Back By Popular Demand

My little artist

2009-10-23T20:30:00.001-07:00

My little artist. This scene makes me smile, because I'm taking an art class right now. She begged me to use my easel. Warmed my heart today. We listened to Magnetic Fields while she painted today.

Bride of Frankenstein

2009-09-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

All done.

2009-09-29T19:15:00.001-07:00

Here is the 3 1/2 inch incision on my back.
Here are the flowers that my parents sent me to work the next day. They are the bestest.

Just a little off the back...

2009-09-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

Eh. Crappy week.

My skin biopsy came back bad. They told me, we'll call you if there is anything wrong. Three weeks go by and I think...cool, I'm good.

Then yesterday I get the call. FUCK.

I have surgery a week from Monday.

Are you down with OJT??

2009-08-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

At work your training consists of two phases:

1. Instructor led demonstration

2. OJT (On the job training- by some poor tech that got suckered into having to “watch” you for a week).

I just finished learning how to Test blood for Antibodies as well as Typing Blood (A, B, AB, O), so they sent me along to my OJT.

My OJT is so freaking awesome! I’d place her between 100 and 113 years old. The first thing she said to me is “I retire in 23 months” Which translates to “I don’t give a fuck.”

She started working in the Red Cross Laboratories before test tubes were invented, so needless to say…she isn’t very comfortable with the big MACHINE and fancy COMPUTER that tells me what your blood type is.

Every time she touches a button on the machine she lets out a loud yelp. I LOVE THIS LADY!!

It’s like working with Grandpa Simpson.

Out of no where today she told me that when her “parents went on dates they’d go and shoot pennies out of trees with rifles, because that’s what they did back in the day.” I SWEAR TO GOD SHE SAID THAT.

I, mean W-H-A-T??? HAHAHAH (That was about ten minutes ago.)

Summer, summer, summer has turned into fall me and my babydoll never went to the beach...

2009-08-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

There is something about season changes that makes time seem like its torpedoing away from me. I never noticed when I lived in South Florida. It was summer all the time and the years seemed endless.

I definitely am feeling a bitter sweetness that summer is coming to an end and that next month the temperatures will start falling again. Summer…you just got here?! With the changing season I start thinking, where did the time go? Where have I been? I’ve lived here in Philly for almost two and a half years now. When I moved here Audrey was in diapers. Now she is looking forward to her fifth birthday. My twenties came and went. Not that I’m THAT sad to see them go, I definitely used them up with reckless abandon, and couldn’t possibly say, I wish I had been more wild or anything like that. I don’t know what it is.

Its just something about those changing seasons that gets me thinking.

Rawwrrr

2009-08-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

I’m telling you, for my third marriage I’m going to have 2 requirements:

1. He will have to be stinkin rich (I could even handle super old and frail-Anna Nichole Smith style minus the pesky drug addiction)

2. We will elope in Vegas in front of Elvis and God. (Who one might argue is one in the same.)

Here I go for trip 2 down the isle. I want Vegas…but since this is only his first marriage (he moves slower than me)… he wants a party. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like everything about going to parties. But throwing them is too much of a headache.

1. They are expensive. Its one freaking day, and there is a good chance you wont remember much of it, especially stupid details like what shade of periwinkle your groomsmen’s ties were. So spending $700 on FUCKING FLOWERS that DIE is just stupid to me. I’m not having it.

And

B. The freaking guest list. Where to begin…obligatory invites for family you haven’t seen since you were five or your parent’s best friends from Omaha (while they lived on the “acid-commune” in the 70’s). You can never have a wedding with just your “closest friends and family” I don’t care what anyone says. Then when you start thinking about friends that you’d invite… you remember that if you invite them, then you have to invite this other friend that is friends with you both because you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings…and they will most definitely find out through some social networking site or other.

Right now the plan is: Justice of the Peace for the romantic portion of the evening and then a small party consisting of family. It’s doable..

shhh,,,

2009-08-11T20:51:00.001-07:00

I'm still here... its just you and me though....

don't tell anyone....

but I'm feeling like I might have something to say .... I think everyone forgot about this little spot...which was just what I wanted to happen .... You know...when people start expecting you to write everyday...it starts to become a chore.

Well, know that I'm still here...and I'm going to start writing again in a minute.

Audrey is my little artist

2009-06-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

Audrey actually helped me make this bow. She sewed a perfect edge. Not bad for a 4 year old. Maybe I'll ship her out to a sweatshop.

Tonight's Painting

2009-04-24T20:12:00.001-07:00

TIME OUT BIZNATCH!

2009-03-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

Audrey spends time facing the wall for being naughty. She's making friends with the spot that is located just about her eye level.

Mustash's win!

2009-03-06T22:17:00.000-08:00

Audrey loves the photo booth

2009-03-06T22:13:00.000-08:00

Fun with mustaches.

2009-03-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

Audrey and Pep had a snow day. The RED CROSS is never closed. Boo.

2009-03-02T17:53:00.000-08:00

Audrey waiting to start her first gymnastics class

2009-03-01T11:59:00.000-08:00

We got a new camcorder!

LOL Fish

2009-02-19T14:25:00.000-08:00

Alix said they look more like jailhouse gremlins.

The Dude that walked across America.

