I did my performance review today. My boss actually told me I was too hard on myself and that I should give myself better marks!

The plane ride yesterday was neverending. Could United planes travel at a slower speed than ATA flights?

After work I went to the bar and drank two Blue Moons on the VP of Sales’s tab. I also ate some appetizers.

Friday I may go to New York City with one of my new friends! It has been so long since I’ve been to NYC. I want to go to Rocco’s and drink Cappuccino and eat cannolis. I want to buy roasted nuts from a sidewalk vendor.

There was a commercial on tv for a HBO movie called The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Gosh I want to see it! Darn movie isn’t on this week. Hopefully it will be on next week if I am here.

I think the best invention yet must be the Crest Spin Brush Pro. I LOVE IT! My father bought it for me a few weeks ago and I swear my teeth are cleaner and whiter than ever before!

Last night we had dinner at Mom and Dad’s house. Baked Ziti. It was very yummy. After dinner I went down to the basement and gathered all the Christmas ornaments that were given to Lisa and me over the years. We should now be able to decorate the tree. Maybe this weekend I will buy a gingerbread house kit and invite Lanke over and we can erect the gingerbread house and decorate the tree.

My father said to me, “Do you plan on dating both men?”
I replied, “Daddy, I am a free agent!” The truth of the matter is I can’t see the point in getting myself worked up over having to choose when neither is serious stuff yet. I plan on taking it very slowly and seeing what happens. Who knows, both men may come to their senses and leave me standing alone. Still, I can’t tell you how giddy I am over this development. ME!?! TWO DATES!?! It’s like I woke up to someone else’s life!

Today I fly to Chicago. I couldn’t get an early morning flight so instead I am flying in the afternoon and pretty much sacrificing a day’s worth of productivity. Darnit. Still, I am looking forward to the week in Chicago. I am ready to get back to work.

Now I must pack.

Bob behaved himself and didn’t once attempt to pet me. I liked him much better this time. I agreed to go out again with him.

Monday I leave for Chicago. I can’t believe this break is almost finished. It’s been so wonderful having time to do anything my little heart desired. As much as I am sorry to see my vacation disappear, I am also excited to get back to work and traveling. I miss my alone time.

PS Thanks Chris for the good thoughts, I sure am enjoying this change of luck!

I don’t want to say much– just that I really liked this one. There was something about him that I found so endearing. I really hope I hear from him again. My fingers are crossed.

I have got to get ready and go back home and help dad with his computers. I also have some tax stuff I need my mom to help me with. The movie last night, Girl with the Pearl Earring, wasn’t particularly special. I got a kick out of seeing Colin Firth wearing a wild, caveman wig. Otherwise, the movie was a bit bland. I did think the woman who played the wife looked a bit like Audra and the fellow who portrayed the girl’s suitor looked an awful lot like Adam Ant. The movie could have been an Oscar contender had the filmmakers enfused it with a musical montage in which Mr. Adam Ant-alike dons pirate duds, swings from a chandelier, and using nothing but his smoldering sexuality, persuades the Girl with the Pearl Earring to turn into a lusty she-devil with a giant plastic triangle earring.

The rain finally stopped and the turkey was submerged in the hot oil. Everything came together seamlessly. The meal was incredible. The best part was that there was not a single spat or breakdown. Everyone was calm and happy.

Towards the end of the evening, my father told Lanke the story of my grandparents coming to America. As he told the story, I could see he truly felt every word he uttered. It made me think of the day, years ago, I told my mother that I wanted to move to Germany to be with Heiko. My mother said, “Do you have any clue what your grandparents went through to come to America and you want to go the opposite direction?” At the time, I didn’t get it. I got it today.

Even though the tryptophan is kicking in, I am going up to Lisa’s Loft to watch Girl with the Pearl Earring. I hope it is a good movie.

It’s raining. This makes frying a turkey very difficult. We decided to just wait it out and hopefully the rain will let up. Lanke and I are a great team. Together we mixed up the Sweet Potato Caserole, the Pineapple Bread Pudding, and prepared the yams. Lisa made Rachel Ray’s Stuffin’ Muffins last night. Regardless, my mother still felt it necessary to make Aunt Verna’s stuffing. I guess just in case, right?

I sure hope the rain subsides.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I hope you have a big, fat, juicy turkey (or tofu equivalent) on your dinner table tonight!

I am thankful that God has blessed me. Family, friends, career, house, life. It’s all good!

I DID MY EXPENSE REPORTS!!!!!!!

October 18 -> November 17

Now all I have to do is deliver the receipts. What a load off my back. I don’t know why I have such an issue with it considering I get money back. Plain and simple, I just hate it. Lisa sat here next to me making sure I didn’t start surfing or emailing.

I also did a load of towels, whites, colors, and blacks. Believe it or not, I am still not finished.

I have dates on Friday and Saturday! Wow, my social life is picking up. I am pretty amazed Bob wants to see me again. Perhaps I am entering my prime? I also have a date with another eHarmony gentleman. We have talked twice now and I quite like him. He seems very gentle and a little shy. We shall see how that one goes.

There is absolutely nothing in the refridgerator. At around 6:00, I crept around the kitchen opening the refridgerator door hoping that something might magically appear. Oddly enough, after a couple scavenger hunts, I found a package of frozen Oriental pork in the far, nether regions of the freezer. Voila! Dinner! So I made a salad and heated the pork. Lisa thought I was a magician. After dinner I was still yearning for something and I again checked the cupboards. This time I found a half eaten package of marshmallows and a half full box of Rice Krispies. I mixed it all together and presented Lisa with Rice Krispy Treats. I am such a chef! Eat your heart out Emeril!

In case anyone is keeping track– I have yet to clean my room, do laundry, or complete my expense reports. I have, on the other hand, surfed the Internet, talked on the phone with eHarmony matches, and watched Elvis movies. This vacation is going really well!