MyTravels

Dorky Photo Shoot

Another Terrific Tuesday!!  I am being sarcastic.  At my new job, we are required to get our picture taken for the "on-line" directory.   I have been known to goof on myself quite a bit and because I feel like sharing today,  I have decided to give you (random reader) something to work with as well.   The following blurb will be like an interactive "teasing" experience... Ready, set, go!   Okay, for starters, I look cross eyed or like one eye is not directly aligned with the other.   Believe it or not, this was the best of the pick because as Mr. Photo Guy was rapid firing his handy dandy camera, I was talking and making some really goofy expressions which were captured by his weapon, i.e. the camera.   I hate sitting for photographs, it was stressful enough in high school, and I kid you not, I am still scarred from THAT experience!   I chose to wear a big fluffy sweater for the high school version and I looked like I was about 50 pounds overweight from the photo!    Moo moo-fluffy picture is what I have to look back at for the rest of my life!   I needed a break from the coding today.   I am right smack in the middle of a major coding effort in C#.NET and my head is about to spin off sideways.   Luckily, there is more information that I am requiring from the BAs so I do not have to feel bad that my optimistic deliverable for tomorrow will not be met.   

As bad as this goofy picture is, it is not as bad as the high school photo experience.   Although I am pretty sure that I did not look cross-eyed, just really really FAT.

Ruby Tuesday

The title comes from no particular relevant reference today.  I happen to think that it is a cool title that I thought of while I am sitting here installing Windows Updates on my computer at work.    Can you see the "bored" trend developing here?   It is 5:45 and I am just waiting to head over to the Boston Beer Garden to meet the Geeks.   I do not want to be the first one to arrive, that would be really geeky.   

I had another pipe freeze this weekend, luckily it worked itself out without too much drama.   I am waiting patiently for my bathroom work to be finished.   Damn plumbers... I was a little miffed that the work was not done like it was supposed to be while I was away in the rain monsoon/artic freeze weekend in NH.   The plumber was sick, I guess... SIGH    So now my bathroom remains without walls in the shower or a floor.   I know it will look fantastic when it is DONE, but in the interim, Princess MLD is having a hard time with the less than aesthetically pleasing construction site called my bathroom. 

Well, my updates are done, and so am I for today...

Look on the bright side, tomorrow is HUMP DAY...

MLD

The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.
  - Horace Walpole

Spring Skiing this weekend...

Do long weekends count as vacations?   I am very specific about what I call "travel" and/or vacationing.   I suppose that leaving the State of MA and driving 2.5 hours North could be considered a mini-vacation right?    As long as I am not sitting around the house and I physically GO somewhere farther than say 50 miles (planes, trains, automobiles, whatevah), it is travelling to me....   It is 3:09p and I am already thinking about all the things that I need to bring with me tonight to the condo in NH.   I made a list, checked it twice and I have had some contemplative moments of naughty and nice.   I think the final headcount will be 7 of my peeps sharing a condo, skiing, eating, playing some poker and most dEFN watching the Pats on Saturday night!   

The weather forecast does not look very promising however for SKIING....  Mud wrestling... maybe...high speed slalom (sp?) on a 45 degree or less sheet of ice...possibly... Skiing??   I don't think so... The 40+ degree temperatures will be like SPRING to us here in New England.  It is mid-January!??   At the very least, I will be with a great group and it will be fun no matter what we do.  Skiing was the intention this weekend, but that might fall to the wayside for some shopping in N. Conway...  I guess my impulse shopping at EMS was all for nothing.   I bought all kinds of new and cool, warm-type things for skiing this year.   If I was going to be lost in the Canadian Outback, the purchase might have been worthwhile.   I think I can minus at least 3 of the layers I was planning to bring and I can probably ski in shorts according to the 3-Day weather forecast.  Oh hWELL...

TGIF, Peace out Dudes!

Happy Hump Day!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

The follies which a man regrets most, in his life, are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity.
  - Helen Rowland

Annual Check-up

Does anyone else get sick to their stomachs just at the thought of going to the doctor's?   I am not a fan, never have been.    I guess my anxiety level has peeked at Level Orange since learning about my mother's cancer (uterine) and the fact that my grandmother had the same thing.   So off I go today to talk to my doctor about all the tests that I will need to have now as a result.   Yeah, I am a little more nervous than usual.   It probably does not help matters that I have not felt very good physically for a while.   I think it is a combination of my continual denial in that I should not eat certain things.   My digestive system is in rebellion and the pain in my abdomen might be due to my ignorance.   Ah, what can I say?    I will do the right thing and go to see the doctor even though I hate going.    I think the reason I am really apprehensive today is because I know that there are going to be follow-up appointments which are not going to be pleasant.   I know this because my sister already went through it.   My sisters and I were alarmed by my mom's oncologist who insisted that we get in to see our doctors in a hurry!    Thanks doc, as if I am not traumatized enough from learning about my mom's condition... Gee thanks for making me feel like I am next!    God, I hope not!   