2009-01-21T19:29:00.000-08:00

I wrote about him in a previous blog. He collected 3 books of letters to the president. I was one of thousands of people who wrote a letter - but I made the ABC News interview!!

Look for my letter in this news story! Its at 1 min in! Click here and look for my name!

New home!

2009-01-21T16:42:00.000-08:00

I took Audrey to the art museum (the one where Rocky ran the steps) She was less impressed by this Mary Cassatt painting than I was.

MY NEW JOB:

I have a bigger cubicle now. I'm climbing that corporate ladder. Woot.

But I still get bored in the lab during down time and have to entertain myself. (Look you can see the edge of my lab coat! Its got my name on it you know.)

A lazy Saturday night in Philly painting....

2009-01-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

Audrey's nose bead

2009-01-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

I got called out of work (its still my first week) to pick up Audrey from school because the dummy got a bead stuck up her nose. I was about to take her to the hospital when my friend Amy saved the day. She went through the same thing with her kid and sat at the hospital for 5 hours just to have a nurse spray affrin up the kids nose for her to blow the bead out. We decided to try it before I take her in. It worked. Here is the bead. She has to wear it to remind herself not to put anything else up her nose!

My two loves.

2009-01-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

Lazy Daze

2009-01-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

We made sock princesses!

2009-01-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

Sugar Plum Fairy Dance

2008-12-27T18:35:00.000-08:00

December Fruit.

2008-12-22T08:12:00.000-08:00

Its December 22 and I have a tomato ripening in my bathroom. Weird.

Less than 24 hours later...

2008-12-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

Pep wanted to know if a tornado hit...

Dream House

2008-12-21T06:39:00.000-08:00

I do not have any money so am sending you this drawing I did of a spider instead.

2008-12-19T13:47:00.000-08:00

Doug wins for finding this.
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/240856/i-do-not-have-any-money-so-am-sending-you-this-drawing-i-did-of-a-spider-instead-/
Thanks Doug.

Walk America 2008

2008-12-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

http://www.walkamerica2008.com/

So I was out having dinner last Friday with my Audrey Ella when some dude comes up and introduces himself. He is a teacher that is walking across America with a book and having people write letters to the next president in it. He said that my friends told him to come talk to me because (and I have a hard time believing it) I'd have something interesting to write.

Either way I was flattered and wrote a letter to Mr. Obama about science. The dude published it on his website- go look for yourself

This is how it starts:
"From a young mother eating dinner with her daughter in a restaurant in Philadelphia's Northern Liberty neighborhood"

Disney

2008-12-03T15:57:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving and Disney!

2008-12-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

Of course my batteries on my camera were dead so I'm waiting for my sis to send me some pics...

The Magic Kingdom
My Mom, sister, and I

Tanya came over with her new butterball Jackson. Sorry I managed to only get a pic of Jackson and not Tanya...:( I was a little bit excited.

Audrey on my Dad's shoulders watching the princess show at the castle.

Audrey turns 4 tomorrow.

2008-11-24T17:25:00.000-08:00

I made 48 cupcakes tonight. I need a glass of wine.

BTW

2008-11-21T13:22:00.001-08:00

Did I mention I got the job? :)

So I figure...

2008-11-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

I can dissect human lungs, keep a kid from swallowing razorblades and eating bleach for almost 4 years now, and (insert 3rd impressive super mom activity here)... why the hell am I so scared of cooking??

I mean seriously, how hard is it to read a recipe. So I have been working on this phobia for the last few months now... and today I impressed even myself!

I made Pumpkin cup cakes with cream cheese frosting. When I say pumpkin, let me stress, that I did not use canned pumpkin. I used a real freakin pumpkin.

PEP IS SO JEALOUS!

2008-11-19T06:26:00.000-08:00

PEP IS JEALOUS OF MY NEW PHONE!

He even made this for me at McDonalds.

W.W.D.B.D.?

2008-11-11T03:30:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to feel the pressure of doing a decent job at my second interview. I have to give a presentation. I'm awake early because I had a dream that I became the new lead singer to Faux Bear (Pep's Band.) I got on stage and forgot all the words. I hate those kinds of dreams.

There was a meeting yesterday at work and they laid off a few secretaries. Apparently my job is safe-- for now. That's what makes it so critical that I do well on Friday.

My presentation is on, "How to give a winning presentation." They said I could do it on anything and that its really just to see my teaching skills. Cross your fingers that they have a sense of humor.

I'm the Idiot.

2008-11-06T06:48:00.001-08:00

Audrey called me an idiot yesterday cause she got mad at me for not letting her have more candy.

I asked her what she said and her responses were:

"I said I love you!"

No you didn't, tell me what you said...

"I forgot"

No you didn't tell me what you said....

"I said I love you."

Audrey -- you are going to sit in your room until you remember what you just said...

"Oh, I said idiot. But it was an accident"

She is going to be a sucky teenager. I can feel it.

Shit Balls!

2008-11-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

I hate science.

I'm getting laid off again.

Damn it... I hope the second interview next Friday is successful... cross your fingers.

Halloween!!

2008-11-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

From Halloween

Thursday Night.

2008-10-30T17:15:00.001-07:00

And no word yet on the job. They told me they'd tell me this week. :(

RIP Ratso.

2008-10-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Picture courtesy of Tim Verduin

You will be missed.

