Ferris Wheel

As promised. Some photos that at least somewhat capture the panic I was feeling. I may look happy in the first one, but it's pretty clear in picture #2 that I was NOT considering the Ferris wheel all fun and games. . .

Big-E + Big Money

This weekend, I went to the Big-E with a group of friends, and it was the perfect kick off to my fall! If you've never heard of the Big-E {you're missing out!} it's an enormous fair, the biggest in the Northeast, I believe, that has animals, unending gastronomic delights, shows, vendors, concerts, rides, petting zoos. . .I could go on forever. We spend like, 8 hours there and didn't even see everything.

We did however enjoy spotting an albino cow, visiting the state houses (a building for each New England State), and enjoying the likes of apple cider slushes, Craz-E burgers (Well, only one of us indulged in that. . NOT me), foot long corn dogs, and giant creme puffs.

The Craz-E Burger (a bacon cheeseburger sandwiched between 2 glazed donuts)

I also went on my first {and last, I hope} Ferris wheel ride. Ever. It was terrifying. My heart was jostling around in my chest the entire time, I was having trouble breathing and gripping onto the sides for dear life.

I thought I'd be totally calm. I thought we'd start going and I'd realize Ferris wheels are amazing and I've been missing out. I thought my fear of heights/falling/amusement rides wouldn't rear its ugly head causing me to threaten the life of any of my fellow riders that tried to be funny and shake the little carriage. I thought wrong.

I did survive to tell the tale, however {obviously} and it did not put a damper on my day.



And as if that wasn't enough for one weekend, this most glorious fair excursion was followed by a shopping spree this evening. The likes of which I haven't been on. . .well, maybe ever. A friend and I headed to a nearby shopping area after church and I made out like a bandit. Not to mention, I got this adorable winter coat on sale for $70 off! I'm thinking when I look over my budget tomorrow, I might be in physical pain. But I'll be looking dang good in my new duds the whole time!



(Too bad it was like 85 degrees out on Saturday. . . I won't need this puppy for awhile)

Date Stamp

Part of my new job is the {invigorating!} task of date stamping all of the mail that comes in for my department. Thankfully, there are 4 of us who work in my department, so I have some fun companions to make this a little more exciting!

The other day while engaging in this most auspicious task, I had gotten through a little over half of my {fairly large} pile when I noticed that something was off.

I never changed the date on the date stamp!

For a company that operates heavily based on dates, this is definitely not acceptable. I literally slumped onto my desk for a moment in a sort of physical pain, because I knew exactly what this meant.

Hello, white-out. . .

. . .and an extra 15 minutes of time spent on mail.

Well after my coworkers has finished, my date stamp could be heard pounding away as I hurried to correct my error with the proper date, and get to another fun task: coding mail.

I know you're dying to know what that is. . .but I think I'll save it for another day.

*********
In other exciting news. . .

Fall begins tomorrow at, like, 11PM. I'm super pumped {if you haven't guess based on my recent blog entries} and have already begun to decorate the apartment. I don't have nearly enough, though, and am thinking I need to hit up Target for some extra fall fashion. I almost bought a few things there this weekend, but somehow spending $40 on a wreath of fake Japanese red berries seemed a little unnecessary. But, then again, what's more unnecessary is a totally bare front door when there are so many lovely ways for it to pop!

Although, I'm am going to the Big E this weekend {yay!} so maybe I'll find some darling, fall handicrafts there!

Boston Shore

I had quite an interesting experience last night while T-ing home. I stepped onto the T and it was as if I had been transported into a filming of the Jersey Shore, Boston style.

**If you don't know what The Jersey Shore is you should look it up. It is the most vulgar display of dysfunctional (and tan) humanity I've ever seen. It's basically a bunch of guidos and guidettes drinking and having sex, with a ton of Gym, Tanning, and Laundry thrown in. . .otherwise known as GTL.

. . .Oh right, back to my story.

So, there I was on the T, and I see this group of 4 guys and a girl were splayed around the seats. I walked past them and sat down nearby in an available seat. I noticed that the guys were all wearing the same light wash jeans, white sneakers, tight graphic T's displaying their well sculpted biceps. And let's not forget the spiked Guido hair, which probably took longer to perfect than it took me to get ready that morning.