So as always, I work through my mental gymnastics by writing...  I hate talking about any of this stuff with friends as I am damaged from watching how my mother handles her illness.   I do not want to be the center of attention and I most certainly do not want any pity from anyone.   I have prayed on this visit today and it will go exactly the way God wants it to.   Perhaps all the activity and discomfort in my stomach is due to the fact that I am not talking about how I feel?    Who knows? 

I got a pass from kindergarten (my Cambridge job) to go to the doctor's today.  Thankfully my friend John is picking me up and taking me over there and then dropping me back here.   Based on my past experience trying to get a few hours off here, I was afraid to tell them about my appointment today.   I did tell my boss because inevitably I always do the right thing even in spite of myself.

Today and tomorrow and then I am out of here... Last day at kindergarten...

I start my new job downtown on Tuesday January 10th..  I am very much looking forward to that!   I can sleep until 7am again!!   WOO HOO!

MLD 2006 Resolutions

• Become a better person... Okay, this should be an obvious and mandatory resolution, but based on last year's results I think that I may have come up a little short.  doh!
• Start using my gym membership on a 'frequent' basis
• Re-decorate my bubble world through on-going spiritual development.. Inside my bubble is a world of peace, serenity, hope and no men.   It is quite nice actually.   No stress, no games.   If you have not tried the Bubble World (i.e. not dating), you should give it a whirl.   You might be amazed at the level of happiness that you can achieve!   I have been in a blissful state ever since I stepped into my bubble and I have not looked back! (read more about the Bubble World.)
• Travel to a new country
• Organize and store all my World Tour 2005 photos into the albums that have already been purchased.   (in other words, I need to stop procrastinating but said in a nicer way)
• Improve my volleyball rating and take one volleyball related vacation this year
• Take care of my health and stop eating things that I know are bad for me such as anything that contains wheat.
• Get more involved with a church or some other comprable charitable organization
• Save at least 10% of my salary
• Write my best seller on how to survive the mother who is emotionally untouchable

What it is like to work in "IT"

http://www.bullshitjob.com/officespace/LumberghOfficeSpace.swf

On the dull side... I still have shopping to do!   AHHH!!

On the bright side... 5 days until Christmas!

The movie probably could have used a few office Nazis to be complete.   You know, those crazy admin types who have to control your each and every move.

I just thought I'd share a funny link to not only one of my favorite comedies, but unfortunately FOR ME, my every day reality...  Truth is often stranger, and funnier than fiction.

2005 - Happy Holidays!

I had a revelation which I will share with you, my mystery reader...   This year, 2005, was a pinnacle year for me in terms of my spiritual growth.   I lost a job of over 5 years (Jan 05);  I lost a special friendship (Feb 05); I planned and executed a World Tour consisting of 10 weeks of travel covering 8 countries and 3 continents (Mar 05 - May 05); My mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer (Jun 05); I was unemployed for 10 months (until Nov 05).

With all this, I realized how precious and short life really is.   Amidst the bad times, there are always good things going on if you really look for them.   I have experienced the full range of emotions this year with feelings of frustration, sadness, disappointment, elation, inspiration, courage, fear, joy, success, loss...   

This holiday season marks the compilation of all of these pinnacle changes in my life which has affected my character and outlook in a very positive way.

Through my adversity and struggles, I have come out the other side with renewed faith, courage and contentment with my life.   I have realized that I do not have control over people, places or things and that any outcome is part of God's plan and I have to practice acceptance under any and all conditions.   Acceptance is the key to my success and newfound joy of life.   

A spiritual leader that I admire and watch often is Joyce Meyer (http://www.joycemeyer.org/).   Her ministry has really helped me get to this place of spiritual enlightenment and I thank God for her presence in my life.

If you are having struggles during this holiday season, just know that I am praying for all people in the world who need spiritual guidance.

Have a safe and happy holiday, wherever you are in the world...

MLD

Zachary (17 1/2 mos) AND

Sammi (2 wks old)

Oct 5th - NAVY

When is your birthday...... Scroll down to find your color and about your nature .....

