So, everyone else has done this, and I guess it's a change from ranting and whining.

You have a good imagination, and often exhibit sensitivity to others.

At times, you may tend to be overly sensitive to criticism. You can be excessively cautious or narrow in your outlook unless you receive the right kind of encouragement.

You have plenty of inner ambition.

The general flexibility of your character is a useful attribute. At certain times in your life, you may have romantic conflicts and difficulty maintaining friendships. You will overcome these problems after a little introspection.

Sometimes you feel jealous, and must avoid becoming overly possessive in your relationships.

There may be times in your life when you give in to feelings of sadness or depression.

Your personality is dynamic and attractive to most people. The more branches you find in your heart line, the more friends and lovers you will have. Your sincerity and compassion make people like you even more.

At certain times in your life, you may have romantic conflicts and difficulty maintaining friendships. These problems are not likely to last long.

There are inconsistencies in your energy level, possibly triggered by external factors or emotional changes.

You have a basically strong constitution, and should enjoy good health most of the time.

You were probably given a good start in life by your parents. This could be based on your general upbringing, or on physical characteristics you inherited.

No matter what other factors influence your personality, there is an under lying sense of practicality that you can draw on if you wish.

I think if tomorrow is any worse than the last three days have been I might just have to kill someone or something, just as stress-relief.

-Sunday, we took my parents to breakfast, and the folks at Hobees managed to not give back Fuzzy's credit card, which wouldn't have been an issue except that we didn't discover this until after they'd closed. Then on Monday morning, they told him they couldn't possibly go look and see if the card was there, he'd have to come by. Then when he called back, they hung up on him. (The card was there, but they hadn't bothered to call the bank or anything. Helpful folks. If only I wasn't so addicted to their salmon spinach scramble)

-Monday I got to the office early so that I could make sure my mother had all the tools she needed, but I'd forgotten to load Office on the laptop I gave her. So my stepfather said he'd bring my backpack with my laptop and software with him when he came for lunch. Well, he did bring the backpack, but first he managed to run it over in our Camry, and while my brand new camera and Rio Volt are just peachy, my less-than-60-day-old Vaio is dented, mashed, scratched, and dead. The LCD shattered. Auto insurance won't cover it, and while we have home-contents insurance included, which might have, in our HOA stuff (we're only six units, so yes, we have contents and structural through the HOA), I found out that someone had apparently cancelled the entire HOA policy. (I've emailed our treasurer, about that. I'm sure it's just an error.) And my parents are both mortified, of course, moreso since they're retired, and can't afford to give me $2300 for a new laptop. And don't even ask about Sony's warranty. I don't think they'd believe this was a tech problem.

-Today, all was going well. We made a verbal offer on The House. I don't think we'll get it, though our first loan is approved, because it's a little beyond our reach, and we're asking for a seller carried bridge second, and offering $40k lower than what they're asking (because their house is overpriced), and making it contingent on selling this. But, anyway, today's issue is more simple. My hard drive crashed at work. Hard. To the point where I can't even blow away partitions and start from scratch. Brian, our office manager, zipped right out and bought me a new drive (100 gigs as opposed to the original 40), but that meant I had to stay and set it up, because we don't have an IT person, or anything. Argh. Anyway, all was going well, and I had mail and web and everything working, except that I couldn't see the rest of the systems on our LAN. At 10:45, after making Fuzzy come look because I was tired to the point of hysteria, I realized the problem was a typo in the IP.

So, I'm tired and feeling stressed and stupid, and whining like, well, make up your own metaphor. I'm going to bed.

My mother and I share a love of figure skating, and it's become tradition that we go to both “Stars on Ice,” when it comes here in January, and “Champions on Ice,” when it comes every summer. This last January, my mother had the nerve to be at home in Mexico, so came with me, for which Fuzzy is grateful (he actually sleeps through ice shows), as am I.