I told Audrey you moved to San Fransisco to be a feng shui consultant.

Dougs two cents:

Doug: you should have postcards come from ratso
it would be a sitcom. anytime you need to teach an important lesson to Audrey, a postcard arrives from ratso and solves everything

Cross your fingers.

2008-10-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

From me

This is me waiting for the interview. I was bored in a room by myself and it was either this or pick my nose. LOL

I hope I'm not jinxing myself by posting this but I just had another interview. Its for the position of Instructor I at the Red Cross. I'd be teaching in a lab setting. Sounds perfect right??

The only issue is that they are a bit hung up that I don't have a Biology degree...even though its for a TEACHING job. I'll find out next week if I have a second interview. The second interview would be me teaching a "class" for 15 min on ANYTHING. Weird right? At least that's sort of my strength. Cross your fingers.

B

Tanya the mommy.

2008-10-18T23:12:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

From pumpkin patch 08

Anthony learns accrodian

2008-10-11T23:03:00.001-07:00

This is that guy:

Audrey went to the zoo today with me and our friend Anthony (a pasty white kid). She was telling us how much she has grown....she said "look how much my knee-grow..." HUH, what did you just say...."MY -KNEE GROW MOMMY" BTW we were the only white people on the bus.

Today

2008-10-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

South Street

2008-10-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

TAKE IT...

2008-10-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

YOUR MOM CALLED, she said.....

(take it away. I'm looking at you Doug.)

HELP..

2008-10-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

I need a new job. Anyone out there IN PA got anything? I just want out. (Its not the lungs...its the institution...and the bitches.) I can pay a headhunting fee in the form of semi-human looking drawings by a three-year old. I'm sure they will be worth something someday.

NOT ONLY AM I SICK...

2008-09-30T16:02:00.000-07:00

and crabby and miserable...

I didn't get the job. In case anyone was wondering.

Shitty way to start the "New Year."

Conference in NYC

2008-09-29T17:21:00.000-07:00

So these are out of order cause I'm feeling lazy (I'm really sick right now.)

Here is the Beer garden with Tim and Pep on Saturday night. The beers were bigger than my head.

Also, I forgot my camera-- so the best I could do was my cell phone camera.

From NYC conference 08

The natural history museum was SO freaking cool.

From NYC conference 08

Here is MY pub.

From NYC conference 08

This is the actual George from Seinfield. He was our keynote speaker.

From NYC conference 08

We were pampered with amazing food at the Palace hotel.

From NYC conference 08

Here is one of the doctors from the study. He's a total douche. He name dropped the fact that he dated Janice Joplin. Everyone clapped. What a douche.

From NYC conference 08

View from the hotel.

From NYC conference 08

2008-09-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

Is this thing on?

paintings

2008-09-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

Rebecca,

I just wanted you to know that the two paintings of yours that I bought from Higher Grounds are now in my house, leaning against the fireplace while I ponder where to hang them. Everyone who’s been here has spotted them and reacted positively, usually with giggles...my personal standard for fine art.

Nice work.

Don't stop.

Thanks,

David

Messin around

2008-09-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

Audrey and Looly. Looly LOVES Audrey.

Painting in the park.

what is new?

2008-09-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

I've been slacking lately, guess I haven't felt much like blogging or I haven't had much to say.

Audrey and I went to the zoo today. Football season started so it will be awhile before I see Pep again. Here is a pic I took with my cell at the zoo...She looks older doesn't she?
What else, hmm...well I won a karaoke contest. Thats right you heard me. I can't sing but I won a karaoke contest, ponder that.

Ok, in all fairness I co-won the contest. It was a costume karaoke contest and I wore Pep's Dick Cheney mask and a suit while my neighbor went as Sara Palin. We sang "Like a Virgin" and I just acted like Frankinstein's monster and growled into the microphone while she sang and told people that there weren't getting health care. It was pretty funny- I can't believe we took first place and a hundred bucks, a trophy, and a medal that was engraved!

Guess that's about it. Same old at work. Still don't love it. Maybe a dream job will come find me? Yeah right.

Life should not be a journey to the grave

2008-08-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

... with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, your body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "Woo hoo! What a ride!"

Email to Tropicana:

2008-08-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

My 3 year-old daughter looked like an ad for Tropicana while we were at a wedding, and everyone told me I should send this in. Hope someone likes it. She wasn’t even told to hold up the juice.

Response:

Rebecca:

Thank you for sharing the picture of your daughter with us. Although we are unable to use it for advertising purposes, we are always happy to see pictures of consumers that enjoy our products. We're sending you a few coupons and a small gift for your daughter; these items should arrive in about a week.

We appreciate you thinking of us, Rebecca.

Geri
Tropicana Consumer Response

Wednesday nights at Rittenhouse Square

2008-08-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

There are concerts in the park. We brought a picnic of apples, french bread, muenster cheese, and wine.

Unlike me, she likes to be tickled.

In the cab on the way home Audrey told me ..."that is Franklin...he is dead." She was pointing to the picture of Ben Franklin, and she was correct- he is dead. Pep was amazed. I was just proud. She is smart.

