Open letter to the guy I cut off on the interstate today

Dear Guy,

First I would like to apologize for cutting you off this morning. I realize that it was my fault and take full responsibility for my action...Well not full responsibility, in my defense your car was small and the color of concrete, so that even though I looked and signaled, I could not see you.

The main point here is that once I realized my error, I immediately attempted to apologize by raising my hand to you. I know that this can look like a "thank you" sign which would have been clearly inappropriate. I made a second attempt to say "I'm sorry" when you passed me. At 75mph, and at great risk to my life, I looked at you and and said "I'm Sorry". Now because we were doing 75mph and you were clearly enraged ( as evidenced by the very hostile look in your eye), you may not have processed this apology. That being said I feel it was very rude of you to roll down your window and give me the finger as you exited the freeway.

I really felt bad about cutting you off, more than I probably should have. I mean it's not like I killed you or ran over your puppy or anything. It was an honest mistake. I attempted to apology and your response was rude and inappropriate. Since you decided to be a complete asshat, my hope for you is that you are rear ended in your small ugly car by a drunk wit no driver's license, insurance and no visible means of income.

Yours truly,
SB

Bacon

I didn't think it was possible,but bacon really tastes better cooked in a cast iron skillet.

(that's it, I got nothing else today)

Monday Moment of Magic

I was talking with one of my instructors today who advised that since he was teaching a class for me for the first time, he would probably end up doing some magic like,pulling a rabbit out of a hat. So in honor of Joe and the start of the NASCAR season, I give you your Monday Moment of Magic

Home Sweet Home

Well I made it home alive. It was a long trip and I have to ask if anyone has ever experienced or felt like this.....

Your driving 5.5 hours home after being away for a week. About three hours into the drive your ass goes numb, at about the same time you feel the urge to pee, but don't want to stop because everything you drive by looks nasty. You also realize that there is a Shell station in every small, Podunk town along the interstate, except for when you actually need to get gas, and for some reason some old guy feels that it is very appropriate to drive 30 mph on a State road that has a posted speed limit of 55 and you can't get around him because nobody will let you over even though you have had your signal on for 2 miles, and you finally pull into the next BP station to get $10 worth of gas so you can JUST get home only to find a Shell station 1 more mile up the road...and just when you think you are home, less that 1 mile, you end up behind a cab driver who apparently just moved to this county (or country) and keeps braking and slowing...and you actually feel the psychotic break occur and the usually quiet voices in your head, many unnamed but some with names like Killer, Bubba and Roy decide that if the cabbie brakes for no reason one more time you are all going to run him off the road into a ditch and then as a group beat the living shit out of him......

Ever had the feeling? Yea me neither....

For Ryan....

One of my favorite and oh so true sayings. BTW, I've been in this hotel room for threes days and just realized that the chair was a lounger....and yet still no Starbucks.

I drive home tomorrow, 5.5 hours, by myself.... wish me luck.

A world without Starbucks

I think I may have an unhealthy relationship with Starbucks, but we'll get back to the. So I'm in the State capital, 5.5 hours away from home for the week. I'm attending a work conference, so I'm in a hotel, without my hubby (who needs a new blog nickname) and here are some observations:

--I should not be allowed to drive by myself for 5.5 hours. I am way to ADD for that. There seriously needs to be someone else driving so I can look at at signs and shit. Most people don't take ADD seriously, but they don't understand....look a chicken

--If you are holding a conference you should tell "people" ahead of time that there is a group dinner one night. This way "people" bring at least 2 nice shirts. I know that as a woman it is expected that I pack everything I own for a 1 week trip, but I'm not your typical woman. I mean I only own like 4 pair of shoes ( not including boots; boots don't count). As it is I had to schlep to the mall to buy a shirt that is casual but not not t-shirt casual but not dressy either.

