My day off was so nice!  I slept in until 7:00am, had a big breakfast and left around 8:30 or 8:45am to drive to the Arcadia AAA to get all my car registration nonsense taken care of.  My name has been spelled wrong since I got the car (I never bothered to fix it), plus I noticed that although I paid my car off three years ago, the credit company was still listed as the leinholder, so I had to get them taken off.  I also had to pay my registration.  Bah.  The only good thing is, since our state budget wasn't passed in a timely manner, if your car registration is due any time after July, you have an extra few weeks to pay it without penalty.  Mine was due 9/14 (never buy a car the day before you get paid if you're going to have a car payment), but I actually had until 10/12 to pay it with no late fees.  It was so cool, the lady who helped me made a production out of crediting me the fees.  I think she really enjoyed doing it!  I was in and out of there in under 30 minutes, much better than going to the DMV.

One observation I have about being out and about mid-morning...... I would kill myself if I had to sit in morning rush hour traffic every day.  Luckily I was going East and I know a few tricks, so I was able to avoid the worst of it, but man, I feel bad for those people!  I could see the freeway most of the time I was avoiding it and the cars were stopped!  I'm sure there has to be a better way for those people to get to downtown.  For instance, they could have gotten off at Lankershim, driven south to Ventura Blvd, made a left and gone straight down to Wilshire (Ventura turns into Highland) and then made a left to get to downtown.  I've gone that way when I've heard there were accidents and while it may take a little bit of time, it's got to be faster than sitting on a freeway for 14 miles not moving. 

Anyway, since I avoided the worst of the traffic, I made it to Arcadia in about 40 minutes, which isn't bad at all.

If you don't already think I'm a freak, you will after this:  After AAA, I headed over to my favorite Target ("Fedco" Target in Pasadena).  I spent nearly two hours wandering around with my list and coupons.  Did you know that Target lets you use up to five coupons for an item?  As long as they're not the same coupon and as long as the coupon doesn't say that you can only use one, you're good.  I did some planning and I saved about $30, and everything I bought was something I needed (razors, laundry detergent, etc.).  PLUS I got a $5 gift card for buying two razors, razors that just happened to be on sale that I also had a coupon for.  So, instead of $20+ for two Venus razors (my much preferred razor), I paid around $10.  After Target I went to CVS to get my hair color (since you asked - John Frieda Precision Professional Foam hair color in 4N - Dark Brown... but looks black unless I'm out in the sun, which is weird, but ok), normally around $13.99, it was on sale for $11.99, I had CVS Extra Bucks, a CVS coupon for $4 off the color and regular John Frieda coupon.  I ended up paying $.99 plus tax for it, but then got $3.50 in CVS Extra Bucks back on my receipt, so they paid me to get my hair color.  :-)  

See, if you do a little strategizing, you too can feel the triumphant feeling I get when I'm at the checkout counter and end-up making money on a transaction.  Once or twice a week I put something good on TV then sit at my kitchen table with the weekly circulars, my coupons and my shopping lists.  The only two rules I have are: 1) Only buy things I need / use and 2) Don't drive out of my way just to get something.  For instance, if I see a good deal at Walgreens, I will only take advantage of it if I know I'm going to be near a Walgreens.  I don't have one near my house, so I almost never shop there (plus most of them seem really dirty).  Same thing with Wal Mart.  I don't have one near me, but if I'm going out to Monrovia or Arcadia for something else, I'll swing by the one over there.  I've gone once.  Again, like Walgreens, they always seem dirty.

I'll admit something though.  I do kind of break rule number 1, but only for one product.  Even though I don't need it, I've been buying up foam hair color whenever I see it on sale and if I have a coupon.  I've gone online and checked out the customer reviews for the different brands and they're pretty mixed.  John Frieda usually has the best reviews though, so I've only used that brand so far........ but I have six boxes of other brands in my cupboard (Clairol, L'Oreal and Samy Fat Foam).  This is in addition to the two boxes of John Frieda that I have in there.  I'll eventually use them (as far as I know hair color doesn't expire), but I'm getting them now while they're so cheap.  Seriously, good hair color is expensive and once a product is popular, it doesn't go on sale that often.  For instance, I used to use Feria, which was really expensive.  Once it became popular, I hardly ever saw it on sale for more than $1 off and rarely saw coupons for it.  Sometimes there would be coupons in the Sunday paper and sometimes they would be in the box, but that was only a couple of times a year.  I had to buy two to three boxes of the stuff to cover all of my hair (depending on the length), so it got really pricey to keep my hair up when the lowest price I ever saw was $10.99 a box.  The sale prices for these new foams have been $3 and $4 off PLUS coupons, etc.  With the recent promotions, I've spent, maybe, $25 total for 8 boxes of hair color, which will keep my roots under control for 8 months (for some reason, you use way less foam than regular hair color).  In essence, for what I paid for two boxes of hair color that would do the job for one month, I got 8 months worth.

