the roey’s jive that could

i’ve recently become extremely and unhealthily obsessed with igoogle. seriously. ever since i’ve learned the most obscure gadgets that can be added to my igoogle to improve and make my life more efficient, i can and will search for any bizarre possible gadget that i could INVENT in my mind, and usually, someone genius has already made one. for example, i have an “activity tracker” for my freelance clients– when doing even the smallest update to a client site, i simply click “IN” and when i’m done, i click “OUT” and if i’m just taking a break, i’ll click “PAUSE.” so brilliant. it even converts the time into decimal increments which i could NEVER do if my life depended on it. it’s functional as hell and i even admit i have time-wasting gadgets like sudoku and brain tuner for whenever i’m shit bored out of my mind (often) and decide that a few elementary math problems will do me some good. my favorite gadgets though, are my RSS reader which i have subscribed to for my personal blog reading enjoyment, and yes, call me slow and out of touch with technology but i’m into my google bookmarks too. basically i will surf all sorts of blog sites that i don’t regularly read (so i’m not ready to commit to subscribing to the RSS feed), but i WILL be interested in one particular recipe and BAM it goes into my recipe label in my google bookmarks, which as a result displays in my igoogle. now, i consider myself to be a lot more internet-crazed than most, but i’m curious as hell to see what’s in other peoples’ igoogles. i think i’ll go home and snoop around on my husband’s and if he’s not logged in i’ll stare at him over his shoulder while he’s not paying attention. why don’t you satisfy my snooping curiousity and tell me what kind of goodies you’ve got on yours (if you use igoogle :)?

anyway so AIM. i’m on it most of the time during the work day and lately my status message has been “you’re dumb.” it’s not really directed to anyone in particular, just for anyone who happens to take offense to it. anyway. apparently, some people didn’t handle it very well (ahem, santino):

i’d post the rest of it, but 1. my screen isn’t that long, and 2. i think you get the idea. well, i’m kidding about him not taking it well. apparently, he’s quite the bully and look! it looks like he got the first AND last word of that argument! he is really ruthless if you know him well :)

so back to the subject of internet conveniences … sometimes i feel like it’s a bit of a curse, ironically, to be so well versed and internet crazed. and no, i don’t mean to sound incredibly cocky or have a false sense of modesty by suggesting that i’m an expert in programming or web development or anything like that. just that i’m on it so much that it’s almost kind of a disadvantage to have friends who aren’t on that same page. i really feel like some people are worlds away from me when i’m trying to connect with them on the subject of cyberspace, while i’m still behind in some areas as well. for chrissake i just became crazed about igoogle even though i’ve been watching my husband using it for months now. and while he’s not in digital marketing like i am at work, there are a good number of people here in my department who should get with the program themselves. for chrissake, like for starters learn the fucking difference between flash and an animated .gif. it’s because of stupid things like this that i’ve become an insanely intolerant and impatient person, especially at work. oh, and this is directed to even the MOST insanely well versed internet loser (like me) that exists– this was pulled from wikipedia, verrrry interesting (as my suspicions are confirmed!):

The creators of the format pronounced GIF with a soft “g“, /ˈdʒɪf/, as in “George”. However, many people pronounce GIF with a hard “G”, as in a ‘gift’ IPA: /ˈɡɪf/, reflecting the way it is pronounced in its own acronym (Graphics Interchange Format). ^[2] According to the creator of the GIF format, Steve Wilhite, the pronunciation deliberately echoes that of an American peanut butter brand, Jif, and the employees of CompuServe would often say “Choosy developers choose GIF”, spoofing this brand’s television commercials.^{[citation needed]} This pronunciation was also identified by CompuServe in their documentation of a graphics display program called CompuShow.^[3]. Both pronunciations are given as correct by the Oxford English Dictionary^[4] and the American Heritage Dictionary.^[5]

hugs and kisses!!!

click below if you DARE to see what my dog produced for us shortly after midnight (not for the weak stomach)

Read the rest of this entry »

zzzzzz

that’s what’s going on for me at work today. sad, but yesterday was more eventful. but, i heard some news yesterday that could change that outlook, and that makes me HAPPY.

