Still no calls...

No calls for any jobs yet. I guess it has only been a day. I did get a lot of packing AND even some moving done! It feels like July just passed by in a week. I have to start school again soon. I am excited about going back, though. I have been pretty bored all summer. Time flew by!

I am officially UNEMPLOYED.

So... it happened. Jamie called Josh and I and asked us to come in this morning. We, of course, already knew what was going to happen. I went first. I told Jamie I took full responsibility for what I did. I also explained to him that is was MY fault that we were late. I was the one that set the alarm wrong the night before. I BEGGED him to spare Josh's job. I explained to him that it is easier for me to pick up and find another job. Josh, on the other hand, is diabetic. He CAN'T afford his insulin without health insurance (he gets his through OMBC). I told him Josh and I are willing to do whatever it takes to secure his job.
That, of course, didn't faze him because he is a cold hearted, horrible person. I know there has GOT to be some good in that man somewhere... I just wish he would show it to people once in a while. Maybe people would respect and listen to him more often.
So, Josh and I are now unemployed. I applied about 6 different places today. Hopefully I will be getting a call soon. Having a roof over my head is pretty imporant to me... I can't pay rent without a job. I don't even care what I DO! It could be the poopiest work EVER! I don't care. I just want to start fresh and remove myself totally from that place. I don't want to think about it anymore!
The End... no more talk about it!

CUTE!

I thought this little guy was cute, and I needed some cheering up...
RAR!

I am going to complain for a while...

Excuse my language... but today's topic is a BITCH FEST. I am going to wine and complain for a while. You may want to look away.
So, Josh and I woke up a little late today. It was my fault, I set the alarm for PM, instead of AM. Don't laugh, you know you've done the same thing! :) Anyway, I knew we were going to be late for work because we still had to take the dogs out. So, I called in and said we were going to be a little late. We'll be there as soon as we can! Anyway, we showed up about 15 minutes late for work. The restaurant was already busy so I could tell I was going to have to dive right in (not the best way to start your day). We didn't get that far. Jamie (the restaurant's GM) told us to turn around and go home. He said he would call us after lunch was over and he was calmed down. He actually said something to the effect of "turn your 'butts' around and go home." How nice. He is such a pleasant man. Josh and I looked at him in disbelief and walked out. Josh and I will probably get fired later today... when he calls, of course.
Here is a little background on Jamie. I understand that this was my fault and the fact that he was a dick about it was mostly warrented. BUT... I must explain that he has had it out for Josh and I for some time now.
When Josh and I started dating, I had quit managing (surprise, surprise... I couldn't handle working so closely with Jamie) and Josh was about to get his promotion to management. We starting dating and things were fine. Apparently somebody complained that they were made "uncomfortable" by Josh slapping be on my bum one day at work. So, because of this, Jamie had to have a 'chat' with us. I told him that we were totally capable of keeping our hands of eachother... but I wondered why it was inappropriate for my own boyfriend to do that... but it was okay for a kitchen employee to grab my pant line and attempt to look down my pants (long story... but it happened). The incident with this guy from the kitchen was never taken care of after I brought it to Jamie, and the employee was a freakin' supervisor, no less. WOW. Does it sound a bit like he may be picking on us a bit?
Here is some more in case you still need convincing. There are at least two servers at the restaurant that are ALWAYS late for their shift. Not once a week, or even a couple times a week but EVERY shift they work. It could be anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes late. They don't call ahead of time and they don't provide an explanation for why they are late. They just walk in... unnoticed and NEVER repremanded. So... believe me yet? Yeah. He is a JACKA$$ for lack of a better word.
I am not too worried about loosing my job. I know that I can find something else. I love the people I work WITH... but I know I can go in a visit, or call them anytime. Josh, on the other hand, can't afford to loose his job for any amount of time. He is diabetic and can't buy insulin without insurance. That stuff is like $80 a vile. NUTS. So, I have decided that when Jamie does call (and I assume ask us to come in and talk), I will ask him to spare Josh's job. I was to blame today, I should be the only one punished. I hope he hears me out. Wish me good luck, everyone!

Topic today is...

Why do I scare people? I have been told many times that I am a very intimidating individual upon meeting. Why is this? The short hair (it was really short back in the day), the tattoos, peircings (I don't have those anymore), the lack of shame, or the inability to keep my mouth shut?
I remember being at this get together after high school. You really couldn't call it a "party", there were only 5 or 6 people there. I was playing pool with this buy I went to high school with, and kicking his butt at it. He was mister hot shot in high school. He played football, worked out all the time, was SUPER CUTE, and was a complete jackass. So, our conversation during our time at the pool table was probably the first real conversation we have ever had. He said to me, "You have changed a LOT since high school!" What? What did he mean? I asked and he responded with, "Well, you always walked around like you were looking to kill somebody in school. I was afraid you were going to burn me with your cigarette." HA! Thats funny.
I've realized since then, that I put on this rough exterior around people I don't know well. I act tough, act like I don't care. The truth is, I am big, huge sissy on the inside. I am just like you. I get my feelings hurt, I cry sometimes, and I sometimes DO care what you think. I am not sure what brought this on with me. I don't know why I have to put on a protective layer.
When you take a second to get to know me, or get beyond that layer, I am a really nice person! I swear! I promise I wont burn you with my cigarette, and I don't bite!

