Where we last left off....

What I really need to insert right here is a montage video (which I'm learning how to make...so soon very soon). To make a long story short - I got a new job. I blogged about my hopes and goals for 2011 on my other blog. Which I silently call my "Kelly Rowland" blog because Gardler and Hench are this blog's Beyonces.

I miss writing here and am getting encouraged to write again - and so hesitantly I'm going to try to come back again.. one more time - so let's start with an old email to get everyone back up to speed..This is from January, but it works well for a then to now.

Greetings Scoobies,

I was seriously settling down to respond to each of you in slightly different ways, but since I'm telling the same story over and over again. I thought this might be a better option.

Sorry I've been "off the grid" recently - no phone calls, no texts, barely an email.

I started my new job Monday and privacy comes at a shortage here. They are doing construction, and while I'll have my own space soon (March) I don't have it now. We are packed in here tight..and I am sitting less than a foot away from the marketing vice president! So it's not in my best interest at the moment to spend too much time on my phone or even in gmail. Much like Rock Band, I have to "win the crowd" to stay in the game. Anyhoo, currently I'm running two programs off a tiny laptop on a table in the center of the room. I'll return to your social Leslie as soon as I can...hopefully Feb. (or even mid Jan.) but for right now - I'm texting in the quiet spaces of the ladies room. (Hence the non response or Leslie under fire texts).

While the logistics situation isn't optimal I'm really enjoying the nature of the work and the design projects.

My graphics counterparts are talented and they both bring different things (video editing, flash, an awesome font collection) to the table and I think there's alot I could learn from them. I even hesitantly showed someone a powerpoint trick yesterday, but since they are doing this themselves...I'm trying to keep the ppt secret hidden as long as I can. (Forever if at all possible.) It's cool for me because I'm knowledgeable about print aspects of gd so I've been helping them package media kits and get things ready for the printer.

Given my limited technology situation at the moment - I've only been given a few small tasks, but even small is not small as it has to be approved through a marketing team (reminds me of working for the paper again). And they really pay attention to resolution, colors, if something is offensive..etc. etc.

----- insert elevator music in the section where the primary details are..sorry stalkers...I won't list that on here ever ------------------

At any rate, miss you all - and hope to be back track (socially, lux lunching etc ..by Feb).

Peace and grooviness

- Leslie

Eat, Netflix, Wii

I’d been trying to read “Eat, Pray, Love” for nearly 3 weeks now. It’s a good book, nothing boring or difficult to break through like say, the entire section describing hobbit feet in the Lord of the Rings books. But - I have pretty much read everything lying around the book. This month’s Lucky, Rolling Stone, the 9th Sookie Stackhouse book (which by the way I have yet to finish the others, but this one seems to catch my attention.)

Maybe I’m just not into transcendency, or maybe I am just not a traveller.

Leslie Journal 9.10.10

(Yes this is October, but I’m writing...let’s focus on that!!)

Tacos consumed: 3
Free Sandwichs from work lunch tray: 2

New things I must purchase based on recent accidental discoveries: Pesto Sauce & Olive Dip

Birthday presents for others consumed today: 1 (shameful, but an unfortunate pitfall of buying something for someone else that you are obviously aware is fabulous) In my defense, I have tried to deliver said present on 3 separate occassions. Now I will have to buy it all over again.

Today’s Events:
On CC’s -
I was charged an annual fee for my Best Buy Card which I’ve only possessed since March. So apparently Best Buy’s year is not the accustomed 12 months, I mean because it’s like September. So I wrote them a note of my disdain, reminded them of what a good client I’ve been, and basically got back a very pleasantly written “rules are rules, now pay up bitch.” And so I will pay up and cancel my account tomorrow and most likely (despite really liking the store)..never return there again. Which is truly a shame, because I just got a Wii and would have loved to have purchased some games I couldn’t necessarily have found at Wally World or Target. They won’t be losing thousands of dollars, but at least hundreds of dollars.

On refined sensibilities and wine -
Took the time to research and purchase a medley of wines with actual flavors and differing consistenctencies. I figured after years of stumbling idly through a medly of $2 offerings from various happy hours, I owed it to myself to find that wine that the television sophisticates enjoy (usually in a bubble bath while reading, I’m not that coordinated). And finally.... tonight I can declare a winner from both red and white wine sectors..drumroll and trophy goes to Horton Vineyards - Niagara (White) and Eclipse (Red). Goodbye Sutter Home.

Ode to Teacups

My wordsmith friend Jenn wrote me (and our group) a poem using Pantera's Cowboys from Hell as a starting point to honor a recent visit to Busch Gardens. Since I rarely get poems or group trips to Busch Gardens. I thought it deserved a proper home here on OEF versus Facebook wall posts from days past. Plus it’s a fairly accurate recap of a very fun day in addition to it’s mad rhyme skills.

