So long 2008

Amazing that another 365 days have gone by. This year has been a year of travel, finding out who my true friends are and forks in the road. Every year there are always defining moments and some you just never want to live through again. We all make choices and decisions which lead us down many different paths. I got to see amazing places and meet interesting people. I turned 40 which was an odd event all in its own. I do not know what the future will hold but I know what I would like to see. So as 2009 comes in here soon I just need to say...

Thank you to my family and friends. May 2009 bring you peace, happiness and prosperity!

Dear Body,

You have been there for me thick and thin and I very much appreciate it. But we need to go through another period of change. If we don't, then we may begin to experience periods of break downs. So in the up coming year, be ready because I have made a pact and I intend to keep it.

I know what I want and I am going to get it. Thank you but we must now part ways.

Me.

At the zoo

Here are Joe's favorite pic's and his comments from the San Diego Zoo.



"The rhino has his horn up the other rhino's butt!"







"He is amazing!"









" I think the Komodo dragon wants me for lunch!"










"Are they fighting or playing?"








"Thanks Aunt for the Christmas present!"

Where Food Channel should go...

In the past few months, a show from the Food Channel came to our town and filmed at a couple of restaurants. Personally, they were not ones I would have chosen. Both my brother and I agree that there is a restaurant on U.S. 60 called Screamers in Wickenburg, AZ where they should go. They have amazing hamburgers. I hope you have a chance to stop. Today, I got my chance again.

A smile

Today for lunch my family met at a local Mexican restaurant near my parent's house. It is a full house this week as my grandfather and one of my aunt's were at our house for Christmas. We know that my grandfather miss my grandmother this time of year so to give him a smile, we had this picture taken with a giant sombrero.

One of my favorite days

This has been a tradition for me and my nephew Joe for the last 4 years to go to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo to see the animals I got him and his brother for Christmas. We always have a blast. We took the bus tour then walked all over the zoo. We never have a plan. We saw snake, the Komodo dragon, lions, tigers and the polar bears. After the day at the zoo we go on the little train at the park. This year we road the merry-go-round that his dad and I rode when we were kids. We had a blast. He was so excited when I got the brass ring for us to go again. Hopefully next year Joe will be big enough to get the brass ring himself.

Merry Christmas!

The last shopping day...

Christmas is tomorrow. Time for family, food and cheer. I hope everyone has finished their Christmas shopping....

Running out of space

The snow on either side of my driveway is now about 5 ft in height. This is beginning to pose a problem. Reason is, my height is just taller than the snow. So when we get more this week, where am I suppose to put it? I am definitely getting a work out lifting shovel full loads up and over my head. My core is getting a great work out and at the present rate of getting snow like we are, I may have found a good way to reduce my mid-section. Now I just need to keep the rest of me from torquing, pulling or straining.

Time

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand... and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.
-- Marie Beyon Ray

Gift idea...

Ever since my oldest nephew was born, I have given him and now his brother a gift that doesn't need to be picked up, thrown away when broken or given away when they are done with it. My hope for them is that they find and continue with an appreciation with our planet. I get them a sponsorship to an animal at the San Diego Zoo. The day after Christmas we go to the zoo to give them a chance to see their present and learn about different animals that they may not have heard about. They both love animals and the environment and that makes me proud. So this year we have choosen the polar bear and the tiger. Two wonderful creatures that we need to respect and save.





I hope that maybe something like this or something else will be a gift option that you would choose. I know I would be honored.

Just 5 more days...

Christmas is just five days from now. It is kind of surreal. I have the majority of my shopping done and I should go out but I am not wanting to. I am in this disconnected mood.i have tried to listen to Christmas music but that hasn't helped. I have even tried watching movies about Christmas....no avail. I wonder how Santa Claus keeps his enthusiasm up?

Obesity tax?????

I ran across an article in the N.Y. Times the other day on a proposal to tax sugary sodas and juice drinks with less than 70% natural juice. This tax would be on top of the existing sales tax. The part that gets me is that they want to impose an 18% tax. 18%!!!!! New York claims that theyw ill use the money generated from the tax for health programs and hope to cut the obesity rate. Did high taxes on cigarettes work? No. I know I could say more but everything I keep writing just doesn't come across the way I would like it to. Argh...politics.

Dreaming of warm sand...

Ok.. I do love snow and winter but today I am not a happy camper. I had to shovel another 8 inches of snow from the drive way. While this is usually not a big deal, it is today because I have no where to put the snow. With more on the way next week, this ought to be interesting. Trying to move a lot of snow up and over my head is not fun. Time to get the snow thrower serviced and a ticket to the warm sands of the southern hemisphere.

Winter Driving 101

I am glad the snow decided to come after finals. It is always interesting watching people attempt to drive on the snow and ice. Especially people in 4-wheel drive vehicles. I happen to be an owner of one but I choose not to drive like I am immune to the elements. It is amazing to see people step on the gas like they are on dry pavement and forgetting that when you are braking on ice that your car may not stop. There are driveways and roads that I avoid during our current weather conditions. Looks like we are into three more months of this.

Happy and Safe Driving!

Winter is officially here...

Before shoveling...









After shoveling (4 hrs with help)...









No work today. We got about 12+ inches at my house over night. Now they are saying we are due for another 16 to 25 more inches in the next 48 hours. Wheeeeee!

OMG!

Trader Joe's has done it again. They have created a cookie that is absolutely amazing and you only need one. Yep that is right, just one. I picked up a box of "Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe Joe's". I was drooling as I savored each bite. Now to try one with a bold glass of red wine... Yum!

10 more shopping days....

Christmas is fast approaching. Faster than I want it to be. Part of that dread is shopping. So I thought a change of scenery would help. Yep...cacti and my mom. My mom came over to AZ to have a mom and daughter weekend. We had a blast. We explored different areas, talked and shopped. It was a blast. Hopefully we can do it again next year. Thanks mom!

