shallow thoughts by csolly: December 2002

Sorry for not posting in a while ... I've had a very good week and am really excited about leaving for Xmas vacation. Yesterday, I finished up (er, started and finished) my shopping, and today I must make time to pack. I hate packing. I probably won't actually do it until I'm on my way out the door tomorrow. Here's a funny story from this week ... During my freshman year of college, I shared a dormitory suite with five other girls. We called ourselves the J-TRACH. After that year, the T, R and H transferred out of BU, while J, A and I (The C) all finished up our coursework at BU. Jess, Angela and I have kept up with Trina (working in marketing in Connecticut) and Rachel (the smartie just got a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford), but completely lost track of Holly. A few days ago, I was out with some new friends that went to SUNY Binghamton, which is the last-known location of the long-lost Holly. And, wouldn't ya know it, they know her. And she lives in Hoboken. And I'm going to surprise her at her birthday party tonight. It'll be so funny to see her. Tomorrow I leave for vacation in Hilton Head. Christmas, golfing, bike-riding, seafood, yum. Should be a great trip, though brother Matt won't be there, and we'll definitely be missing him. So, another week-break from blogging for me. I'll tell you all about the vacation when I return. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Well, let's see ... Boston was great, as usual. We went out for Indian food for nytyme's birthday; had a girls' night of cookie-making; and went out for drinks at a cool new bar in Brighton. I had a wonderful time and I'm glad I got to see a lot of people to wish them merry Christmas. Last night, I went to Heather's holiday party, which was so much fun. Through her parties, I've gotten to meet a bunch of guys and a girl who went to BU, and they are so much fun. We joke around like we've known each other for much longer than we actually have. Such fun people. I'm excited to see more of them. And the food, as always at Heather's, was fantastic. Thank you for the party, guys! And today, I think I'm going to curl up on the couch and watch some Netflix. Ahhh :D

Oh, I haven't mentioned this in a while, but it's been 72 days since I last had a cigarette. I feel great. I only have about 1 craving a week, and it's almost always when I'm drinking. I was in my local corner store last night, buying soda, and the guy behind the counter said, "Marlboro Lights?" "No," I said. "I've quit! I haven't had a cigarette in over two months now! Isn't that great?" "Yeah," he said, pretty glumly. "Yeah, I guess it is a loss of business for you, but it's really good for me." "You are only one customer, yes, but many others have quit." Guess those higher taxes really are kicking people out of the habit. I feel bad for those kinds of shopkeepers though because I know a lot of them sold lots of cigarettes to people. But, that's not really my problem. I still shop there and buy other things. (Though I don't spend as much money because I'm not buying the cigarettes.) Not my problem, right. I'm doing great. Feel good, breathe well, more energy. Lovely. :D

Since many of you have asked, the job interviews have all gone pretty well. (With the exception of one, which was a bomb, but humorous and not really disappointing at all.) I don't know when I'll hear back from any of them, but be sure, if I get a job, you will know about it. And, since all the interviewing is behind me now, and I have no plans for the rest of the week, I'm going to Boston for a few days. No plans really once I get there. Just going to hang out for a few days, enjoy being somewhere else. Play with someone else's kitten.

Tra la la ... not much to say. I had a good weekend. Drank way too much, recovered all the rest of the weekend. Bleh. Knitting is going well. Cats are playing nicely. Oh yeah ... and I finally got myself a new DVD player! Yee haw!!!

I'm having nightmares again. Bleh. Last night was one of the worst too. I won't describe it in detail because I can't. I can't believe my own imagination came up with that dream, but it did involve the mutilation and killing of my own cats, Ozzie and Donnie. I was so upset in the dream, as I would be in real life if those things happened to my boys. But, now I'm awake, with my gorgeous kitties right here next to me. The curtains are open and we're all three dazzled by the falling snow.

Mmm ... look at this strapping superhero looking for love ...

