Give a girl what she asks for

Seven months ago, plagued with professional ennui, I yearned for SOMETHING mentally stimulating. SOMETHING, ANYTHING!

Anything? How about this? A brand new job in a totally new industry a week and a half before their biggest, most significant and most crucial event of the year, studying for the GRE (um, Math? You mean that stuff I did in high school?) which I will take exactly a week after said event and completing an application for school (letters of rec., essay, transcripts) all before the holidays. Not to mention calming myself down when I start to hyperventilate.

I guess that's SOMETHING.

What do I think I'm doing writing this blog? That was two minutes of stimulation lost! Pardon me, but I have a date with the vocabulary flash cards.

All Resignations are NOT Equal

Turning in a job resignation last week after 7 years at a very small company was more than a little distressing. As expected, even though it was quite emotional, my bosses were encouraging and completely supportive of my forthcoming professional and educational pursuits.

What I was certainly not anticipating, however, was what happened next. I'd just let out a great sigh of relief, thinking that the worst was over. But, of course it wasn't. I still can't figure out how the conversation turned from a discussion of my future to a discussion among my direct boss and upper management centered around sorting out my dating history in the last 7 years. As I listened, face burning red and slipping further and further down in my chair, I heard some of the following:

"But wait a minute. What happened to_________?"
"Oh c'mon. ______ was ages ago. There were at least 2 others since then."
"But wasn't ______ at the holiday party at The Four Seasons?"
"No, that was the year before."

And my favorite:
"So wait. Who is the current ex?"
Yes, that's right. He said "current ex."

How did this happen? I've tried so hard to be tight-lipped about such things. Will this be part of my legacy at that place? "Oh, her? Yeah, she was an exceptional worker with great skills and a lot of dates. "

Sigh. The curse of a small company.

80's much?

As I gave my reflection in the full-length mirror my daily morning once-over (yes, all girls do this and if they don't they SHOULD), I remembered my vehement assertion from a time not so long ago that I would NEVER wear anything even slightly reminiscent of the 80's. Shrudder. What was I wearing this morning? Honest to God leggings with my pointy-toed shoes, a short skirt and cowl-neck sweater with a wide belt worn high around my waist. My hair was feathered back, showing off my hoop earrings and two large bangles adorned my wrist.

I would conclude this post with "never say never," only I don't actually agree with that particular aphorism. Not only would it be expressively stifling to entirely eliminate the word "never," but I would miss the moments like I had this morning too much.

HOOK 'EM!!!!!!!