Last night, my mother was here, though, and we had tickets to the evening performance. (Note to self: Never go to the evening performance when they've already done a matinee; unlike theatrical performances, skating shows show off the weariness of the performers.) Yes, it's sad, but true, there was a noticeable lack of energy last night.

But…
-Suraya Bonaly is still an amazingly powerful skater, though she is still failing to comprehend that she should use that, and wear bold costumes and skate to strong music, and not attempt to be flirty and girly.

-Michelle Kwan looked so happy and elegant, she was a joy to watch. As always. Well, almost always.

-Rudy Galindo is as irrepressable as ever, and apparently, we have the same hair stylist. (No, really. My mother informed me of this last night. “You know, B. does his hair.”) Well, cool, or something.

-Phillipe Candeloro might still be a decent skater, if he ever stopped vamping long enough to actually skate.

-Elvis Stojko will always be adorable.

-Alexei Yagudin skated to Bond

-The hula-hoop woman, Irina Grigorian, was fabulous. Especially when she skated while wearing a giant slinky.

As to the fireworks? It's become typical since last September for performers to do some overly sentimental patriotic gesture, even in ice shows. This ice show, which has about 50% of it's cast from Russia and the Ukraine, managed to pull this off without being cheesy: They began with Jimi Hendrix's version of The Star Spangled Banner, and segued into Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful, and all of the cast was in either stars and stripes, or red, white, or blue. And while I still think it was a little cheesy, there's something cool about seeing all these Russian, French, and Canadian skaters wearing America's colors.

At the end, the American flag dropped down over the arena, and fireworks went off. Yes. Indoor fireworks.

It was quite a night. And I even stopped obsessing about the house while I was there.

So, today I went to the fabric store with Mom, and then on the way toward lunch at Pomodoro, we saw some For Sale signs in our neighborhood. And on a whim, since one house was open, we went in.

And I fell in love.

We drove home and woke Chris and dragged him back.

It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (well, 1.75, really) and all hardwood floors, and an office/game room that I told Chris he could hang his posters in, and hey, , read this line: An actual outdoor brick charcoal-burning grill.

This link should take you to the house.

And this link should be the aerial photo courtesy of MapQuest.

And the question I have is: What kind of bribery would it entail for folks to come help us a) get the condo ready to show, and b) move in about a month when we close escrow, assuming we make the offer.

(Also, if anyone wants a computer desk, please let us know?)

So, and started playing the map game, and I guess it's my turn. I had to be pretty specific about intersection, hence this rare locked entry.

I think it's kind of cool that you can even see my neighbor's illegally parked car. Well, if you know where to look. :)

Map This

They've been here for only 12 hours and they're already driving me crazy. Last night, it was, “Haven't you gotten rid of that dog yet? She's a monster,” about Cleo, who isn't monstrous at all. Yes, she barks at strangers, but she STOPS once she figures out they're invited, and yes, she's overly affectionate, but my parents are failing to comprehend that, “She'll calm down if you ignore her,” doesn't mean they should talk to Zorro for three minutes and then look at Cleo and say, “You aren't calm yet.”

This morning, I was awakened by my mother's search for an iron. Now, I do love my mother very much, but she is a compulsive ironer. The woman irons t-shirts and pajamas, and I swear I caught her ironing socks once. Well, maybe not. And searching for an iron is no big deal, really (I remember seeing it, but we've been rearranging everything and I don't know where it is, most of my clothes don't require ironing). So I was awakened by her outside my door going, “Xenobia, Xenobia,” (well, no she was using Mom-ified endearments based on my real name, but if you think I'm typing them…well…never mind). Knocking, I suppose, which would have actually awakened me to the point of having brain functionality before coffee, was somehow beyond her capabilities.

There are suitcases everywhere, not stacked, just…everywhere, and the ironing board is still in the middle of the computer room, and none of the coffee mugs were rinsed, and these are the same people who are anal to the extreme about doing dishes at their house.

