Benefits of Being Stalker-esque
For several years I have been trying to track down a woman I spoke to only briefly while working for my former employer. She and I had a conversation by phone and over the last few years I have made several efforts to find this woman. I have contacted her namesake on Facebook, I have searched her old employer and tried to email her (only to have the email bounce back as she no longer is with that company) and I have performed many Google searches.
This morning my relentlessness has paid off. After another Google search I found her name with another company. I tracked down the company and then her email address and then sent the following (*names and some parts have been omitted):
Me: Good morning, I am wondering if you are the same AG who worked for ZFC several years ago? If so, I would like to pass on great thanks to you (explanation to come). 🙂
Her reply: Good morning Sandy, Yes, you are correct, this is the same AG from ZFC. Do tell me more I am intrigued.
Me: Good morning! I have been semi-stalking you for a number of years. 😉
Several years ago I was talking with you regarding your work event. In the middle of our conversation you stopped me and asked me if everything was okay. You took me by surprise, as we had never met nor had a personal conversation.
You said you could sense that I was carrying a burden and reassured me that things would be okay and to let it go.
Not long before that conversation I had recently separated from my live-in boyfriend and was living in a moderate depression….and to make it worse, at that time my grandfather was very sick and shortly after passed away. I was carrying a ton of weight in my heart and you nailed it.
I have, for 6 years, wanted to thank you for your kindness. It was a small gesture from a stranger but you could sense something and you went out of your way to to show me that someone cared. It was a very lovely gesture, and in a small way, AG, it changed my life.
Thank you so much!
AG: That is entirely amazing. What an absolutely endearing message to receive out of the blue like this, I just love it and think we need to have a reunion : )
I really appreciate your reaching out like this – thank YOU so much, Sandy!
Me: It is something that I have carried with me for so many years….this past weekend was the anniversary of my grandfather’s death and I’ve been determined to try and track you down. I took your advice and DID let go of the things I could change…the breakup ended up being the best thing for me…it just took some time to realize it. And you had such an air of concern and honesty in your voice and, perhaps, hearing “let it go” from a stranger was exactly what I needed.
NOW I don’t ever condone stalking or anything like that. I merely wanted to point out that this woman, whom I’d never met and only spoke to a few times EVER (and about work) went out of her way to show a little kindness. And I just wanted to share with you that even a small gesture could change someone’s world.
Be nice to each other. 🙂
Cheers!
Chocolate is My Friend
Anyway, I just had some fruit, which was super delicious, and a small piece of chocolate. Yummy. I sorta feel bad BUT not that bad because Chocolate is My Friend. It was so good. And comforting. I feel better now.
Other things that have made this week “so far, so good”:
1) Winston cuddling his butt up next to mine the other night for warmth. I always enjoy a little love from that cat.
2) Spending much-needed quality time with Lisa-Lou and fam. Including Miss Lilly (“Friend”) and fat-ass Owen…who outweighs my cat by, like, 7 pounds. I think he actually weighs more than Lilly herself (who is almost 3). He’s a very needy animal….and I’m a very needy girl so our relationship works out well when I visit.
3) Having a certain friend tell me I’m special….AND calling me a DORK. I enjoy it. I appreciate the humor and acceptance. And the gift. Thank you. You know who you are.
4) Knowing my slap-bracelet has arrived from Jersey and I just need to pick up my mail from my mom and dad’s. Thank you, Jules. (Check out http://goguiltypleasures.com/ for Julie’s blog for a good time. I’m working on being “out-of-country BFFs”). A blog for her blog coming soon when I’m less lazy busy and have more time.
5) Almost done Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred and knowing my tummy has gotten a tiny bit smaller. Yay!!
6) I bought a gift for someone yesterday and am looking forward to seeing a little excitement when I give it.
7) New Clothes. I am a shopoholic and am proud of it. Jaime…I know you’re gonna make me throw some stuff out now…hows about a little kick to do it?
8) Movie Night – it’s coming soon. I am very excited.
9) Girls’ Night – this weekend….who’s in?
