As you all know, and have teased me about for years, I can get grumpy when I’m hungry. (Other words used at times also include Ornery, Pissy, and “Mean”.) However, I have also always outwardly joked about this, and perhaps blown it out of proportion because it’s just easier. I would also like to point out that most people I have known act differently when they are hungry, whether that be irritated, grumpy, spacey, or tired, but they just don’t admit it, or maybe even notice it themselves. Everyone is affected by hunger, but it takes certain people longer to get hungrier then others so you may not see it as often. Me, however, I get hungry every few hours – so perhaps it’s more apparent.
There is another stage to my hunger, which perhaps you may not be aware of, and that is blindness. The first time I experienced this was when I was in the eighth grade. I specifically remember being in Jazz Band when all of a sudden I couldn’t see a quarter of the music, which quickly was reduced to half of the music and then all of it was swimming around in front of me. My vision does not go black, but everything just starts to blur and I see a lot of spots. That day I went to the nurse’s office because I was very scared that I was in fact going blind and mom came to pick me up. Afterwards we went to my grandma’s house where I’m sure she fed me a good meal, and after a short time I was back to normal. (No comment from the peanut gallery on what “normal” implies here.)
At the time I did not associate that problem with lack of food, but since then it has happened on several other occasions, and I figured out that it was because my blood sugar was too low. As long as I can see enough to grab a bite to eat, I am fine in a about a half hour.
I bring this up because it happened again today. I was in a meeting with my boss, and as it was winding down, I realized the blurred vision was coming on. I hadn’t even realized I was hungry yet, but I’ve learned not to argue when I start having trouble focusing. I quickly ate something and called a friend to chat while my system normalized again. My friend mentioned that perhaps I should tell others so they really understand why I need to eat when I do – so that’s what I’m doing.
If you have traveled with me you have heard me say, “I need to eat when I’m hungry, otherwise I get ornery.” Yes – that is partially true, but honestly, it’s just easier for me to explain. Today I tried being honest with my boss as she continued chatting with me at the end of the meeting. I said, “I need to eat something right now because I’m having trouble seeing.” She gave me a look that said, “You’re a nutcase.” I’m not sure what’s worse, begin considered “mean” or a “nutcase”, but there is one thing for sure – when a girl’s got to eat, a girl’s got to eat.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Put a Sock In It
Last night I started a new class: Improvisation (for acting, not music). It meets once a week for 10 weeks, and if I get over the nervous-I-feel-stupid factor, I think it could be a lot of fun. I’ve taken one improv class before at a community center, but my friend was the teacher, so it was a lot less intimidating. This new class is at a real actor’s school where Mr. Mingle has been taking classes, and I feel much more out of my element. I went to my first class last night with one goal: do not make a fool of myself. Unless it’s on purpose – that is okay.
It started out well when we had to first introduce ourselves. We had to say our names and then tell something interesting about our name. I told the Mingle Ingle story, so I got a good laugh, which made me relax. The class continued without a hitch, and then half way through we took a break. As I was leaving the classroom I put on a fleece jacket that I had brought and heard someone call out, “you dropped something!” I turned around to see this woman leaning over to pick up the item I had dropped when we both realized at the same time, that it was a sock. She unfortunately had already committed to picking it up for me so she gingerly grabbed it by its corners, as I nervously said, “oh..ha ha…you’ve found my laundry!” as I quickly snapped it from her. It was clean, but I know the poor girl wasn’t sure.
Obviously this sock was somehow attached to my fleece jacket, whether the pocket or the back, but I have no idea where it was when I walked from my car to the school… I did however have the impression that people were looking at me funny as I walked down the street, and now, I think I know why.
It started out well when we had to first introduce ourselves. We had to say our names and then tell something interesting about our name. I told the Mingle Ingle story, so I got a good laugh, which made me relax. The class continued without a hitch, and then half way through we took a break. As I was leaving the classroom I put on a fleece jacket that I had brought and heard someone call out, “you dropped something!” I turned around to see this woman leaning over to pick up the item I had dropped when we both realized at the same time, that it was a sock. She unfortunately had already committed to picking it up for me so she gingerly grabbed it by its corners, as I nervously said, “oh..ha ha…you’ve found my laundry!” as I quickly snapped it from her. It was clean, but I know the poor girl wasn’t sure.
