Get a job...ANY job

Radio is a tough business. People get fired all of the time. It's sad, but in the entertainment business...it's par for course. I am sure that if I stay in radio long enough...I too will get fired. Anyway. Back to my original point. I have watched so many radio people completely self-destruct when they get fired. They sit at home and get wickedly depressed. They look for radio gigs ONLY. Folks. I realize that you have spent the last 20 years being a deejay or a production director...but you have SKILLS other than radio....I promise. Go get a gig at Home Depot, Walmart, King Soopers...damn anywhere. Do you know how well those companies pay? And their insurance packages rock. Put some money into your household. Don't sit at home and become wickedly bitter and depressed....and broke. Apply for those radio gigs on your evenings and weekends. But GET A JOB...ANY JOB. I just don't get it. I really don't get it. I am tired of getting these horrible boo hoo for me phone calls and emails...."there aren't any radio gigs." Then when I suggest another field, there is just silence. I want to shake them..."you have kids....you have a mortgage...you have worth....go out and do something....don't just wallow in self-pity....you have been out of work for 8 months." Sheesh. I have seen it sooooo many times.

Blast from the past

Katie told me yesterday that an old friend of ours, Andrew, is back in Denver and back in radio. Jill is moving to Seattle and he will be replacing her at Katie's radio company. I have known Andrew since Junior High. We dated for most of our 9th grade year. He went to the other Junior High that fed into our high school. He was the lead in the school play. I was the captain of the softball team. From different crowds....but that boy's brown eyes and smile used to make my knees weak. We broke up after a party at my house where I was upset with him...and one of my guy friends decided to beat up Andrew. Quick way to lose a boyfriend who didn't like my football player friends before getting beat up. Anyway. Cut to 10 years later....Andrew and I are working at the same radio company. He is married. I have a boyfriend. He gets a divorce. I break up with the boyfriend. We date again. We break up because he gets back with his ex-wife. That was 3 years ago...I haven't seen him since. Last I had heard was that he was re-married and had moved out of state. NOW - TODAY, I hear he is back. I don't want to date him....AT ALL! I love Todd and that is that. However, hearing his name yesterday dredged up the nuttiest dream last night. I had to crack up.

My dream:

Main Character in My Dream - and real life back story: Charlie - He and I were friends in high school....but he started to hate me because...I went to prom with his friend, Frank...as "just friends" in my eyes. Around midnight on prom night, Frank wanted to go back to the hotel room he had rented to be "alone" with me....and I still wanted to party...so I left him in the room and went back out to party. I ended up kissing my ex-boyfriend. Apparently, that really upset Frank and Charlie got pissed at me for upsetting his friend. (How dumb was high school?)

OK - back to my dream. My dream was that I got a package from Charlie in the mail. It was a bunch of cassette cases with some audio diary recorded by him on them of how much he still hates me today because of all of this different stuff I did in high school....including leaving Frank in the hotel room....and one of the other things...was getting Andrew's ass kicked at my party. Anyway. Way to drudge up some memories KATIE! LOLOLOL! And I think that the audio diary was on cassette cases was a nice touch. HA! What a blast from the past!

Soap Box Time

The article below talks about how kids are influenced to smoke by seeing it in movies. So 2 docs want to have any and all movies with tobacco references in them rated 'R'.

This is what pissed me off. If kids are so monkey see, monkey do....If kids are so damn impressionable to smoke just by seeing it on the screen or TV, then what the hell does that say when they see movies full of people having sex and shooting each other? THOSE movies still get a PG-13 rating. People being violent and killing others but thank GOD they aren't smoking! A kid can shoot up his school, but with this new law at least he won't do it with a Kool hanging out the corner of his mouth.

And ANOTHER thing: since when do smart, reasonable adults let movies and TV tell their kids what to do? That's what parents are for! So this takes one more thing off of a parents To Do list? "Oh, OK, I don't have to talk to my kid about not smoking, it's already taken care of by Hollywood."

I am so steamed about this.

In the movie "Titanic," Kate Winslet's character rebels against her mother by smoking.
For Julia Roberts in "My Best Friend's Wedding," smoking cigarettes helps her character cope.
And in "Men in Black 2," even the aliens smoke. All these movies carry a PG-13 rating, but not even G-rated films are immune to smoking. In the children's movie "101 Dalmatians," villain Cruella De Vil puffs away. Two prominent doctors are hoping to change that. Stanton Glantz, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and founder of Smoke Free Movies, and James Sargent of the pediatric department at Dartmouth say movies that depict smoking are the single greatest media threat to children. This week in Atlanta, they spoke out against the movie industry's portrayal of tobacco. "The average kid watches three or four movies a week, and gets exposed to literally thousands of glamorized depictions of smoking in those movies," Sargent said. Sargent and Glantz found that in 2004, 75 percent of all G, PG and PG-13 films showed characters smoking. Sargent and Glantz want all films that contain tobacco usage to automatically get an R rating. "That one simple change in the rules, we think we would prevent about 200,000 kids a year from starting to smoke," Glantz said. Getting the movie industry to change may not be easy. Since the early days of Hollywood, filmmakers have had a love affair with smoking, using it to build mystique around characters. "Everybody smoked. Alan Ladd smoked. John Wayne smoked. In 'Rebel Without a Cause,' James Dean smoked," said ABC movie critic Joel Siegel. But studies show 390,000 kids start to smoke and 400,000 people die from smoking-related illness each year. Sargent and Glantz say that the health effects of smoking should trump its perceived glamour.

That is NOT a love song

I am often shocked at what song some couples give as "their song". More often than not I think...what the? That is NOT a love song. OK - for example. "Every Breath You Take" by The Police. That song is about a stalker. True.

Here are the lyrics....

Every breath you take.

Every move you make.

Every bond you break.

Every step you take.

I'll be watching you.

Every single day.

Every word you say.

Every game you play.

Every night you stay.

I'll be watching you.

Oh can't you see.

You belong to me?

How my poor heart aches.

With every step you take.

Every move you make.

Every vow you break.

Every smile you fake.

Every claim you stake.

I'll be watching you.

Since you've gone.

I've been lost without a trace.

I dream at night, I can only see your face.

I look around but it's you I can't replace.

I feel so cold and I long for your embrace.

I keep crying baby, baby please.

Oh can't you see.

You belong to me?

How my poor heart aches.

With every step you take.

Every move you make.

Every vow you break.

Every smile you fake.

Every claim you stake.

I'll be watching you.

Every move you make.

Every step you break.

I'll be watching you.

I'll be watching you...

Creeeepy huh? Not the sultry love song that some may have thought. Or how about "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band. Uh folks....this song is about a peeping tom.

Here are the lyrics.....

You've got your ball.

You've got your chain.

Tied to me tight tie me up again.

Who's got their claws.

In you my friend.

Into your heart I'll beat again.

Sweet like candy to my soul.

Sweet you rock.

And sweet you roll.

Lost for you.

I'm so lost for you.

You come crash into me.

And I come into you.

I come into you.

In a boys dream.

In a boys dream.

Touch your lips just so I know.

In your eyes, love, it glows so.

I'm bare boned and crazy for you.

When you come crash.

Into me, baby.

And I come into you.

In a boys dream.

In a boys dream.

If I've gone overboard.

Then I'm begging you.

To forgive me.

In my haste.

When I'm holding you so girl.

Close to me.

Oh and you come crash.

Into me, baby.

And I come into you.

Hike up your skirt a little more.

And show the world to me.

Hike up your skirt a little more.

And show your world to me.

In a boys dream.. in a boys dream.

Oh I watch you there.

Through the window.

And I stare at you.

You wear nothing.

But you wear it so well.

Tied up and twisted.

The way I'd like to be.

For you, for me, come crash.

Into me.

Or my personal favorite, that I actually heard at a wedding as the newlywed's First Dance "Only You" by Yaz. This is a BREAK UP song for Pete's sake. In the category of ironic....They are divorced now.

Here are the lyrics....

Looking from a window above.

It's like a story of love.

Can you hear me.

Came back only yesterday.

I'm moving further away.

Want you near me.

All I needed was the love you gave.

All I needed for another day.

And all I ever knew.

Only you.

Sometimes when I think of her name.

When it's only a game.

And I need you.

Listen to the words that you say.

It's getting harder to stay.

When I see you.

All I needed was the love you gave.

All I needed for another day.

And all I ever knew.

Only you.

This is going to take a long time.

And I wonder what's mine.

Can't take no more.

Wonder if you'll understand.

It's just the touch of your hand.

Behind a closed door.

All I needed was the love you gave.

All I needed for another day.

And all I ever knew.

Only you.

Oh Willie

Willie Nelson's public statement regarding being caught with a bag of Marijuana:

"It's a good thing I had a bag of Marijuana instead of a bag of spinach. I'd be dead by now."

