Is it normal to be insane?

It has been getting darker earlier and staying dark longer. It makes me tired. I've always pretty much required a full 8 hours of sleep or I get a "little" ornery. (Note: "little" is a subjective term.)

The other morning (if you can call 3:50AM morning) when Toad left for work he went to give me the standard kiss goodbye. Toad is fully aware that there are only two outcomes when he goes in for the kill. I will either 1) be completely comotose or 2) be slightly conscious and try to kill him. Fists flying, screaming threats of bloody murder. I don't really remember doing these things, but part of me is aware of what is going on. When I am awake I think I am a pretty pleasant person, most of the time.

This morning (the real morning - 6:00AM) I woke to find myself entering a whole new level of insanity. I wasn't awaken to the song on my alarm, but my own voice. I was literally having an argument with myself. Self 1: "Get up" Self 2: "NO!" Self 1: GET UP! Self 2: Grrr.

I think of myself as a pretty "normal" person, but it just may be possible that I am reaching a new level of insanity. The subconscious is a very interesting thing. When I was younger I thought that it was one's true self. Now, I hope not. My subconscious seems to be very violent and lazy.

This disturbing situation did encourage me enough to eventually get up out of bed. But I didn't make the bed - does that mean the subconscious is winning?!

Hooray! A rational sensibility

This weekend Toad showed how much he really adores the Lady and proved that he's not as much of a dork as he thinks he is.

When Lady and Toad went on their first date 7 years, 1 month and 26 days ago the first date was not a movie, but a baseball game. Second date was curling at the, then newly opened, Ogden Ice Sheet. Then the creativity ended and just about every date that followed was a movie. That's not necessarily a bad thing - it just points out the fact that between the summer of 2001-2003 if a movie opened, good or bad, I have probably seen it. (A-I: not good)

I had saved all of the movie stubs from our first year of dating with the idea of putting them into a scrapbook. They have since moved on to a better place, once I finally convinced myself that no matter how much I think I should want to scrapbook, it really isn't for me. Congratulations to those who have patience, creativity and ambition. I wish I could be more like you.

I have seen a fair share of guy movies and in the beginning, Toad saw a good chunk of girl movies, too. Now I go to "girl" movies with girlfriends or sisters, and see the "boy" movies with the Toad. I don't mind too much, because they are generally pretty good, other than X-Men.

At one of the last movies we went to, a preview for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars was shown. An animated cartoon of the iconic Clone Wars from the Star Wars folklore. Each time we saw previews on TV, Toad's face would light with child-like excitement for the opening of a new chapter in his sci-fi world. At the gym one evening, when the commerical came on, I knew I was going to see this movie. My enthusiasm seemed to wane each time the commericial came on. I had the sinking feeling this movie would not be good and a knot in my stomach knowing that I would have to sit through this film.

When the movie opened on Friday, I timidly checked the movie reviews. Ouch 1 1/2 stars. Not good. I kept looking review, after review (okay, I honestly only looked at 3 reviews) confirmed my fears - the movie was NOT GOOD.

As I carefully mentioned the reviews that I read to the Toad, he quickly went to his arsenal of movie websites and saw that review after review this movie would not even be worth the matinee price. While he may have been a teensy bit disappointed, his much more rational, grown up side decided that it would not be worth seeing afterall.

One of the greatest characteristics of Toad is his unfailing ability to see greatness or not-so-greatness and being able to take it all in stride. While he may have been disappointed that this film was going to be abominable, he never let it show. He is also very good at compartimentalizing and rationalizing his way around things. In the end, I was saved from 158 minutes of cartoon prison because his better self knew that it would not be worth it. Not all was lost for the Toad, though. He did get a Lego Star Wars video game (at the request of the Lady) to compensate for the pain. (BTW, a very "cute" game.)

While Toad has a very rational side, that is something the Lady needs a lot of work on. Perhaps that's why I find this quality so refreshing. Not only did we not get to see the movie he wanted, he endured going to events for me. (A blog for another time.)

Desperate for Beauty?

Some time ago I was watching some program in the afternoon. Why is it that TV in the afternoon assumes that people have an IQ of 2? I don't know what this says about me, as I got sucked into the program long enough to listen to "inexpensive beauty tips".

The so-called "beauty expert" claimed that there are many products around the bathroom that can be used in lieu of "expensive" beauty products. She gave ideas on what to do with broken lipsticks, almost empty lotion bottles and so on. The one that I found most disturbing was an attempt to find less expensive "beauty blotters".

Beauty blotters are random pieces of tissue paper that suck up excess oil and reduce the afternoon shininess. Mary Kay sells them for about $5.00. The so-called expert recommended that in an attempt to save $5.00, use toilet seat covers. I kid you not. I have not been able to see the toilet seat covers in the office restroom the same since. I don't know about you, but I'd rather pay $5.00 than use something that has been exposed to "the elements."

