No seagulls were harmed in the creation of this post.

Ed H. has been trying to crack through my leathery exterior in order to get me to update my blog.

So here's an update.

The visit home was wonderful...no ghosts to be seen anywhere. I sang at church for Mom's birthday, and her party turned out great. It was nice just to kick back for a few days with the family and not have to worry about anything.

No complaints.

So until there are some, I'll be out there trying to figure out what to write about next.

Revelation from an unlikely source, and other stuff

Can't go into details, but I found out that my position in the work debacle from December to late June was justified...in other words, I wasn't crazy. Someone else (a higher-up, no less) backed me up as far as claims regarding my former boss, and other people were noticing it that weren't even "customers".

I feel weird about this...but I am not going to look back. I am happy here in this new position, even when it's hectic or so boring that I use the term "deader than Elvis" to describe it. I have noticed myself blossoming, and it feels pretty damned good. So there you have it.

Right now, the guys in my office are loud and BS-filled about something or other, and their voices fill the air and bring comfort to me as opposed to irritation. I like listening to laughter in the workplace. I had a boss (a long time ago) that wouldn't allow talking at all amongst the employees, even for so simple a thing as informing the receptionist that you were leaving the room to use the restroom. So I am happy to hear voices, even if they are rowdy and raucous.

Anyway, it finally feels like a DC summer...all hot and sticky. I was wondering when it would happen. We've had a mellow summer, weather-wise. I just wish it would rain consistently, not in fits and starts...we need the rain, I think.

Another two months and I'll be off to Iowegia for a visit...I'm kind of anxious in good and bad ways. I am anxious in a good way to see Mom's new place, and to see my sister and the kids. I'm just afraid of the "ghosts" and potential annoyances that may befall me when I visit. I guess that's why I'm not bringing D along this time...I figure that if I have a lousy time, I'm not subjecting anyone to it besides myself. I'm counting on having a good time, though...I don't have to see people I don't want to see anymore, and it's an emancipation of sorts.

Also, I got a mention in the Washington Post Express this week for the blog entry I wrote regarding receipt of a Yogi Bear cookie jar, and it didn't make a dent in my stats. That's OK, though...D noticed and called me at work, so I had fleeting fame for a day.

Well, that's all from me...the entries are gradually getting longer, so take heart, gentle readers...it's getting a little bit better here at Rancho Sudiegirl.

I guess the recession hits us all...?

I had only heard about this article last week, and my first thought was, "How can someone be so spoiled rotten that they 'squeak by' on that much?"

Then I read the article.

I guess I can see her point of view, but I'm not entirely convinced. She's doing all this for the sake of her kids, for the most part. Plus, she has a high end job and has to look her best, live a certain way, make certain social connections, etc.

But still, aren't there ways to live the life without such scrutiny? In these hard times, everyone's suffering in one way or another. Does she really need suits from Anne Klein or Ralph Lauren to do her job? Can't she shop off the rack like everyone else? Does she need a nanny?

At least she's working...

Read the article and let me know what you think in the comments.

I know this isn't a totally original article, but at least I'm writing...I'll get there, I promise.

more random ramblings

First, I found out that my wonderful mom is sending me a piece of my childhood. What is it?

It's a Yogi Bear cookie jar.

She thought of me, and that makes me so happy. Plus, it's a Yogi Bear Cookie Jar! I love cartoons, and she knows it and doesn't make fun of me for it. So that's a double plus bonus for Mom.

Second, I got a comment from a blogger saying she wishes I would write more. I wish I would write more too, and maybe I will once my writer's block goes away. As it is, I write as much as I can but I can't write about everything in my life due to familial strife (I'm a poet and don't know it). So be patient...Sudiegirl will get back in her groove; it just takes time.

Third, I can't believe I've been in MD for eight years and some change...it's amazing. I haven't seen all of DC yet, but I'm sure I will in time.

So that, as they say, is that.

Stealing this idea from Ed H...the Random Thoughts post

1. First of all, RIP to Les Paul, inventor of the electric guitar and a kick-a$$ guitarist in his own right. When guitar gods like Eric Clapton say this guy is great, you'd better listen. Anyway, he died at the ripe old age of 94, and God love him, he still played semi-regular gigs in NYC.

2. I was at the Archie comics website the other day, and I saw an ad that made me drop my jaw and take notice. Apparently, they're doing a series that flashes forward to Archie and the gang, post-college. The point I'm trying to make here is that Archie marries Veronica in this storyline.

Now I don't know about you, but I'm of two minds about this. On one hand, I root for Betty because she wasn't snobby like ol' Ronnie was. On the other hand, he floats to one and then the other, and you'd think they'd wake up and see that Archie is an indecisive man and both vow to stay away from him. However, Archie Comics are not known for their feminist ideals. Wonder what Gloria Steinem has to say about that? Furthermore, what does it say about me that I worry about whether some fictional character marries another one? Jeez.

3. Where has the summer gone?

4. I don't really have a number 4...I was just trying to look cool.

it's official

I bought plane tickets this morning so I could fly back to Iowegia in October. It'll be the first time I've been home since Dad died.

Wow...time flies. Or tempus fugit if you want me to go all Latin on your a$$es.

I'm excited and scared all at the same time.

Will I be able to handle going home?

Will there be "ghosts" of bad memories all around me, or will I just be able to kick back with my mom and family for a few days?

How will Li'l Miss Bipolar handle the one hour time change? Will she go visit Dad's grave, or stay away from it?

These and many more questions that haven't even been thought of yet will be explored further as the weeks roll by.

Too bad I'm impatient.

Annoying headline of the day and other fish in the sea

Walter Cronkite's funeral to honor CBS newsman

(Uh...isn't that what funerals are supposed to do? I have yet to hear of a funeral that belittles the deceased.)

******

Well, hello there kids! How are you today?

It's another day in the life for me. I'm still enjoying this job, so that's a plus. However, I am still suffering from writer's block so that's a minus.

Will this madness ever end? Tune in later, folks, and find out!

I'm shaking my head in disgust with this one

No doubt you've heard about the governor of South Carolina's latest blunder.

It wasn't enough that he lied about hiking the Appalachian Trail when he was actually in Argentina playing "hide the salami" with his soul mate. Nope.

He was also flying first and/or business class to this little Argentinian love nest.

I can forgive the affair (even though I'm not a constituent and it's not a killing affair if I don't forgive him), but Mr. Frugality kind of screwed the pooch with the rest of it.

If I were a South Carolinian, I'd be majorly honked off and calling for his head on the proverbial silver platter.

Click on the title to read the story in its entirety and let me know your thoughts in the comments. More to come in the way of personal stuff I can share on this li'l missive o' mine.