I am a tired girl - and still stuck in the burgh. Let me rewind a bit. So, Friday night we headed to Dallas to take in a Stars game, so I have now crossed the Victory Center off of my list. The Stars won and I noted their little quirk - screaming "STARS" during the national anthem each time it is sung. They also have the requisite little crew that asks how much time is left in the period :) We actually headed into Ft. Worth and took the train the rest of the way, it was a nice evening, despite nasty weather that had a few tornados touch down in the area. Since we took the train I couldn't stick around to try and gather an autograph as I had hoped for Beff, but we'll just have to let her get that one herself.

Today I headed out at 6am and we drove to the airport. I get to Charlotte and be damned if both of the noon-time flights to the burgh aren't cancelled. The next flight out was overbooked and now had about 45 people waiting to get on it as well. Even that one would have brought me in later than the last flight to J-tizzle so it wasn't a big deal that I waited in Charlotte for the 5-something flight. That even left late, but the woman who took care of me when I first got off my initial flight and saw my next leg was cancelled was kind enough to get me on first class, set me up with a hotel in the burgh, and give me some vouchers that will save me $20 on grub through my flight tomorrow. At least I'll be back in time to get my girlie before the game. Right now I just want to sleep but my mind has been too restless the past two nights to allow.

I love the fact that other women loathe me. Is it wrong to enjoy it so much? Never say never my love, been there done that.

I guess the oddest occurence worthy of reporting was seeing some little girl get hit by a truck in the Chic-fil-A parking lot. That was a bit interesting. She's okay, or at least appeared to be, probably a few stitches, but I think that's why God makes kids bouncy. I do have to say that her mother is darn lucky. I did notice the girl a minute or so before she got hit playing around in an empty parking space. When I saw her get hit at first I didn't realize what I was seeing.

Other than that it's been a fairly relaxing few days. I did find a copy of my textbook for the spring semester, so that's on order. I also had a fabulous dinner tonight at Pappadeux's (hawaiian yellowfin tuna). I'm so completely stuffed.

Time to do some more surfing for opportunities - time to help them knock a little louder.

Merry Christmas kiddies. I have in my clutches my beautiful dark gray 600 thread count sheets. I can't wait to climb into these in my nice comfy bed. I also have some new tunes, a new work sweater to keep myself from freezing (minus the holes the last one developed from daily wear).

I've also snapped a bit after a discussion w/ the BIL and the neighbor and have started looking at options to run away. It's far fetched, but the fact is I'm in a rut (Johnstown). Even if it takes a year or two to climb out of the hole I am going to start clawing my way out.

I got my A! I can't even express how happy I am. This was, by far, the most difficult semeseter which demanded the longest hours and the most amount of tears.

My trip went well despite some delays. I know I need to get back to NC someday simply because of the strong draw and desire to be there I had as we came into Charlotte. I guess I need to start planning for an extended time frame at some point. Now that Slippy has announced her resignation I'm getting a little bit more inspiration to look around a bit. I still need to decide if I want to do the dual major. I guess I should, but I am so happy to be near done. Suck it up and take the four additional classes, right? It just seems like an extended death sentence to my current prison.

Still the busy has not completely settled down. Today was rather hectic finishing things up at work before my holiday time off and heading out to grub with family before firing off the last final exam session. Today was also a day of unexpected events, some good, some bad. The Christmas card was a shock and it was one that performed its desired task of peeving. The visit made this evening's Christmas two-fold.

I now have a fabulous basket of candles, wine, chocolate, and bath-related scents from C&V. I also have, courtesy of my beloved mother, a shiney new coffee pot, a set of requested oven mitts, chocolate covered cherries (that were not masking socks - long story from my childhood), and some rather nifty nail files. Check these babies out.

I finished grading things a bit later than expected/desired this evening, but at least the class is done. I figure I'll save the full shut down of this semester's class for when I am rested. For now, sleep, I have yet another looong day ahead of me.

If I count last evening as Christmas number 2, then tonight was Christmas number 3 - with Beff and the Slipster. We exchanged gifts and a few rumor worthy tidbits. I can't wait to see things come to fruition. *grin* Once again these two were too good to me. I'm now the proud owner of my very own bright red ex knife set, pictured here, oh, fond memories of you dear one. I am very pleasantly surprised how nice the knives are that are included with this, and the holder is magnetized, so they won't fly every which way if I tip the booger over.

I also got Jay and Silent Bob do Degrassi, a Chemical Brothers CD, a couple of books, my long lusted after NHL chess set, and a replacement tube of the awesome color Mary Kay lipstick that was destroyed during the Quest on the last cruise. Slippy even cooked for us... and it rawked. This was a nice way to spend the evening after feeling a bit off due to a mead headache, a bit too little sleep, and 6+ hours of grading assignments and waiting for tests to come back in.

Chiefs defeat Cincy! Let the party begin. Well it would have started either way as the politically incorrect Christmas event must. I do have to admit it wasn't as incorrect as it has been in years past, but I was there until 6am. Oops. So much for sleep before giving a couple more sets of exams. Be careful for all of those spider babies Scott.

Interestingly I think I may have "called it" earlier in the evening. That list of signs someone is cheating is still quite at the forefront of my mind and I see it. Some interesting plans for a holiday there dear boy.

