Jill Reese

I was a tad busy at the beginning of the month, so I forgot to mention birthdays!

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my January friends….

Ashly Smith Black – 18
Treyson Stockton – 19
Coby Williams – 20
Stephanie Noman – 24
Chris Reyes – 25

I am anxiously awaiting a few books to be released, so right now Im not reading as fanatically as I was in December. But….I am watching dvds of some really good shows.

First, Battlestar Galactica. I never really understood the appeal of this show, but I had seen the series finale and became curious. I still dont know if I can explain it….but this is one that just sucks you in. I dont even realize the episode time is up until the credits roll. The characters are just full and so well-written and well-acted. Such a great premise, too. And yes, I know it is a remake. But I didnt exactly watch the first one, so give me a break here.

Lost…this is a given. Santa Claus was good enough to bring me seasons 1 – 5 on dvd, and Im hoping to start watching those soon! Ive had to let the cousins borrow them, though, because they had never seen it and now they are all hooked! Ha.

On that note, I think it is about time that American television realized the benefit of having a set end date to a show. Something British television people would respond to with “Duh.” Too many shows start to drift bc they have no laid out line to travel. I cannot wait for this last season of Lost.

Several things change in your routine, apparently. Besides the paranoia of trying to see if your door is open before you walk up to it, that is. The first thing I do now when I walk inside is do a scan to see if anything is different. And yesterday I almost had a stroke. Thanks to my dad’s great intentions! I walked in and noticed right away that there was a baseball bat sitting in my chaise. (this is going to be my version of having a gun in my apt)
Of course, my brain didnt automatically register the conversation about the bat, or the fact that my dad has a new key to my apt. I just knew that something was different now than when I had left for work that morning. Had about 15 seconds of panic before I realized what it was.
Side note…this is my second bat for protection. As dad pointed out, he had given me a wooden one a few years ago. I had to counter that by telling him that I had actually taken the bat to play baseball with, and it got broken.
Apparently the bat I have now belonged to an ex, and he had left it at my parent’s house. At least it is going to be used for something worthwhile!

Also, I slept MUCH better last night after I finally found my iMac serial number and receipt/paperwork. WHEW. First thing I did this morning was call and add it to the report and the insurance claim.

Robbers suck!

Not that that is possible, but still…I think a reset is in order!

Let’s see….we are on day 19 of 2010, and so far this is my life:

1. Apartment gets robbed. Day before my biggest event of the year. Came home from work and found my door pried open and stuff gone! Including my iMac computer. *sigh*
2. I had a breakdown at Annual Meeting in front of my bosses less than 24 hours after my apartment got robbed. Blame nerves and definite lack of sleep. And I am an UGLY crier!
3. Didnt go to work on Friday so I could clean up the place. Which really just meant I kept thinking about all the little things I can never replace…like my hand-crafted black and red necklace I bought at a street fair in London.
4. Caesar got another infection, so had to go to the vet Friday and spend more money! They say it was caused by stress….and I want to know if I can add that vet bill to my renter’s insurance. Thanks, robbers. You suck.
5. Caesar refused to eat his meds in his food, so Im having to force pills down his throat twice a day. We are both shaking by the time we are done!
6. AT&T; wants to make me pay $55 for a technician to come to my house to give me a
new powercord to the internet box, which the robbers took instead of the computer power cord.
7. I still dont know what my deductible is going to be.

Okay, a few good things have happened…

1. Hung out this past weekend with a friend I havent seen in a while. Always a good thing.
2. Watched Summer run the marathon and got to spend some time with her.
3. Annual Meeting apparently went smoothly. I really dont remember, but that is what they tell me.
4. Parents came to help me clean up my apartment!

Yes, I am! I keep hoping that if I repeat this over and over again before my event on Thursday, things will go well. *sigh* My biggest event of the year is this week, and I think I am losing my mind. Just complete chaos. It always is…and it always turns out well. This will be my FIFTH GHP Annual Meeting to coordinate. Each is the same and so very different all at the same time. This one seems to have a few more people to coordinate. Maybe that is why I am going nuts. That whole control issue thing…if Im not doing it, I dont trust that it is being done correctly. But it is! Positive thinking!

At least we will be returning to my home away from home, Hilton Americas. Love that place! The staff is always awesome, of course, but I just love the hotel itself. I feel comfortable there!

Ok, going back to my point…positive thinking, positive thinking!

My biggest event of the year will be OVER. Less than 48 hours! For some reason

Poor Texas. Maybe they wouldn’t have won, but no matter what, this game was tarnished when Colt McCoy got hurt. It just doesnt seen like a fair matchup at that point, especially for something as big as a national championship. Just sucks. Although, from what I saw, the entire situation would have been helped if some of those Texas WRs would have stepped it up and stopped dropping the ball! That was ridiculous.

As people in Texas are well aware, it is COLD! I cant wait to get home from work and put on warm and comfy clothes. And watch football this weekend! We are doing a football bracket pool at work for the NFL playoffs. I, of course, have my Cowboys going all the way. I really think if you dont support your team on something like that, it is completely bad luck. Bad news, dude.

Also, I think I have reached my quota of speaking with idiots today. I am not sure if it is the cold, or it being Friday, or what exactly the problem is, but the phone calls and emails today have been unreal. We are also sad when we think about the level of stupidity compared to the job titles and salaries that some of these people have. Depressing! But it does show that there is hope for everyone…no matter how idiotic!

So far I have started re-reading the Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series…for about the millionth time. Seriously. My paperbacks are starting to fall apart. I may not make it until the next one comes out in May….that is a LONG time from now. That series and the Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs remain my absolute faves.

I have also discovered a series at the library by Fiona Buckley. It would be classified as a mystery series, with a female lead, but is set in Elizabethan England. Perfect! I dont actually USE my degrees in history, but I still love it…especially anything to do with English history. So far I have read six of these….working on the seventh. Quite good!

I hope we can get over this December curse thing and actually WIN a playoff game. We have done well so far in handling business at the end of the season…but it only counts if you keep it going!! I still cant stand Romo. But if he can get the job done, more power to him!!

I also feel bad for the Texans…yes, they should have won more games and thus ensured a playoff spot without help. But I get angry about the way it played out. They didnt miss the playoffs because they didnt win enough games, they missed the playoffs because the stupid Colts decided to lay down and die. As did the Bengals. Embarrassing!! *sigh*

Im ready for Saturday! GO COWBOYS!

Positive thinking is the name of the game! I never do resolutions. I dont keep them, and I just generally think it is weird that you can only decide to make changes in your life on Jan 1. I know that it is a symbolic thing, but ugh…so just in general, positive thinking for 2010!