Poconos 2008

2008-08-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

FAUXTOGRAPHY

2008-08-14T18:13:00.000-07:00

My friend Ben (Banjo) is an artist. Check out his photos. http://fauxtographyphlog.blogspot.com/

Dickery knows no bounds

2008-08-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

Steve goes on his block leave before he ships out in two days. He has two weeks. He told me he isn't going to have time to see Audrey. In the immortal words of Audrey, "So long sucker."

Asshat.

help my sister

2008-08-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

Click here to donate.

Best Saturday Ever.

2008-08-09T17:53:00.001-07:00

A lovely day in my book includes:

1. Brunch at the Abbaye.
2. Swimming at the N.L. pool
3. 2 hour Nap
4. Picnic at the park with beer, sandwiches, paints, a guitar, a three year old, and a cuban.
5. Relaxing at home

Perfect Day.

Audrey and her cousin Lilly

2008-07-26T15:44:00.001-07:00

Letter to the biznatch

2008-07-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

Dearest Audrey,

Where does the time go? You are almost 4 now and you are driving me nuts. I know you hear this a lot, but its true. I swear to g-d you never shut up! I love more than anything when you say, "Mommy, You are driving me nuts!" It makes my heart happy--mainly cause it hits home that you are actually listening. I love your wild energy that you wield- that, no-doubt, makes everyone fall immediately in love with you. I love that you challenge Pep and I. I love when I say something in a harsh voice, and you tell me "Mommy, we don't scream." Even if I wasn't screaming-- I can't remember the last time I actually screamed. I love when you tell me that its time to snuggle. I love it that when I'm late for work (daily) you could care less because I need to stop to give you hugs and kisses--which is the most important part of the morning. I love that you see flies outside and tell me they are "butterflies" even when I inform you that they are just fly-flies-- not to mention the lightning bugs that I catch and hand off to you...how many times can I say not to smoosh them? I love it when you first wake up and are still in silent mode and just meow at me and nod and smile when I'm asking you questions. I love it that you are happy, even though you don't know about the things that might eventually make you sad. I love that you are too young to ask about your father- or to remember him, and that you think Pep is the "KING" and you in fact are a Princess. I even love when the two of you team up against me to get what you want...which usually includes sweets of some sort. I love your fiery nature and I never want to stifle it...even if it may seem that way when I put you in your room to think about why you lied to me about taking a nap....when you know Pep is right there and telling me you didn't. I love that you need to negotiate EVERYTHING with me..."Mommy, how about....".

Sometimes I don't like being around you. Sometimes I am frustrated beyond belief, but at the end of the day.... I have no regrets about the choices I made in the past that led me to you. You are truly the love of my life and I adore you. Even if somedays I want to show you what an orphanage looks like.

Love,
Mommy

in some strange way... this is dedicated to Tanya and Jax.

Follow up to art...

2008-07-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Ok. This morning I had a plan. I knew the guy would be there because I made Pep (such a great partner) go yesterday to talk to the coffee barista about the situation after my panic. She told him the potential art aficionado is there daily and that I should come back and talk to him. Pep, of course, built me up and convinced me to go back.

I went in and got my ice coffee- paid in quarters from our change reserve-- I'm so broke this month-- so the thought of selling a painting is overwhelming.

I saw him... under my favorite one that I promised Nanette...and I turned to leave. Then I remembered Pep's pep talk (hee hee)

I went over and introduced myself. "Hi, I'm Rebecca Hamby...I heard you like my paintings." He apparently didn't hear the second part of it and thought I was hitting on him. "Hi, Rebecca...where do I know you from again?"

Smooth response.... "Nowhere."

Silence.

"Um....I hear you like my paintings...(pointing stupidly)"

"OH, you do the Day of the Dead works?"

"Um...yeah, I wanted to tell you I'm really flattered."

"Oh yeah...how much are you selling for..."

I worked this out in my head a thousand times since yesterday...but all I came up with was..."I don't know." He laughed at me and handed me his card with his email and told me to let him know.

Sigh....relief... I can let him know electronically without the stress of human interaction. I took his card, thanked him...and ran like my instinct told me to.

Later I emailed him and listed the prices that (like I said I previously decided on) and waited. I got a response about a half hour later saying that he wanted TWO of them. He also explained what specifically he liked about the two.

I am happy.

art for art's sake.

2008-07-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

What a great morning!

I went to the coffee shop where my paintings are hanging (I was dragging ass this morning) and the owner asked me if I was the "artist" that did the Day of the Dead works. I got all nervous and said yeah. She told me that the man sitting under them wants to know how much I'd sell them for. I said, I don't know. (What a nerd).

Then she said that this person sells their work for this much and that person sells their work for that much....etc.

I said OK that sounds good (not really sure what that meant myself).

Then I ran out. Literally. What the hell is wrong with me.

I should have gone and shook the man's hand. Oh well. So whatever "that sounds good" means is how much I guess she is going to tell him. Hooray!! I don't care. I'm just excited that someone thinks my stuff is worthwhile enough to want to have in their home.

Hope and Disgust

2008-07-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

I had to collect a urine sample from a patient today. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. He was a nice guy about my dad's age. I asked him if he was excited to go home tomorrow and he said he is more excited to get his new lungs.

My response was, "Well you know, when you get your new ones--I get your old ones."

