Into the New Year

With 2010 just around the corner, I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and post a few of my own personal highlights of 2009...

I guess the best part of 2009 started in 2008, with my interview at Milwaukee Center for Independence, and the phone call that followed saying I could start either the 5th or the 12th of January, 2009. So, folks, on January 12, 2010, I will have been working as a Nurse Case Manager for an entire year. My coworkers are excited because they know I'll bring in goodies. My case load is at 102 out of a maximum of 80 but, in spite of the complaints I sometimes make, I love this job. I love my coworkers, and I especially love the people I help take care of.

In February I drove to Chicago to meet my good friend Sam from Minneapolis. She had a little bit of a longer drive than I did, and what did we go for? Deer Tick was playing a $10 show at a tiny Venue called the Empty Bottle. Worth every penny and the cost of gas, hotel, and parking!

In March, My 1989 Honda Accord was smashed by a Ford F150. I still harbor resentment. I loved that car. We'd been through a lot together. But, it does bring me to my next big hurrah of 2009. On Pi Day (3.14) I purchased my Honda Fit! And it's orange. And I named her Clementine. Because it fit. It is such a fun car to drive! My only regret is that I'm not the only one with an orange Fit. I see those cuties everywhere now. ;-)

In no particular order now (because I don't remember the dates) some other highlights were:

Seeing the National for the first time live! My favorite band and they played my favorite song!

Saw Lucero live for the second time!

Neko Case. I saw her too! Also second time!

Saw the Fiery Furnaces live for the first time.

The Books. Seeing them live was amazing. Almost like I could physically feel all my troubles draining from my mind.

I'm sure I can come up with some highlights that don't revolve around concerts...

I joined LA Fitness and discovered Step Aerobics. I also discovered how much I love working out. So much that I don't even need to make it a resolution.

Saw my aunt and uncle and cousin and her kids (including the new baby!!) for 4th of July weekend. Had a blast. Almost died in the Arizona sun (exaggeration?).

I made my decision not to return to my graduate certificate program. One expensive semester was enough and the purpose of grad school was to move here and find a job anyway. Mission accomplished!

I adopted Fiona. Never considered myself much of a cat person, and I still want a dog with all my heart, but Fiona is such a good little kitty. I love her chirps and she plays peek-a-boo and gives me shoulder rubs. Not even kidding. I know everyone's cat has their own little unique quirks. I love the ones that my cat has acquired.

I spent $760 at Ikea. Maybe not a highlight but my new couch and bed sure are! Now I just need to make paying the rest of that off my New Year's Resolution.

And last, but in no way least, I started meeting some awesome people through Twitter. It's a great bunch of people and I love that I can call some of them friends. IRL friends, you guys.

So, here's hoping 2010 is just as awesome as 2009!

Real Conversations

Me: Oh! I can put these in my carry-on so if Zombies take over the plane I can break them in half and use it to stab them!
Candi: Oh totally.
Me: Candi, this is serious. This could actually happen.
Candi: I know and I'm sorry I didn't appreciate the severity of the situation.
Me: It was really insensitive.
Candi: I know and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.
Me: I hope I can too.
Candi: You're a bitch.

Passive Aggressive Notes

Night after night, bass pounds through my walls. Sometimes there are screams. It was coming from upstairs for a while but that stopped. Now it's coming from next door. And it starts around 10:30 at night.

I thought about knocking on these girls' door, and asking them to turn what passes for music these days down, but we all know that will only last tonight. Tomorrow night it will be back up, I'll have to complain to management, they'll know it was me. I don't want to be that neighbor. So I left a nice, anonymous note instead. On pink paper with cute little blue woodland creatures.

Hi guys. Other people live in this building with you. Some of those people work at 6am distributing medications to sick people. If you keep your music down and the screaming to a minimum, you can do your part to help the economy by lowering the cost of health care through reduced medication errors. I'd hate to get the building management involved. Thanks!

It's a small fib. We all know I work at 7:30 or 8 or whatever, and not in a hospital. But, maybe it'll work? Who knows. If it doesn't, I can make a complaint. Maybe if I complain enough, something will get done. I might not be renewing my lease, but I still have to live here another 5 months.