Break Off a Piece of Candy

PodCandy is going on break over Christmas and New Year's and will return in 2011.

The blog has no plans to take a break or not to take a break -- it'll be what it be :-).

Happy Holidays from the PodCandy half of this operation, since it won't see you for a while!

Reversing the Polarity

For about as long as I can remember, I've had a sweet tooth. Several sweet teeth, really. Just a few teeth that weren't sweet teeth, really. I'm known for it. It's kind of my thing.

Over the last few years, I haven't been able to hold my sugar like I used to. Your body starts to let you down as you get older, and mine has been letting me down by getting headachy or otherwise icky when I eat more than three times the amount of dessert a normal person would eat in a day. The injustice!

Now, something even more frightening is happening. A shift in the tectonic plates at the core of my being: I've been craving salt more than sugar.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

It's a change in my identity -- in the way I perceive myself, and my place in the world. Who am I if not the girl who can be counted on to eat her weight in chocolate and peanut butter?

My tenuous grip on reality may be the next thing to go.

Nice Boss

My boss is so nice, it makes me cry. I've had to miss work for some weird-ass reasons this year, and she's been nothing but supportive. It's especially striking when contrasted with the distrustful nature of other people.

That was vague, wasn't it? Let's see if I can get a bit more specific without getting myself or anyone else into trouble...

There were lawsuits. Yeah. I wasn't directly involved, but I had to go to court a couple times to support someone who I thought was being treated unjustly. It meant missing work. And instead of wondering what kind of illegal nonsense I was into, my boss completely understood that it wasn't my fault. She trusts her workers, and she trusted me. Compared to the folks who launched the lawsuits, she was like a shining star.

Then, yesterday, she helped me finagle different kinds of days off in order to use up some time that I'd lose at the end of the year (e.g. sick days) and save some vacation time for later. I was the one who'd entered it wrong in the system; she didn't have to straighten it all out. But she was happy to do it. Nice boss. Teary Holly.

It's usually nice things that make me want to cry. Like, right now, I'm listening to Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas album. Her "Joy to the World" sounded so joyful I almost couldn't handle it. How does a person make their voice sound so joyful? I dunno, but she sure did it. And man, that lady could sing.

I want that kind of joy.

Nice bosses help.

Today I Learned

... that it hurts my feelings when other people complain about snow. I suppose it's because I identify with it. They may as well insult my family, women, America, the trombone, and anything else that makes up my sense of self. When folks start whining about how a few inches ruined their awesome plans, what I hear is, "The things you like are inconvenient and stupid, and I'm not going to shut up and let you enjoy it."

But I'm determined to enjoy it anyway.

Also, consider geography, people. I wouldn't move to Florida and complain about the sun and old people. I live up North and I have a right to snow a few months out of the year.

I'm not telling anyone that they shouldn't feel what they feel. If they're naturally averse to snow, then that's their prerogative. I just ask that they don't act as if their feelings are the only right way to feel.

And I wonder: Do people start out hating snow, or is that something that comes with adulthood? Do you know any kids who dislike snow? I've never met one. And if loving snow is something that we grow out of, then I wonder if it's actually something precious and worth reclaiming.

Adulthood ain't always best.

I'm still praying for some white stuff to fall.

PodCandy: Pro-Snow

Some insights into my psyche:

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PodCandy: The Chuck Song

A pretty ditty that don't need yo' pity:

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The Notes I Pretended to Take in the Meeting I Just Snuck out Of

Uh-oh. This meeting might be for [another department]. Was I invited by mistake? Should I not be here? Any way out now...?

Why do I choose to attend these optional things? I know why. 1) I'm not sure they're optional when I responsd. 2) I want to get away from my desk. 3) Hope of snacks.

I so should not be here. Maybe I can get out at the half hour. Lord, please help with that.

Funny, I instinctively tune out as soon as the speaker starts talking. Please bring better work my way, Lord.

Wow, this is meaningless to me. Hilariously meaningless. Am entertaining myself by noticing the culture in this room, and the boomy quality of this guy's voice. It almost hurts my ears.

I don't know who these people are.

The things they're discussing creep me out. Always clawing forward. "Learning paths" and "learning units?" Five more min. and I'll make a break for it. This makes me glad I'm not even a student!

Get boots repaired. Cut nails.

Here's How Smart I Am

Everyone at work was given an aluminum water bottle upon moving into this office two years ago. I use it every day. Now that it's colder, I've taken to putting hot water in it, since I don't drink coffee or tea, and don't think it would be good for me to drink six cups of cocoa per day just to keep warm. Because metal conducts temperature so well, I burned my fingers twice yesterday alone, just from holding a bottle full of hot water.

Here's the dumb part: I own a mug.

How to Lose Friends

1. Assume the worst about their motives.

2. Tell them what you know their motives to be, and refuse to believe otherwise.

3. Rinse and repeat.

4. Enjoy your isolation.