10) Chocolate. Yeah, I know I already mentioned this part but *ahem* it’s quite delish.
Okay..back to work I go. A new blog soon!
Cheers!
My Secret Obsession
Being Anal AND Spectacular!!
A) I have sensitive hearing and I’m completely anal and obsessive and obnoxious.
B) A few years ago, in August, I got my first earache (growing up I had the lung issues and my brother had the ear issues. Good times!). After several days of stuffing cotton in my ear and running the hair dryer on it and trying (hoping) for the warm air would calm down the ache, I decided to finally go to the doctor. Turns out I had an ear infection. This infection was so severe that it caused nerve damage deep inside my ear and I still have issues with it on occasion. In fact, last year I came down with another bout of earaches which lasted several days. Along with these aches come a “muffling” of sound and a sort of roaring of waves sound (it’s all hard to explain). Since I was getting ready to travel I wanted to get things checked out before I set foot on a plane.
So, back to the ear specialist I went, where I got lots of tests done before seeing the doctor. When he came in and reviewed the tests he was astounded. He said I had phenomenal, super-acute hearing and I could hear at decibels that most people can’t fathom. He said I should apply with NASA as they’d benefit from it.
C) Super-Acute Hearing + Anal-ness = ME. 🙂
Little, tiny, itty, bitty sounds ANNOY me!! OMG! I hate the sound of other people typing. I hate the sound of people cracking their knuckles (however, I am guilty of this). And little sounds, like the sound of my beloved rubbing his feet together drives me almost insane!
Blair has a habit, harmless to other people, I’m sure, of rubbing his ankles together, simulating a cricket. It’s probably really cute. He does it, he says, because it relaxes him. He’ll do it when he’s watching a hockey game on tv , he does it if he’s relaxing on the couch and has his head in my lap, he does it when he’s laying in bed trying to sleep. And…it makes me want to punch him in the face! Blair Baby, I love you so much. BUT OHEMGEEE!!!! I hate it when you do that! And yes, I’ve told him this several times.
Blair: *rub rub*
Sandy: “Can you please stop doing that?”
Blair: *rub rub*
Sandy: “Blair, can you please stop doing that?”
Blair: *rub rub*
Sandy: “BLAIR!!!!!”
Blair: (chuckling) “What is wrong with you?”
Sandy: (in Monica-from-friends-shrill-voice) “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU????”
I know, I know…I come off as a total crazy bitch. I’m not, I PROMISE. I’m just, uh, well, I’m anal. I told you. I don’t like the tv being loud. There are volume controls for a reason. I like to play couch commando so that I can be in charge of the volume. (Side note…my mom is deaf in one ear. Growing up, my bedroom was directly below the tv room….as I’m sure you can imagine, the sound of the ‘blaring’ tv just about drove me nuts…especially late at night when I had an early morning. Good grief!)
Anyway, if I start punching people at random for no apparent reason, more than likely the reason will be b/c certain people were making God-awful rackets by doing some mundane thing that hearing-impaired normal people wouldn’t be bothered by. If you’re gritting your teeth, tapping on something, flicking your nails (so disgusting and irritating), or clicking your mouse when you phone me (ELIZABETH!!!!), please expect to get reamed out or punched. 🙂
Cheers!
Something Happened on the Way…..
Here’s a funny little story to start your weekend off….it shows (sorta) the extent of my clumsiness. 🙂 Hope you get a chuckle.
SOMETHING HAPPENED on the WAY….
Back in November (before the snow hit) I was out for a run. Although it was early evening it was still quite dark so I had a keyring flashlight with me and was wearing a white tshirt, as I wanted to make sure I would not be a surprise to oncoming vehicles.
I had just started my run and could hear in the not-so-distant air the wail of police sirens. Now, for those just reading or getting to know me I MUST make you aware that I am awaiting eye surgery for a “malfunction” in my left eye. Because of this malfunction my vision in lefty is distorted and blurry and I have no depth perception. So, as I continued my jog down the street the sirens got louder and eventually the police car was in sight – making its way around the bend and up the street toward me.