The Three Redneck Tenors

Tonight was absolutely amazing! My mom and I saw the Three Redneck Tenors at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts in Wickenburg, AZ. This show was hilarious. The Three Redneck Tenors are classically trained musicians. They performed some re-arranged numbers of our favorite Christmas tunes. The first half of the show was a musical story. The second half was just the performers. During the musical story, they performed "Santa Baby". Seeing three guys maneuver in 4+" heels better than most women was amazing. They had on these skimpy outfits and the moves of a great drag queen. I was laughing so hard, I had tears streaming from my face. In February they will be in Prescott. There isn't a lot of video out there but I found Nessun Dorma. This was performed tonight. It was wonderful.

Planning....

Things I have learned while planning a major project

1. Cookies are great for being able to get things done.

2. If you delegate, it looks like you aren't finishing projects strong.

3. Maybe I need another career.

Good to know...

Yep....I have a brain and it is happy healthy and normal. At least for me, that is great news.

Back to what started it all....

Tonight my Jane Austen group saw "Becoming Jane". This was the movie that started it all in September 2007. Our group is small - Marianne, Ann, Tony, Larry and myself but it is enjoyable. We are all foodies so our menus are never dull. I am looking forward to when we start up in 2009. We all have our favorite stories and characters. Thank You Jane Austen! To the group - You guys are great. Thank you for for a wonderful year of laughs, tears and delicious food.

A secret...

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.
-- Buddha

How not to motivate someone...

Simple. Don't tell them it is because of them.

Up 'n Down

Feel Good...feel crappy...[take hot bath]...Feel Good...feel crappy...Feel Good...feel crappy...[take hot bath - again]...Feel Good...sleep.

...and the day will live in infamy. We remember.

Not going to happen

My body thinks it wants to get sick with a cold. I am reminding it that it wants to stay healthy. This ought to be an interesting challenge.

Life is an echo...

... what you send out comes back.
-- Chinese Proverb

... What you send out, comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others, exists in you.
-- Zig Ziglar

A shopping I do go...

Next week is finals here and I have 7 students who work for me. I know that for the next week I will not see them much because school comes first. So give them a little support and a smile, I went shopping for their gift bags. After wandering through both Target and the dollar store I found many little treats, pencils and stress reducers that I could. To top it off this year I went and got them $5.00 gift cards at Starbucks. I know they will do well on their finals!

Where did the year go?

On Monday I realized that we are in December and that all of the end of year holidays were fast approaching. Time marches at the same beat (give a bit for the earth's rotation). I can't believe 6 months ago I was in China. It feels like it was just yesterday. Looks like it is time to see if I can get in that festive mood. Time to make my list and check it twice.

Random Driving

You ever wonder what people are thinking about when they are driving? Are they really focused on the road and others around them or are they thinking about how their day is going/went? Seeing people singing makes me smile because they have joy in their life. Seeing people txting freaks me out and I just move to avoid them. The whole make-up/shaving routine is plain weird. I mean they should have spent 5 more minutes in the bathroom. Eating and drinking is another fun one. I wonder what they are having and is it good or not. Another thing is watching people size each others car up. Who will get off the line first and the whole I have to be ahead of you due to ego or gender. The last thing on driving is stop signs and lights. What part of the word S T O P do people not get. STOP does not mean your can can continue to move at least the last time I checked.

Customer Service - Part II

So this morning my delivery arrived and it arrived damaged. No I am not amused. One hour later on the phone I am suppose to get another one next week.. We'll see how it arrives this time. Sigh

Ourselves

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
-- Buddha

Amazing!!

Last night I went to an amazing concert with my mom, sister-in-law and a friend. It was Celtic Thunder. Celtic Thunder is 5 men from Ireland and Scotland. This group was put together by the legendary Phil Coulter. My dad use to listen to Phil Coulter a lot when I was a kid. This past September, my dad introduced me to Celtic Thunder. They are amazing. The live show was even better than the DVD. The songs made me miss Ireland and Scotland; invoke memories of my Irish and Scottish ancestors and well up my Irish/Scottish pride. Here are a couple of samples. I hope you enjoy.

The next three days...

1. Spend it with family and a friend
2. Rip out 388 sq ft of carpet
3. Rip out 12 sq ft of tile
4. Install 400 sq ft of laminate
5. Install 9 doorway transitions

Hmmm....maybe I will find my new career.

Give Thanks

One of my favorite movies is A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. It reminds me of a lot of things so I reminisce a lot and think of past gatherings.

To my family and friends, I am thankful you are in my life and as we ride the stream of change may we laugh, smile and take care of each other.

Hooray for Rain

It is always interesting when it is winter and it is raining instead of snowing. I am still in love with snow. Why? Well because it blankets the landscape giving it a new view. Odd but true. However I enjoy the smell of rain. It is fresh and clean. Ahhhh...

Customer Service

So today I worked from home in the afternoon because I was expecting a delivery. It was suppose to arrive between 1PM and 4PM. So I got home at 1PM only to find out they tried BEFORE I got home. So what part of between 1PM and 4PM did they miss? The best part was when I called to have them try again (at 1:30PM) I was told they were done for the day. No I was not amused. Now with money off and the first delivery slot on Monday, things will be good.

Smile

It's a short week!

Belated Birthday

Jacob!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Love, Aunt!

(It was Thursday and I did remember. I just forgot to post)

International Relations -- My Way.

Today I made a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner for our Chinese visiting faculty and a few of my friends. This is the third year that I have prepared it. We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, Waldorf salad, rolls and of course pumpkin and apple pies. It was a feast. My Chinese teacher and two of her colleagues came in the morning to help me prepare. It was a blast. Everyone else came at 1:oop.m. . It is amazing what you can talk about over a good meal. Everyone left full and happy. Maybe world leaders should try this style of relations.

A much better movie

So last Friday night I saw "No Reservations" and pretty much regretted it. There were times that I turned off the sound. I had heard I would but decided on my own. The flow of the movie was just not there. So in all fairness to the original "Mostly Martha" I got it for tonight.
This movie was great. The main character had emotion and feeling which is something I did not get in the remake. "Mostly Martha" flowed and the stories were a little different. So if you get a chance, leave "No Reservations" on the rack and rent "Mostly Martha" instead. You will enjoy it. The food in it is amazing.