He sat up and became very excited to me about this. He told me he had been in Vietnam and had been exposed to certain things that have subsequently (most-likely in his mind) caused the decline in his lung function to the point where they are practically useless. He wants me to talk to him about how they look when this happens (hopefully it will happen -if a donor comes up soon).

What kind of country could allow this to happen (cause this to happen) to men who risk their lives in its name? Its tragic. I looked past his hopeful face to the picture on his night table of him proudly smiling with his wife in his arms.

More ZOO

2008-07-14T18:33:00.001-07:00

I'm at a loss for words on this one.
Pep shows Audrey where the poop comes from.

Pep did a provacative dance with a peacock feather in his crack. It later ended up on the side of the highway while we were waiting for the trolly...cause no one wanted to touch it.

zoo2

2008-07-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

They are some dumb monkeys.
Mommy and Audrey.

Petting zoo.

park

2008-07-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

They are on thier way to Chuck E. Cheese she told me.

A little fairy in her garden.

Audrey Audrey Audrey

2008-07-14T17:52:00.000-07:00

We took Audrey to the park last night. She started playing with this little girl who'd I'd guess was about 2 and she was super sweet with her. I loved seeing her like that, especially considering that we are going to be babysitting her younger cousin in another week. When the little girl’s parents told the girl that they had to go home—the normal protocol ensued (i.e. A full fledged melt down). Whatever, it’s the norm for Pep and I – we barely noticed….until Audrey looked at her parents and said “What a baby!”

It was funny on many levels. Mainly because I knew in five minutes I’d tell Audrey it was time to go, and she would have had an equal if not MORE dramatic meltdown.

Zoo.

2008-07-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

We went to the zoo today. It was a lovely 90 degrees. Audrey fed goats and tried to hug chickens in the children's area of the zoo. She always gravitates to the weirdest animals though...as documented in this picture.

I held human lungs today.

2008-07-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

I came into work this morning and was told that there was a lung transplant on the fourth of July. (Apparently donor organs become more readily available during holidays due to more accidents--what a morbid thought).

Although the lungs had been frozen for longer than would typically be desired, the head of our research department still wanted them dissected.

Lungs look like beef when they are cut up (if anyone was wondering).

It was really cool. I don't think I'll be eating steaks for a bit.

The 52 year-old lady who got the new lungs is doing well. I saw her today after processing her old lungs. It was a very surreal.

Today was more interesting than usual at work.

Pep is smart.

2008-07-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

Pep is smart.

I wanted a kitten. Pep didn't.

He got me 5 to foster.

They pooped on everything, including my daughter.

I don't want a kitten anymore.

They go back Monday.

Pep is smart.

Ta-da!

2008-07-05T16:22:00.001-07:00

Lousy Week

2008-07-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

So, one of my best friends in the whole wide world.. won a week timeshare and she happened to get it in Nassau, Bahamas... due to a lucky cancellation. This is the email I got today....

Hello there, Are you tired of your daily routine?

Worn down by countless hours of commuting to work?

Stressed out by ex's attempts to make your life miserable?

In desperate need of some social relief?

Well, I have just the thing for you.

For one week, your closest friends will be in Nassau, Bahamas (wishing you'd join them) We could rent scooters by day and go exploring the native culture on the island, swim in the clear waters, lounge by the beach sipping something yummy, winning lots of money at the casino, dancing all our stresses away, or go shopping for some practical straw item at the market.

If this sounds like a piece of HEAVEN, its because it is...

So, come on out and play. I'll be there from Friday, July 25 through Friday August 1 All you need to do is get a ticket. Stay the whole week or a long weekend. Airfare varies (I'm sure NY or Penn has a lot more flights) xo Nan

Talk about a rotten way to torture someone to death. I am so jealous. I blame Steve.

Pep was like, "What? Your not going?" (I mean in full support of the possiability).

Sadly the answer is NO.

My tax stimulus check that I got yesterday is already spoken for by my lawyer.

Steve, amazingly so many years later, is still finding new and inventive ways to make me miserable. I can't wait for this to all be over. Someday I'm going to do something nice for myself, that doesn't include a shopping spree in the make-up section of Rite-aid (my current way to spoil myself).

I'm feeling sorry for myself tonight after a lousy day at work.

Actually the day started out lousy. Actually the week started lousy.

Monday started with a call from my bank about unusual purchases on my debit card in New Jersey. I never go to New Jersey. My debit card is in my wallet.

Long story short... I'm not responsible... but my bank account is frozen. I can go to the bank and get a temporary debit card for the mean time. So, like I said, the day started lousy because I got up extra early to take a side train to the stupid bank ... just to find out that it doesn't open until 9 a.m.

I need to be at work at 8:30 a.m.

OK, I'll come back after work I think... but Nooo...it closes at 4. Closed Friday for the 4th. GRRRR. Its been a lousy day. And then there is the Bahamas. Sigh.

On the bright side...the gallery is hanging up my work tonight. There is always a bright side.

My parents bought a brick in the Riverfront Walk

2008-06-29T19:30:00.001-07:00

Its kitten heaven.

2008-06-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

Pick the winning name....

2008-06-17T18:40:00.001-07:00

AND get a free kitten!

Ok I need 5 names for 5 kittens.

We have:

Black kitten: SNOWBALL II (My first choice)
Two grey kittens.
A black and white one
and a grey and white one.

