Switched up my routine today - went to the gym this morning and got ready for work there then headed to work. Completely different world so early in the morning. Granted, I'm probably gonna crash in a few but whatevs. Going to see MMG this weekend. It won't be a long trip but just a little drop in to say hello and help her get things together. This last round of chemo really wiped her out this past week.

Work has been absolutely ridiculous this week. First I got called out for being unprofessional and then I was called out for turning in a project late. The unprofessional escapade is hilarious. JC and I were running some documents over to another attorney's office while on our way to the courthouse. It was a gorgeous day and it was obviously showing in our behavior. Upon entering, JC handed the documents over to the receptionist, and I saw some mints in the waiting area. I took a mint, took one for JC and then left. JC must have giggled, or I giggled, or we both giggled. This 10 second interaction led to this attorney calling us unprofessional to one of the partners in the firm since I apparently grabbed a fistfull of mints, as well as sending an e-mail to another attorney in our firm, stating our behavior was immature and unprofessional. I mean seriously people, get a fucking life! I don't even think the bitchy attorney saw us in her office - maybe heard us or maybe her little tight assed receptionist said something. But whatever, that's a few strikes against me, but thank g-d the attorneys I work with agree that this woman needs to get her head out of her ass and go on some meds.

In order to vent our frustration, JC wrote a letter to this crappy lady:

Dear Devil Woman [insert real name],

My colleague and I have learned that you have made repeated complaints to two attorneys in our office regarding our "unprofessional" behavior. Apparently we were giggling and offering each other mints. We would like to apologize for our abhorrent behavior. How dare we enter your place of business with smiles on our faces? How dare we display signs that we were enjoying the beautiful day? It is an unspoken rule that when you enter a law firm, you must show no signs of happiness or of having a sense of humor. We have brazenly broken this rule. How dare we take a mint from the dish of mints on your entryway table? I mean, clearly those mints are not there for the purpose of eating. Clearly they are there as decoration only. From now on, we will think twice before we reach for a mint, and we will try to determine whether these mints are sincere or rather, decoy mints. These oversights will never happen again.

Sincerely,

JC - Impertinent Legal Assistant

Have a big deadline tomorrow and will most likely be up pretty late, but I wanted to jot down a few moments from the weekend. Met up with an old friend from the good ole days of youth group - completely unexpected and a superb surprise. Also spent some time with new friends that I am excitedly awaiting to see again at JV and NL's wedding. Had good times with the mother-in-law letting loose. Found a cute dress for the wedding - now I just have to find shoes and a cute shrug or shawl to go with it. MMG isn't in love with it but I am hoping she'll come around when I get the right accessories. Maybe I can dig up some pics from the weekend, but I'm afraid all of them are too incriminating for the innernets. Oh, I got my package from my Favorite Color Swap pal and I will be sure to post pics tomorrow. Just have to say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE my presents, especially the home-made journal.

This is now my life

You really have no idea how stupid criminal defendants are. Imagine the stupidest person you went to high school with. Now, imagine a person that your stupid high school buddy would consider stupid. That's your criminal defendant.

Seen over here.

Also, cause I'm such a dork, one of my new favorite places.

Stayed home today from work since I woke up this morning with the aches and pains. But Advil Fever and Flu or something along those lines helped a bit, so I've been doing some work from home today.

MMG had a mammogram and sonogram or ultrasound on her other breast today and it doesn't look like the little thing they were worried about is anything resembling cancer. Such a relief. Cause I know she can't go through chemo again (she's still feeling the effects from the treatment last week) and believe you me, I can't go through it again either. I'm not sure how often she will be getting mammograms now that her chemo treatment is over. Maybe every 3 months or 6 months. Whatever...it's such a relief to see the light at the end of this tunnel. Cancer sucks. Sucks even more when it's the one parent you have left.

JV's friend died yesterday. They took him off life support and I suppose he went soon after. We'll see him this weekend, and I hope he is doing okay. N has been talking to him this week. Not sure if he will go to Richmond for the funeral or any details about that. Someone so young. For nothing. My heart aches. We aren't invincible, only mortal. We can be gone from here in an instant. And there's nothing that you can do to change that. You can't take any moment you have for granted. Such a cliche.

I think about that phrase, shouldn't take any moment for granted and I think about my day today. I didn't do anything special, in fact I felt kinda crappy, being sick and all. And I worked, read a book, talked to MMG and N, wrote some e-mails. But I didn't do anything earth shattering, nothing to write home about. So did I do everything I can to not take this day for granted? No, but that's life, right? Every moment can't be the best moment ever cause then we wouldn't know a great moment if it bit us in the ass. And every moment can't be only what you want to do, cause then many people would be lazy, just sitting around or running around this town doing whatever the hell they wanted, wouldn't work, just play all the time. So that whole you shouldn't take any moment for granted, maybe that just really means take risks, don't bet on tomorrow, and make the big decisions count. But don't screw people over cause you are trying to not take today or even tomorrow for granted. Okay, I'm done this silly diatribe. I hate that cliche.

