I was invited to a friend’s house for a party on Saturday night. I was excited to go and I thought I should take some time to pay special attention to my appearance for once, so I decided to wear this new skirt I had purchased the week before. This skirt has special significance as it is the only such item currently in my wardrobe. I don’t normally purchase skirts because I don’t like the way they look on me but when I saw the skirt, it immediately appealed to me. It was denim (of course) and has some cute little flares at the bottom. When I purchase clothes I don’t buy them unless I think they look good on me, and viola it did. In comparison, I tried on at least 20 (this is not an exaggeration) shirts and only ended up purchasing four of them.
After showering on Saturday I knew I wanted to wear the skirt but I wasn’t sure what to put with it. BTW…I had to shave my legs for the second time that day just to wear this item. I stood in my closet for a few minutes and pulled out a plain black sweater. I put it on and walked around for a bit. Then I went to the closet and tried on a pair of shoes. I am the type of person who likes to ALWAYS wear socks, so I wasn’t digging the healed Mary Jane’s without socks. Then I thought that I could wear my black tights…as I walked around I was already hot in the sweater so I discarded the shoes, tights and sweater.
I was almost naked again and I still needed to put the outfit together from scratch. I again looked in my closet for a magic shirt that wasn’t in there and I finally settled on a grey short sleeve sweater that has cute white puffed sleeves. I was beginning to like the outfit but, I was back to the shoe issue. I tried on a pair of brown clogs but they didn’t match…then I decided the best option was my black Sketchers without socks. I assure you, the no sock thing bothered me the entire evening.
Then I had to think about the jewelry. I put on my favorite necklace and it has several colors so I had to be careful when choosing my earrings. I usually wear my diamonds but I need new backs for them so they were out of the mix. After much indecision I decided upon my black pearl earrings that I purchased when I was in China. I think they fit in well with my shirt and necklace.
As I was getting ready to leave I looked back at my bedroom and realized that I have made a horrendous mess. There were shoes everywhere and dis-guarded shirts and tights on the couch. Is this the routine that girls normally go through when they get dressed? If so, it sucks. I am glad that I am normally a decisive person and I can go into my closet and come out dressed quickly. The best thing is that I usually match! I know that is the normal routine for many women but it was decidedly abnormal for me.
September 29, 2009
September 28, 2009
Checking Accounts for the "Unbanked" Population
Perhaps my Liberal friends should stop reading now:
I read this article in the Indianapolis Star last week and it pissed me off! It talked about getting checking accounts for people in Indiana who don't currently have a bank account. The article said that there were three primary reasons that the unbanked didn't have accounts:
1. Excessive Overdrafts or below minimum balances
2. Illegal Immigrants
3. Being afraid of the banks.
The article went on to talk about a program that Mayor Ballard is rolling out to help the "unbanked people" of Indiana. I am calling BS! Seriously!
The three reasons listed are clear to me why they don't or cannot have accounts. First of all, the article talks about all of the fees that the unbanked people pay using payday loan services to cash checks. They state the large amortization of paying $4 ($208 yearly) a week to cash a check. Duh...excessive overdrafts can cause a monetary irresponsible person to pay significantly more than that per year. I think that the people who cannot control themselves with a checking account are better off paying the check cashing fees and money order fees than paying exorbitant overdraft fees. Can the bank really teach irresponsible people to become responsible? I don't think so.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that banks should just cater to A+ credit risks but they should be a bit more responsible. There are already banks that have existing programs to help people who have bad banking history. Why does Mayor Ballard need to become involved. I find this to be a business matter and not a political matter. We already have a bad history of governmental interference in the banking industry. Aren't we currently in a housing crisis for this very reason. Hasn't the government bailed out numerous banks due to poor decision making? When will the madness stop.
The second group addressed in this article are illegal immigrants. I don't agree with special concessions for illegal immigrants. The word "Illegal" says everything. Getting a green card will open many doors. I think our country does a horrendous job addressing the illegal immigrant problem. My belief is to have much tighter border security but also allow significantly more legal immigrants access to our country. The bottom line is I don't think we should make it easy for illegal immigrants to get checking accounts.
