An Office With a View...

So, this week has been dreary, dismal, and depressing.

My trainee is nice, and I think she'll do well (although she's a chatter). But, my new office environment has been a challenge to say the least.

I've loved everyone's suggestions on how I could revamp my cubie and give it some pizazz, so I thought I'd give you another picture so you could put your creative hat on and come up with some ways I could improve my view.

Now, it's hard to tell from this picture, but I have the awesome view of 5, yes 5, different styles of air conditioning units. Aren't I a lucky gal? (Although, I can see little leafy tree tops if I lean over my desk and crain my neck sharply to the right)

I've thought about bringing some of my acrylic paints to work and painting my own little garden over the window, but I don't know how "management" would like that.

Maybe I could just cut foliage out of a magazine and tape it up there?

A decorative mini curtain that's connected to my gray fabric cubicle wall?

Any suggestion would be welcome...

A Promotion... sort of

Tomorrow (Monday) I begin training my work replacement*.

And I’m dreading it.

Not because I don’t like the woman we selected for the job, because I do (although, my fingers are crossed that she likes it enough to stay). And not because it’s a pain in the butt to have to train someone in the minutia of your world (although, it is).

But, because I have to leave my current office and move into a cubical. Yes, I received a promotion and it’s located in a cubical.

Now, I don’t have anything against cubicles, per se. I’m sure they do a fine job dividing a large area into small pretend-ly separate areas. But, my problem is that when you receive a promotion, you assume it also means a promotion of location.

In my case, it’s the opposite. I have to leave my office with a big window, and plenty of space (you know, in case I actually want to turn around in my chair), and go to a little box devoid of life and creativity.

Ugh.

To give you a feeling of what I’m talking about, I’m going to show you a few pictures.

Here’s where I was. Notice the large window. From it you see a parking lot, trees, and a dorm. I’ve been able to watch the goings on of college kids for the last couple of years (which can be quite entertaining, as you can imagine).





Here’s another angle. See how bright and cheery it is. Notice my postcard wall that documents all my many travels (well, a third of them are mine, the others are from my co-workers). Look at my nice faux cherry wood desk with plenty of leg room. How luxurious!




And now, here’s where I’m moving. Sigh of despair....




As you can see, this picture encompasses the whole area. No need for another angle. (In fact, it would be impossible to take a picture from another angle.) I barely have room to back up in order to get out. You’ll also notice I have a sliver of a window (which is lucky, I know, most people in cubicles don’t get that). The window over looks the rooftop with a lovely variety of air conditioning vents. No foliage whatsoever.

You’ll also notice the difference in lighting. That’s because the two ladies I share the office with don’t like a lot of light. So, we sit in the dark. Oh, and because one of them has arthritis, the temp is about 80 degrees.


Yippy! A dark, stuffy tomb of depression!!



Aren’t I a lucky gal?



*So, because I’m going to be busy training and feeling dejected in my gray box of average, it’s very likely that I won’t be posting on my blog this week, and maybe the next. (Not that I only post while I’m at work, but,…well, actually I do normally post at work [during a break, of course] {wink, wink}).

Another Mini Milestone

I’m a copier, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I copy great ideas!

So, when Rachel posted this, I knew that when I reached my 100th post, I was going to do the same thing.

Of course, then I thought that it might not be such a good idea because people could compare my list with Rachel’s and realize that she is by far the more interesting of the two.

But, since Rachel called it “100 mostly uninteresting things,” I decided to take a stab at it.

