Brought a bag of the Weslaco tortilla chips to work, and coworker said that the tortilla chips were one of the best chips he's ever had. It's not just the cruchiness, it's the mixed spices too. Ugh, so what a day it's been. I'm not sure if it's because I'm sick, just returned to work from a 5-day weekend, or the cold, bitter winter. Feeling so tired and worn out. On top of that, work is picking up (which is really a good thing), I'm still battling for refunds with online companies, and I'm trying to clean the house (it's really a mess and the hoarding shows on A&E motivate me). So here's my brain dump:

The biggest (non-serious) news I heard since returning from the roadtrip was about Tiger Woods. An office friend filled me in on the gossip. I don't see the big deal. If I had a car wreck and didn't have to talk to the cops, I wouldn't talk either. Also, I watched the Salahi couple speak on the Today show before heading to work. Part of me was hoping that they would reveal how they snuck through so I could try it. Also, I have to admit, that the red dress was gorgeous! I'm sort of glad that the Salahis went through because there was an obvious weakness in the Secret Service, and the Salahis gave the Secret Service a second chance.

I just realized that I need to feed the rabbits, and the dryer is about to buzz soon, so I'll end here.

I got a 30% off the entire purchase coupon from Ann Taylor. I forwarded it to some friends, but I'm not sure who it included, but if you're interested, let me know. For online purchases, you type "Friends" in the promo code box. If you want to go to the actual store, I can forward you the coupon with the barcode. It expires tomorrow (Sunday).

Had the most amazing breakfast today at The Breakfast Klub...a popular Houston joint. I heard about it, and always wanted to go, but the stories of long lines always discouraged me. When David and I went, the line to get in was stretched outside, but the wait wasn't bad (about 20 minutes). It was worth it too. I had one of the signature dishes, chicken wings & a waffle. David got grits, sausage, and eggs. It was seriously the best fried chicken I think I ever had. The waffle was good too, and the coffee was amazing. The service was impeccable. Everyone was so friendly. I heard that the owners opened up a Jamaican joint, so I'll have to try that next. Highly recommend it.

Well, not an update really since I didn't post any pictures, but I haven't signed onto Flickr in months or maybe not since last year. I deleted some party photos. The most interesting thing is that someone added one of my Hawaii pics to their favorites. I clicked on the user's account to see who it was, and I saw...ummm...very unusual things.

Basically, it's an orgy of people in scuba gear (yes, including the flippers) gettin all hot and bothered. I can't possibly imagine how that's comfortable, but whatever floats your....nevermind.

So I've already maxed out on the nail biting deal I made with myself for this month. I lasted about a week and a half, but this month is really shitty, and I don't recommend breaking bad habits during a shitty month. I'm not donating to the Texas A&M Foundation. I'm donating to Monarch Watch instead, which really needs support.

In the grand scheme of things, this organization isn't at the top of the priority list. It doesn't cure disease, end hunger, or support humans and cuddly animals. But because of this organization, and other organizations like it, David and I have raised and tagged approximately 15 monarch butterflies. It sounds childish, but raising those little things from egg to caterpillar to butterfly is really calming and keeps things in perspective. Whenever I have a bad day, I can at least look forward to coming home and seeing a larger caterpillar, a new chrysalis or a new butterfly. So, I'd like to give a "thank you" to the monarchs for keeping me sane...especially this month.

Also, if any of you are interested in raising monarchs next season (it's a great project for kids), let me know and I'll give you the basics. It's relatively easy, a lot of fun and very rewarding.

One day I want to go to Mexico, where the butterflies migrate, and see this: 

I owe another $10 so it's $70 for my nails. I'm about to max out soon.

To support my book club, I need you to buy this book for me, and I can't do it myself for reasons I will explain if you agree to do this. If you don't live in Houston I am willing to repay you the shipping costs (you must pick up the book and ship it yourself to me). It's not a bad book and should not put you on the FBI list. I will repay you via check or cash.

In total, I owe $60...it's not looking good right now. Poor nails.

Went to a bachleorette party with Soofia this past weekend. We hit six clubs on 6th street. I have not had a night on the town until 5:00 a.m. since maybe 22. My legs are still feeling it. I feel old.  A random college coed asked Soofia where she was from. Soofia said she was from Houston. The coed told Soofia she wasn't from Houston but from India (Soofia is actually Pakistani). Soofia caller her out. Other than that, the party was a blast. One girl got drunk and almost groped a cop. Good times.

I'm may be having consumer issues with that Tristin Styling promotion/charity. More on that later. I also think I have general bad luck with online purchases from small businesses. I'm going to see how things go this week before I implement the following new rule: You must be a major corporation for me to make online purchases from you.

$0 today!

I got clear polish that's suppose to strengthen nails. It prevented any subconscious chomping.

I owe $10.

I caught myself biting my nails around 2:00 p.m. today. The problem is that I do it subconsciously so I need to pickup some of that nail-grow polish tomorrow.

So I can't seem to break the nail-biting habit. It has been a New Year's Resolution for maybe the past 10 years. If I'm going to make this resolution in 2009, I better get start getting serious now.

