| this is the end if you want it |
[Dec. 19th, 2009|11:37 am] |
Less than a week before Christmas!
As of press time, I have plans to go to Ohio Dec 24-28 with my parents. It's just enough time to get up there, see some people, and get out. I don't even have to take off any work since I get the 24, 25, and 28 all off from the law firm. Rock on. Mission: COOKIE will be in full effect. I plan on eating as many xmas cookies as I can get my hands on. This year I'm stepping up my game by bringing some large ziploc bags and glad ware containers to bring some home. It's not like people want to take home all the cookies they bring to Wiley family xmas. I'm doing them a favor :)
Last weekend was party weekend. I went to my department's office Christmas party. It was fun and I wish I could have stayed a bit longer. I left after the gift exchange to get downtown to Heather's studio demo at FUBAR. I was ready for a night out on the town but things didn't go in that direction so we just went back to her apt to hang out. On Saturday I went to a fancy schmancy office holiday party at the Sheraton downtown. It ended up being a fun night but due to a series of unfortunate events I regret going. At least I looked good. Sunday was Holly's birthday. We went out to Los Tres and had Harris Teeter cupcakes.
Work was boring this week. I'm looking forward to a slow two weeks coming up. People need to go on vacation and stay on vacation.
Michele and I got some of the C20 crew together for a pre-xmas hang out. It wasn't a xmas party per se, but it was just a night before xmas that we had the chance to get people together. It was so much fun and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again soon. The best part was finally meeting Randea and Dameon's baby Caden. He is so precious! They are going to continue to be amazing parents.
Last night I went out in the weather to buy milk and bread. I'm not crazy...I really was out of milk and bread. I watched some tv, Trevor came over for a bit, and then I surfed the net. No plans yet for today - probably a trip to the Y and doing my Christmas shopping. |
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| wake up you're a drama queen |
[Dec. 8th, 2009|10:41 pm] |
At home listening to the album, Underdog Alma Mater by Forever the Sickest Kids. I could listen to it on repeat and only love it more and more each time.
I miss my life coach.
On a whim last Thursday I ran 10K (6.2 miles) in 58:34. I made it to five miles at a leisurely pace and just kept going. On Monday I actually put some effort in and ran 5K (3.1 miles) in 26:26. I felt good and even kept a pace to continue on to 5 miles in 45:00. I only ran to the 48min mark and don't remember how long I actually did go for. These times are subjective though since I ran on a treadmill. It'll be a rude awakening to run outside when the weather is better. Thankfully I live near an awesome greenway which will be a suitable replacement for the park near my parents house.
Other drama in my life and all I have to say is WRAP. IT. UP.
I'm looking forward to the weekend and then Christmas is two weeks away.
She's a lady
and ladies shouldn't be messed with. |
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| slow down |
[Nov. 20th, 2009|11:06 pm] |
Hollywood hills and suburban thrills,
hey you, who are you kidding?
I'm not like them. I won't buy in.
Hollywood hills and suburban thrills,
hey you, who are you kidding?
Don't quit 'til 47.
Then we'll turn it up and we'll play a little faster.
Take back everything you ever said.
You never meant a word of it. You never did.
Take back everything you said.
You never meant a word of it. You never did.
She said Alright, Alright, slow down
Oh no, oh no, we won't.
'Cause I regret every thing that I said
To ever make her feel like she was something special,
Or that she ever really mattered.
Or did she ever really matter? |
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| team player but not sure i want to play for this team |
[Nov. 19th, 2009|03:14 pm] |
If there's an equivalent to watching the grass grow but inside an office lobby then I'm doing it right now. Our receptionist is out sick and I'm working the desk for the unforeseeable future this afternoon. Bad news is that I don't know when my shift will be up. Good news is that the office closes at 6pm so I know it can't go on any later than that.
I have about 2x the same feeling of helplessness I had whenever I was at the movie theatre by myself as the only manager. I used to be scared out of my mind at the theatre so you can only imagine how sitting up here makes me feel. Directing phones calls from people who know what they want is a piece of cake. It's the ones who don't know that make me feel it in the pit of my stomach. However, it's getting easier to get people to tell me what they want. I really cannot help anyone with anything on the phone. It's my job to transfer them to someone else who can provide them with information. Easy enough, right? I have free reign to the Internet and all the peace and quiet that comes with an empty lobby. I'm glad that I won't have to do this more than an hour at a time except on days when she's not here again and we have to juggle the 10 hours of the day that the desk needs to be covered.
