the late afternoon, then picking Luis up, then laundry, then hopefully sleep. Are You Gifted?

CMLXVI [24 Nov 2006|03:07pm] [ mood | relaxed ] My mom's stuffing is so f'ing good!!!!!! Damn, I'd missed it. Thanksgiving dinner went well, just the four of us :) Today, we're just lounging around...it turns out Luis only had to work a couple of hours, which is nice. I was going to get up all early for the Black Friday sales, but then I realized I really don't have the money or the need. I miss D-land. I haven't been in a couple of weeks, but I know it's too crazy with crowds right now. Maybe next weekend, if I'm up for it. Are You Gifted?

CMLXV [23 Nov 2006|01:24pm] [ mood | hungry ] I'm thankful for: -My mom, my first best friend and a completely unselfish person -Luis, who gives me everything I could ever want and more -My job, because it pays the bills and it's not too bad -My friends, a group that is getting smaller these days, but who I value greatly Of course, there is much to be thankful for in life. I hope you all have a great time tonight, and enjoy the holiday weekend :) Are You Gifted?

CMLXIV [21 Nov 2006|09:33pm] [ mood | full ] Ok...what the fuck is wrong with Gwen Stefani??? First, she takes a song from Fiddler on the Roof...now, the yodeling/marionette song from The Sound of Music?!?!?!? Just caught her performing her new single called "Wind It Up," and I actually started laughing. At the beginning, she sings/yodels the first line of the song from the musical, which includes the word "goatherd." I don't know what's worse, her thinking that her music is cool, or the fact that tons of young girls will think its cool and not even realize she's sampling a famous song from a classic musical. I LOVED No Doubt when they were ska, but as soon as all that "Hey Baby" shit started, and Gwen became a sellout, they were all dead to me. What a shame. I can't believe we're only 2 days away from Thanksgiving! This year, Luis and I are having a very quiet dinner at my mom's apartment. It's just going to be the two of us, my mom, and my dad (as far as I know). My mom's cooking up all her best T-day dishes, though, and I can't wait. Luis has been uber-sweet and supportive about my small family situation. He says he's actually looking forward to a quieter Thanksgiving for once. So, this morning, Kevin & Bean were broadcasting live from the Signal Hill Best Buy. Since we live close by, I couldn't help but go there in the vain hope of getting Acoustic Xmas tickets. The event was for the release of the Kevin & Bean Xmas CD, which has a "superhero" theme. Each member of their usual on-air staff has a superhero identity on the CD. Assistant producer Alex (a woman), has the title of Super Whore, which seemed to be the favorite of the staff. So, I decided to make a sign, calling myself "Shameless Acoustic Xmas Ticket Whore." I should've gotten there right at 6am, but Luis and I overslept, then I had to take him to work, so I didn't make it until after 8. After I'd been there a bit, they picked contestants for a game where the prize was a pair of night #2 tickets (the night I'm dying to go). I held up my sign, and Alex tried to convince the other producer, Lightning, to pick me. However, they had already picked one girl who had been there since 6am, and he said he wanted a guy. So, I lost out on my big chance because I overslept, and because I don't have a penis. I still got the CD signed, and they all signed my poster. Kevin actually wrote, "Helen, you are a shameless whore!" Bean told me if I really wanted tickets, I need to work on my whoring, lol. Oh well, at least I tried. Besides, there is still time to get tickets *crosses fingers* I've been keeping up with the "Black Friday" ads online. Luis has to work from 7:30am-4pm that day, but I'm off, so I can go shopping. The only thing is, most of the best stuff is sold out by 6 or 7am. My dad has done the whole "waiting in line at 4:30am" thing before just to get some free door prize for being one of the first 100 people. I always told him he's crazy. However, if I saw an incredible deal, I might find myself one step from insanity. Work's been ok lately. I've been avoiding the office because I know I won't get much work done...the trainees (specifically , my trainee) will be asking questions constantly. I know I was the same way when I was a trainee, but I also think we're coddling these trainees more. For example, when we started, we had a couple of days of field training, but when we had to clean up the books (erase any mistakes, correct our writing), we had to do that on our own and have someone review it. For these trainees, we were told to sit down with them and help them clean up their books, line by line. That just doesn't work for our job. The best way to learn is through doing. All of us are constantly learning new things every day; things we would've never thought to ask about until the situation arose. I know the trainees will make a lot of mistakes, but so did we. The supervisors catch them, and then we fix them, and that's another way you learn. Eh, I might just be a horribly impatient teacher. They'll figure it all out soon enough, I'm sure. This has become a very long post, surprisingly. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving! Are You Gifted?