Obviously this sock was somehow attached to my fleece jacket, whether the pocket or the back, but I have no idea where it was when I walked from my car to the school… I did however have the impression that people were looking at me funny as I walked down the street, and now, I think I know why.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Mad for March
I don’t follow college basketball at all during the regular season, except for the brief updates that I hear on the radio for the local college teams. But once March Madness rolls around, I am hooked. For the past 3 or 4 years I have joined a pool with coworkers from around the company. I have no idea who organizes this pool, or who participates in it either, except for the one coworker who forwards it to me year after year. The ante to join is $5, and this year the payout to the winner is $195 – not a bad turn-around! If you win…
We use Yahoo to enter our picks and it is a really slick system – once you pick your teams, it monitors everything for you. Each year I do a little research, which basically means I see if the teams won or lost their last couple of games, and how they are ranked in the bracket, league and nation. And then I guess. I guess like a monkey might choose stocks.
Each year, I seem to run the same gamut of emotions, and so far this year is no different. In the first round of play, I generally do very well – of course, I just realized that so does everyone else if you stick with the higher seeds, and then go for a couple of upsets. I did well again this year, and was happy to see my selection for the final four still there.
And then the second round started…and so did the upsets. Bye bye Tennessee, bye bye Ohio, bye bye North Carolina. The last one hurt the most because I had them losing the final game of the tournament. This was compounded by the fact that the radio broadcaster I was listening to at the beginning of the George Mason – North Carolina Game said, “There is no way NC is going to lose this one. In fact I would bet everything that they will win by at least 10.” It was right about then I realized that he jinxed it, and my team was doomed. (On a similar but lighter note – earlier in the day one of the broadcasters commented on the Bradley vs. Pittsburgh St. game and said, “Did anyone notice that the teams’ short names on the scoreboard were Brad Pitt?”)
The slick Yahoo system also has scenario generators so that I can see that I still have a chance to win – if all of the rest of my picks go exactly as planned. I certainly won’t count my chickens, and I know that I most likely will not win, because I never do, but I’ll continue to be excited through the next round of play – and then we’ll see what happens. Poor Mr. Mingle – he’s not interested in this like I am, and I realize that the first thing I say when I walk in the door on game days is a litany of game highlights and scores. At least it’s just one month. Heaven forbid if I liked professional basketball!
We use Yahoo to enter our picks and it is a really slick system – once you pick your teams, it monitors everything for you. Each year I do a little research, which basically means I see if the teams won or lost their last couple of games, and how they are ranked in the bracket, league and nation. And then I guess. I guess like a monkey might choose stocks.
Each year, I seem to run the same gamut of emotions, and so far this year is no different. In the first round of play, I generally do very well – of course, I just realized that so does everyone else if you stick with the higher seeds, and then go for a couple of upsets. I did well again this year, and was happy to see my selection for the final four still there.
And then the second round started…and so did the upsets. Bye bye Tennessee, bye bye Ohio, bye bye North Carolina. The last one hurt the most because I had them losing the final game of the tournament. This was compounded by the fact that the radio broadcaster I was listening to at the beginning of the George Mason – North Carolina Game said, “There is no way NC is going to lose this one. In fact I would bet everything that they will win by at least 10.” It was right about then I realized that he jinxed it, and my team was doomed. (On a similar but lighter note – earlier in the day one of the broadcasters commented on the Bradley vs. Pittsburgh St. game and said, “Did anyone notice that the teams’ short names on the scoreboard were Brad Pitt?”)
The slick Yahoo system also has scenario generators so that I can see that I still have a chance to win – if all of the rest of my picks go exactly as planned. I certainly won’t count my chickens, and I know that I most likely will not win, because I never do, but I’ll continue to be excited through the next round of play – and then we’ll see what happens. Poor Mr. Mingle – he’s not interested in this like I am, and I realize that the first thing I say when I walk in the door on game days is a litany of game highlights and scores. At least it’s just one month. Heaven forbid if I liked professional basketball!
Friday, March 17, 2006
My Day Ends Well
I was just about to logoff for the day when my coworker sent me this Instant Message:
Coworker: Hi [Mrs. Mingle]
Mingle: Hi!
Coworker: I want to tell you that I met with [your old boss today] today.
Mingle: [laughing emoticon]
Coworker: He says you are the best employee he's ever hired.
Mingle: [blushing emoticon]
Coworker: Thought you may want to know that.
Mingle: really? that's nice!
Coworker: Yeah.
Coworker: You must be really good.