This shouldn't surprise me, though, because my parents are the same people who don't train their dog, and suddenly expect that she will know what “sit” and “stay” mean when they are visiting away from home.

I fear the day they have grandchildren.
I fear my sanity knowing that my mother will be working out of my office this week.

*AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

Yeah, that felt better.

So, I was dozing on the couch, kinda watching The Crocodile Hunter, when I thought of it…

Anyone remember TinyElvis? It was a program, an applet, really, that gave you an Elvis icon, who would walk across your screen, make a comment, like, “Maaan, look at that icon! Wow, that's really huge.” And then wiggle its hips or dance.

So, there needs to be TinySteve. This would be the Croc Hunter himself, and he'd bounce onto the desktop, crouch and go, “Get a look at that icon! What a little beauty!” or “Danger! Danger! Danger!” at random intervals.

Um, yeah, I'm tired.
(And alcohol free, too. Be afraid.)

…so anyone reading it is welcome to suggest things, or you can go without. In any case, yes, I am alive. Well, kind of.

Work is insane. Rates are low, which means the stock market is generally sucky. A tip: If you really want to invest in something, go buy a house. Real estate is hot-hot-hot right now. I know this because in the last week the five of us have originated 125 new loans. All of which I get to process. (Of course, I get a per-loan spiff, as well as commissions on my own originations, and a base, so, while I pretty much have no life during the week, it's worth it.)

The guys I work with appreciate me, though, and are supportive and generally cool. When asked what they could do to make my job easier, I retorted, “Buy me chocolate.” I was kidding, mostly, and they knew it, mostly, but for the last two days we've all been noshing on the three-pound box of See's they brought me. (I only eat the dark chocolates, and they pretty much all like milk, so this is good.)

Oh, and I have a private fax machine a mere three steps away from my desk, in my office with the token window. So, hey, at least while I'm going crazy, I'm comfortable.

* * *

And then there's the impending visit from my parents, who are currently in Palm Desert after driving up from Baja Sur on Sunday. They were supposed to arrive on the 19th, but now it looks like they're coming TOMORROW, and my bathrooms aren't really clean enough for parental company, and there's no time, and I finally decided I don't care. SInce they informed me, rather than asking, that they'd be coming, it's their problem. At least I don't complain about their neurotic dog who makes puddles of chocolate-pudding-like stuff on my carpets. (Yeah, you needed that image, didn't you?)

* * *

This sounds rather rant-y now that I'm re-reading it, but really, it's not. Just Xeni-babble. And yes, I can do this whole entry on one breath. :)

So, I haven't done a real post here or on OD for a week, and while I have things to say, my brain's not cooperating. So, a survey. Like that's a surprise.

I see… my dogs, and Fuzzy.
I need… more hours in the day.
I find… bits and pieces of chewed up pink plush aliens (Thanks Cleo)
I want… a bigger house…and a maid.
I have… enough.
I wish… we had just one more room.
I love… many.
I hate… ants, spiders, and temperatures over 80
I miss… summer rainstorms
I fear… being homeless.
I feel… itchy, and tired.
I hear… one of Fuzzy's incessant games.
I smell… leftover chicken.
I crave… my grandfather's iced tea
I search…for more books to read.
I wonder… if rates will stay this good for a while.
I regret… not being more outgoing. I suck at making friends.

When was the last time you…
Smiled? Tonight
Laughed? Tonight, after Fuzzy made some commment about the movie we just watched.
Cried? Last night, when I woke up having asthma issues, and couldn't breathe
Bought something? I bought a fax machine on Friday. Does that count?
Danced? I dance around my living room all the time. Shh. Don't tell anyone.
Were sarcastic? Me? Sarcastic? Never!
Kissed someone? About three minutes ago.
Talked to an ex? My most ex-y ex is in jail, actually, so, um, no.
Watched your favorite movie? I don't have a single favorite.
Had a nightmare? Not many, not since Fuzzy taught me the key to lucid dreaming.