Feeling stuffy - left nostril is clogged. Something is going around. One of the attorneys here has walking pneumonia, not that it's contagious or anything, but it sounds serious nonetheless.

Last night I learned that a friend of JV's is being taken off life support today. I don't know facts but heard that there were drugs, not breathing, CPR, and such. You think you are immune but you aren't. My heart aches for him and his family. I know nothing about him, except what I've heard from others. You don't know what people are up to, what they are thinking. Maybe it was just another night with friends and something went terribly wrong, or bad drugs, bad timing, something else I can't imagine. Who knows. Crazy times. I think about people who do drugs recreationally or in fact are addicted, and just one more time, or just another night in a slew of nights that means nothing more, nothing less. And that one time is it. That's all you get. No more. It's scares the shit out of me. I will go on the record and say that I'm scared of drugs - most especially not being in control. Addiction runs in my family. But that's all I have to say about that now.

Have tons of work to do this week. For my second job, I have a Tuesday deadline, and have more work that I can shake a stick at. I'll get it done, I always somehow find a way. Even if it means soliciting help with the payment of sexual favors!

Foist

Word of the Day, compliments of Jackie, is Foist.

Rhymes with moist.

Definition: To force upon or impose fraudulently or unjustifiably

Used in context: I don't like how you foisted that responsibility of not talking onto me.

Right before I left Columbia, I met up with Gucci. I wasn't expecting the opportunity to see her cause I thought little Mason would be trying to come out. But Mason wasn't ready to come out so I got to spend some quality time with Gucci before one became two.

Gucci's beautiful belly.

Then I headed back to Charlottesville. Down Route 29, I saw this:

All of the cabs that I've seen in Charlottesville have such funny silly slogans on them. And here I am, eager to get home.

My eyes are burning from staring at the comp for so many hours today. Having to work two fucking jobs - not so fun, but as I've said before, and I'll chicken out on later cause I'm a sucker and just go along with it all cause I don't want to be told no but will talk endlessly about how unhappy I am and then finally grow a backbone and drive myself bonkers (I just love that word) and then finally ask - I am demanding a salary once I get admitted in VA. And a salary I can live with - not 2 cents an hour, and then run with my tail between my legs to work from home job where they actually pay me a decent salary but it has little, if anything, to do with the law. I've been going to court and jail more this week - haa, I've been going to jail. Definitely learning more about what it means to practice law then when I just sat in front of the computer and interacted with only my little mouse all day (and of course the firm go-ers).

Been diligent about clearing out the clutter in the house. Sold some books to a used book store we love on the downtown mall. I have my eye on this 30 year old teach yourself how to draw figures book. Also, sold some beads and jewels I had from when I was 10 on Craigslist. All for my secret fund that I can't anybody about yet, except MMG. Hope to start on some of the clothes that I have piled up in the basement, and soon we can plan a date for the yard sale.

Thinking about heading to Staunton this weekend for a little day trip, if work allows. I have been there twice for an interview and wanted to explore it more. Looks like a cute little town, maybe out of Pleasantville, but hoping to find some hidden treasure.

Some Advice From Your Public Defender

Check this out. All I have to say is: You have the right to remain silent, so SHUT THE FUCK UP!

N got back from Barcelona last night. It was so nice to have him back in the States, even though I still haven't seen him yet. He got a head cold while he was over there but it doesn't sound like he allowed it to interfere with his trip. I can't wait to see the pictures he took of the city.

Today I went up to Bel Air to visit with Prote and BH. Prote is my alter-ego and one of my most dearest friends. BH is a former co-worker. We went to my favorite restaurant in town, Carried Away Gourmet. The Bel Air Four Seasons salad is the best salad on their menu! Absolutely in love with it. I would eat it everyday if I could, and I almost did when I was working up there. It was great to catch up with Sam and Bren.

Also tried to drop some schtuff off at the consignment shop up there, but most of it was winter clothing and they were just accepting spring clothing. Also, the spring clothing I did have was too wrinkled. I will just try again when I get back down to Cville. I'm thinking of trying to save the money I make from the consignment shop for something in particular, but I don't want to reveal what that particular thing is yet until it's official. This thing that I want to save for.

Also, I went shopping here for my Favorite Color Swap partner. I hope she likes what I got her. It was supposed to be sent out today, but because of the bar exam, I told her I was going to be a few days late. Thank goodness she's so understanding. When I told N about the swap, he didn't really understand why someone would sign up for such a thing when you could just buy what you wanted for yourself. Why have someone else buy it for you? He just doesn't get the thrill of shopping for someone else, hoping to make someone smile because of the thought you put into a present. But, you know, if there was some sort of Subaru Forester or Subaru WRX swap, he'd be all about it.

Natasha's Socks

Here they are - the never ending sock project. I've been working on these socks for almost 9 months, and not because they were difficult. And to think of it, I'm not sure why they took so long. I started working on them with no particular recipient in mind, but when Natasha saw them, she claimed 'em.

I love the way they turned out. I have no problems with them at all - no complaints. Just some good ole fashioned knit socks. I think she'll like them. I mean, there's no reason she wouldn't.

