Such a busy time!

Alright everyone, it's been quite a busy little time for me.
Well, busy and yet not.

Lets go in order shall we?

Sunday night:
Had dream I was laid off. This was not me panicking. This was me happy, and deciding how best my day was going to proceed. I had decided in the dream that I was going to walk to the library every day, which is up quite a good sized hill. This urge to walk it every day, meant that I was skinny (less jiggly) by the time 1)I moved to England next year, and 2) the wedding.
It was a good dream.

Monday morning:
Come into work to find that 5 people had been laid off.
Go have a chat with the bossman.
He tells me that 3-4 more people needed to be laid off by the end of this week (err last week by the time I'm writing this)
Casually discuss with bossman that I've got contingency plans in place if I were to be laid off. Saw his eyes light up at that. Assured him that I was not volunteering to be laid off.
Go home, double check my contingency plans just to make sure.
Have some important discussions with family.

Tuesday morning:
Have discussion with bossman again about the whole layoff situation. Can't go into details, but I just level with him more about my personal situation.

Wednesday:
Day off of work. Spent the day cleaning. Seriously cleaned my bedroom.

Thursday:
Work a 10 hour day with no lunch.
Was informed by bossman that I was in fact being laid off. Don't worry, this is a good thing. I've got it all planned out, I've got contingencies, and I'm also leaving the country in 33 weeks. It just means that Pan (my kittah) will have to wait 6 months (That is of course if the vet tells me that he's healthy enough for the process).
Drove home with a sense of calm. Which is odd after a 10 hour shift with no lunch. Wasn't cranky. Didn't want to cry.

Friday:
Good day at work. Another 10 hour day. Pack my desk up. Drop off my badge at the end of the day. Said goodbye to my favorite security guard.

I'm one of the few people who got to know ahead of time that I was getting laid off. Mostly, it was because I had given so much to my job, and been such a loyal worker for so many years. Not to mention all the s*** I had put up with.

It was a good Friday the 13th in my opinion.

Saturday:
YAY. It's my birthday.
4:30am attempt to email from my phone- doesn't work. Drag my butt out of bed and turn on the laptop. Quickly email Guy to call me.
5am he finally calls, when I'm supposed to be getting out of bed and getting dressed. So I talk to him for a moment.
6am we leave the house. Drove up to the Boulder Tea House (with a stop at Walmart first to pick up a few needed items for the house as it's snowing and things like toilet paper are things you do not want to run out of in a snow storm)
I order a pot of my Russian Caravan. Nom. Love that tea. If anyone is ever curious what you can get me... Russian Caravan from the Boulder Tea house (yes, they are online) is a good bet. Lapsang Souchang is also another one. (There are a few that peaked my interest after I had ordered, but I wasn't going to try it on that day. Mayhaps next month)

Katte and Mimi show up shortly thereafter. It was supposed to be a huge surprise that Mimi was in town. It was great to see her. I did know she was in town, which I"m glad I knew... if only because it allowed me to make my bedroom livable while she is here.

Mark, Darla, and Aidan joined us.

We had a grand old time, and breakfast was quite nummy. And I have the coolest friend. Crystal (of the Vampire Halloween Swap rescue package fame), sent me the coolest birthday pressie. A necklace of Wicked. I loved it.

Mother of Mine then dragged all of us to a yarn shop in Boulder. Which... to be honest... I wasn't impressed with. I mean, it was alright... but... meh. I knew exactly who one of her suppliers was, as she didn't even bother changing the name.

Then we scooted down to Denver so that Mum could be entered into the Wicked Lottery.
Mum gave up her ticket to Mimi so that she could join us for the show.
Unfortunately Mom didn't win one of the spare seats. (You show up 2 hours before the show, and you get the chance to win a seat to purchase.)

We walked over to the Tattered Cover, and looked at books etc.
Then Mimi and I had to head over to the theater again.

Don't worry, Mum had her own adventure with friends so it all worked out. And next year Mum and I will go see Wicked in London, so it will be fine.

The show...

The show was FANTABULOUS!
The girl playing Elphie was just... amazing. Honestly.
The girl playing Glinda.... was a bit nasaly. Which bugged me to be honest. But she was still good.
The boy playing Fiyero was good. Much better than the previous performance I've seen. (Though towards the end he played it... lets just say "a little less than straight". Which frankly I prefer to the previous Fiyero who played it "ghetto prince")

Everyone else was quite good.
Went and picked my Mum up at another LYS (which was not the original plan, but as I said.. she had her own adventure)
Drove home in the snow storm. (Started snowing in the middle of the performance)
Stopped at Petsmart for kitty food.
Stopped at Whole Foods for the dinner fixings. Homemade pizza with Chocolate Chip Angel food cake with homemade ganache for dessert.