I think the longest I've gone is three weeks. Tried all sorts of measures: cold turkey, little rewards, nail polish...nothing seems to work. I need to start hitting it where it hurts: the pocketbook. I had the idea of donating a certain amount to a charity for every time I bite my nails. Then it became a mindfuck because I like donating to charities so, in a sense, I would be encouraged to bite my nails. I thought of a solution: I'll donate to a charity I wouldn't normally donate to. That way, I'll still be encouraged to not bite my nails. I had to think about something that I wouldn't feel compelled to donate to, but I'm not completely against.

I decided that I'll donate to the Texas A&M Foundation, which is basically A&M's fundraising arm. I wouldn't mind donating to A&M since I'm all for advancing education, but it's not something I would normally choose. For whatever reason, the terms are that whenever I catch myself biting my nails, I'll donate $10. Since I bite my nails a lot, I put a monthly cap of $100. As a reward for not biting my nails for an entire month, I'll go to a salon and get my *first* manicure.

My first day begins on October 5. Let's see how things are on November 5.

In more or less words: PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS SOMEWHERE WHERE I WAS AND I COULD HAVE SEEN HIM BUT I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS GOING TO BE THERE AND I COULD HAVE SCHEDULED MYSELF TO BE THERE WHEN HE WAS THERE!!!

I can't get into more details because it involves a client, but ARGH!

I haven't posted in a while. That being said, here is a meme: 

01) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
02) What was your dream growing up?
03) What talent do you wish you had?
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
05) Favorite vegetable?
06) What was the last book you read?
07) What zodiac sign are you?
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
09) Worst Habit?
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
11) What is your favorite sport?
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
16) Do you have any pets?
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
18) What was your first impression of me?
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
22) What color eyes do you have?
23) Ever been arrested?
24) Bottle or can soda?
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
26) Favorite band to listen to when you're mad?
27) What's your favorite place to hang out at?
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
30) Do you swear a lot?
31) Biggest pet peeve?
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
34) Favourite and least favourite food?
35) Do you believe in God?
36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?

Does anyone know of a good tattoo parlor in Austin or Houston? 

The pictures is simple, but I need a really good tattoo artist to work with it because I can't find any pictures of exactly what I want. Ideally, I'd want to go to LA to go to Kat Von D's parlor because I think her and the other artists are amazing.

A former moot court coach's wife is sick with a bone marrow disease. I met her once and she is really nice. She is waiting for a bone marrow donor match.

There is a severe lack of minorities in the national bone marrow registry. I thought it was interesting that if you are a Caucasian, you have a 70 percent chance of finding a bone marrow match, but if you're a minoriy, you have approximately a 20 percent chance. Here is a link where minorities can enter the bone marrow registry for free. I ordered the kit last night, so I'm not sure how long it'll take.

Moose died today. David found her weak and flopped over in the yard this morning. The bad thing about rabbits is that they don't show that they're sick until it's too late. The vet said that her messed up legs caused an infection and that putting her to sleep was the best thing we could do. In a morbid but cute act, the vet wrapped Moose in a towel and put her in a small coffin-shaped carboard box so that we could bury her. Moose was buried near Buster with a carrot and rabbit treats.

She was the sweetest rabbit, who would follow you like a little puppy. She always appreciated a good ear rub.

Went to another investing class tonight. I'm going to have to go to more of these because free dinner is provided. I'm not sure which stocks I like yet, but I'm thinking about buying some shares of Ann Taylor simply because half of my wardrobe is either from Ann Taylor or Ann Taylor Loft. I'd like to think that I'm giving some money back to myself whenever I make a purchase. BTW, the Loft has some really cute khakis.

Not that I need to worry about investing anyway because David and I are going to Vegas this weekend! Yep, I'm putting it all on black. So long as I avoid the blackjack tables I'm ok. Did I ever LJ about the time I played blackjack and unknowingly hit on 21? David noticed my awkward strategy but later told me that he didn't say anything because he didn't want to tell me what I should do with my hand.

Had to notify a labor relations rep of a possible workplace violence threat. Complainant said some creepy stuff that I think the company would want to be aware of. If you hear of any workplace violence story in Colorado over the next couple of weeks, there's a good chance that I know the suspect.

It's been a while since I did my categories theme.

Movies
I'm probably the only person in Houston who hasn't watched Star Trek. I want to watch it mainly so I can understand what everyone is talking about. I saw Wolverine, and I hope that was really Hugh Jackman's bare butt. Surely, he wouldn't use a double would he? I also want to see Angels & Demons. I enjoyed the book, but thought the ending was lame, so hopefully the movie's ending is better.

Viva Mexico!
Yesterday, David and I took a class about living in Mexico. We've been talking about moving there for some time now. If we each work for about 10-15 years, we'll be able to live comfortably south of the border. This is a big fat maybe. The class was really good, and gave us some good cities to check out. And yes, if we do end up living there, there is an open invitation.

Viva Las Vegas!
Next weekend, we're going to VEGAS. We're going to see the Blue Man group.

On Thursday, David and I went to an Investing 101 class held for free by an Edward Jones financial advisor. I like the woman who taught the class, and may sign up for her "Investing for Women" class. I learned a lot about the risks/benefits of different investments and got a basic idea of how they work. Totally worth the 2.5 hours. Also, I like classes that are free.

Next week, I'm going to see Russell Peters. He's one of my favorite comedians. Can't wait.