Face Off

I got invited to attend the Av's Face Off Lunch yesterday at the Hyatt. It's a charity event where all of the 2006-2007 Avalanche players are introduced before the opening of their season. We were at a table of 6 and we had Marek Svatos at our table. He is hot....WHITE HOT....24 years old but really hot. Anyway. The whole team was in suits and every last one of them looked horribly uncomfortable dressed up. As they were introduced on stage I had to giggle at how sweet and humble they all looked. Let's not forget what they do for a living....hockey players draw blood of others and get money and cheers to do so. I found it endearing that they weren't acting cocky. If you have ever been in the presence of professional football or basketball players....you would know that the arrogance is pouring out of every pore. Not the Avs players...and with my experience... Hockey players as a whole. The guys were asked questions by this sports reporter like "who on the team would win at Survivor? Who on the team would be the best Mr. Mom? Who on the team would be most likely to eat a bug? The guys kept poking fun at La Perriere... they call him Lappy...and it was cute. On a side note, Lappy has a face for hockey...he has a roman nose...it's ROAMing all over his face. Anyway...I smiled from ear to ear the whole time. During lunch Svatos smiled at me a couple times and I thanked GOD that the lights were dim...because my face was bright red. He is adorable. I know...he's 24....he's my new fav. GO AVS!

Unrepented Sin

I wasn't sure how to process a conversation I had with a girl I know....so I had to post what was said....to process it a little. A little background first. This gal is 25 years old. A devote Christian. And until a few months ago...a virgin. She met a nice guy online and once they said "I love you" they started having sex. OK. Well they have been having sex for 2 months now. This past weekend they (she) decided to not have sex anymore until they are married. She said, that she feels that she is moving away from her relationship with God because of unrepented sin. She feels that because pre-marital sex is a sin that she is sinning and God will not bless her life or her relationship and in the eyes of the Church and they will be doomed as sinners. She told me that she has asked for forgiveness from God (repentance) for having sex, but that part of the deal with repentance is that you promise to not do it again. She is crushed because Sunday they promised to not have sex until they are married, but had sex last night. She is afraid that this will change her relationship with her boyfriend. She said that they should just go ahead and get married right away so they can start having sex again (wow - what a good reason to get married). She said that if unrepented sin stays on the soul, spiritual decay sets in and a Christian begins to backslide and spiritual death eventually occurs. She said that last night they sat on the couch and tried to not touch each other while watching a movie and when they did touch she felt like she was walking down the path of sin.

After she said all of this without taking a breath and all in 1 minute...I gathered myself and said. "I am sorry that you are down over all of this. I, personally, have never been able to find a religion that I 100% can wrap my arms around because I don't agree with all of the rules or whatever. I believe that sex between 2 consenting adults who LOVE each other is wonderful and shouldn't be viewed as bad. It makes me sad that you are feeling blue over this. I totally respect your church and decisions...and I hope you can find peace with whatever you decide to do. But my opinion is that you should never feel guilt because you show love thru sex with the person you love. Sorry. That is my opinion. " (said all in one breath and under a minute.)

I can't find the words to say anything more.

Generation Y

Erin and I went to The Fray concert at Red Rocks last night. We joked on our way into the show that we would probably be the oldest people at the concert. Well...we were right. About 95% of the audience was younger than us....the age group called Generation Y....18-27 year olds. OH well. The concert was so fun. We danced, laughed and cheered. At one point while I was dancing, I scanned the crowd. The majority of these Gen Y'ers were not dancing....at all. They were not talking to the people they were with...but talking or texting on their cell phones. They were taking pictures on their cell phones and typing in captions. What the? These kids have NO idea how to interact with people face to face. They are not active or athletic at all. I made a crack that they don't know how to dance unless they are dancing on a video game...using their thumbs to move... not their feet. It was scary to me. Has technology created a world of people who won't know how to look at someone and actually laugh out loud? Or will they just type LOL into their cell and text it?

Mr. Fix-It

A friend of mine was told that her job would most likely be going away and she could be laid off in the next month or so. Sad huh? Well, she has been very upset and her husband took matters into his own hands. It's a very male-trait to try and FIX the things in their loved one's lives. Instead of just listening to your challenges and fears....they want to FIX them...make them better. Most men are incapable of just saying, "Ah honey, that sucks you had a bad day." MUST FIX PROBLEM MAKE WIFE HAPPY. (I think it's sweet) Anyway. Her husband took matters in his own hands. He started an email campaign asking people to send emails and letters to her boss saying that she deserves to keep her job. Now, she is a public figure, and he wanted people to be discrete in their letters...and keep them non-personal...just a fan wanting management to know that she is loved by the public. Well. That back-fired. His email plea got back to the hands of management...and that was the last nail in her coffin. She was let go - permanently. My poor friend... Mr. Fix-It has some fixing to do at home now. Sad. My advice to her was...jobs come and go...his heart was in the right place...don't let this hurt your marriage. She is pretty pissed...but life will go on.

Life is Good

Life feels back to normal. I feel good. I feel together...finally. I just paid bills, balanced my checkbook, filed paperwork...and my house and home feels clean and together. Whew.

I had a great weekend so far.

Friday - the gang went to the Paramount to celebrate with Selena and Jason who are in town from England. Man...it was great to see them...and they got to meet Todd.

Saturday - I went to my dad's team's softball game (he's coaching my old High School's team). They won...exciting finish. I did have to laugh though...he was tougher this summer on the 8 year old girls than he was on the 18 year olds. Interesting. After the game, I went over to Denver Mattress to just "look" at a new mattress. Todd showed me how badly worn my mattress was....that the springs were shot. I admitted to him that my arms and hands often fall asleep when I sleep...and he told me it's because my body is not getting the support that it needs for a good night sleep. I honestly can't remember ever getting a new mattress...and I have had my bedroom set since I was a kid. Sad? Yes. So I went to just look....and walked out with a new mattress set for $350...pretty good deal for a gorgeous pillow top mattress, box spring and mattress pad. I brought it home....unloaded it into my place...by myself. Then took my old mattress and box spring down to the dumpster. I was a girl on a mission. I still can't believe that I carried that stuff 100 yards down the hall....then up and down 3 flights of stairs....by myself. I took a nap today on my bed.... ahhhh...this is what people have been talking about. I love my new bed. Saturday night, Todd and I went to dinner then to see Little Miss Sunshine. It did not disappoint. I am sure (and actually Todd commented) that I was laughing harder and louder than everyone in the theatre. I loved this flick. I loved every character. And Olive reminded me of Hannah from the team I coached this summer....heart...100% heart. Love it.

Anyway...today...Sunday...I went to brunch with the girls...then home to take the afore mentioned nap...and just finished paying bills. I am getting ready to head to Todd's to watch the Broncos game...he is making dinner.

Bliss. Life is good. I am a smitten-kitten. Did I mention how great life is?

It's been a week....

It's been a week since I got back from vacation...and it's been a whirl-wind. Work is nuts. Life is nuts. I am just so busy trying to get everything done...from grocery shopping, seeing friends, work...just life in general. I can always tell when my life is out of control busy...when I don't post on my blog. Deep breath. I need to find more time.

Gemmiest gem

OH....how did I forget to mention the gemmiest gem of my mom's Freudian slips on our family vacation?

We were all playing poker having some cocktails after a fun day in the outdoors...and my mom is telling Todd about me...as a baby. She tells him that she was a young mom and didn't know that she wasn't supposed to start feeding me baby food at 2 months old. But that I...and I quote..."had a great gag reflex, she could use her tongue and knew how to swallow." Todd's eyes got as big as saucers. My mouth fell open. I looked at my dad who was laughing SO hard that he was slapping his knee...and laughing so hard he had lost sound...just cracking up so hard. OH my. The room erupted in a roar of laughter. My mom (bless her heart) was just sitting there with a confused look on her face. Ahhh. LOL!

One more gem

I remembered another gem that my mom blurted out that cracked us up this weekend. We kept laughing that the 2 boy dogs kept humping each other. It was a dominance game between them. Anyway. So my mom said "you know when Zachary humps Jack, he slobbers in his ear." We all DIED laughing. My dad, brother, Todd and I were laughing our asses off. Oh man...I am cracking up.

Doggie-Style

The fishing trip was great. Got back last night....then basically got in the shower to get ready for the Dave Matthews concert. The weather was a wee bit rainy...but that actually really helps with fishing...catch more fish! The last night (Monday night) it actually froze overnight and we had to scrape ice off the windshield to drive home....but when we left it was about 65 degrees out. We all caught a ton of fish! In fact, Todd was calling me "Trout Master" by the end of the trip. We only kept one fish and had 'em for dinner that night. YUM! My family really got along with Todd. AND...my parents let Todd and I share a bedroom....it had 2 single beds in it...but that was a huge step for them. LOL!

Here's a funny story from the trip. My mom often says funny things that she has NO idea are dirty or a sexual innuendo....and we laugh. Anyway. My parent's dogs and Bob's dog LOVED Todd...and would break into our room and lick his face in the morning... since he was the last one up in the morning. Anyway. I was in the shower and my bro and Dad were out fishing - when Todd got up. He walked in the living room and my mom says to him, "So I hear you got a bunch of wet kisses this morning." And Todd just looked at her like "Wha?" And she said, "you know, Doggie-Style." I guess he was just DYING inside laughing...but just said, "Uh yea, Jack did come in and give my face some licks this morning." OH damn!

Karma

Early in my career I worked with the biggest douche bag. He was the radio station's Program Director. He used to walk past the fax machine to hand ME a fax to send out for him. He would sit in his office and shout for me, "Emster? Gotta sec?" In this totally annoying whinny voice. He used to shop out of this magazine called International Male...that Becca and I would crack up everytime he mentioned it...because it was a catalog for gay men....at least we thought so. I think it was the silver glittery button-up vests that gave that away. Anyway. He was a dick. Treated everyone like crap and annoyed me to my core. He got fired for some shady things and hasn't landed another job in radio. Karma. What goes around comes around.

