Adios for now...

It is 4:29 pm on Friday and as soon as I hit "Publish Post" I am shutting down this computer and not touching it again until 8/20. Then I will go home, check my e-mail one last time, shut down that computer and not touch a keyboard again for the next 8 days. Amazing. I think it has been years since I have gone that long without a computer. I think it will be a good thing. I work on a computer all day, and then I try to squeeze in things like blogging and Ravelry and responding to e-mails when the last thing I want is to be typing yet more! So when you think of me and Rusty over the next week, picture us walking on an island in Maine, hearing the waves and the seagulls and enjoying total relaxation. We'll take some pictures and update upon our return...peace OUT!

Gearing Up...

for vacation!!! I so do not feel like working...so I'm not at the moment! I had the morning off and came into work at 1:00. Why? Because I had a late night last night. Why? Because I went here with Lora to see
Brandi Carlile

and Indigo Girls!!
Lora's got some pics and videos up - I completely forgot to grab my camera on the way out the door, but she was kind enough to share hers with me.

Brandi Carlile opened. I had seen her about a month ago in Boston, with her band, and at first I was disappointed to see this was going to be an acoustic show. By the end of the first song (Someday Never Comes) I had goosebumps that lasted through her whole set. The Girls came out and sang on Cannonball with her - their harmonic blend was so amazing. Brandi came out for 5 or 6 songs during the Indigo Girls set and once again, incredible harmony. I enjoyed the Indigo Girls also, though I would have preferred seeing them with their band. I'd never seen them before and it was a great first show. The crowd was great, the venue I absolutely love. At first I was a little disappointed because they played so many songs I don't really like all that much, you know the ones you always tend to skip over in the car...(Ozilline, Yield) but then they made me happy by doing World Falls and Hope Alone (didn't expect to hear that one and I LOVE that song) with Brandi Carlile on both. But what really sealed the deal for me was Amy doing Romeo and Juliet (had tears in my eyes at the end of that one!) and Kid Fears. When they started in on Kid Fears I said to Lora that this song just won't be the same without Micheal Stipes from REM singing his part...ok...I was right...because it was even better...they had Brandi Carlile come out and sing that part and the goosebumps were back!! What a great show, I could hardly get to sleep last night from the energy of such fine music...
Glad I took this morning off from work. Got some stuff done around the house, gave Rusty his pre-vacation bath and now am at work. Surprisingly, given how little sleep I got, I am not feeling tired.

Well, I suppose I should go do some work today...wish vacation started right now!!!

Reason # 645 why I never update!

#645: because it is so time consuming!!! It took me forever to do that last post. None of the pictures would line up on the actual blog the way they did when I was writing the entry. I almost said *nevermind*. There has got to be an easier way?? What I did, is I downloaded all the pics from my camera to my laptop. Then I uploaded the ones I wanted to use to Blogger. Then I wrote and dragged the pics around, placing them with their corresponding text (I make it sound so simple - yet it just wouldn't come out the way I wanted it to. I supposed one of these days I will have to just sit down and learn more about this Blogger thing.
Knitting is going well. I finished the Angel Sweater and sent it off to France with Cindi - AND FORGOT TO TAKE ANY PICTURES!!! I hope Cindi thinks to take some for me, 'specially if baby niece wears it (I think it will be too big for her at the moment though). I have 2 socks in progress, one pair that should be done before I leave for vacation. My vacation knitting plans are to slog through the Tofutsies socks (I just do not like working with this yarn), make a pair with Heather's yarn, and if time allows, get started on another pair with Ray's yarn. I'm also hoping to work on (and possibly finish) the Forest Canopy shawl. I know, it's an ambitious plan, but I think I can make it happen!
Cindi is in France all this week - she is floating around on a barge with her dad and his family to celebrate her grandparents 50th anniversary. Some people have it rough, no?
I am gearing up for vacation. I am leaving after work on Friday - and I am unplugging. If it is an emergency (or ya just really, really miss me) leave a message on my cell and I will be checking it every evening. I.CAN'T.WAIT!!!
And on that note, I am going to leave work on-time for a change and try and talk myself into visiting the gym on the way home...adios!