December 23rd - January 1st	Red
January 2nd - January 11th	Orange
January 12th - January 24th	Yellow
January 25th - February 3	Pink
February 4th - February 8th	Blue
February 9th - February 18th	Green
February 19th - February 28th	Brown
March1st - Match 10th	Aqua
March 11 - March 20th	Lime
March 21 st	Black
March 22 nd - March 31st	Purple
April 1st - April 10th	Navy
April 11th - April 20th	Silver
April 21st - April 30th	White
May 2nd - May 14th	Blue
May 15th - May 24th	Gold
May 25th - June 3rd	Cream
June 4th - June13th	Gray
June 14 - June 23rd	Maroon
June 24th	Gray
June 25 - July 4th	Red
July 5th - July 14th	Orange
July 15th - July 25 th	Yellow
July 26th - August 4 th	Pink
August 5th - August 13th	Blue
August 14th - August 23rd	Green
August 24 - September 2nd	Brown
September 3rd - September12th	Aqua
September 13th - September 22nd	Lime
September 23rd	Olive
September 24th - October 3rd	Purple
October 4th - October 13th	Nave
October 14th - October 23rd	Silver
October 24 - November 11th	White
November 12th - November 21st	Gold
November 22nd - December1st	Cream
December 2nd - December11th	Gray
December 12th - December 21st	Maroon
December 22nd	Teal

RED Cute and lovable type, you are picky but always in love ...and liked to be loved. Fresh and cheerful, but can be "moody" at times. Capable with people, nice, soft, and that can love you for the way you are. Likes people that are easy to talk to, and can make you feel comfortable.

CREAM Competitive and sportive. Don't like losing and always cheerful! You are trustworthy, and very out-going. You choose love carefully, and don't fall in love easily. But once you find the right one, you don't let go for a long long time.

TEAL You are mostly interested in your looks. And have high standards in picking love. You think and make a solution precisely, and hardly make stupid mistakes. You like to lead, and is easy for you to make new friends.

GREY You are attractive, and active. You never hide your feelings, and express everything that's inside. But can be selfish at times. You want to be noticed, and don't like to be treated unequally. You can brighten up people's day. You know what to say at the right time, and you have a good sense of humor.

GREEN You get along well with new people. You are not really a shy person, but sometimes you can hurt people's feelings by your words... You like to be loved and noticed by your lover, but mostly you are single, waiting for the right person.

GOLD You know what's right and what's wrong. You are cheerful and out going. It's hard for you to find the one you want, but once you find the right person, you won't be able to fall in love again for a long time.

PINK You are always trying your best in everything, and like to help and care for other people. But you are not easily satisfied. You have negative thoughts, and you look for romantic love like in a fairytale.

YELLOW You are sweet and innocent. Trusted by many people, and have a strong leadership towards relationships. You make good decision and make the right choice at the right time. And always dreaming of romantic relationship.

MAROON You are intelligent, and know what's right. You like to take things go your way, which can sometimes cause trouble or not thinking about other people's feelings. But you are patient when it comes to love... Once you get a hold of the right person, it's hard for you to find a better love.

ORANGE You are responsible for your own actions, and you know how to treat people. You always have goals to reach, and are competitive. When it comes to friendship, you find it hard to trust someone, but once you find the right friend, you trust them for ever.

PURPLE You are mysterious, never selfish and get interested in things easily. Your day can be sad or happy depending on your mood. You are popular between friends but you can act stupid at times, and forget things easily. You go for person that's trustworthy.

LIME You are calm, but easily stressed out. You get jealous easily, and complain over little things. You can't get stuck into one thing, but you have a capable personality for everyone to trust you and like you.

SILVER You are imaginative and shy, but you like trying new things. You like to challenge yourself. You learn things easily, and like "Hard to get". Your love life is normally hard and confusing.

WHITE You dream and have goals in your life. You get jealous easily and you don't react to things easily. You are different and sometimes thought highly by others.

OLIVE You are warm and light hearted. You seem to flow well with friends and family. You don't like violence and know what's right. You are kind and cheerful, but don't envy other people easily.

BROWN You are active and sportive. It's hard for other people to become close with you, but you fall in love easily. But once you find out you can't get something, you give up and let go easily as well.

BLUE You have low self-esteem, and very picky. You are artistic and like to fall in love, but you let your love pass by, by loving with your mind, not your heart.

NAVY You are attractive, and love your life. You have a strong feeling towards everything. And very easily distracted. Once you get angry at someone, it's hard for you to forgive them.

AQUA Your feelings change suddenly and easily. You are always lonely, and like travelling. You are truthful, but listen and believe other people too easily. It's hard to find love for you, and you get lost in love easily. Sometimes you get hurt by love.

BLACK You are challenging, and have the "guts". But you don't like changes in your life. And once you make a decision, you keep it that way for a long time. Your love life is also challenging, and different.

ORANGE You are responsible for your own actions, and you know how to treat people. You always have goals to reach, and are competitive. When it comes to friendship, you find it hard to trust someone, but once you find the right friend, you trust them for ever.

Competition