Beltin' it Out

Saturday night, on our way home from the lake, Colin and I experienced a truly awesome set of songs on the radio. We're talking fun songs, singing at the tops of our lungs with absolutely no shame, no guilt, no self-consciousness. Here's what I remember of the set, although it may not be in the right order:

1. Sly and the Family Stone, "Everyday People"
2. Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Travelin' Band"
3. The Beatles, "Yellow Submarine"
4. Marvin Gaye, "I Heard It through the Grapevine"
5. Jefferson Airplane, "White Rabbit"

So, what songs let you let it all out?

Moving Right Along...

If you don't hear a plucky banjo along with that title, you need to see The Muppet Movie again.

So, anyway, yesterday was my last day at the Moberly version of our restaurants before I start full time in Centralia. Of course, I'll still be running to Moberly periodically to borrow stock and stuff, but I won't really "work" there any more. That reminds me--I gotta find out where I'm picking up my checks...

I'll miss the people, but not the store itself. It's 26 years old, and some of the design ideas are outmoded, and some are just plain bad ideas. Example: the walk-in freezer is in the basement. You lug 36 lb. boxes of fries up 14 steps (yes, I counted) and see if you think that's good feng shui. I didn't burn any bridges, but I was uncompromising, and I did tell one crew member EXACTLY what I thought. When I called him a whiny baby, he asked why I thought he gave a shit about the store/the job/etc. My response? We pay you to give a shit.

I'm not sure why people (not just the teenagers) think all jobs should be easy and high paying. And of course, their definition of easy is a whole lot different than mine.

For the record, my definition of easy work includes:

• Not having to put up with disdain for my religious beliefs
• Not working in a constantly refrigerated environment
• Not being a telemarketer
• Being able to leave work at work to a fair degree
• Having time for my own projects outside of work, whether they be reading, studying, or working for charitable causes

Thumbs are Invisible

Yeah...that's right...invisible. I mean, really, how often do you THINK about your thumbs. You really don't know they're there, really don't notice them at all.

Until you hurt one.

I bent back my right thumbnail Thursday morning just enough to begin to separate it from the nailbed. Just enough to bleed.

And of course, I'm right-hand dominant.

Writing hurt. Typing wasn't too bad, but even putting pressure on the left side of the thumb was uncomfortable (the injury was more on the right side). Crocheting? Impossible.

I bumped EVERYTHING that day. I had trouble picking up individual sacks and lifting 4 oz. boxes of fries. I tried to dictate a stocklist rather than writing it down. And that doesn't even begin to describe the fun of navigating a belt, button, hook & eye, and zipper just to go pee. Luckily, I have a strong bladder.

Oh well. It's better now.

Serenity and Forgiveness

CC--a girl woman I used to work with when she was in high school--and I just reconnected a week or two ago. We traded blogs. I try to check back so I don't fall out of touch again. And tonight, I read a beautiful entry.

Whirlwinds and Hurricanes

Such a time. Again, I apologize for my slowness in updating. Since my last major post:

• I've wiped my hard drive (on purpose)
• I've had lunch with the lovely and wonderful Jen
• I've become disgusted (yet again) with governmental nepotism
• I've decided to get serious about professional grantwriting
• I've scored beaucoup points with my boss, just for being me
• I've contributed to three Katrina relief funds
• I've looked into working on/in recovery as a food service manager (and decided not to finalize any decisions on the matter for at least a month)
• I've entertained and declined a more profitable but probably less fulfilling job opportunity
• I've reconnected with friends like CC
• I've had some anonymous compliments on my job
• I've had a good friend and colleague tell me that I look and seem happier, healthier and more at ease than I have in years

So yeah, I've been busy.

AND I MISSED BLOGGING FOR BOOKS!

Reconnecting

Jeez, has it been that long since I posted? My apologies, readers. Work has been busy, and the computer's been messed up. I wiped the whole hard drive and started over last week, and I'm just now getting back up to speed.

Unfortunately, I need to go deal with laundry. More later.