Mingle: I appreciate you telling me that - thank you
It's nice to end the week on a high note.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Coworker: Hi [Mrs. Mingle]
Mingle: Hi!
Coworker: I want to tell you that I met with [your old boss today] today.
Mingle: [laughing emoticon]
Coworker: He says you are the best employee he's ever hired.
Mingle: [blushing emoticon]
Coworker: Thought you may want to know that.
Mingle: really? that's nice!
Coworker: Yeah.
Coworker: You must be really good.
Mingle: I appreciate you telling me that - thank you
It's nice to end the week on a high note.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Just Another Day
8:00 - 9:00
Checked emails; IM'd Pop to send photos via email - explained "soft copy"
9:00 - 10:00
9:00 - 10:00
Went to an "important" meeting
10:00 - 10:30
10:00 - 10:30
Met with Boss and Big Boss to talk about stuff - agreed to set up additional meetings to continue to talk about stuff
10:30 - 11:00
10:30 - 11:00
Went to Starbucks for free coffee and called Mr. Mingle to tell him about free coffee
11:00 - 11:45
11:00 - 11:45
Checked email; blogs; sent cute picture to Mom
11:45 - 1:00
11:45 - 1:00
Lunch with friend
1:00 - 2:00
1:00 - 2:00
Checked email and to-do list. Made some notes to follow-up on to-do list.
2:00 - 3:30
2:00 - 3:30
Researched and and selected picks for March Madness tourney; talked to Floss about crazy small man
3:30 - 4:00
3:30 - 4:00
Thought about writing in blog, but have nothing to say
4:00 - 5:00
4:00 - 5:00
Read and made notes on document not related to work; went to ATM; contemplated meetings for the next day; posted blog.
Note: All the bosses of the department are in a 2 and 1/2 day meeting beginning at 12:00 today.
Note: All the bosses of the department are in a 2 and 1/2 day meeting beginning at 12:00 today.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Living with a Blind Man
Last Wednesday Mr. Mingle had eye surgery to correct his vision. He couldn’t get the more popular Lasex surgery “because his corneas are too thin”, so he had to get a less well-known surgery – PRK. I’ll save you from the details of what that means, but basically when all is said and done it meant a lot of pain for a few days, and a longer recovery time.
For the first couple of days, he couldn’t read, watch TV, use the computer, drive or exercise. So, that left sleeping, which he did like a champ. I really felt for him when his forehead would crinkle up in pain above the massive black glasses he was wearing.
For the next couple of days, he couldn’t read, see TV very well, use the computer very long, drive or exercise. So, that left sleeping and watching TV or using the computer for a short time until his eyes hurt. Oh, and playing with the cat. Fortunately, he could continue to play with Mini, who refuses to give Mr. Mingle a moment’s rest from “the bird”. Now, I started to feel bad because not only did his eyes hurt sometimes, but when they didn’t, then boredom would start up.
Over the weekend we watched the series Arrested Development, which we have on DVD (very, very funny by the way), which I think to him was like watching blobs with voices. If I felt there was some visual detail that he needed to know, then I’d vocalize it – “ha ha ha, you should see their facial expressions!” (So very helpful isn’t it?) We also went for a long walk and he closed his eyes the whole way home so I could guide him home like a true blind man. He only tripped once. He was able to clean and do basic stuff around the house, although I continued to do most of the cooking. I came home on Sunday to him looking sheepish in the kitchen – “I just broke something”, he said. The poor guy – he couldn’t see this clear dish that was already in the cabinet when he tried to put a salad bowl in the same place. (The clear dish lost.)
Yesterday he had a follow-up appointment that was positive because the Doctor said his eyes look on track to heal fine, but he still was not given the okay to drive. And his vision is still too bad to read a book. But he can use the computer, if the font size is set bigger, and of course, he couldn’t wait any longer, and went for a run yesterday.
I think this surgery had been a good test for the both of us. We are so used to being on the move, and doing things, and go, go, go…but when everything must stop – what does one do??
I have to admit though – I have taken advantage of this surgery in one small aspect… Mr. Mingle loves to read before he goes to sleep, but since he can’t right now I decided to read to him. And since he’s my captive audience – I get to choose the reading materials. Every night Mr. Mingle now goes to sleep after hearing me read from my stories of Japan. What can I say? It’s nice to have an audience.
