I just had the strangest dream

I've just got to get this out...
I dreamt that my company was bought out by a huge insurance agency that built it's huge skyscraper right against a subway station. My parents came to the annual meeting all dressed up and I took them around, meeting everyone. In the middle of the president's opening speech, my mother told me she had to go to the bathroom, so I went to tell her where it was. She was ahead of me, going very fast and went the wrong way. There was a spectacular show going on with dancers and music so she had trouble hearing me. When I called out to her, she was across the large hall from me going up the escalator. I called her back down and she walked very slowly across to me. Dad came up behind me and I told him she was going thr wrong way. All around me, people were walking very slowly and sitting down as if they got dizzy. Mom came up to us and said she did not feel well, so Dad and I followed her into the bathroom. To get to the toilets we had to go around an above octagonal which was taller than me and filled with water and huge billowing sheets of bubble wrap. It was very claustrophobic feeling, so Dad and I stopped and I discovered if you pulled the wrap down toward your chest you had air to breathe, so I told Dad to do the same thing, and we called out to others to do the same. Moving the bubble wrap caused this huge wave of water to crest over the pool and I heard screaming and water. I looked down and there was Dad under the water with his eyes shut. I grabbed the top of his head and pulled him up holding onto the side of the pool. Frantically I called for Mom but there was no answer and I could not get by the side of the pool. Moving away with Dad hooked under my arm I went back to the hallway. All around us people were groaning and crying. I brought Dad into a room and started doing CPR. A woman dressed as a nurse came in and said she'd take care of him and I better go find my mother. I pleaded with her to save my dad, as he started to wake up he winked and said he was OK. I told her he had a mild heart condition and she had to save him. She said I know,. go get your mom. As I walked down a long hallway I was met by people currently in my life - family and friends all dressed up who seemed to be acting very sympathetic but would not help me find my mom. I went down a long escalator and saw my work friends all going up, trying to reach out to me. I grabbed Sharrie's hand and she walked back down the up escalator holding my hand across the divider. I walked out into a sunlit outside corridor where the sun was shining and people were all sitting on the lawn dressed up. Most were quiet, some were talking. Then I entered a glass walled corridor which was darker and looking ahead I saw my dad walking away from me. "Dad!" I repeatedly called. He finally turned and I asked him where he thought he was going. "Into the ground" he replied and turned away. I pleaded over and over for him to come back, just one more minute was all I needed. I was sobbing and crying and pleading with him. He walked towards me removing his sweater and handing it to me. He kissed me on the forehead and told me not to cry that he was fine and that I had alot to do. "Go get married, he said I will be right here. I won't leave until you do. Now be a big girl and go." Looking down I realized I was in a white dress. I knelt in front of him crying and asking who would give me away. He did not answer, but turned and walked through the glass doors. I walked back down the other way looking for my mom but never found her. Suddenly I was in a large house that my aunt and uncle seemingly had moved into. There was a big party with music and laughter and no one seemed to realize what had gone on. As I tried to explain everyone I started to talk to would turn away. Then I saw my godfather laying on a couch smoking a cigarette. "This tastes damn good", he said. I kept turning around looking for people I knew, but though everyone knew me, I knew nobody. I was moaning and weeping while others danced and laughed.
When I woke up the pillow was wet with my tears and my throat was hoarse. Just writing this I am crying all over reliving it. I have no idea what it means, and it frightens me.

Memorial Day 2005

And I am at work. One of the joys of working for a 24/7 call center. Ah well it's not so bad as I work with a great group of people - the majority of whom I adore. Most of them are here today working with me, which makes the sting even less. We all got together and had a great party Saturday night - my sides still hurt from laughing so much. And to be able to come into work and recount drunken ramblings and favorite quotes of the night... good times.

We had a wonderful weekend here... the sun actually came out several times which was nice - and then a thunderstorm came - of course as I was grilling - which dampened our paper plates but not our spirits. So good to catch up with friends whom I had not seen in quite a while. My friends Joe and Dimitri have 2 dogs - a 14 year old Shih Tzu named Zack, who is half deaf at this point - and his younger "brother" Leo who is a 2 year old Welsh Corgi with the hugest ears you've ever seen, and big brown eyes. Adorable!