Quite a splendid day all in all.

Sunday:
Was spent in jammies and a Firefly marathon, as Mimi had never seen it.

Which brings us to today:
This morning, I went to look at my phone to get out of bed, and dropped my cellphone on my face, busting my lip. Joy.
I was highly afraid it would set the tone for the day, but in fact it didn't.
Started the unemployment process.

It was amusing, I didn’t get the phone call over the weekend, so I panicked, and I called my employers (not the bossmen, but the people who actually handle the contracts) as I had a few questions in regards to the form I had to fill out for the unemployment benefits…and I got a hold of her before she checked her email. And the convo went like this:
Me: Hi, I was laid off on Friday, but as I didn’t get the phone call, I was just checking in to make sure everything is copacetic.
Her:My computer is still booting up, it’s rather slow.
we chat about other things
Her:Just got the email from (Bossman). And it says ”I’m emailing you to inform you that I had to lay off Erin G*****. Please call her in the morning to inform her of this.” So, Erin… I have to tell you (trying not to giggle as it was amusing) you’ve been laid off.
Me: Phew. And yes my desk is already cleared out, and my badge was already turned into (bossman).

The reason for the amusement of the convo was 1)I’ve been aware that I was being laid off since pretty much last Tuesday. (Can’t talk about the details of how or why I knew. But lets just say the entire decision was not only bossmans) 2)It was now Monday morning, and I was laid off on Friday. 3)I was the calling her instead of the other way around.
But yup, she confirmed that I was now in laid off status, and that I am in the “Rehireable” status, and that all I needed to do was send her an updated resume. (which counts towards my UI weekly requirement.)
So I was able to finish applying for UI this morning, already made 2 out of 5 of my requirements for the week.

After that we decided to head to Garden of the Gods as the snow was finally starting to melt and the Sun was out.
Stopped at Colorado Mills to look at fabric. I finally found my wedding fabric. Of course, I've got taste. So it shall be highly expensive. Must see if I can find it online. But... I've decided on White Crushed Silk. As I will be able to dye it after the wedding, and thus my wedding dress will no longer look like a wedding dress, but instead a fabulous silk dress.

Then we get to Garden of the Gods, even stopped at the Nature Center. Which was neat.
Went through the hike on the path, it was quite a beautiful day.

Apparently they were filming The Biggest Loser in the park there. And I managed to slip on the one bit of ice right in front of about 10 of the contestants. But I spectacularly caught myself and didn't actually fall. They applauded.

Came home, been watching Inspector Lynley. Just been enjoying the rest of the day.

I can now officially do the ”I’m Free at last” dance (Which I was doing a lot this morning while I was taking the hike through Garden of the Gods)

The weight is already off my shoulders. :-)

Tomorrow I have to drive Mimi to the airport in Denver.

Don't worry, there shall be lots of photos of the Garden of the Gods, and the Birthday enjoyment, uploaded here and onto my FB.

Have gotten lots knitted.
Current book: House of Many Ways by Diana Wynn Jones

Bugs and Hisses everyone!

Beth Turner, the morning after..

Heh. Sounds a bit kinky.. Morning after what?

Well.. It's pretty mundane.

She's dry. She's cozy..

And here she is.. I'll post the photo of the "One of a Kind" Cake soon. I thought I wasn't going to like it. But it actually turned out neat.



Right now it is raining. I just finished watching disc one of Burn Notice season 2.. And now I'm watching Equilibrium. A Christian Bale/Sean Bean futuristic movie. Too early to tell if it'll be any good.. but so far they just burned the original Mona Lisa... (oh, and apparently the guy who played Robert the Bruce from Braveheart is in the movie as well)

Today was brutally hot, and muggy in the morning. I'm loving the downpour right now.
I went over to Jes's house and hung out with "The Girls" for a little while. Mostly just to prove that I am still alive.

I realized I should not take the pride and joy of my new work (Beth Turner) with me to show off to people whom.. well.. they don't knit, and thus do not care.
As there was a 2 year old running around, I was not able to work on my stitch markers like I had planned.. I had forgotten that Kasha is growing and growing quickly. So I did some knitting, which I now have to go count a few rows to make sure I'm where I'm supposed to be, as I didn't have a pen to mark my place, and if I don't I'll forget what row I'm on. Luckily, I know at least one spot I've done, so it's just a matter of counting from there.

