Yesterday..

Yesterday was one of those days that I wished I had my digital camera with me, but, alas, I didn't. 

It started out as a beautiful day..  It was so nice and warm out, I actually took my youngest out for a nice two mile trek near the ocean, where we actually went out on the sand and put our feet in the water.  There were other people walking, enjoying the holiday.  There were also a lot of people smoking weed.  Next to sewage back up, that has got to be the worst smell out there.  But, the fresh ocean air swept that away eventually, and we could hear the sea lions near the wharf, and we watched the pelicans fly above.  The salt air is great for clearing up nasal congestion.  Poor little guy had a runny nose, and I had to clean him up a few times.  Not only does he have a runny nose, his back teeth are coming in, and he is drooling again.  Poor kid needs a bib--never mind he is almost 3! 

It was beautiful, the sun was out, and the sky was a bright blue.  As I watched Nicholas play in the sand, all I could think about was...  Damn..if I only had my camera!  I would have some really beautiful pictures of  him near the ocean..  Within 20 minutes, however, the weather changed.  The once bright blue sky was now overcast, and Nicholas was going to get cold..  He has suddenly took a dislike to sand in his toes, and threw another one of those toddler tantrums that make passers-by stop and stare.  Lovely.  I got the socks and shoes back on, and carefully brought up the stroller up the cement stairs from the beach, while holding the little guy's hand.  I think I had an excellent work out for the day. 

I still had a hour to kill before picking up Andrew from school, so I decided to take a drive downtown.  Yesterday, apparently, all the strange people of Santa Cruz was out and about.  The tall, bearded and thin, "Vampire Man" was out and about.  He walks around downtown, all dressed in black, and he wears a velvet long black cape.  He has long, dark shoulder length hair, and he has a pet monkey that sits up on his shoulder.  Two intoxicated looking people on bicycles were riding my way (in the wrong direction), and one of them, a man fell off.  I saw his bicycle fly off the sidewalk.  He was embarrassed and quite agitated with his drunk, female bicycle companion.  Suddenly from across the street, a woman dressed in a pirate looking ensemble, with various red and white scarves wrapped around her head, pointed at them and shouted: 

"I predicted that would have happened moments ago!  You must come to me andseek counsel!"

Okay, like I said, it was a day that I so wished I had my camera with me.  I love my home town, the beach, the atmosphere, but I really do come from a very strange place.  If you like Halloween, this is the town for ya'---it's Halloween almost every fricken day around here! 

                             

Mary Moran, Casady Maria..where are you?!

 

Damn..  I hate it when my pictures don't appear, and all I have are big blank X's..  Does anyone out there know why I get those?! 

Well, today is Columbus Day.  I'm off for the day, but kids have to go to school.  I had to drive over the hill to Santa Cruz so Andrew wouldn't miss his day at school, and afterwards, I did the unthinkable, and spent some time alone without the 2 1/2 year old!  It was nice, and I wish I could do this more often..

As awkward as it was, it was nice to just sit at a coffee shop, and eat my breakfast burrito and drink a cup of coffee alone.  The place wasn't too full of people, a few students, a few other women chatting, and some other men chatting amongst themselves.  I grabbed a paper, and skimmed through most of it--I had to do something to not feel so awkward.  I'm hardly ever alone anywhere, and with no one to talk to, I have to do something with my hands and eyes besides stare at people. 

 I did come across an interesting article about a band that was playing locally.  Hot Tuna.  Anyone hear of them?   The bass player is Jack Casady--who happened to be the bass player for Jefferson Airplane.  I met him when I was working with his wife, Maria.  Maria was a beautiful woman, who needed a part time job to make extra money to feed her pet dogs.  I don't think she really needed the money--just needed to do something with her time I guess.  She was older, and I was the younger one, and she kind of sort of put me under her wing--she was my cool older sister; and I really thought she was the coolest, and prettiest woman I've ever met. 

Maria warned me:  "Never fall for a musician."  She told me of the stories of backstage groupies, and all of the women she literally had to kick out of their rooms.  I believed her, but I just couldn't understand why such a beautiful woman such as herself could fall for someone like her husband.  Sure, he could play the bass guitar, and he was famous, but; I guess he just wasn't my type, or what I would consider to me "hot, or handsome."  He was short, thin, and very blonde and pale.  I like the tall, and handsome ones..  Yes, I guess I was a bit shallow back then.  Still, she found lots of phone #'s of various women in his pockets each night. 

