Scary people.

I have come to find out that a large number of people in my office are terrified of my VP. When I say terrified, I mean, would run around fanning her all day if they think it would make her happier or make her like them more. I've got news for these people, someone who actually gives you POSITIVE feedback, is extremely energetic, albeit demanding and driven, is not. that. scary. Have these people never worked with REALLY short-tempered people or am I just missing something?

I mean.. although I have great respect for this person as a lawyer and would definitely assert that her intelligence rivals most execs I've met, I almost peed my pants when, at my old job, this woman yelled...slammed things...and exclaimed "G** DAMMIT!" from the kitchen. Why, you ask.. Well, duh.. we were out of water. I mean that's enough to make anyone curse and scream, right? Uh huh. Coping skills, people... Coping skills.

I think I just came from a high-stress environment where the job in itself is adversarial. Leaving that behind with daily personal things is often not so easy in an office full of lawyers. So, in comparison... this really isn't anything. One person that's demanding and intense? Not so bad. Plus, I rather LIKE stress. I mean.. I DID go to law school after all. There's a part of me that gets a rush from it.

This is in NO WAY to discount the fact that my VP commands attention and expects perfection. But, to me, I dont think that's asking too much. There are often things out of one's control that make things imperfect. I will likely do something at some point that royally pisses her off. That's life. I still try my hardest. But, do I live in fear like a couple other people up here that her mere gaze will turn me to stone? Um. No. I have better things to do...like work.

I think my favorite was when, there was a problem with a powerpoint slide and I just went straight to her to resolve it. A couple other people were shocked that I seemed to be that brave. What?! Newsflash...if I try my best and she hates it, that's her problem, not mine.

Gah.. I've learned so much in my short little career out of school... lol!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAUREEN!!

A quick shout out to my favorite reality show addicted friend! :) She's in Baltimore for the week, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY, chica!!!! She turns 25 in about 15 minutes (on Monday) :)

This photo is from her bday LAST year after BONSAI birthday at Osaka! haha! :)) Hooray, Maureen!!! See you soon!!

COMH...and Gracie :)

Hello people! I'm back from the big D! So.. in a nutshell....

I was taking COMH pics and this is what Gracie was doing. She seriously looks like it's PAINFUL for her to stay awake when I keep her up past her bedtime. It's quite cute.. b/c if I pick her up, she just goes limp like "Ugh.. I am sleeeeeeeeping...Stupid human."

On the way back from Dallas, I stopped at my first IKEA store!! :) I wanted Brooke to come shopping with me, but IKEA got me first.. lol! I got some awesome stuff and then came home adn went to Pier1 with my bday gift cards the next day to find other stuff to match...like these awesome candle holders....

My whole thing was that I have SO much orange/red stuff...and I'm tired of that. I wanted more blue/green, but didnt want to spend a lot of money re-do-ing everything.. then this PILLOW appeared.. It has BLUE and GREEN and RED and ORANGE! I can incorporate!! HOORAY!! (note the red/orange candles in the bkgnd that I DONT have to get rid of now!) HOORAY AGAIN!
Whew.. okay.. so I also got a kick ass floor lamp for about 10 bucks, an area rug for 14 and a cool shelf for 9. I cant put up the shelf...but as soon as I get help.. brace yourself for the fun.

My first sales rally was a true learning experience..

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1. When I'm told "Oh, you dont have to be at breakfast until 7:45 or so" that actually means 7:15. Thank God I'm a control freak and was early.

2. When told "fill up the rental on the way back," that means "There's a gas card in the folder to use" (I used my own credit card. Jackass)

3. When dancing commences after the dinner, apparently I must dance in order to prompt others to dance. I also must participate in the CONGA line with some of the older (and drunk) agents.. haha.. It was hilarious! Thank God for me having little inhibitions....(there are photos on my work computer that I'll get off and post. .Trust me..they're a laugh)

4. When told NOT to prepare message points for a breakfast meeting, prepare them anyway. *sigh*(source of major stress)

5. Don't leave your work cell in the rental car when you return it (oops)

6. Dont park on the opposide side of the rental return thereby making me have to walk around the perimeter of the building...

