Bad Mood
I am in a bad mood. In no particular order, the reasons for my bad mood are as follows:
1) My docket for Friday SUCKS. As in is the worst one I've ever had. My judge has already told me to "pack a lunch" because it is going to be "one heck of a Friday!" The weird part was he sounded giddy about it.
2) Next week we have an all law clerk meeting where I was told by my judge we will be getting into trouble.
3) My judge griped at me for not flagging a privacy addendum. Out of 85 orders to sign, I missed one. Sheesh.
4) Remember my good friend Charlotte? Who fell hard and fast for a supposedly fabulous guy? Just last week, he played the "I am not ready for this, It is not you, it's me, I just can't committ" card, effectively breaking her heart and potentially disrupting her career, because the two work in a ten person office. Bastard.
4) My eye infection is back. And more painful than ever. I received the all clear to wear my contacts, but my eyes revolted and I am back to the four eye look.
5) I am not looking forward to a holiday season by my lonesome. And have absolutely no prospects.
6) Speaking of prospects, I just spoke with a former classmate of mine about a job prospect that is no longer as promising as originally hoped.
7) Conversation I had with my mother over Thanksgiving:
Mom while frowning disapprovingly at the ends of my hair: "Oh, looks like you need a haircut! Do you want to get one while you are home?"
Me: "Just got one two days ago."
Mom, stammering slightly: "Oops! Well, it looks GREAT!"
8) It has been almost a year since TH dumped me and my stomach still flipped 85 times this morning when I drove by his house. Calm down, it is on my way to work.
9) I had to go to four separate windows at the Arlington County Offices this morning to receive a decal to prove I paid my car taxes. Apparently, one person verifies that you paid the money, another person charges you $10 for the lost decal, a third person takes your $10, and finally, someone gives you a new decal.
10) I am broke. And right around the holidays. How I am supposed to engage in retail therapy when I have no funds?
All of the above are slightly, but not really, balanced out by Wake Forest's victory over Maryland on Saturday night. ACC Championship Game, here we come!!
Weights
Some wounds take a long time to heal. and some wounds leave scars that never fade. I recently noticed some bruises that I fear will take an awfully long time to heal. The bruises are not deep and result simply from the consumption of too much alcohol. But I have been looking at them for the past few days and they stand for so much anger and sadness. Not entirely my anger but definitely my sadness at the intense anger of another.
This post is cryptic, I know. But the perils of not entire anonymity is that I have to consider the effect of my words on others. I am not mad, I am just a little sad. Life is bearing down upon my shoulders right now like a ton of bricks and standing up tall, under this enormous weight, is proving difficult.
My neighbor from home, Nabo, is going through an extraordinarly difficult time. Nabo is from Norway and since Nabo means neighbor in Norweigan, her alias was rather easy. Nabo is in her seventies and has been sick lately. She recently found out that her son in law has fallen for a new woman and is leaving her daughter and three grandsons. Right in the middle of renovating their home. I think the only reason he decided to finally leave is because he got caught. By his own sister, actually. And now his sons are so angry. The oldest is in 8th grade and told his father that he never wants to see him again.
Then, there is Nabo's son. He married a demanding and selfish woman. She has to borrow money from Nabo for food for her twin daugthers and then she spends it on pedicures. Nabo just learned that one of the twins is autistic. The doctors diagnosed the little girl early and are hopeful about the future. But it is difficult news and Nabo has been crying for days, for all her grandchildren, for her children, for herself. They are the tears of someone asking why, a question that cannot be answered right now. I worry about Nabo, she worries about her family, and we are all weighed down with worry.
The metaphorical weight upon my shoulders is balanced out by the weights I have started lifting at the gym. Yep, I belong to a gym. Something I NEVER thought I would do. But, this gym is by my office, the clientele is significantly older than me, and devoid of any dating prospects...oh, and the best part? My trainer. Shirley. Shirley is a 62 year old former flight attendant who recently switched careers. Now, instead of pointing out the nearest exits, she points people along the path of fitness. Ok, maybe she didn't say that exactly, but I really think she would if she had come up with it rather than me. I was nervous that my trainer would judge me, ridicule me to her trainer friends, and mock my inability to touch my toes. But not Shirley. Shirley pumps me up. Shirley makes getting up at 5:30 more bearable. To be fair, so does the Gingerbread latte I treat myself to after working out with her.
Fantastic
I have a bunch of posts in the works, I promise, but I wanted to point out that I am currently reviewing a wife’s petition for divorce from her husband, Fantastic. As in his name is Fantastic. What an optimistic name. Hours of labor and you look at your baby and all you can think is “fantastic.” Well, I started off laughing at the name choice, but now, I am thinking it is rather sweet. I am becoming quite the sap.
It must be frustrating at times for him to introduce himself. “I am Fantastic.” Well, good for you, my cynical self would respond, but you don’t have to brag about it. But he wouldn’t be bragging. His name is actually Fantastic.
You know what can also be described as Fantastic? Wake Forest’s football team. They went down to Tallahassee and kicked the snot out of Florida State. Florida State was shut out for the first time in 232 games. Hasn’t happened since 1988. Unbelievable! My Deacs are for real!!
Vote!
Just a friendly reminder to the few people that do read my blog to take some time today to VOTE!
Maybe because I am a dork, combined with the fact that I live in the Nation's capital, I felt a real energy at the polls this morning. Maybe only the diehards arrive at the polling place at 6:00 a.m., but most people I know are taking this election very seriously.
