Playing Catch Up

I think I may have mentioned before that the one constant in my life has been my repeat abandonment of diaries.  I always loved the idea of keeping a diary, and I loved opening that brand new book and detailing all of the fascinating events of my day (I think Ryan likes me!  I ate tuna salad for lunch today!  I hate Mrs. D!), but after about a week of devoted attention to recording my life story, I'd always forget to write for one day.  And then the next day I'd think I should really catch up on the past two days, and then a week would have passed and suddenly it seemed like a gargantuan effort to remember and write down everything that had happened in my exciting life over the past week.  Suddenly, a year would have gone by and I'd be starting my diary all over again with renewed determination and commitment.  And then the cycle would repeat.

I feel like that's been happening to my blog.  For the past few months I've had so much to write about, and all of the events just pile up on top of each other and never quite force their way out of my fingers and onto the keyboard.  Then by the time I sit down with Typepad all loaded up and that blinker just blinking away on an empty screen I get so overwhelmed by what I should talk about that instead of blogging I decide to watch The Hills.  Just this past week has been jampacked with topics to write about:

• My encounters with various homeless and/or crazy men on my way to and from the train station each day.  How is it that one man with so few teeth has the ability to simultaneously creep me out, make me feel sad, and give my ego a boost all with one hastily muttered comment slung in my general direction?  I mean, they might be crazy and homeless, but if they ALL think I'm pretty, they all can't be wrong, right?
• The little retaining wall Colby built around one of the beds in our front garden.  I'm so proud of how he can just Googles some DIY instructions, goes to buy the supplies, and then builds a wall.  Granted, it is a very short wall that I probably would not trust to hold back an invading army, but it's perfect to keep our mulch from washing away in the rains.  And if we needed an wall to keep out an invading army, he could probably figure that out too.
• How much I love my new job.  I'm still very much in the learning stages, and there is a LOT to learn, but the people are so friendly, my boss(es?) has (have) been nothing but nice and seem to actually respect and appreciate my abilities--a far cry from many of my experiences in the Air Force.  The fact that I found out I was chosen from about 50 applicants and they actually raised their maximum salary to hire me makes me feel about a frillion times better than when a Major sits me down on your first day in the military and tells me (having never actually spoken to me or met me before MIND YOU) that I'm incredibly naive and am going to have to toughen up and be willing to work hard.  Plus I don't get all queasy on Sunday night knowing that my weekend is over and I have to be in the office the next day.  There is a lot to be said for your job not making you physically ill and not constantly talking down to you.
• How terrible I feel that as nice as everyone is, I can never remember anyone's name at my new job.  I've always been really great with names and faces, but I just cannot keep all of these people straight.  I think the problem is that they are all white guys with short hair, most of them wear glasses, and they all hide behind a computer most of the day.  The one thing I miss about the Air Force is the name tape and the rank.  It may have been irritatingly classest to always refer to people by rank and last name, but at least you always knew exactly to whom you were talking.
• The Air Force Ball on Saturday.  The tailor did a really good job with my dress and everything was going swimmingly with the getting ready process until I realized that my trusty little stick on bra was going to be necessary and was mysteriously MIA.  Colby was already out buying retaining wall supplies so I just called him and asked if he could possibly go to the mall and find me a replacement sticky bra.  And do you know what?  20 minutes and two helpful sales ladies later, he did!  Love doesn't mean never having to say your sorry.  Love means going blindly into the lingerie department with vague sticky bra instructions from your fiance and emerging victorious.

And those are just the things that stick out in my mind.  So see, now I have no excuse to not keep this site updated more often.  I've gotten most of the logjam of recent events out of my mind and now I'll be able to start over fresh and hopefully keep up with things as they come along.  I'm also going to try to get out of the Google Reader trap of reading everyone's blogs but rarely commenting.

But now I'm going to stop blogging my lunch break away and actually go eat something before my stomach starts the painful process of digesting itself.  Yum!

Comments

[M]

That just reminded me. I have no idea where my sticky bra is. Need to get one before Christmas. :)

[Kate]

Go Colby! He sounds like a very good catch :)
I kept a word doc open my first month of work and wrote down the name, physical description, and job of everyone I met. It helped a little, I just had to make sure I didn't leave it up for people to see!

[Becky]

Wow, a man that will go out and buy a sticky bra without hesitation? Now, THAT'S a keeper!

[L]

I plan on testing D with tampons.

No, I'm kidding. Really.

[Brittany]

Haha... why did I get an image of Colby with lacy panties on his head when you mentioned him in the lingerie department? I don't know... but it was very funny!

Good luck with learning peoples names! Lord knows it's a tough game to play!

[Jenn]

Ever since I finished college, I have had a terrible time remembering names when I meet several people at once. It's as if I filled my brain and it can't take in any further information.

[anne]

Colby.kicks.ass! Nice! I love a man who isn't afraid of his feminine side. I got one of them too!

It sounds like a fantastic week, especially the new job. Being appreciated is always a good thing, eventually you'll get everyone's name (it is kind of hard when they all look the same).. They only have one you to remember, you have 100 them to remember. It's tough!

Once you settle in, RG and you and I should meet for lunch. Sorry Anon G!

[sophie]

He builds walls and buys bras? No wonder you are marrying him!

[Caro]

How amazing that Colby went and bought you a sticky bra!

And get used to the compliments from the homeless guys - it never stops. I almost but don't really miss it from when I worked at the county, haha.

Okay, back to packing I go! xoxo

[RisibleGirl]

I'm in the same boat. I have 35 co-workers and remember about 5 names. They ALL know my name (of course they do- they all want to give me work to do!), but they're all "oh hey you!" to me.

I simply must get our lunch scheduled. I've been 'engaged' up until now, but think I might have a free day next week.

I'll have my peeps call your peeps. Really, I do want to hear all the details about your new job!

xoxoxo