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All in all, it was stressful, but an excellent learning experience..and there was nothing like looking out on that meeting and realizing I had really orchestrated it. I mean.. we have an event planner (she's the one whose job I took actually) but as for the speeches, agendas, scripts, powerpoints, cueing the mics, the slides, the videos, etc.. that's all me. I sit in the back with the audio guys and basically loudly whisper things like "cue X's mic..." and "freeze this slide.." and "cue video in 5"...It feels very "producer" LOL! :)

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I think the hardest thing is coming into a job where nearly everyone knows everyone else...and everyone who works closely with my VP knows her a zillion times better than I do...and apparently she's a bit hard to impress...I know it will come with time.. but for my first meeting, I did a good job.. but will do some things differently for the meeting at the end of the month. The stress was crazy..but it was "good" stress as opposed to some I had dealt with in recent times elsewhere. Let's just hope I get positive feedback...I still really like my job... but IKEA was an awesome stress reliever after the rally...

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Hope everyone had a great weekend! :) Blogger spacing is being a bitch. Sorry about the weird plus signs.

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Confetti Guns are dangerous?

1. Apparently the hotel for our rally wont allow the use of confetti guns. Damn. (I love my job!!)
2. Heard on the news this morning that a new study on the human brain reveals that a brain "in love" looks similar to a brain that's on drugs. Um. That explains a lot. I shall research this more.
3. It's a good thing I'm a control freak. Our MC for the meeting told me he really didnt need a speech/message points. I went ahead and wrote them anyway. Good thing. He can't MC the meeting (which I leave for tomorrow). YIKES! So, (happy sigh) we already have stuff to transfer over to someone else. :)
4. Nicole confirmed. She is preggers. Shocker.
5. I've been looking at flights lately and lemme just say.. Southwest is NOT the cheapest anymore. Ghetto.
6. Did I mention that my VP loved the speech and powerpoint I did for her? Yeah. Well. Not to toot my own horn.. but TOOT!
7. Aaron's officially somewhere on his way to China. :) He gets around the globe more than anyone I know. Be safe if you can read this, A! :)
8. HAPPY AUGUST!!! Where did the time go!!??!! Can you believe I started at my job almost 2 months ago?! Whoa.

"I'm going to delivery a baby.... b/c that's what I do"

Funny if you've seen The Waitress.

Anyway, busy busy today.. but.. some things!

1. Sales Rally this week in TX! :) Hooray! Cross your fingers that I dont royally screw up. haha.
2. They discontinued the best dog treats in the world, frosty pops. Stupid. I went to THREE grocery stores at like 9:30 last night. Boo. :(
3. Beginning to feel like I'm never going to see Aaron again. *sigh* 2 months people.
4. I want to see the OK pics of Brit Brit. Have you?
5. I worked until 5:45 last night and was like "whoa.. this is late" haha.. Nice change of pace here from the old firm.
6. I booked a flight to LA for Labor Day weekend for a wedding with Aaron's friends from college!! Hopefully will be a good time! :) It's nice to meet HIS college friends since he's met mine. We all know mine are better.. but whatever. ;) Also....I really just want to see a beach...I'll even settle for a polluted one.
7. Blaze is going to play with Gracie while I'm out of town with work! Thanks, Blazer!! :))
8. I like the sound of cicadas. Am I weird? Likely.

"Tell him that's the secret handshake...."

So, our housemom, Mom Jan, just took a housemom position at UT (she's sticking with Chi O, though) :)). Kat, Aud and Sarah all came in town to help us send her off right! She was literally packing the Uhaul as we were there.. It was great to sit with her in the old Chi O living room and reminisce, catch up, and basically just hang together.. :)


Good old McFarlin.. Where I spent WAY too many nights writing papers at the last minute.. and by last minute I mean 3 or 4 am.. STARTING them. Nice . Met lots of people that way.. avoiding the inevitable that is.. I think that was when George and I had our first conversation actually! Ah.. McFarlin.. lol!

