The Holidays and Telemarketers

I got the big report for work out the door Monday, late. It was a big push and many hours, but it's finally done, sort of. Unfortunately there is still more to do, but for now it's done, and my body just crashed on Tuesday, so stayed home and slept. Next up, Christmas.



Along with feeling stressed about work, I was not liking that time was just breezing by and I hadn't finished Christmas shoping. The tricky one this year was mom. I had collected two items for her over the months, but didn't have that last, great gift to give her. And then, of course, I wanted it to be good as I won't be spending Christmas with her. The good news, is at lunch while out shopping with friends downtown, stumbled upon something - of course, when I wasn't looking. I'll stop by Harvard Square tonight for the last three things I need, and than it's just a matter of packaging everything up and wrapping. I just checked and all the packages I had ordered online (gotta love amazon and ebay) have arrived. So I'm coming down the home stretch.



Tomorrow's my last day, at work, and then off to Vermont, which means no more blogging until the new year. So, as a holiday gift, I leave you this link (it had me crying with laughter - especially as I've started getting telemarketing calls on my cell recently).

Random summary post

In an effort to keep regular posts, and because I'm procrastinating, here's my random post. In knitting world, I haven't been knitting. Short story there - it's funny because I think it's what my friend Cece was talking about, I have three sweaters right now - will love them when they are done. But they are fairly boring stockinette stitch and I've been too busy to knit (crazy talk).



In work world, which seems to be my world, I've been super stressed trying to get a huge report out for next week as well as close up a bunch of projects. Doing one or the other of the tasks would be a feat in itself but doing both is just down right crazy. However, still pushing forward because it will be so nice to come back to work in the new year with a clean slate (well, as much as possible). That being said, I can't wait until I'm done with work next Thursday and can kick off the shoes and crash. I feel like I'm back in studio and pulling the late nights before the final review.



In holiday world, I've got to say I'm not really there yet. Even though I work right next to Macy's downtown, the decorations don't seem to be bringing me into the Christmas mood. I think I've been too busy running around with work and trying to figure out what to get people. Case in point, my Uncle Fred (I don't think he reads this, so should be safe for now). It's taken a long time, but I think I finally thought of something to get Uncle Fred that 1) he doesn't already own, 2) he wouldn't think to buy for himself, 3) will be a surprise, 4) he will actually use, 5) will get there on time.



In dating world, I have lined up a bunch of dates for the new year which is exciting (if not all that promising). Granted, one might have fallen through as I just sent back responses to his questions this morning, and having not slept well and being stressed, I'm a bit punchy. Backstory is that this was the fellow that my coworker is also communicating with online and he sent a fairly similar question to her (what is a sustainable building consultant), so wanted to answer differently. Here it is (and back to work for me):



What is a green building consultant?



It's been scientifically proven that painting buildings a shade of green provides an optimum environment to work and play in. There is more harmony, less stress and productivity increases. But what shade? There's so many choices out there - you have everything from the warm yellow based greens to the wonderful blue toned greens - that's where we come in. As a green building consultant we help you through the decision process to find the best match for your needs.



Actually, I've been thinking of changing the title on my business cards to something like 'environmental building consultant', as people don't really know what to make of the 'green' part. I have had people think I worked in the landscaping industry or even in design where I did help with the color selection (just so we are on the same page, the first paragraph is completely fabricated). My job works to make our built environment more environmentally responsible.

Disappointing/Interesting

Disappointing news first: was talking with my colleague at work, Marie, who is also doing the whole eharmony online dating. We don't usually share stories too much, but some how it came up that we were both communicating with Thomas. Prior to the conversation, I was all excited about him as he seemed really neat and fun, but interestingly enough, knowing that he was talking with someone else (just like I am) kind of deflated my hopes. On the up side I think it will be fun here on out to compare stories and joke about it.





Interesting news: just got this email from another colleague at work. It's really strange how our mysterious brain works.





"Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it...





I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe."

Work and Play

Again, I find myself working on the weekend. The good news is that this will end come the new year (promise) as it's the final push on a project I got dumped. Next time it will be different (honest) and I do love what I'm doing.



Plus, having taken a breather from the whole online dating thing, I've jumped back in and have a new batch of boys. I'm starting to line them up for the new year - plus still haven't been able to get together with Doug from round 1, but finished his book - well, one by the same author, which was really a fun, quick read - it's called Them: Adventures with Extremists by Jon Ronson.