So far the suggestions have been (thank-you Tanya and Doug):
Ted Nugent
Cowboy Curtis
Pancake
Rectum
Roadkill
Instant Crazy
Woman, just add me.
Fartzzz
Toxoplasmosis
Brickhouse
Troy McClure
Puckerbutt
Bell
Sebastian
Proton
Egon Venkman
Chuck Taylor
Electron
Osmosis
Alkali
Mommy (Audrey's suggestion)

Here's Beka and Doug's full list...
Rectum
Road Kill
Instant Crazy Woman, Just Add Me
Fartzzz
Toxoplasmosis
Brickhouse
Troy McClure
Puckerbutt
Belle and/or Sebastian
Tiger Milk
Blitzkrieg
Bop
CHEEETOOOOOS
Faux-ritos
Rosie
Tim Tebow
IKEA
Peanut
Skippy Jon Jones
MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOOOOOOW (Monday Night Football theme)
Intertubes
Hipflask
Banana Hammock
Grape Smuggler
Food Stamps
Marie Curie
Pavlov
Edwin Schrodinger...s cat
Hi I'm a PC
And I'm a Mac
iPood
Dunder Mifflin
Dwight
LIP MY STOCKING!
Animal
Beaker
Dr Bunsen
The Chef
PBR
Brooklyn Brewery
Leinenkugel (Leinie)
Adam West
Batman
Al Gore
Barack to the Future
Moishe
Schlomo
Garrison Keeler
Scuba Steve
Dead Kitty
Gatorlab Steve
Sweet and Sour Kitty
General Tsao
Egg Roll
I Mentioned the BIsque
Moses
GI Hoe
Mulva
Dolores
Freudian Drip
Joni Loves Penis
Turban Meyer
Homeskillet
American Keg Stand
Muscular Cat-astrophe
Chicken Nugget
Oreo
Gato
Enabler
Alfredo
Eggs Erroneous
Ernest P Worrell
Verne
Cat by Number
The Incredible Sulk
Chumbawumba
Carl's Bad Cavern (yeah I spelled it right. booyah!)
Shaving Ryan's Privates
Ninja Juice
Carlos
Dante
Cat Marino
Sudoku
1234567890
Vick's Vapo-Rub
Baby Batter
Population Paste
Mohawk
Fauxhawk
Bro-hawk, aka Fro-hawk
Asbestos
SO LONG SUCKERS
Boots
Diego
Boon
Dowa
Doug hurts People
Everycat hurts
I want boobies, like your mommy
Monster
GRAHO
Nut Cheese
Fidel Cat-stro
Neck Beard
Skinny Jeans
Witty T-shirts
converse
chuck taylor
one-inch buttons
messenger bag
oversized ipod headphones
Mony Lony Pony, Tony
Stuff on (my cat)
LOLCATS
I Can Haz Cheezburger?
I pinch
Fox Pass
Frodo
Bilbo
Dildo
Doesn't Do Needle Drugs
DDF
J-Date
The Coreys
Munchies
Chuck E Cheese
Knife Wounds
Driveby knifing
hobo knife (hobo schiff)
Slurpee
Ammonia Urine
Jean-Luc!!
Where's the Queef?
Bucky
Courage the Cowardly Cat
Chester Cheetah
Tony
Eddie Izzard
Squirrel Playing a Flute
Cat or Death?

Birthday...

2008-06-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

I had another birthday....29.

stranded in an airport with a 3 year old. Awesome.

I said... I really want a kitten for my birthday. (For the last several months)

Pep said NO. NO NO NO.

I came home to not one...

BUT 5 KITTENS.

We are foster parents.

He said I can pick my two favorites when they are ready to be adopted.

I have a good man. I'm in love. I feel like Frieda with my many pets. Happiness.

What I'm listening to

2008-06-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

More Funny Pictures and Myspace Layouts atpYzam.com

- Belle & Sebastian Radio <--click me

I don't know why I couldn't change the radio station name, but its not a Belle and Sebastian Radio station. If you have ever wondered how awesome it would be to live in a perfect world where I was the D.J. and could eat only cake and doughnuts all day long...well half of your dream came true. Click the link to "Belle and Sebastian Radio".

Your welcome.

Funny Pics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

P.S. I couldn't decide between a bagle and cream cheese or a doughnut for breakfast so I ate both. Take that ... good judgment!

Time for an update...

2008-06-10T18:07:00.000-07:00

Well things have been touch and go lately.

The talk went better than I could have expected. I got up there and although I expected my nerves to kick in...they didn't. I was confident and excited to share the research that I was doing. Maybe I'll attach my PowerPoint if I can figure out how....

My art is going to be shown in July. I am more nervous about that than anything.

On the flip side, cause I have learned there is always a flip side to our up's in life...

I'm in a legal war. The court system of PA ruled in favor of my sole custody...and then the following month awarded me a nice sum for assistance in raising the brat from my lovely ex.

He didn't feel like it was such a nice sum and got himself a lawyer to fight it. He is stalling so that when he gets deployed...everything will be put on hold... and he'll have 2 years to put it all off. So the gist is that he is saying PA is not his residence so the state has no jurisdiction over him. Its more like juris-dick-tion. Take care of your fucking kid. But I digress. I need to focus on the positive and remember that I believe in karma. You know what... I just realized that yesterday would have been my six year anniversary. Weird. This is the first time since we split that I totally forgot about it on the actual day. I guess thats progress, right?