It's good I don't let the little stuff bother me. I would probably be really stressed out if I didn't. Thank goodness running/exercise clears my head and helps me face another day. I don't know where this high tolerance comes from but I like it.
Ugh. In other news had a nice exchance with a coworker today:
C- Hey
Me- Hey, how are you?
C- I'm good, what about yourself?
Me- I'm all right.
C- We're here....aren't we?
Ain't that the truth. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 17th, 2009|11:04 pm] |
Today I ran 5 miles at a reasonable pace. I got out of shape when I cut back on running while I was studying for the NC State Bar Paralegal Certification exam (which I passed btw). Now over 6 weeks later I'm feeling good about running again. I saw my boy Jon at the gym yesterday. He was doing rounds and I looked up as he went by and said hi and waved. He said hi back and asked how I was. I said fine and asked him. He answered, "I'm doing well." Who actually says "well" as a response? It sounds so formal, especially from this 21 y/o kid. Is it sad that I want to keep my YMCA membership so I can continue to have run-ins with him? He's my blond shaggy haired Zac Efron.
MJ and I have been living together for just over a week. She moved in Oct 31 and I moved in a week later on Nov 7. I can't say that I was ready for the move but some would say it was long overdue. Financially I wasn't ready for it and am staying afloat thanks to the bank of mom financing. That means that I can put stuff on the credit card and pay it back at a later date. I just want to pay off my car and live happily ever after. My queen mattress set is sitting on the floor and will be there for the foreseeable future. Whatevs.
Sorry this isn't any better of an update post. I'm tired and ready to get on with the holidays and start a new year.
Come check out my apartment! |
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| i love you october |
[Nov. 1st, 2009|10:50 pm] |
Best month of the year!
The last week and a couple of days have flown by.
-Katy and Ryan's wedding
-Apt searching/application with Miranda
-Birthday dinner with the fam and cake with everyone + Sarah C and Trevor at my house
-Autumn Glow with chocolate and How I Met Your Mother
-Not working at all on Wednesday
-Visiting Kelly-o and Gracie Bear
-Seeing Chris's new house
-Awesome awesome awesome burrito at Chipotle and good chips
-Guster concert in Charlotte
-Lunch with Blair
-Apartment approval
-Bday/Halloween party with my C20 friends
-Packing, sorting through stuff
-Lease signing and initial car load of moving
-Bday dinner with the JL at Batistella's Kitchen (excellent New Orleans cuisine)
-Tetris and Rock Band
-Daylight savings with an extra hour
-Attempted ceiling fan install...waiting to go back with a ladder
-Great run at the YMCA
-Amazing Race
Miranda and I are moving to North Cary, near the Harrison exit off I-40. It's exactly where I wanted to be and I'm really happy with the apartment. All of this happened a month before I was expecting so I'm a little behind schedule. I'm gonna try to buy a bed and have it delivered next Saturday. I've nearly sorted through all my clothes and I filled a big computer box to donate. Next will be the impossible task of sorting through my life contents in my room and decide what to take with me, leave, or throw away. I have a feeling that might take the entire month of November.
sidenote: People these days have too much stuff. I packed a suitcase and a backpack and was able to live in Guatemala without anything I left behind. It's so liberating to go through an experience like that and see that you don't need so much. A similar thing happened in AmeriCorps*NCCC. Especially when we only took our red bags and a backpack to SW Louisiana and lived in the tent for 2 months.
I'm really looking forward to starting over in a fresh place and getting rid of a lot of things. Yeah, they have sentimental value but some times you just need to let go.