Saturday May 28

I just got shit on by a bird. Well to be 100% honest I was just the victim of bird diarrhea. Of course Michael - my fabulous gay friend from work screamed so loud I think my mother might have heard him. Literally it rolled down the building and all over my hair, scrunchie, back of my white t-shirt the pocket of my black pants... I just came out of the bathroom after having to wash my hair with that damn industrial pink soap. Thank god for Katie, my coworker who had some leave in conditioner and a brush. My boss and good friend Sharrie might have wet herself laughing at me looking like a drowned rat. Where's my BB gun, I have to go get payback from a seagull. <"Mine?" - line from finding Nemo>
This was no damn small seagull, this was a fucking great auk, an albatross, a mutant great winged bird full of excremement.
Michael is the eternal optomist - as he leads me into the building holding my hand he looks at me and says "you should go play the lottery - that's really good luck" then tries not to vomit at the smaller than a penny sized drop on his bare arm. I might have to hate him as I am covered in green and yellow tinged bird shit and he is calling me "bird cucca girl"

Why...

WHY ??????
Why do we press harder on a remote control when weknow the batteries are getting weak?
Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" whenthey know there is not enough?
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?
Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?
If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?
In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

May 27 random comments

Well the deluge of rain that has plagued us for the longest time appears to be at an end. Hooray! We're looking forward to a nice weekend here in Boston - I am working Memorial Day but am attending a party at a my coworker's house on Saturday night, then a BBQ at my fabulous friends Joe and Dimitri's on Sunday. Should be fun.

Friends at work have turned me on to a site where you can create your own South Park character http://www.planearium2.de/flash/sp-studio-e.html

Funny joke I got at work:
A woman accompanied her husband to the doctor's office. After his checkup, the doctor called
the wife into his office alone. He said, "Your husband is suffering from a very severe disease, combined with horrible stress. If you don't do the following, your husband will surely die:
"Each morning, fix him a healthy breakfast. Be pleasant, ! And make sure he is in a good mood. For lunch make him a nutritious meal he can take to work. And for dinner, prepare an especially nice meal for him. Don't burden him with chores, as this could further his stress. Don't discuss your problems with him; it will only make his stress worse. Try to relax your husband in the evening by wearing lingerie and giving him plenty of back rubs. Encourage him to watch some type of team sporting event on television.
And, most importantly make love with your husband several times a week and satisfy his every whim. If you can do this for the next 10 months to a year, I think your husband will regain his health completely."
On the way home, the husband asked his wife, "What did the doctor say?"
"You're going to die," she replied.
(I'm not even married and that made me snort laughing!)

This is a truly disturbing link: http://www.snopes.com/photos/people/peppers.asp

http://www.snopes.com/photos/natural/sandstorm.asp Just another reminder what brave men and women are facing while defending my freedom.

I know this has to be false but yikes it's rather funny http://www.darkhalf.com/Strange_Story_Page.asp?StoryID=1

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/20bill.htm how to fold a $20 bill to simulate the attack on America, and other fun folds.

Sigh I must get back to work.

May 24

Well finally the weekend chock full of events is over - and it truly was a wonderful one it was. I've recounted Friday night in my previous post and now on to the the rest. Saturday we got up early and after a quick stop for Rob's iced coffee, we got to the hall at 10:30 and set it up quite nicely. My aunt was truly surprised to see all her family and friends and a good time was had by all. In addition to seeing the birthday gal and receiving kudos for job well done on the set up of the party, I got to visit with the adorable Laci, my cousin's little baby girl . After the party ended, there was an after party and bringing back of gifts to my aunt and uncles house in Foxboro. We stayed for a bit - but we were both pooped! So back to the room where we got comfy and just hung in. We ordered a little Chinese food and rented Meet the Fockers which was hysterical. Sunday morning we checked out around 10 AM and drove back to Somerville where we dropped off all the party stuff and picked up the meat for the BBQ and threw it in the cooler. We ended up wandering around Target for a bit as it occured to me that we would be celebrating Cindy and Pat's birthdays (my two aunts - dad's sisters) and a present needed to be purchased. Then it was over to Arlington to enjoy an indoor celebration as the weather has been just absolutely suckass. A great time as always with singing happy birthday off key, lots of great food, and visiting with my cousin jeff and my aunt pat - both of whom are from California.
Monday brought a day off for me - Rob went off to work and planned to meet up with me after work to attend the concert. My cousin got us all cocktail reception and event tickets to meet and see LeeAnn Rimes in concert, what a tremendous voice she has, and what a wonderful night. We got autographed CD's and lots of other cool gifts, and were in the second row for the concert.
As soon as I can figure out how to do it I will attach some pictures.