If you're on the fence about using foam hair color: Personally, I really like it.  What do I like?  Well, and I can only say this about the Frieda color I've been using, the "pros" of it are: you use less (with my hair being a little past my shoulder and being really thick), I have problems using the entire bottle (which is strange since there seems to be less product than most colors), since it's a shampoo-like foam it doesn't run or drip, you don't need a cap, the gloves are great (no food service quality here), it doesn't smell bad, it doesn't burn and it has a great conditioner to use afterwards so your hair doesn't get as jacked-up from the chemicals. 

The only "cons" I've experienced so far are that the color is quite a bit darker than what's on the box.  This is okay for me since I've been told I can pull it off.  This may not be the case with a lot of people out there.  Also, the first time I did my roots I followed the instructions on the box and it didn't work out.  It was much better this last time where I broke the rules and applied the foam directly to my roots from the bottle and cut out the part where they say to put it on my hands and apply it from there.  It was much easier that way and I felt like it was more accurate and the hair color wasn't sitting on the hair that had already been colored longer than necessary (that really damages your hair).  I'm not sure about gray coverage when it comes to roots yet.  When I did them the first time (following the instructions on the box), I saw gray within a week.  I just did my roots Saturday, so I think it's too soon to give a verdict.  I hope they don't show, I really like this product and want to continue using it. 

I  may go to a lighter color in the future, but I will have to go through the whole "color correction" process first, which is a pain in the ass, smells bad and takes a while.  So if I decide to get rid of the brown / black, I'll have to spend a weekend getting rid of the color that's currently on my hair first.  Last time I did that I still lived in Monrovia with my uncle and I did it at Sam's apartment in Arcadia.  I've moved once and she's moved twice since then!  I also bleached my hair last New Years Eve (no "loser" judgements please), so I really don't know if I want to remove the color that's on there now.  That orangy blond was frightening!  I don't want to see it again!

Anywho, after I ran my errands I picked up lunch and went home.  I watched some old re-runs of TV shows, then I saw that "Al Franken: And God Spoke" was on, so I switched over to that.  I really like that documentary, but since I'd seen it before, I could do other things while it was on.  In this case I made brownies.  I'm not sure why, but it was something to do.  My apartment smelled AMAZING for hours afterwards.  Then I watched TV and stuff until it was time shower and go to bed. 

All and all, not a bad day.  Nothing to boast about, but ok nonetheless.

Hey, should I go to Camikaze Expo since I can't go to LBCC (and I'm still really sad about that and I still have no plans in it's place)?

Are you sitting down?  I'm taking tomorrow (Tuesday) off work.  I know!  Weird, right?

It will be really nice to sleep in a little bit on a weekday.

I have one errand I need to run, but other than that, it's a free day.  I have to go to the AAA office to deal with my car registration and title correction.  I'm hoping to get there when they open at 9am, so fingers-crossed I can get in and out and back to my side of town pretty quickly.  I have to get all that done by the 12th at the latest, so I'd rather just take a day now and not worry about it.

I got quite a bit done around the house over the weekend, but there's always more I can do.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to cleaning out the filing cabinet, maybe I can do that tomorrow.  Truth is, I bet I would have gotten more done if I hadn't been sucked in to the Real Housewives of New Jersey marathon on Bravo.  Don't get me wrong, I did stuff while it was on, but I did spend a fair amount of time on the couch, marvelling at how some people live their lives.  Although, I'm not one who can cast stones.  It's not like I have anything going on that's worth writing home about.

So, ok, filing cabinet tomorrow!  Exciting!  To be honest, I'd rather be doing something fun, but I don't really see that happening.  I haven't got a clue as to what's out there to do on a weekday and I'm not creative enough to come up with something on my own.

I think the weather is supposed to be nice, so at least I won't be stuck in my apartment in the heat, right?

God, I just read over what I wrote above and it sounds like a pity party is going in my head.  I swear, I don't mean it to come across that way.  I think I just haven't shaken off this gray cloud that's been hovering over me for a few weeks and the issues with that awful co-worker aren't helping much.  I need something to cheer me up.  Too bad I'm not a big drinker or gambler!

I'm still very upset about yesterday.  The only consolation I have is that, instead of the six months worth of documentation that the co-worker asked for, I was able to get it down to the actual four days they needed.  She knew the dates the entire time!  Instead of being reasonable and asking for two weeks on either side, which I would have happily done, she asked for six unnecessary months, knowing that it was extra work and knowing that it wasn't my office she was supposed to be looking at.  It's a victory, but a small one.  Her behavior isn't going to change and that's unfortunate. 

