I've moved from the bug bite theory to some sort of allergy. I seem to have more today, but they are staying on my hands and feet. So, I am back on the Benadryl, as it seems to help. Here is the problem, working on Benadryl is very difficult. I was reading some documents for my boss today and I couldn't concentrate to save my life. We will see what tomorrow brings...I may be visiting the doctor.

I've been trying to think of something interesting to write, but I live a pretty boring exsistence. On Saturday, I went to a co-workers house to listen to his band. They are great and a lot of fun. Here is the bad thing...I have several bug bites (they look like flea bites) on my ankles and calves. They itch like crazy and I have been scratching at work all day, even though I have coated my legs in Benadryl spray. So, I decided to treat it systemically. I have just taken two Benadryl pills and washed them down with a Mike's Hard Lemonade. Needless to say, I'm starting to buzz. I'm hoping to wake up tomorrow and they will be gone.

I'm pretty new to this blog thing, so I have been reading other's blogs just to see what people talk about. I sometimes don't think I have much to offer creatively, but I do have an opinion on most things, so I guess I will stick to what I know. A little bit about me -

1) I'm a republican that leans to the left - my democrat friends call me a "republicrat", I'm fiscally republican, but socially democrat.
2) I think the christian coalition gives republicans a bad name. Not all republicans are that judgemental.
3) I agree with gay "marriage" and same sex partner benefits.
4) I support the troops and how they proudly serve their country. Do I agree with all the reasons we are involved in various skirmishes around the world? No, but that doesn't mean I don't support the men and women who want to help ensure that we (and others) are free to make our own decisions and express our opinions.
5) I'm sometimes not as sure of myself as I lead people to believe.
6) I love cheezy TV and movies.
7) I have a great smile and a very recognizable laugh.
8) I'm 6' tall.
9) I'm not sure John Mark Karr killed JonBenet.
10) I love Chicago and I'm glad I live here.

More to come later...I have to get ready for work!

Love / Hate Relationship

I have this bizzare love/hate relationship with my job. I love the company I work for - the people are nice (as a collective group), the benefits are wonderful (employee owned company), it is in a really great area, the campus is beautiful, the building has a great art collection and my cube neighbor is a cool chicky (here's your shout out CB). I hate certain aspects of my job - my job is relatively boring (not that there isn't work to do, it's just not that challenging), I have some seriously crazy coworkers, my boss and I struggle every day (we are both control freaks - but I openly admit it) and I'm just not intellectually stimulated.

Of course this love/hate relationship can cover other parts of my life -

I love Chicago/ I hate living so far away from my friends and family
I love my family / I hate when they are all up in my business
I love my car / I hate that it is 10 years old and needs me to put some serious money into it
I love the freedom of being a single gal / I hate the loneliness that accompanies singledom
I love shopping / I hate what it does to my bank account
I love my computer / I hate when I get a blue screen (see the post below)

What kind of love / hate relationship do you have?

Computers...UGH!

So, last night I sat my happy butt down for some good old shopping on the internet when my computer decided to have a mind of it's own and give me a blue screen! Well, you all know what that means...bye bye computer! Luckly I have me work laptop here and I am currently searching out my options. Do I 1) restore my computer and try to get back as much as I can and try to get another year out of it or 2) just suck it up and buy a new one? Oh...and I need to buy a new car sometime soon! The money rolls in, the money rolls out!

TGIF!!

I have been thinking this all day! This week has been horrible. Everything I touch just seems to be a disaster. I'm going to go home, put on my casual clothes and go to dinner - where some nice adult type beverages will be consumed and I won't worry about work until Monday morning.

I acutally have the whole weekend to myself. I have had something going on every weekend for the last month and I'm over it! Sometimes it's just nice to be able to decompress and do things on your own terms. My plans tomorrow include a large pot of coffee and some mindless magazine reading! Have a great weekend!

Here's a little bit about me!

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey

Name: Stephanie
Birthday: December 17, 1970
Birthplace: Mansfield, OH
Current Location: Vernon Hills, IL
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Red
Height: 6'0"
Right Handed or Left Handed: Left Handed
Your Heritage: Heinz 57
The Shoes You Wore Today: Annie Gabby Sandals ordered from Zappos.com
Your Weakness: Chocolate
Your Fears: Snakes
Your Perfect Pizza: Chicago Style with Pepperoni and Onions (and plenty of Altoids to follow)
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Lose 50 pounds
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: LMAO
Thoughts First Waking Up: Is it morning already?
Your Best Physical Feature: Smile
Your Bedtime: Late...usually Midnight or later
Your Most Missed Memory: My trip to San Diego
Pepsi or Coke: Diet Coke
MacDonalds or Burger King: McD's
Single or Group Dates: Single
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee: Coffee
Do you Smoke: Nope
Do you Swear: Hell yeah!
Do you Sing: I try...
Do you Shower Daily: Absolutely
Have you Been in Love: Yes
Do you want to go to College: Been there, done that!
Do you want to get Married: Someday
Do you belive in yourself: Yes
Do you get Motion Sickness: No
Do you think you are Attractive: Yes, not in a model sort of fashion, but not ugly.
Are you a Health Freak: No
Do you get along with your Parents: Yes...they are my rock!
Do you like Thunderstorms: Love them!
Do you play an Instrument: Yes, but it's been awhile
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: Yes
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: No
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: No
In the past month have you been on Stage: No
In the past month have you been Dumped: No
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: No
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: No
Ever been Drunk: Yes
Ever been called a Tease: No
Ever been Beaten up: No
Ever Shoplifted: No
How do you want to Die: Quick and Painless
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: Still trying to figure that out
What country would you most like to Visit: Switzerland
Number of Drugs I have taken: None
Number of CDs I own: Too many to count
Number of Piercings: 2
Number of Tattoos: None
Number of things in my Past I Regret: Nothing...it's my past, why regret it? I look forward to my future!

In a Boy/Girl...
Favourite Eye Color: Blue
Favourite Hair Color: Brown
Short or Long Hair: Short
Height: Taller than me
Weight: Doesn't matter
Best Clothing Style: Preppy

Note to self...do NOT volunteer to head up a committee ever again. You would have thought I learned my lesson 3 years ago when I chaired my neighborhood festival, but....OOPS I did it again! I hate the politics, the pushiness and the general all around b s that goes along with it. People piss me off. We have all the typical members...

1) The guilt layer - "we missed you at the last meeting" with that accusatory tone that says, "you should have been there". Even though I had spoken to the chair of the committee and she was fully aware of where I was with my committee.
2) The list maker - she/he is the one that makes a list and presents it two days before the event. The list usually consists of things that she/he should have brought up a month ago. This causes everyone to scramble, just to please her/him.
3) The "leader" - this is the person that tries to run the committee, even though he/she didn't want to be the chairperson of the committee.
4) The "idea" person - this is the person that has lots of great ideas, but no intention of actually doing anything to implement them.
5) The "crazy" - this person rambles at every meeting about stuff that is not relevent to anything, especially the topic at hand (this person works in my department, so I have to deal with her daily).

I'm sure I could come up with a few more, but these are the ones I have had to deal with and the ones I want to smack! I can't wait for tommorrow to be over! I just keep repeating to myself - "I will never do this again"..."I will never do this again"...