So, with that, here’s the list of 100 mostly uninteresting things about me:

1. I love bananas,
2. unless they’re cooked.
3. Then I’d rather eat lint.
4. I have a pair of pompoms in the back seat of my car
5. just in case I need them.
6. I’ve always wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons (with costumes and everything)
7. but don’t know anyone who plays it.
8. I wear headphones at work
9. even though I’m not listening to anything
10. to avoid talking to my office mate.
11. I write notes on the back of my hand
12. even if there is paper around.
13. I love reading about politics
14. but I hate discussing them.
15. I hate contention.
16. I also hate competition.
17. I think Satan came up with both of them.
18. And, I hate Florida too,
19. but have never been there (Sorry, Floridians!).
20. When driving, and a great song comes on, I do a funky hand dance.
21. I’m embarrassed about it.
22. So, no one has ever seen it in its full glory. (And no one ever will.)
23. I was in an Independent Film in High School.
24. I played “White Girl 1” and had 2 lines.
25. Then “White Girl 2” backed out, so my lines doubled and
26. included the last line of the movie.
27. which was “You know what you get when you mix black and white together? Gray.”
28. I was also on the news when I was in High School.
29. It happened outside the Arsenio Hall show (Do you remember that one? Were you in the Dog Pound?)
30. I was there with my super best friend Chelsea (Who was also on the news with me.)
31. We were there to see New Kids On The Block.
32. And we were asked by a news crew to talk about what we would do if we met them.
33. I said “I would thank them for helping get through my teenage years.”
34. Chelsea said “I would probably die.”
35. One of my favorite words is “vestibule.”
36. I rarely have an opportunity to use it.
37. I also like “jejune”.
38. I don’t use that one, either, because I don’t like being pretentious.
39. My favorite poet is Gerard Manley Hopkins.
40. Not many people have heard of him.
41. But everyone should read his work, OUTLOUD, to hear the beautiful alliteration.
42. I love alliteration,
43. (almost above all else).
44. I can only remember 3 teachers from Elementary School.
45. One from Junior High,
46. And 2 from High School.
47. I have a terrible memory.
48. Even about other things, like family stuff, and childhood friends. (Did I have any?)
49. But, I never forget a face.
50. Ever. It kind of creeps me out because I can’t place the face, I just know I’ve seen it before.
51. I like strawberry shakes,
52. But not strawberry ice cream.
53. I don’t like cucumbers.
54. Even the smell of them makes me sick.
55. So, I have to be careful what kind of beauty products I buy because cucumber scent is a very popular ingredient.
56. I rarely watch a movie more than once.
57. Unless I think it has multiple layers that need to be plumbed.
58. Most movies today don’t qualify.
59. Most of the movies I own are black and white.
60. I like “Xena, Warrior Princess.”
61. Yes, I do. Think what you will.
62. And no, I don’t think there are depths to be plumbed in Xena.
63. I just love women kicking butt.
64. I hate movies where the woman waits to be rescued.
65. I also love war movies.
66. But, I have a hard time getting through them.
67. Not because of the blood (that doesn’t bother me)
68. But because I think of all their families who never saw them again.
69. I’m the oldest of 50 grand children.
70. I’m glad the number turned out even.
71. If it had been odd, that would have bothered me.
72. I love being part of a big family.
73. But, I want to live alone.
74. At least for a little while.
75. My two favorite cereals have only one word as their name:
76. Kix and Pops.
77. But, I don’t ever eat them
78. Because they have no nutritional value.
79. I eat Cream of Wheat
80. for the iron.
81. It makes me feel like an old lady to eat something for iron.
82. My favorite non-chocolate candy is Hot Tamales.
83. They have no nutritional value either.
84. I don’t have a favorite chocolate candy.
85. But when I’m in Cost Plus World Market, I buy chocolate from different countries.
86. It makes me feel all fancy
87. And a “woman of the world”.
88. I’d like to write one masterpiece that changes the world,
89. And all kids would have to read it in High School,
90. And then I would never write again.
91. And become a recluse.
92. The creepiest show I’ve ever attempted to watch was “Grey Gardens.”
93. I’ve never gotten through the whole thing. (Anyone want to watch it with me?)
94. I think because I’m afraid that could be my future, minus the wealth and family connections.
95. I leave dorky, rambling phone messages when I call my friends.
96. I’m somehow compelled to tell the person my entire daily schedule, including my 5 year plan, even when the only thing I need to ask is what time the movie starts.
97. This is why I avoid calling people. I fear they won’t answer, and I’ll sound like an idiot.
98. I’ve always wanted to accomplish something incredible.
99. I figure I have about 30 more years to do it.
100. I’m just not sure what it is yet.