Who will help?

I learned about this in a sociology class I took a couple years back. I can't remember what it is called but I DO remember it striking my interest. I will explain it in an example. That is about the only way I can describe it and still make sense.
Imagine a woman being mugged in the middle of the street at night. It is well lit, but the street is empty. The only witnesses are those in their houses or apartments. The example from sociology says that most people in most situations wont do a darn thing about it. They will assume, in their head, that "somebody else with do something." The circle goes around and around until it is all over. Nobody called the cops and the woman is on her own. Perhaps somebody will say something later. Maybe if the cops starts asking around... they may speak up. The point is... NOBODY helps her while it is happening.
Why is this? I have caught myself doing it before. I see somebody pulled over along the highway with their hood up. I assume they have either already called somebody, or somebody behind me will pull over to help them. I think to myself "I am a 5 foot 4 girl... I can't really defend myself in ALL situations" (I like to act tougher than I really am!). It is terrible that one has to think of that when deciding whether or not to help. The point is I am guilty, too.
It just frustrates me that this happens! What would I do in the mugging situation? Would I just assume somebody else will help? I guess I don't know unless I am forced into making that choice. What would you do? Think about how many times you passed somebody by. Think about it next time so see somebody pulled over on the side of the road. The least you can do it pull over, crack your window just to see if everything is okay... maybe check to see if they need to use your cell.
HMMMMMmmmm.

So... I've decided.

Okay... I was having trouble deciding what exactly I wanted to use this blog for. I journal all the time so my most intimate thoughts go there. Sorry people, my deep secrets are for my eyes only. I don't have much to write about day to day. This stage of my life is pretty humdrum (work, eat, sleep, socialize when I feel like it, go to school, worry about money, etc). So, thats out. I love sharing photos, but those aren't that interesting either.
Anywho... this is what I have decided. I will pick a topic once a day (more like once every other day when I get down to it) and write about it. I will also include what I like to call "smile sightings." This is something I learned from my Aunt Lisa. You take a second out of your day to tell somebody about something throughout the day that you saw, or heard, that made you smile. Need an example? I saw this old man walking down the sidewalk along Lincoln Way (one of the busy streets in Ames). Doesn't seem that interesting until I looked a little closer. He was an adorable old man (if you know me... you know I LOVE the elderly) and he was carrying a back pack. It isn't every day that you see that. I imagined that he just decided to take a walk that day (whether he had a destination in mind or not) and took his back pack with him. He might have a water bottle in there or something. I can't explain really why it made me smile, but it did.
So thats the deal. I will include other random things as they come, too. I guess I will start tonight! I already have a weeks worth of topics.

Memorial for Tom Manatt

Here are a few photos I took of the memorial for Tom Manatt. It was finished about two months ago.

Another person I think I should recognize...

After posting the thing about Ben Petersen, I decided there is somebody else who has passed that I should recognize. Thomas Manatt. Tom is my best friend, Sarah Manatt's, father. Last summer (about a year and 2 months ago) he went on a canoeing trip with his youngest son (17 at the time) Rob Manatt. They were going down the Skunk River just north of Ames. They approached a damn along the way. Using his judgment, Tom decided that they could make it over and through without problems. He was wrong. They went over and capsized. Rob was wearing a life jacket, Tom was not. Tom, being a avid outdoorsmen and big man, thought he would be able to handle himself. He was wrong again. They think he may have hit his head somewhere along the way. He was caught by the current and drowned in about 4 feet of water. Rob tried his best to reach his father, but was beginning to get caught in the same current. He went to the shore, kicked off his shoes and ran (through the middle of the woods) to their vehicle. When he got there, he smashed in the door to get to the cell phone to call 911. Tom was found down stream. How devestating. Rob went to the hospital and recieved treatment ONLY for the wounds on his feet from running stocking foot through the woods.
Sarah was living in Idaho at the time. Her mother was in Mexico on vacation with friends and was unreachable until she got off the plane. Sarah called me that afternoon hysterical. We cried on the phone together for at least an hour. She flew back as soon as she could get a flight. Her older brother, Sean, flew home from California shortly after. Her mother was told 2 days after it happened in the Des Moines airport. Can you imagine?
I went to the funeral. Tom Manatt owned a company called "Manatt's." It was a redimix/asphalt company here in Ames. For the funeral, they washed and waxed all the mixers and trucks and had them lined up in front of the church. He had built that company from the ground up. There was a wake. I don't do well at these things, but I did it for Sarah... and for my own peice of mind. I didn't truely believe he could be gone. He seemed to be the strongest man alive. Tom was like a father to me. I saw him more than my own father! He always teased me about my piercings and tattoos. So, in honor of him... I decided to take my tounge ring out. I place the barbel in his casket at the wake. I know it sounds corny... but it was our little thing. :)
A year later, they still had not burried his ashes. They were waiting for the perfect spot at the cemetary to be plotted and specially landscaped. They put him close to the road where the Manatt's trucks drive by everday. They planted a tree in honor of him. So, when it was all taken care of, they scheduled the burrial. I was there again. Still in awe of everything that was happening, I cried some more with Sarah.
This isn't the only devestation for this family. A month after Tom passed away, his older brother passed away. He was driving his truck with his son in the passenger seat (who happens to be Rob's same age) when he had a heart attack. He flipped the car. He passed away before an ambulance could arrive and his son walked away with a broken heart and some scratches. Eerie.
Then, shortly after the actual burrial date, Linda Manatt (Tom's widow) was diagnosed with cancer in her thyroid. She was put through surgery and radioactive treatment and seems to be doing better. How much can one family take? They are all strong and amazing people.
Everyone can learn a lesson from this. NEVER, EVER, EVER take advantage of life. Never hold back. If you want to tell somebody how much they mean to you... or tell them that you love them... DON'T hold back. It may be your only opportunity.