CMLXIII [18 Nov 2006|09:45am] [ mood | excited ] Off to the LA County Museum of Art today to see the new Magritte exhibition!!! I am so excited!!! Then, Comic Relief is on tonight!!! Working on setting up the VCR so I can tape it. Hope you all are having a good weekend :) {2} ♥ Are You Gifted?

CMLXII [15 Nov 2006|10:11pm] [ mood | discontent ] I don't post on here as much as I used to, I know. I am just much busier than I used to be, plus I feel like I have less to say, I dunno. It's not that things aren't happening in my life, I'm just not sure I feel like talking about it all. We went to Tower Records tonight, my third trip in the past couple of weeks. Prices keep dropping, and different stores have different stock. You can definitely find a lot of great stuff at a bargain, but a lot of what they sell is as overpriced as always. I'm still devastated that they're all closing :( KROQ announced the second night of their Acoustic Christmas line-up today, and it's so amazing!!! As I suspected, night 1 is the more "hard rock" night, and night 2 is the one I prefer. I'm dying to go! However, anyone who's tried to get tix before knows it's damn near impossible to buy them the day they go on sale (damn raffles), and winning them is just as difficult. I am crossing my fingers. Hard to believe Thanksgiving is nearly a week away. My mom is going through with cooking the dinner, and we've invited Luis' family as planned. My uncle already told her that he and Tom were thinking of going to a restaurant instead. Whatever. I'm tired, and I hate Thursdays, so I'm off to bed. {2} ♥ Are You Gifted?

CMLXI [12 Nov 2006|10:15pm] [ mood | stressed ] It's been a semi-busy weekend, definitely more expensive than I would've liked. Payday can't come soon enough. However, Luis has most of his Xmas shopping done, and I have some of mine done, which is nice. Friday I spent most of the day with my mom. We decided to go by D-land, but found the park to be at capacity. We still had fun walking around, and rode the Mark Twain and Jungle Cruise. Then we picked up Luis and we all went to see Stranger Than Fiction. It didn't disappoint...smart movie with great acting. I definitely recommend you all see it. Saturday, I had to get up pretty early in the morning because my driver's-side window is acting up again, but found out I need to bring it back to be fixed during the week :( Luis had the luxury of sleeping in, but when I got back I caught up. Then we did some shopping, even visited the new mall over in Torrance, next to Del Amo. It's one of the Mills' rennovations. Of course, all the stores are upscale, so we mostly walked around (and indulged in PF Chang's). Today, we were surprised a bit to find ourselves taking care of Luis' youngest sister all day, but we had a great time. He'd been wanting to go to Fashion Island, and I'd never been there, so we all went. Another upscale shopping center, so all we did was eat, get his sister a Build-a-Bear, and buy a couple of books at Barnes & Noble. It was interesting, but I don't know that I'd make a whole trip out of my way just to go there. Then we all just hung out at the apt., and had dinner at Red Robin before taking her home. At his house, we got to talk to all of his family for a while, which was nice. We don't go over there enough, and I know he misses seeing them. Of course, we get back to the apt., and I remember the carpet-cleaners are coming tomorrow, so I had to take everything off the floor and vacuum...meh. My mom is going to do Thanksgiving dinner this year. I asked her to a long time ago, since I had dinner with Luis' family last year, and she said yes. We invited his family, and some of mine, but I don't know who will come. I am hoping for more of a big, family dinner this year...it's hard, because I don't have a big family. Either way, the food will be delicious, and Luis will be with me. I hope you all had a good weekend. I know we all have our own set of troubles and worries. I am thinking good thoughts for all of you, and I hope you will do me the same. Are You Gifted?

