Somewhere To Go When You're Feeling Poopy

As I know advertisers and marketing are always looking for something new and unique to drag the buyer in, this one I don't get. I can't imagine enjoying a night of dinning out and thinking about quality type food. I sure hope it tastes better than it looks.

IT IS WHAT IT IS

While it would be a fun place to serve ice cream or yogurts, having a hearty soup or a serious meal would not be my cup of tea. But I'm grateful that people exist out there that constantly swerve outside the lines and challenge the "box."

This Old House

Well after 25 years at living at my house a letter came today saying the owners are selling the property. Normally this may not be a problem, however it's a proven fact that the land on my street is being gobbled up by developers eager to tear the old down and erect the new. Could this be the next direction my life?

I've helped manage the property for the last 25 years, showing the apartments when a vacancy happens, taking care of the tenants complaints, alerting the management to any problems on the property, and I even have the side job of the gardener for both properties. I've gotten pretty comfortable living here these last 25 years and even installed a pond in my front yard as well as have a secret garden in the back.

I've been pretty much settled here and now at the age of 52, I'm not real eager to go on the home hunt. But I have learned that the universe makes a lot of choices for you and this one I have to let go of and allow whatever is to be, to happen. Most of the tenants - 9 units - are panicking and not sure what to do as we await our fate. My city is privately operated, no rent control and the landlord or new owner can give us a 30 day notice to leave at any time. I guess that is the uncertainty that has us all on edge. I've just painted my kitchen and bought new curtains, had a new floor put in as well as a new refrigerator. And even though I know change is good and necessary in life, I would prefer to leave things status quo for now. I also have taken care of a feral community of cats in our yard. It would be next to impossible to relocate them and I worry about how they would survive without my feeding them.

So here is my message to the universe...

I know I've gotten comfortable in my surroundings and my job. I'm ten minutes from work, come home for lunch and get home very soon after my work is completed. Am I in my comfort zone, yes! Do I want to make a change in my life right now, NO! But if you feel that this is the new direction my life should be going, I'll accept it gladly as I know you have a way of jolting me from my comfort zone, when I've not had the ability to do it myself. So, I put myself in your hands and will accept whatever change you make for me. Cause after all....

IT IS WHAT IT IS

I'm grateful for being able to have lived here for so long with great neighbors, monthly parties in our yard and being able to pay for a roof over my head. And if your choice is to have the new buyers continue to leave the houses as they are and not bulldoze a new apartment complex, well that will be even better news. None of us living here want to leave each other and it's rare to find a group like ours that balances each other out so well.

A Project is Consuming Me

I collect Olympic pins and have since the Los Angeles games of 1984. Been to most of the trading session in my area but I've not been that active in it lately. Back in the days BEFORE the Internet we known to the public, we used Telenet to connect ourselves together via our home 1200 baud modems and local BBS's (Bulletin Board Services). I ran on of these BBS's "Zola's Pleasure Palace", and used it to trade pins with people all over the world.

Since then, I have gotten many duplicate pins for my collection and have an Olympic pin page section on my web site "Visual Candy", where people can look at the pins I have extras of to either buy or trade with me. Problem with it is, the long list of text to scroll through and then click a hyperlink to view the pin, email me to see availability, and MAINLY me find the pin in the numerous extras I have, well I have not been doing a good job of staying organized and updated.

In the last few weeks, I have gotten a few emails to buy pins and I decided to make my life easier but organizing my extras in the same order I have my text list and also make sure it is current and up to date. After three weeks of working on it, I am proud to say - what you see is what I have. But..... then as I was putting my extra pins in order, I was looking through my 40 cases of pins in my collection and finding a few pins that were duped in my collection too. So I decided that was silly to keep two of the same pins so I set out to look more closely at my collection, making sure there were no more dupes.