Anyway, he and his band are playing tonight.  I wonder if Maria will be there.  Last I had heard from her (years ago) she was divorced, and was starting a new life with a little baby girl, in San Francisco.  I haven't heard from her in over 20 years.  So sad.  I'll never forget those drives with her in her huge white Cadillac convertible, circa 1963.. going down the streets of Santa Cruz, and all of those looks she got from all the men who saw her.  I hate losing tabs with people.  Mary Moran are you out there?!?!

Yes, I'm hoping one day she'll do a GOOGLE on her name and find this entry somehow.  It would be really nice to know where she was, and that she was doing well. 

Friday Funny

                              

I got the above picture from my cousin's boyfriend, Ruben.  It's obviously a advertisement billboard for toilet paper from Brazil.  The name of the toilet paper is "Neve" which means simply "Snow".  Translated, the billboard reads: 

"You live in a tropical country. This may be your only chance to put Snow (Neve) up your butt."

Those crazy Brazilians (Brasileiros)!!!! 

I love my job... YAWN.. :O

Okay, I'm not complaining...BUT

I'm so bored at work!!  (No, I'm not writing this at work.) 

No, I really shouldn't complain.  I have a good job.  I sit in a somewhat comfortable office.  I have a big desk, a nice chair, a nice computer with internet access and a nice phone that I can take and receive personal calls.  I basically don't really share an office; there is a door between mine and my supervisors.  Even with her door closed, however, I can still hear the office politics.  My supervisor also lets me privy to all that goes on, so I guess you can say I work in a very safe area.  I also have a very flexible schedule.  I can take my lunch at 12 or 12:30 or 2:30..  I can come in at 8 or 8:30...or 8:45..  Yes..  I know I'm lucky... 

BUT..

I'm so incredibly bored most of the time.  There are days where I just sit there, and look for things to do.  I have been working in this same position for....um..over 15 years or so, so...let's just say I KNOW MY JOB a little too well.  I think I could do it blind folded.  I go to get a file, and my hands magically go to that particular file.  If someone comes or call with a question, I "amaze" them with my answers. 

"I can't find a file!  It goes to court tomorrow morning!  Can you help me?!" 

Tap..tap..tap...I go on the computer. 

 "Gee..  According to this last chrono, this file is with so and so..." 

"Oh thank you, Julie...thank you!!" 

Then they leave, all appreciative.  I sit there and watch them leave, and I wonder why that was so easy.  Can't these people read their chronos?  I sit there in wonder and amazement.  That was just too easy.  I've been here too long.  I really am robbing the county.  I need something else to do to make me feel worthy of being here. 

I got my evaluation today.  The supervisor that did the evaluation is another supervisor that I don't share an office with.  He apologized up and down for not having it done sooner, because it was about 6 months late.  No worries I told him..  It's not like I was waiting for a raise or anything.  I'm on my last step in this position so the only raises I get are those little "cost of living" raises we get every 2 years or so.  Well, as predicted, he gave me an outstanding evaluation citing, that I always do my job on time, and I do it well, and I always take on any new projects that are given to me, and I never complain, and I'm always there, and I'm a real team player...etc...  I don't think he knows exactly what I do, but he wrote me a very kind evaluation. 

He asked me if there was anything he could do to make my job more interesting.  Hmm...  I just smiled, and told him that I was very happy and comfortable.  What was I going to say?!  "Oh, please, I want to help the probation officers on the field and help with their searchs, and I also want to help with the pee testing!!  Please, oh pretty please?!"  I did tell him, that in few years I am probably going to have to start looking for employment in San Jose--where I live.  Nick will be starting kindergarten, and my older son will be starting high school near home..and there is no way I'm going to wake up my 5 year old at 5 am to get him to kindergarten in another town almost an hour away when there is an elementary school just down the street. 

Supervisor man, understood, and even told me that he would inform his wife that I may need a job in Santa Clara County, but he hopes I'll stay, and possibly move back over to Santa Cruz.  How amusing is that?  Well, if I win the lottery I told him, perhaps I'll move back.  He said he hopes I do win the lottery.  But, I told him back, "I don't think I'll stay working HERE if I did win the lottery.."  Seriously...  I don't love this job that much!

I later asked my other supervisor--the one I share an office with--how long you had to work as a county employee to get longevity pay.  "Twenty-five years!" was her reply.  Hell no...  25 years?!  Two more years will mark 20 years as a county employee.  I don't know if I'm ready for another 5 on top of that one. 