The third group was people who are distrustful of the banking system. Is this little program really going to change that groups mind? I don't think so! That is why we live in America, we all don't have to herd together and do the same thing. Why does Mayor Ballard think that everyone should have a bank account even if they clearly don't want it. Why are we spending governmental dollars this way?
The author states that there are 79,000 residents in Marion county without a bank account. The current population of Marion county is 880,380. The 79,000 represents 9% of the population. Is this hoopla necessary? What do you think of this article? Do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint.
I read this article in the Indianapolis Star last week and it pissed me off! It talked about getting checking accounts for people in Indiana who don't currently have a bank account. The article said that there were three primary reasons that the unbanked didn't have accounts:
1. Excessive Overdrafts or below minimum balances
2. Illegal Immigrants
3. Being afraid of the banks.
The article went on to talk about a program that Mayor Ballard is rolling out to help the "unbanked people" of Indiana. I am calling BS! Seriously!
The three reasons listed are clear to me why they don't or cannot have accounts. First of all, the article talks about all of the fees that the unbanked people pay using payday loan services to cash checks. They state the large amortization of paying $4 ($208 yearly) a week to cash a check. Duh...excessive overdrafts can cause a monetary irresponsible person to pay significantly more than that per year. I think that the people who cannot control themselves with a checking account are better off paying the check cashing fees and money order fees than paying exorbitant overdraft fees. Can the bank really teach irresponsible people to become responsible? I don't think so.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that banks should just cater to A+ credit risks but they should be a bit more responsible. There are already banks that have existing programs to help people who have bad banking history. Why does Mayor Ballard need to become involved. I find this to be a business matter and not a political matter. We already have a bad history of governmental interference in the banking industry. Aren't we currently in a housing crisis for this very reason. Hasn't the government bailed out numerous banks due to poor decision making? When will the madness stop.
The second group addressed in this article are illegal immigrants. I don't agree with special concessions for illegal immigrants. The word "Illegal" says everything. Getting a green card will open many doors. I think our country does a horrendous job addressing the illegal immigrant problem. My belief is to have much tighter border security but also allow significantly more legal immigrants access to our country. The bottom line is I don't think we should make it easy for illegal immigrants to get checking accounts.
The third group was people who are distrustful of the banking system. Is this little program really going to change that groups mind? I don't think so! That is why we live in America, we all don't have to herd together and do the same thing. Why does Mayor Ballard think that everyone should have a bank account even if they clearly don't want it. Why are we spending governmental dollars this way?
The author states that there are 79,000 residents in Marion county without a bank account. The current population of Marion county is 880,380. The 79,000 represents 9% of the population. Is this hoopla necessary? What do you think of this article? Do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint.
September 25, 2009
Right Place at the Right Time
I was sitting in the lunch room today minding my own business and reading the paper when a co-worker started a conversation with me. We talked about the new wellness challenge that should start in October and various other topics. She was eating a pitch-in lunch with about five other women from my company and we all engaged in conversation.
All of a sudden one of them asks me if I want to join them. I was confused as I was finished with my lunch and I was on my way back to work. She begins to explain to me that she goes to a gym in Broadripple and utilized a trainer there once a week. She then told me she has decided to get a group of people together to do some group personal training with her trainer once a week in the basement of a local church. I was completely surprised by this announcement. I think she thought she had sent me this information and that was why I was in the lunch room, but the email was not sent to me. It was just a coincidence.
The trainer arrives a few minutes later to talk to us about what to expect. He was beautiful! Why are so many of the trainers beautiful? He had a big wide smile and a inviting face. He was wearing a shirt that said “Look’s Good Naked”. I suspect that he does and is proud of it. He told us that we will meet once a week on Monday nights at 5:30 for an hour and the cost is $75 for the month of personal training. Basically, that is $20 a week. I am currently paying $40 for a thirty minute session once a week. Hmmmm…So I pay double for half the time.