Problem is, when I put the pin cases together year after year, I mixed up the years of the games making it really insane to look through 4,000 plus pins to see if something is duplicated. Sort of like playing that card game of memory. But the closer I looked, the more and more I realised just how many pins I had duplicated in my collection that I could put on line for sale or trade. I started to think back to all the times I trade pins with someone only to come home and find I already had it. An example of my collection cases, these are all NOC National Olymipic Committee pins from countries around the world.


The only thing to do is... to take every pin out of the boxes and sort them by the years of the games so I could narrow my search down. I have 10 cases to finish and that task is complete, (two weeks later - hey what else to do on the last few weekends of pouring rain and predictions of this weekend too). Okay and if that is not bad enough, the photos I have had on line - really suck at showing the pin well. Now that I have been blogging for a almost a year, I've learned the benefit of easily searching a "web site" for something.... Blog It..

Before (My old page)

After (Soon to be my new page)

So, here I am now, starting a blog after everything I have been through with my pins and my fingers poked stabbed and scratched by the sharp clasps on the backs, and MAN this is going to be my next major challenge. I've just started it and trying to keep up on three blogs now while working and watching my movies for my movie blog, well let's just say.... HELP!!!! I HAVE NO LIFE and that my folks...

IS WHAT IT IS

But, I'm grateful to have so many pins (which BTW - call me crazy but I really get off on the way they look) and I'm grateful I even know how to put them on line and EXTRA grateful when someone helps support my pin habit by buying some from my list. Hopefully my pins enhance their collections as well.

What a Differance a Year Makes

To think one year ago, I was on my way to Chicago to be with my childhood sweetheart that we rekindled a flame and I feel in love with. The man swept me off my feet, told half the world he loved me and we would be together soon. I swear we had our phones glued to our heads and could talk for way too many hours. He sent me romantic e-cards and even dedicated a song to me, "I can be your hero baby" which I even changed my ring tone to so he could awake me in the morning romantically. Long distance relationships SUCK and I swore I would not be in another one, but we had so much history (like 36 years). He even flew here a couple times so we could make sure our passion was for real and not just a fantasy. But alas, it was, as I found out when I decided to brave the cold weather and fly to Chicago.

I absolutely LOVE visiting Chicago but in the middle of January - well, that's just insane cold. But, the flame was still there in our voices as I boarded the plane. I met his adorable children and a lot of his best friends yet I felt I spent more time with them than I did with him. He acted as if I wasn't there... said he was pre-occupied with his ex and his move to Los Angeles. It would seem that most every other word was about his ex-wife until I felt I was there only to have the children return home to tell her they met me. I fear his only goal, to piss her off and hurt her as I don't think he is over the hurt with her.


But as I said, I LOVE Chicago and still has a great time in the snow, for the next few days. Though, returning to L.A. I felt extremely humiliated around anyone who asked how "my man" is and "when is the wedding." We went from gag me cute-romantically insane to absolutely nothing where he can't even speak to me again. My friends wonder what *I* did to ruin it in Chicago. For the life of me, I think I was on my best behavior and had a really good time. What's so frustrating about it is, I wish he would have never asked me to come to Chicago and meet his family and friends. I don't understand that but,

IT IS WHAT IT IS

But for my gratitude journal entry.... I AM VERY grateful to him for giving me those wonderful tingly feelings you get when you're in love. It had me acting like I was 16 again, my head in a cloud, giggling, saying things like "no, you hang up first", and just that wonderfully delightful feeling of being in love like a teen again. And I made a pretty cool art piece from some of my photos.

Aaaaaaaaah ... Can You Feel It?

Today I have no complaints. Instead, I am overly proud to be an American. It was like a breath of fresh air watching the faces of hope, in our nation's eyes, embracing the man who will take our country to the next level.