Where to be...

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.
-- A. Lincoln

When life is crazy...

For tonight

A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.
-- Jane Austen (1775 - 1817), Mansfield Park

In that mood...

I am in a that mood where I just want to chuck my job, buy a 1912 Edwardian house in the Midwest and turn it into a B&B. Why? Simple. Lack of respect. Tired of the B.S. and needing change and a few other things in my life.

The ever battle...

On the continuum of exercise, I am always trying to find ways that I will want to do it and enjoy it. I already have some aspects of exercise built into my daily life but I need more. So I finally broke down and bought the Wii by Nintendo. Before I went out and purchased one, I tried one on Halloween. Some of my students came over and brought one. It was fun and I worked up a good sweat. My Wii arrived on Thursday and Friday night I hooked it up. I am working on a routine of 15 minutes playing tennis and 15 minutes of boxing and then will mix it up. Hopefully this will nudge my body off its plateau and start dropping again even with the holidays.

My version of team building

Tonight I took my students to Prescott to a minor league hockey game. I grabbed a suburban and off we went. All of us together allowed for discussion and camaraderie. We had In-N-Out Burger which was awesome. The game was great. Lots of goals and a fight mixed in. Although the Arizona Sundogs lost, it was a lot of fun.

An interesting day...

Today was definitely a Friday. The application that was broken earlier this week was fixed thanks to the vendor breaking it. I guess they figured their technical support branch didn't have enough to do and they they also needed to frustrate the crap out of their customers. Yep their name is mud with me. Also today was the end of a path. My direct supervisor got a new job and today was her last day. Our team is being merged with another team. That will be cool because it will be with people I already like. Yep that is a plus. But it again is change.
Change is a popular theme in my life. Things change for good and things change for bad. Thing change because people get their shorts in a knot because they misinterpret things. Oh well...life goes on. I am not sure how much more change I am willing to embrace. However, there are some areas that I am looking forward to changing.
Tonight is me time. Watching my chick flick and getting some sleep for work comes at me again tomorrow.

I am tired...

Up at 3:15am
To Work by 4am
Work for many hours
Chinese
Lunch (not the same thing as Chinese)
Work for many more hours
Put my body back into some sort of alignment
Bunko
Computer repair

....sleep....midnight...life is priceless

Isn't today....not a Monday?

My thought for today was it was going to be a quiet one with not many issues. Just resolving the ones I had at the end of my work week...last week. Friday was just horrible....horrible and unfortunately today was as well. Things are broken that shouldn't be broken and neither I nor the vendor know why.

Well it will only get better...soon...maybe...eventually...*sigh*...I have to be in at 4am tomorrow...

Rememberance Day

Today is is 90th anniversary of World War I. In it's honor, I am posting a poem by a Canadian physician, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. It was written after he saw his friend killed in the first World War.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
-- John McCrae

We do remember.

It is pleasant...

...to have been to a place the way a river went.
-- Thoreau

Do you ever?

Just wonder why? I mean it can be any subject or thought. Why this and not that. I have a lot of whys right now. I just need not to wonder. Or actually maybe I should to put forth things to get the answers. I will get the answers I am seeking and in the way I want.

Bubbles...bubbles...bubbles...

Anyone who knows me understands that my sanctuary is my bath tub. I go there to unwind, find peace, think and sometimes reboot. In order to enjoy my sanctuary, I must have a couple of required items: candles, fluffy towels and a plethora of bath products. My enjoyment of salts, soaps and bubble bath is bound to keep several companies in business. My favorite bubble bath of all time is no longer made...Gloom Away by Origins. I only have one bottle left and I use that only for special occasions (sounds like a good bottle of scotch). My now second favorite is Midnight Pomegranate from Bath & Body Works. The description from their site states that the red pomegranate has been rounded out with anise, patchouli, blackberry and cassis. The aroma invokes the visions of fall and winter. Ahhhh.

Ahhhh

In my quest to actually get caught up with movies I have missed in the last few years, I decided to sign up for Netflix. Mostly because I don't always remember what I wanted to see or by the time I think about getting a movie, I am already home and don't want to head out.

Tonight I finally got to see Shopgirl. It was a wonderful movie and now I want to read the novella written by Steve Martin. It was an interesting composition on life. I really enjoyed the character interactions and their use of color to convey the mood. If you get the chance, check it out.

Now to the other 50+ movies on my list...

Today

It's hard to believe it has been two years. I am lost in my thoughts and memories today. Time does heal.

Windows 3.x

In a bygone era there was Windows 3.x. What memories that brings up... Dr. Watson's , nasty viruses and a time of little bloatware. Just a few days ago, November 1st actually, Microsoft stopped selling licenses to the 18 year old product. It hasn't aged like a good bottle of scotch but there are machines out there in cyberland still running it.

It makes me smile to realize that when the operating system came out the people I work with or those who work for me were either in elementary school or in diapers. I wonder if they even knew about it.

So a toast to the aged OS and thank you for the memories.

Whew!

At long last it is election day. Today we use our right to either re-elect the old or try something new. I am making my choices and others will be making theirs. It is an interesting election with fear being very rampant. Many are afraid of change. Many are afraid of race and gender.

Personally I don't like either candidate or any party. They (individually) don't represent my views on the environment, women's rights and that religion should be left out of politics.

Tonight we find out and tomorrow...no more YouTube videos or news stories. We can get back to work instead of seeing/hearing about what came out of this or that candidate's mouth. Families will still be divided because of individual choices but eventually, we'll get over it.

Another of my rules...

Yep, this about sums it up...

Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.
-- Buddha

Taking care of myself

Today was a great relaxing day. For me, that consists of a nice drive off the beaten path. This one took us from Wickenburg to Prescott across 89. The windy switchbacks were just what the doctor orders. Lunch at Murphy's in Prescott...Awesome.

A great way to end a great weekend.

Saturday night....

My equation for a great Saturday night is as follows:

1 Hockey Game + 4 friends + 1 of them a Kid who loves to yell + Beer = a great night out.

Thanks K, P, K, P. It was a blast!

