Ask, and... you shall receive.

Two weeks ago, I got back from my trips and didn't have very much to do. That is actually an understatement. It was so bad I actually looked at my boss and said, "I need something to do." Because I (in all my anal-ness) had already re-formatted the company phone list, and made copies for everyone who wanted them, and I felt the need to be productive.

He said "I'm swamped." But he didn't give me anything to do. So I said something to the COO, and she said.. "Oh, we'll find you something to do."

In turn I went from NOTHING to do. To stuff to do. To a lot of stuff to do. To busy as hell within two weeks. Monday, my was my new boss's last day. NOW, I went from busy as hell to holy mother of ridiculous busyness.

It's good times. All I know is I go on vacation in 9 days... so for a week, there will be NO busyness.

Today's happy list:

• Kudos from upper management
• When a not-so-good situation works itself out
• Vacation countdowns in single digits
• a new "mix" that you love
• Being lost in the moment (Thank you Big N Rich.)

Swollen nastiness

Just thought I would share... p-haha

Yes, that is my stomach in all it's glory. It is a very ambiguous angle, but sure makes my tummy look gross. It is a close-up, as the bruise is about 8-9 inches in length.

Details on the injury below if you missed my last post. ha.

It's official, I need to retire from sports...

Friday was my first pain-free day with my back. So I was excited to play in my doubleheader on Friday night (that was supposed to be followed by a soccer game on Saturday afternoon.) I play softball with a bunch of family friends, every spring and summer on Friday nights. The team has been together in some form for about 19 years or so.

The first game of the DH was against the team we can't ever freaking beat. We come in SECOND in the league to them EVERY FLIPPING YEAR. It's a bunch of 45-60 year olds men and women who place the ball perfectly and sit on pitches until they get a walk. We usually don't lose games, but that team has our number. Annoying. VERY annoying.

So, on my first at-bat, I got a hit an went to run out of the batter's box, and the back, hamstring and rear end pain came back. It was LOADS of fun. The game went on. We lost to them... again. And, unfortunately, we don't play them again this year to get revenge.

So the second game was against a local baptist church team who got thrown out last year because they are a bunch of pricks. It's always been ironic to me that the church team is full of the biggest jerkoffs in the league. They argue with the ump, the other teams and even themselves. The pitcher teases the batter with his ridiculous wind-up. They slide into girls on plays that aren't close enough to even slide. (And you really don't need to slide in softball.) They complain to the ump for stupid things like the player who is coaching first base having their glove with them. The runners screamed in the 2nd basegirl's face to try to throw them off when catching a throw to second. They are just asses.

All of the above happened last night. No, they didn't get kicked out again - unfortunately! Combined with an ump who doesn't understand the infield fly rule... it was a wonderful night. Just lovely.

I am the pitcher. It's not the safest spot on the field in co-ed ball. In fact, when my dad was alive, he wouldn't let a girl pitch. Last night was an example of why... I pitched to this guy and he drilled a line drive waist high right up the center - into my stomach.

I finished the play and got the chick out at third, then I realized it hurt. After a few quick tears and a little drama from my team, I insisted on finishing the inning and game.

So the next at bat, what does the prick church team guy that hit me in the stomach do? Drill a ball up the center, this time off my foot.

I am fine - bruised and pretty freaking sore, but fine. And I am not a baby, nor do I think people need special treatment, but there are rules to co-ed softball. And this team needs to be kicked out of the league. It wasn't fun. We didn't even want to shake hands. Half of the team didn't. It's ridiculous.

And now we have a losing record. I am not happy with that.

AND, no soccer for me today. I get to sideline it and cheer. RAH RAH.

ANYWAY...

I still have things to be happy about, so...

• Ice & Advil
  
• Being hit in just the right spot so there was no major damage
  
• My softball team. I love them all
  
• My sister being there to try and protect me and keep me out of harm's way
  
• The beautiful weekend that is in front of us (And since I am on the DL, I get to relax and enjoy it.)
  

Poor boys of summer...

Well, I went to the game tonight... but I am sure glad i didn't pay for tickets. I had my work tickets which are just to the left of these:


Good Seats, but torture when you have our bullpen (and Eric Milton at times). When will the pain end? So bad, that in 2005, Joel Luckhaupt who blogs about the Reds, created this team portrait, as South Park characters. Can you name anyone you see?

:)


Today's things to be happy about:

• Tomorrow is another day
• Great company at the ball park
• Good, FREE seats
• Funny people
• Google Images
  

Happy in the YOH!

So, it's sunny out - and I have nothing I am OBLIGED to do today. It is a fantastic feeling. Down to the point that the lawn mower is broken, so I even have an excuse to not mow the lawn!

I love that.

I did, however screw up my back last week, and then played softball and stuff, so my whole body is aching today. BUT, I've had a great weekend. I am in a generally good mood today. I mean it is 5 months into the "Year of Happy." I should be happy right?

This week, I found out that I made it into school for the summer, and will be headed of to Minneapolis for 13 weeks. The change of pace is MUCH needed. So, I am excited. I have been in Cincinnati for more than 7 consecutive days. I got new brakes last week, so my car will stop if I need it to - which is always good. Gray's has some interesting little plots going on, but the new spin-off looks to be pretty good too. I actually have work to do at work - so that is enjoyable. I orchestrated a highly successful happy hour on Wednesday - which was supposed to be a pre-game for the Rod Stewart (free tickets) concert and people-watching - but it got canceled. He was sick. We won my co-ed softball game Friday (17-5) despite me accidentally walking someone home. (I had to get warmed up. It was my first game this year.) I had a great post-game dinner, drinks, etc. with the boy. My niece had first communion yesterday. She was adorable. I had a good time Cinco de Mayo-ing it up with the GTP friends - with margaritas and my current drink fav, mint mojitos. It will be the poolside drink of choice for vacation. Vacation is in 19 days.