He instructed us to bring some light hand weights, 3 to 5 lbs. A group member stated that she didn’t have any weight and could she bring some canned food as a substitute. He gave her a look and told her she needed to bring some weights in. He also said that you could get used equipment at Play it Again Sports for about a $1 per weight. That sounds like a good idea to me.
What a deal. I wanted to be able to do training two days a week and this is how I can make that happen for myself. I am so glad that I ate my lunch in the break room today. I don’t think I would have encountered this opportunity without being in the right place at the right time.
All of a sudden one of them asks me if I want to join them. I was confused as I was finished with my lunch and I was on my way back to work. She begins to explain to me that she goes to a gym in Broadripple and utilized a trainer there once a week. She then told me she has decided to get a group of people together to do some group personal training with her trainer once a week in the basement of a local church. I was completely surprised by this announcement. I think she thought she had sent me this information and that was why I was in the lunch room, but the email was not sent to me. It was just a coincidence.
The trainer arrives a few minutes later to talk to us about what to expect. He was beautiful! Why are so many of the trainers beautiful? He had a big wide smile and a inviting face. He was wearing a shirt that said “Look’s Good Naked”. I suspect that he does and is proud of it. He told us that we will meet once a week on Monday nights at 5:30 for an hour and the cost is $75 for the month of personal training. Basically, that is $20 a week. I am currently paying $40 for a thirty minute session once a week. Hmmmm…So I pay double for half the time.
He instructed us to bring some light hand weights, 3 to 5 lbs. A group member stated that she didn’t have any weight and could she bring some canned food as a substitute. He gave her a look and told her she needed to bring some weights in. He also said that you could get used equipment at Play it Again Sports for about a $1 per weight. That sounds like a good idea to me.
What a deal. I wanted to be able to do training two days a week and this is how I can make that happen for myself. I am so glad that I ate my lunch in the break room today. I don’t think I would have encountered this opportunity without being in the right place at the right time.
September 21, 2009
Living in the Moment
Did you ever see the movie "Star Trek: Insurrection"? This is the movie which puts Jean Luc and company on a planet which has a “fountain of youth” effect. While Jean Luc is there he meets a women and falls in love with her. During the movie she tries to teach him the importance of taking the time out of your day to live in the moment. I like this idea and I found myself "living in the moment" that this past weekend.
On Saturday, I went cycling on the Tow path and I enjoyed a long ride from Broadripple to Downtown and back. While we were riding back, I found myself engrossed in a conversation with my companion, and as we were talking I began blocking everything else out. I was riding North bound on the left hand side of the path (IE…the wrong side) when we encountered other riders. I honestly didn’t see them as we approached. My friend said that they were waving at me and tried to get my attention to move. I was not having it. All of a sudden the biker was upon us and had to go on the grass to get around me. He yelled some things at me and I in turn yelled some things back. During this entire incident my companion just kept riding along on the correct side of the path.
My point is that I was living in the moment and oblivious to everything around me. I think it is great when I find myself able to concentrate on the situation at hand. This is one of the most important things about social situations for me. If I am feeling awkward or shy (I know....it is hard to imagine) I am not able to bring myself to this level of connection with my friends. To be honest...I cannot even recall what we were talking about at the time of the cycling incident but I do remember the feeling of being engrossed.I am usually not aware of this phenomenon while they occur, but when I am reflecting back on my day I can pick them out. This doesn't happen to me every day or even every week but this is how I am able to recharge myself and increase my energy reserves (just like on Star Trek, only without the anti-aging effects).
I think this is one of the things that has allowed me to embrace exercise this summer. I do not like to do it by myself, but when I have company I am able to walk 4 miles at Fort Harrison and be sad when it is over or bike 20 miles in an afternoon. I think that it is too bad for my employers that I cannot transcend that feeling to my work. I was never one of those people who look up at five and am surprised that it is time to go home. However, I am often surprised when it is time to finish up biking and go home. Perhaps one day my work and passion will become the same thing!
Have any of my readers had this experience. Can you live in the moment and block out all outside stimulus and focus on the experience? Tell me about it.
