tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67126955993617149872024-02-06T18:40:56.727-08:00Crazy Beautiful LifeAmy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-55318343608018535082011-01-05T10:24:00.000-08:002011-01-05T10:26:52.906-08:00Goals<strong><em>2011</em></strong> <br />
Stay on track with the budget. <br />
Live within my means. <br />
Be diligent about paying bills and documenting. <br />
What money will be spent on, in order of priority:<br />
Living expenses<br />
Education<br />
Debt (Laura first)<br />
Use Liz Pullam Weston’s book to repair credit.<br />
Secured credit card<br />
Savings account <br />
Discretionary – I will only spend what I have!<br />
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Exercise and eat relatively healthy; stay within the 80/20 rule. <br />
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Be pretty! Have my hair done on a regular basis, do my nails, etc.<br />
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At work, clean my office from top to bottom. Keep the forward motion. Prioritize and give reasonable time frames for turnaround; underpromise and overproduce. <br />
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Get all of my filing and organizing at home in order. <br />
Filing<br />
Boxes in garage<br />
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Take at least three classes: ENGRW 300/Spring Semester, Summer Semester, Fall Semester. Learn Algebra!<br />
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Make sure there is always a next ride planned. Think about my ultimate horse goals. Go with the flow for now, continue to learn, meet people in the horse community, save money, keep commitments, but don’t over commit. <br />
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Treat everyone with respect; don’t talk badly to or about anyone.<br />
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Car; clean windows, shampoo carpets and seats, get seat covers, have paint buffed, get new wheels.<br />
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Take more pics, keep them organized on discs.<br />
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Blog consistently.<br />
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Make Lucy a well adjusted, health and happy mutt with exercise, activity and training.<br />
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<strong><em>AT THE BEGINNING OF 2012</em></strong><br />
I will have limited bills, cash reserves, good credit scores.<br />
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I will be fit and hot.<br />
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I will be a rock star at work.<br />
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Home will be clean and organized.<br />
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I will have gotten closer to my transfer to UC Davis for school and work. <br />
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I will have cultivated my passion for horses. <br />
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I will have made deeper connections with people.<br />
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My car will be stylin’.<br />
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I will have a year’s worth of pictures to memorialize how good life is.<br />
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I will have cultivated my curiosity for writing.<br />
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Lucy will be healthy and happy.<br />
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I will evaluate my retirement plan and start contributing more to it.<br />
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I will reevaluate school; what I’ve done and what I still need to do. <br />
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I will look into what I should do with my savings; invest, money market account, certificate of deposit, etc.<br />
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I will start thinking about the next step in my career at the University of California.<br />
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I will think about buying a horse.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-86839398064651697492010-12-01T09:37:00.000-08:002010-12-01T09:37:20.006-08:00Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SXh7JR9oKVE?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe>Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-2299120302215701312010-11-18T15:52:00.000-08:002010-11-18T15:54:28.666-08:00Horse Euthanized After Workout Injury at Belmont Park<a href="http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=17252">http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=17252</a><br />
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Three years old and in his short life, he raced, had ankle surgery, raced, fractured his shoulder, and was euthanized on the track. <br />
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Even famous race horses that stick around to breed are mistreated. I listened to a vet of 30 years speak last week about his internship in Kentucky and working with Seattle Slew. He said that the horses were stalled 23 hours a day and sedated to keep them from damaging their stalls and themselves. When it was time to breed, they had to wait for the stallions to wake up from the sedative to be able to breed. Then they guy went on to say that the whole thing was "... so neat to be a part of." <br />