this morning i walked to ralph’s next door and got a “super sweet peach” but found it wasn’t as super sweet as some of the peaches from my uncle’s peach tree. i’ve been a peach whore this summer but i’ve noticed the quality of peaches available at the market has been deteriorating. i guess the season is coming to a close. for lunch, i ate some turkey waldorf wrap that i wish i never got. it wasn’t even that good, and yet i stuffed my face with it. why am i such a monster and is this normal? i gross myself out. ooh! speaking of pigging out, the cookie-man just came by. i was able to resist today, but yesterday, not so lucky. unreliably everyday, our downstairs food cafeteria cashier guy comes up to every floor of the building with a rolling cart with an assortment of snacks and home baked (notice i didn’t necessarily say FRESH) cookies. he isn’t selling them on his own nor does he have any incentive to sell any so he kinda SPRINTS by ringing the bell to inform everyone he’s nearby. i have this conversation so often with people but if the dude had an incentive to sell, he would and could make SO much money. the cookies are ok– i’ve had better, but if i were quietly working and he stopped in front of me and even so much ASKED me if i were interested, i would literally sucker into it everyday. and i have friends here who buy from him every single day when/if he comes by in the afternoon. it’s so sad. he is such an ass but he knows he’s high in demand so he can show up depending on his mood. it’s like crack, i tell you. these people are hooked. if i could only set up shop and compete with him. i think i’d be a reasonably worthy competitor. damnit. oh yeah. if i bake, his business seems to suffer ever so slightly. but i have to be tactful with when i distribute my goods. it has to be around the same time he shows up or they still give that bastard their money!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my BIG BROTHER!!!! he doesn’t read this but for those of you who know him, send him your good wishes. i sent him a box of “cakies” that are probably all smooshed up into little bites (they are THAT soft) and another little surprise. i hope he likes :)

any plans for labor day weekend? i have nothing concrete, yet. just some propositions that i don’t believe will actually happen. someone, invite me to go drink with you.

this is what happened so far (and i will continually be adding to this entry as the day progresses):

AM
6:00 wake up sweating, go to the bathroom to pee and jump back into bed afterwards
7:10 alarm goes off, hit snooze
7:30 alarm goes off, hit snooze
8:15 get out of bed and waste time w/ dog and husband, go on computer
8:40 get in the shower and get ready for work
9:40 leave for work
10:20 arrive into office
10:30 breakfast: shredded mini wheats (frosted, duh)
10:40 start this entry and stare off into space for another several minutes
11:03 start looking at assets to do some but get distracted after realizing i desperately need to cut my nails
11:10 instead of doing work, finding people on AIM to chat with. santino’s the first victim.
11:30 scraped up a MOMENT to send off some images for review
11:35-45 wandered around the department wasting my coworkers’ time, went back to desk after
11:55 one of my bosses walked up to me with the new developer to introduce us and ended the conversation by asking me, “and … did you always have so many plants?”
PM
12:00-12:30 real actual WORK
12:15 fill up a cup with some nice hot green tea
12:49 david comes by for a few, chatting about facebook and other miscellaneous nonsense
12:53 watched a guy almost get impaled as he turned the corner right in front of me to abruptly run into another dude pushing a cart with a broomstick sticking out of the cart (this sounds WAY more dramatic than it looked)
1:05 get up to look at some chick on mike’s facebook
1:11 return back to my desk
1:52 discuss 3rd rock from the sun with santino
2:03 pee break
2:07 EAT LUNCH (at subway)
2:59 return to desk, still hungry
3:22 cut open a peach to find it was no good, threw it away
3:58 cookie man comes around with cookie cart, bought and WOLFED down cranberry and a white chocolate chip cookie :)
4:45 vic stops by and shoots the shit w/ me while typing away at her blackberry. we both talk about how we watched at least 2 volumes of lord of the rings BACK TO BACK during the weekend
5:00-6:00 solid work!
6:00 get up and go show mike how to implement the new background i created. stayed around and wasted time.
6:18 back to my desk, completely uninterested in work for the remainder of the day
6:28 bri guy pops out of his office and follows up about something he asked me to put together for him on friday (ew)
6:32 see digi-t walk by and wave him over to come take a gander at what i’m working on
6:37 wonder why i’m still here
6:42 sign up for weheartit and goof off a bit .. someone’s connection is slow. mine or weheartit’s?
6:53 dave and mike come by and say bye
6:55 go poo/pee before the relatively annoying drive home
6:59 LEAVE!
sometime around 7:20, open my window all the way and stick my middle finger out at some hooker who decided to insert her car between me and another car VERY close in front of me when the traffic was going ultra fast (her lane was going faster!)
7:35 get home and wash hands
7:40 update blog
8:00 make dinner (salad)
8:10 sit down and watch deal or no deal for the first time EVER, and still have no fucking idea how the show works
8:12 change the channel and stay on the couch until …

hey so um. i get weird comments on my blog. i don’t think they’re from actual people, so do me a favor? if you’re someone i don’t normally get comments from (which i know who read this because i have practically no audience anyway), can you post something sort of insightful? rather than “great!” or “good job!” most of the time i know when it’s spam .. they leave some obnoxious URL link when they post their comment in and i later edit it out just to make it look like more than 3 people actually come here to read my blog, but i had one mysterious exception. so couldja? i really appreciate it. this sounds awful but the more readers i have would give me more incentive to update more frequently. and if it’s just spam, well, of course it doesn’t count.

