Tag: Work

Music: A Thought on Moods

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I have decided that music has the ability to directly affect my mood. Driving into work today, my Pandora sucked hardcore. Literally I maxed out the skips on 6 different stations. I went from a decent mood, to a raging psychopath in the span of my 1 hour commute. Not pretty.

But after trudging up the stairs and fixing myself a second cup of coffee, I started up my Pandora again. I did so hesitantly as I was still mad at it for playing such craptastic selections, but I can’t work in silence. Immediately it played Foo Fighters. It was a wonderful apology. I forgave it. Taking it to the next step, it followed up Foo Fighters with ACDC, then Foreigners. And before I knew it, I was in a fabulous mood. I just knew today was going to be a great day! I was even ridiculously productive – scheduling a handful of meetings, and attacking my unread inbox liked a crazed, caffeine-influenced maniac. It was beautiful. Glorious even. Nothing could ruin my mood!

Then Pandora played U2 and I contemplated throwing my laptop out our second story window, then going outside and running it over a million times with my SUV, followed by an aggressive use of gasoline and fire. Productive mood depleted.

Thanks Pandora, you sadistic thing you. I’m switching to Spotify.

Oh, Good Morning Monday

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It is Monday, our favorite day of the week. I am starting to think that Monday isn’t just a day, but an actual entity. And it hates me. With a burning passion. My day started like this;

Woke up to baby crying. Hubby decides that he can ignore the baby, even though its his turn to get up. He doesn’t. So I do. It is 4 AM. I get baby to fall back asleep, for an hour. She is up again. This time I elbow the hubby and he reluctantly gets up, re-wraps her and plops her beloved pacifier back in. She is content, but awake. He goes back to bed. He starts snoring. She is munching happily on her little orange pacie. Mommy lays awake until she begrudgingly gets up to start her day.

Cue traffic. Lots of it. 495 is backed up. So I go Route 2 to 95. That‘s a mess. An hour and a half later I arrive at work and stop to grab a coffee. Dunkin Donuts made my coffee wrong. Not just a little wrong, but wicked wrong. Like asking for a French Vanilla with skim milk and no sugar, and getting a pumpkin coffee with EXTRA FREAKING CREAM and like 12 sugars. I gagged. I went back in and had them make me a new one, something I never do. Next go? Regular coffee. Begrudgingly, I accept it. I head in to work. Someone bumps into me while walking into my office, and my hot coffee spills down my shirt. Fantastic. A couple of paper towels later, I look somewhat normal. I head into my office and throw on the light. And guess what? There is a massive freaking spider chilling on the window. And because its on the outside, I can’t get it to move. Its just sitting there, looking at me. I know its looking at me. Now its eating a bug. Great.

Its not even 11, and all I want to do is pretend this day never existed. Seriously. Mondays are like Karma days. I cut someone off on Friday, now Monday is all I’m Gonna Get You My Pretty! Screw this. I want my bed.

Sincerely,

A wicked annoyed, coffee-drenched woman who can’t help but stare at the massive spider on her window.

Dear Presidential Candidates

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Dear Presidential Candidates,

I know you are busy strutting your stuff on stage, and arguing why you are the better option; but I have something to say. I am not really a person of note, and I can’t claim to have the education and experience as you. What I do have is something you do not; a perspective from the working class.

Each of you claim that you will improve the economy, boost jobs, and decrease debt. I am sure your plan sounds great, and looks even better on paper. I am sure that you are going to do everything in your power to make this country better. I do not doubt your intentions at all. What I do doubt is your ability to listen.

Take a moment to step down from your pedestal. Just a small moment, that is all I ask. I want you to think like those of us that work day to day, living from pay check to pay check. Lets say last year I was making $20 an hour. I got a raise of $0.06 an hour. That is an extra $2.40 a week. However, my healthcare costs increased by $7.20 a week. Gas has increased by $.42 a gallon, as have about 95% of food costs, retail costs, as well as service costs, i.e. cell phone, cable, internet, etc. I am effectively working for less money this year as I was last year. And costs are just continuing to rise.

