We won't go until we get some...

Just for Denise, I am going to find out what figgy pudding actually is, and then I will make it and force her to eat it!! Just a little glimpse at the darker side of Christmas...

This has been a great week so far. Mostly, because there have been laughs aplenty, brownies, the movie "Cars", and my new favorite game, "Girls ask Danny Wilson questions". Work has also been busy, and so the time flies. I have talked to Jessica twice already, and I bought People "Sexiest Man Alive" yesterday. ("George Clooney again?" "George Clooney always!")

I have also been thinking about the question "What am I doing right now that will help me achieve my goals?" I always plan on doing something great and exciting, but I mostly just sit around and wonder why I'm still working retail and constantly out of money. So. Here are some of the goals I have for my life. Hopefully now that I'm writing them down, I will be able to think of ways to achieve them.

1. Write a novel/non-fiction book
2. Publish a book of poetry.
3. Actually learn to play the guitar.
4. Make a cd with the music written by me (and maybe some talented family members)
5. Have my own choir
6. Teach music lessons
7. Get out of debt
8. Have a job that I love, or one that challenges me daily
9. Learn to speak another language
10. Travel: anywhere, everywhere
11. Get married and have a family

Daunting? Absolutely!! But, maybe with things to work towards, life can be more fulfilling and less selfish.

However, on a completely frivolous (very girly) and different note, I want to talk about why I wish I had a boyfriend right now. There are a few reasons, permanent movie date, someone to text message, more Christmas presents... But the real reason is I just want hugs. I am so embarassed writing this, but I want a long and cozy hug. From a boy. One who's just the right size. (Denise, you know what I'm thinking...) O.k., too emabarassing, even for me to read. (I do believe this has brought on by a hug I received on Monday... still keeping me warm!)

Tonight I am going to watch "Strictly Ballroom", a movie I love and adore above many other inferior dancing movies. Try to keep warm everyone, and hope to see your face on the radio soon!!

And since we've no place to go...

Welcome to the coldest day yet!!

I will be the first to admit that my blood thins out during the summer, and so the first cold days are always a little difficult. Also, like all junior high students, I have some sort of aversion to my winter coat. (uhh! it makes me look fat and I like hate it!!) All this being said, I do like winter. When my body catches up to my love of snow, I love the winter accessories, I love the snow, and I love the coming in out of the cold to a warm house. Oh, and can we say hot chocolate, fires, blankets, slippers, caroling, tobogganing, dogs in sweaters, rosy cheeks, 3 blankets on my bed, not having to worry about over-heating...

Yesterday was the Institute Concert. I was billed as the "Guest conductor", an auspicious title for someone who was just leading one of the pieces while the conductor played the organ. Actually, it went very well, and I got to get a new shirt. Isn't it funny how new clothes will brighten any occasion?

4 real chords and 2 imaginary ones

So, the good thing about me performing in the talent show was that my voice drowned out the noise that could never be described as guitar accompaniment. Seriously. I was so nervous that I forgot how to play. Or maybe I never really knew how... Anyway, my song went over well, especially the line with the mildly inappropriate word. I love that Cody pointed out that young single adults (all of whom should be in their very own no porn check-up club) cheered the loudest at the word "lust". Of course, I'll just shut-up in my glass house here - I am the one who sang the word!!

This week I am at the mall in a tiny tiny booth for Chapters. I have made very few sales, however, I have been asked repeatedly when Santa is gonna be there, where the bathrooms are, and"Where the _ _ _ _ did the Rogers Wireless booth go. It was here yesterday!" (The one that was apparently right in the spot that my booth has been for a week. Hmmm. That's a mind boggler.) On the plus side, I finished writing the words to a new song that I want to write, made up a Christmas card list, and got two thirds through a book. Oh the joys of being paid to sit in the mall.

Thank-you disillusionment...