The token girl was wearing bedazzled Uggs, ripped to shreds jeans, and a tight low cut top. Her hair was fried into submission, straightened to within and inch of its life and she was an unnatural tan for this time of year.

The first thing to come out of her mouth after I got on the T was "God, I totally didn't get to go to the gym today!"
Thus, began a long discussion among them all about their almost daily gym habits, sprinkled with some sexual innuendos.
Following, was a lengthier discussion about tanning and who goes where, for how much. Snooki wannabe was loudly proclaiming that she got free tanning from her landlord at his tanning salon.

This prompted Ronnie wannabe to ask her what she wore tanning.

"Nothing," she replied, "I don't want tan lines. . ."

"Show Me!" Guido 2 cackled and they all started laughing. Snookie made a motion like she was going to unbutton her pants.

"Whoa, whoa" Guido 3 calls, "save that for when I take you home (or at least something along those lines)!" More laughter erupted, while I tried so hard to keep a straight face. Not because the joke was funny, but because they were so freaking ridiculous, I couldn't even take it!

Surprisingly, laundry was not discussed, so the trifecta wasn't quite completed but I think that's only because they got off the train. Darn.

The T is such an interesting place sometimes. Can I get a fist pump?

Rant

Today I had my first official crazy caller at work.

I've beened warned about them from the start, but have yet to receive one. With less than 2 hours to go in the work day, I answered the phone to hear a person informing me that they had taken a pill and were feeling better.

"Uh, that's great," I said., "who are you trying to reach?"

Crazy Caller than went on a diatribe about how they'd been trying to reach Kim (made up name of someone at work!) or her partner in crime, or their supervisor but were unsuccessful.

Crazy Caller then sarcastically asked if reception was the only person in the office today. And could I just take a little walk around the office, and see if there was anyone even there besides myself?? (all demanded of me in the sicky sweet, I'm-sounding-nice-but-hope-you-know-that-I'm-in-a-really-bitchy-mood-and-don't-piss-me-off-further kind of way)

I refrained from informing CC that, I am, in fact, NOT the receptionist, but that because CC had been crazily calling the receptionist ALL DAY, they were getting transferred around to assistants in the office.

After doing exactly, what she didn't want and passing CC off to yet another assistant, we all gathered round to hear the conversation.

After getting nowhere with their attitude, CC then called their employer who called us. Although, the result probably wasn't what CC had in mind, as their employer informed us that CC was mental (ummm, duh tell us something we don't know) and asked if we had security (CC was also threaten to come down to our offices)

What a total whacko!! At least we had some entertainment for those awful last few hours of work.

Tomorrow could be an exciting day. . .although, our manager has asked reception to please keep the front doors of our suite locked all day, so only employees with their key cards can get in.

And to think, I imagined when I started pushing papers, my crazy stories about work would be dead. Crazy Caller is apparently single-handedly on a mission to make sure that doesn't happen!

Buell's

The last few days have been exceptionally delightful as that much anticipated fall weather starts to settle over Boston.

I wish I could find the words to describe the mix of nostalgia, romance, and joy that overwhelms me when I step outside into the fall air.

As a young child every year my family and I would make a trip to Buell's Orchard. I can still see the long windy roads we would drive along, splashed with the orange, yellow, purple, and pink colors of fall. We would listen to Christmas music in the car. Twila Paris was my favorite, especially "In the Bleak Mid Winter."

Upon arriving, my family and I would head straight for a little wooden stand off by some young trees. Trays and trays of free donuts and cider were set up along the hut. I would dance around the counter, trying to avoid the cloud of bees that was inevitably buzzing around all the sugar.

Hay rides, apple picking, folk music, and pumpkins followed. We could take the biggest pumpkin we could carry and, boy, did I take that seriously!

Once it even snowed on the way home!

I hope when I have kids there are orchards nearby to take them to. I hope there are sticky cider donuts nibbled by baby bees and cider fresh from the press. I hope they have to hold tight to their sister while on the hay ride to keep from being jostled off. And I hope they belt out Christmas music on the way home even though it's way to early and they won't listen to it again until after Thanksgiving.

