Groovymarlin.com

Happy Friday! It’s been quite a week.

- First of all, FIRST FULL WEEK OF NO CREEPY GUY! Yes, that’s right, Creepy Guy got laid off and no longer infects my cubicle area with his cookie-munching, skank-smelling, creepy-staring weirdness. Last Friday was his final day, and can I just say? Not a day has gone by this week that I and my other cubicle neighbors have not remarked on just how NICE it is not to have him there anymore. Yay!

- It snowed, and then there was freezing rain, and then it melted a little, and then there was re-freezing…most interesting weather we’ve had here in over a year. Bean loved the snow, that’s for sure! Me…not so much.

- I had an interview with a company that might hire me within the next few months. The interview was very interesting – the technology they’re working with is pretty fascinating. Unfortunately, said company also has a weird, “no jeans” office policy – almost unheard-of in IT. I’ve also heard rumors about problems with open toe shoes, which makes me wonder if they also expect women to wear pantyhose. That creeps me out to no end, so if an offer does come, it’s one factor to weigh with the others.

- Had my second laser treatment last night, and today my face is sore, dry, tight, swollen, and blotchy. How attractive! Good thing I’m working at home!

- Finally, bought some new gadgets this week and upgraded others. I upgraded the software and Bluetooth firmware on my Garmin nuvi 360 because it kept locking up on me randomly (NOT cool when you’re driving somewhere new and counting on your GPS to get you there). I bought a new external hard drive for my Macbook Pro’s Time Machine backups. I ran out of space on the 120-gig Apricon, so I upgraded to a 400-gig WD. And it’s red, which is totally cute. I tried to justify buying a Time Capsule, but just couldn’t do it yet. Maybe when our current router dies. Finally, I got my new watch, which is really nice, but the band is too long so I have to get that adjusted this weekend.

I’m hoping to spend most of this weekend just chilling. In fact, now is a good time for a little nap…

Siouxsie and the Banshees had a semi-hit with this song in 1988, which I think is kind of surprising, since it’s so vastly different than anything else that was popular at the time. Whereas to today’s ears, the stripped-down nature of the track (the music that backs Siouxsie’s fierce vocals consists solely of accordion riffs and lots of percussion) is not that unusual, at the time it was pretty “out there.” Also, the music (such as it is) is actually being played backwards (see this article on allmusic for an explanation). In any case, it’s catchy, and quite a showcase for Budgie, perhaps the greatest percussionist in alternative rock.

So, I turned 41 yesterday. I don’t really feel any older than I did at 40, in fact I feel a bit younger in general than I did a few months ago (I’m sure I can thank significant weight loss and an increase in physical activity for that). I evaluated myself on the Wii Fit that husband got me for Christmas, and it pegged my “Wii Fit Age” (based on BMI plus strength/balance) at 35. Hey, not bad! I’d go back and be 35 again, sure, why not? But the fact is, 35 or 41, it really doesn’t make a big difference. “40 is the new 30,” or something like that.

In general I kind of hate my birthday. I would have stayed home from work yesterday, if I hadn’t had things I needed to do in the office. I don’t like the attention, I just find it embarrassing most of the time, especially now that I’m older. On the other hand, as an excruciatingly polite and well-mannered person with a good upbringing, I definitely appreciate all the birthday wishes and the effort it took to make them. So to all my friends who wished me a happy birthday: thanks! I’m really not as bitchy as I look!

Today has dawned gray and snowing and gross. Given the road/sidewalk conditions, I couldn’t wear my hot new suit for that interview today. Instead I wore a skirt, sweater set, tights and boots. Looking at my nails, I realize they need a fill, but it’s entirely possible I won’t be able to get to it until this weekend. Yikes! At least I don’t quite need a haircut yet, but wow. I’m not really up to my own high standards right now!

In fact, if I could have ANYTHING for my birthday, I think I’d choose to just put this day back in the can, and try it all again tomorrow.

Bleh.

So what’s been happening, and why has it been almost a week since I posted? Good question. It’s not because I’m a total slacker. I was actually kind of busy this week!

Tuesday: took the day off work and watched Inauguration all day! Had CNN-HD on the TV and CSPAN.org on my laptop. Overdosed on hope and change.

Wednesday: had follow-up mammogram, and a breast ultrasound. After that my boobs were sore but the conclusion was: harmless cyst.

Thursday: worked on two different jobs. Cranked out the work. Went to bed early!

Friday: worked at home around various appointments. Went to Macy’s and bought a new suit for an informational interview next week. Went out to dinner and drank lots of wine!

I’m back on my normal posting schedule next week. Maybe.

I’d love to embed “Pork and Beans” here but embedding has been “disabled by request.” So please visit this link and check out a hilarious video full of familiar viral video faces.

Instead, here’s today’s song. Blue Man Group: Time to Start. I’ve seen them live at least four times, and I’d go again in a heartbeat.