May 22

Well I am home from my very busy weekend. And what a weekend it was! Rob picked me up and we met up with my cousin Jeff who had flown in for the weekend from CA. After a quick visit, we drove to Mansfield to check into the Red Roof Inn. After giving Rob directions there, we arrived at about 11. Rob asked me to give him the key - and I noticed a Do not Disturb tag hanging on the door. After leaving me in the hall, he went into the room and shut the door. In a moment he let me walk in and I heard music. Strange, I thought- why did I have to wait in the hall for him to turn on the TV? There on the table was a boombox playing music from Phantom of the Opera - which he had downloaded... and a tray of chocolate dipped strawberries, a bottle of wine chilling, and two glasses. Laying across the strawberries was a single long stemmed red rose, complete with a black satin ribbon, all just as it was in the movie Phantom of the Opera which we had just seen. I swear my knees went out from under me. I sat on the edge of the bed... my heart was beating so fast.... I was dumbfounded to say the least. When I got my breath back, I kissed him and said to him that he was going to get SO lucky tonight. He just smiled. There was a moment when I thought "oh my god this is it" in regards to engagement... but it was not. I did vocalize this to him, and he said that he knew I would think that, but that when he did ask it would happen it would be in front of everyone as I deserved nothing less. And it would not be a major holiday as he didnt want me to share it with anyone - or anything else. God I love this man. Will write more later about the birthday party and BBQ.

May 20

Ah Friday... and for once this is an actual Friday for me! (I normally work Saturdays) The weekend looms ever closer! This one is going to be a doozy - one my dad's side my cousin and my aunt flew in from CA, on my mom's side it's my aunt's surprise birthday party... so the weekend pans out like this: Work until 930 PM. Rob picks me up. We go to the Long Wharf Marriott to meet Jeff and have a quick drink. Drive to Mansfield, check into the Red Roof. Meet Joel and Kacie by 1030 to decorate the hall in Walpole. Party commences at 12 until 4. Back to the hotel with Minnesota visitor for the "after party" party. Back to the Red Roof. Breakfast Sunday, back to Somerville, get the meats for the BBQ (Which will have been marinating since last night YUM) and BBQ in Arlington at 2. Then a brief respite until Monday evening, when my cousin Jeff got us tickets to the Pops / Leann Rimes concert - as he is VP of the company that is sponsoring it. Geesh I need a weekend to recover from my weekend! :)

Confessions of a Concierge.....

These are some of my "best of" examples of the kinds of requests I get. Obviously I've removed really personal information.

