I'll have a blue Christmas

I flew home for Christmas and did not have a good experience with the airline. As is typical for me, I wrote a letter about it when I got back. I received their response yesterday.

The airline was JetBlue.

Here is my letter:

On Dec 24, 2007, my flight, 1253 to Dulles, was cancelled. I received a phone call about it and was able to re-book. At that time, the customer service agent on the phone told me that I was on flight 1255. She gave me the flight number and times. She was efficient and helpful. When I arrived at the airport, the automated check-in listed flight 1257 instead as my flight. I proceeded to the reservations desk to double-check this. It occurred to me right then that I may have been bumped to a later flight because so many passengers needed to rebook from the earlier cancellation. I am not unused to this, but I wanted to be sure that was the case, as it disrupted quite a few travel plans for me.
At the reservations desk, the agent was extremely rude. When I explained that I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't double-booked, she refused to check the roster for the other flight. When I asked why would the phone agent have given me the wrong flight number, she offered that the phone agent probably just read the wrong number to me. As simple-minded as this answer was, I countered, "You can see that this causes quite a disruption for someone's travel plans," her completely unapologetic response was that she had to defend her teammate. You cannot believe how angry I was that she gave me such a moronic and insincere explanation for having been bumped. I paused, dumbfounded that she would defend such a ridiculous excuse rather than offer a sincere apology and the truth. Only later did I realize that she was basically accusing me of lying.
Is this the award-winning customer service recognized by JD Powers and Associates, that I heard so much about while on hold that morning when re-booking my flight? I would have gladly boycotted JetBlue from then on, had it not been for the excellent service of another agent at that same airport.
As I approached my gate, I noticed that another flight was headed to Richmond and leaving very soon. I asked the agent at the gate, Karen, if there was room aboard. It was just as easy for my family to get me from Richmond as Dulles. She checked for me and then asked me to wait while she finished de-boarding the plane. Afterwards, at the customer service counter, she re-booked me onto that flight to Richmond. She also made sure that my luggage made it to the right airplane. She was expeditious and very kind. I wanted to be sure that she is recognized.
While I understand that nothing could have been done about the inconvenience, a little patience, sympathy and sincerity, especially at Christmas time, could have gone a long way. I am in retail and it works for me. At this point, you are on sketchy ground. Thanks to Karen, I am willing to fly again on JetBlue, but I don't know that I believe in your customer service. I feel strongly that you should know about my experience.

Here is their reply (I detect cutty-pasty-ness):

Thank you for contacting us and for taking the time to share your disappointment regarding your JetBlue experience. We regret the circumstances that prompted your message to JetBlue and we appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.We sincerely apologize for the added difficulty you experienced due to your flight cancelation. We can appreciate how upsetting this experience must have been for you, especially since you found our airport crewmember to be rude and helpful. (hunh?) Please accept our sincere apologies that we have not met your expectations in our service to you.We also thank you for letting us know that Karen was able to get you on the flight to Richmond and ensure that your baggage was loaded on the right aircraft. We are very proud of Karen and those of our outstanding crewmembers who consistently demonstrate a passion for excellent customer service. We will forward your letter to our Leadership Team so that Karen will receive recognition for her kind help.While it is our goal always to offer the highest level of customer service, we fully recognize that there are areas in which we can improve. Your valuable feedback allows us the opportunity to review those areas, and make any necessary improvements to ensure our customers are pleased with all aspects of our service.We appreciate you as a JetBlue customer and we thank you again for contacting us. We hope to have the privilege of welcoming you onboard again in the future.
Sincerely,Kirsten Customer Commitment Crew JetBlue Airways

I'm not going to recommend boycotting them ... yet.

A fraction of the time and 100% of the deliciousness!

Tonight, I went to ImprovAsylum in the North End of Boston and there I saw a performer that I swear is Zach Ward's twin. Whether he's the good one or the evil one, I don't know.

Merry Christmas!

For Christmas, I got numbers 3, 7, 13, 15, and 16. It was a good day.

Ginger's ever-expanding Christmas Wish List

This list will start small but will grow and grow as I add things to it over the next couple of weeks. Feel free to comment.

Things I'd like for Christmas:

1. Brad Womack
2. Banjo Lessons
3. Money for improv classes
4. A Nintendo DS
5. Guitar Hero III
6. A game system to play Guitar Hero III on.
7. Money for skiing
8. Tinkerbell - not some toy, the real one.
9. A full body massage
10. Snow
11. Ex-boyfriends to answer emails
12. A new boyfriend
13. Gift card for Borders
14. DVDs
15. Alex Trebek's speedy recovery
16. Not so much snow that I can't fly home for Christmas
17. A snow shovel.
18. Hannah Montana's/Miley Cyrus's new CD. ... Shut up.
19. For people to realize that I don't owe them the money that they think I do.
20. For just one person in my family to do something the way I ask them to, when I ask them to, and because I ask them to. It'd be nice if they would acknowledge that I'm at a point in my life where I actually know what I'm talking about.