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In what flipping world is it NEAT to keep a healthy horse stalled and sedated 23 hours out of every day?!? Only in the racing world. Presidents and princes support it, thousands of people go to see the pretty horses race. Nobody stops to look at the whole damn thing and the horrible practices that are supported by the industry. Not even horse people! I don't understand. I just don't understand.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-40922652011919186772010-10-21T11:17:00.000-07:002010-10-21T11:17:32.233-07:00My Delta DilemmaI currently live in a city, far, far away from my rural home, country friends, and horses. I moved here a few years ago for work since there isn’t much of that going on where I come from. I cannot live without horses any longer, so I recently ran an ad on craigslist offering to exercise horses for people who didn’t have time to do it themselves. I got several responses and last night went out to a barn to meet an owner and her mare. Loved Delta, the mare; the owner (we’ll call her MM for Mare’s Mama) and the barn, not so much. <br />
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MM wanted me to commit to riding Delta three times a week so that she doesn’t have to. She is an inexperienced and timid rider and she needs to have someone who will keep Delta tuned up and in shape. <br />
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Before I left last night, I told MM that I could not commit to riding Delta three times a week, but that I would commit to two and shoot for three. On the ride home, however, I decided that I’m pretty sure I don’t want to go back to that place. <br />
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<strong>First of all, it was very chaotic.</strong> <br />
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The property has a covered arena, a round pen, and an outdoor arena. General practice is just to go in to whatever arena or round pen you want, regardless of whether or not other riders are there and there are lessons going on. I was trying to ride a large mare in a small arena that was filled with jumps, while the trainer was giving a hunter jumper lesson. Not so easy! Also, the horses were cross tied in the barn and whenever someone needed to walk their horse through the barn, we had to stop what we were doing and move the mare. <br />
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<strong>Secondly, I was there for two hours and already get a sense that there is major barn drama.</strong> <br />
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The indoor arena separates the stalls on the right side of the barn from the stalls on the left side of the barn. The barn owner and her trainer occupy one side and MM’s trainer leases the other side. Several times, snide comments were made by MM and her trainer about “The Other Side” (TSO). There is a wash rack where horses can be tied, but it’s on TOS, and MM said she didn’t tie Delta over there because Delta doesn’t like it. I get the feeling that it has more to do with the fact that it’s on TOS. <br />
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<strong>Thirdly, and most importantly, unsafe practices. </strong><br />
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I mentioned that they cross tie their horses in the aisle of the barn and that the other place to tie is on TOS. Because there isn’t room for everyone in the barn, and they don’t like TOS, the other place that they tie is to the panels on the outside of the round pen and outdoor arena. Seriously? There are some things that you just don’t do with horses. Tying them to panels that can very easily be moved if the horse decides to spook or pull back, or God forbid take off, is one of those things. I don’t care if it’s general practice at a barn, I will not do it. And the fact that it is general practice is a major red flag for me. <br />
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When I got there, Delta was on the hot walker. MM took me over to get her, and the chain from the walker was wrapped through her halter and over her nose. When I asked why that was, MM told me that it’s what the barn owner required for all horses on the hot walker. When she took the chain off, there were bloody sores where it had been touching her lips and nose. <br />
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They don’t close the stall doors. They leave the stall nets up all the time. This may be subject to judgment, but I think it’s much safer to close the door of the stall when the barn is unattended. <br />
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<strong>Fourthly, the people at the barn don’t seem to have the best interest of the horses in their care at heart, or they just don’t know the difference. If you’re someone who is just learning, not knowing is okay as long as you’re open to and actively learning. If you’re someone who is being paid to train and teach, it’s not okay.</strong> <br />
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The curb chain on the tom thumb bit MM uses on Delta was very snug. You should be able to comfortably fit two fingers between the horse’s jaw and the chain; I could not. When I asked if they always keep it so snug, MM and the trainer said yes. <br />