About a year ago, I got a call from him. He was selling ads in Qwest Dex. Karma. I was polite and declined. Then he had the gall to say to me, "Well, Emily, you must not want your station to WIN if you don't want to advertise it the way it should be." I chuckled at him and thanked him for the call. Buh-bye.

Cut to last Friday. He called me again....left 2 messages that day. He dropped my old boss' name and told me he started a new business and wanted to talk to me. Tuesday, 2 more phone calls & messages. Gotta love caller ID at work. Yesterday, 3 more phone calls, 2 messages. I was in the office at 7 am today so I figured I would call then, leave a message, give him my email address for him to send information on his new company. He CALLS AGAIN. Call - Screened. I had to completely crack up when a few minutes ago the Promotions Director for my sister station stopped by my office and asked if I had been getting hounded by ST (initials only... to protect the innocent...ha!) Apparently he had been calling Zak too. Zak told me he was enjoying treating ST like he used to treat him. You see...back in the day... Zak was a Record Rep...and ST would treat him like crap and was totally unprofessional. Karma. Revenge is best served cold.

Ahhh...Labor Day Weekend

My labor day weekend was glorious. Went to Taste of Colorado, Six Flags, played in a celebrity softball game (I was on the average joe team...not celebrity...oh and we won...beat the professional athletes...sweeeeeet), went to a family bbq, napped, relaxed and watched movies.... wonderful. Going to Taste of Colorado and Six Flags was interesting...spending time with Denver's finest (not). Todd and I spent the entire weekend together. I am not used to having so much stuff to do on a weekend...with SOMEONE. It's been an adjustment only because I have been neglecting some things. Grocery shopping. Secret Single Behavior. Spending time with my brother. Laundry. Making candles. Stuff I either LOVE or NEED to do. I will get more balance soon....but for now...soaking up the time with Todd. He told me that he will be donating a kidney to his mom sometime in the next year. That scared the bee-geez-ys out of me. Everything will be just fine.....I know it will. I told him that I respect and love him for his decision...and the gift that he is gonna give....and I will take care of him while he is recovering. But still...you only get 2...and if you give one...anyway. Deep breaths. Todd is going on my annual family fishing vacation to Steamboat. My parents made it very clear that we can't share a room/bed...but I understand. Should be interesting.

Calling all pranksters!

I have a friend that has a good hollywood gossip connection. She always spills hollywood gossip before it hits the tabloids. Last year she told me a rumor that Tom Cruise and Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) were secret lovers. Every time I hear a song by Matchbox 20...I giggle. I don't really believe this one...but here's a funny thought.

So...here’s what somebody’s gotta do...remember a year or two ago this prankster got a Michael Jackson lookalike and a fake entourage and made it look all official and snuck the fake Michael Jackson into some event somewhere? The press showed up and everybody bought it.

OK - Three words: Fake Tom Cruise. Get a 100% dead-on bulletproof lookalike, and then get Fake Tom Cruise backstage at a Rob Thomas concert....make it look totally real with an entourage and everything, and have Fake Tom Cruise go up to Real Rob Thomas like he wants to talk privately or something and Fake Tom Cruise tells him about how sorry he is that he denied their love. He wishes he had the whole thing to do all over again.

See…what…Rob…does!! What would Rob Thomas do? OMG! WWRTD?

If all goes well...Real Rob Thomas would even have Fake Tom Cruise come out on stage to sing a couple of love songs together during the show! I can see it all now on Access Hollywood, from the vantage point of, like, some cheap camcorder that was in the crowd.

This would be perfect! Someone has to do this!! Calling all pranksters! Ashton Kutcher, Jamie Kennedy, Tom Green....get TO IT! HAHA!

Family Feud

I was at the dealership getting an oil change yesterday and they had the Game Show Network on the TV in the waiting room. YAY! I love game shows. They showed a rerun of a 1970-ish Family Feud with host Richard Dawson. OK! First, I must say, his White Leisure Suit was almost too much for me to handle. I kept giggling when he would walk around. No one...I mean no one looks good in white pants...and especially not coupled with a tacky jacket. Anyway. I was FLOORED at the fact that Richard Dawson would KISS every female contestant right ON THE LIPS every time he talked to them. Wha? Not a firm hand shake. A kiss. Not on the cheek. Right on the lips. The kissing is crazy in the first place...but ON THE LIPS? Right in front of their husband in most cases? And every woman would make this gross-gringe-yuck look after he kissed them. I bet he had the breath of an onion-greasy pork chop-smoker. Ewh!

Susie

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Susie!

I met Susie about 7 years ago at my old job. She was (and is) always the den-mother at work. She takes care of everything and everyone. She has been in radio over 30 years and knows everything and everyone in the business too. Although we grew up in different generations...we are the same person in so many ways and connect on so many levels. I respect her drive, her heart, her loves, her challenges, her ideas, her beliefs, her intelligence, her soul, her whole being. Susie and I could sit in a vacant room with no other entertainment (other than each other) and be totally content forever....chatting and telling stories.

Athough we had worked together for a while...the first time we actually sat down and chatted was at a company softball game. I found myself telling her stories about myself that I hadn't totally admitted even to myself yet. Her caring soul made me believe that I could trust her...and tell her my hopes, fears, sadness...and I wouldn't be judged or shunned. That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

She's such a strong woman and I am proud to call her friend.

Highlight to lowlight

I went yesterday to the salon to get a highlight....to make me blonde girl again! I arrived at 2:10 pm and sat right down in my stylist's chair. She foiled my partial highlight in about 35 minutes...so it's 2:45 pm. She gave me a handful of magazines and then POOF! She vanished for 50-55 minutes. I watched the stylist in the chair next to mine do a FULL highlight, cut and style in the time I was sitting in the foils....waiting. After my butt started to fall asleep and I realized I had read all 4 rag-magazines...I got up asking where the HELL Amanda was. Minutes later she comes back. I look at her and say, "I was getting worried...I..." and she just ushered me back to her chair and styled my hair. I was PIIIISSSSED! First of all, I left work to go get this done and she made me sit and wait for her to do God knows what?!? When she was finished, she says to me, "sorry you were worried!" And I replied, "Well I sat and watched her (pointing to the stylist next to me) do a full highlight, cut and style all in the time I just sat here." She blows off my comment by saying, "Oh well, she's fast." Wha? I pay and only tip her $13 on $95 (I normally tip her at least 20%) and leave. As I am driving past the front of the salon, I see Amanda talking to the owner of the salon...and then Amanda runs out of the salon crying. I instantly feel bad. Who knows what was going on in her life that she needed to take care of? Maybe she needed that time to regroup, call a friend, cry alone....who knows? It bothered me all the rest of the day...and hung a gray haze over my usual glow after leaving the salon. But the more I think about it today...I am not happy again. If she needed another stylist to finish my highlight and get me on my way.....then she needed to do that. Not make me sit in a chair looking like an alien with tinfoil sticking out all over my head. Is that mean?

Are you missing a 710?

Even me...a blonde can appreciate a good blonde joke.

Yesterday I was having some work done at the car dealer. A blonde woman came in and asked for a seven-hundred-ten. They all looked at each other, and the Mechanic asked, "What is a seven-hundred-ten?" She replied, "You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine. I lost it and need a new one. It had always been there." The mechanic gave the woman a piece of paper and a pen and asked her to draw what the piece looked like. She drew a circle and in the middle of it wrote 710. He then took her over to another car which had the hood up and asked, "Is there a 710 on this car?" She pointed and said, "Of course, it's right there." Click here to learn the identity of the mysterious 710.

What is CBS thinking?

I heard this morning that the geniuses at CBS television are changing some things on this fall's "Survivor" show. This season, the teams will be divided by RACE or ethnicity. There will be an African-American Team, an Asian-American team, a Hispanic-American team...etc. What is CBS thinking? This is bound to cause HUGE problems....ahem...ah yes...this is exactly what CBS wants to happen. I think it's sad on so many levels. The racial slurs and stereotyping will be flying.... I am sure. Ah yes...this MUST be what CBS wants. I think I will sell my stock.

Holy small world Batman!

OK.... I knew this would happen...it's such a small world...and both Todd and I grew up in Colorado...

I just sent a picture of Todd and I to my friend Rene` (who lives out of state now) and she just called me and told me she used to date Todd. She and I were friends when they were dating. I asked her for some dirt or why they broke up...and she said she was just too crazy at the time to appreciate a nice guy. She said they went on about 3-5 dates. It was a blind date because her aunt used to work with him. HOW FUNNY IS THAT?

All that glitters is gold

Here is a picture of Todd and I at the Friday Happy Hour for my birthday!
My birthday weekend was fan-freaking-tastic.

Friday night a group of us got together for happy hour. The plan was to go to Uptown...but when Christine got there at 4:30 to get us a table...the place was packed...no tables for us. I instantly went into event-planner mode and came up with Plan B. We moved to The Boca Room (aka The Peach Pit After Dark/The Lounge). The Boca Room just recently changed management and got completely remodeled. It was perfect. We took over the patio and had a rockin time. The guest list was small...I only included the people who asked what I was doing for my birthday or asked if they could take me out for my birthday. Todd got to meet some more of my friends and that was wonderful. Great time.

