Age (in)appropriate questions

I love the questions I get to look forward to at my age. Somehow I always end up in situations where people are comfortable enough asking what they feel are age appropriate questions.

Sure there's the occasional person who asks me how school is going even though I graduated 5 (count them FIVE) years ago. I'm going to assume it's because I still look 20 and not because I can't pass for 28 in most social circles. But I'm really referring to the other questions.

Lets see... there's the 'Are you married?' No. 'How is your dating life?' No comment. 'Have you bought any real estate?' Nope. 'Are you investing?' In what exactly... my shoe collection? 'Roth IRA?' Hmmm, never heard of that designer. And by the time they are done I have an entire body ache that feels like a hangover followed by 5 year old's punch to the lady parts.

And then I tell them I'm 28 and newly single and prefer not to invest in real estate until I'm married. And here it comes... The reassuring pat on my shoulder followed by 'Don't worry. You have plenty of time.' I know I do! Unless there's some race I didn't know about? Sure I'm well aware of my biological clock, since we're on the subject, but I wasn't aware that everybody else was keeping time for me.

People, let me say this once... this is my choice. If I wanted to be married, I could've jumped on board that ship when I had the opportunities. I choose the life that I have now because I have a supporting set of parents who pushed me to go after what I wanted in life and to never settle whether it be an education or travel or a new challenge or my relationships. And thank the Lord in heaven that they don't pressure me into settling down.

Sure, being single has been an adjustment. I recently heard it described as putting on a pair of new prescription glasses. At first, it's a headache and you hate them but wear them because you know you need them. And over time your eyes adjust and you see life in a whole new light. Damn, my therapist is good! So while I am just barely getting to like these new glasses (to steal her metaphor), I'd really rather everyone keep the questions simple and sweet. 'How are you?' I'm great. 'Would you like another glass of wine?' Yes. 'I have an extrememly handsome doctor friend, would you like to meet him?' God yes.

That's it. In exactly that order. I'm not asking for too much, am I?

The Pay As You Go Plan

I started getting the paper on the weekends, one of the latest things i enjoy in my free time... my ME time. i like the quiet hours on sunday mornings to pour over the ads and pretend i'm actually looking for some great deal. it's basically like window shopping in the comfort of my pajamas without having to look like one of those who have given up on themselves entirely and resorted to pajamas in public. and sorry tell you - Ugg boots and velour pants - an outfit do not make.

What was my point. Oh yeah, weekend paper! I finally succummed to the subscription when it occurred to me that this kind of pick-and-choose is actually liberating for someone like me who spends all of 3 hours an evening at home to get stuff done and reading the paper is not one of them. Nor is watching TV unless it's Thursday nights and you'd better believe I'll be watching cougartown and grey's anatomy on my little TV with the bunny ear antenna. That's the other thing...I just cant justify the expense of cable TV when i really dont have a lotta time or interest in TV, especially reality TV. if I wanted to spend my money watching a bunch of trainwrecks sink to a new low i can do that for free at the local dive on college night. good times!

but you know, it makes me think. why hasn't anyone thought of applying the weekend newspaper subscription idea to cable TV? why can't i pay for the days I most need it and the rest of the days resort to the local (free) channels for basic shows and local news. Why can't I have my McDreamy and eat him too? or... something like that. you know what I'm getting at. I'd easily pay $10 for a weekend knowing that I have company coming especially the family who look at me like I just shot a kitten when I tell them I don't have cable. No InDemand?! No ESPN?! No Comedy Central?! How can you live with yourself???!!!

Well before my cousin has a hernia, I could just flash my fancy pay-as-you-go plan in their face because that's how I roll. Are we not the society of immediate gratification? How has this plan not become available for the busy working professional w/out the 2.5 people per household justifying a monthly cable bill? If the newspaper industry is threatened by online access, how has digital converter boxes and Hulu.com not threatened cable TV companies to offer the pay-as-you-go? In FACT, I cant even (get dressed and go) rent a movie at blockbuster if i wanted to because they've all closed down in Sacramento, but I can RENT a movie on Amazon.com and watch it on my laptop for $3.99. Seriously people. I know I've exhausted this point. But COME ON. Somebody get me someone who knows a thing or two about paying extra for services they dont need when they've got all they need at home. Does anyone know how to get a hold of Tiger Woods? Jesse James maybe? Well like them, I guess I'm just screwed.