So, what did I do for the rest of the afternoon?  I applied for another position for another county online.  Am I evil or what?

Thank yo Missie for this tag!! :) 

20 Reasons Why I'm Glad

20 Reasons Why I'm Glad I'm NOT A Celebrity

 

I can grocery shop without the hat, and huge sunglasses.

 

 

I can go anywhere out in public without wearing makeup.

 

I can gain as much weight, or lose as much weight as I want.

 

 

I can walk out in my front yard or back yard in pajama pants and not have to worry about anyone hiding on my property in a bush.  

 

I can grow old gracefully.

 

I can shop at Target in peace.

 

No one cares where I shop, or what clothes I wear, or what I ate for dinner last night. 

 

I can change my kid’s diaper, and see my kids everyday, and not sit and worry whether or not I’m a good mother or not. 

 

I can write a book about my life, and no one would read it besides my children and grandchildren. 

 

Most importantly, no one from my “past” will write a scandalous book about me. 

 

No late night party commitments, just me and hubby in front of the tube is fine.

 

I’ll never be voted “Worst Dressed” at the Oscars. 

 

I can take a walk on the beach in a swimsuit and no one will take my picture. 

 

I can practice any religious faith that I choose without being criticized. 

 

I will never have to go on a reality show to boost up my career. 

 

 

I will never have to do uncomfortable love scenes on camera with strangers. 

 

No one will cut me off the road just to get my picture taken. 

 

I don’t have to hide or shield my children from the media. 

 

I will never have an obsessed fan stalker.

 

 

I will never have to worry about a male impersonato one day dress up as me. 

It's Tuesday, but it feels like...Monday

                    

Well, I'm back at work today.  Tomorrow was a day spent during errands and having cramps--which I am still experiencing today.  Cramps and sore boobies..  Being a woman is such a joy...isn't it? 

We went to the DMV to get that ID card my daughter desperately needs.  It wasn't too bad, despite the fact the place was packed.  I've never seen such an organized Department of Motor Vehicles..  I was impressed.  We sat in our blue plastic chairs, and waited for the automated female computer voice announce my daughter's number.  The place had lighted blue beams, and was all decorated in blue and white.  I felt like I was waiting for a ride at Disneyland, in Tomorrow Land.  All that was missing was Mickey Mouse--but he wasn't too far.  Nicholas was pretty well behaved too.  He kept entertained by playing with my cell phone, and watching Mickey and the Giant on Andrew's video Ipod. 

Liz is going to have to wait 4 weeks for her ID to arrive--so I guess she won't be opening a checking account anytime soon.  She got a book for a driver's permit.  I hope she studies it, and finally takes the plunge and gets serious about driving.  I don't want to pressure her to do it, but, it would be nice for her to drive.  She uses the lightrail and the bus to get to school, and after taking her to school yesterday, I think she is pretty lucky she doesn't have to attempt to park her car in that parking lot.  I had to drive through it, and the place is packed, and most of the drivers are young, and frankly cannot park!!  If she drove she would also have to get a parking permit, and a car, and car payment, and insurance, gas..  May be light rail and the public transit isn't that bad afterall, BUT..come on, Liz...driving can be good!  As soon as she is behind the wheel I know I will worry..  But, that isn't knew..I worry about everything.

I don't think I can watch the news anymore.  Another disturbed man has made another personal vendetta against more children.  Seems like no child is safe anymore--even a peaceful Amish one room school house.  Insanity.  We live is such an uncertain world.  Where I work, I have to come across a lot of people that I normally would not associate with.  These people have many problems.  Some of them are psychological,  some are physical and others our fighting out their addictions.  These people are known to our criminal court system--but there are so many that aren't. They are living out there, carrying out with their lives with us--unseen, unknown; just waiting to blow up. 

Sometimes I feel like we have all turned into strangers in cars, zooming by eachother on the highway, being oblivious to the other until one cuts the other one off.  We exchange obsenities, angry faces, and rude finger gestures to one another.  Road rage--I'm having a bad day, and you just cut me off, so I'm going to follow you and make sure you see me flip you off.  Now, what if we did that at the grocery stores?  Oh, I'm going to bang my grocery cart into him because he cut me off at the frozen foods and didn't even bother to say "Excuse me!"  I'm right, you are wrong!  You made my day bad, so I'm coming after you!  You took the last box of frozen peas on sale!  Insane. 

