Wednesday, February 28, 2007

All aboard for the Hogwart's Express....

Today I took a diverted route on my way to Hatfield. I stopped off at platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross train station, where Harry Potter and other Hogwarts students depart for Hogwarts each year. It was a magical day indeed.

After rushing through the brick entryway, I was instantly transported into a beautiful train depot with a steam locamotive about to depart for Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardy. More details to come... (yes I have a fanciful imagination but you love me for it)

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Scary Movie 3

Ever done a really stupid thing? I mean like completely irrational stupidness? I think perhaps everyone has at one point or another. I did that tonight and I can't seem to shake it. You see. I have this fear. It's a completely irrational stupid fear born out of watching too many late night horror stories about the single girl alone in her apartment.

For a split second, I let this unconscious thought creep into my mind like the mist rising off of Lake Eerie. It doesn't last long. just a split second. But then that thought takes on roots and is planted deep in my mind. I can't shake it. It's always there in the back of my mind. It's this mind numbing fear that any moment, there will be someone appear in my doorway or behind me in the mirror as I was my face. It scares the ever living daylights out of me so much so that I can't sleep. I can't even find myself a way to get to my bed and huddle under the covers. It will pass and I'll be fine. Logically I know that no one has broken into my apartment. It's a silly little fear but it's paralyzing all at the same time. So I'll stay here for a few more hours until I am exhausted, then run to my bed and huddle in the darkness praying for the boogyman not to get me. I will fall to sleep and tomorrow the sun will be out and I'll be fine once again. Silly Metalchick. You have some very weird quirks to you.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Two left feet....

So sorry for not posting more. I know how much you admire my sappy musings. But I have been busy with friends and family. This past weekend I went to Pittsburgh for a few days just to attend a wedding shower and bachelorette party for a friend who is getting married. Yes I flew all of that way just for a day of snow but I didn't care. It was worth it. I wouldn't have missed it for the world and I have some great memories to take home with me. They are better than all that sleep I would have gotten otherwise.

In my haste in packing for the trip, I did the unthinkable. I had set everything out, got the whole outfit together. I was going with the black theme since it's easier to pack by shades or themes for optimal packing efficiency and flexibility with style. So there you have it. Only when I arrived in Pittsburgh, I realized that instead of packing my pair of black heels with the white stitching, I packed 1 left black heel with stitching and 1 brown platform with buckle.... Yes. I am smart... So we had to make a mad dash to the mall, which turned out to be a 6 hour trip to the mall filled with laughter, funky hats from Ann Taylor, me getting 4 new sweaters, and B getting a dress for 7.50 that orginally cost 130. Oh and PA doesn't have sales tax! Wahoo!

Then we got all dressed up, made it about 5 inches on the slippery slidey thing they call a road, turned around and went back to the house. We spent the bachelorette party drinking diet dr pepper and talking around the kitchen table. It was the best time I have had in forever.


Oh and I embarrassed myself by screaming in exhaultation when K's dad brought out the Diet Dr. Pepper. Oh how I have missed thee. I didn't realize how much I missed Diet Dr Pepper until I was reunited with its wonderful flavors, acid and psuedo sugar. hmm ambrosia for the gods.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Oh how embarrassing....

A few weeks back I was attending a conference in Cannes, France. This conference like most of my conferences are filled with 3,000 men. All of whom are network engineers, analysts, consultants. You would think that I would be in heaven right? No. Not exactly. As DD so adequately explained to me, these guys have zero game. Actually negative game. So their antics tend to drive me bonkers.

During lunch at the trade show, I had sat down briefly to enjoy what little normal food I could find on the buffet. I had settled for a ham and cheese pannini. I was looking forward to some quiet time to relax before going back and talking to more people. Then, my lovely luck, a gentleman sits across the table from me. Since this is Europe, appropriate distance and space regulations are significantly smaller than in the US. That and this guy wanted to talk to a female. It was written on his face. So I said 'fuck it' and chit chatted with him for a while. I explained what it is that I do (big mistake) and who I am. He was enthralled. He was ready to throw out the red carpet, engage a 40 piece band, and march down 5th avenue singing my praises with trumpets and a ticker tape parade. This was probably the 80th conversation that I had engaged in that day so I wasn't very impressed with myself. I was tired of talking but I let him do a lot of talking about himself. He's from Sweden, a network engineer, and enjoys long walks in the cold. After I had finished my lunch, I had to get to a meeting so I politely made my excuses and left. A nice pleasant conversation with a nice guy at lunch at Networkers. No big deal. All but forgettable.

Fast forward to yesterday. I was on my way to a customer site when an email hits the sales at mycompany.com email address. This email address is a distribution list for all sales team members (about 100 people in all). So imagine my surprise when the email starts off with "I was recently in Cannes and would like to speak to a woman who works for your company. She lives in the UK...." He goes on to explain that he was really impressed by me and would like to get my contact information. Yes. the whole sales team gets a copy of this email address. He enlists the team to find out who I am and what my contact details are. I will NEVER live to hear the end of this one. It's quite embarrassing getting hit on by a Swede with 100 of your coworkers watching. I am still blushing.

As soon as it was sent, I emailed the list directly with an "i'll take care of this"... Wrong wording to use. I started getting emails from all of our sales team. Here's a snippet of the one-liners I received:
"Oh I'll bet you'll take care of him"
"Be sure to get perfume, candles, flowers, and chocolate before you give it up to him"
"Your fame preceeds you"

One of the guys also said:
"I too met a beautiful woman recently at networkers. She had rays of sunshine in her hair." He goes on for a few paragraphs about molten chocolate eyes and rich, pouty, red lips... Seriously.