15th Century Italian Renaissance Artists

So I explained the 15 date challenge to someone the other night and she thought it was a good idea. I mean, I admitted that it really got me out there and we again ended up on the topic of how difficult it is to meet people these days. We joked about how we would meet people at work. I mean, what could I say to men I meet in my dept? "Hey, how you doin? Are you sing ... oh, this is your son and wife ... buying shoes ... right here ... in the Kids Shoes dept. ... Right." Yep, I meet single eligible men every day. Well, at least they're straight.
My friend is dating someone that she met online and she AND he didn't feel awkward about it, until ... someone reacted to it. You know ... reacted, like with a face and an "Oh" and then realized too late that it was the wrong reaction. This made my friend a little self-conscious and then I told her that almost all of the men that I dated for the challenge I had met online. I don't know that it made her feel better but it supported the argument that it's hard to meet people these days ... unless you're trolling bars. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
We did meet a really cute waiter that night at a pretty cool bar called Bukowski's in Cambridge. They serve all kinds of beer. Really unusual $45 a pint imported beers. AND they had sweet potato fries. It was a classy joint.
Then we went to an improv show. They are trying to raise money to move to a new theater, and they have a pretty cool fundraising gimmick. For $20, I purchased a pie of shaving cream from them that I could then use to "pie" someone in the face at any time during the show. Using my impeccable comic timing, I "pied" someone right when he used a really bad Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reference in the middle of the show. The audience groaned at the joke, so I knew it was the right time. They then cheered me on with the pie. It was awesome. They have classes starting in January. I will definitely be partaking.
An improv show would make a good date with someone. I'm on the lookout for December's date.

Holding Out for a Hero

So many little things of note have happened that I want to blog about but haven't had the chance. For example, I saw Beowulf and I'm a big fan of the animated character Beowulf. Total hottie!
Speaking of hotties, did you see the last episode of the Bachelor? I am completely convinced that he is saving himself for me now. I am currently formulating a plan to lose weight, have a complete makeover, move to Austin and dedicate my life to meeting him. I have high hopes for it.
I went home for Thanksgiving. I am so glad that I did. I flew home Wed night and back on Fri morning. Everyone here seems surprised that I would fly home for such a short time, but I often drove for longer periods of time for a shorter stay at home. What's the difference? The cost? Trust me, there is no amount of money that would keep me away from my family. Now whenever someone asks how my holiday was, I can honestly answer it was fantastic! But when I ask how their Thanksgiving was, I get unenthusiastic replies: "Good" or "Fine" or "Nice." You know, like they can't say anything bad about it but it wasn't anything spectacular. I look at these people in a new light. I don't think they really got what the holiday was all about or what exactly they're supposed to be thankful for.
In retail, it's a big weekend. And it's been busy at work. I'm doing well in my job, but the challenge is over. I have a few things more to do, but it could run itself now. I'm wondering what the next challenge for me will be. Should I open another store? Should I continue to move around? Would I consider moving someplace else, far, far away? An even longer flight away from my family? You know, they're opening a store in Austin, TX.
Seriously, I do wonder what's next for me. And I'm wondering if it's time to make this place stick. Even if I don't stay with this job and decide on a career change, would I move back home or would I stay here? I love it here and it would be nice to decide on a home for myself. Then I could start making relationships a priority for me.
If the challenge that my friends set for me has taught me anything, it is that dating takes some effort, especially at my age and in my arena. I've been talking to a lot of people about this and everyone agrees that it takes more to meet someone these days. If I'm gonna meet someone, I have to make a concentrated effort to get myself out there and make connections. It's hard. It's about finding a connection, taking a chance, meeting new people, and then doing it all over again, because the odds aren't usually in my favor. It's exhausting.
I almost think that it would be easier to have a relationship with a fictional demon-slaying hero with well-cut abs.

P.S. In a moment of utter weakness, I emailed Casey. But don't worry, he didn't answer.

Down Low, Too Slow

Bummer. Mr. Blue Eyes just emailed a very confusing email that basically said he didn't think we were a good match. Well ... I think that's what it said. Like I said, it's confusing.
So on to December's date.

Common Law

Rejoice, me gal-stones, I went on a date last night. A real date, meaning he paid for dinner. It was very nice. I enjoyed it immensely. I think it's the first real date that I've been on in a long time.
I met him on craigslist. He wrote a very normal ad and I responded saying I probably would have written a very similar one.
We met for dinner and talked and talked. Which is a big thing for me. Talking is important. We have a lot in common, I think, in terms of where we are in life.
He has the bluest eyes I have ever seen and one crooked tooth.
At the end of the date, he walked me to the car and he kissed me. Also very enjoyable.
But, mindful of Jen's advice, I shall take it slow. Happy?

In other news, or rather very similar news, I ran into Taxi Driver today. He apologized and said that he had been going thru some crazy stuff and that's why he never called. It could have been awkward, but to be honest, I wasn't really all that bothered to run into him. And he wasn't really that weird about it either. He said to give him a call sometime, you know, just as friends, but I don't think that I will. It must be as obvious to him as it is to me that we have nothing in common. Oh well. At least he had the guts to apologize.

Good service is not the absence of bad service.

This is an email that I sent to United. I am so angry at them. As of Dec 31 07, they will change their frequent flier program so that miles will expire after 18 months, instead of the previous 36 months (which, btw, was an increase from the previous 12 months - I wouldn't join United until the expiration period went to 36 months, which they only did to match Delta's promise of 36 months.) So if you don't have any account activity for 18 months, your miles will expire. Not only that, but any miles that you had previously earned will expire if there has been no activity on your account since June 06. Ooooooo!!!! BOYCOTT UNITED!