CMLX [09 Nov 2006|01:00pm] [ mood | working ] The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Second Level of Hell! Here is how you matched up against all the levels: Level Score Purgatory (Repenting Believers) Very Low Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) Low Level 2 (Lustful) Very High Level 3 (Gluttonous) Moderate Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) Moderate Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) Moderate Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) Low Level 7 (Violent) Moderate Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) High Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) Low Take the Dante Inferno Hell Test As you can see, I am being productive at work. I have phone duty today, but it's pretty slow, so I'm getting some clean-up work done, which is nice. Earlier this week, I got asked if I wanted to transfer to the Marine & Aircraft division downtown. At first, I said yes, but then quickly changed my mind. Others had been asked before me (I think they went by whomever lived closest), but they also said no. There are advantages and disadvantages, but when I weighed it all out, I realized the disadvantages were greater. Yes, there could be more potential for a promotion, but that's not guaranteed. My pay wouldn't be any higher, I wouldn't have as much field work or variety, I'd have to go downtown every day, and I really like my work here so far. I'm finally feeling more relaxed around my boss, too, which is nice. However, if they offered me a transfer to the Signal Hill office, I'd be out of here faster than lightning! I know I didn't make a big, triumphant post after Tuesday. Trust me, I was celebrating. I followed the election returns all day, and into Wednesday (waiting to hear about the VA Senate seat). No matter what comes of the new Democratic Congress, one thing that's for sure is Americans want a change. I hope our President got the wake-up-call (although I doubt it). After my busy week/weekend last week, this week has seemed to be slow. I'm enjoying the downtime. Tomorrow's my Veteran's Day holiday, and I think I'm going to spend some time with my mom since Luis is working. Next week we get new trainees here at the office (we won't be the newbies anymore...yay!), including 3 women! I and my fellow Class-14'ers will be helping them get acquainted with their new surroundings. I can't believe Thanksgiving is a scant 2 weeks away! Are You Gifted?

CMLIX [06 Nov 2006|08:12am] [ mood | drained ] Well, Luis and I survived MA, but we slept for about 10 hours last night, LOL. The competition started at 9am, so we were at the park around 8:15, before park opening. Our team was ready, but the game was really difficult this year. We got stuck on a few things early on, and felt silly when we finally figured them out. Those setbacks weren't what really killed us, though. There was a quest that we got to around 1pm (the game ended at 4), and it turned out to be something we couldn't solve. We had to give up on it, and take a penalty. Turns out, the part we got stuck on, was a trick question involved phones in DCA that weren't even on the park map. We kept going after that, but we just did it for the hell of it, because we knew we weren't going to finish. True enough, at 4pm we had to disqualify ourselves because we hadn't finished. Out of about 45 teams, only 11 finished (three of which were MA "masters," meaning they had gotten first place finishes 3 . This was my 11th MA, and the first time my team didn't finish. Could the game have possibly been a bit too hard? I think so. Oh well, there's always next time (if I decide I want to do it anymore). Overall, my weekend was more stressful than good. The good part was our party, and being with Luis, but family stuff and MA were rough. I'm in the office this morning, but I won't be back here until Thursday, which is nice. Looking forward to my Friday holiday already! {1} ♥ Are You Gifted?

CMLVIII [04 Nov 2006|11:27pm] [ mood | annoyed ] I want to thank everyone who came to our party last night. It was a lot of fun, and I promise to keep the worms on the ceiling as long as possible, LOL. Can't wait to see all the pics! I realized today that I never really feel like I have a moment of total relaxation where I have nothing to worry about or any big responsibilities. No matter how hard I try, there's always something I have to do or remember. I feel like I need a vacation very badly, even though I took one with Luis in August. Tomorrow is MA, so we're up around 6:30 on a freakin' Sunday, then get to spend 6-7 hours power-walking through D-land. It's going to be so crazy, and I'm hoping I come out of it without any major injury or illness. It's just not the same anymore now that Luis and I work all week...doing something like this is going to be very physically taxing. Anyway, wish us luck! Are You Gifted?

CMLVII [03 Nov 2006|09:55am] [ mood | busy ] You paid attention during 80% of high school! 68-84% Pretty good, you know that there are libraries and newspapers, and you remember what you've read. You were a child that wasn't left behind! Do you deserve your high school diploma? Create a Quiz Ok, I was supposed to make another post last night, but we got home kind of late, then I had to do HW, then I went to sleep. Sigh. I am tired. Are You Gifted?

CMLVI [02 Nov 2006|01:29pm] [ mood | tired ] What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio. The West Boston North Central The Inland North The Northeast Philadelphia The South What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes Thanks to Sarah for that one. I will post more tonight...hopefully with another '80s song update ('cause I know you all loooooooooove them!). {10} ♥ Are You Gifted?