Happy Halloween!

Which Jane Austen heroine are you?

No I wasn't surprised.

Hmmm

How many times can I break till I shatter?
Shattered, O.A.R

What I don't want to hear

It is amazing how people think talking or texting in a public restroom is ok. Yes I said Public Restroom. I got to hear all about this person's date who was in the restaurant. All of this blah blah blah was while this young woman was on the can. I was just amazed that she figured the rest of us cared or that she was the only one in the restroom. I hope the guy has enough brains to realize that she will not be the one. While heading to my class the other day, I used the restroom and could hear another young woman banging away on her cell phone sending text messages. If you are going to text in the restroom, at least turn off the sound. Geez!

The "Me" generation needs to rent a clue about manners and protocols because I don't think those of us around you want to hear about your life. We just want some peace while we pee!

To start the week...

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
-- Herm Albright

Oh what a beautiful day!

Giving back

Where I work, there is a person I know who's husband is a pastor at a prison. One of the things he does is give homemade cookies to each prisoner. So today I have spent baking cookies. I made oatmeal and sugar cookies. The house smells wonderful and I made 24 dozen.

It was a good day.

Another one...

The human system

My human system has been in a wonky mood as of late. Today was definitely no exception. Unfortunately it decided that it needed to reboot hard today. Sigh. Dinner, little sleep and computer systems not functioning correctly have been the problem. I think the worst is over...except for the computer system. Thank goodness for chemistry.

At the middle

Start every day off with a smile and get it over with.
-- W. C. Fields (1880 - 1946)

An $1,800.00 Toilet Seat

While looking for something else tonight, I ran across the Kohler C3-200 toilet seat. All I can say is..I want one.

I mean with the water and fan..would you even need toilet paper?

It's decided...

I need a job where I can get a lot of sleep, no pagers/cell phones going off and a few other things...

It's fall...

This year the changing of the leaves just didn't meet my expectations. Two nights below freezing crisp upped the leaves so we didn't see the colorful slide from green...yellow...red. I guess I am just going to have to use my imagination from years past...and that is ok.

Being part of the world.

Today was the "Go Big for Parkinson's". It was a 5K run and a 2K walk to raise awareness of Parkinson's. It was good to give back. Do you?

At last.....

You know when I think of that phrase of just two words, I always think of that wonderful song sung by Etta James. While for me it is about my week...for others it will be for what they need it to be.

If only...

"When there is disaster, two things occur, change and opportunity."
-- Old Chinese Proverb

Unfortunately we don't like change so there goes the opportunity.

Where are my headphones?

When I left for China in May, my headphones were safely on my desk attached to my computer. When I got back, I had one of my student's headphones on my desk and mine were missing. It has been 4 months since I got back and I never did find my headphones. I am still annoyed.
One of my other student's drew this as to where my headphones went. A nice thought but no. Does anyone know where my headphones went?

Human pin cushion

Blood drawn in the morning and a flu shot in the afternoon. For someone who doesn't like needles, this is not fun. But nothing a great evening with friends and wine couldn't fix.

Another Monday

Nothing is impossible. Some things are just less likely than others.
-- Jonathan Winters

On a chilly autumn day

I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.
-- Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 - 1864)

I love watching the leaves change through their hues as the cold winter days approach. I still collect a few aspen leaves to remind me of some things that make me smile.

Nights in Rodanthe

Today my friend Marianne and I saw this movie. Wow! It was amazing. Both my mom and my friend Michele said to take Kleenex and that is all they would say other than you must see it. Both Richard Gere and Diane Lane did an amazing job. I may have to go again. It's a thumbs up.

I am not going to spoil it. So if you go...take your Kleenex.

The weirdest experience

So today I had an MRI of my head. (Yes everything is still there!) You are put in a tube, there is a cage that is placed over your head and you can not move. They gave me ear plugs. Thankfully my friend Ann explained to me the whole procedure because otherwise I would have been a bit freaked. Thanks Ann! The scan seemed to go on and on and on and on. I could feel everything everything from my cells to the molecules in my body. At last it is over and I think whew I am done. Uhhhh....no. They need to do a second scan in contrast. What does this mean? Then I think back to the forms I signed. I get Gadolinium injected into me. Anyone who knows me, knows that me and needles going into my veins is not something I deal with well. I quickly explain to the technician this and attempt to breath through it. The second scan was weirder than the first. I could feel the Gadolinium surging through my arteries and veins. Now the waiting game.

Why can't I sleep?

Oh yeah....tomorrow.

When I say...

So when you here me say "how lovely for you" it just means I went to finishing school so I wouldn't say... "Who...[beep]...cares!"

In being...

It is important to recognize the power of our emotions--and to take responsibility for them by creating a light and positive atmosphere around ourselves. This attitude of joy that we create helps alleviate states of hopelessness, loneliness, and despair. Our relationships with others thus naturally improve, and little by little the whole of society becomes more positive and balanced.
-- Tarthang Tulku

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
-- Buddha

Nobel Prize

I always look forward to the first week of October ever since I was young. This year is no exception. Now is when the Nobel Prizes in Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace and Economics occurs. These prizes open up new subjects to learn about and works that I haven't yet read. Today the Nobel Prize in Medicine went to two French researchers who discovered the human AIDS virus and a German scientist who showed that human papilloma virus causes cervical cancer. Tomorrow it's Physics.

For more information visit http://nobelprize.org/

Universe 1 Me 0

Well the stars are aligning and my path is becoming clearer. It seems the universe is against me. Looks like inevitable will come. Bummer.

A good way to start

You have got to love weekends. A time to step away from the office and hope there are no emergencies for you. Mine started very early this morning. I met my dad and mom at Rock Springs Cafe for breakfast. We met at 8am which meant I had to leave by 6:30am. Yes i do drive 90 minutes for breakfast! But prior to that I made peanut butter cookies for their anniversary. boy was my dad happy. The fun thing about my family is that we are just a goofy lot. My dad and I fought for the check -- he won. Then off to the Anthem outlet stores for a bit of shopping. My dad in Bath and Body Works was hilarious. If I only had a picture. Oh well. Instead it is my memory. I got stuff for my tub, clothes and new shades. What a productive day and a good drive to boot.

