Correction about the Jaguar

Talked to my dad over lunch today.
Apparently the Jag is an '04... even though it looks like it has never been driven.

Just wanted to clear that up.

At work... still bored.
Countdown to my last day here: 112 days

The Jag - great story

{You are currently reading the very first blog post from work. Mark this day in history folks... my supervisors are out and I am bored, but I actually DO have something to write about!}

Last weekend, my father bought my mother a shining new Jaguar for their 25th anniversary. Yes, a NEW Jag. Unbelievable.
Now, before you come to any conclusions about my family's wealth, my parent's marriage, or the car choice, there are a few things you need to know.

When my dad was in his prime, working for a large company, he had a corner office with a view, underground parking, and a slew of gorgeous company cars. His favorite was an emerald green, '82 (I think), Jag. Beautiful car. I remember being very small and riding in the passenger seat, running my fingers over the cream-colored leather interior.

He doesn't have that job anymore. He works at a hardware store part-time to keep himself busy. He's a certified chain smoker and alcoholic (it's no big secret). He drives a Tracker (which, surprisingly, he loves - even after all those amazing company cars).

My mother: Mom grew up on a farm a mile away from their current house. Ever since I can remember, she has driven LARGE cars... mostly because she was carting around droves of small children - and when my sister joined soccer, she earned her title as "Soccer Mom'' - a title she is FINALLY giving up because my sister is going to college (on a soccer scholarship) in August.
So after the Jeeps, Suburbans, and mini-vans... my mother is now driving... a Jag?
She's just not a "fancy car" girl.

When she first saw the car in the drive way, she sent me a text message, asking me how the hell she could convince dad that she'd rather have a smaller car, a hot tub, and no car payments, "instead of the Jag in the driveway"?

SO yeah, there was some bickering about this.
My sister and her boyfriend had already decided they wanted to take the car for prom even before Ma saw the car.

My dad, well, he's a boy... he shows his feelings by buying STUFF. (I know, I know... that's a stereotype... but it's a stereotype because it's generally TRUE!)
Anyway, he was very hurt when my mom said she didn't want the car... storming away to go drink his vodka cranberry. He didn't really understand her point of view.
He did buy it completely and totally for her - he loves his Tracker and said he doesn't plan on driving the Jag - and he's trying to show her that, even if he's a fucked up jackass sometimes, there's still love.

After a weekend "trial'' period, the car is officially theirs. Note: They did NOT pay full price (Jeep trade-in plus a friendly discount from the dealer whom my dad is friends with). Still, there will be car payments.

I spoke with Mom today - I think the car is starting to grow on her... she's getting some friendly jabs from people in her office. Honestly, if anyone deserves a nice comfortable toy - it's my mother. She's always giving and never taking and hasn't ever let herself indulge.

In the beginning, I was a little pissed off at my Dad... wondering why he can't just settle down and not be completely overboard for once.
Then, I realized: Mom deserves it! They're both in their 50's. (Shh, don't tell them I told you.) Next year, when my sister moves out, they'll officially be parents of grown up children living far away.

If not now, WHEN?? Y'know...?

Spring

Today during my lunch break, I walked outside and did not wear a coat.
I suppose that if I lived in a place with a constant summer, I wouldn't feel as elated about the beginning of spring time or the changing of any of the seasons. Although I would be much warmer, life might just be a little more boring if I didn't have seasons.

I am officially a grad student at UWM am I am SO EXCITED! SO SO SOOOO EXCITED! Honestly, I've known I wanted a master's degree since my second year at Gustavus, but I had no idea I'd be THIS EXCITED!



I visited the campus and city last weekend, and I had a great time. The campus is located in the north east part of the city, which is the "Victorian" area, and it's right by the lake. Seriously, it's gorgeous. When I got to the Soc dept, I was greated by name by three different people - two professors and the dept secretary. I got a grand campus tour and had a very informational meeting with the head of grad studies. SOOO excited.

Yes, Milwaukee is a city and it has its ghetto and there are places you need to avoid. However, I saw so many fun things and great restaurants and coffee shops... the first restaurant I saw as I was snooping around the campus area was Qdoba. I seriously almost cried, I was so goddamn happy. Ha.
I even found a cafe with a hookah!

I sent in my forms today, and I've also been talking with some current grad students about housing... that's probably the thing that has me the most nervous! I saw tons of apartment buildings while I was there. I'm just a little bit scared of living alone. I sent out an e-mail to the master Soc grad student list to see if anyone's looking for a roommate... so we'll see what happens. It was pretty neat though... I sent out the e-mail and within an hour I had three replies helping me out with housing questions - telling me what area was best/what to avoid, stuff like that.

The lake is gorgeous - and it's a large enough body of water that, when I miss my Atlantic Ocean, I can stare at the lake and pretend I'm on the east coast. Campus is about 5 or 6 blocks from the lake.

My parents are proud that both of their children will be Panthers this fall... myself at UWM and Katie at UNI. I wonder how they'll handle both of us moving away this August. They'll officially have an empty nest.

SOO EXCITED. AHH!