"I am extremely disappointed to learn that you will change your policy regarding expiring miles. Not only that, but it seems that the miles I have already accrued have expired without notification from United. (Yeah, it's telling me that I can't redeem these miles.)
On my last flight in July 07, your inflight magazine featured an article about improving customer service. In fact, I believe it was written by a new airline executive whose job it was to improve customer service. Well, I am a manager at N- so my idea of service comes from a well-established tradition.
While I understand that the Mileage Plus program is aimed at making very frequent fliers feel even more special, thereby encouraging them to spend more money, customer service should not be reserved for them alone. It should be aimed at all of your customers.
I think that your new program is the antithesis of customer service, especially to those who have chosen United over and over again, however infrequent, in order to accrue miles. AND I think it is poor business sense to coddle the few and alienate the many by taking their miles away from them. At the very least, you could have honored what they had earned so far.
From now on, I will NOT choose United or any of your subsidiaries. I had flown with United before because of the more spacious airplanes and ease of checking into flights. But I will now refuse because of the hypocrisy of your so-called customer service. I'll drive if I have to.
It is poor policy, poor indeed.
Ginger R-"

Seriously, boycott United.

How many doctors did it take?

Guess which of these three things I learned yesterday?

1. over 25% of all white children in America are considered obese, more than 33% of Hispanic and African American children.
2. Obesity has obviously led to a number of health problems previously uncommon in children, such as high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.
3. Toys R Us does not sell jump ropes.

Seriously, the girl had to radio someone to find out if they sold jump ropes. When we finally found out, I said, "Are you kidding?" She looked at me like I was crazy and said, "No, we don't carry them."

Came from Alabama with a banjo on my knee

Wow! what have I been doing with myself? Well, I went home this past weekend. I brought back a tv, a down comforter, and a banjo. I am telling the truth.
I am going to sign up for banjo classes. I don't know if this is a good way to meet men, but it will take me one step further to my dream of being a banjo-pluckin', tap-dancin fool. That oughta attract the men like flies to molasses.
I did go home. I drove down on Friday, missed seeing my sister Kim by hours, as she was on her way to Melbourne, Australia for work. I stayed in her room. I hung out with Nate, I had dinner with my parents, I talked to Cheryl on the phone (church commitments). It took me over 12 hours to get to Virginia. I drove in the rain and thru Queens, NY.
I drove back on Sunday. It only took 8 1/2 hours. I bypassed NYC by going up the Garden State Parkway and cutting across Connecticut (expensive gas!) The only sad part about that is that you don't get to see the sign when you leave Brooklyn, NY that says, "You are now leaving Brooklyn. FUHGEDDABOUDIT." No, I'm not kidding - your standard federal highway sign.
The whole reason for the trip, by the way, was to see my old store's Grand Re-Opening. The store looks 110% better. Some parts even better than my new store. I didn't tell them that I was coming. I wanted the element of surprise, although I might have planned the trip a little better if I had told them. Everyone was really happy to see me; I felt like a celebrity. It was good to see them too. I felt like we'd been thru war together - war buddies. I'm hoping that Jess and Pam will get to visit Boston, so we'll see. Plus it was nice to vent a little about things in Boston to non-Boston people.
What's in store for me this week? Lots, but I'll tell you after it happens.
P.S. Sorry to Jen and Leanne, since I could have seen you at some point during my trip, as I literally drove past y'alls' houses. But time was tight as it was. For God's sakes, I spent over 20 hours driving!
P.P.S. Have I mentioned my latest obsession with ABC's The Bachelor, Brad Womack? He is so beautiful, he is ALMOST worth giving up my Superman obsession. I am seriously willing to move to Austin, TX to meet this man. But we're going to Memphis for our b-days. Walking in Memphis is going to be my theme song for the next few months.

World Series of Dating

You'd be proud of me. I went swing dancing on Friday night. Yup, me and some galleys hit a local church where they have swing dancing about once a month. Apparently quite a few people know about it because we heard about it a lot. So we went.
I had a good time. I danced with a few different guys and we met one really nice fella named George. George said that he goes swing dancing quite often and that there are a lot of places that have lessons and dancing. He told us about these places and I said I wanted to go. So at the end of the night, we exchanged numbers. I hope I'll get to go.
Meanwhile, giving my number to someone should count as a date. It was definitely putting myself out there. We concluded our night of swing dancing with a visit to a night club in Cambridge. Definitely to be considered a night out. Which is saying something for me. I don't get out much in my old age (29).
So that's October's date. On to November.

Where's the guy in the big yellow hat?