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The barn is a hunter jumper barn, but MM rides western. I can go either way, but I’m using her tack, so western it is. I actually like that, since I’m far more experienced in western and am trying out a horse I’ve never ridden before. The saddle she uses is a cheapo, ill fitting synthetic. Great. My first thought as I’m saddling Delta is that it can’t be good for her to have a saddle that digs right in to her big ol’ withers. There are several things so far that have made me cringe, but just having met Delta, MM and the trainer, and not knowing whether or not I’m ever coming back to this place, I didn’t say anything. So, I rode in the saddle, with the too-tight curb chain, and didn’t say anything. I feel like crap for having done that, but it didn’t seem appropriate to say anything at the time. <strong><em>How do you tactfully make someone aware that they’re doing something that is harmful to their horse and get them to change their behavior, without offending them? This I need to learn. </em></strong>Anyway, later on she showed me another saddle that I could use if I wanted. It, too, was a cheap, ill fitting piece of crap. Argh. She is in the market for a new saddle, but I’m afraid she’s just going to buy something as crappy as what she’s already using. My thought is that even though MM’s trainer is hunter jumper and not western, she should still know what quality tack is and should be advising her client better than that. <br />
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We were cleaning Delta’s stall, and there was a bunch of what I though was straw for bedding on the floor of the stall. Nope. Not bedding. It’s what they feed. No wonder the horse didn’t eat it. It was stemmy and yellow. They feed that crap in the morning and alfalfa at night. MM feeds a combination of supplements and pellets whenever the hell she feels like it; could be morning, middle of the day, or night. I don’t like that. Horses should be fed quality feed and on a consistent schedule. <br />
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They train in the arena. They show in the arena. They don’t trail ride or give the horse any other break. That would be like never allowing a person to go anywhere other than work. Pretty crappy. <br />
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All of that said, after having ridden Delta, I love her. She’s not perfect. She’s 14 years old, wasn’t ridden for a year and a half, and just had 60 days put on her by MM’s trainer. She won’t do anything you don’t make her do. When you ask her to lope, she gives you attitude and will trot all day long instead if you let her get away with it. But she’ll do it if you make her and she seems to be pretty willing if you know what you’re doing. The trainer didn’t appear to like her very much and said that Delta “didn’t” neck rein. Really? A horse that doesn’t neck rein? Is that the horse’s fault, or is it up to the horse’s people to teach her how? She seems very teachable to me; the trainer insisted that she was a stubborn, bitchy mare. <br />
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I would absolutely love to ride this mare and find out what she’s capable of learning, and what I’m capable of teaching her. I just don’t think I can deal with MM, the trainer, and the barn. I’m so bummed! Now, after having told MM yes, I have to call her and tell her no. Ugh.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-84194050659111843552010-10-05T11:52:00.000-07:002010-10-05T11:52:05.895-07:00Goals realized...In 18 days, I will take my first ride on a reining horse. I'm beyond excited. It's a far off, "someday" goal realized. I've made plans for so long and they're finally starting to come to fruition. Life is good.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-45772540408637969292010-10-01T15:48:00.000-07:002010-10-01T16:02:03.104-07:00A Quick Update to My Goal List from Last Year<strong><em>Finances</em></strong><br />
<strike>Pay off IRS</strike><strike><br />
</strike><br />
<strike>Pay off Sacramento County</strike><strike><br />
</strike><br />
<strike>Pay off Tehama County</strike><strike><br />
</strike><br />
<strike>Pay off Colusa County</strike><strike><br />
</strike><br />
<strike>Get driver’s license; buy a car</strike><br />
Build good credit history<span style="color: #660000;"> <em>- $200 away from a 700 FICO score!</em></span><br />
Build a nest egg <br />
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<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Education</em></strong><br />
<strike>HS Diploma from San Juan/Winterstein</strike><br />
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Transfer Degree in Animal Science from Cosumnes River College.<span style="color: #660000;"> <em>College schedules come out in mid-October and I’m hoping to get the Math and English classes that I need to get the ball rolling with school again. </em></span><br />
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BS Degree in Animal Science from UC Davis<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Career</em></strong><br />
Pursue my career with the University of California; at some point in the future, transfer to the Animal Science Department at the University. <em><span style="color: #660000;">After a year and a half on the job, I have an understanding of my responsibilities and a clear vision of what I want to achieve in my current position. I will stay here until I have followed through with that, and then the University of California is my oyster! I still want to end up and the UC Davis Campus, either in the Animal Science Department, or at the School of Vet Medicine.</span></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #660000;">Passion:</span></strong></em><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><em>I’ve been dying to start riding horses again, and it’s happening! Reining is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I found out that the West Coast Reining Horse Association is based out of Elk Grove, which is next to Sacramento. I found a great trainer and my first lesson is in three weeks. I’m beyond excited! So many things that I’ve wanted for so long are coming to fruition now. My first goal is to start reining; after that, to win my first buckle; a little bit farther down the road, to be a trainer.</em> </span><br />