How many more days?

I am counting down the days for this election to occur. Why? Because I am sick and tired of it all and that everything is being twisted into a political agenda. On one of the blogs I read the person posted a question concerning giving money to a hungry family and a person with an addiction to crack. I mean on November 5th are we going to magically decide that this isn't about the Democrats and the Republicans but to see we as a populace think? Argh!!! Here is the deal...I am not happy about who has been nominated for both sides. No one's opinion is right and judging people for their opinion and being rude about it tells me a lot. I am not asking for whirled peas. I am just wanting people to be civilized, pull their heads out and think.

Perhaps the history of the errors of mankind, all things considered, is more valuable and interesting than that of their discoveries. Truth is uniform and narrow; it constantly exists, and does not seem to require so much an active energy, as a passive aptitude of the soul in order to encounter it. But error is endlessly diversified; it has no reality, but is the pure and simple creation of the mind that invents it. In this field the soul has room enough to expand herself, to display all her boundless faculties, and all her beautiful and interesting extravagancies and absurdities.
-- Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), from his report to the King of France on Animal Magnetism, 1784

UPDATE: Well our employees filled the bill with a good bit of pork. Time to fire the lot of them. Here are some of the pieces.

Congratulations!

Dad and Mom,

Happy 43rd Anniversary!

Love, Me!

Did you know?

One of the interesting facts that is now stuck in my head that I learned in China is that their traditional music is based different system than ours. The Chinese system concentrates in a similar way on a seven-tone scale but with a five-tone core (wu sheng) plus two changing (pien) tones. So now you know. :-)

My time

Tonight was for me. I watched the end of the American League Central tie-breaker game between the Chi Sox and the Twins. Then it was off to the tub and some reading. It is nice to read things other than manuals and technical papers. Tonight is was a fragment of an unfinished novel by Jane Austen called "The Watsons". You can read about it and another unfinished novel here.

The heavens

4:15AM came oh so early this morning. The alarm went off and I wondered aloud about what the heck and it was still dark! Oh yeah I needed to get to work. It was a chilly clear morning. As I drove in I opened the roof of my car to see the stars. It is great to live in a city that has a dark skies ordinance. All those billions and trillions of sparkles in the sky. In many parts of the country, you can't see but a few. My nephew Joe is so surprised by how many stars are up there when he comes to visit. Maybe next year he will be ready to visit the Lowell Observatory. This morning I saw the constellation Orion which reminds me we are heading into fall and winter. Time is ticking and life is moving forward.

Enjoying the night time sky in solitude allows me to wish upon the falling stars, see the planes and satellites streak across the sky, and talk to the man in the moon. What a beautiful sight!

So what did I do today?

Cleaned my house
Watched football
Worked on the computer
Watched football
Worked on the computer some more
Watched more football
Writing this and realizing that in less than 5 hours I need to be at work

I need one more day...

It has been some time...

It has been quite awhile for me to think about which way I am suppose to go along my path in life. While I was in China, I faced with the choice to the left. Do I take the easy path to the left or do I choose the harder path to the right (Especially one that has a tree growing in it). Which path I choose that day is of little consequence. I was faced by many choices that day. Sometimes I was able to take one path and circle around only to choose the other. In life though we are not given that chance. How many times have you been faced with a choice and been allowed to do it over? For me, not once. In the past several months, this picture has often come to mind. It is located at a Daoist temple on the side of a mountain. Many things went through my head and heart that day and a few decisions made. As long as I don't run into the tree growing up in the path, I will be ok.

Seeker of truth

If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.
-- Rene Descartes

Stepping on my soapbox

Hmm... What a time in politics. We have had 8 years of WTF! Citizens of foreign nations think we have a low IQ and wonder if we even care about how we are perceived by the rest of the world. I am usually not one to discuss politics. However lately the topic of politics is coming into all sorts of conversations. So tonight I am just going to ramble along my thoughts.

[Begin ramble]
I find it interesting that people are automatically labeled "conservative" or "liberal" based on their beliefs. Who came up with these labels in the first place? It saddens me that our society has become so afraid of what is different. May it be someone's skin color or their religious beliefs or their gender. What makes life interesting are these differences. To those who feel that they are above everyone else because these differences; I feel that they need to take a hard look inside. No one religion, race or gender is right. As you can guess I have been labeled a "liberal" because I am open-minded, open-hearted and open to ALL religious beliefs. I am going to continue to do what I have always done...THINK. The one thing that I am not going to do is allow dogma to dictate my choices and freedoms. So for this I am labeled a liberal. Hmm...better than a sheep.

Now some of things that have come up are about qualifications of the candidates. I really don't believe any of the presidential candidates and their choices as running mates are truly qualified. Anything can look good on paper and many can BS their way through an interview. That is what this election is...You have two people interviewing for a job. We are their employers. Besides the last time I checked my history books, George Washington and a number of our early presidents didn't have the qualifications many people are looking for. Do you think that we would have had George Washington under the current set of supposed qualifications? Probably not.

So where are we at? At the fulcrum point in society. The American people need to start being "We the People..." instead of allowing our government to trash the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. So educate yourselves..complain...demand changes be made. Otherwise the checks and balances will be gone before you know it. One thing to keep in mind is the separation between Church and State. It is there for a reason.

I hope that someday the American population pulls their brains out from where ever they have been storing them and actually use them. So get out there and vote. If you don't get out there and vote on November 4th, you can't bitch about it later.

My two cents.
[End ramble]

Now we wait for the outcome...

Ahhh...

I took a few hours off today to take care of me. I went and hung out in the forest to recharge my batteries. My brain is currently off kilter thanks to something going on in my inner ear. Soon that will be resolved but until then, it looks like I will need to keep taking my migraine medication to keep my head from exploding...sigh.

For tonight

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously.... Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.
-- Jane Austen (1775 - 1817), Pride and Prejudice, 1811

When you dream...