One night, a Member called to get car rental information and he mentioned that he needed to rent a car to visit his brother who was in the hospital with a heart attack. When the Member called a week later, the Concierge immediately asked how the brother was doing. The Member noted that he was amazed that the Concierge has remembered his concerns about his brother and touched that the Concierge had asked about it. The Member hesitated and then asked for a special request. Could Concierge find a very special mortuary, which would handle all his brother's funeral arrangements with the utmost in care? Concierge sadly took on this special request. Concierge was able to find not just a mortuary, but a dignity provider. The dignity provider would create a specialized bereavement plan for the Member and his family that would include discounts on airfare and travel for one year to allow for estate planning, a wake and funeral in a private home setting to allow for greater comfort, a 24 hour compassion hotline for family members, and books and resources on site to help with the grieving process. Concierge even arranged for all the information to be faxed to the Member's hotel to make sure that he did not need to spend any time checking voice mails or email. Because Concierge managed this special request so well, the Member was able to spend the last hours of his brother's life by his side. The Member called and wrote to say that Concierge went beyond all his expectations and he would be a Member for life. Wonderful job!
================================
It is less than a week away from the member's wedding day and everything is set to go, until the member learns that his best man has cancelled the vendor's contracts and taken off with the deposit money. Now the member is without a limousine, a photographer, and a DJ, and he has only five days until he walks down the aisle. In sheer desperation, he contacts concierge with a plea to help save his wedding day. In four hours concierge found an experienced photographer with availability for the whole day, a Hummer limousine that will be decorated for the wedding, and a DJ that will play Polka music, the member's favorite. The stunned member was ecstatic that concierge was able to make the arrangements with such short notice. Thanks to concierge, he was able to Polka the night away with his new bride on their perfect wedding day!
===================================
The conversation started with "I just know you're not going to be able to do this."
What do you do when it's 4:00 PM in California and you've forgotten your newest client's birthday is today? Call Concierge. You don't want flowers, your client is a guy. You want chocolates, or fruit, or wine. And you only want to spend $50.00. Including delivery. There's a b-day party at 7:00 PM at his house. After calling Godiva and See's, who couldn't do deliveries at this late hour on Labor Day weekend, Concierge found a gift basket company in the same town that would deliver a split of chilled Veuve Clicquot Champagne as well as 10 French chocolate truffles to his house just in time for the party tonight ! 1/2 hour total for Concierge to get the job done! (When I called the member back, she started yelling "I love you!")
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What does Concierge do when faced with the question - "Can you find me a restaurant I read about in Orlando that serves meat on swords?"
Answer - She finds this.
"Crazy Grill Orlando, FL
Take heed, the name of this eating establishment in no way reflects the psychological demeanor of the knife-wielding cooks in the kitchen. You see, this is a "churrascaria," or Brazilian barbecue joint, and its specialty is serving up an assortment of grilled meats -- everything from top sirloin and chicken hearts to turkey wrapped in bacon and pork loin -- on sword-like skewers right at your table. When your desire for flesh has been indicated, the waiter will place a cylindrical peg on your table, half of it colored red, the other half green. If the peg is left green-side up, they'll keep the meat comin'; if you turn it over, they'll stop. Think of it as meat by demand.
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Actual email
What type of service and/or information are you looking for?
I would like to type a letter in English, & have it converted to Chinese, so that I may communicate with my non-English speaking, Chinese mother-in-law.
What is the location of this project?
N/A
Are there any deadlines we should be aware of?
ASAP
Any other details we should know? Please be as specific as possible.
"EXTREME" Marital problems with psychological new Chinese bride! I need a QUICK response. She is crazy, is breaking things, (possibly ready to commit suicide, or hurt me). I work weekends driving - therefore I won't be home til' Monday at 2 am. I am deftly afraid of her wacko - "episodes", and am using every venue to assist me in this situation (The police, psychological - I made phone calls). Please assist me if you can. PS - You can call my mother when I am on the road, or unavailable). Thank-you for your understanding.
=====================================
The recent tsunami in Asia left a trail of death and destruction felt all over the world. The utter chaos left by the aftermath made it impossible for worried families to contact their loved ones to see if they were safe. A member contacted concierge with a very special request. His son had been vacationing in Asia during the time of the tsunami and the member had not been able to locate him. Concierge understood how distraught the member was, and promised to do everything possible to try and find some information about the whereabouts of his son. Concierge began by taking as many personal details about the boy as possible, such as a physical description, citizenship address, place of work, etc., that might be useful for the search. First, they created a "Personality Profile" of the missing young man, which would help deduce where he may have gone to escape the chaotic climate of Asia. The search continued with many phone calls and emails to places all over the world such as Washington DC, Holland, London, and the Pacific Rim. After an exhaustive search, concierge located the member's son and his companion, who were safe and sound and staying at a remote island resort off the coast of the Philippines. Filled with relief, the member could not thank concierge enough for their dedication and compassion that reunited the worried parents with their son.
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This member called from Texas with an unusual request. He needed assistance settling a bet with his friend but warned that it might not be easy. He wanted to find a way to deliver 2 hot Starbuck's Grande Vanilla Lattes to his friend in Columbia, SC that day by 2:00 pm. His friend insisted that it couldn't be done but the member had a secret weapon: Concierge! The concierge wasted no time and furiously called delivery and courier services, most of which laughed at her. Within 2 hours she was able to convince a courier service to go to Starbuck's pick up the lattes and deliver them to the member's friend in Columbia. The member was so delighted that we were able to help prove his friend wrong, he didn't even mind the total cost of $73.00!
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What type of service and/or information are you looking for?
Finding a Steer to be slaughtered for beef and a butcher for processing
What is the location of this project?
Around where we live Corinth, TX 76208
Are there any deadlines we should be aware of? no
=================================================
The member wanted to make his holiday party special and had thought of the perfect idea to make it truly memorable. He wanted to have a Nativity scene complete with live actors and animals - and he needed this all arranged for the next evening. Praying for a holiday miracle, he called concierge to see what we could do. Concierge jumped right in and starting working. By the next evening, concierge had arranged for three actors in Shepard's costume, along with three sheep, one goat, one rabbit, one hen, two bails of hay, a manger, a doll, and an animal pen to be set up in time for the party. Not only was this an amazing feat in itself, but concierge also had to convince the actor's troupe to pack up their menagerie and travel to a different state with only hours notice. The member was absolutely ecstatic! Not only was the party memorable, but the event attracted 150 people from around the area and was featured on local news stations.
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Actual email: I am home sick today. Can you please deliver: 3 1 liter bottles of Gatorade (lemon lime) 1 pkg Lenders or Thomas bagels (plain) 1 sm pkg Philly light cream cheese (reg not whipped), 1 lg bottle Ocean Spray cranapple juice, 1 carton Tropicana home style OJ, 1 pkg of Oreo cookies, and 1 bottle of Advil extra strength caplets. New York NY
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Random thoughts