I will never live this one down. EVER.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

New Discoveries

It's amazing what can happen when someone embarks upon a walk through the historic city centre of Reading. Today I discovered a great market full of fresh produce, meats, and foods. There were even wonderful cheeses imported directly from France. I stocked up on enough food for a week with some great bread, cheese, crackers, and the most important ingredient of all... WINE. Yes, that wonderful grape concoction that makes my blood boil with anticipation. The ruby red liquid swirls in my glass emitting a bouquet of scents a dozen flowers could never produce. The lovely velvety texture cascades down my throat like a pure intoxicating waterfall. I write this as I am consuming an intoxicating elixir from Southern Australia. A Shiraz with a bountiful array of flavors with hints of cherry and and spices. It's quite literally made my day. If only I could meet a man to love as purely as I love this wine, I would endeavor to make him feel the way I do. One day. We shall see. There is always hope.

The sun was out today as I sniffed the flowers at the flower mart and perused a variety of breads. The anonymity of having no one know who I am in this strange city was actually quite humbling. It reminded me that my petty concerns are felt by all and that all of the concerns I have for this world while important in the grand scheme of things are moot. Life continues in the way that it has for centuries before I was born. It will continue years after I am gone. I don't aspire to grand history-making feats like conquering worlds or becoming famous or rich. I just want to be loved. To be loved, it requires me to love. To love unconditionally, without bias or malice. To forgive those who have hurt me the deepest and let life continue. To greet each day and each person as a new beginning and strive each day to not let the past hurts and disappointments cloud my hope for the future. This is above all my greatest wish. To be loved. And to love.


Oh and I woke up this morning with the sniffles. I think I have allergies. I put my sheets in the wash 7 hours ago only to get them out and they remained damp. I may have to sleep on the couch tonight and let them air dry. That is about it.

Good luck. Good night.

Barbara De Angelis
Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Adapting quite nicely I suppose...

Today I do not have that much to post. I am adapting quite nicely. I have learned to say rubbish bin when I mean trash can, chips when I want french fries, crisps when I want chips, and bloody fucking hell is not so sparingly intermixed with my normal speech... So I am a true American Brit. Lovely. Just bloody brilliant.


In other news, I leased a car today. I won't be purchasing a car but these boots, dress heels, and flip flops were not made for walking 5 miles to the grocery store. To be civilized I leased a car... not just any car mind you... But... are you ready for this? I don't think you're ready...

A Mini! Yes that's right a mini! It's green just like the one below... Yes! I might be a good Brit afterall.


Tuesday, February 06, 2007

New Pictures soon...

I know I owe you new pictures of my flat. I have some from before I started decorating. Today I purchased a desk that should come in very soon. I am also trying to find a way to recover the ugly couches with something a little more modern. I am going with light blue and chrome in the bathroom. The kitchen is also stainless steel with light oak table. I purchased some violets in the corner store today to provide some color. Going with lavendar in the living room I think. It doesn't go with the Maroon quilts but those are special and have to stay. Is it too girly? I feel girly and want it to stay uncluttered, soft, warm, and inviting. Lavendar accomplishes this while staying neutral. Pictures are worth 1000 words I think. Working on it. Promise.

Oh and my misadventures in washing clothes was right as suspected. The all in one washer dryer doesn't know how to dry. Thus my intimate appareal is still on gratuitous display drying. BUT it did do a good job of making the place smell rather nice. Like lilacs and soap. Not bad.

I feel dirty

I just got referred to as a sales engineer... I feel really really dirty. Must go wash my mouth out with soap.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Not made for this....

This past week, I spent the week in France. It was an amazing week filled with lots of laughter, wine, and good people. I felt at home again getting an opportunity to see the people I work with from the states. I had a great time but I have lingering doubts that I am not made for this. I am not made for sales. I don't think.

For example, I can't seem to get this one gentleman out of my head. In his suspenders and waist-high pants, he comes up to me during booth duty and thrusts one of our glossy data sheets in his hand. His eyes were alight with wonder and awe as he told me how he is a professor at a Polish university and was interested in our products. He seemed soo trusting. So humble. So sweet. He would amble forward in his little cardigan and fill the world with his own thoughts and ideas. It made me wish I were back in school. Instead I looked at him and smiled. We talked for a bit but unfortunately they can't afford to have our products. I had to turn him away although I pointed him to one of our resellers. It just broke my heart. I was torn. My heart was saddened and for the first time in a long time I felt ashamed for what I do. Materialism doesn't become me. I am fine without the money, the cars, the pretty clothes. I want to be back in my world of idealism. Where the world is still possible. Jerry McGuire has nothing on me I suppose :)

Perhaps my heart can take such brutal beatings as it has endured and keep beating. It still has hope. I still believe. But, I don't know if my soul will ever survive this occupation. Where do I go from here?

In other news, I washed a set of laundry today in my washer/dryer combo... It only took 2.5 hours and a lot of water... These little all in one combos are renowned for their leaking seals and inability to dry anything... And they were right... I have laid all of my intimate apparel out on the table and hung from the rafters to let it air dry. I am just glad I don't live with anyone... they'd be surrounded by lace and silk. More adventures to come... You have to hear my story about my night in an Irish pub in France!