The day my shoes thought they got the better of me

Yesterday was one of those days where I woke up on time, had my freshly dry cleaned work clothes ready, lunch packed, and even had time to do my hair before running out the door to get to work by 8. By all accounts a miracle in itself! Really productive day at work full of meetings, projects, getting clients and coworkers taken care of. Even made tons of progress on this recent project. Seriously felt like one of those days where everything goes right.

Wrong.

I jumped in my car after work on my way to a dinner date, kicked off my heels because I drive barefoot (who doesn't) and realized... in my morning rush... I had grabbed 2 different shoes. That's right... grabbed the left of my black stiletto and the right of my black platform wedge. umm how the hell??? I guess they're both black, same height, same toe, and both reside in my very dark closet just waiting for the day that I'll make that mistake and the older pair will get even with me for forgetting them in my car for 2 months and buying a newer, apparently way too similar pair. Karma baby.

So there I was on the way to my date, with 2 mismatched shoes and with the only other pair being flats which clearly wouldn't work at this point considering the length of my pants. Curse my shortness again! I managed to get through dinner, hoping he wouldn't notice and ask if I normally wear 2 different shoes because clearly guys have only 2 pairs of shoes in their closet, and maybe even a working closet light because they can FIX anything, and thus... that never happens to them. Well just to be safe, I awkwardly walked behind him to and from dinner and afterwards quickly switched into my jeans and flats w/ no notice of the shoes... hah! wardrobe malfunction averted!

I suppose this is the only time I've ever been grateful for a guy's lack of attention to detail. I mean really, do they honestly think we wake up and roll out of bed with "come and get me" hair and eyes? More like the "lost a fight with my pillow" look to both. Please. Would it kill 'em to notice when I wear plum instead of beige eye shadow. Curly instead of straight hair. New blouse that I got a killer deal on which you'd know if you paid attention to anything other than socks first, then shoes, then loop, swoop, and pull.

Then again, as they say, be careful what you wish for!

Lessons Learned in Corporate America

My 5-year anniversary with my company came a lot quicker than I thought it would. I still feel like I just graduated! I know I've learned a lot of skills in these short years, technical or otherwise. Probably the biggest lesson I'm constantly learning is the fine art of corporate politics. Sometimes it's how to best work with your colleagues and your clients. Sometimes it's swallowing your pride to kiss a little corporate rear *gasp*. Other times it's the "chain of command" to follow so as to not step on the wrong toes.

I still remember my first run-in with corporate politics, 1-month on the job and of all things, on the wording on my business card. 5-years to get a degree in environmental engineering and my first business card stated "Designer, Public Infrastructure". Sounded like a roadway designer or a city planner to me. I asked my boss whether I could get it changed to something a little more descriptive of my role, especially since I was hired into the environmental infrastructure group. I was told it was up to HR who orders business cards, who also gets approval from the VP before submitting the request to corporate. In other words, I could take it up w/ HR who would request a new set of business cards that may or may not get vetoed by the VP on its way up to corporate.

Well this was disconcerting, so I did what my cal poly education taught me to do... walk up and ask why. Not to my boss, or to HR, but to the VP. And so I headed down the hall, ponytail swaying, straight to the corner office and knocked on his door to discuss the fate of my business card with him.

A serious looking man in a suit stared back at me and gently explained to the "newbie" that in our industry the term environmental on a business card usually refers to "bugs and bunnies" and we don't want to give off the wrong idea to potential clients. [I'm sorry? I didnt realize I got a degree in bugs bunny engineering. Deep breath...] I explained that I most sincerely valued my new job, but that I also took a lot of pride in my degree and my department, and that I'm sure the clients would understand that since I'm at the "designer" or "junior" level that surely they won't get the wrong idea about my qualifications. He nodded and said "I'll see what I can do."

2-weeks later a hefty box of business cards with "Designer, Environmental Infrastructure" appeared on my desk. A small victory for me considering I wouldn't get a new set until I passed my PE a few years later at which point I would get to choose my own title. Environmental Engineer. Simple, concise, technical. No warm and fuzzy bugs and bunnies here.