Golly, it's been over 5 years since I've hosted an event with more than 4 people at my place of residence. I'm looking forward to fun times ahead! |
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| best to keep expectations low crushcrushcrush |
[Oct. 18th, 2009|01:32 am] |
Jenny (1:30:14 AM): who needs to be out there living when i can stay at home and pour cereal on my bed and lament about my chigger bites
Jenny (1:30:57 AM): yes, you read that correctly...quote of the month
Chris (1:31:49 AM): ah, saturday nights
Only 10 days until my birthday! |
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| back on the grid |
[Oct. 13th, 2009|09:49 pm] |
Sorry to have taken a break from writing. All three of you who actually keep up with this thing must have been sorely disappointed. I had the NC State Bar Paralegal Certification exam on Saturday, October 3. I pretty much cut myself off from the world the week before the exam and have even been in a daze for the week after. This past weekend I went to the Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival in Amherst, Virginia. The JL stayed at Amanda's grandparents house and we volunteered at the festival for the Rotary Club. I met a lot of interesting people. We drove up on Friday night and I was completely out of it from the drugs and being up all day. Saturday we spent the morning working at Gate 2 and had delicious garlic burgers and garlic fries for lunch. Then we poured wine tastings for Rebec Winery in the afternoon. Our training consisted of a guy going over the wine list and then we started pouring. Turns out most people didn't care about what they were drinking...they just wanted to keep drinking. Saturday night we had dinner back at the house and spent the evening just hanging out. Sunday morning we worked at Gate 2 again and then wandered around the festival a bit. Then we swung by an apple orchard and made the way back home. It's a wonder we even made it considering Amanda missed a turn and she and Burney made sure we were still going in a good direction without waking up me or Chun.
View from the deck at Dr. and Mrs. Smith's house.
Only 15 days until my birthday! |
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| there was no thief |
[Sep. 27th, 2009|11:00 pm] |
And I can’t see you
Getting used to
Living in the midst of your perfection
And I’m so lost
How can you trust
Somewhere the sun is always shining?
And there’s just one last thing that I have to say
As we reflect on the mess of all of this I’ve made
It was cowardice that made me push you away
I was so afraid cause you were so much better than me
I guess it’s safe to say you’re never coming back |
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| i'm not good with secrets |
[Sep. 25th, 2009|10:19 pm] |
Wow.
Big week.
Beyond big.
On Tuesday T$ and I went to see Mikey at his new bartending gig in Apex. So much fun! The bar is classy and sophisticated. It's way better to hang out in than some other places we normally go.
Wednesday was Amanda's Birthday League Night. I did get a bit nauseous on the 45 mins of driving in circles to find the Hibachi Express. The food made up for it. Then we got a Harris Teeter cake. We all fell out when bloody eyeball didn't get top photo for the week on ANTM. Good times.
Thursday I started my new job! It's with a law firm near North Hills. They threw me right into working and I haven't even filled out tax forms yet! I hope it's not forever until I get paid...it's been fun so far. I work with some great people. Later that night I had a Mint Oreo popsicle from Loco Pops. It was a guest star but REALLY should be a regular.
Today I had a great exchange with my grade-school crush at the Y. He's just some 20-something kid who works the desk but I like being on a first name basis with him now. It's not like these people are strangers I guess after having a gym membership for 9 months.
Holy cow! 9 months already! Where does the time go? It's FALL already! I've had Harvest Time Pumpkin Ale by Big Boss and had a pumpkin spice cupcake (actually it was a muffin) today. Yummmmm.
My birthday is less than 5 weeks away! Counting down to GUSTER!!!!!!!!!! |
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| cabernet sauvignon and m&m's |
[Sep. 21st, 2009|12:32 am] |
I just poured my third glass of wine and I'm enjoying it with chocolate. Life is good.
Great weekend!
Friday:
Dinner with Aunt Barb and the parents and then Girl's night at Heather's...Cat, Kaitlin, and Jessica all came over and we watched Sex & The City. Then the three of them left and Heather and I hung out, she made mini cupcakes, and we watched tv. I love that girl and it was so much fun spending time with her.
Saturday: Lunch with Aunt Barb and the family then Swan Lake with the JL at the Fletcher Opera Theatre. We were in the fifth row, maybe 20 feet from the stage. It was such an incredible performance. Then we hit up Krispy Kreme...the original glazed fresh off the conveyor was like heaven in my mouth. The JL hung out and played Tetris and on a whim I went to Wake Forest to see Vinny and Mike. Those guys are awesome. AWESOME.