On Sunday, the pastor at my church said he didn't think the Church should get involved in telling people how to vote. In his thick Irish brogue, he directed people to an article in the Catholic newspaper for those who wanted guidance from the Church on issues on the ballot. There is a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot in Virginia that the Catholic Church supports. But, in the end, he looked out at the congregation and said, "Just get out and vote. And for God's sake, if you aren't going to vote, then don't complain." Wise words, Father.
I caused a little bit of havoc at the polls this morning. Virginia has electronic voting which is very 21st century of the state, but the glare from the computer screen made it difficult to read. I actually had to tilt my whole body to the right and shield my eyes to read the ballot! I got a few weird looks for that. Then, when I went to select a Senator, the cuff of my jacket voted for the wrong Representative. I tried numerous times to de-select that Representative but the screen wouldn't let me. I called out in a panic for some assistance and was told to wait until the Summary screen and then I could make changes. Ok. I then continued making my selections and wound up at the Summary screen. But it wouldn't let me change then either! At this point, I was noticeably upset. I have been following the elections in Virginia closely and I did NOT want to vote for the guy I had selected. Finally, the poll gurus figured out what I was doing wrong and straightened me out. I was then able to hit the final "VOTE" button, confident in all my selections.
I hope everyone else has an easier and less eventful time at the polls. Just get out there and VOTE!
Four Eyes
Well, my new glasses have finally arrived. Complete with bling and everything. I like them a lot. I do not, however, enjoy old men dressed from head to toe in denim informing me that no boy will hit on a girl with glasses.
I went back to my summer beach house this weekend to hang out with some friends. It was very fun - I actually painted pottery. My first attempt was a little ambitious - I tried to paint a set of coasters with the scales of justice on them as a Christmas present for my judge. Turned out to be quite the undertaking and ever critical of myself, I have a feeling I won't like them. I also made a serving plate for my court clerk - I stuck to sponge painting with that piece though and I actually think she will like it. I will post pictures for your viewing pleasure when I get the pieces back. Painting wasn't quite the relaxing hobby that I've been looking for, most likely because of my tendency to be uber-critical of everything I did. So, the hunt for a hobby continues. It may be working out, because I feel my body is rapidly deteriorating and soon, I won't be able to climb the stairs at work. Oh, who am I kidding - I almost always take the elevator. Must. join. gym. Even Roommate has joined the gym. For years, we were the only two females in our age bracket living in our yuppie neighborhood that did not join a gym. She has now abandoned me and turned over a fitness leaf. So, I am thinking of joining her. Sister is running a half marathon next spring and I think having a goal would really motivate me. I tried to run a marathon a few years ago, but training for the marathon while studying for the bar...not such a smart idea.
So, back to the guy in the denim suit. We arrived at the local brewery around 10:30. Of course, the cab taking us out waited until there were only 2 minutes left in the Wake Forest football game to FINALLY arrive. Luckily, the cab ride was brief, and with the commercials, time outs and a quick call to the Editrix, I didn't miss much. I made a beeline to the bar and positioned myself in front of the T.V., avoiding eye contact with the bartender and the other patrons. Mr. Denim turned to me and said "So, who's playing?" (As an aside, I really hate when people try to talk to me when it is incredibly obvious that I am intently focused on any type of game. Wait until a commercial. This message is for both cute boys and the Mr. Denims of the world. While I am more likely to tolerate a cute boy's infraction, I will still have missed part of the game).
I didn't even move my head, but answered "Wake Forest and Boston College."
"Oh, Boston College is going to win.", he replied smugly. With this remark, I turned towards him and said "There are 42 seconds left, Wake Forest is up a touchdown and has the ball, so I must disagree with you." With that, I turned my attention back to the T.V., and thought to myself, "He doesn't know this win is far from a sure thing, because this is my team we are talking about, and sometimes, they find a way to lose, even though the game seems completely locked up."
I remained calm, Wake Forest held on, and I focused my attention on my friends. Mr. Denim was still next to me, and when I turned to survey the crowd behind me, he saw an opening to start talking to me again.
"So, why are you wearing glasses?"
"Because I have an infection, and can't wear my contacts."
"Well, you are the only girl in here wearing glasses."
I shrug.
"I am just saying no guy is going to hit on a girl with glasses."
Ouch.
So, I am officially blaming my glasses for my love life barely having a pulse. Actually, that is completely untrue. The fact that my love life consists of watching the occassional cute boy walk past my office is because I just don't care. Well, that's not true. I do care about meeting a nice boy, but I am tired of trying. Going out to bars and tolerating the Mr. Denims of the world is just not all that fun. This is where someone tells me that in a few years, I will look back at all of this and laugh. Perhaps, but that doesn't make it any less painful now.
Quarantine
I've been quarantined. I went to an eye doctor this morning, after waking up to my eyes being swollen shut. I was able to pry one eye open so I drove to work. Note: I realize this was a bad idea. I honestly do. Never again.
My infection is worse than the person at Urgent Care thought, and apparently I am contagious. Hence the self imposed quarantine. My fellow law clerks have been supportive, although I bet no one sits next to me at our lunch meeting. Oh well.
The more exciting news is that I got new glasses. I have to wear them all the time for at least two weeks, so I figured I better pick out a good pair. The ones I got have tiny rhinestones on the sides. Nothing like a little bling to balance out how dorky I look when wearing glasses. I heart them, and am almost thankful this happened to force me to get new glasses. ALMOST. Not actually thankful. I am in a lot of pain.