Things that tick me off -
The fact that I can't have babies of my own. (It used to bother me when women I knew got pregnant at the drop of a hat, now it just makes me sad.)
People who abuse children.
People who spell "you're" as "your".
People who are condescending, homophobic, or racist.
People who are rude and/or obnoxious.
People who are selectively stupid.
People who think that they are entitled to a free ride because they are from a foreign land, have children, or both.

Things I love
My parents. Their hearts, their love, their belief in me.
Rob. The way he makes me laugh, the way he holds me at night.
My family. The way they know me, the way we have a million inside jokes, the way we get through crises with laughter
My friends. The way they hold me up, their varied backgrounds and interests.
The ocean. I feel so centered and alive when at the ocean.
Disney. The kid in me. What can I say?
Shopping at Yankee Candle, Christmas Tree Store, Bath and Body Works, Williams Sonoma and the Wrentham Outlets.
My job. (I know what a dork)
Quoting lines from movies. (Never challenge me to Steel Magnolias!)

May 19

Well Here is is Thursday and I am so dead tired you would not believe it. Rob came and picked me up from work - and when I got outside he was wearing a Darth Vader mask and he had one for me. So we drove down 93 with the windows open playing the Star Wars theme at very loud decibels, both wearing our masks. Then we had to circle the cinema playing the theme - interspersed with recordings of Darth breathing. I am dating such a geek, but god I love him. Still wearing the mask, I entered the theater in Revere and walked up to the ticket taker whose head was down. How did I get her attention? "Hi reservations for 2, the name is Vader" When she looked up to give me the stock line that all 12:00 showings were sold out, she burst out laughing. I figured if Rob was Darth, I would call myself Ella. (Get it? Ella? Vader? ELEVATOR?) Ba ha ha I kill myself. Movie itself has really good - long 2 1/2 hours - but it explained alot and was quite entertaining. Got home at 3:00 AM, up at 8:30.
Went and had my hair done today - finally the grey is gone thank GOD It looks really fabulous. Not that I am one to turn down a compliment but several co workers have said - "Oh you had your hair done! It looks fabulous! You look great!" What did I look like before, crap?
Found out I am getting a rather nice bonus for the 1st quarter which was rather unexpected... I am psyched. Speaking of psyched, Rob claims he has quite a surprise for me this weekend... but will not elaborate. I wonder what is going on. I refuse to get my hopes up. Well I must go and do some ral work, will write more later.

May 18

My first post - gasp - how thrilling. Today is a rainy day - hey there's something new and different - has the sun even come out this month? I woke to Rob poking me in the arm and saying I had to get up - we had to go buy meat for this weekend's BBQ and go have breakfast before I headed off to work. My man does love his "violation" breakfasts... lol... so off we went to McKinnons to buy tips. I also ended up buying marinated chicken and brought the lot home to store in the fridge. After getting to work where Rob was trying depesperately to win Star Wars tickets, I realized I could buy midnight showing tickets in Revere, so it seems after working from 1-9:30 PM I am off with him to the midnight show so he can see the movie before any of his friends. He had to go to the store to get provisions for the movies - which translates as a Darth Vader mask - dear god help me. He better get me Junior Mints or they will be trouble. Work is going well - since phones and Internet were not working for the first hour and a half... but now not so bad.