Sometimes it's what they don't teach you in school that is most valuable. My advice is to learn the corporate politics quickly, always act professionally, and look the part even if you lack experience. One of the biggest compliments I've received on this job came from the serious suit's successor who upon 5 minutes of talking with me about my position and my other interests asked me "where did you go to school? wait don't tell me... cal poly." How did he know, i asked? "I could just tell." I was definitely honored that someone of his caliber, and a fellow cal poly grad I assumed, would see in me a fraction of his potential especially when I decided to skip the butt-kissing side of corporate politics and just be myself. That reminds me, most important lesson, don't forget to stay true to yourself in corporate america. Don't worry about what others are doing around you. Just do you... do well... and it'll pay off.

New Years Resolution-ers: I have a bone to pick with you

sweet.

i just realized that this is the time of year where i get to spend 20+ minutes walking around the gym aimlessly waiting for my machine to be freed up by the hundreds of people who have finally decided to dust off their gym memberships. gotta love new years resolution time.

well pardon my backfat, i've been using that machine for the last 3 months. that very one you are breathing all over right now. no i will not go find another. that beast is mine for 30-45 minutes on monday, wednesday, and saturday. cant we just fast forward a month when you won't be here, forcing me to park in the very back of the parking lot heaven forbid i have to walk 50 yards further to my cardio machine. let's just pretend you tried really hard because lord knows I was you in January 2007, 8 and 9.

because you know what, you look fine anyway. im the one with an entire wardrobe in the basement of the clothes that used to fit. that combined with the fact that im too cheap to go buy new slacks when there is a perfectly good pair of 6's waiting patiently for me. and they were $70. and they've already been hemmed to match my shortness. and you don't really intend to get sweaty anyways in your juicy couture pantsuit.

speaking of. now that im on the subject and clearly on a fatroll here. what ever happened to women that sweat? clearly im the only one, that 1 out of 5 on the secret commericals. except i really don't need prescription strength deodorent because i don't really sweat an abnormal amount under there, i just happen to sweat the kind of entire body sweat that makes dry-wear the greatest invention since clear roll-on.

anyway, as i was saying. i'm the one that would otherwise be dripping sweat on that machine you're using. If that grosses you out, im sorry. but i'm in desperately fat-kicking times right now. and this is not my new years resolution. this is week 12 of the higher energy, lower carb, less flabby but still lovable me.

One Crazy Week

My computer decided to go nuts this week and disable all Internet browsers rendering my computer virtually useless while almost cutting me off from the rest of the world. Thank god for my pricey pal - the iPhone - from which I can transfer account funds while I wait in line on Black Friday, gps myself to the nearest starbucks, and post a blog entry while I think about how much it's going to cost me to fix this laptop. But
I have survived 5 hours of thanksgiving cooking and 8 hours of black friday shopping, on 3 hours of sleep. I'm exhausted and drained but hopeful that the future will bring resolution to some if not all of my problems.
In the meantime, I'm spending quality time with myself, catching up on a book, the gym, and sleep. Glorious sleep. An afternoon nap is calling my name. What a great way to finish off a very busy, very crazy week.

Sent from my iPhone

May I Yelp You?

Ever have a friend who is way more hip and in-the-know that yourself that you must consult before trying the new Vietnamese place around the corner? I know, me neither. Well don't worry, Yelp is the solution to finding the best restaurant/dry cleaner/vet in town and I've used it a bajillion times to either consult fellow Sacramentans or gripe about that scary hairdo I just got at that one place in Natomas (eek!) and feel better knowing I will have saved countless others from a future butchering.

I have to say I've never been steered wrong by fellow Yelpers, it's a great resource. AND comes w/ it's own nifty little iPhone App. Though handy, the app doesn't let you post a question/conversation to other yelpers. My most recent question was where to eat late-night in Sacramento. I'm mostly talking weekends, when bars close and you've got the munchies. I posted a question and Voila! tons of users posted way more replies than I was expecting. I summarized everyone's responses along with address and closing times as the last post... just something to give back in appreciation for the site and its users.

And in case you're curious, and live in Sactown... here you go:

http://www.yelp.com/topic/sacramento-late-night-eating-in-sac