For the first couple of days, he couldn’t read, watch TV, use the computer, drive or exercise. So, that left sleeping, which he did like a champ. I really felt for him when his forehead would crinkle up in pain above the massive black glasses he was wearing.
For the next couple of days, he couldn’t read, see TV very well, use the computer very long, drive or exercise. So, that left sleeping and watching TV or using the computer for a short time until his eyes hurt. Oh, and playing with the cat. Fortunately, he could continue to play with Mini, who refuses to give Mr. Mingle a moment’s rest from “the bird”. Now, I started to feel bad because not only did his eyes hurt sometimes, but when they didn’t, then boredom would start up.
Over the weekend we watched the series Arrested Development, which we have on DVD (very, very funny by the way), which I think to him was like watching blobs with voices. If I felt there was some visual detail that he needed to know, then I’d vocalize it – “ha ha ha, you should see their facial expressions!” (So very helpful isn’t it?) We also went for a long walk and he closed his eyes the whole way home so I could guide him home like a true blind man. He only tripped once. He was able to clean and do basic stuff around the house, although I continued to do most of the cooking. I came home on Sunday to him looking sheepish in the kitchen – “I just broke something”, he said. The poor guy – he couldn’t see this clear dish that was already in the cabinet when he tried to put a salad bowl in the same place. (The clear dish lost.)
Yesterday he had a follow-up appointment that was positive because the Doctor said his eyes look on track to heal fine, but he still was not given the okay to drive. And his vision is still too bad to read a book. But he can use the computer, if the font size is set bigger, and of course, he couldn’t wait any longer, and went for a run yesterday.
I think this surgery had been a good test for the both of us. We are so used to being on the move, and doing things, and go, go, go…but when everything must stop – what does one do??
I have to admit though – I have taken advantage of this surgery in one small aspect… Mr. Mingle loves to read before he goes to sleep, but since he can’t right now I decided to read to him. And since he’s my captive audience – I get to choose the reading materials. Every night Mr. Mingle now goes to sleep after hearing me read from my stories of Japan. What can I say? It’s nice to have an audience.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Mingle Movie Review
With the Oscars coming, and sudden free time on our hands, Mr. Mingle and I have made it our mission to see every best picture nominated, as well as most of the movies with people nominated for Best/Supporting Actor/Actress. In fact, we have gotten so excited over the Oscars this year, that we are making a special trip out to Colorado this weekend to watch the show with R&J. (The artichoke dip alone is worth the trip, not to mention the company.) I even attempted to try to get all of the people in my department to join an Oscar pool. It was my attempt to bring a little social levity to the workplace. (Our department is so dysfunctional – I discovered people in other offices that I didn’t even know reported to the same boss.)
Now, I don’t claim to be a movie aficionado, in fact I think you’ll find by my reviews below, that well, descriptive words are not my forte. However, I must say, that I have really wanted to watch all of the movies we’ve seen over the past 2 months – it wasn’t just a case of going because I had to. You have to understand - when we first started dating – Mr. Mingle and I couldn’t have been further apart in our movie tastes. The blockbusters, and romantic comedies that I love, were nothing like the dark Indy movies that he loves. Going to the movies together was a challenge because one of us would have to sometimes go half-heartedly to the other’s choice of film. But I digress…
The Official 2006 Mingle Movie Review
Crash: Enjoyable Film, but not Best Picture worthy in my opinion. It seemed too cleverly packaged. Sure, they were making a point about race, but did they really have to throw (and try to debunk) every single stereotype in 2 hours?
Munich: Good until the last 20 minutes, and then it plummeted. It was as if they realized, “Shit! This is too long – we have to end this thing! Oh, but wait – we still have to slam our message down their throats! Ta –Da!”
Capote: Great Movie – it makes me want to read In Cold Blood, kind of. He was one strange guy, (excellently acted by Phillip Seymour Hoffman), and I had no idea the author of To Kill a Mockingbird was one of his great friends. The most interesting part of this movie to me was the fact that Mr. Mingle and I left the theater with opposite impressions of Capote.
Good Night, Good Luck: Interesting Movie – Although, I expected more from the story – I didn’t realize the whole movie was about a few broadcasts. Although excellently acted and directed, I didn’t feel like all the characters were fleshed out. Can someone tell me why Patricia Clark and Robert Downey Jr’s characters were even in the movie? JP – I know you loved this one – please enlighten me!
Brokeback Mountain: I agree with Burns here, Excellent!