Ok, so today I volunteered with a group called Single Volunteers. The purpose of this organization is to put together groups of single people to volunteer for various organizations. The organizations benefit and it's a great way to meet new people. I had heard about them in DC; in fact a friend of mine had met someone at one of their activities. They dated about a year, but it didn't work out. I had always wanted to do this in DC or Baltimore but just never got around to it. It's hard on a retail schedule. I was hoping that I could count this towards one of my challenge dates.
It was a great activity too. I was volunteering to help with the grand opening of the new studio of a local (world-famous) PBS station. They make many programs at this studio, seen all over the country and world, including a certain talking aardvark and a famous very curious monkey (cartoons, of course). I was helping out with children's activities (how appropriate). Since it was the 2nd day, there weren't as many people, but enough to make it interesting.
Only ... there weren't that many of the single volunteers there. And I think they were mostly women. I didn't even get to MEET any of the other volunteers. We all got placed at different stations. Today was so far removed from the concept of "meeting new people," that I am willing to concede that this shouldn't count as one of my challenge dates. Unless you want to count Arthur, Curious George, or Buster Bunny as potential mates.
That's ok, I've got a swing dance thing lined up for next Sat that might work. And I'm not giving up on Single Volunteers; I'll sign up for more events. I just hope the turnout's a little better next time.

Bats and skunks

Honestly, why are there so many freakin' skunks in Massachusetts?

I think he IS dead.

You know, I loves me some dream analysis.

So last night, I had a dream that I was at work and things were crazy mainly cause my fish died. Yep, the ones in the fish tank. So I'm running around all over the place, taking care of multiple things and everyone talking 'bout the fish dyin and "what are we gonna do, Ginger?" Eventually, I head over to one of the other stockrooms and walk in looking for something and who do you think is there?






Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

Not Old Ron and Nancy either, but a little bit younger ... think when they first took the presidency. Yep.

I kinda tip-toed around them, trying to think what is the proper etiquette for running into ex-presidents in a stockroom, but they paid me no mind. They were talking to one of the other managers from work. So I headed back to my department to tell my team that an ex-president is at work and get this?





They don't know who he is.

Ummmm ... I've been having some trouble deciphering this one. The best that I can come up with is that I'm stressed out at work. What do you think?

She's starting on me now.

Just a quick update on life so far:

My parents visited last week. Much needed. We had lobster, we had brunch, they brought me cookies. I wonder if my family has an unhealthy obsession with food. Well, that wasn't all we did. We took the trolley tour, which is way better than the Duck tour. We walked around Fanueil Hall. We strolled around the Boston Gardens. It was really nice. They continued their visit by driving around the rest of New England and visiting a resort spa. They had a really nice time. It would have been great except for one little thing - my mother telling me at the very end of the trip, as I am walking them to their car, that she's glad that I'm doing really well in my job but my priority is to meet someone and get married so that I can have kids. Seriously, I was so mad I almost started crying. What a thing to tell me.

Which reminds me, the challenge is coming along. If we count 5 in Baltimore and then 5 here in Boston, that puts me at only 5 left. Which averages out to one a month. So since October has just begun, I am on the lookout. I am having some luck with craigslist, although that's not the best quality guy. I am thinking about rejoining match.com, but I'm kinda over that and my friends who are doing it aren't having much luck. I am exploring other options such as a Swing Dance thing once a month, a Young Professionals thing once a week, and some other stuff. So we'll see.

Not that I'm trying to make my mother happy. But I'm just tired of her making me unhappy.

Have you even seen Ladyhawke?

Many of you probably do not remember/know from my previous blog that I went to see a performance of Swan Lake at the Kennedy Center in DC. Right before the performance, it was announced that the evening's performance would be recorded for "Great Performances" on PBS. I know what you're thinking, "How do they know it'll be a great performance?" Anyhoo, my sisters, my mom and I all went to see it. It was a very lovely and funny evening. So funny in fact, based on a friend's suggestion, I wrote a short (never seen) play abou it.

I was just watching that same performance today on PBS. It really was a great performance.

On another note, I was just reading my brother's blog again. And he is a funny guy. One of the funniest things I ever heard him say was, "Tell him that I will mail him a kick in the face." Which might have been the inspiration for an idea that the had for a court tv show.

Emotional Roller Coaster

A very cute "Caveman with a club" was emailing me, but I haven't heard from him in a day and half. I think he lost interest. I'm such a loser.

I had Tuesday off and I have today off and it's making me feel like a new girl. I'm a winner!

My friend Mesha's birthday was yesterday and I meant to send her an e-card, but I didn't. I'm such a loser. Luckily, I had already sent her a birthday card in the mail. Yay! winner! But I sent it late. Boo, loser.

Yesterday, at work, I got a bouquet of cookies from my former manager in Richmond, congratulating me on a job well done. It was so sweet, literally and figuratively. That made me feel so good. Winner!

My parents are visiting next week. Much needed family time is coming. And I bought my tickets home for Thanksgiving. Got a great deal. Woot! Winner!

I think the wins outweigh the losses. Boo, caveman, boo ... unless you email soon.

Indian Summer, my ass.

Guess what I found out today? New England gets cold.

After midnight

I've been thinking a lot about Lover from B-more. Probably because my roommate has just gone thru a very similar situation. I've been trying to console in what little way that I can. She knows what happened to me. I told her that the only thing that I could recommend was just to go ahead and cry. Just keep crying until you're tired of crying and then somehow that helps. I guess that's the point when we move on.
Oh, but I miss Lover. I really do. I had thought that I missed being "in love." I mean, it's been almost 3 months since I left and we only dated for a month and a half. How could I feel that attached to him? But he was the only man that I ever met that I was instantly attracted to. That really made me believe that we had something.