Budget Crisis

Hate looking at the bank statement. Definitely glad I'm making a run to the consignment shop on Tuesday to drop off some clothes. It's a great way to make a little money and also to clear out the clutter, cause we sure have a lot of it.

Almost done with the socks. Pics coming soon.

Didn't make it

MMG and I didn't make it to NYC today. We had the best of intentions but we must have underestimated how exhausted we were - she being tired from the chemo and me more likely to not be too eager to wake up at 6 am. Anyhow, we'll try to go soon, I'm sure.

Went to PF Chang's last night for dinner. I love the food there. I know it's a chain and all, but it's a pretty damn good chain. I love their salt and pepper calamari. Also saw Zodiac last night. I liked the story - true story of the Zodiac killer from the late 60s through the 70s. But it was too long. Almost 3 hours too long.

Gonna try to finish Natasha's socks today. I've been working on these socks for longer than I care to admit. I just want to pass them on and get started on another project. They are almost complete - I've been knitting both socks at the same time in order to avoid the one sock syndrome.

We might go and see a condo today for MMG to move into.

Looking forward to going back to Cville. I've been thinking more and more about my employment situation and am thinking of requesting health insurance and a bit of a raise. I don't want to work two jobs anymore - I don't think I should have to at this point in my life. Isn't that one of the perks of going to law school? To not have to work two jobs? We'll see if I have the balls to ask for health benefits and a raise. In my mind it seems like the most reasonable request but then I start making excuses about why I don't deserve these things. We'll see...

Blanket for MMG

When I found out that MMG had to undergo four cycles of chemo, I wanted to make something for her that would remind her of the many people who love her and are thinking about her, despite how alone she may feel during the process. So many wonderful people in my life knit a 10 x 10 inch square to be assembled into a blanket for mom. Here it is!

Last night, MMG and I were watching some Law and Order and I wanted to work on crocheting the squares together, but in order to do that, I had to reveal the surprise. She absolutely loved it!! As you can see, there's one square missing in the middle, but I have that one on needles right now, almost complete. That's the square that N worked on. He's a good knitter. Hopefully, I will finish crocheting the squares together before I go back to Cville.

MMG came into my room this morning and asked me how spontaneous I was willing to be this weekend. I knew exactly what she wanted to do. She wants to go to Canal Street in NYC tomorrow, just for the day, and buy some purses! So, we vacuumed out the car this morning and are planning on driving to NYC for the day. I know it will make her so happy - and like I've never denied, I love to make her happy. I'll hopefully have a cute purse to show off tomorrow!

Yesterday, I went to drop off some dry cleaning for MMG. I never give up an opportunity to drop off her dry cleaning, because I then go to one of my favorite thrift stores, the Laurel Thrift Center. It's freakin huge! I found two new dish clothes, some fabric to start my collection and a pillow case. Oh, and I found the cutest owl figurine made of sea shells. Kinda cheesy but I've never been one to deny the cheese.

Bleh bleh ugch!

That's how I feel right now. I am splashing around right now, not sure what to do. I've just finished this huge enormous monstrosity of an undertaking and now I am hanging in limbo - what do I do with myself? I feel such a huge let down cause I don't know where to pick up. I'm here with MMG and helping her get her life in order. Running errands, picking up around the house. Tomorrow we are going to see a condo that she may rent. Looks like her landlord is getting ready to sell this place and it's just too big for one woman. And moving to a condo means getting rid of all this stuff that she's been lugging around with her. Of course, it's hard to get rid of because it's a piece, a huge piece, of her life with my father. And having it around her, I think, makes her feel close to him, like she hasn't forgotten him. She did say to me she's ready to get of it. And I may have put the words in her mouth "lifting a huge weight" off of her. She's been needing to get rid of it for a while (granted, he died almost 8 years ago). But in her own time she will do it.

In other exciting news, I've been having some troubles with my camera and loading pics. I tried to load some pics from my camera earlier in the week but I think they are too big. So, I fooled around in the settings, trying to make the pics smaller and ended up erasing what was on my camera. Oh well - I'm thinking those pics weren't that important. I did take a few of these flowers I picked out at the market. Granted, they aren't taken with the fancy shmancy camera but I tried to capture how vibrant and smiley they are.

MMG and I are going to a movie tonight. I really wanted to see The Pursuit of Happyness but it's already out of the theatres. I know, cheesy movie, but that's how I roll.

It's over!

Thank the freakin Lord it's over. I have no idea whether I passed or not, but at least it's over. I have a feeling I may have failed, but that's because I don't feel as confident as I did after the Maryland Bar Exam. I felt better about the second day - the day where I sat for 6 hours answering 200 multiple choice questions. Thrilling, I know. Whatever - it's done, and now I just have to take this other test in a week from Saturday to ensure that I will be an ethical attorney. Are there any out there?

As for the YouTube video in my last post - it was all a big lie. It was totally fake. I read some article that the guy just wanted to see how powerful the internet was. And he needed to make such a spectacle to do that? Seriously people.