Saturday (my actual birthday) Todd took me to Vesta Dipping Grill for dinner. I got to wear my new blue dress and felt like a million bucks. As a side note, I have never had a boyfriend on my birthday. In high school and college I would always break up with my boyfriends for the summer...no attachments....summer lovin'. And now, as an adult...timing never worked out so that I had a boyfriend on my birthday. Anyway. Todd and I got to the restaurant and I opened my gift from him. He had been talking about my gift for weeks...and I could read some nervousness on his face. He got me the most gorgeous gold necklace. It's really long with many circle hoops connecting it all together....the line at Jared Jewelers is called Geometric. It can be worn at many different lengths. It's very funky...it's very me. He did a great job. We joked several times mocking that stupid TV commercial...."HE went to Jared." You would have to know that dumb commercial to get it...but I think it's hilarious. I am a smitten kitten.

Shoot me now! LOL!

I got 2 of my young (22-25 year old) employees to fill in on my softball team last night. One of the girls who played last night just stopped by my office and said, "Liz and I were so pumped up after the game last night, we went and ran 2 miles after."

Someone shoot me now.

I think I am having a relapse of the 15 minutes of pouting over being old. Hahahah!

For about 15 minutes

For about 15 minutes last night I felt old.

I had my 2nd co-ed softball game (I am playing not coaching) and I got hurt AGAIN. Gone are the days where I could play 7 games a day in 100 degree heat and not even be sore. Our first game was last Thursday. I slid into 3rd (I was safe) to avoid getting my block knocked off by the steroid-fed short stop on the other team who was firing a throw to 3rd to try and get me out....and I sliced the top 5 layers of skin off of my right shin. Sexy. It looked like a huge 6" x 4" burn on my leg. It hurt like a mo-fo. After the game, Todd cleaned up my wound, and took care of me for days. Then last night, I pulled my left quad muscle. Great...TWO gimp legs. I even stretched and got warmed up before the game and still got hurt.

I pouted for about 15 minutes. Todd told me I wasn't old. I took a shower and had a new attitude.

Big fan of your work

I kinda share an office with another guy. Basically it used to be one big ass office that was made into 2 offices by adding a 10 foot wall to separate the 2 offices....but the ceiling goes up another 30 feet...and no wall. So basically he can hear everything in my office...and I can hear everything in his office. Oh joy! Everyday for about an hour or so he returns phone calls. Yes, an hour...he gets a ton of phone calls. And EVERY SINGLE TIME he calls someone he says the same thing. "Yea, hi, (insert name here), it's G, I'm a big fan of your work...." It makes me nuts. It's a funny line and all...but c'mon! EVERY PHONE CALL? Time for some new material. Ha!

Wave of sadness

It was just announced that the suspect in the JonBenet case is a 41-year old 2nd grade teacher. I was soooo upset by this case when it first hit the news...(then got sick of it)...but I just had a wave of sadness. Poor Patsy Ramsey died with the whole world thinking she killed her child.

Finally

Finally - an arrest was made in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. I have always thought it was her brother. I wonder who it was.

A Boulder County District Attorney investigator is bringing a suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case back to the United States. The suspect was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday morning. The suspect has confessed to certain elements of the crime that are unknown to the general public. Both John and Patsy Ramsey, before she passed away in June, were consulted during the investigation. The suspect is expected to arrive back in the United States, possibly within the next two days, accompanied by an investigator from the Boulder DA's office. The Boulder County DA's office has not confirmed the identity of the suspect. However, they plan to have a press conference Thursday afternoon. They released the following statement Wednesday afternoon: "Boulder District Attorney Mary Lacy confirms the arrest of a suspect in the December 26th 1996 murder of JonBenet Ramsey. The suspect was arrested on August 16th 2006 in Thailand after several months of a focused and complex investigation. Jon & Patsy were consulted during the course of the investigation and the Ramsey's have been notified."

Coupledom

Since I am officially in a relationship and entered the world of "coupledom" I have been getting NEW invitations to things....couples things. Several people have invited me to couples dinners, couple parties...just couple stuff. I am kinda bothered by this. When I was single, I wasn't invited...so why now? Just because I have a date? Was my single status a threat? Was it uncomfortable for the couples? Did they pity me? Or were they afraid I would hit on or flirt with their other half? Phhhlllleaaase! I swear...I will always invite single friends to stuff...and not leave them out because it's a "couples" thing.

I hate people

I know it sounds like a terrible thing to say...but at least once a day I find myself saying "I hate people!" Always in reaction to some idiot. My current personal favorite are the people talking on their cell phone while driving. I do it too...but I have a hands-free device and I don't drive like a dumbass. People on their cell phone while driving... drive VERY slow. Have you ever noticed that? Then, they don't think ahead about what their next turn will be (because they are distracted) so they are driving slow... and then hurry up to turn or change lanes at the last minute...with one hand on the wheel and the other on the cell while violently whipping their head from side to side. I hate these people. I play this game with myself where if I see some person driving like how I described above...I pull up next to them to see if I am right...are they on their cell? Yes, about 90% of the time. My new thing is I get their attention and close my cell phone and mouth... GET OFF YOUR CELL PHONE AND DRIVE! I hate people.

I hate the people who have 25 items in the 14 and under line at the grocery store.

I hate people who ride bicycles on city streets. There are parks for that. I nearly KILLED a man on a bicycle yesterday (this is a regular occurrence) ...he was wearing a patch over one eye...which must have been cutting the blood off to his brain because he totally rode right out in front of me. I had to squeal my tires to avoid crushing him....everything on the front seat flew to the floor. Then he cussed at ME!

I hate people who shout on their cell phone in close quarters to other people. In that same vein, I hate people with loud annoying cell phone rings.

I hate people who bring children to bars....not restaurants...bars...and just because the bar serves food...doesn't make it a restaurant.

I hate the people who beg for money on the streets of downtown. I can't walk 2 blocks to the gym without being approached at least twice. I just plain hate people. Ha.

For the record....I am not bitter....I am not pissed off...I have never been happier...just hate people.... dumb people.

Congratulations galore

On Friday, August 11th - Kristen and Kevin welcomed the birth of their baby boy, Austin Spenser. He is 6 lbs 11 oz, 20" long and has a full head of brown hair like his mom. Mom, Dad and baby are doing fabulous. Cheers to you!

On Sunday, August 13th - Emily and Andy got engaged... on Em's 30th birthday...what a great gift! I am sooo happy for you Emsy!

Congratulations galore!

A buck for the bride

My dear friend Paul has created a website to try to raise $$ for his wedding. Here is the email I got from him with his intention of me fowarding it to people. Probably not. But I will post it here. Creative. And very Paul. I would be so happy for them if this worked. You know...the March of Dimes started when President Roosevelt asked Americans to mail in a single dime to help fight Polio. Bags and bags of dimes came in...and the rest is history. Cheers to Paul and Sharon.

Hi,
My name is Paul and I have one simple goal: to marry the woman of my dreams. But I need YOUR help! I've seen other sites where things like this has worked, so I figure I might as well take a chance.

Please visit http://www.buckforthebride.com/ to find out how you can help. Even if you can't help in a traditional sense, you can help me by forwarding this message on to at least 5 of your friends and family. I can't guarantee it will bring you luck, but you'll be doing something to help out a person in need.

Thanks for anything you can do and helping my dreams come true.

Paul

Board Games

When I was watching Cherill's kids and I was running through a list of fun stuff we could do together. I said, "how about we play a board game?" The 2 older ones looked at me confused. "Board game?" the middle boy asked? "Uh, yea, like Monopoly, Sorry, UNO, Scrabble...you know board games," I said. They had no idea what a board game was. Boy times have changed. Now those games are computerized and digital and all fancy. I had to crack up.

Attention to detail

The team of 20 that I manage are all part-time so I really try to help them all find full-time work in radio. I let them know about job openings internally and at other radio companies and offer to help them with resumes, cover letters and other creative things that will help them rise above the pack. One of my staffers just applied for a full-time promotions gig at a news station. I suggested she write a series of fun and interesting press releases on the station, her getting the job, upcoming events etc. She took a rough draft crack at them. They were decent. I worked with her and gave her some suggestions. I told her to check the spelling of everything...check and double check. Promotions is all about ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Honestly, forget something as small as tape for banners for an event and you are screwed. So anyway.... I see her this morning and ask how the interview went...ok...get ready for this...she says..."Good. I gave her the press releases. But found out after I gave them to her that I MIS-SPELLED HER NAME in them...opps! Maybe she won't notice." I realize that I am starring at her with a look of utter and complete shock with my mouth hung wide open...and I said, "Uh...hell yes she will notice...oh well." And I walked away.

Fireworks

Friday was Todd and I's one-month anniversary. He gave me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers. As I was standing in his kitchen gushing over how gorgeous they were...he looks at me and says, "they are supposed to look like fireworks, red, white and blue....get it?" Our first date was on the 4th of July watching a fireworks display. Romantic and thoughtful....wow! We went to dinner at the Coral Room in Stapleton...which I highly recommend. We are dorks that we celebrated a one-month anniversary...but I soaked up every lovely second of it.