Almost time to move!

We move out of this apartment in one week. I am NOT prepared. I have packed a few boxes... I guess that is a start. I will probably end up doing everything in two days. Most of Josh's stuff is furniture, my stuff is mostly at my Mom's, and what I don't have packed are things we use on a daily basis. So, I have begun with cleaning. I cleaned and closed off the back bathroom so it doesn't get demolished again before we leave. I cleaned out the 55 gallon tank I got from Sean so we could transfer Bowser into it (the pic is of his new cage!). I have also been getting together clothes and other things for the garage sale my Mom and I are going to do after the move. I have a ton of stuff I don't use anymore. Not to mention the stuff I have managed to live without for 6 months. There has got to be some stuff in my Mom's attic I could sell. Anywho. I didn't really have much to say today. I hadn't written in a while, though so I thought I would give an update! I'll write more if the situation calls for it!

Sad news...

A guy that I went to high school with passed away last week. He was on the 5th floor balcony in this building. I guess he fell over the edge. I hear he didn't die on impact... he died on the way to Des Moines.
His name was Ben Petersen. He graduated a year or two ahead of me. He dated one of my best friends. I have been to parties with him. I had class with him last semester. He just got back from Iraq... and this happens. I was around campus town last night and wanted to stop a minute. I just wanted to THINK at that spot... seriously have some deep thought about what happened to him, and all the others that have died in the last year or two that I have known. There were too many drunk, idiot college students around, though. I took a picture to remind me. Life is short. It can be gone in an instant. Live your life as if it could be gone at any moment. Treat people like they may die tomorrow.
There was a small memorial with flowers and stuff next to the building. I felt like I wanted to add something. Maybe I still will. I noticed, though, that some idiots and taken some of the flowers and shredded them across the street. How evil of them. Some people just don't think.

Crazy Storm

We had the crazy storm in Ames the other day. I was hanging out at home on the West side of town and this HUGE wall cloud came at us. It was supposed to hail (although I never saw any). It seriously looked more like potential for tornados. It wins the prize for coolest storm I have ever chased. Here are a few photos of what it looked like.

My Girls...

These are my best friends in the whole world! The four of us became friends our freshman/sophmore year in highschool (about 6-7 years ago). This is the longest I have maintained a friendship EVER. I never stayed in contact with people after I moved away... which was almost yearly. With the pool cue is Lydia. She has been married for nearly a year now and just had her first son, Neville. Like her lovely tan lines? In the blue is Michele. She is attending ISU and doing extremely well. The one wearing black is Sarah. She attended message therapy school and is waiting to take her boards. We are all currently living in Ames still, although some of us have moved around. Lydia is waiting for her husband, Chris, to come back from Iraq. After that, she will be back in Clarksville. We'll miss you!

My Babies!

Naw, I don't have any kids... unless you count the two dogs and the boyfriend! Josh, my boyfriend, is obviously the one playing the guitar (this is one of his favorite past times). Otis, is the white and brown dog. He is the best dog I have ever had! He is actually Josh's dog, but I love him like he is mine. Roxy, the white dog, is the dog I adopted from my friend. This is honestly the best picture I have been able to get of her. The last photo is Bowser, our beared dragon. We got him for free from a friend and have since become very attached. He looks a little scary, but trust me... he is great. So, as you can see, we have a full house! It can be a little much sometimes, but I wouldn't want it any other way. Otis is my buddy and Roxy keeps my lap warm. Bowser entertains me and well... Josh LOVES me! :)

This is my Dad! He is on his second tour in the last three years. This time, he is in Iraq. I miss him A TON! He wont be back home until my 22nd birthday (approx. another 9 months). I get emails once in a while, but they are always short and to the point. He doesn't have much time. He was just promoted to Sgt. Major before he was deployed. I am very proud to be his daughter... proud enough that I got a tattoo in honor of him. He deserves it!
SUPPORT THE TROOPS! (even if you don't agree with the war...)

I REALLY don't know what I am doing!

This is a first for me. I am not really sure what the heck a blog is! All I know, is that it looks fun! I love sharing photos with family and friends, and I love you write... seems to fit nicely. We will see what comes of this. My journals never tend to get finished. Lets hope I can stay committed! :)