In any event... I talked to my friend Nanette... she is one person in the world that never ever seems to get her feathers ruffled. Her voice never raises above the sweet whisper that it always stays at...and she calmed me ... more like lulled me into believing that all will work out for the best. So I have been in that lulled state ever since

I am going home to spend my 29th birthday with my dad this weekend... I was born on his birthday ... like anyone didn't know that. We have a tradition of getting up in the middle of the night and going out to a cheesy diner for breakfast and just being together. I think we've done this longer than I can actually remember and I hope we do it for at least another 29 years. Happy birthday Daddy. Someday I'll get you some really rad golf clubs (like you wanted when you ended up with me) or maybe just a cool tie with golf clubs on it (just to be the brat that you ended up with instead). I love you!

Jon and Jami's wedding featuring the flower princess

2008-06-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

Ah science...

2008-06-02T18:59:00.001-07:00

I just wrote an awesome blog and it got deleted. GRR.

OK the gist was ... I like watching scientist defend stupid statements. One in particular being Dr. Watson (as in Watson and Crick the dudes that discovered DNA).

I especially liked this quote:

JW: The Jewish people are terrified of [discovering the] genes behind Jewish success, because it will lead to—

HLG: Do you think that's possible?

JW: I know it's not Jewish food.

HLG: Gefilte fish doesn't lead to …

Then they digress...

Hear that Grandma?!?...That gelatinous fish-goo doesn't make us grow brains in our head! HA!

sucker.

2008-05-31T21:08:00.000-07:00

Pep and I went to Ikea today. Audrey was being a pain in the ass so I decided to confine her to a shopping cart. As we stopped to look at some duvet covers we hear a little voice yell out "SO LONG SUCKERS!" We looked at each other to confirm that we actually did hear correctly then look over at the little red-head using a shelf to roll the cart away from us. I love that kid.

Its my blog and I'll PMS if I want to

2008-05-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

Note: before you read this...I want to say... don't call me and ask about it... leave it alone...I don't want to discuss... this is my space to rant.

I have been really down on myself lately because I've gained so much weight. I was 128 and 5'7" and felt pretty hot about two years ago, now I feel like a schleppy mom. I don't know why I'm so mad at myself... I mean, I'M tall.... I just want to be the ideal ... long hair... thin... pretty. I feel like I have to wait again... for my hair to grow back..and to lose the lbs. I am just in one of those shitty cycles of self critisim. Its so lame. I looked up the average American woman's statistics and they are 5'3" and 142.

Why do I look in every reflective window and berate myself for letting myself go. I just feel like a failure when I'm like this. The worst part is, I feel like this on the inside and I don't want Audrey to ever feel this way. Does that make sense?. Like do as I say... not as I do. I hate that I can see from the inside one way ... and the outside another way. It would be easier to be more 2 dimensional. At least it would be consistent. The worst part is I'm at my biggest when I'm happy with my situation-- i.e. things are going my way in life, where as I look in the mirror and I'm miserable. When I was miserable inside I felt the most outwardly attractive. I hate being a girl. I hope in my next life I come back as a man or better yet a dragon-fly.

Side note: Thank-you Pep for putting up with me like this. Thank-you for carrying that headboard and footboard that was marked "free"--on the side of the pizza parlor-- for me 3 blocks , even though you couldn't remember if we already had a headboard (which we don't). And thank-you for being nice when I decided that the footboard was not necessary at the bottom of our staircase to our forth floor apartment becuase I surmised that it probably wouldn't attach to our bed properly. At any rate, its better that I figured it out before you brought it all the way up, right?

She's a monkey

2008-05-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

Audrey went to the zoo for her first field trip today. I got up extra early to get both of us ready so I could be at work on time. I wrote a note and put it in her pocket with my phone number and our address, just in case she got separated from the group. I made her rehearse with me what to do if she got scared. The first few times she did what I told her, that is …find an adult and give them the little note. The third or fourth time she got bored or annoyed with my overly protective fussing. When I asked her, ok one more time…What do you do if you get separated from your class at the zoo?…That was when she informed me she would become a monkey. I suppose she thinks monkey moms would be less protective.

I figured it out...

2008-05-23T16:41:00.001-07:00

Pheromones is the key. So women have a strange phenomenon that happens when they are in close proximity. They all tend to get on the same menstrual cycle. It seems like its evolutions bad...I mean a bunch of women going through PMS at the same time would lead to higher murder rates- right?

But then again, it also levels the playing field for procreating.

Did you know a man's penis is shaped just so-- that the tip acts as a shovel to get rid of any other previous sperm left by a competitor? Fascinating. I love understanding the whys in life.

We are all just cave men that have come far enough to develop the Internet. But really, its not that far in the basic biological sense. So bottom line... everyone was on the rag this week. I took a survey.

Hello Career!