And I can't say anything at work. That's tough. My coworkers ask me "what's new?" and I want to start gushing about all this UWM news, but instead I just say "eh... nothing much." I'm very nervous to tell them I'm leaving. I said before that I want to give them a month's notice, but is that enough time? Too much time? I have no idea how to do this. I'm afraid if I give them a month, they'll all hate me and I'll have to go to work and have everyone glare at me and that will suck... this is the downfall of working in such an intimate setting. EVERYONE talks and is in everyone else's business. The bosses daughter thinks I'm her best friend, and I know she's going to be crushed when I leave. (Not that I'm that great... she's just lonely and doesn't have many friends.)

And no, in response to the comment attached to my last post... NO, I do not want any free porn from you, dumbass. I know where to find it if I need it... thank you very much.

March Madness?

My parents and sister returned safely from their vacation in Cancun on Friday. I was lucky enough to be able to pick them up from the airport and drive them home. On the car ride to RF, my father told me at least five times that my car needs an oil change.
My sister was in the local paper this week - a picture of her cute little blonde self and an announcement that she's going to UNI on a soccer scholarship next year. We are all very proud of our baby girl. Interestingly enough, she doesn't seem too excited... although I admit I haven't been able to read her since she was about 8 years old. I don't know why I wrote this paragraph. I'm generally annoyed with Katie these days... hopefully someday she'll start talking.

As for me, I have almost exactly four months until I will quit my job. July 21st is the big day (for right now, at least). That's exactly a month before I need to be in Milwaukee to start the next step of my life. Yes, I suppose the secret's out - I really will be a grad student next year. UWM gave me a pretty great offer, so I'm thinking that's where I'll be. (It isn't official yet.)

Lately I've been feeling jittery and worried. I wonder if I just need spring to come. I am probably crazy.
I feel like I really should be out doing things - it's 40 degrees today - and I'm still sitting on the couch. Every once in a while, I feel some shadow of motivation... but it passes quickly.

I'm in a basketball pool right now and tied for first - hilarious, because I know *nothing* about basketball. Maybe I'll actually win for real.

I'm still deciding where I should go on my trip in late summer. I have a lot of decent ideas, but nothing brilliant has come to me yet.
Here are my ideas:
- Cape May
- Ireland (probably too expensive)
- Florida... I've always wanted to go to Universal Studios... and although I'm slightly embarassed about it, I do love Disney World.
- California - big trees/Hollywood/wine country? I've never been west of South Dakota. It could be fun.
- Yosemite
- Boston (unless I go for Becky's conference in June)
See... nothing stands out too much. I'd also like someone to come with me. We'll see what happens.

Shamrock Shake

Today wasn't good. I was upset... for many reasons. Then I called Megan. Then Megan came over and brought me a shamrock shake from McDonalds and we sat on the couch and talked. Then she took me to Uptown. Then I felt better.

Once again, I relearn that in order to recognize and appreciate the good in my life, I must first experience the bad.

*Thanks Megan.* You're a good friend.

Gas Station Disaster

Today, I had major issues at a gas station near my office. (Ha ha... "my" office.)
I went to the gas station during lunch because I was running on fumes. First of all, I pull up to a pump that's out of order - except for the diesel - and procede to dry desperately to fit the diesel gas nozzel thing into my car. It seriously took me a while to realize the pump wasn't working.
(For those of you who aren't aware - the nozzels are probably different sizes because of dumb people like me.)
I realize it doesn't fit, feel like a big dumbass, get back in my car and pull it up to the next pump.

I get out. I go around the car to open the tank again and realize I forgot to push the button to open the outside latch - the button that's located on the inside of the driver door. I walk back around to the drivers side, open the door, and push the button.
I go BACK around to the pump, open the latch, and realize I forgot my credit card in the car (I always put gas on my card).
FINALLY, I get the fricking pump going... then I realize my shoes aren't waterproof, but unfortunatly there wasn't a dry spot to stand... thanks to the massive snowstorm yesterday and consequent massive meltdown today.

Today I was wearing these horrible heels that match my brown dress pants... they're like 2 1/2'' and just a little bit too big. It's hard enough to walk in them in normal weather - but today the world was melting and it was slushy everywhere. (When I was walking into work, my left shoe got stuck in a snow bank and I had to stop and dig it out... do things like this only happen to me?)

Anyway, I finally did get a full tank of gas... then I went to Barnes and Noble.

I credit this ridiculousness to having a lot on my mind... whatever that means.

Meet Jack

This is Jack. Jack is my new iPod and new best friend. Last night, I went to pick him up from my parent's house in RF (I was also "house sitting").
Jack and I hit it off instantly. We both share an intense love of music, and all of my favorite songs are also his. Imagine that!

We stayed up really late dancing around the house like maniacs and watching random HBO movies. He kept me company while I washed the dishes and watered the plants.

Jack has his own casette tape adapter, so on the drive back to SLP today we had a sing-a-long in the car.


I think this the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

........

WWHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYY?!?!?!?!?!?!

i
hate
my
job.