Yet another thing to go down in my notebook.  It's getting mighty full.

Before you say it, I know I need to let this go.  It's going to be difficult this time.  I don't take well to having someone threaten me.  At all.  It's inappropriate on every level.

At least it's Friday.  I was going to get in some extra work this weekend, but now I've decided against it.  Instead, I'm going to organize my home office stuff (such as it is).  You know, get my priority mail stuff put away and go through my filing cabinet.  As of now, my (albeit small) dining room table is piled high with tissue paper, boxes and receipts. 

I wonder what the chances of an early day are?

I am extremely upset right now.  I just dealt with a co-worker who has a long history of interpersonal problems with just about everyone she comes into contact with (including one of my bosses who actually complained about her), she treats me like shit (verbally abusive), pounds off an email, not just to my boss, but his boss and his boss's boss, "reporting" me for something, yet neglecting to tell the whole story.  The documents she was asking for were inappropriate for what she was doing.  I told her that if she gave me a time frame, I would get her everything she needed, but I could not supply six months worth of paperwork, when it wasn't warranted.  Anyway, I'd already called her boss (you'll notice I didn't go to two people above him) and told him what happened, then I went to my boss to tell him what happened.  I gave them the whole story, not just my side.  They both agreed I was in the "right", but no one was going to do anything about it.  She's not going to get cautioned for yelling at me, she's not going to get cautioned for threatening me.  Nothing is going to be done. 

He behavior will continue and I'm going to have deal with it.  You want to know the really shitty part?  The reason I was dealing with her was because she had been terrorizing one of my staff members, continually asking her for things that have nothing to do with her job.  "I don't handle that, I don't even know what that is" apparently doesn't register.  Poor girl was petrified that she was going to get into trouble for not cooperating.

I'm hurt and I'm angry.   I will not be getting over this anytime soon.

The rain yesterday was awesome.  When I got home I opened both my doors and all of my windows.  It was chilly, but it was nice to get fresh brisk air blowing through the place for a while.  It got rid of the stuffy feeling that's been settling over the place since we've had all that warm weather.  I think I was hoping that it would blow away the sad mood I've been in (it didn't).    

I have to say, regarding the rain, why do local newscasters make such a big deal out of it?  We had a few hours of it and later on in the afternoon, I actually heard one say "How much more of this can we take?".  Seriously?  I know it rained pretty hard during the most of the day, but jeez, come on!  PLUS, the forecast showed that we were going to get some rain and that it would only last the day, maybe part of the next.  It's not 40 days and 40 nights people! 

I started wearing my contacts again this week, not every day, they're bothering me for some reason.  I think the batch I finally settled on wasn't the best choice after all.  I was so tired of trying new lenses that I told my eye doctor that I wanted the same contacts I had last year and to order those, even if he has to use the old prescription.  I don't think they are the same on either count. :-( 

I think I should do laundry either today or tomorrow when I get home.  I didn't get a chance to do it last weekend, not that there was a lot to do.  I just don't want it piling up.  I just know if I do that my apartment will smell like dirty laundry.  Gross.  I guess that means I need to get quarters.  I think I only have about $1 in change right now and the washer / dryer at my apt definitely cost more than that.

Random note - I got a newsletter email from Ticketleap (firm that processed 2011 SDCC passes) and in it they have a sort of "What are people saying" section.  It was hilarious, not one single positive comment.  I guess they're "keeping it real".  My favorite was: "This whole process was full of fail".  Bad grammar for a bad thought.  Still funny though (and true!).

Finally, I'm sad that Steve Jobs died.  It was never a secret that he was really ill, so this wasn't unexpected.  Still sad though.  We've all heard that he could be an asshole, but he was truly an innovator.  He kept in touch with the public (his late night email wars were hilarious) and he gave us things we needed even before we knew we needed them. 

Anyway, I'm rambling (really tired and worn out today for some reason), so I should bail.  Gotta go get those quarters!

For the first time in a really long while, I'm wearing a necklace my friend Sam made for me.  It broke many, many moons ago and she had to fix it for me.  She kept it for quite a long time, so I got out of the habit of wearing it.  It seems a little longer than it was before, but it's still pretty.