Speaking of beauty/bathroom products. A co-worker recently introduced me to a new product that she has found hilariously helpful: http://www.poopourri.net/ I've not yet purchased the product, but I thought I'd pass random information along. Enjoy!

Lack of consistency

Alright, so I haven't been good at maintaining the blog. It's not surprising though, I start something new and then after a while in wanes until it fails to exist any more.

Kind of like going to the gym: New Years' Eve (any year) "This will be the year I will go to work out regularly." Week 1: Go every day. Week 2: Go every day. Week 3: Stuff comes up go 4 out of 5 days. Week 4: Go 3 out of 5 cause it is easier. Week 5: Stop. Wait til swim suit season comes. Repeat cycle. Welcome to Hallow-giving-mas - "The new year is coming. I didn't do well with my "resolution" better get started. Get to busy and decide to start again Jan. 1.

So predictable and yet I feel very confident that I am not alone in this issue, whether it be blogging, going to the gym, staying connected with friends, cleaning my house/yard whatever it may be. Why is it so tough to do everything all time?

So, once again, I promise to try harder to be a better "blogger."

4-day work week

So, my alarm went off this morning and the newsperson was talking about Gov. Huntsman's upcoming 4-day work week that will take effect the beginning of August. Lying in bed I thought to myself how incredibly unfair it was for them to talk about this initiative on FRIDAY! If I was lucky enough to have a 4-day work week, I wouldn't be awake because today would be a day off. Sigh and pout.

Working at a public institution has its perks and highlights, sure, but as all greedy people I want more!!

Coming from my religious background Sunday is a day that nothing gets accomplished, so my two-day weekend is technically only one day. Granted, Church activity at church and home is important to me and I can't say that I dislike the break from the Monday through Friday stuff and icky Saturday chores, but I do feel slighted that I can't go shopping or other personal "work stuff" that would probably make me feel like my life is more under control if I could have just one more day to get stuff done.

For example, last Saturday I took Toad to a CrossFit class in the AM. (It was awesome BTW; although he'll probably say otherwise.) He promised to try it - in a few weeks you hardly feel sore at all :) Then we had to see Hancock because Batman is coming out this weekend and it would throw off our movie viewing. (Granted, not a priority, but everyone needs to do fun stuff every now and then). Then we went grocery and other kinds of shopping. By the time we were done the day was over and my house was a mess and the yard was unkempt. Not a big deal, during the week I get home and I am tired from being emotionally picked on by clients that I become physically exhausted; therefore, no chores for me. I know, I know, whine, whine, whine. I acknowledge that this argument is really for no good reason, but...

Life seems so unfair. Just to further the State issue, yesterday the Lawyer was reading a news article that said State employees were no longer going to get Columbus Day or Veteran's Day off. She was upset that they were taking away two of our holidays until I reminded her that we don't get those holiday's anyway. So, since the Ivory Tower is overlooked I guess it makes sense that we would be ignored for a 4-day work week too. However, as one of the largest employers in the State, think how many tax dollars would be saved if we shut down for one more day :)

What's my #?

The world is a much more complicated place than it used to be. There are passwords and PINs for everything. I can never keep them straight. Any time I go to the ATM I always have to call hubby for the PIN. HE NEVER EVEN USES THE BANK ACOUNT! I somehow manage to pay all our bills, but I can’t remember how to take $20 from the ATM. I had a very traumatic experience where the ATM actually had enough of me and took my card away :( The problem with the ATM is that I do actually know my “secret number” but the ATM 10-key pad is different from the 10-key pad on a computer. I don’t really know the PIN I just know the pattern that it makes, hence not being able to access my money.

Same with email or any online accounts – I can’t ever remember which username goes with which password. I guess it would be simpler to keep everything the same, but that doesn’t seem very secure – which is the purpose for the username & password to begin with.

Update on June 27th Blog

So, here's the article that appeared in the Campus Newspaper... http://media.www.dailyutahchronicle.com/media/storage/paper244/news/2008/07/02/News/International.Center.Employee.Awarded.For.Work-3387191.shtml

The nice thing about the blog is I can correct all the minor errors here:

1.) I no longer work for the International Center, but for the Office of General Counsel. This is important because the OGC is part of General Administration - which granted me the award. The IC is part of Student Affairs which are voted upon separately - perhaps I wouldn't be selected if I was still in Student Affairs ... ?

2.) I wasn't officially granted the title of Study Abroad Advisor, because I didn't have study abroad experience, but it was close enough.

3.) The office was the International Center, not the International Studies Center. The IC handles study abroad and international student issues. The ISC houses the academic issues, such as the International Studies major and Exchange Agreements.

4.) I don't assist students with green card applications. I used to advise students on visa issues, but my work entails helping faculty and staff with their work visa and green card applications and issues. I have a feeling I am now going to get students breaking down my door. It's okay - it's been a quiet summer.

5.) Counsel, not council.