Been resting fairly well, not feeling as stressed thanks to finishing up my term a bit early, but I still have a list of things to accomplish each night. Gratefully however that list doesn't have me up past midnight consistently.

Tonight after work I headed to get a new do, which I'm happy with so far, but I can never fully tell until it's been washed and I have to straighten and/or curl it once by myself, but this shows promise and it feels so much lighter. With as much hair as I have, this is key. After dinner I got to meet Missy and Bob's baby, Addison, for the first time and got to play with Ryla again, now that she's all grown up. I'm not a baby person and am not going to be trying to hold someone's kid, so it was a meeting from a bit of a distance. But she was quiet while we ate dinner, so we're friends (screaming babies also not high on my list).

At present I'm watching a special on the National Geographic Channel that I've been looking forward to since I saw the ad for it - In the Womb: Animals. Sure, we've all seen the videos of babies in the womb, but it's just so nifty to watch the fetuses of puppies, dolphins, and elephants develop.

This weekend, starting today, the Chiefs take on the Cyclones three times. While that will likely result in some interesting squabbles on the ice come Saturday it also means we could easily slide down another notch in the standings if we don't show up to play. Judging from tonight's numbers we were outshot by a factor of 3. That doesn't sit super well. The Chiefs did hold on, thanks to Morgan, and took everything into overtime and to the shootout, where they lost.

I have another jersey ordered from the first part of the season, I'm already behind on my photo list, so I'll just be a slacker and update with the new year for all to see.

What the FRELL are you doing here? (best wicked witch of the west voice) ... and your little dog too. Damnit. I still had fun. Despite the 4 year failure, the lack of classroom distraction, and other things... you're not ruining my evening.

"You don't even know the meaning of the words 'I'm sorry'. You said you would love me until you die, and as far as I know you're still alive. -Shakira"

The Chiefs lost another today. I cranked out the final exam before the game, and headed out to celebrate Christmas #1 with Missy after the game at the Boulevard. I'm now the proud owner of my own copy of Clerks II *grin*

I still have quite the welts in my legs from the retarded pair of thigh highs from last night. You'd swear I put something caustic around my legs in two bands and they still feel raw when the water from the shower hits them. Time for some more class room check in and off to bed. I have another long day ahead of me tomorrow.

I look forward to the work party every year. While everything was nice, I wasn't overly zealous once I got there. Maybe it was the lingering of my caffeine headache, maybe it was just a mood, maybe it was seeing the pairs and couples paraded in front of me again, I don't know.

Nope, I wasn't trampled by reindeer. Instead I've just been busy as can be - despite a bit of a reprieve. Where to start so I can bring you, faithful reader, up to speed. First all of the long hours I spent on my term paper truly paid off, and more than I could have fathomed. My professor was so happy with my draft that I am done for the term. No changes to the paper, no need to release the upgrade to the fan club website on the class deadline (which is a darn good thing considering how slow the pieces of content beyond my control are able to come together). You'd think I would have plenty of time on my hands as a result, but that's not quite the case.

I've still been up late most every night this week as we're to the part of the term that is stressing the class I'm teaching, so there are plenty of questions to answer that have been challenging to keep up with. Work has been kicking my rear in that I'm busy all day every day, which is good since I'm not onsite.

Last night I came home to no power. Quite the suck-situation given that it was right in time with our first snow and some rather cold temps. It was just the small stretch of houses on my block and everyone around us was still shining bright, their holiday lights tormenting us through the windows. The automated system for Penelec said the power would be on by midnight - so the night of getting things done online was a wash. I curled up by the fire and wrote out the final exam I need to complete and played with the dog and eventually headed to bed in the dark and cold. I felt the heat kick on at 5:30 in the morning when the power was restored but I didn't dare leave my comfortable bed to see how low the house got. All I know is an hour and a half later when my cell phone beeped to wake me, the heat was still going and it was only up to 60. I later found out a car accident caused the problem.

Now, if I can just get the final exam pulled together and keep up with the questions for what I'm teaching I'll be good to go this semester. Oh, and I got an appointment letter in the mail, they'd like me to teach it again in the spring! The extra cash is definitely nice and it is how I paid for the A/C I had installed.

This evening I just finished cranking out the cookies I need for Monday around bouts of checking for more questions. Ok, not really cookies, but no bakes are still fabulous. Speaking of which - I hear one wimpering. THAT is a sign of weakness.

Vixen's nose has that twinge of pink to it - definitely proof that winter is here at last.

Where has my weekend gone? Friday night's game was a beauty. While I'd rather win in regulation I do find overtime and the shootout engaging, it's even better when you manage to triumph during it. We did win and beat Trenton Friday in the shootout. Same on Saturday against Reading. Katsy is our shootout man for sure, and more than earning his salary this week!

Somewhere in the midst of Friday evening I also got the draft term paper turned in. I spent the earlier part of Saturday sending out and waiting for tests to come back and getting a new tenant welcomed. Today was just as busy even though I don't feel like I did much. I did bring the tree downstairs as it felt wrong to just have gifts sitting around w/o a tree. I just didn't decorate it. The last few gifts are wrapped too. I also hit the grocery store so I had food to cook up the delish grub I ate tonight. Boy am I stuffed. But the majority of the day went to grading the tests from yesterday.

I had so wanted to head to Westwood this evening to see Saw III, but I'm too tired and it's too damn cold out to consider it.