--One would think that in the State capital, a major college town, there would be a Starbucks on every corner (see I told you we would get back to it). But no, the only one I can find is in the mall and that's not open at 7am. And for the record, the Starbucks website should not say there are three close to my hotel if there are not. (yes, I'm that pathetic, I spent 20 minutes looking for one online) I think I need Starbucks rehab..."Hi, my name is Sonja, and I'm an addict"..."Hi Sonja"

Yes a world with out Starbucks is a sad, dangerous, barbaric place...

Too old for the fair?

I went to the State fair yesterday. The weather was perfect and I love the fair. The greasy, not remotely good for you food, the animals, the crafts. I love it all. But I discovered that I may be too old for the fair. Not that the fair has passed me by, cows and goats are cows and goats. (BTW, we got to see a 2 hour old calf, he was adorable) My point is that after walking around for 5 hours, I feel today like I did 40 squats. My legs hurt, my knees hurt, my ass even hurts. It sucks. I like to think of myself as young at heart, but my body disagrees. Getting old bites.

Disappointment Abounds

So, yesterday was a very, very disappointing workday. Many things were expected, none of which happened. Now you might be thinking that these were good things, like a promotion or a raise or my arch nemesis dropping dead...of that one is kind of close.

1. Our state inspector, after having been notified of improper training being conducted (not by me, the training or the notification), was supposed to 'stop by' in an attempt to catch said improper behavior. He showed up, got made and everybody played by the rules.

2. Had a meeting where I was sure my boss would ask me about why I hadn't made money on a particular training class. I had a whole speech/rant/meltdown prepared about how I would have except that the big boss told the training company we weren't interested in making money, so how the fuck am I supposed to make my quota if I keep getting sabotaged up the chain. And yes I am perfectly willing to have a complete meltdown and scream at my boss...we have already established this Anyway he never asked.

3. I fully expected to be called into my supervisor's office and accused of trying to get the other unit in trouble with the state inspector (see #1). Why did I expect this (and still do), because I was accused of "ratting out" (their words not mine) this person last time her unit was written up by the state. I did not do so last time (that can be proved) and absolutely did not this time . But I was not accused, however I don't put it past anyone not to do it 6 months.

So all in all it was very disappointing, I was ready for a fight and didn't get it. When I want something done right at my office I get false accusations and disapproving setbacks; when I want false accusations and disapproving setbacks, I get nothing.

Oh well I'm going to the fair tomorrow....

Today's message from the Universe

Not events, Sonja, but outcomes. Visualize outcomes.

Not the cracking of the bat, but gliding over home plate.

Not the inking of the deals, but the kind of life you'll lead.

Not the scale, the diet or food, but the admiration you have earned.

And not the whens, the wheres, and hows, but the laughter, high-fives, and wows.

Not events, Sonja, but outcomes. Visualize outcomes.

The Universe

Basic Math

There are several rants to this post, many, if not all having some tie in to basic math skills

□ I put in a bid for some equipment last March (why is took 1 year is a whole other rant).
After a year, I am told we must bid this out. I’m finally given the “lowest” bid and as I look
at the numbers, I see that bid is $9600.00. My original bid was $9500.00. Now I’m not a
math major but I think 9500 < 9600

□ I am still working on my dissertation. I have twice sent my first two chapter to my chair
for review. Last week I was told “I’ll read these in the next day or 2 and get back to you”
Again 1-2 < 7. Also, I am running out of money to pay for this degree which is actually an
algebra problem… If M=money and D=degree then 0M + 0M = 0D. And I said I’d never
use algebra again.

Monday Moment of Zen

Not really...this moment of Metal Zen brought to you by Drowning Pool and YouTube.com

Today's Message from the Universe

When it comes to the words you choose, whether in your mind or amongst friends, let them be of what you like and love. What you care about and cherish. What makes you happy. What gives you wings. What makes you dream.

And very little else.

The Universe

Thoughts become things, so choose good ones

What Art Movement are You?

You Are Surrealism

Dreamy and idealistic, you've created a world that is all your own. It's very likely that you've either dabbled in drugs or are naturally trippy. You are always trying to push beyond the boundaries of your culture and society. You believe that art, love, and freedom can change the world.