"MJ" as we often called her was the one who saw us all go through a LOT of growing up, somehow made sure we stayed out of trouble, got fed, were taken care of if we were sick, all while letting us do the college things like come home loud and intoxicated at 3am without saying a word.. :) Love me some MJ! Did I mention that the friggin house at UT has a POOOOOOL?! Yeah. Assholes. :) Do you recognize this room? This position? Yeah, I thought you. Dirty whore. ;)

The sign/headstone that someone thought wouldnt really look like one. Whatever.. we love it :) I wish I could scan the photo in of our senior year when we all looked a leetle younger, a leetle less posed..and a bit more silly (as I laid backwards over the sign while people dog piled all around it. :)
Hangin at Jenny's on Friday night. :)

Eating at Cosmos.. and playing Apples to Apples.. .aka my new favorite game b/c I kick ass. I'll kick yours. Fact. ;)
Gracie and Henry... the cutest little friends EVER. Watching them run around with each other might have been the most entertaining and adorable thing Ive seen in awhile. I took videos.. Really.
Feeling more comfy with each other, the two new best friends literally wrestled with each other ALL breakfast on Sunday morning! It was HILARIOUS! Gracie would pin..yes pin.. Henry.. then wham.. he'd jump up and get her... I think we're gonna have to do mini dog playdates more often.. :)
SO great to see everyone and have a rather girly weekend!

Oh.. and thank God we're a bit older, a bit wiser.. and drink a bit less.. b/c I got pulled over coming home from Jenny's on Sat night.. Yeah.. Pulled over.. for failure to use my blinker. Um.. we all know that's just probable cause to attempt to nail a DUI. I was PARKED in front of my apartment... It was thrilling as I sat outside my apt for an hour convincing the officer that I really DID live right there, etc.. But, what's nice is as soon as the "Im actually an atty" words came outta my mouth, he wasnt even interested in seeing my insurance. Who knows if that had anything to do with it.. or that he just realized he pulled someone over who was sober, PARKED in front of her HOUSE, and basically not an idiot.. Whatever. I got a ticket for the blinker, but likely avoided an impending "blow" test.. (which I SO would have passed.. I had 2 beers all night after all) Annoying. Irritating. Surrounded by Tulsa's finest.. but.. could've been worse, right?

New facebook status..

Jax is "kinda weirded out that random dogs...that I dont even know their owners...want to be Gracie's friend on facebook."

Isnt it weird enough when strange PEOPLE ask you to be their friend? Woof.

This just in.

I'm tired of pink. Expect a new layout soon. That is all.

Additionally,

BB8- Nicks hair looked retarded last night. Fix that, please, Nick. Danielle, your boyfriend is a sweetie. In denial...but a sweetie. Dont screw the greaseball.

SYTYCD- I heart Lauren. If she goes home or is in the bottom, I will be very sad. I also heard Pasha even though he kinda sucked this week. Most of all lately, I heart Niel. I might actually vote next week to save them. I might.

California....knows how to party.....

HOOOOOORAY AARON on his LAST day today of the CALIFORNIA BAR EXAM!!! I was going to post a photo of Aaron...something fairly embarassing, but fun... and I was just too tired when I got home last night from the OK bar people. So, maybe when I get home tonight... :) At any rate, KEEP KICKING ASS ONE MORE DAY!!!! By the time you read this, CONGRATS on being DONE!!!!! I wish I was there to celebrate with you!!! Get packed for Sin City!! :)

So, last night, more newbie attorneys in the making were welcomed into a select group. This group is the bar takers.. the ones who understand-truly-what it's like. I mean.. even as a law student, I didnt "get it" until I took it. On its face, it's "just a test." When you study for and take it, it's so much more than that.. It's not only a right of passage...but a seemingly indescribable experience of stress, frustration, drive, solitude, insanity, fear.....and finally...victory. Congrats to you all!! Hooray!!!! Welcome to a month of manic-depressive worry, drinking, and sheer joy that you're done....while waiting for your score! :)

Last night was fabulous!
- I drove us. :)
- Empire. ITR. Kampai. Jewel. Empire. Grey Snail.
- "I wear my sunglasses at night" and "Livin on a Prayer"...dancing and acting them out
- Kelli: "I want 4th Meal!" (Off to Taco Hell we went)
- My fav from EVERYONE "I failed. No, I really did..." (familiar?)