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<strike>Once I have the car</strike>, I’ll spend time taking road trips to the surrounding areas to find out what I like and where I want to live. I will work hard and be true to myself and will meet a man that I love and respect to be my husband and the father of my children. <span style="color: #660000;">Doing it! I haven’t found the place I’ll call home yet, but I have been exploring and am sure I’ll get there. </span><br />
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<strong><em>Ultimate goal:</em></strong><br />
House in the country filled with family and a barn on the property filled with horses; a successful horse training business.<span style="color: #660000;"> <em>The ultimate goal is the same and I continue to work toward it!</em></span>Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-19088444499817201312010-10-01T15:13:00.000-07:002010-10-01T15:14:16.719-07:00The Totally Weird and Random Dream That I Had Last NightI woke up on a beach, in a tent, with my ex-boyfriend. The one who I thought was The One who ended up not being The One, who I have since realized wouldn’t have worked out in the long run because I’m a country girl and he’s a city boy. We were camping with some friends of his, a couple. He left early in the morning and they told me it was because he had to be somewhere to help someone, but that I was special to him or something to that effect. We went to where he was, which ended up being his house that he was rebuilding. The thing that he had to do was cut someone’s hair. GBW, a surgeon that I work with in real life and adore, was there pacing and asking how it was going. In the dream he was a friend of the ex’s and was there to show support.<br /><br />I was trying out for an acting job. I didn’t want it, but I felt it was important to the ex. They – the people I was trying out for – told me that I had to take an acting class. I said I wouldn’t do it, but ended up giving in. My mother was sitting with the people I was trying out for. I was walking away and heard her tell them that I still lived at home. I turned around and asked if she said what I thought she said, and then told them that I don’t live with her.<br /><br />Because I was at this thing trying out for an acting job, I was late for work. I was working at Chicago Title (where I was laid off from in 2005) as an Escrow Assistant, but I didn’t assist anyone. I did all the work. I had to call in and tell them I was going to be late.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-40382183030641982332009-09-10T11:03:00.001-07:002009-09-10T11:03:51.306-07:00Sharing Who I AmI want… a safe place with a person. I want someone to share all of my secrets, fears, inhibitions and aspirations with. I have that in a couple of my girlfriends, but I want that in my significant other… What I have previously done in my relationships is keep all that to myself. I’m just too shy to share it. As a result, I end up being in relationships with strangers – that is, we never get past the preliminary likes/dislikes, values, etc. Relationships like this are unfulfilling and short-lived.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-7747453011689508782009-07-31T10:01:00.000-07:002009-07-31T10:06:59.772-07:00IF by Rudyard KiplingIf you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you,<br /><br />If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowance for their doubting too,<br /><br />If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about, don't deal in lies, or being hated, don't give way to hating, and yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:<br /><br />If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,<br /><br />If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;<br /><br />If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same;<br /><br />If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:<br /><br />If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings and never breath a word about your loss;<br /><br />If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: "Hold on!"<br /><br />If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;<br /><br />If all men count with you, but none too much,<br /><br />If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run, yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, and--which is more--you'll be a man, my son!Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-66760751034556029172009-07-20T15:13:00.000-07:002009-07-20T15:14:57.302-07:00Plan for My LifeAs of July 20, 2009<br /><br /><strong><em>Finances</em></strong><br />Pay off IRS<br />Pay off Sacramento County<br />Pay off Tehama County<br />Pay off Colusa County<br />Get driver’s license; buy a car<br />Build good credit history<br />Build a nest egg<br /><strong><em><br />Education<br /></em></strong>HS Diploma from San Juan/Winterstein<br />Transfer Degree in Animal Science from Cosumnes River College<br />BS Degree in Animal Science from UC Davis<br /><br /><strong><em>Career</em></strong><br />Pursue my career with the University of California; at some point in the future, transfer to the Animal Science Department at the University; build a successful horse (training??) business. Retire from UC.