Side note

I decided this week I need a dog. I feel like I'm in a better groove at work. I'm financially settled enough to take on the responsibility, and I could use the companionship. So I've been browsing petfinder and I will be making a trip this week to the pound. I've emailed a few people about dogs I've seen on petfinder but I'll likely snatch one up at the montgomery county animal shelter this week. They tend to be the dogs in the greatest need, but I'm NOT going to just grab the first dog I see. I love Mae to DEATH but if I get another dog like her I will stab my eye out. I want a calmer, more obedient dog.

I'm also going friday to look at a horse to lease. He's an eighteen year old thoroughbred who needs a bit more exercise than he's currently getting. I'm under the impression he is mostly retired. The lady seems nice and he's at a dressage barn. His owner seemed very down to earth and sweet, so I'm hopeful it's going to be a laid back, fun dressage barn, not an uppity dressage queen castle.

I also removed several people from my life recently. A few more directly, but mostly from my facebook. This weekend was really hard. It finally hit me that Katie was dead. And next month is my sister's birthday, and my dad won't be here for that.

And I realized that girls I've known for 8, 10, 12 years haven't even checked in on me. One person specifically I am so incredibly disappointed in. I completely understand we all get busy and sometimes in life we lose touch (I am the worst at calling people), but I can't imagine someone I've been close with for A DECADE losing their father and their horse (or dog, or whatever), knowing that friend was very close to BOTH and doing nothing. I can't imagine not at least calling or sending a card, or flowers, or ANYTHING.

I've been fairly happy, all things considered, but I need to bring happiness into my life. I can't sit around waiting for my so-called "friends" to be there for me. Clearly, that is not going to happen.

So I'm going to make some room to go out and FIND friends that will. I've been very lucky to have some amazing friends (MaryAshley and Ellen, you two are amazing and I love you to pieces) but in order to bring happiness into my life I'm going to go out and find it. And if you can't be there for me through the tough times, you surely don't deserve to be there for the good ones!

Dating

Dating.

What IS dating?

As my closest friends will tell you, I am not very good at it. Mostly because I have no idea what it is.

I'm not really looking to get married (anytime soon), but I enjoy company and being active and meeting people. My friends will also tell you that I am, in their words "extremely picky" but I would like to say that I tend to suck at dates. In the sense that dates go, usually, pretty hilariously bad for me.

I tend to look at dating as getting to know someone, such as a new friend. However dating is usually a lot more complicated. However, I tend to get mixed up in the beginning; the easy part. Such as the "showing up or calling at the time specified previously," or the "not inviting other girls to movies without telling either girl" part. Yes, that actually happened.

Dating is confusing and makes no sense. Although it can be fun and usually (at least in my case) ends up in very entertaining stories. Which I feel this blog would be perfect for sharing my frequent mishaps. More to come on that later.

In other words, I will likely be getting a tattoo soon. Actually a couple. I have one planned with my sister (although I don't think she knows it yet) for my birthday in May. And one I'm considering as early as next week.

It's been something I've been considering for several months, but until recently have I actually found a design/concept that fits what I want. Now I just need to head to an artist and get a sketch and everything set up.

Politics

Politics fascinate me. To a point where I am often in awe when reading about politicians and the devout Republicans and Democrats.

I have only dreamed about having such strong and unwavering conviction on topics such as economic policy, and how an ENTIRE COUNTRY should be run. Sometimes I WISH life could be as black and white as so many democrats and republicans make it seem. Or should I say Red and Blue?

I've considered this theory and I think it reflects the GENERAL overtones of both the republican and democratic parties in this sense:

Republicans believe in a smaller government, fewer taxes, and Democrats look towards a "strong" government and better use of taxes.

So here goes...*

You can tell a republican versus a democrat by the way they drive.

*Please note; the following is not meant to be taken seriously. Really. Like, at all. Except that Texas really DO drive like that. And Ohio is, well, probably fairly accurate in driving as well. However the relations to political party is TOTALLY a joke.

Texas

Buddy down here it's each man for himself, and you better get the HELL out of my way. Or stop when I decide to pull out in front of you, because I WILL. You think I'm going to wait for my light to turn green? FUCK no. My truck is bigger than yours so I have the right of way. So what if I'm driving a Chevy Aveo? My truck is at home. And it's bigger. Take my word for it, because I'm FAR too important and busy talking on my cell phone to explain this to you. Or use my turn signal. Or yield when I'm merging into traffic. I have places to go, and let's face it, I'm more important than you. So get out of my way. More road signs? Shoot, half the people down here can't read, we don't need no new-fangled road signs! Down here we got us some turn-a-rounds or just pop a U-ie if you miss your turn. Stop signs? No ma'am! Stop signs are for CHICKENS, and we're not chickens, we're TEXANS.