A Last time for everything…
Last book you read: Second Thyme Around by Kate Fforde
Last movie you saw: We just finished watching K-PAX
Last song you heard: Um…we were listening to “Once More with Feeling” in the car a while ago. But I don't remember which track.
Last thing you had to drink: Water
Last time you showered: This morning
Last thing you ate: We had chicken tonight.
Do You…
1. Smoke? No. I can't stand the smell, and it ruins your vocal cords.
2. Do drugs? Only coffee. And shopping.
3. Have sex? Quite.
4. Sleep with stuffed animals? Not since I was seven.
5. Live in the moment? Sometimes
6. Have a boyfriend/girlfriend? I am married to a SNAG
7. Have a dream that keeps coming back? Yes.
8. Play an instrument? I sing, and play the cello. I'm learning to play the piano.
9. Believe there is life on other planets? I believe it's possible.
10. Remember your first love? Yes
11. Still love him/her? Not romantically
12. Read the newspaper? Sometimes.
13. Have any gay or lesbian friends? Yes
14. Believe in miracles? Yes
15. Believe it's possible to remain faithful forever? Yes
16. Consider yourself tolerant of others? In theory, yes, in practice…not as much as I should be.
17. Consider love a mistake? Never
18. Like the taste of alcohol? Depends on the drink. I do /not/ like brandy or sherry.
19. Have a favorite candy? My favorite grocery store candy is York Peppermint Patties. 20. Believe in Astrology? Only as a form of entertainment.
21. Believe in magic? In the Clarke-ian sense.
22. Believe in God? I can't answer this within the confines of a survey
23. Pray? Not specifically.
24. Go to church? Only when I'm craving a free Bach concert
25. Have any secrets? Yes
26. Have any pets? Two small dogs.
27. Do well in school? I tested well, but never saw the point in homework. If I hadn't gone to a performing arts school, I'd never have survived high school.
28. Go to or plan to go to college? Yes. Hated that too. I don't do well in highly structured environments.
29. Have a major? I'll never tell.
30. Talk to strangers who instant message you? Not generally.
31. Wear hats? I collect hats.
32. Have any piercings? Two in each ear, though only one in each is ever used these days.
33. Have any tattoos? I have an on-again/off-again interest in tattoos. But no actual ones.
34. Hate yourself? I hate specific things about myself. Like, I hate that I'm shy, and snobbish.
35. Have an obsession? Words, books, reading.
36. Collect anything? Hats, rare books, fountain pens, stationery
37. Have a best friend? Yes, actually.
38. Wish on stars? Never.
39. Like your handwriting? I used to have really nice handwriting. Now, thanks to computer work, I don't. Ugh.
40. Have any bad habits? Yes.
41. Care about looks? Sometimes.
42. Believe in witches? Not in the Halloween-ish green skin and warts sense.
43. Believe in Satan? No.
44. Believe in ghosts? Yes, for the most part. Or at least, I believe in the possibility.
45. Believe in Santa? No.
46. Believe in the Easter Bunny? No.
47. Believe in the Tooth Fairy? No.
48. Have a second family? Yes. In fact, I have my own room at my friend J's house in Littleton.
49. Trust others easily? No.
50. Like noise? Sometimes.
51. Take walks in the rain? Yes.
52. Kiss with your eyes closed? Sometimes.
53. Sing in the shower? Always.
54. Own handcuffs? No
55. Have any scars? One.

I can't focus on what I'm doing, or what I'm trying to get done, or even on stringing together coherent sentences, so, here's a quizlet for which I blame . I'm rather disturbed by how accurately this result depicts my mood right now. I really need to interact with people more, I think.

Which of the Mayfair Witches are YOU Most Like?

Find out now! Only from the Quiz Junkie

And then there's this quizlet, which I'm blaming for, because she doesn't get blamed for enough :)

What Natural Disaster are you? Take the quiz!