~SeA MoNkiEs ~

I admit- I'm curious about SEA MONKIES. Granted, it's only been a passing thought but I've always wondered about these mysterious sea creatures. What with their sea monkey castles, little crowns and seemingly active social life (according to the colorful illustrations on the packaging), who wouldn't be?

I decided to do a little investigation of my own to find out what really goes on in the wonderful world of brine shrimp. On a recent trip to Wally world, I picked up a miniature sea monkey habitat. I nervously looked around the toy aisle (hoping no one would recognize me) but just in case someone did, I already had a prepared statement: 'Errr uh...it's for my niece and nephews. Um...yea, that's right'.

So I'm sitting here now- getting ready to set up my vermin aquarium. Not sure what I'll see when I open the package but I'm guessing 6 weeks from now, I'll have gained about 14 tiny roommates.

I need to get dressed- quick! Going downtown tonight. Our show doesn't start until 9pm but I don't want to be blamed for making anyone late (yikes)! I try to be on time- really- but I tend to slow everyone down by a half hour or so whenever we have group plans. Tonight it's just me plus one- and I don't mind making the 'plus one' wait while I get ready. Today's been a busy day so it may take a bit get myself moving.

But I think I'm good today- we have our tix, we're not anticipating traffic (although there are a bunch of other concerts going on tonight), and I actually know what I'm planning on wearing tonight. Should bring the camera just incase I get to take a pic with Mr. Improv Performer. Last time I was here (on my birthday last year), my SIL took a picture with me and the two headlining performers. Wouldn't you believe the picture did NOT come out right?!? It was too dark and shady in the lounge- you could barely make out who was in the pic!!

On a very pleasant side note, that was also the same night I found out about the very beginnings of my new little nephew. I wondered why my SIL refused the alcoholic drinks each time the waitresses came by to take orders. I didn't learn (until much later) that there was a very special reason for that ;-)

Morning Sunshines!

I have about an hour before I get ready for my run. My morning runs don't happen as often as I'd like since I do have a day job but it's the weekend and I'm usually wide awake by this time anyway so I thought, why not? Going down to the beach later and then maybe raquetball this afternoon.

Anyway since I have a few minutes to spare, I'm logging on to take some calls. After working with this company, I don't think I'll ever look at an informercial the same way again! It never ceases to amaze me the stuff that people buy.

So, it's officially fall so that means less and less chance for hurricanes! I'm not even sure when hurricane season is over -let's see, how long have i lived in Florida??- but I'm guessing we're out of the woods at this point. I've been waiting all summer to 'refresh' my little garden out on the balcony. I had a few plants get damaged cause of heavy rains, storms, winds (stuff like that) so now that the weather has calmed down, I can spruce it up again.

Working on the Love Boat

Before I went on my first cruise last year, the only experience I had with water and ocean liners was watching corny reruns of the 'Love Boat'. But now, I know better. Cruising is like being in a luxurious resort hotel. You get waited on hand and foot, amenities are accessible 24/7, and everyone is just deliriously happy to please you.

Of course there's a flip side to everything- It's great if you're a passenger but I'm sure it's alot of work for the employees. Yes, they get to travel, see the sights and have their own 'down time' when they're not working but the work just seems so endless...

Even with that thought, I'm going to suggest (to my unhappy yet EMPLOYED friend) that he should get a job on a cruise ship. He works in the service industry anyway so he knows about all of this stuff- it's not new to him. Plus, when you're single and unattached, the world is your oyster- you can move when you want, live where you want, and you answer to no one (well, not exactly but for the most part....) The hemming and hawing of what he plans to do with his life is driving me up the wall so I have no choice but to put him on a boat and send him away :) Hopefully, someone is hiring.

Anyway, if I didn't have such a responsible nature about me, I'd probably go where the wind takes me (you know like bake brownies in a coffee shop in the south of France or sell leg warmers in a tiny boutique in Greece). Oh wait, I went to college and I have a real career now so I guess the option of living the vagabond life should be crossed off my list. But if that's what one wants to do with one's life, then one should do what one ought to do....




**My last day in Key West Jan. 2008**

Is it Friday yet??

I need to be entertained this weekend. I checked movifone and there is NOTHING good playing right now. Thank God for Netflix. I haven't updated my list in a while so I don't know what I'm getting. If that dissapoints, there's always the improv. There's actually somebody I want to see this weekend. MIKE EPPS! I missed it last time he performed (too much work, school and studying) but now that my weekends are completely free, I can go this time!!

Bubbly Inspiration...

I found my color scheme! I'm going with a champagne beige for my walls. I was digging around my bubble bath stash last night and I found a half empty bottle of Shea Cashmere. The color is just perfect! Not too light, not too dark- just right. I'll make a quick run to home depot and see if I can get a sample this weekend. I'm giving myself 4 weeks to do it all. Now I'm off to recruit some painters....

Started my herb garden a few weeks ago. There's basil on the left, cilantro center and parsley on the right. I'm used to the dry stuff myself but I guess fresh herbs make a difference. No preservatives, no pesticides and (from what I'm told), they're supposed to be tastier. We'll see.....

Oh the excitement of having my own office!

I've always had to work out of offices but this time, it's different!! I had to share an office in my last job (talk about inconvenient- you couldn't make a personal call without having to step out into the hallway or out of the building! And in another job- I moved around so much (from office to office) that I just decided to keep a moving box handy just in case I got the news that I'd be moving again. Eventually, I did so it was no surprise. I think my worst experience was in my first office- it was windowless, so I could never truly gauge the passage of time (it was very disorienting, to say the least).

But things are looking up. I have a cute office with a window. It's nice and private- at the end of the hallway. And I share it with NO ONE! It's nice enough that I can fit a good amount of people in there, comfortably, for sessions, meetings and other work related functions.

I'll keep it simple but cozy. A potted plant here, a calendar there....a lamp, a radio and some books on my shelf. I have to be comfortable at work- I'm not being a princess about it but I do know from real experience that your environment can sometimes make or break a job. I have had barely tolerable jobs in my past but working with great people made all the difference in my staying there as long as I did. Thank God in this case, I actually like my job so I suppose the fab office is just an added benefit ;-)

Having a good job is nice but creating a nice environment for it makes it great!

I have a painting project coming up. Not sure I want to paint these white walls in my chateau but I need some color in here. I've decorated all that I can decorate (and it looks great) but I feel like this place needs something "more". Picking out some paint samples was step one. Figuring out when I'm actually going to do it, is step 2. I only have a few walls picked out (I'm NOT painting this entire place). Just trying to figure out how to paint a wall or two without making it look 'unfinished'. How do those people on HGTV do it??