I go out walking, after midnight
Out in the moonlight
Just like we used to do
I'm always walking, after midnight
Searching for you

I walk for miles,
along the highway
Well that's just my way
Of saying I love you
I'm always walking after midnight
Searching for you

I stop to see a weeping willow
Crying on his pillow
Maybe he's crying for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
The night wind whispers to me
I'm lonesome as I can be

I go out walking, after midnight
Out in the starlight
Just hoping you may be
Somewhere out walking
after midnight
Searching for me

Blondes have more fun.

Ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, my gosh. I am so tired. My store opened 6 days ago. I worked 9 days straight. Looking forward to my day off today, I went out last night, with the express intent of getting drunk. I didn't know that I'd be going out. Originally, I was going to get drunk at home, by myself, with a bag of Doritos. But some people came over, and they talked me into it and I went. I wore the blond wig.
It was good. Some of my co-workers didn't even recognize me. It was very funny. On the way home, I threw up in a grate on the street. I went straight to bed, except for the 2 times that I got up to throw up. Yep ... regurgitated Doritos. Not pretty.
It was nice to sleep in. I got up to brush my teeth (smell of regurgitated Doritos in my mouth ... ewww), and then I went back to bed.
Until 11:50 am, when my job called and said that my dept was swamped and I needed to come in. Booo. Very, very boo. Angry hungover droopy-eyed boo. Stay-out-of-my-way boo. Just ... just ... boooooooooooooooooooooo.
So I went in and stayed for 2 hours and then I left. I need to not think about that place for just 24 hours. I think it would help a lot.
So, to cheer myself up, I read my brother's blog. It's very funny. You should check it out here.

And I thought my feet were bad.

There are a lot of dead skunks in and around the Boston area. I am not making this up.

I don't like to waste a perfectly good Saturday.

There is a blog that I must write because much has happened.

Firstly, my brother has begun to blog again and it is funny. Later, I will provide the link.

Secondly, my brother and sister visited a couple of weeks ago. Actually, that should have been firstly.

Thirdly, Taxi Driver isn't seeing me any more. He asked me last week to think of something to do on Saturday. In fact, he made a big deal about it. And then ... he forgot about me. Yeah, he forgot that he asked me and then he didn't call me all weekend. He left a msg Sat nite when he was blizted to tell me not to open any emails from him because his crazy ex-girlfriend got ahold of his passwords. But not one word about hanging out this weekend. I called Sunday night to make sure he was ok, and he told me all about his weekend and not one word about me, about wishing we could see each other, about getting together, about anything having to do with me. When he asked me what I did with the weekend, I told him that I thought we were supposed to do something together. I was really upset. I had waited all day Saturday for him to call. And Sunday morning.

He apologized and he said it would never happen again. But I didn't believe it. The way he described his weekend sounded like he hadn't wanted to see me that weekend. Which is really the reason why he forgot. Well, I didn't need that and I was too upset to talk, so I told him that I would call him Monday.

I left a msg Monday night and I haven't heard from him since. Honestly, I think it's for the best. I don't need that. And we didn't have enough in common. It would never have worked.

Rabies! Rabies!

OMG!!! There was just a bat in the apt. Now normally, I love my apt here in Boston, but I have never had a bat problem in my life. I have never seen a bat that close in my life. I've never been in the same room with a bat that was not separated from me by plexiglass. I don't think that I like bats. It was flying around the room and it was enormous. It could have landed on Dan's cat and clawed her eye out if it wanted to. It was a nasty thing.
Earlier, I was sitting in the living room, when it suddenly flew into the room and started flying around in circles . Frightened, I ran for my life and my room. I had every intention of staying in there til dawn. Then I decided to call Taxi Driver to see what best to do. He was calm and collected while he told me that I should open a window and turn on all the lights. Eventually the bat would find his way out. This plan however meant that I would have to leave my room. He then very generously offered to come over and kill it for me, but there were 2 problems with this option. One - I would have to clean up dead bat. Two - I would have to leave my room to let him in. So .... no. And I don't mind saying that I was a little disappointed that Taxi Driver's advice was NOT, "Oh you should stay in your room til morning."
I tried to think how to tell Dan, who I knew was home, that there was a bat in the house and he should do something about it. But I didn't have his phone number. And you can't hear anything thru these walls. So I didn't know how to tell him. Taxi Driver kept insisting that I had to tell my roommate but I didn't seem to be able to get across to him that I WAS NOT LEAVING MY ROOM!
Not to worry, soon I heard footsteps right ouside my door and Dan yelling for me. That's when I told him that there's a bat in the house. Dan made me open my door and there he stood covered entirely in a blanket. Apparently the bat found its way upstairs, where Dan saw it and ran downstairs. Dan then formulated a plan as to how to get rid of the bat. With me watching his back (OUTSIDE OF MY ROOM!) he would run to the front door and out into the hall, closing the door behind him. Then he would open the front hall's window. When he ran back into the apt, we wou.ld then jointly turn on all the lights.
We managed to carry out this plan successfully, but it didn't seem to get rid of the bat. so we had to open more windows and turn on more lights. There was a lot of hedging and hiding behind doors and false scares. I put on a hat and covered that too with my hoodie. Eventually, the bat wasn't to be found. Just to make sure, we went upstairs to check it out. All clear, but still frightening. We're guessing and hoping that it flew out of the apt.
I don't know what kinda crazy batshit they got going on up North, but I will not have it. The landlord is getting a call tomorrow.