**If you're wondering where my sense of humor went and what brought on this bout of sentimental goo. . .sorry. Fall weather always does this to me. Just wait 'til the leaves start to change, and I get my first caramel apple. . .

Mike's Pastry

I love playing tourist in my new city

It's so delicious!

Sit Down!

I normally like to share ridiculous situations with you that I get myself into, but today, I'd rather just share with you the ludicrous T ride I had on the way home.

First off, let me just give you some context:

I leave work at 5pm everyday along with like 3/4 of the city of Boston. I also work downtown about a 3 minute walk to Quincy Market, etc. etc. Every tourists destination in the city of Boston.

Thus, when I leave work and hop on the T to head home, I'm usually sardined on the thing with dozens of other weary commuters and sweaty, lost tourists. Getting a seat is a major score (one which I managed today!) and everyone else just clumps around, trying to keep a hold on something so as to avoid taking everyone else out if it's a particularly bumpy ride.

Today, after charging past everyone and sitting down with the hopes of taking a little nap on the way home, I watched a girl lumber onto T and squeeze herself amidst the other folks right next to my seat.

She appeared somewhat agitated, but otherwise was fine for the first few stops out. Then, after a particularly bustling stop, this girl apparently decided it was totally appropriate to sit down. In the aisle. Among all the people jockeying for even half an inch of personal space.

And there she sat, while people literally had to climb over her, squish around her, and take out other people in order to get past her to the door. Evidently, she was completely unphased by the fact that she was a)generally in the way of the 300 hundred people packed in a 2 inch space, b) was a total hazard. I mean what if there was an emergency she would be trampled to death and probably also cause other people to die from getting stuck behind her.

Everyone on the T, including myself was incredibly confused and mildly horrified, and frightened a tad. No one bothered to ask her to move. In fact, a wide berth formed around her, despite lack of space, so that strangers were literally slammed up against each other to avoid being too close to her person.

I've never been so glad to have managed a seat on the way home from work as I was today.

(Oh, she did eventually move when a seat opened up and she crawled (??) over to the seat and sat down.

Even when my life isn't a joke. . .it still kind of is. . .

Ain't There Anyone Here for Love

This song is from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

It's a movie starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. I watched this tonight and when Jane Russell started singing this number I died. Depending on how well you know me, you'll know why;0)

If you're confused: I like men and their muscles. I don't enjoy sports, nor am I good at them. I think you can take it from there. . .

Edible

I'm assuming you've all heard of a little (big) company called Edible Arrangements??

If not. Go here and then finish reading this post.

I have wanted to receive an Edible Arrangement for the longest time. I mean, seriously, how could it not be great to get a bouquet of fruit flowers; some of which are dipped is glorious amounts of milk chocolate. It is both incredibly beautiful, and wonderfully delicious!

Imagine my joy, when about an hour into work, a man breezed into my quad and set down this enormous Edible Arragement. Ripe for the taking {pun intended:0)}. Apparently, it had been delivered to him by someone whom he refused to name, and he decided to share it with the entire office. Since my quad holds the scanners, people are in and out all day, so I guess he figured it would be a good spot for it.

Uh, sure no problem. I'll sit next to this artistic, wonderful bouquet of treats all day sir!

In the end, I only ended up partaking of a chocolate covered strawberry and a piece of some seriously great honey dew melon. Given that these people basically throw food and drinks at us all day long!

I heard that if we think this arrangement is great, we should wait until Christmas. OR Friday. Which apparently is pastry day. Pastry day complete with sexy delivery man.

Oh, and did I mention we have a gym in the building? If I had any questions about why, I now know. We should all basically be forced to do our work while riding on stationary bikes!

I wonder if I could get something like that started. . .

First Day!

The first day of work was incredibly successful!

I venture to say that there will be some ridiculous stories to tell, despite the fact that the insurance world is not exactly "hopping," as they say. Still, there seems to be a fair number of lovely characters who I'm sure you'll get a peek of now and then.

Of course, I will have to be much more careful about people and places remaining anonymous. Much bigger pond with much bigger fish and all.