Saturday, I had to work a station event and then I babysat Cherill's 3 kids so she and her hubby could go out to dinner for his b-day. I love those kids.

Sunday, Todd came over in the morning and we went to Racine's for brunch then back to my house to hang out until around 4:30...and then we went to his friend's house for a bbq. I got to meet all of his friends and their wives. Nice people. I had such a great weekend.

Beth

At my sister's bridal shower I had a chance to chat briefly with my mom's cousin Beth. I never see that side of the family...so I guess it was nice to see her. She is a few years younger than my mom...but NOTHING like my mom. Beth's dad is my mom's dad's younger brother...does that make sense? Anyway. Beth and her siblings were all hippies in the 60's (and still kinda are today)...pot smokin'... motorcycle ridin'...tie-dye wearin'...hippies. My mom was the Sunday School Leader at her church. My mom and Beth are night and day different from each other. Growing up...Beth and her siblings were never nice to my mom. In fact, even to this day I have heard Beth make shitty comments to my mom....and that pisses me off.

OK... cut to now. Like I was saying, I chatted briefly with Beth at Natalie's bridal shower. As we were leaving Beth said (quite loud) "I have always liked you Emily...and now we are old enough to really hang out and party...we should get together." I thought my mom was going to have a heart attack. I think partly because Beth and that whole gang never accepted my mom. AND I think because my mom has never thought too highly of their lifestyle choices. I shrugged off Beth's comments and said, "Oh yea, that would be nice." My mom looked hurt.

I never called or contacted Beth...but saw her again at the wedding. This time she had about 15 beers in her and kept telling/shouting that we were gonna hang out and get to know each other. Beth wrote down all (I mean ALL) of her contact information on a cocktail napkin. After the wedding...I put off calling....and put off calling....and finally after a comment from my aunt that she was really hoping I would call... called her to set a time to get together. I really don't want to be her friend or get to know her more...for several reasons. She is mean to my mom. And...I really believe it would hurt my mom's feelings that her cousin didn't think she was cool enough to hang out with or even be nice to...but her daughter is. I would NEVER want to hurt my mom's feeling....well...at least now that I am an adult...I don't want to hurt her feelings. Beth and I had plans tonight and she cancelled. Whew. I really wish I could just tell Beth how I feel...and that I am not interested in being "friends"...but she's family. I know she doesn't respect the concept of family like I do...because she is so mean to my mom....but MY MOM taught me to be respectful of my family. See....they are night and day different.

PR Nightmare

I do volunteer Public Relations for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. We just found out that we need to create a PR plan to deal with the "Right To Life" idiots who are planning on unveiling their anti-abortion platform at our HUGE event in October, Race for the Cure. They are protesting the Komen Foundation because we give grants to Planned Parenthood. OK. We don't fund any other program at Planned Parenthood except the Breast Health and Mammogram programs. Even though we have explained this to these "Right to Life" people...they still want to come to Race for the Cure and attempt to ruin a day of honor, tribute and celebration. The thing they can't get through their thick skulls is that many un & under insured people use Planned Parenthood as their primary care physicians. They don't have any or adequate insurance, so they go to Planned Parenthood. SOOOO...Planned Parenthood needs money to help screen and treat Breast Cancer for the un & under insured women. We are not for or against abortion...we are FOR saving lives by giving funds to eradicate Breast Cancer as a life-threatening disease for everyone...even the people who can't afford tests or treatment. We have wickedly detailed records of where Planned Parenthood spends our grant money...every cent is on Breast Health and Mammogram programs. I am sitting here shaking my head. These "Right to Life" people are against abortion...but they are willing to protest another organization trying to save lives too. Get a grip!

Headphones on your neck don't make you a dee jay!

Some guy just showed up at our front desk wearing headphones around his neck asking to speak to our program director about an on-air job. Ahem. First of all...you don't just show up at a radio station...or ANY business for that matter and ask to have a meeting with someone...especially if you are interested in a job. Secondly... wearing headphones on your neck doesn't make you a dee jay....doesn't make you LOOK like a dee jay...just makes us crack up for 20 minutes at what a dork you are.

Weekend

I had a great weekend....a truly great weekend.

Friday night was my cousin Chris' wedding. Todd and I went. It was a typical wedding and nothing to out of the ordinary happened...except at the end of the night when we were leaving the reception. My mom HUGGED Todd goodbye - whoa. And then my dad said to Todd, "I have that exact same shirt and tie." And they joked back and forth about what good taste they have. This may not sound like a big deal to some people...but in my world...this is a whole NEW world.

Saturday I played in my High School Alumni Golf Tournament. There were about 70 players. And I had dated 8 of the guys there. Hahah! It was really nice to see everyone...truly. AND...I won "Longest Drive"...not sure HOW...but I did. After the tournament, I went over to the post-party. I chatted with a ton of people....caught up....had a few laughs...then realized that I wanted to be at Todd's....so I excused myself to head out. One of my buddies said to me, "What? Are you afraid of your past?" I replied, "Uh no....but I am gonna go see my PRESENT....see ya!" Whatever dude. I got to Todd's....took a shower...had dinner with him...and had a fantastic time.

Sunday morning I went to brunch with the girls. Yum! How I love brunch! Afterwards, I went home and laid on the couch and watched the Rockies game. Then.... Todd came over and I made turkey tacos. What a great weekend!

I am running a freaking day-care

I manage 20 employees....all under the age of 26. I got a phone call this Saturday from one of my street team guys while they were out working for the station saying that 2 of the girls were not "listening" to him. They were all apparently fighting and making a scene at the Rockies game. Sweet. I told them to calm down and knock it off and I called a meeting with all four of the team members this morning. I used a management technique called the "talking stick"...only the person WITH the "talking stick" may speak....no hum...ahhs... deep breaths....or any reaction of any kind from the other people in the room with the person with the "talking stick" is talking. The meeting is over...finally. I am sitting here just shaking my head. It was THE DUMBEST meeting ever....and I told them that. I told them that they need to take a good look at themselves and figure out a way to move past this incident...and to work to make sure they don't lose their cool again while representing my radio station. They should be embarrassed...and I am never gonna get that 30 minutes back again.

*SIGH* I am running a freaking day-care.

Speaking of 3rd time is a charm....

...I got my 3rd flat tire in my car since I have owned it (2 years) this morning. Todd had gotten back in town from his week-long trip to Vegas yesterday evening and I went over to his house and made him dinner. After a lovely evening, the morning sucked. Todd was ready to go to work at 7 am...so I packed up my stuff and he walked me to my car. Kiss kiss. Then he jumped in his car to head to work. I start to drive away to realize that my front driver side tire was flat... FLAT FLAT...to the rim flat! I got out of my car and paced around it for about 5 minutes...evaluating my opinions. He lives in east bum-fuck...so walking somewhere wasn't an option. Taking a cab home... would be about $80. Actually change the tire? I was not in the mood. What to do? It's hard for me to ask for help from anyone. I don't want to inconvenience people. I finally called Todd. Voicemail. He calls me back. By that time I had unloaded everything in the trunk and was contemplating using the Fix-A-Flat I had to get me to a tire store. Hum. Todd said to not do that.... he would be there in 15 minutes. He got there and hugged me about 10 times saying sorry for not making sure I left safely. He gave me the keys to his car...and he took his company car to work. He said he will fix it tonight after work. Ahhhh! What a sweetie! I guess my 3rd flat tire showed me what a CHARM Todd is! (Although, I already knew that.)

OH...and the 3rd wedding for my cousin Chris this past Friday...is actually THIS Friday. Nice. I wrote the wrong date in my day-timer. Chris had called me months ago to "Save The Date"...and when I got the invitation...I just filed it on that date he gave me a while back...without even looking at it. Thankfully, I didn't actually drive to the wedding...but I did start to get ready. Sheesh huh? Ha!

3rd time is a charm

I am going to my cousin Chris' 3rd wedding tonight. He's 35. He is remarrying his 2nd wife. We are all very happy that they are getting back together. His 2nd wife is an amazing woman...and they have a small daughter together. This IS truly a blessing. Maybe 3rd time is a charm. The only thing that I found odd was that the invitation didn't say "No Gifts". Do they actually expect us to bring them a gift? I know that my parents are...and they are not happy about it...but they try to be politically correct all the time. I might bring a card...and that is it. I bought a gift for the 1st and 2nd wedding...and all of the other engagement and reconciliation parties...I am not bringing one again. I have no idea what Emily Post would think of this...but this Emily says HELL and NO.

Hannah

Can I tell you how great it feels to know that I can go home after work...and I don't have to go melt in the surface-of-the-sun heat at softball practice? It's wonderful. I did love coaching, but I am gonna love having some free time again.

Last night my favorite little player, Hannah, called me at home to see if I was watching the USA vs Japan softball game on tv. Ahhhhhh! What a cutie. I answered the phone and I hear her voice, "Uh, Hi, Coach Emily? This is Hannah from the Eagles." Ahhhhhh! We chatted about softball and what she did that day. I told her that she should call me anytime that she wants to. I could hear the smile on her face in her voice. Cute! A few weeks ago at practice Hannah's dad told me that Hannah is actually his "shy one." Her twin sister is actually the outgoing one...and Hannah usually doesn't act this sassy. He told me that he thinks that softball has brought out something wonderful in her. Smile!