I turned on my mini flashlight and waved it around on the ground so that I could be seen and, as always with any approaching vehicle, I got off the pavement and onto the side of the road. The police car did not slow down, although I’m sure he/she saw me, so I continued to move further and further away from the pavement, not aware just how close I was to the edge I was…until, just as the police car was about to pass me, I slipped…RIGHT INTO THE DITCH! Down I went. Totally humiliated (‘tho, no one was around and it was dark…still.).
The worst/best part of my story is that the damn police officer didn’t even slow down or stop to see if I was okay (I’m sure there was an emergency somewhere). So, here I am in the dark, scrambling to crawl my way out of the damn ditch before anyone else could see me. The whole time cursing that cop and his stupid car.
Chuckle?
Happy Friday!
Shout Out of the Week!
Hey y’all! Yes, I have been a little slacky with the Shout Out thing. What can I say: Christmas was busy. After Christmas was busy. Plus, I’ve been a little depressed lately and selfishly wasn’t quite in the mood to celebrate other people much. Sorry….I’m an ahole!
But…here it is today: The Shout Out of the Week! And it goes to my friend Kimb.
She and I went out for a drink last night. We met thru friends about 7 years ago and became great friends. And then just a few years ago we ended up working together. She is a great person and seriously, a wonderful friend. But more than that, she is so full of wisdom. She’s very insightful and she never judges but she is amazing with her intuitiveness.
She is one of those people that I know if I’m struggling with something or carrying a huge weight on my shoulders I can talk to her and she will help me see all sides of things. I always feel better after I talk to her.
Her advice is always unmatched (it certainly comes close to the advice of others but, as I said, she can open my eyes and help me see things from other perspectives…something I do not always do).
So for that, I thank you Kimmy. Your wisdom is always appreciated.
SHOUT OUT!
Cheers.
Junior High Gym Class
Another old school post, people: How Did Your Junior High Gym Class Treat You?
*YIKES*
These are memories I’d rather forget, but I can’t. So I’m going to share humiliating moments with the world (well, not really, but with you all).
Oh Junior High…those lovely awkward years for many of us. I was chubby-ish back then and had little athletic ability (although I DID play ball every summer!! And, when challenged, I could hold my own (ie. I won a swim race at camp and excelled at track & field {I just wanted it to end!}). But more than anything I was (still am!) uncomfortable with my body. I had, thanks to my mother and her family, HUGE BOOBS. Seriously, at 14 years old I was already a 42 DD.
I hated my boobs. They got in the way. They hurt when I did sports or ran. I hated them so much that in (same-sex) gym class I wore TWO bras AND TWO sweatshirts. I still felt awkward and uncomfortable. I remember one specific day in 8th grade we were supposed to run the outdoor track and follow the path behind the school. I was so mortified about having to do all this running that I grabbed my friend, Becky and hid in the locker room and claimed that we lost the class and continued our laps in the indoor track. Thankfully the teacher “believed” me and let us off the hook.
Everything about gym class sucked back then. I wish I had embraced it but I was a wiener and hated it. The thought, first of all, of having to change clothes in a room with girls you barely knew or couldn’t stand, then having to wear really bad shorts (it was the 90’s – before yoga pants and J.Lo track suits), which, by the way, is just as mortifying. I don’t wear shorts. Ever. I hate them. I think they’re a form of self-torture, a tshirt or sweatshirt and then, have to participate in really lame forms of physical activity (I should have embraced Dodgeball and knocked some of those bitches out!) while getting semi-sweaty and then have to re-dress, still sweaty, and head back to class. How lovely. Brilliant idea, whoever came up with that one. For future: gym class should be reserved for the last class of the day. Get sweaty then head the hell home. Sounds good to me.
Once I hit 10th grade and phys ed wasn’t mandatory I was not participating. No way! Clearly, my boobs and I had issue with it and I CERTAINLY wasn’t going to head out to do jumping jacks with a bunch of high school boys. HELLS-TO-THE-NO!!