Why is the middle class shrinking? Because your forcing them into poverty. Open your eyes and pay attention.The corporations outsource our jobs, then whine about decreased sales. Well if they take away someone’s job, obviously they are not going to be buying as much, thus the economy will fall. I understand they can make that T-Shirt for $.03 over in china, then sell it here for $29.99 which increases their profits. It is business sense, totally understand. The thing is they then give a nice hefty big bonus to their head honchos. Do I think Executives should be paid well? Yes I do. Do I think they should be given million dollar bonuses while they have to cut raises for the lower workers because of lack of profits? No.

The fact is, you cater to the rich, assist the poor, and forget the working class. I am not saying that I would rather be in poverty. They have struggles too, and I am glad that those who need the assistance get it. However that doesn’t change the fact that those of us who do work our butts off to stay out of that have it easy. Get your stuff together and fix this country. Help all of your citizens. Don’t preach about what your doing or going to do for them, as chances are you won’t. Instead, why don’t you show them? Why not prove that you are going to make a difference.

If this post is out of line then I apologize. I am currently sitting at my desk waiting to see if I get laid off. So far, many of my coworkers have. Why don’t you, Presidential Candidates, come and sit at my desk. Playing the waiting game might make you remember that you have a responsibility to the people. Stop strutting, stop arguing, and start listening.

Sincerely,

An annoyed middle class citizen

Moms: A Thought about Schedules

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Moms: A Thought about Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to interview an author I have been following for a while now, Krystal Wade. The details of the interview will be posted once I sit my butt down to actually finalize the post, but let’s not focus on that. During the interview, Krystal mentioned a few things that really got me thinking. Modern mothers have some serious schedules, most without a minute to spare! So what do we do with our time? The better question is what do we not do!

When we go about our day to day lives, we seldom think about how much we are actually doing. Unless we are in a frustrated mood, our busy schedules hardly register. I got to thinking about this because during my discussion with Krystal, we talked about our schedules. So to better understand just how much I have on my figurative plate, I wrote down all the major things I do. This list is just my basic responsibilities, no shopping, no bill paying, no social obligations. These are just the majorities.

First, and most importantly I am a mom. As some of you may know I am the proud mommy of a two and a half year old diva with an obsession for shoes. Those of you that are parents may cringe when I mention her age, and you should! She is in full terrible-twos mode! I am also a soon to be wife to an incredible man who helps make this crazy schedule possible. Without him, I would be lost!

The next thing is obvious, but I should still mention it. I run this blog, which is a complete blast by the way. I actually spend a lot of time reading books to review, reading other blogs to comment on, managing the social media, etc. Many of you understand this, but for those that don’t I will just say that it can be a bit time consuming, although awesomely fun.

When I am not reading, or writing for my blog you can usually find me writing in general. I write my own novels, though I hoard them like a crazy person and refuse to let the world see the big ones, which of course is most of them. Writing for me is a major stress reliever, and even if I only get a chance to write a few sentences before I can no longer keep my eyes open it is worth it.

Now for the nitty-gritty stuff, meaning my job. I work full time at a very time-demanding job that is 40 miles away from where I live. The commute sucks, but hey it’s a hour of peace that enables me to brainstorm my posts, as well as butcher my favorite songs with my loud, off-key voice. My job is great in the respect that I am kept busy, I get to travel, and I get to meet incredible, influential people in the healthcare world. Plus it pays my bills, so I can’t hate on that!

Sound busy yet? No? You need more? Okay great! I am also a full time student majoring in English Language and Literature in hopes of eventually becoming an editor. Sound fun? I certainly think so! It has been such a wonderful experience so far. I am positively thrilled to be back in school, even though it has effectively reduced the amount of sleep I get. Some people have told me I am crazy, but I just smile. Despite the crazy, hectic, often frantic days I am content with my schedule. There is not a single thing I would give up!

Oh! I am also planning a wedding which is happening in three and a half weeks! So raise your glass to the multi-tasking, I-have-more-to-do-today-than-physically-possible mothers in your life! They may not all have schedules like mine, but you can be assured it is just as hectic!

What does your schedule look like?