toodles :)

last week, the highlight of my baking experience kinda happened. i started working on a new cookie recipe and i’m THRILLED with my new results. i wish i could share what the secret is, but you know the story .. i kinda can’t if i plan to open up shop one day! i wish the pictures would do them justice, but frankly, you’ll understand once you bite into these chocolate chip cookies. they’re so soft and delightful, i want to call them “cakies” instead of “cookies.” the only thing i’d change is the chocolate chips i’ve used and maybe .. MORE chips :)

anyway. i’ve been hollering for a scale in my kitchen. well, i’ve been measuring my ingredients the normal way– filling cups and leveling them off with a straight edge. but i’m proud to announce that i picked up a scale last weekend at sur la table :) i LOVE that place!!!

welcome home, my brand new toy :)

AND .. well, i haven’t gotten around to using it but this weekend i didn’t skimp on my intake of baked goods. my husband and i decided to treat ourselves to some goodies at sprinkles and well, i was only able to photograph what was LEFT of the cupcakes :) (the rest are happily saved for tomorrow)!

almond dark chocolate (left) and peanut butter chocolate (right). sorry i didn’t get a chance to share the banana and coconut cupcakes we INHALED. yum.

happy weekend :)

stuck in a meeting
this doesn’t pertain to me.
i am so hungry!!!

i didn’t bring a lunch today. i’ve started jogging in the morning again. i think i can safely say my attitude has improved, slightly. hopefully i’m on an uphill towards … what it is, i’m not sure yet. but. i have a LOT of shit going on for me in the next month. i really need to stay on top of my game and keep at being productive, especially outside of work.

i need to post more photos. i’ve been SKATING over the idea of posting this one photo of me at the picnic i posted photos of a few weeks back. it’s nothing glamorous, but i really do admit i’m quite crazed about my image on the web. yes. i’m a lunatic.

i’ve been a complete ass lately. i don’t know what it is that gets me started this way, but it seems to stick around for some period of time. i think i often behave depending on the people i’m surrounded by and what my chemistry with them creates. and of course it also factors with the situation that i’m handed as well. the worst part of it all, is i think it affects how people perceive me and how they interact with me in return. i’d say this is mostly at work so i’m going to adjust my attitude to improve the circumstances. and i say that with a nice, big SMILE.

NO sarcasm! NONE at all!!! i’m NOT joking.

*edit: i think that my “adjustment” would apply to all areas of my life. i’ve been sleeping late, waking up late, not exercising, eating indulgently, and just being indifferent to my constant self improvement. but i guess overall, that would still be under the umbrella of “attitude adjustment.” so do as i’ve done, and print out this sign for yourself and put it at your desk to constantly remind yourself you can do better, as i have (click for full size):

i’d LOVE for you to send me a pic if you actually use this :)

i’m in that mode again. in the mode where i can’t find anything worth posting. so i’ll spare you and myself with the 2309423094 journal entries that i will start and not finish by just posting some random photos that i’ve uploaded but never published for you to stare at. or not. i’m already looking forward to the weekend.

coconut cupakes with lemon frosting :)

so, the whole story behind my old job .. was that i got hired by a total moron. unfortunately, since he was such a moron, he got canned not very long after i started working. however, that displaced both myself and my coworker into the IT department where i was pushing to do some interface design for our shopping cart, and was lucky enough to get the opportunity to become involved with at least the first phase. anyway, for most of the rest of the time, i was pushed under an amateur .. he wasn’t our supervisor but our real boss called him our “team leader.” i’m not really sure what he did other than reject every single project that we were prepositioned to tackle with endless nonsensical excuses. it’s sad because i was SCREAMING to help and SCREAMING to take action to improve our company but i don’t know why he always seemed to just avoid doing any work. i can really literally go on for hours as to why his precense there was a complete waste of time and money, but it seemed there was a pretty general agreement by most that the dude was a complete hack. obviously my stories are all one-sided, but it was one delightful day when i came back to my desk after lunch one day to find a note from the VP of our company to come see her personally for a project.

now, keep in mind here that our entire company was primarily one ethnicity. and that ethnicity was NOT chinese, and NOT american. so i would often literally feel like i was in a foreign country working amongst this group as they would 70% of the time speak in their native tongue. and in my department, one of our developers LITERALLY worked right next to his dad, and at least once a week or so his mom would saunter in from another department handling a small plate with some birthday cake or homemade food to provide for her already jolly son’s bowling ball belly. and this instance was definitely not the only example where the entire family’s income depended on this company.

anyhow, when i met with the VP, i learned that she had wanted me to design a flyer for the company’s halloween party. did i pass up the opportunity? hell no. anything that i could do (as i did almost nothing for most of my employment there) was a huge treat for me.

not just that though, but she treated me royally. she called me “sweety” and gave me compliments for my work. ironically, she didn’t have a big reputation on being the nicest VP, but i liked her. mostly because i had heard that she hated our “team leader”and thought he was a waste of space like i did. my biggest regret was not letting her know that i was leaving the company; no longer could i tolerate my “team leader,” and i felt bad because i had designed this flyer for halloween and started my new job before the date of the party. in retrospect, i’m glad i left that crapchute. my co-worker eventually got moved to another department so my “team leader” got stripped of all his semi-subordinates. ain’t that a bitch?