Finally, I get around to writing about my weekend. It was great! Saturday, we left early and ate at IHOP, listened to some good music on the way and arrived in Columbus around 3. We met Brooks, ate at the Radio Cafe, and then saw Bowling For Columbine, which is a movie I wish every American could see. It was revealing, moving, shocking. Anyway, then it was time for the concert. Howie Day was great live. I hadn't really appreciated the MP3s I'd heard by him, but he was a great performer. And then Tori. I must confess I will never be a Tori fan. I love some of her songs, I accept that she has a great voice, but... 2 hours was too much? I hope Vic doesn;t kill me now. I thought many of her songs sounded alike, and Vic had to tell me the names of most of them. I did enjoy some parts of the show, especially her performances of Wednesday, Cornflake Girl, Precious Things and Take to the Sky.
After the concert, we stayed the night near Columbus, and got home early Sunday afternoon, so I had time to read and listen to music before returning to work Monday.

Work. Around 4pm, Monday, they had everyone switch cubicles. I was actually getting used to where I was sitting today. I had moved my books, posters, memos, fan. I wasn't receiving any job calls and was much calmer as a result. But of course they had to fuck that up. 30 minutes before the end of my shift today, I was told to vacate the cubicle I was at. But since I'd now be sharing a cublice which was already occupied, I had to move my stuff somewhere and sit somewhere else for the half hour. I was so fucking mad by the end of the day. They have now decided to switch me to taking only job calls, to having to talk to the stupidest people you can imagine all week. I can't take it. I'll ask/beg the manager to switch me back to customer service calls, and if she doesn't agree, I'm leaving. It was bad enough when less than half the calls I took were for interviews... but fuck, I hate having to change jobs right before Christmas. Why is winter always so damn difficult?

Work is becoming intolerable. Remember they closed the office weekends? They took it back. Even worse, earlier this week they asked for volunteers to work weekends. Thursday they told the volunteers they wouldn't be allowed, but some who hadn't volunteered, including me, would have to. But wait, there's more! I used to work 1-5 Saturday, now I'm told I'll have to work 9-5. Like, no fucking way man! Giving me weekends off, and then revoking that offer is bad enough. If they make me work 9-5 Saturday, I shall be actively seeking employment elsewhere. Up till now, I've been following the adage "Better the devil you know" but I'm not so sure anymore. I've had enough. Other changes at work include making us move from the cubicles and people to which we've become accustomed, and seperating duties for some. That means some people will only schedule job interviews, and some will handle fundraising calls. I'll continue to do both. Yay!
Anyway, now that the rant is out, I must mention that besides the crappy work thing, I love my life. Being with Vic is such fun, and just lying in bed reading and/or listening to jazz music is bliss. I love my wife, I love our home. Life is sweet - I wish I could be grateful more often.

Not much happening this week. I've been working on several mix tapes as Christmas gifts for family and friends. Listening to jazz music - I got Miles Davis' Kind of Blue at last, and I've been reading Slammerkin and Once False Move, as discussed on blog 2.
This weekend will hopefully be eventful. I'm going to a Tori Amos concert with Vic, and visiting Columbus for the first time. Hopefully we'll be able to squeeze in a few good movies too.

Wow, it's been a great day. I'm glad we decided to stay home. I got online a little, continued making mix tapes and cds (cheap Christmas gifts), read a little, watched Once and Again and Kissing Jessica Stein, enjoyed some time with Vic. It's a good day. Okay, now I'm going to blog 2 to write about jazz!

I created a budget! I'm kinda happy with myself about it. It was something we needed to do - take charge of our finances. So from January (hey, Christmas is coming!), I'll be restricting myself to about $50 a month on books & music & stuff - that will include my Audible & BMG commitments/video rentals/mail costs. I'm hoping we can stick to the budget. I'm also hoping to restrict our 'entertainment' to 2 trips to the theater per month and $20 a week for eating out. Anyway, it feels good knowing we can be in control, and not let any more checks bounce.
Being home on Saturday is nice too. I haven't spent a Saturday at home in over a year I think. And have I mentioned lately how much I love my Christina?

Yet another survey-type-thing...

A - Age: 25
B - Best Quality: non-conformity
C - Choice Of Meat: Chicken
D - Dream Date: Angelina Jolie
E - Ex (most recent): Nope
F - Favorite Food: Chocolate
G - Greatest Accomplishment: Victoria
H - Happiest Day of Your Life: when
Victoria first said she loved me
I - Internal conflicts: too many
J- Just say something: tis but a scratch
K - Kool-Aid: never had it
L - Love: Victoria
M - Most Valued Thing I Own: material
goods - my cd system
N - Name: Brendan
O - Outfit You Love: sweats & t-shirt
P - Pizza Toppings: ham, peperoni &
pineapple
Q - Question you want to ask: what's the
point?
R - Real world or Road Rules: neither
S - Sport To Watch: Soccer
T - Television Show: The Sopranos
U - Unique habit: smelling like toast?
V - Velcro or Velour: Velcro
W - Winter: is cold
X- X box or Play station 2: neither
Y - Year Born: 1977
Z - Zodiac Sign: Gemini