Sunday:
RANDEA'S BABY SHOWER!!!! It's totally real now that she is having a baby. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I picked up Trevor and Brad from the airport and then we hung out. Fun to see those kids as well.
I have less than two weeks until the NC State Bar paralegal certification exam. I've reread most of the tort law and contract law books. I've got a review guide from the NC Paralegal Association and have reviewed Ethics and started on Real Estate. This week will be more studying and then I'll be on campus on Saturday for the review class with Dave. I'm so nervous cause I don't know what to expect, and no one else really knows what to expect either. The exam is new and you can't really talk about it after you take it.
Cool. As I am still currently unemployed, I will be using this week to continue studying. Still waiting to hear back from two law firms I interviewed with. |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 14th, 2009|10:27 pm] |
Temp job ended on September 3. Not much went on Labor Day weekend. Went out with Trevor and Szymon on Friday night. Went to the mall with Holly and I saw The Hangover with Trevor on Saturday. Nothing Sunday. Crabtree and Rock Band with the JL on Labor Day.
This past weekend was fun. Had a fabulous night out with Heather and John & Company on Friday. I spent Saturday out with Sarah and Trevor at Tyler's Taproom in Durham, which beats the Carolina Ale House any day. Hung around Sunday, watched a movie, went to the gym, watched the VMA's. Lady Gaga brought it but Beyonce was so fierce with her performance. I loved Taylor Swift in the subway and am definitely a fan of her song, "You Belong With Me." I might just be so inclined to get her newest cd now.
It's fun not working but I'm not exactly sitting at home doing nothing. Still making contacts with my references, applying for jobs, interviewing, making it happen. I'm also getting caught up with a lot of people.
This year has been big and I don't see it stopping any time soon. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 25th, 2009|10:47 pm] |
Surprise surprise the temp job has continued on into this week. That's fine with me...one more paycheck will take care of several cell phone bills and some tanks of gas. We are wrapping up the end of a project and I am crossing my fingers that we finish on Friday. I'm off to the Metro DC area late Friday afternoon and am coming back on Monday. I figure if we aren't entirely done, then I'll forfeit whatever is left and go ahead and take my exit. I really do believe though that we will finish up, or only have enough work for one person to handle for Monday.
Quick recap...two weekends ago I had the most amazing weekend.
Friday: Michele's party, enjoyed time with my life coach- he was particularly helpful and so glad he was there in real-time for events. OMG Ryan Coon was there, I haven't seen that kid in forever! So glad he hasn't changed a bit.
Saturday: Went to the Y and went to North Hills with Sarah to see Julie and Julia
Sunday: My first day hanging with Mike and Patrice's daughter Andrea alone!!! I was a bit hesitant to take her out but Mike had said she remembered me from my last visit back in Jan/Feb and asked about me (so darling). When I got over to the house, she was instantly pulling toys out of her room to play and then pulled me into her room to show me more toys. I loaded the cutie patootie into my car and off we went to Bond Park!
Like any good adult non-parent I loaded her up with sugar before going back to her parents. We got vanilla frosties from Wendy's.
Then Sunday night I watched, I Love You Man with Trevor. A predictable flick but still fun to see Paul and Jason on screen. They must have so much fun making movies.
This past weekend was ok. Friday was awesome- hung out with the Sarahs and Kelly at HQ West. Sarah C. made the most banging spinach artichoke dip I have ever had. Saturday was boring- went to the Y and watched the movie Gigantic. Sunday- hung out around the house, did some kickboxing, watched the movie London to Brighton with Trevor, went to bed way too late, as is the norm for Sunday nights.
Plans for the future: keep on applying for jobs until someone hires me. I'm up to five so far so we'll see what happens. A dream job was posted on the NC State jobs site and I'm mailing off the application tomorrow. Too bad the hiring process for the State is so slow. Looks like I might try for another temp assignment and hope I get a call for that job. |
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| when life closes a door... |
[Aug. 15th, 2009|12:58 pm] |
...I'm gonna find a window and if it ain't open, we're gonna rumble.