After that I stopped of at EvilMart to get some groceries as I was passing right bye it. Got myself a real pair of gloves for dyeing. I discovered I didn't like using latex disposable ones, as of course your hands get sweaty and gross on the inside, and also my hands smell of powder for hours afterwards.. no matter how many times I wash them. And also, if you get dye on them, they don't wash very well, and can transfer. So.. real gloves it is, and will also give me a bit more protection from the heat that the disposable ones didn't. Some day I'll upgrade to a pair of Bluettes (like.. THE gloves) And a new bucket for when I'm doing the yarn prepping and rinses.

I really need to buy myself a digital scale so that I can start knowing the shipping cost of something without having to actually go to the post office and have them weigh it for me. Ugh. Evilmart has one for 16.99$ online that I'll prolly get. If I remember correctly it does grams as well, so I should be fine using it for the UK.

Now, I am going to go. Have some stitch markers to make. I will get to the Denver adventures to Jacqueline Carey soon, I promise!

I think I'm going to make some pizza for dinner.. mmmmm Yummy.


Bugs and Hisses!

Oh and on a random note: My Lucien from Fresh from the Cauldron arrived yesterday. Woohoo. More of the yummy werewolf. And a pattern I was hoping to get called Vindication.

Repo! A night of selfish enjoyment.

Yup. I said it. Entirely selfish of me to have a night out of enjoyment with a friend.

A friend I have not seen in honestly far too long. It is my Fernando.
It was the first time he and I got to spend time with no one else around. It was quite enjoyable. I didn't know what to expect, since though I've known him for a long time now, like I said, I've never been around him when it's just us.

We had a pleasant non date date. Two friends, having dinner and seeing a movie that we both were practically piddling ourselves in delight with the prospect of actually viewing.

I very much needed to go out. So much so that Mother of Mine would have forced me to go if I had decided to stay home. I had an absolute horrible day, where a 'discussion' with someone caused me to not only need to stop home on the way from work and get ice cream (which made me promptly ill), but also had me so distraught and upset, that I was bawling like a baby not once but twice. The first time having been alone, with an upset stomach, and just anger and tears and absolute sadness. I have not been that upset by someone in a long time. But, I am not going to go into that. I took a shower, got ready for the night, and went out because I knew it would be good for me, and I would have fun.

I picked Fernando up at his work, and we drove to Denver, and spent a few hours waiting for the midnight show of Repo! The Genetic Opera.

For those who don't know what I'm speaking of, please check out the website www.repo-opera.com


The entire drive up to Denver, we were talking about how excited we were to see the movie.
The theater was pretty much exactly where I remembered it. Which is funny, because I've never actually been to that theater and have only driven past it mayhaps once. It is out in the boonies of Littleton. The Elvis Cinema. Which that unto it's self made a certain someone (not me) nearly piddle with delight.

So of course we are there early. We arrived at 7 pm, show doesn't start till Midnight. There were a few other people waiting.. children for the most part. One girl who honestly should not have been wearing the nurses outfit she was wearing. It was entirely unflattering. Fernando and I were nearly having seizures being around that horrible "dress".
In truth the only individual in the group that was remotely appealing to talk to was actually "Gimpy" as he labeled himself. I honestly do not recall if he ever told us his real name. As far as the nickname was going, he was having issues with his leg which was requiring him to use a cane to have mobility. He was genuinely nice to talk to.

After a while, the man in charge of the show came around, and found my name on his clip board. I of course was one of the small number of people who had purchased my tickets, and therefore received a refund. But our names were on the list to get "preferential" treatment since well... we actually were the first to secure tickets long before it was ever announced that it was going to be a free show. Fernando had not bought his tickets online, but as he was with me, Mark the guy in charge gave him his ticket right away, and he also later got to enter the theater first with me.
Yup.. rockstar treatment *wink*

Prior to the show starting, Fernando and I got to speak with Mark the guy in charge, because we were curious what his role with the Repo world was. Turns out he just got to see the show in Atlanta, GA (the Road Tour- and if i'm not mistaken the same show a friend of mine got to go to. I'll have to ask her), well he just fell in love with it and decided that he was going to make it available to people in Colorado (I'm assuming he's from here, but we didn't get to speak for that long to be able to find out.) It was because of the excitement of the people like myself and Fernando is why he did it. (Again, I repeat myself, we were practically piddling ourselves in excitement)
I have been waiting for this show for nearly a year now.
Lets just say, it has been worth the wait, as in 1 month, I get the free show, the Dvd released and the Road Tour.

The Road Tour, for those who aren't in the know is where the director, and the co creator (and GraveRobber himself) Terrance Z, and Allison from Rocklove jewelery, all get in cars etc and pack up the movie and bring it to town. Sign autographs etc.

Again, the amount of excitement I am having over the Road Tour is very piddle worthy.