Cuz your feet really stink!

Yeah, socks don't help.

Put your socks on Momma now!

Right now, my feet stink a LOT! Whoo, doggie! I wore my canvas tennis shoes to work today because we are supposed to wear protective closed toe shoes to work while they are still doing construction on the store. I thought my oh-so-stylish Ed Hardys would do the trick. But apparently, I need to wear socks with them.
So, that guy never called.
And I went to Trivia night last Friday, the other guy and his cute brother were there. We were talking/flirting (at least I thought I was flirting) and then one guy ducked out pretty quick and when we asked his brother where he went, he said, "Oh, his girlfriend's out there." Boo! Both of their girlfriends showed up! Diane, who went with me, is convinced that they were still flirting with us, but I'm leaning towards "they are just friendly outgoing dickheads." On the plus side, Diane and I won 2nd place in the trivia tournament - $15 prize!!! We are going to go back. We figure we can take 1st place ... and double-check if those guys really are flirting with us.
I actually haven't seen too much of the craigslist guy but he's very sweet. He calls at least twice a day and when he's working, he tries to swing by to see me and get a hug. Which I kinda like. Last week, the craziest thing happened. While he was at work (he's a taxi driver), 2 cops came in with a girl. She was lost and they couldn't figure out where she lived. She didn't know her address. As a matter of fact, she's Japanese and had only been in the country for a week. So he and the cops tried to figure it out - no luck! Then he remembered that I had lived in Japan for 2 years - and since I'm not that far, they all drove over. I was just laying around the house, watching tv. I met her and talked to her. Poor thing! She's only 18 and is here for school for year. She had been sightseeing in downtown Boston. She tried to take a taxi home, but could only remember the name of one cross street, Adams Street, and the number bus that she was supposed to take, 59. Well, there are about a million Adams Streets in and around Boston, so the taxi driver just dropped her off at one and abandoned her there. That's when she flagged down the cops for help. They were nice guys; they stuck with her til we figured it out. I didn't even speak that much Japanese with her, her English was that good. But I figured out that she hadn't been able to understand the cops or the taxi driver - they were talking so fast with such thick Boston accents that she got really confused. Really, the girl looked like she was on the verge of tears. But I talked to her and tried to comfort her and summoned up some rudimentary Japanese to tell her how impressive she was to come all this way to America on her own. Anyway, she finally remembered the name of another cross street, Washington Street, and taxi driver figured out where it was. I decided to go with them, just in case. On the way to the intersection, she actually spotted her own street and we found her exact house (or rather her host family's house). I asked taxi driver to write down the address for her and told her to keep it with her at all times, just in case this happened again. Taxi driver did one better, he wrote it on the back of the taxi company's business card, so that she could always call and ask for him to pick her up. She was so grateful. Really, I hope she does well here.
Taxi driver was pretty impressed with me and wanted me to spend the night. So I did. He seemed really turned on by the fact that I was able to help that girl. I kept trying to tell him that I didn't do that much. But I didn't want to hurt his feelings and tell him that the problem had been that she didn't understand him or the cops. What can you do?
Seriously, I have to wash my feet now.

Where everybody knows your name ...

I was supposed to have a date last night but I didn't. I wonder if he'll call tonight. He made it sound like he would. But I certainly am NOT calling him. No, I'm definitely not calling him. No, really, I'm not.

Then there's this other guy that I met on craigslist. He's nice and he's really into me. But ... I don't know, the minute I post something about him, you just know he's going to find my blog.

Finally, I'm supposed to go out this Friday night with some friends from work. I keep meaning to get back to this cute guy that was at trivia night 2 weeks ago. I was giving him the goo-goo eyes and everything! I just gotta go back and see if he's there.

Did I mention that I like Boston? Maybe this challenge was a good idea. Thanks, Jen and Leanne for challenging me. Now what do I win?

I love you Craig.

Excuse me, excuse me, just a minute, excuse me, but I have another date. Woot!

Massachusettsian, Massachusettsian, Massachusettsian

It's official. I have a Mass driver's license, a Mass license plate, and Mass insurance (very important). I am officially a Masshole.

We sang Don't Stop Believin' by Journey.

Alright, so I met this guy on craigslist. We've been hanging out. And I don't know why. I mean, he's nice and he seems really into me. Maybe a little too into me. I think he's just excited to be with somebody. I don't blame him. I am too. But I'm a little worried that we don't really have that much in common and we'll try to force something that's not really there. You know, like he's really into heavy metal and dirty jokes. I like 80s music and Harry Potter. How can we build a lasting relationship on that? But I give everything a chance, don't I?

And why is it that guys are all or nothing? Can't they take something slow? This new guy is really sure that we have something. I wish I had his confidence. Jen tells me that I have to take it slow, but it's the guy's fault if I'm not taking it slow. Seriously. I mean, I can take it slow, but I'm bad at that. Usually, I take it so slow that the guy ends up thinking that I'm not interested.