I feel like last time was a test run. I've thrown out the whole open minded attitude - and am being a bit more selective, kind of. There are two that I am hopeful about the others should just be fun. So, with out further ado, here's the roster:



Thomas: He has fun photographs and really seems to have a fun personality. He seems to have a fairly similiar background/interests which I'm starting to realize makes a difference. He's in marketing/advertising and talked about laughter (plus) "Did you know the average child laughs 410 times per day and the average adult 11 (true stats based on a study done by Crayola - I worked there for several years)..." Sounds goods.



Chris:

An Industrial Designer - again similar back grounds (plus). Seems like a fun and laid back guy. Had a good book listed (plus): The Immortal Class about a bike messenger and his life in Chicago. And lives in Cambridge - another plus.

Stephen:

He's from Scotland - enough said. Ok, so I love the scottish accent, plus he works with children with TBI so that always gets points. The thing is he is 6'8". Now, I'm bad with measurements, but I know my brother is 6'4" (I think) and he's pretty tall in my book, so I can't imagine how tall this guy is - only one way to find out.

Tim:

This one is for the parents (jk) - he's a struggling musician, working as a waiter (I think). He seems a bit young for me even though he is only a year younger (more of a newer soul I guess). But has a lot of good energy and positive outlook - a good person to get to know.

So that's it for now. A fun break from work to read responses and profiles.

Travel Plans

As some of you know, my brother is off in Delhi clerking for the Supreme Court Justice there. Of course this just begs one to come visit and my whole family is making a pilgrimage east. My Dad and Barbro are heading over in late Jan/early Feb, and mom and I are visiting the last three weeks of February. We bought the plane tickets awhile back and have been reading up, but just this week in a flurry of emails we have finally started nailing down our travel plans. I thought I'd share (even though they are not completely booked), as it's a fun distraction from the daily grind (and I definitely am needing a break from work).



So, here is a map of India, Delhi is up there in the north (in the pink state). Three weeks seems like a long time, but you factor in jetlag (this is the other side of the world), travel time (India is a big country) and general down time, and there isn't much time left. The basic idea is the first week will be spent in and around Delhi - catching up with Nick, and seeing the touristy sites. This will most likely include a day trip to see the Taj Mahal, and possibly a day trip to Jaipur. (Delhi, Taj and Jaipur form the tourist circuit that most people do).



Next, we are hoping to fly to Mumbai (formally Bombay), which seemed to have moved last time I looked at a map. I could have sworn it was further south, but it's in the purple state there, on the west coast. Nick lived there one summer so will show us around. Than hop onto another plane down to Kerala which is the green state at the southern tip. It's gorgeous country downthere, known for their backwaters. We are looking into a state run package which basically provides hotels, travel and some food.



The hotels are wonderful and range from an old Dutch palace, to thatched cottages on stilts. It's a 6 day/5 night package and we have our own driver who can take us around on designated tours (I think). The first two nights are at a tea plantation (must start drinking more tea now, still wish I enjoyed it more than I do). A night in the heart of a game reserve, another at a bird sanctuary set in some mangrove woods (note, look up what mangrove means), and our last night just outside of Kochi (the big urban center of the area), where we get to our hotel via boat.



The last leg of the trip will just be to fly back to Delhi, have a few days more to see the sites and hang out with Nick and than back to the U.S. Doesn't that sound wonderful! It's definately been fun planning and now that the date is getting closer I am engaging in it more. An interesting factor has been my brother. He's been wonderful in keeping us moving along in figuring out exactly what we want to do and making plans. He's even taken on the role of travel agent and booking most of the things for us. It is easier for him to handle the arrangements for us since he is over there, and also, he needs to book farther in advance as he isn't there on a tourist visa so has to go through different chanels for reservations.



Oh, I almost forgot the other part of our trip. So, it's a long flight to India. When we were booking flights, it was a choice between an hour layover somewhere in europe or a 10 hour layover. Frankly, mom and I felt the one hour was cutting it too close, so we chose a flight that via red eye, gets us into London in the early morning and leaves after dinner. Perfect arrangements for a day trip and am hoping we will go visit the new Tate Modern. Last time I was in town, it hadn't been completed and have been dying to visit it for years now.



So that's the plan for now. Nothing booked yet, but working on it. Did get the Visa, so am good to go. Although I still haven't gotten my shots yet. I'm really hoping we don't need malaria pills - I hear they really do job on you, plus I have the whole don't swallow pills thing.



Between travel plans to India, running around for Christmas stuff - think I'll get the tree this weekend, and work being super stressful, I've been fairly busy. The whole dating thing did get put on hold a bit, although there is a new one on the radar who I will wait to write about at another time. That my friends, is my weekly update (ok, not so much an update, but more like installment).