A special shout out to Em P...Happy Birthday friend!

Titles

There are many new titles in my life. I am now a sister-in-law. I have a brother-in-law. My sister is now a Mrs. I have been fighting at work to get Marketing added to my title...since I already do the Marketing...I want the title. But the title that I got this weekend makes the other titles seem less important. I got the title of girlfriend. Todd told me he didn't want me to see anyone else EVER again. Ahhhhhh!

The boyfriend Bermuda Triangle

The last 3 guys I have dated all disappeared after going to visit their parents in Vegas. True story. John, Danny & Jim. They went to Vegas...then I never heard from them again...or I did hear from them...and we broke up right away. Vegas is my "boyfriend Bermuda Triangle."

Now... Todd is going to Vegas. Yup! He leaves Monday for a full week. The first 3 days he will be in sales training for work...and the last 4 days he will be with his parents...they live in Henderson...just outside of Vegas. I had to crack up when he told me he was going. Honestly though, I don't think the power of the "boyfriend Bermuda Triangle" will swallow up Todd....but I did have to laugh.

Out of Range

Last night I got home from softball practice and was going through my mail. I opened a letter from my doctor. I had some blood work done a few weeks ago and figured it was my results. My doctor always runs a very detailed blood work up on me every year because I always run a fever of around 99-100 degrees. She can't figure out what's "wrong" with me...and I joke with her that I am just HOT. Ha! I don't think anything is "wrong" with me... I have always been like this. Anyway. I opened the letter and started freaking out because every thing was out of range... BAD out of range. I started frantically reading the brochure on What Your Blood Test Results Mean. I was freaking. I usually get a hand-written note from my doc saying "Perfect" or "You are very healthy, keep it up!" Gold star for Emily. Not this time. As I am reaching for the phone to call my mom...I look at the top... IT'S NOT MY TEST RESULTS. They were the results of a 71 year old woman. Sheesh! I called my doc this morning and read her assistant the riot act. Sheesh.

The BEST week

I am gonna break my rule of past and post about the guy I am dating. Man...I hope I don't jinx it. Ha! His name is Todd. He's 34. Gorgeous....inside and out. AND he's got his shit together. Our first date was on the 4th of July...we went and watched fireworks. Our 2nd date was Saturday...a BBQ at Cherill and Scot's house (Cherill's b-day). Our 3rd date...was a movie, Dave & Busters, dinner then to my house to watch TV. He's amazing. We already have plans for 3 nights this week. Wednesday he is making me dinner at his house. Friday he is coming to watch me coach. Sunday we are going to the Poison & Cinderella concert. Todd is a total gentleman...opens doors and the whole sha-bang....and tells me how beautiful I am all of the time. It's nuts. Last night he was saying a bunch of amazing things to me...and I poke him and say, "Are you real?" We cracked up. We have only dated for SIX days. It has been the best week ever.

Tipping 101

I am a good tipper. I waited tables for years...and I will reward good service with a great tip. I also understand that sometimes what can be viewed as bad service...is not the server's fault. If I am at a restaurant or bar and I am not getting the service that I feel I should...I find a manager....and POW... great service. I may get a snot-shot in my food...but the service is good. HA!

I was at brunch with a big group of girls a few weeks back. Our food was great. I was drinking coffee...and cup was always hot and fresh. Refill after refill. When it came time to pay... the girls started saying... "Oh yea, don't give her more than 8% at the most." I piped up, "Um... why are you only tipping 8%?" A couple of the girls felt like she should have asked them if they wanted more drinks. I said, "Well she asked once...you all said NO... and she was at the table at least 3 times to fill my coffee...you could have asked her then." Then they kept giving more excuses which were LAME! I told them that I was embarrassed...and a few grunted at me. THESE ARE MY FRIENDS! Ewh! I was horrified. I grabbed the pile of cash and credit card receipts and added up what the tip was. I had paid with cash....and had left a 25% tip. With my tip the total tip was actually around 7%. I poured every OUNCE of money in my purse and left it on the table. I wished I had paid with a credit card so I could add more tip. I scanned the restaurant for a cash machine...none. YUCK! I snuck out of the restaurant.

Last week I went to dinner and drinks with Emily S. Our pizza came out on the wrong crust...we wanted thin... it came out regular. The waitress apologized and brought us a thin crust. She was a little slow with our drinks...but she was slammed. Em is an ex-waitress too. And we both scanned the restaurant and saw how busy she was...and she was the only one there. The waitress bought us a free round of drinks. Our total tab was $30...and we tipped her $12. It wasn't HER fault that the kitchen didn't make the pizza thin crust. And it wasn't HER fault that she was slammed.

Folks, when tipping or judging a server's service...consider a couple things. How many servers are on the floor? Is the place packed? Did he/she just get 4 tables all at once? AND...if the food gets messed up....more often than not...it is the kitchen's fault...not the server. Just something to think about.

Runaway Truck Ramp

I can't tell you how many times I have driven past that runaway truck ramp after the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70...the one that is at the bottom of the hill on the right-hand side. I will never drive past it again and not think of the phone call I got from Cherill last night.

I will start this post like Cherill started her phone call to me last night. "Everyone is ok...don't worry everyone is ok."

Cherill, her family and about 10 other families/couples were all heading to Grand Junction together yesterday to camp on a friend's property. Cherill's oldest son Bryson, her niece Dakota and Dakota's best friend Jordan were riding in the RV in front of Cherill and Scot's RV. Dakota and Jordan both play on the softball team that I coach. As they come through Eisenhower tunnel...the RV with the kids in it...starts to swerve...madly...Swerving. Cherill gets in touch with Steve and Jill in the RV on a cell phone...THEY HAVE LOST THEIR BRAKES. NO BRAKES. The RV is a $500,000 RV. (OK...Why anyone needs a $500,000 RV is beyond me.... but anyway.) It's 30 feet long...with a 35 foot trailer on the back that is full of motorcycles and ATVs. They are flying down I-70...flying! They are going at least 90 miles per hour...weaving in and out of cars.... with a 65 foot RV and trailer. They make it to the runaway truck ramp... hit the lip...fly about 30 feet in the air... land...then end up going all the way UP the runaway truck ramp...all the way up... and finally...stop...whoa. The runaway truck ramp in only about 30 feet wide...and it's a huge drop off on both sides. Most vehicles either jack-knife or roll off the ramp to one side or another. Their RV didn't...it stayed on the ramp.... and stopped at the top.

The accident blew out several of the windows and tires in the RV...threw everything inside it...everywhere...including the kids and the dogs. It was a mess. The amazing thing is no one...not even the dogs inside the RV were hurt. No one went to the hospital. The entire situation was described as a MIRACLE by everyone there.... all witnesses.

I caught myself thinking several times today...."boy... my day today could have been very bad and sad had things not gone like they did last night." I counted my lucky stars...over and over...and over. It's close calls like that...that make the little things that seem so trivial & upsetting...seem like a day at the beach. *Deep breaths*

Heart

I have 2 1/2 weeks left in coaching softball for this season. I am relieved...and actually a wee bit sad too. I will miss those girls. I have gotten really attached to several of the girls....they have real heart. At the beginning of the season, I kinda figured my favorite girls on the team would be the super stars. The ones who really shine. I do adore those girls...but the one that won my heart is Hannah. She is a very petite blonde girl whose twin sister (not identical) is also on the team. Hannah is not the fastest, most coordinated, skilled player on the team...but she wins the award for heart.

My dad split the girls up into small groups so that the girls will get more one-on-one time...and I fought to get Hannah in my group. I coach the left side of the field...so I have the 3rd basemen, Short Stop, Catcher, Short-Fielder and 3rd Fielder (there are more positions in little girls softball). Anyway. My dad wanted to put Hannah in the outfield...and I wanted her in the action. Not many balls go to the Outfield. I put her at 3rd base. She works so hard...she deserved a position with some action.

A few weeks ago during hitting practice, she looked up at me with sad eyes and said, "Coach Emily, I want to be strong enough to hit a home run." I explained to her that I was always the smallest girl on my softball team...which doesn't mean weak and I rarely hit home runs. My job on the team was to get on base so that the other girls who do hit home runs could score me. She thought about that for a minute and nodded yes...and started hitting again.