It's been a long time since I've seen the entire country rally around it's president. I really didn't think we as a nation, would get to that point again since the 60's and John F. Kennedy. But today, with the swearing in of our new 44th President, Barack Obama, it's a day of celebration as well as one to go down in the history books. The fact that this is the first ever African-American man to hold such a prestigious title, I felt enriched, looking out at our highly diverse country, knowing that at least for today, our country has put aside it's racial tension, and instead is celebrating our nation of color.



The crowds were gi-normous and what a rush that must be to stand before an ocean of people whom all adore you. Oh, to be a fly on the suit, traveling along to feel exactly how awesome that must feel. I can't imagine you can get much higher than that.



It showed in their eyes and their smiles. So here's to America and here's to the much needed CHANGE we all hope, he will bring to the United States.

Help - The "But First" Syndrome's Got Me

It was nice that the landlord arranged the floor dudes to come to my house on a Saturday to install my new flooring in the kitchen. I set my alarm to make sure I didn't oversleep, as to not upset progress. Here's my chance to also paint behind the stove and refrigerator. But first, what will I find back there? My goal is to paint behind the stove and refrigerator so it looks as nice as the floor. But first, the workers need to put everything in my front room. Now that my front room is filled with major kitchen appliances, it's nice to finally evict the nasty dust buddies that have been making this area of my house, their home. But before they can install the floor, I need to wash the walls and paint. But first, I must first go to the store and buy the paint. But first, I have to figure out what color it is I used before. Being a graphic designer at heart, I pull out my handy color swatch samples and quickly held up every shade of green till I could find something close. But first, before I can go buy it, I need to talk the guys into waiting for me to go get it. They agree but first, they must patch the floor. So I'm off to the store and pull in the parking lot, but first I need to explain to the day labors that my job is "muy chico" and I can do the job "solo - gracias." It's been almost an hour since the men arrived, As I carefully inspect color swatches for the closest match, waah laah, "Morning Oasis," yep I am sure that is the name of it. Off to the counter I go to get my paint. But first, I have to take a number to order my selection. Okay, so it couldn't have gotten much busier in the store, while I looked at swatches, and I am now proudly the holder of number 25 - they're on 18.

Once at the counter, I order my paint by name and I'm ready to pay until he says, "Will that be Glossy or Flat? Also, do you need any brushes?"And while I should know the answer to these question, it's just something I wasn't prepared for and as I just washed the walls, for the life of me don't remember seeing my face in their glossy surface. "Can you give me a minute and let me phone home?" But first, I have to find my cell phone and the number. Good someone answered and of course, it's semi gloss which always goes in a kitchen so you CAN wash it. I find my brushes and my drop cloth and back to the counter and I'm ready to pay. While he is ringing me up, I remember I get a discount as an Auto Club member. But first, I must find the card in my wallet before I request my savings. Victory, here it is, but now he must redo my invoice to reflect the discount. Heck, I've waited this long. So I'm anxiously ready to get back to my house for painting, but first, I have to wait for the paint to be created. Well remember those other 8 people in line before me, I'm waiting for them but finally, the paint is ready.

On the ride back to my house, I'm pumping myself up as to how nice it's going to look and how lucky I am the men were willing to cooperate with me and allow me to paint. But first, I must make a stop at the McDonald's and get myself some coffee as my stove is in my living room. But first, I need to call the men waiting at home to see if I can bribe them with an Egg McMuffin for my taking so long. They decline and I am finally home.


The workers have finished patching the floor and are now going to leave alone to paint. I've got about an hour before they return. But first, I have to wait for the floor to change from wet to dry. That gives me a chance to relax for a minute.