Thank heaven and all of the angels that Preference is over!! Yes, I did go to the dance, and on a blind date no less. With...Jeremy from Medicine Hat (the afore-mentioned possible date). O.k., so he wasn't really attractive, he wasn't overly intellectual, heck, he even talked about himself most of the time. And, oh, yeah, I think he lies! (He said that he had lived in Lethbridge during High School, and got lost on the way to my house). However, I thought the highlight of the evening was when he asked me: "Do you go to church all of the time? OH. MY. GOOD. HEAVENS. Who asks that? At the dance itself it was really awkward because he doesn't know anyone, and so he was with me the whole time. Well, there were a few moments when I would (accidentally?) lose him and visit with some sane people (thank-you to Braden!!!), but most of the time he wanted to dance. Now, the Lethbridge Big Band was playing, which was amazing to listen to, however, neither my date nor myself could dance at all. (I loved the twirling however, because my dress was perfect for spinning) So, there I was, dancing fit to beat the band, but really just looking like I was having fits. Oh, but I live to humiliate myself on a weekly basis!! So I wasn't having the greatest time with my date, however, he left 15 minutes early, and so true to Jenny's life story, I was left alone on the last song. And, I had to find a ride home with another couple.

It wasn't that Jeremy is not a nice guy, it's just that I know too many smart and funny guys that I could compare him with. Like my brothers-in-law, for instance. But maybe my expectations are too high. Perhaps a smart and funny priesthood holder is too much for the likes of me. Considering my advanced years and single status, I probably shouldn't be throwing away perfectly good dates just because they don't know who Christopher Guest is. Because this was a set-up, I wonder if because I'm single, and of a certain age, that any single, nice guy will do. I think Ginger said it best(and scared me a little) when she pointed out that Jeremy represents most of the pool from which we have to choose from. Single guys around 30. Are they all strange?

Anyway, Preference is over, and time to move on to newer adventures, like the Talent Show tomorrow night for FHE. I will be attempting to play the guitar and sing. Could be great, could be awkward, could be just plain humiliating. Come out and see, it will be an event, nonetheless.

A small entry

So. Yesterday I had an an encounter with the craziest woman I have ever had the good fortune to meet. She was also a blast from the past. If my family is reading this, and they better be, they will be excited to know that Aishield came into the store. Our interaction went as follows:
Jenny: Hi, I haven't seen you in a long time!
Aishield: Hello, yes, I remembered your name...Jenny (as she reads my name tag) Do you remember my name?
Jenny: Yah, Aishield.
Aishield: No, Aishield.
Jenny: Aishield
Aishield: Aishield...

To those of you who have known me for only a few years, this story will mean nothing and will have, undoubtedly, bored you to tears. For you others, you will know how this was the highlight of my day, week, and let's be honest, the year. It is good to know that some things will never change, and that some people will always be craxy.

I don't think I'm smart enough to watch "Lost"

So, today I was put in charge of Secret Santas for the staff party. Why do I have the feeling this will not be as fun as I may anticipate it to be? Maybe I'll channel "The Office", and turn the whole thing into "Yankee Swap". Oh, how much I love that show!! I watched 3 new episodes last night, and it was almost too much to handle. I read that NBC is cutting down on their scripted shows because everyone is watching "Deal or No Deal", and other similar reality programs. I tried watching DOND, but I was insanely bored for the whole 15 minutes that I saw. Question: Are North Americans getting stupider from watching reality t.v., or is there more and more reality t.v. because North Americans are getting more stupid? I hate reality t.v. O.k., I have been known to watch Canadian Idol a time or two, but on the whole, if I want to see people acting like children, I'll go to work and deal with customers. I watch t.v. for the writing, and the characters, and the fantastic acting.

My top t.v. shows of all time: Seinfeld, Scrubs, Gilmore Girls,everything Joss Whedon, The X-Files, Malcolm in the Middle (early years), Arrested Development, The Office.

These shows changed my life! Made me cry, laugh, writhe in horror, scream with fear, and more inportantly, think.

I am still considering going to Preference, and will hopefully make a decision by tonight. Let's be honest, I really don't want to go. Maybe a solution (or handsome new guy in the ward) will present it(him)self tonight at FHE.

The honest to goodness truth about preference

is that it is just a gong show. My would-be date has already been asked. Possibly if I had done some detective work, or asked him sooner we could have bypassed this fun afternoon. So. I literally can think of no one else to ask. People have made some great suggestions, but I am not sure what to do. I really want to have appetizers and ice-cream, and I am dying to wear my new dress, so I guess I will have to find someone. Boo. Sometimes I think I am ready for a family ward.

On another note, I am possibly going on a blind date on Tuesday. Hmm. This could be fun, it could be a great story later. I don't know anything about this guy other than he is from Medicine Hat. Who knows? He could be the love of my life, he could be just a nice guy, heck, he could even be a postal worker on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Whatever! More on this later this week.