So...as I was sleeping.. I heard this.. (picture it....sound asleep... peaceful...ahh...) "BZZZZZZCHINGCHINGCHINGBZZZZZ.." What?! It sounded like a weedwacker was eating my bed! The window unit (yeah, I live in an old bldg) in my bedroom apparently decided it was breathing it's last breath at about 3am. With a few more coughs, sputters and a weird final "whiiirrrrrr," it was done. Here's the bad part.. I cant really call my LL's to fix it b/c my apartment is kinda messy from watching not only my dog, but Shelby's while she took the bar. I mean.. it's not THAT messy, but enough that I dont really want my LL's in there, ya know. Sooo...I'll clean then call. Til then, it's no sheets, no comforter, no breeze in the boudoir. *sigh*

Oh, quick shout out to Shelby for finishing the bar exam and trucking through...despite the TPD calling her at lunch DURING THE EXAM to tell her "Sorry, ma'am, but you're apt got broken into. We need you to come identify what's missing." Shit. She got most of it back, but seriously.. that sucked. They found the guy sitting in her neighbor's bed and smoking a cirgarette. Gross.

***Last night, I even found out a friend might need a roomie! We'll see, but its definitely something to investigate! I like that we're all older and mature now.. and we can just say "yeah, lets discuss it and see if we could live well together" instead of "Yeah! Let's do it!" then grow to plot each other's deaths everytime they walk in the door...haha***

Why don't you live with me?

What am I talking about, you ask? Well..all of you lovelies who comment on my blog are normal...but you're either married or dont live here. BOO! Why are there no normal people that I could share a house with...at least that I know of??!! I love living alone, but I am kinda tired of apartment life...and kinda want to save more money...and kinda want a yard for Gracie...and kinda want my very own driveway/garage/not parking off the street. I could go on and on.

I mean.. let's face it.. I had a GREAT roommate in Aud who totally made me blind to the fact that roommates can SUCK. I think I'm good to live with.. I'm quiet, respectful, clean, dont party too much, pay my bills, like reality tv.. I mean.. good qualities. :) But, those of you know the story AFTER I lived with Aud. Sometimes even good friends can be. bad. roommates. (aka letting strangers screw in your bed..on top of your laundry while you're taking final exams...) So, since then, I've lived alone. But, it gets expensive, lonely, and annoying. I dont mind the lonely part as much as I want a porch...and a yard...and..and.. *sigh* Maybe I will really start thinking more seriously about this.. Hmm... DAMNIT, Maureen, why do you already have so much furniture??!!! :)

SWF seeks midtown-loving roomie who enjoys splitting bills, having a yard, and not being crazy. Thanks.

PS. Thanks for the comments on the "skank" :)) It was the nicest thing I could come up with when the image of her entered my line of vision. (For those of you who are curious as to only PART of the story, see my old blog re: "the friend")

Love love!!

Addition: While on my work trip (love saying that), a girl in STL told me about The World Market. I think I love it. Go there. It's like a cheaper Pier1!! If only we had one here! www.worldmarket.com :)

For those of you who say I could never take a bad photo...

I realize you're just being nice..but here's proof to the contrary anyway. Shelby made this last year featuring this very day (Wed..aka the last day of the bar exam). *************************************************************

Jax. Not tan. No makeup. No sleep. Barely showered. Passed out on a feather boa. Get ready for tonight, bar takers!! Aaron is headed to Vegas on Friday when he's done.. so I have a feeling my photos are tame compared to the damage he'll do... lol! I already told him that I'd buy his brother a present if he makes sure Aaron doesnt pass out in some hooker's lap or something. hahaha!

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The only shame is that Stacy is in the photos. Eh well.. This was before I realized she was a dirty skank. I still hope she passes the Idaho bar... cause failing would just suck when you're already a dirty skank. Yeah. It's my blog. I say what I want to.

Lindsay Lohan is an idiot

Seriously. www.tmz.com If she doesn't do more time than Paris, there is something seriously wrong with our legal system. Oh yeah.. kick ass on the bar, future lawyers and judges. Sheez.