Floor is dry and I'm eager to start. But first, I have to find something to get the lid off the paint can. If I can find my screwdriver, I think that will work. But first, Blackie, my cat, is howling savagely to be fed. But first, I have to get to the cabinet where his food is stored. But first, I have to move the equipment the workers left to dry the floor. Problem solved, the cat is happy and I still have about 30 minutes to get paint on walls where stove and refrigerator will be replaced. Should be enough time but first, I need to remember where I put the screw driver down. The paint is open and I'm ready to go. But first, I have to paint next to the trim with the small brush. Opps, but first, I need to clean up the drop of paint I just got on the patched floor. Or do I? With less than 15 minutes to go before the men return, I'm rushing away to get the job finished. Who's going to see behind the appliances anyway? I grab some thick paint on the brush and stroke away. Okay done behind the stove but hey it's a lot brighter and cleaner looking, I think I have time to go all the way to the ceiling while the stove is out. But first, I have to go find a ladder. Grab the ladder and up I climb to paint. But first, I need to wash the walls so it will be a good job. Brush, brush, brush, brush, brush, brush, brush, I'm done. Just as the men are driving up. What have I started now? The entire room will need to be painted in order to match and not see what I've just done.

As I take a breather, the men finish installing the floor. But first, I must get the side of the stove and back clean before they can put it back. The new floor looks great and so does the wall behind the stove. Now all to do is put the appliances back. Everything looks so nice and clean and I thank the workers as they leave. I guess I've got my work cut out for me now. The ladder is once again returned to the kitchen so I can begin washing the rest of the walls. But first, I need to find throw rugs to put on the floor so the ladder feet won't scratch it. I find enough to work but first, I better put a drop cloth over the floor so I don't ruin the rugs with paint. But first, I have to remember that it's sitting in my car still, find my keys and retrieve it. With the floor covered up and and the walls and ceiling washed and painted, it's really coming out nice and really brightens up the room.

Time to put everything back. But first, all the spices have to be cleaned before putting them back in their rack. But first, the stove needs to be cleaned so it stands out nicely against the new walls and floor. Now onto the windows, ugh the window sills are not my favorite part, but first gotta take down the curtains and wash them. Okay dusted the windows out cleaned the sills and hung the new clean curtains. Now time to clean everything on the counter tops. But first, look at the grout on the tiles. Could be cleaner and brighter now to match everything else. Time to clean the grout. Perfect, now time to put things back on counter top. But first, have to wash and shine everything. Wow, that looks so much better but before it's complete, I have to do the wash the rugs now too. But first, it's 3:00 am and I need some rest.

Woke up finish everything and sit back and say, man that looks great. So even though the tiny job of painting behind the appliances before new floor installed, was completely over blown, I am grateful to have two new 100% clean rooms and a roof over my head for that matter. Hmmmm, think the rest of the house needs it now too. Next weekend, the bathroom!

Grid Lock At Register Three

Okay so you have a cat who you have just promised you will NOT return home without getting him some tasty snack treats from the grocery store. You've worked all day 8 hours, you make it to the store, you carefully select the tasty treats from isle 8 that you know are going to bring a smile to your cat's face and prove to your cat that YOU the owner are not full of shit, and you pick up a few things for yourself and head to check out. WOWSER, there are only 3 check stands open and the lines is each one are longer than the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years combined.

OH HELL NO.. I refuse to wait in a line of 20 plus people for something that is not even on sale. So I did the next best thing. Left my cart and walked out letting the box boy know that I'm sorry he has to put 30 plus cans away. Okay so I'm grateful, I have a few spare cans reserve at home to tide him over and the money to be able to afford to buy him, and myself, more.

Happy New Year

Why does it always seems like the days you have to work, your health is okay and the days you get to yourself, you're sick? That's my story to start out the new year. Been trying to fight back a cold since right before Christmas and waaaaaa laaaaaaa.... Sick for both holidays.

Yes, I made it through the Christmas party at work mostly sober and not standing out in my bosses eyes for another year. Trust me that's a hard one I've been living down for the last 6 parties. Doubled up on my vitamin C and felt pretty good all in the way to Chirstmas Eve. Then, the sniffles... OH no... I can't get sick..... break out the Euchanasia and extra Energy "C". Okay I feel good enough to go to brunch with my friends Christmas day. Back at work, everyone is sniffling and though you try as you may to not touch anything, you have to and before you know it, you are sniffling too.