There's Jenny and she's writing stuff

Ha!
I have just emailed literally 8 people to tell them about my new site. Sometimes it amazes me how very few people I know. Or maybe its that I don't want anyone else to know how boring and trivial my life is. Just think: some people are helping out in the world of the law, some are pursuing higher education, some are having babies, some are shaping young minds right and left, some are creating amazing works of art, and the list goes on. I am...sellin' books. Although, I am now the "assistant" to the assistant manager in charge of cd's and dvd's. (I am really having such a Dwight moment!!) What this really means is that I am doing all the work in that section, but am still answering to someone else, and sitting meekly by when she receives all the praise of the new and improved audio-visual section. Sigh... Mostly, I am to be found at cash trying to sort throught the discount cd's (of which we have thousands. They are grouped under the fake name of Helen Manning. I say that this is a fake name, for it is clearly a pseudonym to protect her from myself and others like me who would poke her eyes out if we ever met her) and crying hysterically in the corner when Andrew points out that there are two more boxes of Helen.

This brings me to another griping point. Christmas in the retail world. I love Christmas. I absolutely adore it with all of my heart. However, the last two years have tested and tried this love and adoration to the breaking point. In my family we have never been materialistic at Christmas, and I naively assumed everyone was the same. However, there are people who go into a veritable frenzy (and not the good "fall" kind") when we do not carry the perfect Christmas present they have been searching for. Oh, and wait. This happened yesterday. November the 10th. Seriously people. Halloween has just ended. Let's show my 2nd favorite holiday a little respect by easing out of it, and pausing every once in a while to remember the costumes and candy before we stick up the tree, and start spending thousands of dollars on mere acquaintances. I have had amazing Christmases because I love the music, I love the food, I love getting together with family and friends, I love the celebration of Christ and I love that in our family we do a no money/home-made present Christmas every other year. I am afraid, however, that another Christmas where thefocus is sell, sell, sell may drive me over the edge. I hope not.

O.k. enough complaining. Yesterday I made my "preference drop" with the help of the lovely Ashley and Sarah. It went pretty well, but I am so nervous about asking someone. What if he says no? What if he says yes out of pity for my advanced years? What if he thinks I'm disgusting? I hope it does work out because I am excited to go to my first Preference. I have the dress - one which didn't fit a month ago and now it does, so Yay!! Today I am taking the roommates shopping for Preference clothes. You know I love shopping!

The truth about my love of elipses...

New Blog! New... Oh.

Not so exciting anymore. However, what is exciting is my new John Mayer c.d.. How have I lived without his voice for this long is the question of the day. We had been listening to the cd, "Continuum", at work for awhile now and I thought it was pretty great. But, today when I put it into my discman, and I could have his voice right in my ears, I fell about 68% in love with him. The album is kind of bluesey and mellow and sexy and vulnerable all at the same time. The highlight of the album, "Slow dancing in a burning room", is not onlythe best song on the cd, but has the best title of any song ever. John Mayer, who has been described as Quasimodo by some, may not be the most attractive man, but his voice does things to me. Maybe this is just Fall Frenzy. Or, my desperate need to find a man who sings. Too early to tell. Hmm, it seems that just for Braden I have filled this post today with seriously girly things like feelings and love and sexy guitar players...

Preference is fast approaching, and for the first time in...ever, I am asking someone. Someone should make a movie inspired by these events and call it "Miracle"! Wait...
Anyway, I am asking someone who I don't know very well, but with whom I have never had an awkward conversation. So, it should be a good time. My roommates and I will be having appetizers and homemade ice cream beforehand at our house and we will head to the dance for only about the last half hour. Yay! Yay!

2+2=I'm special

New Blog! New Blog!

To celebrate a real gong show of a week at work (It's only Tuesday and it already feels like it has been 1000 full weeks) I have scooted myself over to Denise's blog site to start anew. No, seriously! I am amazed they haven't fired me this week. I have been on cash for the last two days and have made the most retarded mistakes. It's like I'm slow in math. Oh wait! I knew that already. I believe it is a sign for me to actually start to look for a real career path.

Today, Andrew came in to Chapters and I hadn't seen him in about 6 months. He (of course) had some fantastic and semi-believable stories about his favorite person to hate, the notorious S.M. Seeing Andrew made me think of the good old days: The Office, Singers' concerts, George, smoked turkey...

I have to go and make some R.S. visits in about 30 minutes, so I should probaby go and put on some non-smelly socks.