(Aw, damn. I missed blogging about this by an hour. OK OK, imagine that it's still the 3rd and the post will be much cooler.) Twelve years ago on Monday, December 3, 1990, the entire state of Missouri was gripped by fear ... of an earthquake. St. Louis lies on the New Madrid fault line, which has caused many earthquakes there. (I felt one myself while I lived there.) Climatologist Dr. Iben Browning -- whose credibility is unknown to me -- predicted that on December 3rd the New Madrid fault would cause a giant rumble. This prediction came less than a year after the whole world saw the destructiveness of the disaterous San Francisco earthquake, and panicked everyone in the area months before the famed date ever arrived. Some people left the area for a few days. Sales of earthquake insurance skyrocketed. Others considered keeping schools closed that day. Still others threw parties to toss dust in the face of Browning's silly theory, as earthquake prediction is very unreliable if even possible. T-shirts were made, buttons handed out, and even wilder superstitions grew. The one I remember best is 12/3, 4:56, 7.8, '90 -- date, time, magnitude and year of the supposed impending natural disaster. The hooplah was incredible. "December 3rd, December 3rd, December 3rd!" When the then-famous day finally arrived, I went to school, like most other days. And the earth stood still, like most other days. I do hope Browning is not freaking out any other states these days. But still, not a Dec. 3 goes by that I don't think about the earthquake that never was.

Dr. Phil and the Dalai Lama Agree: I Am the Key to My Own Happiness All I needed was to give myself a good talking-to. This is what I told myself.

I am where I am in my life because of the choices I have made. Though it can be said that some of the changes in my life have occurred because it was acted upon by outside forces, it has always been my decision as to how to deal with it. I take responsibility for how I am, for better and worse.
No one is going to make me happy except me. Though you are a delight and your support means a great deal to my success, I am the only one I can rely on to get me what I want. I can't let myself down.
Sitting at home, watching movies and playing with the cats is not going to get me anywhere. If I sit around waiting for something to come along and change my life for me, I will be sitting here playing with my cats when I'm 70, and that's not exaaaaactly where I want my life to go. Get off my ass!
I have many wonderful things in my life that others in this world are not fortunate enough to have. Family, friends, a safe home and good health.

That got me out of the hole I felt I was in, but I wanted to take it further. I started thinking about Holiday Spirit and what I could do to help those who aren't as lucky as me. So ...

I donated 6 coats today to the New York Cares Coat Drive.
I have an appointment tomorrow morning to donate platelets.

I also have a lot of clothes to give away, but I'm not sure where to take them yet. (I might call Salvation Army and see if they'll pick them up. It's too much to take on the subway. In one trip, anyway.) I'd also like to write a letter to a senior citizen or something like that, since I often read about how lonely they can get around this time. Anyone know of a service that organizes that kind of thing? In short, though, I'm out of my brief slump (no more crying on the floor, silly Caryn) and feeling very much into the Holiday Spirit, which feels much better than lying in a puddle of tears on my dusty hardwood floors. :D

Gosh, I feel rotten. I'm sure it's just post-Thanksgiving blues, since I started feeling lousy on the plane ride back from StL. I was distracted last night with lots of social activity, which was a lot of fun, but I haven't had much to do today except be a worry wart. A little while ago, though, I did pick up my kitting needles and taught myself a few things. (I can cast-on and knit, but purling started to trip me up, so I stopped.) I can't keep my mind on a movie. I tried going for a run, but it's too cold and I got out of breath very quickly. I was supposed to hang out with someone today, but I never heard from them. I can't read because my mind wanders too much and I end up reading the same paragraph 5 or 6 times before I realize that I still don't know what it said. I think tomorrow (after my job interview, of course) I might take myself to the park. Or go for a perky tanning session. Or buy myself a new dress. Something to cheer up.

www.worldAIDSday.org

shallow thoughts by csolly

Friday, December 20, 2002

Sunday, December 15, 2002

Wednesday, December 11, 2002

Monday, December 09, 2002

Thursday, December 05, 2002

Wednesday, December 04, 2002

Monday, December 02, 2002

Sunday, December 01, 2002

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