For today, it was enough to just wander around taking in the free breakfast and lunch we have catered in each day, as well as the free gym and enormous refrigerator full of delightful drinks. I nearly swooned at the sight of rows and rows of diet Snapple iced tea lined up and ready for my drinking pleasure at any time!

The girls I will be working with are lovely (I already know one of them) and I think sharing space with them in our quad of cubicles will be a bright spot during long days.

And today, to top it all off, I made the cutest little friend on the T ride home today!

"Look," said the sweetest little boy Elijah (who was standing next to me), "there are 2 of you!"

"There are 2 of you too!" I said pointing to the window. He giggled and then proceeding to smack himself in the face to see if his double would as well. A rousing rendition of The Wheels on the Bus followed as we barreled along under ground. He asked me to sing a song too, but I refrained out of concern for the ears of other T riders. Twenty-three year olds are not quite as cute as a 4 year old when belting out nursery songs at top volume.

I'm thrilled that my first day went well. Even though there are a lot of details to remember, I already feel like I'm catching on quickly. Good thing because I may or may not have spent an exorbitant amount of money this past weekend on some lovely clothes for this new gig. . .

LDW

It's hard to accept that Labor Day Weekend is basically over. I've never been specifically attached to this holiday. I mean, it's great and all, but it's no Thanksgiving.

Labor Day Weekend 2010, however, was one of the most superb weekends of my summer. And thus, I'm sad to see it go.

This weekend began late Friday afternoon. My roommate picked me up directly from work and we fought the traffic and hurricane Earl (hah!) to head to Amherst. A fun filled evening gave way to the best day of my best summer weekend.

Saturday morning a group of friends and I packed up and headed to the most glorious secluded location along the CT River. Based on the limited number of people that passed through, I'd say it's a pretty well kept secret, and I have no intentions of spreading word of its where-a-bouts!It was like being alone on a perfect secluded island.

Other than some boaters and kyakers we had the lay of the land.

We were also able to canoe down a ways and enjoy a fabulous rope swing. Actually, let me rephrase: some of us enjoyed the rope swing.

You had to know there was a story here!

and so we begin. . .
I've never actually done a rope swing. And despite being a little hesitant I decided to give it a try, but definitely not as high up on the ledge you were supposed to jump from. Down farther closer to the ground.

In a move bolder than I expected of myself, I grabbed the rope, hiked up and went for it. Except it was a little more challenging than I realized. I was, after all, close to the ground.

You know what happens next. First my left leg/knee slammed into the ground and I began skidding across the water and ground. I let go of the rope only to smash my left hand into the ground and face plant into the water.

You know that awful stinging/numbing feeling you get if you belly flop or just hit water really hard? That was the entire left side of my body. and my right leg.

I hit the water so hard my contacts flipped inside out.

It hurt like a son-of-a-gun. And I did NOT try the rope swing again!

I still can't even kneel without being in severe pain, but no matter. I'm over it! My botched rope swing attempt didn't stop the rest of our days fun.


The weekend concluded with lots of shopping for new job clothes (I start tomorrow!) and a glorious day today at Nahant beach. Well, semi-glorious anyway. The water was freezing and after a painful dip in the frigid water my friend and I hightailed it back to the warmth of our blanket, and the hilarious background noise of the intense bocce ball players who nearly came to blows over a throw!

And so the weekend comes to a close. How fitting that I would begin my new job the day after labor day. How fitting indeed.

footle

That's right, you read me correctly. Footle.

Several weeks ago, a friend told me about this fantastic word, and I've been simply dying to use it ever since, and still haven't found my moment.

"Surely, you must be joking," you think.

And you would be wrong. Footle is indeed a real word, which means:

v. to talk or act in a foolish or silly way
or
n. nonsense; foolishness; silliness

Most of you probably know that I have an incredible love for words. Hearing them, using them, reading them. Particularly, I love discovering and using big, crazy words.

Basically, I'm just waiting for the day when I can tell someone to, "stop footling around!"

What is the point of this ridiculous post, you wonder? Well, there isn't one. Except that this funny word just makes me smile (and sometimes giggle) and I thought it might make you smile too.