CMLV [31 Oct 2006|09:31pm] [ mood | awake ] So, here are the downers for the past 2 days: bugs in my food at an upscale cafe on Rodeo Drive, no tortillas with my lunch at Pollo Loco today (even though I paid for them), and an almost 2 hour drive home from work today. Yet, I am in a pretty good mood...know why? VH1's "Best Songs of the '80s" countdown! I watched #100-80 last night, and I'm hoping to catch #80-40 tonight (I think that's the episodes from 9-11pm). So, let's review, shall we? #110-101 (the songs that didn't quite make the cut, but are listed on the VH1 website) 110 = Huey Lewis, "I Want a New Drug"...Good song, but definitely not my fav Huey Lewis 109 = DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, "Parents Just Don't Understand"...this song was HUGE among teenagers when it came out, and I can't believe it didn't make the top 100, but maybe if theme songs were accepted... 108 = U2, "Where the Streets Have No Name"...One of my all-time fav U2 songs 107 = The Go-Gos, "We Got the Beat"...definitely the best-known Go-Gos song, and another one I thought would've made it (and seriously, what is wrong with Jane Weidlen???) 106 = Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime"...Talking Heads are one of the most influential and innovative bands of all-time, so I guess it doesn't even matter if one of their songs makes it to the top 100 105 = The Clash, "Rock the Casbah"...another band recognized as influential, but this song was actually their big mainstream hit, which I'm guessing their real fans didn't really care for 104 = Europe, "The Final Countdown"...my ex-bf used to always play this song before he went to take a big exam in college *eyeroll* 103 = Crowded House, "Don't Dream It's Over"...whiny, like Morrisey, but I admit I still sing along sometimes 102 = The Cars, "Shake It Up"...not one of my favs, but better than the song "Cars" (see # 93) 101 = Neneh Cherry, "Buffalo Stance"...the one song of this set that I don't know #100-81 100 = Loverboy, "Working for the Weekend"...how can you hear this on a Friday afternoon and not love it??? 99 = Wang Chung, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"...I'm 50-50 on this song, which means I usually won't turn it off if I hear it on the radio (but the video is annoying) 98 = Bobby Brown, "My Perogative"...I remember when this song came out, and all my friends knew the lyrics, but it's another so-so song in my book 97 = The Romantics, "What I Like About You"...great song with a great beat, and it's stood the test of time 96 = Men at Work, "Down Under"...when I was listening to it on the show, I realized I kind of like it, but the thing that everyone remembers is the Vegemite sandwich, lol 95 = Debbie Gibson, "Only in My Dreams"...ok, I was never into the whole Debbie Gibson thing, but they picked this instead of "Electric Youth"??? What the hell??? 94 = The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"...classic band, classic song 93 = Gary Numan, "Cars"...this song always annoys me, and I never understood why people liked it after the "age of the synthesizer" died out 92 = New Kids on the Block, "You Got It (The Right Stuff)"...I am not afraid to say I was a New Kids fan (I had their trading cards, for goodness sake), but my all-time fav song of theirs is "Popsicle," even if it is bubblegum pop 91 = Katrina and the Waves, "Walking on Sunshine"...a song I got tired of, but apparently no one else has (oh, and Katrina has a sort-of manly look about her) 90 = Tone-Loc, "Wild Thing"...I love this song!!! I can't believe one guy did this and "Funky Cold Medina"! 89 = The Pretenders, "Brass in Pocket"...best use of this song ever is in Lost in Translation, and I always find myself singing along with it in the car. It's a fantastic song. 88 = Chaka Khan, "Ain't Nobody"...the only song in this set I didn't know 87 = Falco, "Rock Me Amadeus"...KROQ's Kevin and Bean made me love this song even more 86 = Bow Wow Wow, "I Want Candy"...Luis loves this song, but I've never been that into it 85 = Robert Palmer, "Addicted to Love"...I LOVE the '80s Robert Palmer, but my fav song of his is actually "Bad Case of Loving You," which is from the late '70s (and who can ever forget the women in his videos?) 84 = Lionel Richie, "All Night Long"...one of my all-time favorite songs! I'm so glad this one made it! 83 = Prince, "Kiss"...you can never go wrong with '80s Prince, period. 82 = Squeeze, "Tempted"...I didn't really get to know this song until it was in Reality Bites, and now I love it 81 = Cameo, "Word Up"...all I can picture is Steve Carrell doing karaoke to this song in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, LOL I Love the '80s!!!! {1} ♥ Are You Gifted?

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