September 15, 2009
Food Decision
I have struggled with controlling my food the last week. I find it very difficult to consistently purchase and prepare healthy foods. I will become motivated for a week or two but it is so easy for me to slip back into my old lazy habits of going out to dinner or ordering a pizza.
I haven't gone to the grocery store in over a week and I have nothing ready to pack for my lunch tomorrow. It makes me feel very overwhelmed to prepare a menu, and then buy the food and then cook it. Yikes! I can tell you all day long what I should do, but consistency is not my friend.
While I was sitting on my bed avoiding watching The Biggest Loser (so I wouldn't feel bad about myself) I got an idea. I utilized this service called Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating twice in my past with varying degrees of success and I am considering signing up again. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to this service.
Advantages
Fresh Food
It doesn't taste like crap because I overcooked it
Calorie Controlled
No Thinking or Grocery Shopping
Food Delivered to my house twice a week
I wouldn't be able to eat out because I would have already purchased my food.
Disadvantages
Cost
No Choice
I wouldn't be able to eat out
Cost
The cost is really the biggest disadvantage in my mind. It is $129 for a 1200 calorie plan and $149 for a 2000 calorie plan. This cost is per week and doesn't include the delivery. Currently, I should be eating 2000 calories a day, so if I choose that plan I would be spending $600 a month on food without groceries. Just so you know...I am already spending $600 a month on groceries. But this new cost wouldn't include household supplies. I really think that this could be really good for me. I really DO NOT NEED to eat out anymore. This is where I get all of my extra calories.
When I utilized this service in the past I did find myself throwing away some of the food because I did go out to eat a couple times a week. A second option would be to go with a half week delivery service. This would involve me getting just one delivery a week and I would need to prepare the rest of my meals.
I feel so indecisive. On one had I feel like I need to say Fu*k the money and do what is good for me, on the other hand I think if I just practiced a bit more discipline I could do it on my own. This second strategy has NEVER worked for me in the past. I am not sure that I have the discipline to control my food and continually cook and I rarely enjoy cooking.
UGGGG...so what do you think I should do?
I haven't gone to the grocery store in over a week and I have nothing ready to pack for my lunch tomorrow. It makes me feel very overwhelmed to prepare a menu, and then buy the food and then cook it. Yikes! I can tell you all day long what I should do, but consistency is not my friend.
While I was sitting on my bed avoiding watching The Biggest Loser (so I wouldn't feel bad about myself) I got an idea. I utilized this service called Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating twice in my past with varying degrees of success and I am considering signing up again. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to this service.
Advantages
Fresh Food
It doesn't taste like crap because I overcooked it
Calorie Controlled
No Thinking or Grocery Shopping
Food Delivered to my house twice a week
I wouldn't be able to eat out because I would have already purchased my food.
Disadvantages
Cost
No Choice
I wouldn't be able to eat out
Cost
The cost is really the biggest disadvantage in my mind. It is $129 for a 1200 calorie plan and $149 for a 2000 calorie plan. This cost is per week and doesn't include the delivery. Currently, I should be eating 2000 calories a day, so if I choose that plan I would be spending $600 a month on food without groceries. Just so you know...I am already spending $600 a month on groceries. But this new cost wouldn't include household supplies. I really think that this could be really good for me. I really DO NOT NEED to eat out anymore. This is where I get all of my extra calories.
When I utilized this service in the past I did find myself throwing away some of the food because I did go out to eat a couple times a week. A second option would be to go with a half week delivery service. This would involve me getting just one delivery a week and I would need to prepare the rest of my meals.
I feel so indecisive. On one had I feel like I need to say Fu*k the money and do what is good for me, on the other hand I think if I just practiced a bit more discipline I could do it on my own. This second strategy has NEVER worked for me in the past. I am not sure that I have the discipline to control my food and continually cook and I rarely enjoy cooking.
UGGGG...so what do you think I should do?
September 13, 2009
I am a Patron of the Arts
I had a full weekend of several Arty activities. I listened to some Opera on Friday night, I viewed various types of Art on Saturday and I saw a play on Sunday. In between those activities I managed to go on two hikes. I visited Eagle Creek on Saturday evening and Fort Harrison on Sunday morning. I felt like I packed in a variety of social, physical and mental stimulus in the past few days.