2008-05-13T18:01:00.001-07:00

On June 4th I'll be the third of 4 speakers at Temple University Hospital giving a talk on Pulmonary Research. I have to stand in front of at least 100 people-- mainly patients and their families and tell them about Pulmonary Hypertension and the research we are doing to come up with better treatment methods. I started writing my speech tonight. I'm so excited. This is going to look good to the future drug company that I apply to, not to mention the two papers that are about to come out from my old lab that I'm an author on. (Obviously not first author- but my name is on there). I'm hoping this boosts my position in the science world-- and lands me a better (read -more lucrative) position. I'm over being a poor college kid. Time to sell my soul to the devil (Merek, Pfizer, etc)

Date night

2008-05-09T18:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Mothers Day to me. We went out for Cuban food. My date wore a sportscoat over his band t-shit. Fancy man! Audrey found a redheaded 3-year old boy at the next table to color with her. They reminded me of salt and pepper shakers for some reason.

ENFP

2008-05-02T17:18:00.000-07:00

This is not the first personality test that I got ENFP. My Melissa is an ENFP too. That is why we got along so well. What are you? Feel free to post it in the comments. Its fun.

You Are An ENFP

The Inspirer

You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.

You are also unconventional, irreverent, and unimpressed by authority and rules.

Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.

You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're quite the storyteller!

In love, you are quite the charmer. And you are definitely willing to risk your heart.

You often don't follow through with your flirting or professed feelings. And you do break a lot of hearts.

At work, you are driven but not a workaholic. You just always seem to enjoy what you do.

You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.

How you see yourself: compassionate, unselfish, and understanding

When other people don't get you, they see you as: gushy, emotional, and unfocused

What's Your Personality Type?

MARK MY WORDS...

2008-04-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

This is a webisode I found... http://inthemotherhood.msn.com/Default.aspx that is freaking hysterical... the best part is... its real mother's stories that are submitted and prizes are awarded. Not to mention that I LOVE Chelsey Handler, Leigha Rabini, and Jenny McCarthy. I am totally going to make my mark during the next open story submission. What will it be.... dead puppy, potty training... what do you think? Let me know what you think might knock peoples proverbial socks off... I've been a mom for almost 3 years and have on and off documented my trials and tribulations. I think dead puppy is the way to go...what do you think?

Cell Phone Art.

2008-04-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

Audrey and I went for a walk tonight. She told me this was a rocket. I can see it.
The rest of the pictures were taken from my balcony. I love the view. I feel guilty that I don't sit out an admire it more. It is why I wanted to live here.
This is another angle while the sun was setting.
Here is the city through a glass of wine... reminiscent of Melissa.

Spring and the pointy face.

2008-04-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

I woke up in one of those moods. Yuck. Insecure. I was too pale. Bloated. No matter how I did my hair it refused to hide that my facial features came across as too pointy. It was just one of those yucky days. I knew that I had hours upon hours looking through deceased patient files today. Its one of those days. I did raid the lab coat closest and before I got in trouble for it, I wore all over the hospital an ex-Doctor's lab coat...and my name was Ping Wang, M.D. . I was amused for the 45 minutes that it lasted. I'll be better tomorrow. Don't call me and ask if I'm OK. I'm OK. I'm just having one of those days.

I decided that I needed to sneak out early. I don't know if I'll pay any consequences for it, but I know I needed it and besides, I don't talk to anyone at work, so I doubt I was missed. I left an hour early. I went and had a glass of wine outside my favorite bar near my house and realized it was spring. Yes, spring. The amazing phenomenon that you only notice when you move away from Florida.

Eww.

2008-04-18T17:07:00.001-07:00

Funny Pics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

Todays thoughts about my job:

2008-04-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

When an actor comes to me and wants to discuss his character, I say, 'It's in the script.' If he says, 'But what's my motivation?, ' I say, 'Your salary.' Alfred Hitchcock

I wore scrubs today. I have come to the conclusion that scrubs are comfortable but I look dumb as hell in them. At least I blend in at the hospital. I don't like the medical questions that people expect me to answer on the subway though. I don't want to see your rash, thank-you very much. I can't wait till my lab coats come in though. I'm going to tell people to take 'tussin no matter what grossness they show me (outside of the hospital). That was a Chris Rock reference if you didn't see his stand up specials.

SHIT.

2008-04-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

So I've been playing the role of single mom this week.

It sucks.

I want it to be like old times where I was the fun one, even though I was the only one...when she would listen to me and love me...and couldn't yet talk.

Now... I'm not the fun one. Pep is... and even worse I have to have a "show" of alpha-ness. She doesn't believe me anymore when I tell her to do/not do something. "i.e. "If you keep screaming ..MOOOOMMMMM... after I put you to bed, I'm gunna...I'm gunna...I'm gunna SHUT your DOOR!"

"Noooo"....

"Yesssss!!"

Then I have to actually do it. Which leaves me to deal with my own anxiety while she screams her head off after the door is closed. Is she scared? Does she hate me? Is my baby dying in there??

I hate this part. I don't want her to think I'm heartless.

Yeah you heard me you two! Laugh it up.

Spring has Sprung.

2008-04-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

The trees are telling me that Spring is here. I wore short sleeves today , it was divine.

Although... I am having an existential crisis over my hair as of this morning. I'm such a girl. I thought regret would have hit sooner, now I weep for the seven inches of red hair I left on the salon floor. Damn my impulsiveness. I will just have to take my multivitamins and wait for it to grow back. Lets see... 1/2 inch a month... ='s......Whimper.