Cut to last weekend....the Jeffco County Tournament. We were the only 1st year team in the tournament. Our first game was against the other Alameda/Green Mountain team in our age group. They played together last year. It was a hard fought game...but they beat us. The girls really played well...but the better team won. It was a double elimination tournament...so we at least had one more game. The 2 best teams in the tournament had to play each other for the 1st game...just a bad draw for both teams. We have played one of those teams twice....The Diamond Divas... our only two losses before the tournament (remember the freaky coach...yea them). Anyway...the other team... The Power Girls... are a "loaded" team. Their organization puts all of the best players on one team...which is not fair. Oh well. This team has played together for 3 years...and hadn't lost a game. They not only hadn't ever lost....they would KICK the ASS of every team they played. Shocking to all of us...the Diamond Divas beat The Power Girls...and handed them their first loss in 3 years. (Oh and for the record.... my team is called The Eagles...not some stupid name like Divas or Power Girls...anyway). We had to play The Power Girls. They have this guy coach who is really loud. Not just kinda loud...really loud. And he shouts the whole game. I kept catching our girls starring at him with their mouths open. He's a freak too. Sheesh...let's not forget...these girls are 7 & 8. Anyway...the game started...and right away their coaches were bitching about every call. Scrutinizing every move our girls made with the umpire. My dad was so calm....and handled every situation. I beamed with pride that we were showing so much class. Our girls played SO hard. I was so proud of them. At the top of the last inning...we were only down by 2 runs. AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING! It was our last at-bat...so we needed to score at least 2 runs to stay in the game. We loaded the bases...and little Hannah strode up to the plate. She looked fierce and serious. I called her name...got her attention...and told her to smile. She grinned from ear to ear...and the first pitch she CRUSHED the ball to the outfield....Hannah hit a Grand Slam. We were now winning by 2 runs. Hannah was sooo excited. She was (well and the entire team and everyone in the stands) were jumping up and down. Hannah looked like a little fish jumping out of the water....wiggling and wiggling. Then she walks out of the dugout and shouts down to me, "Coach Emily, I DID IT...I hit a home run!" I said back to her, "Well, even better Hannah, you hit a Grand Slam!" She smiled from ear to ear. I had to turn away and act like I had something in my eye...to hide the tears streaming down my face...because...there's no crying in softball. Ha. The coach from The Power Girls kicked a water cooler. We ended up losing. The Power Girls got up and scored 3 runs to beat us. In my book...we won.

The wedding

My sister's wedding was Friday night. I am exhausted. It's been a long several weeks...and even longer past 4 days... an exhausting...yet glorious... past 4 days.

WEDNESDAY: I have changed my work schedule and I now get to work between 7:30 am - 8 am....then often work an average of a 12 hour day. I had Thursday and Friday off this week...so my days were averaging at 14 1/2 hours. Blech. This won't go on for ever...it's just one of those times in my career. Anyway. On Wednesday evening...I was supposed to go out to dinner with my sister as our version of her bachlerotte party. Nat didn't want a drunk-fest and plastic penises...and I was super relieved. Whew. I had left her a message earlier in the day...and didn't hear from her until nearly 8 pm. I was still at work...so I was secretly happy that she didn't have time to go to dinner that night. Anyway...she told me the events of her day...and the night before. Danny (her husband) had walked outside of their house with their pet parrot. (No, I have no f-ing idea why she has a parrot...and one that is so rare that it is worth like $2,000...whatever) Anyway. Danny walked outside with their parrot and the bastard flew away. Natalie and Danny were up the entire night searching and calling for this parrot. They found the bird in some tree...called the fire department. They brought out a lift basket...and they lifted Natalie up into the tree to retrieve the bird. Damn....such a perfect Natalie story. (Hell....what am I talking about...something like that would happen to ME too...haha!) So the lost bird pushed their schedule back. They showed up at the Court House that afternoon to get their marriage license....at 4:25 pm...knowing it closed at 4:30. When they had to run out to their car to get CASH to pay for the license....the lady locked the door behind them....fear not...they got the license the next day.

THURSDAY: Natalie and I had appointments for full spa manicures and pedicures at Danny's God-Mother's salon. Sweet. Danny's mom works there...so his mom was doing my services and his God-mom was doing Natalie's. It was such a great time. I brought champagne. I got to chat with Danny's mom for hours. She is an amazing woman. She has been married 4 times...and her stories where both sad and funny. She was very open about her life...we had an instant connection. She told me some amazing things about Danny....which made me start to love my soon-to- be brother in law. She said that Danny swears that he will only marry once...after watching her go thru so many problems. She went on and on about how much Danny loves Natalie. Made my heart swell with happiness. After the spa...I rushed home to get ready for the rehearsal and then the dinner.

The rehearsal was interesting. I expected Natalie and the Pastor to take over and tell everyone what they wanted. They didn't do that. We were all just standing around. Finally I asked the Pastor to please start the rehearsal...and he acted like he had NO idea what he was doing. I asked Natalie if I could take over...she said yes. I walked everyone through everything step by step. The cutest part was explaining to my dad how he walks Natalie down the aisle. Natalie had never asked Dad or told him that he would be giving her away....and he was SOOO happy that he got to do so. Anyway. I showed him that they walk down the aisle...and stop about 5 feet in front of the alter. Then the Pastor would say, "who presents this woman in Holy matrimony?" And then my Dad would say, "Her mother and I do." Then I explained that he would kiss Natalie, shake Danny's hand, then hand Natalie's hand to Danny, and then sit down. My dad was so nervous....we rehearsed that part 5 times. No kidding. Ha! Cute.

FRIDAY - WEDDING DAY: Natalie had made our hair appointments pretty early in the morning for a 5 pm wedding. Mine was at 10:30 am...hers at 11:30 am....at Danny's God-mom's salon. Danny's mom was paying for all of our services (nails and hair) as part of her wedding gift to Natalie and Danny...so I agreed to do an up-do. Plus I would get to be there with Natalie as she got her hair done for her wedding. So....I get to the salon to find out that the gal who was supposed to do my hair was at the hospital with her sick mom. This other guy said he would be doing my hair before Natalie's. I sat in his chair and explained what I was looking for with my up-do. I said that I liked a little volume on top...no beehives...just not pulled tight to my scalp. I would like my hair pinned up close to the top of my head...so that you can see my hair from the front...that I don't like it in the middle or bottom of the back of my head. I thought he understood. He starts by drenching my hair with this schlack-like hairspray and scrunching it. I looked like Beetlejuice. Then puts several curls all over. Then turns my chair so I can't see the mirror. Then proceeds to rat out my entire head then starts pinning my hair back. Eight minutes later....he swings my chair around and takes off my smock. My hair. The horror. My bangs were slicked to my forehead and pulled to one side like a comb-over. The top of my hair was about 5 inches tall...all ratty...and going up and straight back. The back of my hair was a fairly tight bun of sloppy curls near the middle to back of my head...that was off center....more to the left...than the center. The sides of my hair were hairsprayed so much...and had visible comb tracks....and it wasn't tight to my head... it kinda poofed out. I was speechless. It was the worst hair-do ever....ever....like if I let my friend's 5 year old daughter play barber shop on my head. I cringed. He turned the chair and told Natalie to sit down. I excused myself to the bathroom to get a better look. I started to shake...but got it back together enough to go out and watch Natalie's up-do. Nat's hair is long...down to her butt long. He hot rolled her whole head and sent her to the dryers. I sat by her and told her that I HATE my hair. She said, "have him re-do it...it doesn't look very good." He spent the next 30 minutes doing another girl's hair...then started back up on Nat's. The time was 12:20 pm. I had to go to the grocery store for water and wedding day necessities, get ready, AND be at Hudson Garden's (a 20 minute drive) by 2:30 pm for pictures and what-not. Time was a ticking away. He wasn't close to being done with Natalie's hair...and I decided that I needed to leave. I got in my car and called Cherill. I burst into tears. I was telling her about my hair...and she kept saying...go home and wash your hair. I kept telling her (in my squeaking voice that only dogs and dolphins should be able to understand) that I didn't want to hurt Natalie's in-law's feelings...and the hair destroyer...er dresser would be at the wedding. She said over and over that I have to see those pictures for the rest of my life...and that I HAD to fix it. OK. Deep breaths. I call my mom to get her opinion. I am bawling. My mom... a very sweet and proper woman who rarely cusses says, "Emily, I don't give a SHIT if they get their feelings hurt. I don't give a SHIT. And Natalie won't care. You go home and wash your hair and do it right....you hear me?" I squeaked out an ok...and then rushed home to wash my hair. I had to wash it 3 times to get all of the hair spray out. I re-did my hair...and it looked fan-freaking-tastic. I took some selfportraits of the hair debacle...I will share those later. I was about 20 minutes late to Hudson Gardens...but it wasn't a big deal. I walked into the room and Danny said, "You changed your hair." I said, "Yes, I put my sassy dress on...and it needed my hair to be down." His mom winked at me and said, "I am glad you fixed your hair, you look beautiful." Whew. The ceremony was gorgeous. It was amazing. I hope that my husband looks at me the way that Danny was looking at Natalie. Pure love was pouring out if his eyes.

The reception looked more fantastic than I could have imagined. My mom and I picked out every detail...and it came together so wonderfully. When it came time for the speeches...my Dad went first. He and my mom had written a poem about their wishes for their lives together. My dad is an eloquent public speaker...and he had Natalie bawling. Natalie was crying so hard that she was gripping my leg and buried her head in Danny's shoulder. AND...since no one cries alone in my presence....I cried too. I should have known better than to let my dad speak before my speech. I didn't get to say everything I wanted to during my speech...and had to drop the mic to my side to take deep breaths...but I did say basically what I wanted to. Nearly everyone was tearing up. Awwwh. Several people told me that I gave a great speech. That might have just been to cover up my crying...who cares. Danny said he wanted to make a speech too...he took the mic from me and didn't look at anyone but Natalie and spoke from the heart for about 5 minutes about how much he loves her...and what an amazing woman she is. It was so wonderful. What a great night. The reception was over at 9 pm....and we then had to completely clean the party room. I got home about 11 pm....really wound up from the wedding. I couldn't get to sleep. I NEEDED to get to sleep.... because I had to be up at 5:30 am to be at our girls softball tournament by 7 am. It was a long day at the softball tournament...but worth it. I will post about that later. Too tired now. All in all the wedding was so wonderful. I am so happy for Natalie and Danny. So happy! Cheers!