I shall start at the beginning. I remained friends with a co-worker who has since moved on to a fantastic job at IUPUI and she received two free tickets to a concert by Angela Brown at the Madame Walker Theatre. Angela Brown is a world traveled Opera singer. She preformed a concert at the theatre in honor of IUPUI's 40th anniversary.
Most of the patrons in the audience were very well dressed. I am glad that my friend advised me because it was very likely that I would have wore my jeans and T-Shirt. I am glad that I didn't go with my first instincts and brought some clothes to change into.
The concert consisted of a full two hours of singing and commentary. Angela Brown is a very charismatic person. When she spoke she captured your attention and made me want to listen to her. The first hour of the concert she sang a variety of Opera songs that I have never heard of and were mostly in other languages. The second part of the show she created a duet with a Broad Ripple HS Choral Ensemble and then she brought out a guitar player.
Ok...here it is....I don't think that I am as cultured as I thought I was, because I didn't like this show. I don't like it when I cannot understand the songs and the high pitch was hard for me to listen to. I am extremely leery of attending any future Opera shows. In the past I have considered seeing one of the simulcasts that play in the movie theatres presented from the NY Met. I may have to pass on this future endeavor. I am glad that I had the opportunity to experience this type of music but once was definitely enough.
On Saturday I was invited to the Penrod Arts Fair. I have attended this once before about two years ago and somehow I was able to get in without paying. I am not sure how that happened and that wasn't our intention. Which comes to my biggest problem with this event, it's cost! They charge $15 admission at the gate to see vendors and purchase their products. Why should I pay admission to make an art purchase? Isn't the art expensive enough as it is? I enjoy the art and seeing their variety of wares but I would have enjoyed it more for free.
I enjoyed my time at the fair but I think it will be low on my future entertainment choices. BTW...I was able to leave the fair without buying any art. I feel extremely lucky to have made it out with my bank account intact. However, I did purchase some fantastic popcorn. It was the best popcorn that I have ever tasted and it was called Rupert's Tye-Dyelicious Corn. It was multi-flavored and was reminiscent of Fruit Loops. The bag was gone pretty quickly. I am sure that I don't want to know the nutritional information.
The final event of the weekend was the first show of the season presented at the Phoenix Theatre. It was called, "The Most Damaging Wound" and was utterly fantastic. The show held my rapt attention the entire 90 minutes. These types of dramatic shows really appeal to me and it was very well done. All of the actors were extremely believable and cast well. Also, the costume design was spot on. You really got a sense of the character and their personality by their clothing choice.
The show was very funny and dramatic at the same time. At one point ems covered her eyes during the show. I was confused as there was no nudity on the stage but just funny sex talk. She said when it was done that she was embarrassed for the characters. I cannot recommend this show enough! Everyone GO AND SEE IT. Click on the link and make a reservation! I am so glad that I decided to purchase my season tickets and I look forward to their future shows.
So every one of these experiences had something to offer but the best was the show at the Phoenix. I am glad that I have so many friends who are interested and willing to enjoy these activities with me.
I shall start at the beginning. I remained friends with a co-worker who has since moved on to a fantastic job at IUPUI and she received two free tickets to a concert by Angela Brown at the Madame Walker Theatre. Angela Brown is a world traveled Opera singer. She preformed a concert at the theatre in honor of IUPUI's 40th anniversary.
Most of the patrons in the audience were very well dressed. I am glad that my friend advised me because it was very likely that I would have wore my jeans and T-Shirt. I am glad that I didn't go with my first instincts and brought some clothes to change into.
The concert consisted of a full two hours of singing and commentary. Angela Brown is a very charismatic person. When she spoke she captured your attention and made me want to listen to her. The first hour of the concert she sang a variety of Opera songs that I have never heard of and were mostly in other languages. The second part of the show she created a duet with a Broad Ripple HS Choral Ensemble and then she brought out a guitar player.