I seem to meet men who are so sure in the beginning that we really have something, while I'm not. And then when I start to take things seriously, they aren't so serious anymore. I don't know if they changed their mind or if their hormones were in control in the beginning. Tell me, do all men do this? Is the trick to find someone for whom the sureness doesn't wear off?

I'm so frustrated at work. I don't like my new boss. Also, I really hurt the feelings of one of my co-workers. I was thoughtless and mean when I told her she sucked at karaoke. What's wrong with me? I have to make it up to her.

Soon, work will really begin for me and maybe I'll start to feel like my life isn't on hold anymore. That would be nice. And as nice as it is to have someone so into me, I need to find a way to make this non-exclusive. If anyone has any advice on what kind of verbiage I can use with this craigslist guy, let me know.

Nerds Dating and Reproducing

Lovers and friends, I have rejoined the world of daters. I just joined a website called It's Just Coffee dot com, which was FREE (always a plus). I had been giving serious thought to Match dotcom because I'd done it before and, while not successful, worth a shot, especially since one of my new co-workers was having some luck with it. But this site is free and I'll try it first to see if anything comes of it. Myspace hadn't been doing a bad job but I need to widen the scope. Actually, I just need to get away from it because there are memories. Hurt-y memories. and bad habits. Of checking ex-boyfriend pages.
So, moving onward, right? Right?!? Where is the encouragement of my loyal friends? You know who you are! You put me on this damn challenge to begin with. The least you can do is send me some electronic encouragement!

Oh, that reminds me. I did me some old-fashioned kinda meeting/greeting stuff last night. I went out with some of my new co-workers for trivia night in this bar in South Boston (where the Southies live). Yikes, trivia is huge here, who knew? Anyway, right behind us was this group of 3, 2 guys and girl, competing in the trivia challenge. Well, the questions were hard, so there's a lot of joking and whispering our answers so the other team doesn't get it, etc. And we get kind of a sparse but easy conversation going with them. And I definitely made eye-contact with one of the guys. I thought he was such a cutie. I thought I was imagining "interested" eye-contact back but I'm never sure about that, until one of my co-workers told me that he was definitely eye-ing me up. He seemed shy so that totally made sense to me. We told them that we were going to be there next Friday for Trivia Night again. And even tho the bar doesn't serve food after 4 pm, isn't all that much to look at, is pretty empty, and only serves Coors Light beer, the entire group ensured me that we are going to go back next Friday because this guy made eye-contact with me. My co-workers are nice people.

That must have given me the confidence to sign up for It's Just Coffee. Oh by the way, I'm supposed to plug the site, by posting Brainy Personals. Check it out.

I had no idea what was going on in the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, I finally have internet. It hasn't been easy and I was so frustrated - borrowing other people's computers, sponging offf work, paying between $5.95 and $8.95 for internet. Well, other things were frustrating as well. So after several phone calls, 2 installation visits, and a very confused tech support in India, I finally have internet.
Now at least, this is one less thing. I finally have internet and for the first time ever, in my room. In my very own room. Which will make viewing those, ahem, craigslist personals much less embarassing.

Big Girls Don't Cry

Monday, I will finally get internet. Egads. Today I will hopefully get a copy of the Harry Potter book, if it's not sold out. I had a reserved copy, but that was in Maryland. Boo.

Work is work. It could be better.

Oh, and by the way, galleys, I have gone on 2 dates since moving to Boston. So that's one for June and one for July. If we are back on the challenge of one per month, then I just need to start on August. I'm looking anew because the 2 dates that I went on, while pleasant, weren't really what I am looking for. He wants to go on more dates, but I don't think it'd be a good idea. There's a gaggle of gals at work who are checking out the Boston singles scene and I've been invited. So we'll see how that goes.

But I still miss him.

Low connectivity

I wish I could say that I've been busy, but the truth is that I haven't had internet access. We're in the process of getting it for the apt. I think I'll need to light a fire for that. Other that that, I am ALMOST moved in. Today I am hanging pictures.
Tonight one of my co-workers is having a party and I've been invited by a friend of the co-worker, but I didn't get the address. And I feel weird calling around to find out where it is. I feel like a loser doing that actually.
I want to get out more. I am waiting for internet before I start in earnest. I guess that's why I'm so impatient for it. No blog, no myspace, no craigslist. Nothing! It's hard.
I'm dealing with the non-break-up. Slowing it's ebbing away. Which is a lot faster than the last break-up. But there's still kind of an air of mystery about the whole thing. I can't shake the feeling that there's something more and I really want to know what it was. I guess that's holding me up a little.
Myspace here in Boston is filled with people who are afraid of making new friends. I got a lot of emails and then when I'd ask if anyone wanted to get together, I got panic from them. Well, what did you email me for? That's frustrating.
Everything's frustrating, now that I think of it! New people, new places, work is frustrating, internet is frustrating, money is frustrating, just ... life! It's all frustrating! Arrrrgh!


I guess I'm frustrated. Thanks for listening.