A Miracle!

Just as a little F.Y.I., we've finally hired my replacement (at work, not in life (although, I'd be willing to accept applications for that as well)).

Yes, after 3 months, I'm finally going to just do the job that I'm being paid for.

Fingers-crossed that my new position doesn't stink.

And that the person we selected will do a good job, and stick around.

Friday Fluff: Women's Edition

First a digression (Can you digress before you even begin a conversation?):

This morning at 7:15am as I was rushing off to work, my phone rang. Normally, this doesn’t happen. I mean, who calls someone that early on a work day?

I assumed that it was a family member. Maybe some kind of an emergency.

But, here’s what happened:

ME: Hello?

CALLER: Hi, Liz?

ME: Yes…

CALLER: It’s me, your visiting teaching supervisor.

ME: What?

CALLER: Did you do your visiting teaching last month?

ME: What?

CALLER: Your visiting teaching, did you do it?

ME: Uh, yes…

CALLER: Thanks. Bye.

What in the world?

_________________________

Okay, with that out of the way, on to some fluff.

Actually, today’s not that fluffy. I should really say, now, on to some interesting news.

_________________________

In honor of International Women’s Day tomorrow, I thought I would post things about women.

To begin, one of the things that made me love President Hinckley was his wife, Marjorie. Didn't you just adore her? I loved being able to get to know her through her books and talks. And I think it made me understand President Hinckley better (and vise versa). I can’t remember another prophet’s wife I’ve known so well. Maybe Emma?

And I think that’s a shame. A man doesn’t get to be a prophet on his own! I think we should know more about the women in their lives. So, to support that idea, here’s a link to an article on Frances Monson. I don’t know if she’ll be as visible as Sister Hinckley (It doesn’t seem to be her style, which is okay.), but we should at least honor her by learning a little about her life. Don’t you think?

Oh, and connected to this idea, here’s a fantastic blog that’s dedicated to LDS Women’s History. Yay!

________________________

Here’s something you can peruse that will make you feel all know-y about some famous women who were the first to do something.

Sadly, I had only heard of about half of them.

How about you?

Maybe we should form some kind of “Woman of the Month” club where every month one of us chooses a woman we should know about and writes up a little post on her.

Anyone interested?

________________________

You know, I think I’ll end with a link that definitely counts as fluff (and has to do with women).

Just when you think that the genre of “Rock Opera” can’t get any worse, you read something like this.

How desperate are we, people? I mean, come on! I couldn’t stand hearing about it (over and over again) when the whole thing happened in the first place!

I can’t imagine ever desiring to go to see this. Can you?

Wait. I take that back. I could go if I had a certain group of friends with me (you know who you are) and we were going to mock it.

That would be tons of fun! I’ll keep you posted if it comes to L.A.

______________________

Have a great weekend! And tomorrow, remember how blessed we are to be women who are free to choose how we live.

So many of our fellow sisters here on earth don’t have that same opportunity…

“Wonder”-ful Wednesday

So, I’ve been thinking a lot about myself recently (surprise, surprise).

Mostly about how I constantly mess things up for myself. How I let myself down. How I’m not really nice to myself all the time. Yadda Yadda Yadda.

And as I was doing some reading (you know how I love to research things) on the “self” and why we’re so hard on it, I came across this quote:

Self-destruction is the effect of cowardice in the highest extreme. ~Daniel Defoe

Cowardice, huh?

I never thought of it like that. But, the more I’ve been reflecting on this idea, the more it rings true to me.

I’m self-critical to stop myself from taking chances!

That’s what I’ve been doing all along with my writing. I’ve really frozen myself with my judgmental attitude. I tell myself that I’m only saying what other people are thinking (and maybe some are), but really, it’s just a way to say “See, Liz, you shouldn’t even bother trying. You stink anyway!” And this, of course, keeps me from action.

It makes me a coward! And since I’m the only “self” I’ve got, this obviously affects me in the “highest extreme.”