How could I NOT be having a good YOH? RIGHT? It's been a good week. So I should use today to check back in on everyone else... right? This is just a reminder to savor the Year of Happy and make every year one from here on out.

Today's list of happy things:

• mint mojitos
• summers away
• a boy you like
• bigs hugs
• a big city that is really a small town
• impending vacation
  

Poland... Pics

Pics from Poland. None of me, but that, of course, is how I like it. :) Enjoy!

Cute little cobblestone streetscape just outside Old Town

Another church looking out the Old Town "castle-like" walls

The Castle-like wall surrounding Old Town, from the stairs of the church above.

One of the MANY Catholic Churches in the area.
My favorite part is the little old lady on the bench

The entrance to Old Town

Another Church

Pope John Paul's parish, before he became Pope

Just another cool shot of Old Town

Poland...

Well, my trip was fine. I have lots of pictures of cool buildings and stuff that I can't identify. I will be sure to post those once I get them off my camera. That is cool and all, BUT my co-worker was smart enough to take a tour... and his post says more about Poland than I ever could... so, enjoy!

Poland

Today's things to be happy about...

• Losing weight though eating pierogies
• Antibiotics
• Experiencing history first-hand
• Knowing we live in a different world, where society (in general) tries to learn from their mistakes
• Sleeping in your own bed after a long trip

ok, i lied...

I wasn't back and I didn't repair my ways... I am one of the worst bloggers EVER. I am sorry - and busy-ness shouldn't be an excuse, but it is the lame one that I am using.

In the last two weeks, I have been in Chicago, then Miami, am sitting in a hotel in New York right now and am headed to Warsaw, Poland tomorrow. Vodka research... no REALLY, I am not kidding. I get back this weekend.

I also have a killer sinus infection - which is awesome when flying - and sitting in the research room sniffling. My back is also KILLING me, despite spending the AM at the chiropractor. It's good times here in Tina's travel world.

Something to be happy about: When I went to Miami, I voluntarily got bumped and "earned" 400 free delta bucks... you gotta love free trips from being bumped on a trip you didn't pay for to begin with. WOOHOO.

So I have never been to Poland. Apparently, the weather is very similar to home... I need to do a little investigation on what to do/where to go. We are doing research, but I have a day or two to wander. So I am open to suggestions... Anyone? ;)

I also FINALLY got my school application out to my 13-week boot camp in Minneapolis, MN this past week. It is a HUGE weight off my back. Now they just need to accept it!

Anyway, I hope to be more loyal to this thing, but we'll see if my life actually lets that happen! Hope everyone out there is doing well!

Missing you... and 10 things about the flea market...

I am sorry that I have been such a slacker. I have been busy, and REALLY tired... so, again, please forgive me. I promise to get better! I have to catch you up though, so I had an interesting weekend a few weeks back that I thought I would share with everyone AND I found an interesting quote to begin the post about my weekend...

One of the hardest tasks of leadership is understanding that you are not what you are, but what you're perceived to be by others."
-- Edward L. Flom,CEO of Florida Steel

My mom wanted to sell a bunch of junk, so she had the opportunity to sell them at the flea market, and took it. So I went with her to help. It was highly entertaining and relatively successful. But I thought I would share the 10 things I learned at the flea market a few weekends back...

1. Somewhere, at some time, someone made jeans with elastic bottoms
2. Some women still where vintage red Reebok hi-tops as their original style. (You can get yours on ebay)
3. The Simple Life (with Nicole and Paris) has apparently influenced a whole new population of chihuahuas dressed in clothing and accessories... so much that there is an entire store that sells dog purses and special strollers made for dogs! (Yes, at the indoor flea market! Aisle 7.) Here were the supermodels, in their full glory.
   
   
4. You don't have to clean your hands between touching the register/money and touching the food... even if you are working the popcorn/food station. Who knew?
5. There is actually an inexpensive place to buy stainless appliances - new! Seriously, if you need them.. try the indoor flea market!
   
6. People sell and buy the weirdest stuff ever... from an entire booth dedicated to beef jerky to guy with everything imported including the stretchy ball shaped like a boob that looked like a kids toy, not an adult toy.
   
7. There are very few booths with "used items," rather these are true business ventures for people who either make things, or ship them from Taiwan or China inexpensively to sell for a profit.
   
8. If you want a bargain, just tell them you are a "dealer," with a booth "down in aisle 5." (Like they'll check... but you can probably only do this a few times, before they wonder what you sell too.)
9. Overalls are, overall, just unattractive.
10. You can't sit in the back of the booth and TRY to write a creative brief for work, but it won't actually happen. That is because the entire idea of a flea market is distracting - the people, the stuff, the people... just give up... take it all in, and write a blog about it later!

:) Happy March18 folks!

Today's things to be happy about: March Madness, naps, a glimmer of hope in the office pool, Steamfresh vegetables, girl scout cookies, and two days to work off the weekend before your weigh-in.

My horoscope from today.

I loved it. So it's today's thing to be happy about:

Tackle this issue from a different perspective. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to ask a kid what they think of the situation. While the answer may not have practical applications, it'll make you laugh -- and see the light.

Good stuff for a Friday. Happy March2 Folks.