It's Just A Typical Thursday...

I guess I am not so great at keeping this up lately. I have been so busy, but I am trying to do better.

We had some folks check out yesterday at work. They are headed home and to various disasters. Godspeed to them.

This left me with a very inviting unoccupied cubicle this morning. I passed it the first time with barely a glance. The second time, however, an interesting looking book caught my eye. Apparently it had been left behind and was just lying on the desk. I think I heard it calling to me.

I could not refuse, could not shut out the siren like sound of all the goodies that were possibly contained within the confines of the various drawers and cabinets.

I helplessly succumbed to the temptation - it was just too great.

You should know that around here pilfering is an art form. When someone checks out or moves, swarms descend upon the area to eagerly grab anything "good" that may have been left behind.

If you have thumbtacks, you can barter for just about anything.

I now have TWO boxes!

I also picked up a canvas shopping bag, paperclips, a couple of pens, a stapler, hand sanitizer, white out and duct tape (don't really know what I will do with that, but I am sure it will come in handy at some point!).

My former cellmate (uh, cube mate), an older gentleman from Hungary, was an expert at the art of pilfering. More than once I have suggested he write a handbook...

As his protege' I learned from the master and can stealthily swoop in and grab the goods without detection. (If you attract too much attention, others will come in and begin grabbing what they want - you might miss out on something way cool)

So, now I sit here with my canvas bag, thumbtacks and duct tape (for which I am still figuring out a creative use). What to do? What to do?

Brainiac

That was what my friends in college called me. At the time it was pretty cool. Even though I was 31, as a college student, regardless of age, you live in a somewhat protected envorinment. Back then, it seems like another life, people respected me for my intelligence. Well, most of them anyway. The man I was married to didn't appreciate it all that much - I still carry those scars.

That was my wake up call, though. I was shaken from my idealic little world and brutally thrust into reality. That first punch came from no where, but I was ready for the next one...I never fought back, it wasn't my way. Always the creative problem solver, I began to work on a way to get him out of my house and eventually out of my life - with minimal casualties.

And we all survived.

I learned the hard way, I guess, that some, no, many, men are threatened by a smart woman. Now, I don't claim to the all that exceptionally intelligent. For instance, I am not smart enough to be intimidated by people. But I can hold my own.

The problem is that the men I have met either make me feel guilty for being smart or they fiercely compete with me.

Why can't we all just get along???

I wonder if I will ever find someone who just lets me be me? I mean, why can't I find someone who thinks it's cool I am smart and just goes with it? There is so much more to me...I am tired of "dumbing down" so some male won't feel threatened or feel like he has to compete with me. Good grief, it isn't that big of a deal! Why can't we learn from each other? Why can't we each contribute and enrich each other's lives?

I wish I could find someone who would accept me just the way that I am...

Good Friends...

I have not had many friends in my lifetime, but as I get older I realize more and more how important it is to have good friends in your life. I have been going through a very rough patch the past couple of days.

However, I have this wonderful, loving friend who has helped me tremendously. He is a very special person, always there for me, always just a phone call or email away. When the terrible news came down, I emailed my friend and he was right there. No, it isn't anything like that; he isn't after me or anything. I am not his type. ;-)

Last night is a great example of what a good friend he is. I had not slept in two days and when I lay down to try to sleep last night, sleep just would not come. My kids were still up, they are pretty distressed over this trauma as well.

I tossed and turned a bit, then I picked up the phone and called my friend. It was 11 pm, but he picked up the phone and the first thing he asked was how I was doing. He asked if I was unable to sleep and I said yes. He then asked if I wanted to go get some pie from Kramer's. Not once did he chastise me for calling so late and there was not a hint of anything in his voice except for concern for a friend.

So, at 11 pm the kids and I found ourselves getting dressed and heading out of the hotel with him to Kramer's. We all laughed and talked and I actually had a good time. With all the worry and upset, it felt good to laugh with a friend and my kids. We ate way too much, but we had a good time. When we returned to the hotel a couple of hours later, we all promptly fell asleep.

I am a little tired today, but it is OK. Going out last night beat lying in bed, tossing and turning, thinking of everything going on in my life. It got my mind off of my problems and for a little while I didn't feel so upset.

My friend is a very special person. It feels good to know that I have someone who is there for me. I only hope that I can be as good a friend to him as he is to me.