Here's to a prosperous 2009. We have a something to look forward to. A new president and yet another year to make all those resolution we start out convinced we will obtain. My resolution... to not make one. Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Letters to Santa

December 01, 2008

Dear Santa,

I need a new DVD writer for my computer as I making stocking stuffer for my family of photos and videos from over the years. My old DVD is on the blink so I will help find the one I want on-line and please, can you help get it to me early, so I have time to make the gifts.

Thank you,

Zola


December 05, 2008

Dear Santa,

I and writing again to let you know, the DVD I ordered is the wrong type, something called "Sata" I don't have on my computer. Please if you can send that package back to the company as they know my mistake and I will reorder a new one. Same wishes apply, please get it here quickly for me. Don't worry, I'll pay again for now as I hope to get the money back for the first one.

Thank you,

Zola


December 12, 2008

Dear Santa,

The company sent me a tracking number for the second package to see your progress. I noticed that once it was scanned into delivery, it disappeared. Now I'm not saying it was you or any of the reindeer, but can you please check to see if it went over the side of the sleigh or something? Santa, please I really really do need that DVD for this weekend so I can get my presents done. Can you help find it?
Thank you,

Zola

December 13, 2008

Dear Santa,

The company is closed for the weekend so they can not help but if you could keep your eyes open and preform a miracle and deliver today, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,

Zola



December 15, 2008

Dear Santa,

Good news! The company found the DVD drive but it got lost and sent to N. Carolina by mistake. It will take 7-10 working days to relocate it. Don't worry Santa, I will pay yet again for a 3rd drive and get it in the works today. I'm sorry to take up so much of your time as I know how busy you are but, please keep your eyes open for my package. I am beginning to panic.

Thank you,

Zola


December 16, 2008

Dear Santa,

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU for getting my new DVD drive to my house today. I greatly appreciate getting the new DVD recorder and I hope the three charges for one won't be problem to correct later on. I may need your help to explain what all happened. Have a Very Merry Christmas - Don't eat too many cookies or you'll get a tummy ache - and please drive carefully. You can cross my house off your list now.

Thank you,

Zola

IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!!

Tell Me I Still Love The Rain

So it NEVER rains in California, and when it does, lord help the drivers of southern California. First, a horrible accident on the freeway caused many injuries and the closure of part of the freeway for hours. Next, the snow fall closed many major highways causing some people to be trapped in their cars for over 4 hours. And then there's me, who absolutely is running late for work but manages to make it right on time.

Yes my day is going great and I love the rain so I couldn't ask for a better day. The hospital bank statement allows me to reconcile in the fastest time I've ever had in six years, my errand before lunch is strangely fast allowing me time to slip into the shopping mall to finish me Christmas list leaving me still 20 minutes to have some lunch. "Awwwwwww, life is good - today is my day" I gallantly boast to my girlfriend on the phone as I leave to go back to work. But, as soon as you declare something to the universe, it has it's way of testing you.

While driving back, an older man pulls out from a driveway, crosses a lane in order for him to turn left. Alone that would not be a problem, HOWEVER, he stops in my lane as there is no where for him to go into the opposing traffic. DUDE WTF!!! I slammed on my brakes and hydroplaned sideways coming straight towards his car I even shut my eyes for impact and then there was nothing. No noise, no bump, no crash bang. Nothing, but the man glaring at me like I am at fault traveling on a 4 lane highway at 35mph. However, realizing my guardian angel at my side, I didn't get out of my car and strangle the man. But it did piss me off while giving me a valuable free lesson in what hydroplaning your car can feel like. SCARY when you don't expect it. And I had to laugh at the cocky attitude I just shared with my friend about it being my day.