Ok...here it is....I don't think that I am as cultured as I thought I was, because I didn't like this show. I don't like it when I cannot understand the songs and the high pitch was hard for me to listen to. I am extremely leery of attending any future Opera shows. In the past I have considered seeing one of the simulcasts that play in the movie theatres presented from the NY Met. I may have to pass on this future endeavor. I am glad that I had the opportunity to experience this type of music but once was definitely enough.
On Saturday I was invited to the Penrod Arts Fair. I have attended this once before about two years ago and somehow I was able to get in without paying. I am not sure how that happened and that wasn't our intention. Which comes to my biggest problem with this event, it's cost! They charge $15 admission at the gate to see vendors and purchase their products. Why should I pay admission to make an art purchase? Isn't the art expensive enough as it is? I enjoy the art and seeing their variety of wares but I would have enjoyed it more for free.
I enjoyed my time at the fair but I think it will be low on my future entertainment choices. BTW...I was able to leave the fair without buying any art. I feel extremely lucky to have made it out with my bank account intact. However, I did purchase some fantastic popcorn. It was the best popcorn that I have ever tasted and it was called Rupert's Tye-Dyelicious Corn. It was multi-flavored and was reminiscent of Fruit Loops. The bag was gone pretty quickly. I am sure that I don't want to know the nutritional information.
The final event of the weekend was the first show of the season presented at the Phoenix Theatre. It was called, "The Most Damaging Wound" and was utterly fantastic. The show held my rapt attention the entire 90 minutes. These types of dramatic shows really appeal to me and it was very well done. All of the actors were extremely believable and cast well. Also, the costume design was spot on. You really got a sense of the character and their personality by their clothing choice.
The show was very funny and dramatic at the same time. At one point ems covered her eyes during the show. I was confused as there was no nudity on the stage but just funny sex talk. She said when it was done that she was embarrassed for the characters. I cannot recommend this show enough! Everyone GO AND SEE IT. Click on the link and make a reservation! I am so glad that I decided to purchase my season tickets and I look forward to their future shows.
So every one of these experiences had something to offer but the best was the show at the Phoenix. I am glad that I have so many friends who are interested and willing to enjoy these activities with me.
September 8, 2009
Nightmare's
Recently I have quite a succession of nightmares. I don't know what is going on, but I am sick of these vivid and unsettling dreams. I was talking to a friend about this over the weekend and she thought it might be related to my medication. I have been taking Allegra D for some time and I recently changed to regular Allegra. Could that be the cause?
These are two examples from my recent nightmare's. BTW...the reason that I classify them as nightmare's is because I wake up upset and very unsettled. I am not sure they are what most people would consider a nightmare.
Monday Night's Dream
I went to a co-workers house because I had nowhere to live and no possessions. He lived in extreme poverty and when I arrived he was working on making a makeshift roof with some plywood. I tried to encourage him that the roof needed shingles to no avail. His house had no indoor plumbing so we had to shower in the backyard with the garden hose. This was a cold and unpleasant task. I had no cloths so I had to wear his cloths and all of J's cloths were dirty. So I had to wear his dirty cloths. (YUCK!) We got into his old beat up car that was stuffed full of crap and it had holes in the floor to go-to some high school dance.
The setting of this dream was very grim and depressing. I was quite upset and out of sorts when I woke up.
Saturday Night's Dream
I dreamed about NM this night. I was at her house in the country, apparently she lived on a farm and we got into a giant fight. We were yelling at each other and in each others faces. I stormed out and went back to the trailer park shack I was living in with Lou. This place was a dump and a horrible living situation which is why I was staying with NM.
Then all of a sudden the dump burned down. Since we were now homeless Lou moved in with Nicole, but I refused to go due to our fight and I ended up homeless. The setting in this dream was very grim and depressing at the trailer. Think about the movie "8 Mile" for the trailer, but the setting at Nicole's house was all butterflies and rainbows.
I feel that most of these dreams were revolving around me living poverty. Why is this occurring so often. I don't feel like I am upset about anything special in my life right now. I am not in danger of losing my house and I think my job is "fairly" secure. At the very least I made it through the first round of layoffs.
Does anyone have any insight? I am tired of waking up being so upset!