Ohio

Well hello there! Sir, can I get over there? I know you're already in the lane but I need to get off on that exit coming up and if you'd be so kind as to let me in. Oh dear, what's the speed limit again? 16? 25? Okay, thanks SO MUCH for letting me over! The 1,304 people stuck behind me really appreciate it, too. See, the problem is we don't have enough road signs!! We should make sure we include more signs and reduce the speed limits to 60 to help everyone get to their destination safer, and permanently late. You know, while we're looking at banning cell phones while driving we should also consider requiring drivers to get out and push their vehicles through school zones to prevent any further accidents. OH! Miss? Was it your turn to go or mine? I never could figure out these four-way stops. How do you know whose turn it is? Shouldn't someone be in the intersection to direct traffic?

Houstonians are TERRIBLE drivers!!! And they KNOW it! Everyone admits to it but no one does anything about it.

Kind of like corruption in politics, I guess.

SO far...

Things are going pretty fantastically in the new year. I've cut back (er... okay, KIND OF cut back) on eating out. It's been difficult the last five or so days with such a wopperjawed schedule. Between meetings, driving back and forth across Houston, and not knowing where I'll be or if a fridge will be available has made packing lunches hard.

And, let's be honest. I'm lazy.

Anywho. I received a camera for Christmas from my lovely lil' sis (Sony Cybershot, 12.1 mp, 5x optical zoom, in dark blue) and tested it out today. I like to take pictures of trees. Mostly cause I like trees. Unfortunately I'm not skilled in photography so most of them just come out looking like, well, trees a 13 year old wanna-be-tree-hugger/future-hippy would take.

However, some end up looking pretty swell. I added one that I feel turned out pretty well. I would add more however I do not have a solid internet connection (AT&T you fail) and it takes several minutes per photo to upload. I'm not patient.

I am working on a project for work for our District 2010 Kickoff meeting (AKA High School Pep Rally by at 7:30am and with adults not highschoolers), and I think it's going to kick some serious donkey behind.

I like team work.

My brand new furniture arrives Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Rooms 2 Go. I got some fantastic furniture and will take pictures of my living room with all my things in it soon. I would also like to say that so far, in living by myself, I am thoroughly impressed myself with my neatness. I had never previously been thought of as "neat" (you can as my previous roommates), but really other than slacking a bit on laundry I am doing darn good. My apartment stays pretty clean, and I spend time on every off day cleaning and straightening up here and there.

New Years Goals

Well,

I don't do new years resolutions. Mostly because I know I will not (even with good intentions) stick to them.

However, I feel starting a new decade, in a new state, and after the deaths of two of the most important parts of my life (my father and my first horse), should come with some changes of my own.

First and foremost, I need to get organized. For the last eight or so months I've felt like my life was a whirlwind and I was just lucky to keep being carried along. Now I have a steady job, a solid income, an apartment (a clean one, too!) and I need to begin to pull myself up on my own two feet. This means figuring out my finances and being better about budgeting. For me this mostly means I need to STOP EATING OUT. I went to the grocery yesterday and purchased some pantry type foods. Potatoes, dried beans, lentils, spices, etc. and I'm going to learn to cook.

I made a Greek yogurt and potato dish yesterday that was pretty damn good if I do say so myself. I boiled some red potatoes, and mixed up garlic, lemon juice, pepper, turmeric, a "dipping spice" mix, and 3 parts Greek yogurt and one part sour cream and it was really good. I think next time I will try leaving out the turmeric, perhaps adding a little dill.

I reheated it today and threw in some fresh broccoli and brown rice. I left the yogurt separate and didn't reheat that just the potatoes, broccoli and rice. I need to start using more grains and rice in my cooking. It will save on the cost and is a bit healthier than my current diet of fast food.

I'm also meeting a girl Saturday to ride her horse and sign a lease. It's fairly cheap, only about $150/month and I'll have the rights to ride twice a week, use her tack and everything. The horse seems nice. He's a chestnut gelding, used to be used for polo. Not sure what to expect but when I went out previously he seemed like a solid horse.

So here it is:

1.) Manage finances smarter. Make a budget and STICK TO IT!!! This means setting aside time each week to look at bills, and make sure I'm not missing anything. It's going to be necessary in a couple months when student loans start rolling in. Coupled with the budgeting, save money by not eating out and packing lunches. Devote more time to cooking and learning how to eat healthier and smarter.

2.) GET ORGANIZED. Sheesh. I feel overwhelmed in my life right now and I need to just plant my feet, slow down and take a look around (Funny: The theme from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air just played in my head). I have plenty of time, it's just a matter of actually taking that time and not goofing off.

I think we'll start there, and see how it goes. I'd say if I had a #3 it would be "Become more active" but that is something I've been working on. Riding twice a week will definitely help with that as well. I also discovered some areas not too far away for decent hiking, such as the Sam Houston National Forest, Conroe Lake, and Huntsville State Park.

Here's to a smoother, more organized decade!