So, what do you think? Do you see yourself as being a coward when you are self-critical?

Is your self-destruction stopping you from taking action? And if so, what are you going to do about it?

You’re the only “self” you’ve got, too!

Who are the bloggers in your neighborhood?

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you hit the “Next Blog” button on the top of your Blogger page? Me too! Have you been afraid to hit it because you didn’t know what kind of debauchery it might lead to? Me too! But, I decided to take a chance at possible long-term mental scarring, and visit the blogs in my blogger-hood (so to speak).

And you lucky people are invited to join me! So, without further ado, here are the first 10 blogs I came across as I was taking a leisurely stroll down my blogger street.



1. A girl blogging from Toronto, but I think she was originally from a Spanish country because it’s all in Spanish (unless there’s a big Spanish-speaking community in Toronto that I’m unaware of). She asks this on her blog: “Que les Gustaria ver en este blog?” and I didn’t know how to reply. Suggestions?

2. A man who travels for a living, and discusses how they now have organic plane food. Who knew? I, personally, wouldn’t have even thought to ask about it. (And, of course, the food comes in recycled paper goods.) Some of the recent places he’s visited are Japan, Turkey, sailing on the sea of Marmaris, Kuwait, and Dubai. He has tons of cool pictures. I was very jealous of him…

3. A blog about bikes found chained up. You know, like people road their bikes to work/school/the store, and then chained them to a light post or something, and then this guy saw it, took a picture of it, and posted it on his blog. That’s all it’s about: other people’s bikes chained to things. Weird.

4. Some young kid who just has pictures of himself with a little caption like “Here’s me in my room.” “Here’s me in my favorite shirt.” “Here’s me with my friend Matt.” “Here’s me outside my school.” “Here’s me holding my cat.” You get the idea.

5. A woman who makes cool jewelry out of broken china. Beautiful! (She also has some funky drawings she’s done. Not beautiful and a little creepy. She should stick with the jewelry.)

6. A blog all about cows/bulls. Initially I thought “Oh, cute cows.” But, after scrolling through, it ended up being very disturbing. I don’t want to talk about it any more…

7. A blog about song lyrics, and what those lyrics mean to the blogger. For example, his first post was the lyrics to “Forever Young” with a link to Alphaville singing it. And then he would describe what the words mean to him and his life (some of it really weird). A sampling of the other songs that have deep meaning to him: “Whip it” by Devo, “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas, and “Bust a Move” by Young MC. Quite a music connoisseur, huh?

8. A blog in Greek. At least it looked like Greek writing, but I’m not an expert, so I could totally be wrong*. No idea what it was about, but it had a lot of cool pictures of some kind of Greek(?) festival going on. Looked like a lot of fun.

9. A woman who’s taken photos of her jewelry collection, and each post is dedicated to one. And she then describes how she got it, how much it was, and why she loves it. She seemed rather pretentious to me. I mean, who has a blog dedicated to their jewelry? What does she say at dinner parties “Oh, you love this neckless? You should visit my blog and read all about its history. And then you can see all the other awesome pieces I have and you can be jealous of my wealth.” At least, that’s what I imagine she would say.

10. A blog on war. It’s in a different language. One I don’t recognize. Something Nordic, maybe? So, I think it’s about war. There are a lot of normal war-type pictures on it: tanks, men in uniforms, weapons. And then there are a few concerning war-type pictures: Nazi’s and swastikas. Then there’s a picture of Hugo Chavez. Not sure how it all connects together, or if the guy is pro or anti-war, but it was interesting to scroll through. Hope I’m not now flagged by Homeland Security!



Well, there you have it. The first ten blogs I came across. Quite an interesting neighborhood I live in, huh? Expect to see another post like this one every so often. I think it’s good to know the company you keep (even if it occasionally gives you the heebie jeebies**).



*I ended up googling some of the text because it was driving me crazy. It’s not Greek, it’s Bulgarian. But, seriously, it looked like Greek!

**This is a warning. If you decide to hit “Next Block” on your on blog, you might see things you’d rather not see. It happened to me!