I am going to practice random acts of kindness today.  I'm going to go out of my way to be kind, polite, and I will smile at people, and look at them in the eye when I speak to them.  I am going to practice my best PollyAnna atitude--no matter how sickenley sweet that may sound; I will try as best as I can--and I will not fake a smile.  We need a little be more joy, love, and concern for our fellow man.  I will count my blessings, and try and do the right thing.  Things have to change.  Are you with me? 

Have a good day! 

 

First Day of October..1st day of Rain

Hey, it's raining outside!! 

It just started raining after I finished cleaning the insides of my car.  Oh my God..  That car was filthy inside.  I know it will remain clean for may be two weeks if I'm lucky..  The kids really get it dirty--but I couldn't stand it anymore!!  That ice cream that Nicholas got all over the back seat is still not completely out, but it looks a lot better now.  I love driving in a clean car.  I spend so much of my time driving, that the mess gets to me after awhile.  I'm bit of a clean freak though...  I just don't feel comfortable in dirty, cluttered areas..  I am getting to a point that I am picking up lint from the carpet.  I'm afraid my children are right about me; I'm slowly becoming my mother. 

Tomorrow, I'll have to call in to work tomorrow.  I have no child care--due to some unforeseen events--which I can not explain in full detail here---I have a spy problem, remember?   It times like these I wish I worked in the same city I live in.  Life would be much more simpler..but alas, it can't happen yet.  So, I'm going to try and make the best of it, and do errands and take my daughter to the DMV so she can get her driver's license stuff, and get an ID card. 

Saturday at the bank was not fun.  My daughter and I both went so we could open a checking account for my daughter--but no can do--she doesn't have "appropriate ID".  Her passport is expired, and she only had her college ID card, and her SSN#. 

 "She needs a driver's license or an ID card....blah..blah...blah.." 

Okay, that is alright.  So we get in line to cash a cashier's check. 

"We can't cash it in because she doesn't have the proper ID!"  explains the same woman the spoke to us in regards to the new account.

"But, she has an account here already."

"Did you open it at this branch?"

"Yes."

The account is also under my name.  She asks me to write my name down.  I do, and she comes back a few minutes later for my ATM card.  She comes out minutes later with the account card for my daughter, and goes on to explain that she can't cash the check.

"Can she sign it over to me?"  I ask.

"No, because she doesn't have the proper, ID."

At this point I want to explode.  My daughter has deposited and withdrew money before with no problem.  She has deposited checks under her name.  I just do not comprehend why in the world this woman cannot cash a check for $300!!  She has a picture ID--sure, it's from her college, but she has the account card right in front of her, and it is obvious that she is who she is, and I am who I am, and I'm on the fricken account with her, and I've been a customer at this branch for more than 3 fricken years!!! 

"Okay, we have never had this problem before.  Should we just deposit it, and then go through the drive thru and withdraw?  Is that what we have to do?" 

"The money won't post today, only on Monday."

"Well, she has over $1,000 in this account."

Finally, she says... 

"Oh I'll do it just this time..."

At this point I want to throw things.  There is a line behind me, and I know everyone is looking in our direction.

  "I just don't like getting the run around."  I say.  Yes, I am upset. 

Then the bank lady goes on..and on...  "I am not giving you the run around.  This bank is protecting you and your accounts...blah blah..blah...  I think you are being ridiculous!"

At this point, I am in shock that this "lovely" woman just called me ridiculous.  I'm not going to say anything because she is cashing the check, but I sure wanted to throw something at her later.  You now how some people can just ruin your day?  Well, I let this woman ruin most of it.  I hate it when I allow people to do that to me.  I vented to husband, and husband suggested that I say that I wanted to close all my accounts there (I have 3) and see what would have happened.  I wish he was with me at the bank that morning.  Part of me just wants to forget it, and the other part wants to write a long letter to the branch, describing my experience with bank loan officer Witchy Witch.  Hell if I'm going to go to her to open my daughter's account. 

Oh well..  It's Sunday, and it's dark and wet outside, and quite pleasant.  There are weeds in my backyard that need to be pulled, but they look kind of pretty; all green...  It will have to wait until tomorrow, although it fun pulling weeds in the rain.  I have to finish making my spaghetti, and I have some Halloween decorations to get out.  I like rainy days sometimes.  Okay..back to my spaghetti!