What Art Movement Are You?

Change is bad....

....Or I'm a freak.

So we got our new bedroom set today. Its beautiful, its oak, its mature. I love it....and I hate it. I hate change, really any change. Once I get used to it , I'll be fine, but right now...

Here's the deal, when I got the new roof on the house...a much needed new roof I might add....I burst into tears when I first saw it. But I got used to it.

The room will be fine, the room is fine....I'm just a freak.

Friday Awwww Moment

If you haven't done so, spend some time viewing the cutest baby panda in the world. You can watch her from 10 AM to 5 pm EST. I will warn you that she sleeps qute a bit, but even that's cute.

Winter comes to Florida

Finally, something resembling winter has come to Florida. It is currently 49 degrees where I'm at and I could not be happier. Of course it would be better if I was curled up in bed under my down comforter, but whatever.

Considering it was 80 degrees on Christmas day, which just sucks, its nice to have some cold temperatures. Finally I can pull the sweaters out the storage, put on a leather jacket and all the stuff you do in the cold.

You see I remember a time in Florida when we actually had seasons. Yep, Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter. You could actually tell. There were two distinct time when you could turn off the AC/heater and open the house, and these times were sandwiched in between AC time and heater time. But alas, no more. I 've had the AC on for most of "winter" because its been too bloody how to open the house. Thank you Global Warming.

Here's my theory, when its cold there are ways to warm up, build a fire, put on a coat, get under a blanket, snuggle (under the blanket). But when its hot, there is nothing you can do to make it less miserable. You can only take off so much clothing before it becomes illegal. And where does that leave you....in jail, nekkid and still hot & sweaty. Nobody wants to see that.

Become an M&M

So now you too can become an M&M! Just go to Become an MM. Here I am lounging by the pool with my pet turtle, pokey.

Friday's ethical question

So this was a discussion in a meeting I was at yesterday. I was not a participant, only and observer in said meeting.

You are the director of a police academy/training center. This academy is a para-military organization, however because you are part of a college/university/school board, so your recruits are also considered college students.

During morning flag raising ceremonies the recruits are expected to salute the flag. One of your students refuse to salute based on their religious tenets. They are not disruptive in any manner, they just refuse to salute. Here's your options:

1) Pull the students from that activity and hope that peer pressure and the need to belong changes their beliefs.

2) Throw them out of the academy (or if they are sponsored by an agency, have them fire based on a department rule stating that all employees must respect the flag)

3) Have them remain in formation during the ceremony, standing at attention and not saluting.

In this particular discussion, number three was not mentioned as an option. I was appalled. Apparently some of these people have never read the Constitution and are unaware that the student has the right to practice their religion free from persecution.

I'm a mess

So this is not what I intended to write today, but for the record, I'm a mess today. I slept in an extra 1/2 hr because I had to have blood drawn and the lab didn't open until 7:30. I get there at 7:32 and there is already 10 people ahead of me. So I wait 20 minutes and then realize that I'm pretty sure I left my insurance card at my office...45 minutes away. So I leave. I drive down the road and find my insurance card in my purse. So I go back and wait another 15 minutes and get my blood drawn.

Some where in this process, I realized that I left the house without a belt. This would not be a big issue except I have lost a few pounds (good thing) and now will spend my day pulling my pants up. FYI, the lab is 5 minutes away from my house, but I didn't bother to go get a belt.

Then there was a line at Starbucks, and did I mention that I am starving because I had to fast for the blood thing. And finally, there was an accident on my route so I had to find a different way to work. Luckily I know like 5.

On the up side, looking at the positive and giving credit where credit is due, as Ginger would say....The sweater I wore today makes my boobs look great!!

PS: One of my coworkers seems to be a bigger mess than I am....Yea me!

Today's Message from the Universe

Do you know what people who amass wealth, friends, and laughter have in common with those who don't?

Very often, Meredith, both look around at their lives and say, "Yeah, this is who I am. It must have been meant to be."

Must be a trick of the light.

The Universe