<br /><br />Once I have the car, I’ll spend time taking road trips to the surrounding areas to find out what I like and where I want to live. I will work hard and be true to myself and will meet a man that I love and respect to be my husband and the father of my children.<br /><br /><strong><em>Ultimate goal:</em></strong><br /><br />House in the country filled with family and a barn on the property filled with horses; a successful horse (training??) business.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-14658284477862762472009-07-15T21:44:00.000-07:002009-07-15T21:45:53.865-07:00July 15, 2009The things I did today… As usual, I slept in as long as I possibly could and only got up in time to jump up, rush through my morning routine, and run out the door with wet hair to catch the bus. The weird guy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wasn</span>’t on the bus this morning, thank God. That’s a whole ‘<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nother</span> story… I <em>did</em> work today, though! I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wasn</span>’t a hundred percent, but I was a lot better than I have been… Instead of returning to the Internet, I returned to my work. Which today happened to be travel plans. For some reason, it took me the whole day to do. I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ve</span> been collecting every box that I see in my building at work, so when Marie – my manager who also happens to be in the process of moving – came into my office to talk to me, she stopped mid-sentence and started laughing at the pile of boxes that had just about consumed my work space. Laura had a class at the hospital today that let out just as I was getting off work, so she came by my office to take me and the boxes home. We haven’t started packing, but we do have boxes. That’s something, right? We got home and got in each other’s way while she did dishes and made her hot dog/crescent rolls and I started my spaghetti. The spaghetti took an hour to make. While the sauce was simmering and the water for the pasta was trying to boil, I potted one of my new plants so that I can take it to work tomorrow and played a little ball with Lucy. That’s about all my beautiful puppy got from me tonight; I stayed on the couch too long watching Will & Grace and never made it out the front door. Poor dog. Oh, well. She got a walk last night, and she’ll likely get one tomorrow. Here I am at 9:40, an hour and twenty minutes before my self-appointed bedtime, tired, and with nothing good on TV. Not even anything good recorded. I have a little bit of Julie & Julia to finish. I may read the rest of that. Chances are, I’ll lounge for the next hour or so, maybe longer, and then stumble to bed, having only expended enough energy to throw on something comfortable which will likely come from the dirty clothes pile. At least I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ve</span> already started the pot of coffee for tomorrow morning…Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-30743873049592531552009-07-14T23:50:00.000-07:002009-07-14T23:51:18.141-07:00The Project July 14, 2009I’m reading this book. It’s called Julie & Julia… True story. Julie Powell was an unemployed temp secretary, getting ready to turn 30, unemployed, and felt she had never accomplished anything in her life. Kinda like me. Not quite, but there are certainly similarities. She gets this idea one day that she’s going to cook every single book in Julia Childs’ Master the Art of French Cooking, which I believe was published in 1967, and she’s going to do this in one year. Meanwhile, she’s going to write a blog about it. This was in 2002 when blogs weren’t quite so prevalent as they are today. She’s not a great cook; this is just something to do. And she does it. It was all consuming for a year. It changed her life. She is now a writer.<br /><br />I’m a 30-year-old secretary. An Administrative Assistant, actually. And truth be told, there is unlimited potential in my current position. I have a plan, and it includes staying with my employer for the next 30 years or so. The problem is, while I love my job, and look forward to a happy and successful future, I am a giant slacker. Every day is going to be the day that I dig my head out of my ass and get to work. Yeah, that doesn’t usually happen. What usually happens is that I spend all day procrastinating on the Internet and finishing a miniscule amount of work. How I haven’t been found out, I don’t know. I’m good at my job. I enjoy it. I just stand in my own way. I don’t know why I do this. Anyway, life is kinda like that, too. I could do, and be, and have so much more. If only. S<br /><br />So, I think that I want to follow Julie’s lead and do something crazy and all consuming and life changing. I had the idea that I would make myself write every day, but I don’t think that’s really the same thing. That’s something that I can very easily procrastinate doing until I eventually abandon the idea altogether.<br /><br />I went to a Toastmasters meeting tonight. It’s an organization that is supposed to develop public speaking and communication skills. It’s something that I really think will help me on this journey to be who I want to be. I’ve been meaning to go since I started my job four months ago, but in true Aymes fashion, I procrastinated. I almost didn’t go tonight. I hadn’t eaten very much today; I was starving and a little shaky (I have Hypoglycemia, which means I need to eat often or I’ll feel sick and likely chew someone’s head off). I was going to use that as an excuse not to go. I had a snack and went anyway. I’m really happy that I did. I’m thinking it may be my project.