Dreams for me are interesting. I am not into the whole psychoanalyzing them but just seeing what is in my subconscious. The topics range from work issues to personal issues. The people in them vary and sometimes they are no longer with us. In the past couple of weeks I have had the type of dreams where you feel like the dream is an extension of the day. Running here and there...dealing with situations...living on the other plane of existence. I am definitely going to need to change my current schedule and habits. This current state is exhausting.

I have great friends

So as you all know, I turned 40 a couple of weeks ago. I didn't want a party for a number of reasons which are personal to me. So what I did that day was come to work really early and bring in my birthday cake (German Chocolate with Coconut Pecan frosting -- My favorite!) for my office. I sent out an email and told them all to enjoy it. It was an amazing cake because when I got back into work the next day, there was one more piece left...for me. Later in the day I enjoyed some Johnny Walker Blue. That was a good present to myself. For one of my friends, my wishes for no party fell on deaf ears. She told me I needed one and we compromised on her idea. A tea party for a small group of people. It was a little over week ago but I still think about it. We had Champagne, a wonderful selection of teas and she made everything...scones...finger sandwiches...yum!

Thanks Marianne! You were right.

My hope for Spring....

Mom and I planted 57 bulbs today! It should be awesome! Although I need to get few more bulb varieties.

Whew!

At last the week is over. The start of this one was looking a lot like the last one. Fortunately it slide into a quiet abyss. Now to the weekend. Mom is here and I know she has a list for me. Bring it on.

Wishes

We all wish for something every now and then. Sometimes our wishes are for the train to move faster because we are waiting for it. Sometimes it is concerning the people in your life. Sometimes it is just personal to you.




What are your three wishes?

Small Feet...A Big Heart...A Pair of Shoes

Where I work, I can't always wear sandals. There is a room that is very cold and there are a lot of servers and networking equipment in it and no sandals are allowed. So when I went to work today, I didn't think I would be needing to go in there so I choose my footwear for the day accordingly. As I was headed to the no sandals room, I stopped by the office of two of my friends. One of them offered me his extra set of shoes. I wear a woman's size 6 and he wears a man's size 13. I may have looked like a clown but at least my feet were warm. Thanks You!

My Tuesday

Nope the week isn't getting any better. Sigh...

I wish people who have trouble communicating would just shut up.
-- Tom Lehrer

Monday, Monday...

For the past week I have had different songs stuck in my head. Not even "It's a Small World" could get rid of them. So being the day that it is, I now have "Monday, Monday" stuck in my head. I have decided to share the other ones with you so you too can have them stuck in your head. Enjoy!

This one is courtesy of my student Dave...It took days to get this song out of my head...days...


And this one is from my Bunko buddies...Thanks!


Thanks to my hair and Cousin IT...

My happiness...for today at least

Football on my 50" plasma TV, snacks and a beer... A great thing today is the Steelers won in not so great weather.

It's only the middle of September!

Ok, I am the one who is looking forward to fall and winter. But we still have 9 days until the fall equinox. It is suppose to be 39 ºF overnight. Brrrrrrrr! Looks like I am turning on the heat or definitely sleeping in until it gets warm tomorrow.

I so agree...

The creator of the universe works in mysterious ways. But he uses a base ten counting system and likes round numbers.
-- Scott Adams

Day four of a migraine

Ok body this is getting ridiculous...Day four of a migraine. I don't usually get the traditional description of a migraine. Mine are like electrical storms and only on one side of my head. Sigh. Other symptoms are rearing their head this week...vertigo, pressure in the ear and the feeling like someone is standing on the side of my head. Not fun.

Today is also a day of remembrance for 9/11/01. It is hard to believe that it occurred 7 years ago.

A long day...

Not sure what to write about today. My long day at work, reflections on things going on or life in general. I think I will not write about much of anything. I have been up for many hours and I think that getting into anything heady will just make life more complicated. So I am sticking to making things less complicated.

Fall is approaching

The mornings are crisp and the need for another blanket on the bed at night is inching closer. Some nights you need it for awhile and then you wake up drenched in sweat and wonder why you feel like you are sleeping in the tropics with no air conditioning. We are fast approaching my favorite time of the year. The leaves will change and show us the hues of yellows, oranges and reds. Fall is a time of reflection for me. I have to look back at the year and determine if I fulfilled my goals/resolutions for the year. If I haven't, I may still have enough time to do so and if I have, I can pat myself on the back. Some goals/resolutions have been on the list year after year. It is probably time to let them go...

A thought for a Monday

It is not a bad idea to get in the habit of writing down one's thoughts. It saves one having to bother anyone else with them.
-- Isabel Colegate

Good food and music

Where?
The Jazz Brunch at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
Thanks Dad.

Dad and Daughter Day

This weekend is just for me and my dad. What do we do to spend quality time together? Go to a baseball game. So early this morning I hopped into my car, drove 2.5 hours to the Phoenix airport and flew to San Francisco. Yes...San Francisco. My team lost tonight but that is OK. Just being able to have an adult beverage in a really nice hotel bar and hanging at a baseball game drinking beer with my dad makes me smile.

So dad...where do we go to next? Houston? Chicago? Denver? As long as I can get my bloody mary before the flight...we're good.

A happy brain

Estimated amount of glucose used by an adult human brain each day, expressed in M&Ms: 250
-- Harper's Index

Today

There are a million things to do, say and achieve. Now I just need to start at #1 and finish #1,000,000 by December 31.

Wheeee.

Labeling ourselves

A myriad bubbles were floating on the surface of a stream. 'What are you?' I cried to them as they drifted by. 'I am a bubble, of course' nearly a myriad bubbles answered, and there was surprise and indignation in their voices as they passed. But, here and there, a lonely bubble answered, 'We are this stream', and there was neither surprise nor indignation in their voices, but just a quiet certitude.
-- Ask the Awakened by Wei Wu Wei


So are you the stream or the bubble?

Things I am avoiding

1. The Republican Convention
2. The Democrat Convention
3. Cleaning my house
4. Migrating my old computer to my new one
5. Completing my New Years Resolutions

Where I hide...