A Day in Pictures

GOODMORNING

So I thought it would be fun to do a "day in the life" blog entry, so the other day I hired a camera crew* to capture my exciting life for a day, to give you, the reader, who may not even know me in the "real world", a taste of the adventure that awaits me on a daily basis! So, pour yourself a cup of coffee and follow along!

*Rusty followed me around with my cheap-ass digital camera all day


First order of business was setting some limits... NO SHOWER PICS!!! My public is not interested in seeing that sort of thing...


After showering, I love to just putz around the house, drinking my coffee and hoping I can manage to leave on time (never happens). For some unknown reason, I get up around 6:15 and it take me 2 hours to get ready. Most mornings there is a 20 - 30 minute walk with Rusty, followed by 1/2 hour or so of checking e-mail, drinking coffee, maybe journaling or reading a bit...so how come I always end up cramming fixingmyhairputtingonmakeupgatheringfoodforthedaymakingthebedandfixingcoffeefortheroad into the last 10 minutes??

Every so often I squeeze in some knitting related time. This morning I blocked the washcloths I made for a good friends birthday present.












Finally, I am out the door and on my way. (after saying bye to Rusty and asking him to
watch the house while I am gone). Doesn't
he just break your heart???








Yes, I do realize that the car needs a good vacuuming. I admit it - I am lazy.















The ride through the city is never boring.
We like it when the lights are green.
And you would not *believe* the scary people I see walking out of Mike's Pub & Grub at 8 or so o'clock in the morning.










Even with all the construction going on, it only takes me less than 10 minutes to get on the highway from my house.




















Some sights along the way, including a random pile of bricks:













Normally it is a good commute, and this morning was no exception.
E-Z Pass is one of those inventions you wish you had thought of and marketed. At first I missed my tokens and the great discount they afforded me...but now I have to say, it is worth paying the addition 6 cents a day to not have to stop, and to not have to open my windows when it is cold.

Let's listen to a few tunes while we get on the high way and cruise to Nashua...

Music listened to:
Working Class Hero - John Lennon
F-Me Pumps - Amy Winehouse Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
Shadow on the Wall - Brandi Carlile
You Sent Me Flying - Amy Winehouse

nope,it's not a very long commute. plus, I probably checked the radio stations I have programmed a few times because for some reason that is what I have to do...

I think I am being followed!! (no, not really, but you have to admit it made this alot more interesting!!)





Rut-roh - this is the look I get on my face when another driver is being stupid. If you could read my mind, you would hear "what the f&$* was that?"




and then, before you know it, we are at my exit...






ready to start another day...here are some random pictures of work:


The office park we work in is pretty nice. Right
off the highway, which makes for a good commute. This is a shot of the back of the building. I started parking out back 2 summers ago after someone left their car running in the front parking lot. It started a fire and took out 4 other cars - had I been at work that day, my car would have been one of them. The downside to parking out back though is that the back door is where all the smokers congregate. Here is my favorite smoking ashtray...I hold my breath on the way in. Of course, if there is a group of smokers out there, they stand right on the path so you have to walk through their little cloud. Yuck.

This is the view approaching the lobby. It really is a nice building.











Here we are in the lab...to the left is the view from where I sit. I get to watch planes take off and helicopters buzz around since the airport is close by.





For lunch today I went out to the LYS to get a gift for Lora's birthday. I had a hard time parting with it, but after fondling it for a while made the right choice. I will go back and get another one for myself (like I need MORE sock yarn). I'll add a picture of it in later...

Went back to work - yes, I know, the afternoon is sadly lacking in pictures...Rusty had to have his afternoon nap. I don't remembering negotiating this when I hired him, but I guess you get what you pay for...

Wednesday nights are knittin' night at the Manchester Barnes and Noble. Jackie wanted to show me a book she recommended I read. The title of the book is "The Big Book of Breasts". I took a picture of it so I would remember which book it is when I have some extra cash....




After knittin' for a while, we moved over to Famous Dave's next door to celebrate Sarah and Lora's birthdays. It was kind of dark in there, but most of us are in the picture...




After Daves it was time to go home. Luckily I don't have far to drive...

When I got home I was pleased to see that the maid had stopped by and turned down the covers.

and now I am ready to slide into bed and call it a day!!!