You may be pleased to know, however, that senior year I did sign back up for gym. I was into fitness back then and wanted to prove a point (I had a whirl wind of eating disorders in high school and thought gym class might help me out in some way). I actually enjoyed it, for the most part. And I LOVED Dodgeball with the guys….one of them (Darrell) even called me a brute. Proudest Day Ever! 🙂
Anyway, my boobs have gotten smaller over the years, thankfully (they still hurts sometimes when I run or do jacks) but I have to say that I absolutely love my “gym classes” now. Fitness is cool. *thumbs up*
Cheers.
High School Sigs
“What Do the Signatures in Your High School Yearbook Say About You?”
I saw this post recently on another blogger’s site and I thought it was a pretty good idea. So last night, going thru my senior and junior (and including my upgrading year – after grad) yearbooks, it seems that I was “A BLAST!” to know; to be with in class; and to have been around.
“Class would not have been the same without you” is written several times too. I love hearing reading that. I wish I had come completely out of my shell senior year but I saved it for the next. I was less intimidated when I returned for my upgrading. And honestly, just didn’t give a shit anymore.
My Favorite sigs come from my best friend, Kim who said “I don’t have much to say because I’m always with you!“, which was true – 100%. We weren’t in the same grade and didn’t have any classes together (tho we did have the same Grade 12 English teacher and got to do our open-book, off-property year-end final exam together…which resulted in us getting into a car accident and ruining the off-property thing for future seniors) but if you were looking for one of us you could simply track down the other and find us both. We even shared a locker (real estate is EVERYTHING and I had the best view!).
Miranda wrote: “It’s been great getting to know you this year. Sandy, you are a blast!! Not to mention funny as hell! I’ve been trying to master the art of telling off teachers. I’ll miss you. The days of law class won’t be forgotten.” When I read that last night I thought it was really sweet and sincere. And funny. I had some issues being lippy thru the years. My smart mouth still tends to get me in trouble on occasion.
Mr. Alcoe – My super-cool math teacher (whom I adored) used to razz me about roaming the halls and not being in class (tho I NEVER missed his class….he just wouldn’t tolerate it) or getting to school late (I’d see him in the office while signing myself in….the rumor was that he and one of the secretaries {who’ll remain nameless} had a thing). I would almost daily see him in the halls while out on my excursions and he’d always laugh and say “Saannndraaah” and do some weird little point thing. He was the only teacher I asked to sign my yearbook (I know, LAME!): “Sandra: The best at getting here late, walking the halls and still graduation was accomplished. Well done.” It still makes me giggle.
*RESOLUTIONS*
RESOLUTIONS
Happy 2012 y’all! I can’t believe how fast the year went by. It seems a little ridiculous that I’m saying “2012” but, I am.
I’m not normally one for making New Year’s Resolutions, but I am going to attempt it this year. And hopefully I can stick with them. Here are my 2012 Resolutions:
1) Write more. I need to not only work more on my blog, but also commit to my writing. There is a whirlwind of ideas storming thru my mind at any time. This year I should work at writing some of them out. And to finish previous projects.
2) Get out of this funk I’ve been in lately. Yes, there has been a TON on my mind the last few months. And I’ve been ‘struggling’ with some things since the fall. I need to work on figuring them out and being happy once again.
3) Have more adventures. It’s ture that many outings for me become adventurous (especially if I’m out with Jaime {asshole}), but I REALLY should work on making them more frequent. 🙂
4) As always, work on my jealousy/self-esteem issues. TRY not to let my self-loathing flood into other aspects of my life or my relationships. Easier said than done, especially since it’s a promise I make to myself almost daily. But I’ll work on it.
5) Follow my heart. Do NOT allow judgment from others affect my own judgments and decisions and decision-making. be true to myself. Make decisions based on my feelings and not give a shit about what others say or think. Who the eff are other people to judge my decisions that affect my life? Fuck ’em!
Hmm…I guess that’s about it for now. Perhaps at the end of 2012 I’ll reflect on this post and see what the status is on each. My promise to you, however, that throughout the year I will be documenting my adventures. 🙂
Cheers and Happy New Year!
~Sandy