Did you get the memo?

If you're a fan of the movie Office Space like I am...you've probably felt sorry for the character, Milton, at some point. And, who wouldn't? His personal space was invaded time and time again...All he really wanted was to keep his red Swingline stapler and listen to his radio at a reasonable volume.

Recently, I've been seeing some commercials for this movie to be shown on the AMC network. It's not that I really have to watch it again, since I can't count how many times I've already seen it. But, every time I do watch it, I think about poor Milton and how glad I am I don't work in an office. Forget disgruntled postal workers...what about disgruntled businesspeople?

Being that I am a second grade teacher, I'm happy that I don't have to sit behind a desk all day long...granted, I have a desk, but I rarely use it throughout the teaching part of my day. I think if I were stuck behind a desk inside a cubicle, I might go a little crazy as Milton did (especially if people try to take my tools of comfort away, i.e. Milton's stapler)...or maybe I'd just become very claustrophobic...neither, in my opinion, is any better than the other.

Now, I'm sure much of what is shown in the movie is exaggerated, but I've heard from various office workers that the repetitive, cheesy office jargon can be commonplace. I swear...if someone at my work came up and told me I must have "a case of the Mondays," I don't know what I might do. Hearing that alone might be enough to drive me into another profession altogether.

Maybe that's why I like this movie so much...it gives me a glimpse of a lifestyle that I realize I'd never wish to be a part of.....office workers of the world unite! Take control of your space. Just make sure you read the memos.

20 Questions...

You've probably gotten those forwards in your email box called something like "Getting to Know You." You're supposed to change the answers your friend sent you to fill in your own...and then pass it on to others. Most of the time, they are fun...but after a while they start to get old because they ask the same types of questions. So, I did a little research and compiled a list of 20 questions for me to answer. Here goes...

1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
I actually have three places (I make my own rules, ok?)...1-somewhere on the beach, 2-Italy, 3-Ireland

2. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
What kind of question is this, really? If I say socks, you’d think I’m weird...If I say underwear, you’d think I’m dirty. So, I am just going to say my black & white poofy slippers...do they count as clothing? (I mean, they DO clothe my feet).

3. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
The Paul McCartney & U2 Live 8 single (off iTunes).

4. WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
Sitting where others are having a conversation about things you are not included in....does that make sense?...When you just get that squirmy, uncomfortable, get-me-outta-here feeling.

5. WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT: STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY?
Strong in body is definitely important, but having a strong mind is more important...I believe very much in the psychosomatic theory (mind over body).

6. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
During the school (work) year, I wake up at 6:15. In the summer, I typically wake up for camp at 6:45 on Mondays and at 7:30 on Tuesday-Friday.

7. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
A toaster oven!!!...again, what kind of question is this?...If I have to answer it, I’d say a blender...I’m all about milkshakes and smoothies.

8. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
Closed-mindedness and bigotry. It makes me angry when people won’t try to open up their mind to others’ points of view.

9. IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would like to play the guitar. Actually, I would like a guy who could play guitar and sing to me!

10. FAVORITE COLOR?
Umm...hmmm...I’d say burgundy.

11. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, A SPORTS CAR OR SUV?
I prefer to drive an SUV, but as far as what other people drive—either one is just fine.

12. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
My absolute favorite book since I could first read is “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss. I still have my first copy. I also love “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg. Oooh!....“The Stinky Cheese Man” by Jon Scieszka, and “Matilda” by Roald Dahl.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
I really do like all the seasons, but I love Spring the most.

14. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I think I’d want to be able to read others’ minds...no, scratch that...that could be scary. No, I think I’d just want to be able to help others in whatever way needed.

15. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
I don’t think you can call what I do “juggling.” I just kinda pass the objects from hand to hand very slowly (that’s my way of not dropping them).

16. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?
My Granddad...he always made me laugh and I really miss having him around.

17. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
Well, if we’re speaking of days of the week, I’d say Friday. If we’re speaking of holidays, I’d say Christmas Eve.

18. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
Definitely hamburger...I’m not into raw fish.

19. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CARTOON?
Growing up, my favorites were Tom & Jerry, Looney Tunes, and Woody Woodpecker.

20. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
Well, any Italian meal is my favorite. If we are speaking of specific dishes, then I’d say my Mom’s barbecue spareribs, cooked in a crock pot. YUM.

Am I really 27???

Saturday, July 2nd was my birthday. That night, I celebrated with my twin sister, Erin, and our friends in Allentown. Above is a picture of me with my friend Danielle. Erin and I took turns wearing the party hat (which belonged to a friend)...I got stuck wearing it more than Erin, though! So, yes, I'm officially 27. Way too close to 30...yuck.

Let's put this into perspective. I was downloading some music onto my new birthday present (an iPod-Mini) from iTunes. My 17-year-old sister, Kelli, was watching me as I typed in artists to search for. I mistakenly typed in "Velvet Underground" instead of "Velvet Revolver." When I realized what I had done as I got to U-n-d-e-r, I said "Oh, oops....Underground is not what I wanted." Kelli then starts hysterically laughing "Velvet...Underground?? HA HA...where'd ya get that from??" So I started explaining, "It's an actual name of a band that began in the 60s..." I then cut myself off thinking she really has no idea who I'm talking about, even though I, myself, was not born in the 1960s. So, my question is...am I showing my age? Or, is it just that my sister is ignorant to musical history? I choose to believe the latter...it makes me feel better about being 27.

Rumors aren't always a bad thing...

I can't take the waiting anymore. I am really becoming too impatient. First, Pearl Jam announces two shows in Atlantic City on September 30th and October 1st. Now there are rumors flying about two Philly Spectrum shows following the AC shows. I am hoping to be able to attend at least one of the AC shows. However, if Pearl Jam plays the Spectrum, I must be there.

The picture above was taken (not by me) at their last Spectrum show, April 28, 2003. I was fortunate enough to be there due to all the energy of that night...not only by the band, but also by the crowd itself. The official bootleg is one real indication of this energy. The sound of the crowd's singing-along and cheering is almost overwhelming. Listening to the boot brings it all back for me. It was definitely a magical night...one that I hope to experience again in the near future. I'm crossing my fingers and praying to God that this rumor is actually a fact!