Apparently "Piddle" is my word of the day lol.

During the last very moments prior to the movie starting, I was called to speak so as to inform the crowd of what the deal is with Rocklove jewelry and that the proceeds from the Scalpel necklace designed specifically for Repo, goes to making the Road Tour happen.

Well, Em a friend of mine was also at the show. Which was nice. She came and sat with meself and Fernando as I was the only person there that she knew. It was good catching up with her. As hers is a friendship that mostly was lost due to me leaving the Rogues and also not being apart of the other group.

The movie it's self was orgasmic inducing sort of wonderful.
It very much is the Rocky Horror of the new generation. The film was frankly beautiful, it was dark, it was gory in some spots. And the acting... all of the acting, even I have to admit that Paris Hilton herself was passable. I cannot say she was good, as those words will never cross my lips, nor be typed from my fingers.

But everyone did amazing jobs. Anthony Stewart Head was absolutely.. just.. breath taking. He was brilliant. (And a bit creepy.. go see the movie, you'll understand)
Sarah Brightman was just amazing as always. And for me, the one who stole the show was the GraveRobber himself Terrance Z.
Unfortunately, I do know one of his songs did not make the cut, which disappointed me, as I would have liked to see him more. Oh well, I always have the soundtrack with his wonderful amazing voice.

For the Repo Road Tour in 2 weeks (if i can ever get tickets. The fucking Mayan Theater still hasn't updated the website- actually I just gave them a ring, and they are still having problems with the ticketing system but it SHOULD be fixed on Monday.) But anyways, Fernando and I will be going in costume.
I shall be going as the GraveRobber. For reasons being that I think he is the coolest character. My fave 3 of the show are GraveRobber, RepoMan, and Blind Mag. But for me the costumes for the last two would be too involved, and would have to find space in my boxes to ship to the UK. GraveRobber is a lot easier by the fact that I already have acceptable boots, I simply need a coat, a shirt of the right color, and I already have the right pants (or at least pants that will work- for once, Walmart came through, and they were even on sale. And hell I can even wear them to work). Walmart also came through on the little bits for my hair accessories. I had originally thought I would chop up a few of my wigs that I no longer really use at all, but this will be easier, and they are well.. damn perfect for 1.74$ After that it's just a matter of putting a little makeup on. It means I'm not freezing my ass off in a skimpy little outfit, and I get to be one of my fave characters. As Fernando will be making me the coat, it's all set. I cannot go out and purchase the proper coat, nor would I. And I cannot justify making it myself, as it breaks my "no more costuming rule" (see the whole packing for the UK situation), but... as Fernando is going to make the coat for me, I must accept the gift. Not to mention, I'm sure it will turn out beautiful, and I shall have a new winter coat. Not the traditional winter coat that I had been quasi looking for to replace my tatterd one. But, a coat none the less. It will also be a good chance to see what Fernando's skill is, as there is discussion that he will be making my wedding gown.

Fernando, shall be going as the RepoMan, which is perfect for him. He also can justify making the costume as he is not shipping things to the UK in 17 months lol.

We shall be happy little geeks at the show. Yes, there will be pictures.
I do know Em took a photo of us after the show, I will post that soon as she gives it to me.

Driving home, Fernando and I talked about writing. He is a writer as well, and I bounced some things off of him for my novel.
I hadn't spoken of my thoughts to anyone, as I am currently setting down the rules for my vampires.
Fernando loved my ideas. To him, they were plausible and original.
It was very refreshing talking to him about writing, it was part of what I needed. I ended the night in a state of calm, and utter excitement.

I got in the door after 3:30 am, which for me is a big deal. I'm generally in bed by 8. And yes, I was falling asleep prior to the movie starting, but after the movie started I was wide awake. Woot.
But so I take Pan to bed, and sleep with dreams and music of Organ repossession. Ideas for my Graverobber costume (see above), and also ideas for various Repo themed knitted stuff that I someday might design. And then in a brief moment (or at least it felt like that), my alarm went off telling me it was 5 am. Pan then wanted to be let out. So I drag myself out of bed and feed him. He apparently did not need to use the little kitties box, so we went back to bed. Where he spent a minimum of 20 minutes whining to be let out again. I wanted to kill him. I told him that a few times even. Finally he settled down and I got to on and off sleep until 9 am.
Finally I knew if I stayed in bed after that, I would end up with my headaches. So, I hauled my butt out of bed again. Stumbled downstairs, put in an episode of Six Feet Under, and just starting to check my email.
Mother of Mine woke up, and we decided to go out to get groceries as it was early. We went to breakfast at La Baguette. Which was very nummy. I currently have an Almond croissant and an Apple croissant waiting for me as a snack at some point.

