5/28: Peas

I had a sneaking suspicion that I didn't like peas.

I've never thought, "hmm..split pea soup sounds good."

I've never purchased peas; frozen, fresh or canned. Well, maybe once. It was a mistake and the can sat in my cabinet for close to 3 years.

I donated that can to a nonprofit (it was not yet expired). I'm sure when they serve it, the people are like, "damn, I gotta eat peas!?"

Some people really like peas. Deborah loves them: fresh.

I had peas in a restaurant today with my meal. They were the vegetable of the day. They were frozen.

They were disgusting.

Peas are gross.

5/27: Scooter Riding

I drove my very first scooter yesterday. At first, I was really scared because I don't have a lot of balance and am not extremely coordinated. This makes for a difficult combination when you get on a motorized bike. But, to my surprise it was much easier than I expected.

Why did I try out the scooter? I'm seriously considering purchasing one. I mean, they are small, easy to store and get 123 miles to the gallon! That alone is enough to make me think about it. My van currently gets 17 miles to the gallon, is not as easy to store and not small. I am not good with large vehicles. The evidence is clear when you look at all the bumps and bruises on my van.

Thanks Sander for letting me try out your sweet rides!

I also learned that though a helmet is not required, it helps with two things:

1. My head got really cold
2. My eyes began watering like faucets at about 25 mph.

Oh yeah, it's also a lot safer.

I didn't skid out once, didn't drop the bike and even went out onto the open road. Wind flying through my hair, eyes watering, knuckles chapping from the cold. It was fresh. Even if I did top out at a mere 40 mph.

Oh scooter...how I love you so!

5/26: Need for Caffeine

I already knew that I was addicted to caffeine, but not this much.

I didn't drink any caffeine today, resulting in the inability to do anything productive until much later that night. I laid around, slept and watched t.v.

I set my coffee pot up to brew at 6:41 am for the next morning. This way I will be sure to wake up sooner than later.

5/25: Letting Go

I'm beginning to learn to let go of a relationship. This relationship has been difficult for me for quite some time. I wish I did not have to let go of it, but it appears to be the only option for my progress (and possibly their's).

Today, I realized I had started letting go. It occured when the individual did not show up as expected. It did not upset me. It used to, but not today. I realized this and thought, "hmmm..this is new, I don't actually care so much any more."

I also realized that I was actually more glad to not have connected with the person than I would have been if I did.

It finally clicked that I cannot control them; that I cannot will them to be the person that I want; that though I would love to have the relationship I want, I will not.

It's a little sad, but that's apart of the process, I think.

5/24: Yard Work

Today I learned that I enjoy doing yard work.

In addition to this, I also learned I am not allergic to hornet stings. I now have several bites on my arms because of doing yard work.

They don't itch to badly and there is virtually no swelling.

Not enough to deter me from yard work.

P.S. Please remind me of this post if I begin complaining about doing yard work.

5/23: How Rude?!

I learned today that I can be incredibly rude and impatient.

It is terrible.

I called a vendor to confirm that the cafe would not need a delivery on Memorial Day. Here is our conversation:

"Hello, E____." (imagine here a very old lady)

"Hi this is Jess from B_______ C____ about my Monday order."

"What?"

click...I hung up.

Man, that was fucking rude of me. In my defense, I've had a terrible headache all day, been very behind because I didn't work yesterday and am not good with old people. Though none of this is a good excuse.

I have got to work on this.

5/22: MTVU

I love music and with that also love music videos. Videos are unfortunately becoming increasingly difficult to watch on the telly (which I prefer over a computer monitor), however, and have often found myself frustrated by my lack of video dosing on a rainy quiet day at home. MTV is all reality show, VH1 is all reality shows with celebrities (some people adore this fact and I do not begrudge them), BET is all talking and the same video run over and over. MTV2 now broadcasts shows. VH1Classic often shows rock movies (don't get me wrong, love the rock movies, but I'm looking for videos) and MTV3 is in Spanish (I don't speak Spanish despite 4 years of Spanish class). Fuse started playing "Pants Off Dance Off" non-stop and even On-Demand has had the same videos for at least 4 months (believe me, I've watched them all, even the Spanish language ballad ones).

But I learned today about a new kid on MTV's block: MTVU. It's a station targeted to the college age music fan which, though I've been out of college for several years, still fit right into. A blend of hip hop, indie, soul and rough rock, this channel is just what I've been looking for to cure my video blues. Sure, I have to sit through a commercial after every video, but I can get up to pee or take a nibble of pickle at that time. I may even use those moments to do laundry or crunches.

Thanks MTVU!

5/21: Calendars and Appointments

Today, I learned that no matter how good I think my memory is, it is not as good as I think it is. This is especially true in regards to upcoming meetings, events and appointments.

I was really excited yesterday to invite a few chaps over to my home on Saturday night for a dinner party. I called all of them, informed them of my plan and began brainstorming different styles of cuisine to prepare. I even made a mental note of all the areas of the house I would need to spiffy up.

This morning, I was jarred out of bed at 5:51 am by the frightening thought:

"I already have plans on Saturday night."

I received an email about the above plans on 5/6/08. I saved the email and recorded the event in my "mental calendar." I forgot completely about my "mental calendar" until this morning.

This may not seem big, but it is to me. It means that I have not only learned today that I must write everything down on my home calendar to keep things straight, but that I am also getting old. My memory is fading. Soon, I will have to program all my appointments, activities and meetings not only on the cute Humane Society calendar hanging on my fridge, but also on my Outlook and phone calendars. I may even need to get a day planner in case I forget to pay attention to my Outlook, phone, Humane Society and Desk calendars.

Alas.....what's next?

5/20/08: Showers and Fans

I recently moved into a new home. It's a sweet deal. I don't have to pay rent; just pay for utilities, mow the lawn (my choice) and keep it clean. The only drawback is that the house is for sale, so if someone wants to view it I have to make it shiny and get out for several hours. The other drawback is that it will eventually sell and I will be back in a dirty shoebox.

Today I learned that I have to turn on the bathroom fan before showering. If the fan is not on, the steam from my very hot shower will set off the fire alarm in the hall above the bedroom door. It is an obnoxious beeping that frightens the cats and me as well, sending them running haphazardly through the house and me jumping out of the shower (dripping wet) to find out what all the raucous is about.

You learn somethin' new everyday.