I love my C20 friends forever and ever and ever. We had so many great times back in the day (circa 4 years ago) and I am ever so thankful that we've all stayed friends. I may not see/talk to everyone on a regular basis but I really do enjoy all these times we've made it happen and gotten together. That being said, I'm truly going to make sure that it's not another 4 months until I hang with them again.
Life is merrily going along. Temp job ends this coming Friday. I'm taking a week or two off to hang/look for employment. Then I'll probably try to get another temp assignment.
I like this whole not caring thing. I should have tried it a while ago. |
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| I really don't care |
[Aug. 11th, 2009|10:36 pm] |
I really don't care so much that I'm not even going to write this post I thought of in my head about how much I don't care.
Things are going to happen.
I don't care.
You move on.
I don't care.
I'm only concerned with the present moment and perhaps a period of time up to 24 hours away.
I don't care.
I wish I'd stop getting headaches all the time. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 7th, 2009|11:09 pm] |
Jenny (10:28:39 PM): if you were here then we could be hanging out!
Chris (10:28:47 PM): !!
Jenny (10:28:52 PM): !!!
Chris (10:28:55 PM): omg!!!
Chris (10:28:57 PM): good news
Jenny (10:29:03 PM): you bought a house!
Chris (10:29:11 PM): !!!!
Jenny (10:29:15 PM): !!!!!
Chris (10:29:19 PM): haha
Jenny (10:29:24 PM): is that it?
Chris (10:29:28 PM): sure is
Chris (10:29:33 PM): they accepted my offer today
Congrats to the most non-committal guy I know! |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 6th, 2009|11:01 pm] |
My temp job is ending on August 21. Wow. I didn't expect it to happen so soon. It's like someone is slowing pulling the rug out from under me. I've been searching jobs non-stop and am tired already. The default back-up plan is to finish out the assignment and then ask the temp agency to hook me up with another one. That's probably the best thing for me to do considering a.) I really just need to save up some money and b.) I would continue to have health insurance. I stumbled upon a job on Duke's website that I just applied to. I'm not sure I'm even qualified but it'd be cool to just get an interview at least.
There's no staying at the current organization. I've looked into the legal department, and it consists of one general counsel in Durham and one in Washington, D.C. They each have "administrative assistants." I found the cubicle of the assistant in Durham and she looks younger, so I don't think I could stay and try to wait it out for her to leave. Speaking of DC, I've found tons of job postings there but the rent is astronomical. I'd have to have a job lined up before even moving and then by a stroke of luck find a good place to live. Way too much hassle at this point.
I'd prefer to find a paralegal with a non-profit like agency rather than your typical law firm. Hopefully this economy will keep turning around and more jobs will be out there soon. Wish me luck and if you know anyone that could help me out, please please please hit me up. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 2nd, 2009|10:58 pm] |
I'm glad I had such a fabulous Friday cause Saturday and Sunday were blah.
On Friday I had the office to myself, got a lot of work done on The Tax Adviser articles, and did a mini-project in Power Point. Then I ran another incredible 5 miles at the gym. Finally, T$ and I went to see Transformers 2 at North Hills. I almost got a little choked up seeing Eric in a suit for his first night as a manager and it was great to see Mike as always. I have so many fond memories of another time in my life...when I used to have fun at work.
Saturday I went shopping, went to the Y, and watched tv. Sunday I never left the house except for going out to my car to retrieve a book. I made some awesome french toast, finished a book, did some kickboxing, watched tv, and ate too much pizza and too many brownies. I used food to help me temporarily feel better. I'm glad to say it did its job.
Maybe I need a part-time job. Or a hobby. Or a good volunteer opportunity.
Otherwise I'm gonna drive myself crazy. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 27th, 2009|09:21 pm] |
I am exhausted and am considering bed.
It is 9:21pm.
I have pretty much been on my bed since I arrived home at 5pm. I was really tired this afternoon and came home to crash.
I had an ok weekend. I didn't expect it to end like it did but what the hey. Life is complicated. Sure, it doesn't have to be but it is.
I'm itching to get out of town. So many people around me are traveling for the summer and I haven't been anywhere since the last weekend in January when the JL went to Salisbury for a day trip to see the Taylor family. That's a long time in one spot for an adventurer like myself.
I have a headache. |
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