So back to work, counting my lucky stars and try to get back into my love of the rain. But the rains clears up leading to sunny skies until it's time to go home. Oh yeah, exactly 4:50 pm, the skies open up and dump massive amounts of rain on the already oil slicked roads. And as I can see my co-worker could probably use a ride home rather than stuck on a bus, I don't offer it as I am sort of scared to drive farther than I need to, now with the rain coming down in buckets.

I cruise home as safely as possible and try to find a place to park on the street so my sis can take it when she comes over, as for her not to have to walk to far in the rain. Bingo, a place right in front of my house. It's a tight fit because a truck has decided to take 1 1/2 of the space instead of parking respectively. But the little Rav makes it the space, barely hanging out into the driveway.



But wait, what's this? Where IS the driveway?? It seems the water goes all the way up to the sidewalk and in a lamb attempt at spider woman, I thought I could jump (there really was no other way) and ended up to my ankles in a puddle. So much for breaking in the new shoes I just wore for the first time today. Okay, I'm grateful that I have new shoes.

IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!!

Can a Raise Really Help Your Spirit?

December 1st, 2008

First off, the city DID respond to me today regarding my trash man run in of the 25th and he was very concerned in what happened.

Now today's bitch......

Three weeks ago I was told at my job that my boss was "Making me an offer I could not refuse", which included a $2.00 an hour raise. But a pay period came and went and no change was reflected monetarily. So today again, yet another chance to boost me. No word was mentioned before I started payroll. One thing I have learned in the last almost 6 years at my job is, and in life, if you don't ask for it, you are not going to get it.

So I took a few deep breaths and walked into the doctors office this morning to ask for the raise long over due. I pointed out all the extra work I have preformed in the last year. He told me, "Are you saying I give you too much work to do?" No, that's not what I was saying... I pointed out since two people had left us, all their work load has been mine. He told me, "Do really you think you work hard and don't have enough time - I can find someone easily to do what you do" No, that's not what I said and told him yes EVERYONE is replaceable, this is true, but to get someone up to my speed would take him some time, or two employees. I explained that I am now doing ten times the work I was hired for, and also have been working for two other of his personal companies. He told me, "Do you really think that is so hard? Your position is the least important in the hospital," and he then shocked me by saying EVERYONE works harder than me. When I told him I totally disagreed and that sort of hurt what he thought about my performance, he poo poo me told me the boys who clean the animals cages work harder than me and continued to squash me like a cigarette butt on the floor.

(THE BELOW PHOTO IS COPYRIGHTED AT www.shutterstock.com/pic-779743.html)

I wanted to point out all the problems with the "other" hard workers that he is unaware of how I have picked up their slack too, but instead I held my ground and told him this wasn't about any other worker he had. This was about ME and what the others do was no business of mine. "You think you're pretty special at the hospital, but you should not feel that way because you are not." special at all. With tears beginning to form in my eyes, I explained that I was promised what I am asking for almost 6 years ago as they had told me, "Don't worry, we'll get you there fast." He still said NO, he had never made any special arrangements with me, he can find someone else to do my job. "The ONLY value you have to me is your loyalty and your honesty" he explained.

At this point I can not hold back anymore and as he sees the first tear drop cross my check. "How much is your rent?" I don't think he is allowed to ask me questions like that, but I told him the answer, he told me that was a lot to pay for my one income and then said "Okay add $1.50 an hour to you pay."

Now, I should be somewhat happy and feel good right? Well as a matter of fact, I feel horrible now. No, I'm not glad that I allowed myself to shed a tear in front of him. I don't feel good about my raise as it had NOTHING to do with the extra work I do. It had nothing to do with my job performance. It had nothing to do with the extra mile I go to be as efficient in my job as possible. Nope, the ONLY reason I got the raise was because there were tears in my eyes so I started to looked pathetic and he felt sorry for me. It's given me a knot in my stomach all day for allowing him to have that power over me. But, come next pay day, I WILL write it in my gratitude journal.

But I guess.....

IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!!