These are two examples from my recent nightmare's. BTW...the reason that I classify them as nightmare's is because I wake up upset and very unsettled. I am not sure they are what most people would consider a nightmare.
Monday Night's Dream
I went to a co-workers house because I had nowhere to live and no possessions. He lived in extreme poverty and when I arrived he was working on making a makeshift roof with some plywood. I tried to encourage him that the roof needed shingles to no avail. His house had no indoor plumbing so we had to shower in the backyard with the garden hose. This was a cold and unpleasant task. I had no cloths so I had to wear his cloths and all of J's cloths were dirty. So I had to wear his dirty cloths. (YUCK!) We got into his old beat up car that was stuffed full of crap and it had holes in the floor to go-to some high school dance.
The setting of this dream was very grim and depressing. I was quite upset and out of sorts when I woke up.
Saturday Night's Dream
I dreamed about NM this night. I was at her house in the country, apparently she lived on a farm and we got into a giant fight. We were yelling at each other and in each others faces. I stormed out and went back to the trailer park shack I was living in with Lou. This place was a dump and a horrible living situation which is why I was staying with NM.
Then all of a sudden the dump burned down. Since we were now homeless Lou moved in with Nicole, but I refused to go due to our fight and I ended up homeless. The setting in this dream was very grim and depressing at the trailer. Think about the movie "8 Mile" for the trailer, but the setting at Nicole's house was all butterflies and rainbows.
I feel that most of these dreams were revolving around me living poverty. Why is this occurring so often. I don't feel like I am upset about anything special in my life right now. I am not in danger of losing my house and I think my job is "fairly" secure. At the very least I made it through the first round of layoffs.
Does anyone have any insight? I am tired of waking up being so upset!
September 6, 2009
My First Porno Rental!
I had a flash back tonight when I went to the Keystone Art Cinema tonight to see "(500) Days of Summer". I was at the counter purchasing my ticket when I got very distracted. I looked down and there was a 30th anniversary copy of the film "Caligula".
This was not a big box rental store but a family owned local store. I LOVED this place. They had a large choice of videos as well as fair pricing. I was friends with and went to high school with the owners daughter. I should also mention that during this period I was ALWAYS at the video store as I had an obsession with seeing all movies.
This movie took me back to 1992 when I had just moved away from home a month before graduation and rented an apartment with two friends. I was working at McDonald's and some co-workers were talking about this great historical film that they just watched. I should mention that these co-workers were male and at least 4 years older than me. I piped up that I liked history and asked the name of the film. They told me and I stored it away for a future rental opportunity.
Some time later I go to the neighborhood video rental store.
This was not a big box rental store but a family owned local store. I LOVED this place. They had a large choice of videos as well as fair pricing. I was friends with and went to high school with the owners daughter. I should also mention that during this period I was ALWAYS at the video store as I had an obsession with seeing all movies. The video store stored all of the actual movies in the back and you had to pick up the case and take it to the store front to check out the movie. I looked around for this movie to no avail so I went the counter and asked for it. I got a funny look and the employee took me over to the "Adult" section and began browsing through the movie containers. I began to get embarrassed and wondered what I had gotten myself into. The employee located a copy and went behind the counter to find the actual film.
I paid for my purchase and practically ran out of the store with my face in flames. Of course this didn't stop me from viewing the film when I got home. I was in a perpetual state of shock as I sat on the couch and watched the depravity. To this day I still have some vivid images of this movie in my head. About half way through the movie one of my roommates came home and was a bit shocked at the TV screen and quickly secluded herself in her room.
I was so embarrassed over the whole situation. I am sure that my McDonald's co-workers had a great laugh over my ignorance and gullibility. I didn't come back to work and tell them, but I am sure that they knew about the rental. After all, these were horny college boys who set me up.
Just in case you are wondering this is an AWFUL film and I am not recommending it. But I find it funny how things can trigger memories (good and bad) of your past.