I forgot to mention it yesterday, but I had to take Gotham to the vet over the weekend.  His face cancer flared up again, just four months after the last time.  It seems like it's happening more and more often.  This time was REALLY tough on me.  Everyone knows that he cries when I put him in the carrier and take him in the car.  It's usually funny (I have a recording of him on my phone from a while back, it's hilarious!), but this time it broke my heart.  The cries were so loud and long, I almost started crying myself!  I'm being serious.  It was that bad.  He wouldn't stop.  It went on and on and on.  I opened the door to the crate and petted him, nothing.  I tried giving him a treat, nothing.  I tried talking to him, nothing.  Just cries.  I've never heard him sound like that before.  So on top of being worried that his health was bad, I had to hear him cry.  No "parent" should have to hear that.  :-(  I just wanted to take him out and hold him for a while.  We got to the vet ok, he came out of his crate, had his temp taken, was weighed, got his shot and then he went into the crate again no problem.  He cried again on the way home, but it wasn't as bad.  I should have known something was up...... we got home and I let him out right away (he bolted to the other room).  I went to put his crate away and I thought I smelled something.  Yup, the damn cat crapped in the crate on the way home.  Four neat, dry pieces.  At least he was considerate enough to refrain from having the runs all over it.  I laughed though.  He was mad and he got back at me.  We're even.

Here's a photo of Gotham that I took yesterday while I was waiting for the street to open.  The quality isn't the best, sorry!  Please ignore the old flower sheet I put on the bed while I'm at work...... and please ignore the gross gouge on my arm from my last round of tests at my skin cancer doc's.  And people wonder why I wear long sleeves!

Now that we're into October, I'm starting to get really sad that I'm going to miss The Long Beach Comic Con this year (for the first year).  I know I'm being silly.  Still makes me sad.  Maybe I can plan something to do that weekend that will keep my mind off of it.

I hope this doesn't set the tone for the day, but my train didn't come this morning.  I waited an extra 10 minutes for it and then the station started to fill up with people for the next train.  All of a sudden it was REALLY crowded (not to mention hot!) and I could only imagine how crowded the other stations were going to be (thus the trains were going to be packed), plus I wasn't going to get to work on time if I took the next train, so I bailed and drove in.  Wasted a token, bah.

I think I want to take a vacation day or two one of these days.  I checked my balance and I've got over a month accrued, so I may as well use some of it.  I don't have anything planned and none of my friends can take time off, so I'm not sure I'll do it.  

Wow, this heavy feeling of melancholia has just descended on me.  I hope it goes away.

Okay, today has been an interesting day!  As you guys know, I've been having problems sleeping, so I've been catching the early train, which means I've been leaving my house at approx. 4:15 - 4:20am.  Well, not today my friends and here's why:

Yup, that's a string of "caution" tape and a bunch of traffic cones blocking my way..... along with a load of water and a DWP construction crew.  You guessed it, a water main blew and of COURSE it was on the only part of my street that allowed me to leave and go to work.  I sat there, in my car, for about a minute, then I tapped my horn to get the attention of one of the guys.  I saw an older skinny guy slowly making his way over to me.  He looked really tired!  Probably the nicest guy ever though.  He told me what happened and that I wouldn't be able to pass for a couple of hours and that I should go home and maybe get a couple of hours extra sleep.  That wasn't going to be possible, I mean, I was UP and WIDE awake now, no getting back to bed.  I was at odds as to what I should do, but I didn't pitch a fit or anything.  Why should I?  It's not his fault.  It's not like it was done on purpose, plus, I knew I wasn't going to lose the parking space I'd just vacated.  I could tell he felt really bad.  He even offered to call my boss and explain what happened.  He also offered to call me when the road was open.  I said thank you and there was no need.  Poor guy was probably going to get a rash of shit from other people in the neighborhood, he didn't need any trouble from me!  I drove around the block, parked, went back to my apt and sent my bosses a text letting them know I was going to be late, and possibly not in at all.  I even sent them the photo I posted above.

I should have known there was something weird going on when there was no water for the first half hour I was up.  Well, at least I didn't have to catch a flight or anything.  Although, it's made me think, if there's a fire or an earthquake, we're all fucked.

The first business day of the month is not a good day to be late to work, especially when it's a Monday!  Talk about slammed!  Reports, calendar items, meetings, new employee starting, UGH!  Headache City!  Plus, I saw that our mail didn't go out on Friday, so that means my rent check was still sitting there.  I called the management company and the lady who answered said I should overnight it.  Man, if Sam still lived in Santa Monica, it wouldn't be a problem, she could drop it off for me.  Even worse, I was quoted $6.95 to ship FedEx and when I printed everything else, I was charged $21.98.  Of course I was!!!!  There's also a huge stack of Ebay stuff to mail out.

I got an update from my on-site apt. manager and, hey, guess what?  The water is off again and the street is closed.

Strangely, I'm still in a good mood.

Oh yeah - cool thing from the weekend...... this is probably going to sound retarded and dumb, but there was a $2 coupon in the paper for Farmer John bacon.  I got two of them (a guy at work gives me his Sunday comics, coupons, etc).  I only like Farmer John bacon and you hardly ever see coupons for it.  Sausage, yes, bacon, no.  So this is a good score.  :-)  Now if it could be on sale somewhere....... bacon is expensive!