So true...

You probably wouldn't worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do.
-- Olin Miller

Looking forward to this day...

I'd be in the 12%

http://www.itworld.com/security/54579/survey-it-staff-would-steal-secrets-if-laid

"Most IT staff would steal sensitive company information, including CEO's passwords and customer details, if they were laid off, according to a new survey from Cyber-Ark.

A staggering 88 percent of IT administrators admitted they would take corporate secrets, if they were suddenly made redundant. The target information included CEO passwords, customer database, research and development plans, financial reports, M&A plans and the company's list of privileged passwords."

88%?!?!?!?!?!?! I am just flabbergasted, but at the same time I am not. It is interesting to watch the ethical values of people.

My cool bike

I got a new bike a couple of weeks ago. It is a folding bike that makes taking it to work so much easier. It is awesome and red! Unfolding and assembling is a a piece of cake. It is easy to ride and you get a great workout. Thanks Mike for telling me to get this bike with 20" wheels instead of one with 16" wheels!

Word of the Day -- Anomaly

1. The angular distance of a planet from its perihelion as seen from the sun
2. Deviation from the common rule : irregularity
3. Something anomalous : something different, abnormal, peculiar, or not easily classified

Happy Hair

My hair dresser is back again and I am happy. She was excited to see that it was long. It still is mostly. She talked me into keeping that but not going blond. Whew!

I made it!

Today is my 40th birthday. So much has happened in the last 10 years. There are people who were here then that are gone now. I have made new friends and lost others. I have my wonderful nephews. I have had to say goodbye to some of my family as time does march on. I have traveled to many places at home and visited places abroad I never thought I would see. I have even learned a new language. I am blessed.

Wo ai Zhongguo

Today the Olympics ended in Beijing. Two months ago I was in Beijing. It is amazing how time has flown by and how much I have changed. I think it is time for more change...maybe it is time to go back.

Mother Nature Smiling

When is winter?

When I saw this flower, I thought of a snowflake. I am loving summer and the monsoons but I know autumn and winter are approaching and that makes me smile.

What I need to do...

Follow my folly.

Natures Description

I didn't take this video but I think it pretty much describes life right now. The sugar water is my time and the Rufus hummingbirds are me. The remaining hummingbirds are all the things that need my time. All will be well in the end.

Be Happiness itself

Live your life in happiness, even though those around you lead lives which are unhealthy, and wish to spread their illness to you. Be Happiness itself.
-- Buddha

Happy Birthday!

Love, Aunt!

Today was...

My day for me.
No phones.
No TV.
A bath.
A book.
Meditate...
Quiet...
Ahhh......

Importance of Recognition

It is important to recognize the power of our emotions--and to take responsibility for them by creating a light and positive atmosphere around ourselves. This attitude of joy that we create helps alleviate states of hopelessness, loneliness, and despair. Our relationships with others thus naturally improve, and little by little the whole of society becomes more positive and balanced.
-- Tarthang Tulku

Plan for the weekend

Sleep...
Work...
Sleep...
Work...

Less than 1 week until it all begins.

It's upside down

Too much to do.
Too much on my mind.
Mind know that there is too much to do so it wakes me up.
Why does it like to wake me up between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m.
I can't turn a switch to the off button to quiet it down.
Too much to do.
Too much on my mind.

A good thing in life...

Dark Chocolate brownies + Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream + Great Company = ahhhhh

Zzzzzzz....

True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.
-- William Penn (1644 - 1718)

The answer is.........

No

Sunday rainy Sunday

It rained...
It poured...
It hailed...

I love monsoon season.

What is important.

The main things which seem to me important on their own account, and not merely as means to other things, are knowledge, art, instinctive happiness, and relations of friendship or affection.
-- Bertrand Russell

The lucky day...

Today is an amazing day around the world. It is the start of the Olympics and two friends of mine are getting married.

I hope all will be successful.

Congratulations Marga and Christian!

To be successful

If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.
--Albert Einstein

Human Behavior

It is fun watching people. Today I was just in space out mode when I realized that there there two couples having a conversation. I wasn't in the mood to listen so I just tuned them out. Meanwhile there was another person who was intently listening to them. Back and forth their head moved in the volley of conversation. It made me smile to watch him intently wanting to join their conversation which he was not part of. Eventually he found a way in. I still don't know what they were talking about and I don't care. But in reality we all want to be part of something.

It was a draw

2 mosquitoes + 1 human body + 1 tissue = a draw

Adult lunches

Monday lunches with my friend Kurt makes the start of the week enjoyable. My post today is called the "adult lunch" because Kurt's daughter Kim calls our Friday lunches the "kiddie lunch". At the adult lunch we get to talk about life and not drama related issues or computers. We discuss things like the upcoming hockey schedules, cooking and old stories. Got to love life.

A quote for a Sunday

The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.
-- Oscar Wilde

One of my rules

If you think that you are the only who is busy...try again.
If you think you can come in with a crappy attitude and dump on everyone else...try again.

So what rule is this?
Be careful who you trash and cop attitude with because it may come back to bite you.

My Week

So much for hope...

The crappy week is continuing...*sigh* Only one more day....just one more day....I think I should invest in some stock for Gaviscon.

Hump Day

Wow this week will just never end. Each day has had a crappy component to it. Today I was at a breaking point and it required frozen yogurt to sooth it. My students are really happy when I have days like today. I just hope tomorrow isn't like today....

Only if it were true...

The squeaking wheel doesn't always get the grease. Sometimes it gets replaced.
-- Vic Gold

Pounding...Pounding

Oh I had a headache of headaches today. It was compounded by a crappy day at work and other things. The only thing that killed it was an ice pack and an Advil.

Life is a Smile

From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere... If you never did, you should. These things are fun and fun is good.
-- Dr. Seuss, One Fish two fish red fish blue fish, 1960

Grand Canyon Railway

It's going to be a good weekend

Dinosaurs...trains...and fun!

Can we always?

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
-- Dr. Seuss

My human body...