I've got a cat for sale....really cheap!

This morning I was sitting at my kitchen table drinking coffee paying bills online...and my cat Sasha comes tearing around the corner and leaps to jump on my lap. Well... she missed my lap and then dug her claws into my leg to catch herself from falling. She sliced my left leg up really bad. I have one long cut and several puncture wounds. Sweet. I grabbed her and tossed her to the ground and then shouted FUCK about 10 times. My leg started bleeding so I showed Sasha her handy work. She looked horrified. And has spent the last several hours trying to love on me. Damn cat. Now she is pouting in the corner. Ladies & Gentlemen...I've got one black cat for sale...I will sell her really cheap....hell...I might PAY you to take her.

The pool at my building has been taken over by pool hoppers. The best kind of pool hoppers....white trash with 15 kids. There aren't any kids that live in my building, so they really stand out. Plus they stand out because they don't look like they could afford a place in my building. Don't get me wrong...I am not rich...and I don't live in the Ritz... just these people have 4 teeth and scream "I don't belong here." I had my suit on to go down....no thank you.

Tonight is Selena and Jason's going away party at Christine and Jaime's house. It's not a huge get-together...just the core group of about 25. I finished the video of pictures put to music yesterday. It's 7:47...which is really long considering that each picture is only on the screen 3 seconds. I have about 130 pictures. I couldn't figure out how to burn the video from Premier in a DVD file...so I saved it as a VCD...and have to fiddle with my DVD player setting to get it to run...but it does....so victory. I will play the video at the party tonight. I hope they like it. Maybe I could do these videos as a 2nd job on the side. My wedding gift to my sister is a video of her wedding.

Speaking of the wedding, my sister's wedding is less than a week away. Most everything is done. I did the entire itinerary last night... planning out every minute and every song of the ceremony and the reception. Natalie reviewed the itentery...and was really happy. I got my dress...and it is sassy. I love it. Still need to find shoes...I will probably do that tomorrow. No one has heard where the rehearsal dinner is yet...but oh well....ya know? It's not my wedding. It will go off wonderfully...and everyone will be happy.

The little 8 year old girls softball team that my dad and I have been coaching is really doing well. Our record is 4-2. Our 2 losses are to a team that has played together for 3 years. Remember the coach that freaked out on me? Ya...that team. In fact, when we played them last week...that same coach was talking shit to me the entire game. I ignored him. What a tool. Anyway. They have 2 girls on their team that look like they are 14. It's nuts...8 year olds with boobs. But our team is doing great. Not bad for a 1st year team. Just a few weeks ago we were showing the girls which hand their glove goes on...and explaining what a ball and strike was. It's been fun. I really enjoy the girls...and especially all of the quality time with my parents.

Work has been...well...challenging...recently to say the least. We had a shift in the top management and the change scared the shit out of me. I would rather dance with the devil I know...than the devil I don't. However, for the first time in a long time I feel empowered at work. I was always involved with everything...but was the "yes man" and just did what I was told to do...for the most part. With the new management, I have been given a ton more responsibility...and it's fantastic. I am doing all of the marketing...and making the creative decisions...it's wonderful. Once the dust settles you can bet that I will be asking for a raise. Ha.

'Tis the season

I had another shower to attend today....this time a baby shower for Kristen. 'Tis the season for showers.

She and her husband live in Chicago now, so except for a few pictures she emailed me...I hadn't seen her pregnant. She is due in mid-August and looks great. She's walking on sunshine. They're having a boy.

I met Kristen when she was 20 years old. I hired her as an intern at my first radio gig. I have hired her for about 4 times for other jobs too. Man, it was wonderful to see her. We have always been friends, even though I was her boss for quite a while.

The shower was thrown by one of her college friends and was very well organized. I love that. The hostess is artsy and crafty...so there were many gorgeous hand-made decorations. Very cute. We played 3 games (I really don't like shower games). The first game I had a distinct disadvantage at playing. It was the one where you have to identify different flavors of baby food. You would smell it...and if you were crazy...taste it. I did NOT do well at this game. And for the record, did not taste the baby food. I was the only gal there who wasn't married. And, except for the girl who got married a month ago...the only one without kids. Well except Kristen...hers is on the way...anyway. These chicks were not only idenfiying the baby food as what fruit or whatever...they were writing down the exact commercial name. "Pear Banana Delight" "Turkey Dinner with Peas" "Strawberry Dessert" Wha? I lost that game. Ha. Several of the girls got every one right. Sheesh. The 2nd game was match the name with it's description. For example, my name means "Industrious". I won that game. I got all of them right. The 3rd game was kinda sick. They passed around baby diapers with a different melted chocolate bar in it. Ewh. I can only imagine what her neighbors thought watching each gal grab the diaper and put it up to their face and smell what was inside. I won that game too...got all of them right (again). I told the hostess to give my prize to another girl...it's only fair. Ha. Ironically, I don't like chocolate...but apparently can "name that chocolate bar".

After about 4 hours of "ooohhh how cute" I excused myself to go home and take a nap.

Oh no you didn't David!

Last night I was watching Leno. I usually watch Letterman...but Leno had David Lee Roth as a musical guest. My morbid curiosity got the best of me...I had to see it. After David's crash and burn as a Syndicated Morning Dee Jay...I had to watch.

Oh...and his performance didn't disappoint.

The first shot of the stage you see has about 15 musicians with cellos, steel guitars, banjos, harps and flutes. I am thinking...damn...where the hell is Eddie Van Halen? The music starts up...it's an Irish Jig version of the Van Halen hit "Jump". Wha? Then David Lee Roth saunters on the stage. His hair is short and parted on the side. He has on an un-tucked button up surf-style shirt and jeans. He looks visibly nervous. His smile looks like a serial killer. He starts saying/singing "Might as well...oh...might as well...JUMP." Over and over. You can hear the sound of crickets in the audience. He starts pacing around the stage trying to get them to start clapping along by snapping his fingers really fast. His smile looks painted on...like the Joker (from Batman). "Oh oh oh...Might as well...oh...might as well...JUMP....JUUUMP!"

It was quite sad. I tried to find some footage...but it's late and I want to go home from work. Still cracking up. Whoa. No you didn't David.

Deep thought

I got the following in a forwarded email (ewh). I have seen this one before...but felt like posting it.

Today's Deep Thought:
I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, start out dead and get it out of the way. Then you wake up in an old age home feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension, then, when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement.
You drink alcohol, you party, you're generally promiscuous and you get ready for High School. You go to primary school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a baby, then, you spend your last 9 months floating peacefully with luxuries like central heating, spa, room service on tap, larger quarters everyday, and finally you finish off as an orgasm.
I rest my case.

Would I do that?

I saw on the news last night that the OB/GYN floor in hospitals across our nation and around the world were jammed yesterday with many many many expectant mothers who got induced yesterday to avoid giving birth today on 6/6/06.

Would I do that?

Would you?

A fresh new start

The end of the weekend usually means "blah" for me. But after my wonderful weekend...I am looking forward to a fresh new start of a week. This weekend was what I needed to recharge...even though I worked for 5 hours on Saturday.

Friday: My girl's softball team had a game. We won 20 - 10. The girls played so well. I was beaming with pride. After the game my parents and I went to dinner...then I went home and laid on the couch and watched Brokeback Mountain. I hadn't seen it yet. After watching it I wondered if I would have made the same faces of shock with others there.

Saturday: Like I said, I worked for 5 hours. I needed to drive around and look at potential billboards for an advertising campaign. Took a nap in the A/C. Then, my bro came over for dinner and to watch Harry Potter - The Goblet of Fire (4th movie). I haven't read any of the books or seen any of the other movies. My bro knows everything about Harry Potter...so he was playing the part of the narrator.

Sunday: I went to the pool for what I fear was about 30 minutes too long. I got a sunburn. I hope it doesn't peel in time for the wedding. I went to the grocery store. Watched Match Point...interesting movie. Took a nap. Made dinner. Paid bills. Balanced my checkbook. Cleaned my house. Bought Kristen's baby shower gift online and had it shipped to her house in Chicago.

I got everything done that I wanted to this weekend including napping and some pool time. I feel like a million bucks. Ready for another day...which is more than I could have said anyday in the last 2 weeks. Va Va Voom!

Mistaken Identity

I feel so bad for the families involved in the mistaken identity case of the 2 girls in Michigan who got in a car accident. One girl died and another girl was horribly disfigured on her face but was alive in intensive care. Both the doctor and the coroner made mistakes in identifying the girls. One family had a funeral for a girl they thought was their daughter. It wasn't their daughter. And another family prayed over another girl they thought was their daughter who in a coma. And it wasn't their daughter. So sad. So very very sad. I just have to wonder how the parents of the girl in the coma didn't figure out the girl in the hospital bed wasn't their daughter sooner. I know the girls had an eerie resemblance, but what about old scars, birthmarks, her hands, her ears (pierced? earrings?), her feet? I know what my family's hands and feet look like...hell...they look like mine. I have to believe that if someone I love was laying in a bed and their face was bandaged up...that I would know in my heart it was or wasn't my loved one. I feel so bad for them.