Afternoon delight

Well, I have been distracted ... a little. Several guys have been emailing me on myspace. I changed my profile when in a desperate mood. So now I come across a little ... morose ... and desperate. Who knew that would attract them like flies?
I even met one of the guys. He was cute, but I don't think he was really into me. Still it was a distraction. The other guys aren't really asking me out, just emailing. I wish they would just come right out and ask me to dinner. Truth be told, we aren't going to learn anything about each other until we meet. Of course, if I ask, I sound aggressive and that scares them away but I hate this email bs. Just ask me freaking out! yeah ... desperate.

I wish that work were keeping me busier, but it's pretty slow-going at the mo. Nothing to do but wait for the big events.

What I really hate is using other guys to distract me from the old guy. Isn't that horrible?

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

I like the little town that I live in. It's called Watertown and it's near Cambridge, just outside of Boston. It's very cute. There is a sushi place, not more than a block from where I live and manicure/pedicure place even closer. There's a Starbucks across the street and a Dunkin Donuts too, but other than that, most of the little businesses are Mom & Pop type places. The Charles River Park is close by and is supposed to be good for running. I'll have to check that out. Also, they have outdoor concerts every Thursday on the lawn at Watertown Park.

I wish there was a grocery store closer tho. I went to one of those little Mom & Pop type places, and it's not like they have fresh veggies every day.

My apt is nice, a lot like my Richmond apts. Old with a lot of character. What this really means is no air-conditioning. But since I'm from the South, I can handle it. Not to mention, I've lived without air conditioning. The little complex where my apt is reminds me of a German castle, with a gate thru which we drive to park in the central courtyard, with the walls ringed round it. The owners also have a little garden that they tend in the courtyard as well. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, narrow stairways and a storage space that I call the "crazy Grandma attic." You know, it's where they would have hidden the crazy Grandma in the old days. Yeah, well, that's what Patrick Henry did to his wife ... and ... in the basement. I told you, I'm from the South.

Overall, I think I'm gonna like it here. Even if I do still miss him.

Little Sparrow by Dolly Parton

I'm torturing myself. I don't know why I'm doing it.

It's my last day in Baltimore. My room is mostly cleaned out. I have a lot of stuff. Someone is taking over my apt and he's moving in this weekend. So I had to make sure that all of my stuff was out, even though the movers can't pick up my stuff until July 5. Boo. I have to come back to supervise the packing. What a hassle. Plus, I have to transport certain things myself, like any valuables, my plants, a blow-up bed, and clothes. I'm thinking I don't have enough room for all of this in my car. I thought at first that I'd have plenty, but I don't. What's waiting for me tomorrow is a 7-8 hour drive alone.

Sorry, that's not the torture part. I texted him on Tues. He was the one who suggested we be friends and have a drink before I go, after about a week of not hearing from him. He emailed me on myspace to suggest that. So I texted on Tues, "Still want 2 get 2gether?" Non-commital, right? No word. I've been checking myspace everyday. I check his page, I check mine. I check friends' pages. I'm a loser. Nothing. Well, he did put up a bulletin (for everyone to see). The subject line was Al Green. The message was "Let's Stay Together!" a song by Al Green.

To be honest, I think he's moved on and is dating other girls already. That song is not meant for me. My roommate, who I should have never said anything at all to, except that he kept asking, keeps trying to convince me that he's a jerk. Everything is black and white to him; I don't think forgiveness is easy for him. I don't need to think the worst of someone to move on. It might help for some people, but it's not helping me. I just wish I knew the truth. I just wished he'd said goodbye.

Of course, none of this is the torture part. Some stupid impulse made me go and read some of the old emails that he'd sent me. Sweet, lovely emails with sweet, lovely sentiments ... with the occassional dirty talk. He told me that I "touched his heart and I love you for it." He told me that I was "so pretty" and that I made him "feel like a man." He said that he would "make it work," meaning when I moved. I'm reading all of this and I'm thinking, why would he tell me these things, lead me on, when it was so easy for him to hurt me like that? Why do guys promise you the moon so early, so soon? Something must give them so much confidence early in the relationship and yet the same thing must make them lose all confidence right when I start to believe in the relationship. How can that NOT leave you feeling like it's your fault?

It'd be so much easier for me to forgive him if he would just say goodbye to me. Then at least I'd know that I meant something.

Oh, jennings rampage, you are a fool. First of all, you can get non-South African diamonds. Try Australian or better yet, man-made. Both make lovely non-massacre-inducing trinkets. Second, you are not buying her sex and/or slavery. The ring (or rather a dowry/gift of financial substance) is meant to secure your commitment. How do we as women know that you won't flake out on us. We know it happens.
Don't think of it as retainer. She needs collateral.

I dreamed a dream.

Here I am, at my parents' house, visiting before I move this coming Sat. I'm supposed to be saying goodbye, but I'm not really, cause I'll see them for 4th of July. I have to be back then because they can't pick up my stuff to move until July 5th.
And still, I haven't heard from him. But I'm having all kinds of thoughts. Thoughts of me, thoughts of he ... Well, to be honest, I think he's already moved on and seeing other people. His myspace page looks it. He's been spending a lot of time on it. It makes it a little easier for me but it doesn't? Does that make sense? No, it doesn't. I guess what I mean is, I'm caring less and less about him, but I don't want to.

New life, new blog

Here it is, folks. A whole new blog. New blog = new life? who knows ...