HAVE YOU EVER
1. Kissed your cousin: No
2. Ran away: Yes
3. Pictured your crush naked: Yes
4. Actually seen your crush naked: Yes
5. Broken someone's heart: I don't think so
6. Been in love: Yes
7. Cried when someone died: Yes
8. Wanted someone you knew you couldn't
have: Yes
9. Broken a bone: No
10. Drank alcohol: Yes
11. Lied: Yes
12. Cried in school: Yes

WHICH IS BETTER
13. COKE OR PEPSI: Pepsi
14. SPRITE OR 7UP: 7up
15. GIRLS OR GUYS: girls
16. FLOWERS OR CANDY: Candy
17. SCRUFF OR CLEAN SHAVEN: Clean
18. QUIET OR LOUD: quiet
19. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES: Brunette
20. BITCHY OR SLUTTY: Slutty
21. TALL OR SHORT: Short
22. PANTS OR SHORTS: Pants
23. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE FIRST: Depends
what I'm looking at
24. LAST PERSON YOU SLOW DANCED WITH:
Victoria
25. WORST QUESTION TO ASK: This one

What Moulin Rouge Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Been a while since I actualy posted. Life's been pretty quiet lately. Seen some movies, read some books, listened to some music, all of which I shall post about in my other Blog. I think the only news last week was that my office will be closed on weekends in future, so I'll be working Monday afternoon instead of Saturday. I used to get off at 1 on mondays and will miss my time at the library and occasionally at the theater. But it'll be nice to have an actual weekend, and not to have to request Saturdays off for special occasions. Anyway, life is quiet. But good.

[Significant Other's...]

Name: Victoria Christina Myers McCabe
Age: 23
Where they live: Elkview, WV
Height: About 5'9? I'm bad at judging height
Eye Color: Green, right?!


[Stats...]

When you first met: May '99 online, February 2000 in person

How long you have been going out: 3 years

Where you met: On a mailing list for the cancelled TV show My So-Called Life

How you met: I replied to her messages! Eventually that led to private emails, chats, telephone calls, meeting, marriage and becoming a submissive concubine:)

Did you have a crush on them: Yes!

If so, What attracted you to them: Intelligence, good taste, sense of humor.

Did they have a crush on you: I hope so.

Who made the first move: I think I did.

Where was the first move made: I think online, the major first move was to ask for her telephone number while on IRC. In person, a premature kiss minutes after meeting.


[Things you Share]

Do you live together: Yes

Mutual Friends: Sort of. Her friends like me, right?!

Favorite Pastime: Lying in bed together, either listening to music or reading.

Common Interests: Movies, music, books, food.

Funny Coincidences: We both worked at stores called Super Value.


[Do you...]

Think you can trust them in a room full of the opposite sex: Yes

Like their friends: Yes

Think they are your best friend also: yes

Think you are a good companion for them: Most of the time.

Think you are their favorite person: Yes

Think they would tell you anything: Yes

[Have you...]

Decided this person is 'the one?': Yes

Introduced them to your parents: Yes

Told them 'I love you': Yes

Had serious fight with them: We never fight physically. Usually one or both of us gets distant/silent. We usually make up quickly.

If so, about what: Money, housework, or me being a bitch :)

Shared a secret with them: All of them.

Held a secret of theirs: I think all of them.

Found any annoying things about them: Hmm.... no :)

A special moment you will never forget: Lots - saying 'I love you' for the first time, reading her letters, our wedding day, dancing in a motel room (both of us wearing headphones!), concerts together, exchanging rings, visiting friends out of state, being in Dublin and Glendalough together, having Vic see where I grew up and even read my diaries.



[Crazy Questions...]

If you signifigant other asked you to help them rob a bank so that you would never have to worry about financial problems again.. would you?:
I like to think I'd consider the concequences and talk her out of it.


If your signifigant other had to move overseas for a year and asked you to come would you go even though you couldn't talk to your friends and family back home for an enitre year?: Yes

My recent spending spree has resulted in us not having very much money right now. I hate how obsessive I am about things. Buying all these cds I don't need. The bank managed to charge us twice for 'insufficient funds' after we deposited a check this week. It's just so damn frustrating. Someone at work said she'd been charged $30 for being overdrawn 80 cents. I hate banks.
Anyway, I think I'm going to have to restrict my online time. I waste hours in front of this damn computer, my eyes are sore. I felt much better when I spent most of my spare time reading. I intend to stay offline all day Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
I don't think we did anything this week. It's film festival time again - I think we're just going to see 2 movies. The Pianist, which Vic's been looking forward to, and Bloody Sunday, which I've been looking forward to.
Basically, I've been working, reading a little, making mix cds and tapes. Oh, and I've been cooking most evenings. I've had enough Lean Pockets for a while! Tomorrow I'm going to try a mexican caserole thingy with tostitos, salsa, chese, hamburger and sour cream. And my chicken fried rice was a hit with wifey.
Tomorrow is November 4th, anniversary of the day I finally woke up and told my wonderful Christina that I loved her. She's the only person in this world who's been able to make me feel like I'm worth something.
I still love you beb.