<br /><br />I commit (to myself – who else is there to commit to?) to going as often as humanly possible to every weekly meeting for the next year. I’ll permit myself to miss for vacations and such.<br />I write something – anything – every day that is humanly possible for the next year. I’ll permit myself to miss for vacations and such.<br /><br />It should be over just before my 32nd (oh-my-freaking-god 32?) birthday, and I should have made tons of progress by then.<br /><br />My concern is that it’ll be too easy to flake on myself. It’s not too late. I could do something else – but what?<br /><br />One more thing. I did something else today – besides getting my lazy butt to the Toastmasters meeting – that I’m proud of. Laura – that’s my roommate – wanted to buy this ugly, uncomfortable, cheapo couch at Ikea for our new house. I told her I hated it. Totally not like me. I would typically just bite my tongue and feel bitterness, but this time, I didn’t do that. I communicated my feelings. And the sky didn’t fall. Phew.<br /> One more thing. My writing doesn’t have to be perfect, make sense, or be entertaining. It’s just for me. To express myself. To make sense of myself. To start writing, which I’ve wanted to do for a very long time.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-26901952336596362732009-07-01T10:24:00.000-07:002009-07-01T10:56:08.545-07:00Tuesday, June 30, 2009I’m feeling deserted today. So far, nobody at all is interested in going to the Folsom Rodeo with me this weekend… Nobody. I’m pretty much on my own this Fourth of July weekend. Bryce hasn’t cancelled for the Beilejeski Bash on Friday yet, but I have a feeling she will…<br /><br />Every time I’m e-mailing with a friend of mine, the second I say that I don’t have a car, they disappear. What the ^&* is so wrong with not owning a car? I’m being financially responsible; saving now so that I can be comfortable later. Many of these people are financially struggling right now… But they have a car. Does that make them better than me? Hell no. In the long run, I’m going to be the one who is better off financially. I’m lonely.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-24479833354170673252009-06-26T17:00:00.000-07:002009-06-29T12:20:18.512-07:00Friday, June 26, 2009<span style="font-family:georgia;">11:35am<br />I'm working. By 11:00 am, I had been working but had already spent far too much time on the internet. Dr. Wong walked out to talk to me and I clicked off the game I was playing. He didn't see it. I felt guilty and likely was acting a little bit closed off. If I weren't playing a game instead of working, I would have felt and acted more open, honest, confident and comfortable, thus strengthening our relationship. I decided to cut myself off entirely from personal internet use for the day. I'm working, but something inside me doesn't feel right, like an addict, it feels wrong to be without it. It's 11:30 right now. I'm going to get through the next five and a half hours with out it. I like my work when I'm doing it. I don't know why I avoid it so much.<br /><br />12:51pm<br />I'm trying, but I feel stupid half the time, and I don't like that. I feel like I have to keep trying so that I work through the stupid. And it's likely that I'm not perceived as stupid by anyone but myself; I think that I am my harshest critic. I do love myself. How will I convince myself of that? Do I need to remind myself that I'm okay, worthy of my own love?<br />Sometimes I feel like I've come so far and sometimes I feel like I still have so far left to go and wonder if I'll ever get where I want to be.<br /><br />1:59pm<br />Spent about an hour moving my computer and "cleaning" my office today. Only touched about ten percent of the mess. So much paperwork, some of it unfinished tasks, much of it garbage. Filth and cluttered mess under my desk. Ugh. So much to do, in addition to the day to day tasks and projects. I did some of it today. That's better than doing none of it today.<br /><br />End of day. I spent five and a half hours away from the internet today. Got some work done. Accomplishment!</span>Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712695599361714987.post-18302642265840221742009-06-24T14:01:00.000-07:002009-06-29T12:17:04.614-07:00Screwing around at work...My job is very important to me. I'm good at it, I enjoy it, and it's the avenue that's going to take me where I want to go, provided I work hard. Why then do I find it so hard to focus on the job and just do it? I spend my day checking my Facebook, Hotmail, MySpace pages just to avoid working. I want to do well, I really do. This is the same conundrum that has held me back for years. Every day I say to myself "This is it. Today's the day that I'm going to kick ass at work." Sometime it works for a day or an hour. I'm constantly looking for news tricks, new ways to motivate myself. It gets better... Slowly... But I'm still not a good enough employee... I just don't work hard enough. Because of this, I'm always wondering what my co-workers are thinking of me. Do they have any idea? Are the judging me? Upset with me? Chances are the answer is no, but that doesn't stop my imagination from conjuring up their disdain and anger. Okay. I'm going to go back to work. I have to pee, but I'm going to try to work consistently from now (2:09) to 2:30 before I even think about gettin up from my desk.Amy Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254667051681089517noreply@blogger.com0