Some mornings I am better off climbing back in bed with either a heat or an ice pack. Today is one of those days. My neck and shoulder decided to have an argument with the rest of me. I am not surprised since all that drives me up a tree gets stored there. Tomorrow will be another day.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom,

Happy Birthday. You are awesome!












Love, Me

I own a clue

The things we know best are the things we haven't been taught.
-- Marquis de Vauvenargues

A fun Sunday

In my veins...

This weekend is the Celtic festival in Flagstaff. I have missed it the last couple of years because I am usually out of town. Not this year! It is a great festival with Highland games, piper and dance competitions and seminars on a variety of topics. Plus you can get great Irish beer as well. this year I found a seminar by Glenfiddich distillery. They compared 12, 15 and 18 year old scotch. It was a blast. I have now found the job I want. Going to festivals and other events talking about scotch and how to drink it. Now I just need to figure out how to get this job....

My favorite methodology

Keep it simple; as simple as possible, but no simpler.
-- Albert Einstein

Something to remember

A fork in a hot pan may be hot. Instead of using raw flesh to find out, use a pot holder no matter what. Otherwise you get unhappy flesh on fingers. So....

Hot Pan + Metal Fork = Oh now that was smart!

Thump...thump...thump...

Dear moth...

Please stop running into the window. You are not coming in. All I hear is thump...thump...thump. You are just going to knock yourself silly. I am turning off the light now and going to bed. Go find another window.

Me.

In honor of movie night

Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.
-- Jane Austen

Why not seize the pleasure at once, how often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparations.
-- Jane Austen

Rain drops keep falling on my head...

Well I know I should have taken pictures today but I think it will be a funnier description in words. It is lovely monsoon season. Like RiskyTruk, I like this season and October...although I do love snow. Today was great. I went to lunch with two of my friends. One walked back to his office at the start of the rain because we were only 100 yards from it. The other two of us waited for the downpour to subside with our bikes. It finally let up and off we went. We had attempted to decide which way we were going to head back. We had a communication break down and I went one way and he went another. I figured we would meet up on the other side. Well I am circling and circling and getting more wet and finally he comes from the other side. Turns out he and a curb did not negotiate well and he ended up on the ground...Ouch! So we get to the office and we are wet but not drenched. Right when we get to the bike rack, the sky unzipped and just dumped. Now I was drenched and looked like I just got out of the shower with my clothes on. One of the students says to me "you picked a good time to grow your hair out"...he is probably right. I was still damp when I got here 4.5 hours later. I love monsoon season!

Argh!

Why are things so difficult?

The greatest...

The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.
-- Atisha

Clear skies..

There is one thing that I love about Arizona when you get out of the big cities...the night time sky. Tonight I got to hang out with my mom looking at the constellations and the shooting stars. I made my wishes...will they come true? Only time will tell.

Quietness of my thoughts

It has been a bumpy couple of years...as I have written before about the losses of people and pets in my life. Anniversary dates come and go and over time, things seem to get a little easier. This week I experienced another loss from my extended network of family...my aunt. My mom and one of her sisters were unable to get there in time to say good bye. I think that would be kind of difficult even though they weren't getting along. My hope is for peace in their souls.

In my mailbox

One of my friends left me the following quote in my mailbox at work:

Realizing one's own real essence is the ultimate expression of enlightenment.
-- Hui-neng

It is now posted in my office. Thanks for the reminder.

Three of my favorite guys

Joe, Jacob and Mike. Love you guys!

My day

Am I a morning person?

The answer to that is simply...No. So people, do not expect me to use the English language correctly, be in a good mood or ready to have an intellectual conversation. I have heard it is the best time of the day. So when it is summer I will get up early and when it is winter I will get up late. Thank you for your understanding.

Fragility of Life

So this week I got the news from my mom that one of her sisters, my aunt, has been moved into hospice. How did we get the news...my grandfather. In a moment I will explain but first, my aunt has been suffering from Lupus for over 20 years and now has cancer. She has survived strokes and the breakdown of her body from the medications she has had to take. My mom has three sisters and one brother. They are all unique in that paths they choose for their life as did my mom. So why did we have to hear from my grandfather? Simple, our family is currently the black sheep of the extended family. Why? We are who we are and do things with out the expectation of reciprocation. Some times people see in others what they wished they could do or be like. Although we are the black sheep, my mom still tries and cares. There are a number of emotions flowing right now. In the end, all will be right. I am very appreciative that both my dad and my mom who taught me that caring is important and doing what we can for others with out expectations is always the best thing to do. Dad and mom...Thank You!

It's been 232 years...

Today is the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. To be exact, it is the 232nd anniversary. The changes that have occurred during this time has been immense. The changes that I feel have made the greatest impact are:

• Definitions of words have changed (i.e. what a patriot is)
  
• The modernization of industry
• The movement from the greater good to the individual
• Religious Agendas

From my list, I will only comment on the first one. It is interesting to me that we don't feel that people are patriotic if they do not believe what their government has decided. I fully support our troops and want them home soon. I disagree with why they are there and the choices my government has made. Does this make me less patriotic? Not just NO but Heck NO. However, this view would be deemed by many as not being patriotic. So I hope that someday the people of my nation look in their history books and see what a Loyalist is and what a Patriot is. Because if it was 232 years ago and the Loyalists had their way...we wouldn't be celebrating our independence day.

It's your birthday

Today I smile as two of my close friends have a birthday today. One I get to hang out with and the other is in Chicago. I woke up thinking of them both. Each are unique but share the same birth place and are not related. So to them...

Happy Birthday!

Brain to Mouth

We all have those moments when the brain to mouth connection fails. You know the one where you should be having a calm conversation but instead you have a failure in the system and it comes all out wrong. Tonight that was me. When I did finally realize I had corruption in the brain to mouth connection, I put myself into time out. The hard part was I was on the phone and telling the other person I needed to hang up now before I had full system failure is a bit hard. I was very fortunate to be able to resolve everything later in person. Sometimes trying to talk things through the phone or via email just doesn't work. I just need to learn from this and work from minimizing the corruption from occurring again.