On the way back after the expedition to walmart, we stopped at DSW, and I actually finally found a pair of shoes. I spent 45$ on a pair of mens shoes (the only womens shoes that fit the bill of what I wanted, I wasn't entirely thrilled with, and also they had nothing remotely close to my size). But I grabbed a size 8 mens, and it fit perfectly (ha. I haven't bought mens shoes for myself in over 10 years, but i got the conversion spot on on the first try!). Mother of Mine tried to tempt me with a pair of Dr. Martins that were absolutely gorgeous. They were I think 10 hole laceup, but with a side zipper. And they were on sale for 30%. I could not justify spending 70$ right then (after the 30% off), even though those were a freaking steal and I should have jumped on them. Oh well, there will be a time in my life where I won't have to worry about justifying a new pair of shoes.

On a random note, the new Doctor was announced last night. Everyone other than Guy appears to be bitching about how young he is. Honestly people.. get over it. It's called "demographics". A hot young leading man will bring in even more female viewers. Just as a hot young female will bring in the male viewers, along with the action etc. Due to Loosing David Tennant, I'm quite sure the producers and network went "Oooh crap. We need something to keep all those women DT brought in!"
Pretty much all the Doctors after William Hartnell were of the younger persuasion, generally in their 30s. Who cares if the new one is 26??? By the time he actually takes the mantel of the Doctor, he'll be 27, if not turning 28.
And also.. no one would accept seeing an old(er) man as the Doctor. No one anymore wants the Grandfather.
And you know what... if he auditioned.. and they decided that he had the chops that it would take to fill the Doctor's shoes, than I say give him a chance. I didn't like DT at first. Now I'm so very sad that he's gone.
9 was my first Doctor, but 10 was the one that I fell in love with.

I guess I have rambled enough for this blog. I do apologize for that. But it's been a busy 24 hours lol.
I've given up on Six Feet Under, and I have moved onto season 1 of The Unit.
I am in a contented place about the rules of my vampires in my world, as that had been bothering me, and I feel I might be able to move forward in my writing now.

198 words not on a sticky note..

198 words.

Yuppers. I was so bored at work this morning, I jotted down 198 words of dialogue. I mean, wanting to claw my eyes out bored. Sure there is a little work I can do. Not much. But a little. I just don't really have the motivation to do it. Every customer I've dealt with today has either been entirely rude, or just dumb as rocks. It's the rude people that are pissing me off.

But moving along.. It's a cute little plot island, but I think it's one more for Book 2 rather than book 1. Book 2? Look at me wishin' and a hopin'. I mean honestly. Part of me thinkgs Book 1 won't even get finished, let alone published, so how crazy am I to be thinking that there will actually be a book 2.

On an entirely differnt note.. this morning, I was feeling mighty.. hefty. I just felt blah. My belt buckle was digging in, and that is bothersome for 2 reasons. 1)I'm allergic to metal, so having it dig in, is unplesent. and 2) it was making me feel fat.
So I finally gave up, and decided to loosen my belt. I realized, that it was a notch tighter than I usually wear it. O.O oh my.
Apparently this morning as I was getting dressed, it just easily went tighter. This is good. But possibly a fluke.

Well, having just gone to break, and to the ladies, once again I went to do up my belt, and it immediately went to that 1 notch tighter location. So, apparently it is not a fluke. I have lost enough weight that when standing, I am a notch tighter, but not quite there yet for sitting. This is good. This makes me happy. I'll be even happier when I'm a notch tighter while sitting, but hey.. at least I appear to be half way there...

I guess I should really get back to work. As much as I don't want to... it's slightly a necessity. I need to of course at least pretend to work.

Another little island.

I am happy at the moment, as I wrote at least part of another scene. A scene that is like right on the brink of all the action.

This pleases me.

My little islands of text that I've been creating, are getting more and more, which means the amount of blank ocean between them is getting smaller.

Seriously, I picture it as a map of an island chain. It's the way my mind works apparently. And slowly by surely all the islands start becoming one large island instead of lots of little ones.

I have to say, of all the characters that are mentally developed (in my mind, mind you), it goes in this order Alex, Lynn, Mionette, Daniel, and a little bit of Gaz. Everyone else really is still just a dark cloud with faces. No substence yet. But I'll get there.

I am still slightly in shock that I wrote what could be the final pages. A friend of mine suggested that I write the story backwards if necessary, and that is something I thought about even before she suggested it. That way it flows.

I think I'm done rambling.
Oh, yesterday while I was stuck at work, I did look up more Beatles songs, as possible future titles. Found one or two that might work, but who knows.