September 2, 2009
Medication Rant
I have a bit of a rant today. I take Allegra and Allegra D for my allergy symptoms. I have been taking these two medication for several years and it usually works very well. The Allegra is a once a day pill and the Allegra D is a twice a day pill because the decongestant that it contains. So about two years ago I decided to only get the Allegra D so I would have twice as many pills. I usually wouldn't have to take them every day and rarely twice a day. This method worked out for me until this summer when my allergies have intensified.
This summer has been especially brutal on my allergies and I find myself taking the pills every day twice a day. I was concerned with the quantity of decongestant I was taking, so when I needed the prescription refilled I requested that doctor call in the regular Allegra to the mail away pharmacy that I use. When I received the pills I was annoyed to see that they only sent me a 30 day supply instead of 90 day supply that I normally receive. I just gave a big sigh at the hassle of getting the problem fixed.
I called my doctor the next day and told them that they only wrote the prescription for 30 days and not for the year as they normally do. The lady answering the phone seemed confused and suggested that I call Caremark and ask them what the doctor should do. Duh! They just need to call in an additional prescription. I let it go and took no action because the lady at the doctors office got on my nerves.
However, this week my allergies were getting bothersome and the medicine was no longer working effectively. I am getting fevers, constant itching, and red and irritated eyes. (BTW...the eye doctor told me last week that I should use eye drops and I keep forgetting to pick them up.) So I called the doctor again and this time asked if she could put me on stronger medicine. After we played phone tag for a day and a half it was decided that I needed to stay on the Allegra and add a nasal spray. The lady at the doctors office was going to call in my nasal spray to my neighborhood CVS and then call in the Allegra to Caremark and that would come in the mail in the next week.
Here is the part where I get mad. I stopped by CVS on my way home to pick up the nasal spray and guess what? They had both prescriptions. I just shook my head. I asked the guy how much was the Allegra. He said $20. I asked him, "Is that for a month?" He said NO, for three months! WTF! I just paid $20 to Caremark for a 30 refill and I normally pay $110 for the 90 day Allegra D. I was dumbstruck, so I asked why it was only $20. He explained that the regular Allegra has a generic replacement but the Allegra D does not.
I want to know how long I have been overpaying for the stupid Allegra D. I was doing it to be cheap. When did the regular Allegra run out of it's patent? This kind of health care BS just burns me up!
This summer has been especially brutal on my allergies and I find myself taking the pills every day twice a day. I was concerned with the quantity of decongestant I was taking, so when I needed the prescription refilled I requested that doctor call in the regular Allegra to the mail away pharmacy that I use. When I received the pills I was annoyed to see that they only sent me a 30 day supply instead of 90 day supply that I normally receive. I just gave a big sigh at the hassle of getting the problem fixed.
I called my doctor the next day and told them that they only wrote the prescription for 30 days and not for the year as they normally do. The lady answering the phone seemed confused and suggested that I call Caremark and ask them what the doctor should do. Duh! They just need to call in an additional prescription. I let it go and took no action because the lady at the doctors office got on my nerves.
However, this week my allergies were getting bothersome and the medicine was no longer working effectively. I am getting fevers, constant itching, and red and irritated eyes. (BTW...the eye doctor told me last week that I should use eye drops and I keep forgetting to pick them up.) So I called the doctor again and this time asked if she could put me on stronger medicine. After we played phone tag for a day and a half it was decided that I needed to stay on the Allegra and add a nasal spray. The lady at the doctors office was going to call in my nasal spray to my neighborhood CVS and then call in the Allegra to Caremark and that would come in the mail in the next week.
Here is the part where I get mad. I stopped by CVS on my way home to pick up the nasal spray and guess what? They had both prescriptions. I just shook my head. I asked the guy how much was the Allegra. He said $20. I asked him, "Is that for a month?" He said NO, for three months! WTF! I just paid $20 to Caremark for a 30 refill and I normally pay $110 for the 90 day Allegra D. I was dumbstruck, so I asked why it was only $20. He explained that the regular Allegra has a generic replacement but the Allegra D does not.
I want to know how long I have been overpaying for the stupid Allegra D. I was doing it to be cheap. When did the regular Allegra run out of it's patent? This kind of health care BS just burns me up!
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