Transamerica: Storyline was interesting but a little blah. The best part of the movie was one moment when I actually felt that Felicity Huffman was a man (becoming a woman) – her acting was impressive.
North Country: This one required the most tissues – cry, cry, cry. Pretty good, but no Erin Brokavich.
Walk The Line: Just seen on Wednesday (now out on video), this is one of my favorites of all. Great acting (pretty people), and call me a sucker for the music. But seriously – it was a great movie!
Constant Gardener: Interesting plot – I enjoyed the originality of it. (But I have no desire to go to Africa.) Well acted, but I’m not sure why Rachel Wiez was nominated. I’m sure her acting was excellent – I did not feel “wowed”.
Syriana: One of my favorites – I loved how the plot slowly came together and it was an interesting view of the oil industry from many sides. I didn’t even understand the plot entirely, but I enjoyed it so much that I would see it again to figure out what I missed the first time.
Hustle and Flow: This one surprised me - I really, really enjoyed it! Had some trouble with the accent...not always sure what was said...but Terrence Howard was great!! And again...sucker for a little music. "It's Hard Out Here for Pimp..."
Seen months ago with Burns:
A History of Violence: Mingle’s pick for most disturbing of the year. I …did…not…like…this. (And yet Mr. Mingle has put it on our Netflix list – do you see how our tastes differ??)
Now, I don’t claim to be a movie aficionado, in fact I think you’ll find by my reviews below, that well, descriptive words are not my forte. However, I must say, that I have really wanted to watch all of the movies we’ve seen over the past 2 months – it wasn’t just a case of going because I had to. You have to understand - when we first started dating – Mr. Mingle and I couldn’t have been further apart in our movie tastes. The blockbusters, and romantic comedies that I love, were nothing like the dark Indy movies that he loves. Going to the movies together was a challenge because one of us would have to sometimes go half-heartedly to the other’s choice of film. But I digress…
The Official 2006 Mingle Movie Review
Crash: Enjoyable Film, but not Best Picture worthy in my opinion. It seemed too cleverly packaged. Sure, they were making a point about race, but did they really have to throw (and try to debunk) every single stereotype in 2 hours?
Munich: Good until the last 20 minutes, and then it plummeted. It was as if they realized, “Shit! This is too long – we have to end this thing! Oh, but wait – we still have to slam our message down their throats! Ta –Da!”
Capote: Great Movie – it makes me want to read In Cold Blood, kind of. He was one strange guy, (excellently acted by Phillip Seymour Hoffman), and I had no idea the author of To Kill a Mockingbird was one of his great friends. The most interesting part of this movie to me was the fact that Mr. Mingle and I left the theater with opposite impressions of Capote.
Good Night, Good Luck: Interesting Movie – Although, I expected more from the story – I didn’t realize the whole movie was about a few broadcasts. Although excellently acted and directed, I didn’t feel like all the characters were fleshed out. Can someone tell me why Patricia Clark and Robert Downey Jr’s characters were even in the movie? JP – I know you loved this one – please enlighten me!
Brokeback Mountain: I agree with Burns here, Excellent!
Transamerica: Storyline was interesting but a little blah. The best part of the movie was one moment when I actually felt that Felicity Huffman was a man (becoming a woman) – her acting was impressive.
North Country: This one required the most tissues – cry, cry, cry. Pretty good, but no Erin Brokavich.
Walk The Line: Just seen on Wednesday (now out on video), this is one of my favorites of all. Great acting (pretty people), and call me a sucker for the music. But seriously – it was a great movie!
Constant Gardener: Interesting plot – I enjoyed the originality of it. (But I have no desire to go to Africa.) Well acted, but I’m not sure why Rachel Wiez was nominated. I’m sure her acting was excellent – I did not feel “wowed”.
Syriana: One of my favorites – I loved how the plot slowly came together and it was an interesting view of the oil industry from many sides. I didn’t even understand the plot entirely, but I enjoyed it so much that I would see it again to figure out what I missed the first time.
Hustle and Flow: This one surprised me - I really, really enjoyed it! Had some trouble with the accent...not always sure what was said...but Terrence Howard was great!! And again...sucker for a little music. "It's Hard Out Here for Pimp..."
Seen months ago with Burns:
A History of Violence: Mingle’s pick for most disturbing of the year. I …did…not…like…this. (And yet Mr. Mingle has put it on our Netflix list – do you see how our tastes differ??)
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