Ode to the Teacups
Over the saucer where we sit cramped |We’re kinda scared but mostly amped | Spin fast, shout out, spread chunks within, without | We’re gonna spin so fast likely hurl | Chances are it’ll be a girl | This little teacup is about to attack | We’re trapped and can’t turn back
 | You see us comin' | 
And you all together | 
Run for cover | 

We're spewin all over this ride
 | Here we come reach for your poncho | You’d better watch out my friend, you see |There’s a gurgling down below | Aimed at you we’re on the teacups from hell | Deed is done, the teacups won |Ain't talking no tall tales friend cause | Turkey leg, your doom | Lemon icee sprayed on everyone | Aimed at you we’re on the teacups from hell | Pillage the cup, trash my clothes |Food coming out of my nose' | Cause a ghost town is found | 
Where the long lines used to be| So out of the darkness and into the light | We hurled on everything in sight | Disgusting teacup puke rampage | Left riders and park workers enraged |You see us comin' 
|And you all together 
|Run for cover 

 | We're spewin all over this ride | Here we come reach for your poncho | You’d better watch out my friend, you see | There’s a gurgling down below|Aimed at you we’re on the teacups from hell | Deed is done, the teacups won | Ain't talking no tall tales friend cause | Turkey leg, your doom | Lemon icee sprayed on everyone | Aimed at you we’re on the teacups from hell | Aimed at you we’re on the teacups from hell

p.s. I now have a season pass to B.G. so whenever you folks want to go.

Call a girl!

31 x 31: UPDATE

Last year around June, I published my 31 x 31 list. Nearing 32 now, I achieved several of these small goals. I thought I'd take a moment to recap, and add some bonus's that have helped me out alot this year. The Italics were the things I'd accomplished already, the blues are now the one's I've finished more recently. The other bolds I still need help with....ahem. :)

So friends..here is my list, help me if you can/want to:
1. Ride Motorcycle (preferably drive one, but baby steps...)
2. Ride Mechanical Bull
3. Get a Tattoo

4. Increase income substantially.

5. Restore outdoor garden!! (poor flowers! I failed thee)

6. 31 Brand New Drawings
7. Post my website. www.lesliepaxton.com
8. See the Grand Canyon (Larry!!)
9. See Chicago
10. Bling Team Field Trip
11. Conquer Gryffon at Busch Gardens.
12. Take some friggin classes!
13. See Barack Obama speak (live)
14. Go Camping and Tubing!
15. Cook something difficult (lamb?)
16. Read Twilight Series (for fun).
17. Take mom to Red Lobster as a surprise (must be a surprise!!)
18. HOST a party.
19. Bloc Party AGAIN
20. Learn a real dance - something fancy.

21. Get paid for a freelance.

22. Cancel useless bills.
23. Professional Sports Game (any sport, whichever one avails itself)
24. Run a marathon (Rock'n Roll is looking good).
25. Fix a broken friendship.
26. Complete the big family book.
27. Dive! (versus ungraceful cannonball flops)
28. Hiking
29. Comiccon!
30. Paintball
31 & 32 are "personal". Sorry team I have to do those on my own. ;)

It's getting there. Maybe by 33?

Random post

A couple of months ago, I randomly came across a blog that is written by a woman who is trying to conceive. I had some free time at work, so I poured through her posts, starting with the oldest posts and working my way toward the present day. She has been writing the blog since 2007.

She seemingly has no problems getting pregnant, the babies just don't "stick," as she refers to it. I keep going back occasionally, hoping that she has announced that she is pregnant. Instead, she is still talking about fertility drugs and test results. Her sister is pregnant and she talks about coming to terms with that. Sometimes she sounds bitter (who could blame her?), but most of the time she is still hopeful. Sometimes she even talks about having twins.

She has many many links to other blogs written by women in her situation. Some have never conceived and some conceive and lose the babies. When I have down time, or sometimes on my lunch break, I randomly read some of these blogs.

I don't know what the point of this post is, I am just really touched by these blogs. They seem to be constantly on the back of my mind. I'm just in awe that these women keep trying and are so hopeful. I hope they all

Anyway, sorry for the random post...I've been up since 3 am!

Notes on Confidence

Keep your head up.
This is problematic as I am constantly covering my mouth like Miss Celie.
Hold your hands in a steeple gesture (together pointing) while listening.
If I flapped my arms anymore than I do already, I would take flight.
Keep your movements to a minimum, don't fidget.
See Above.
If you don't agree, STATE SO.
I avoid conflict at all costs, this goes against my nature!
Speak up, don't let others finish YOUR SENTENCE, remember sentence completion leads to self esteem.
I guess, but sometimes its sorta nice when someone actually knows what I am talking about
When meeting someone new - explain what you do, then company name, then your own name.
I see the logic here, this used to happen in college alot.

While rummaging through some old paperwork in my office drawer, I found I'd actually written down some helpful hints I found in a forward. I thought I'd post them here (and my subsequent arguments to each) before I committed the sticky note to the round file.

Leslie Journal May 15-16

Weight: 1_0
Number of Coke Zeros consumed: 12
Insect bites acquired in a 20 minute walk around the block: 9
Number of "attempted" runs up Mt. Trashmore: 2
New TV taken in: Pregnant at 70, Pregnant and Paralyzed, and Pregnant and morbidly Obese --then a switch over to VH-1 for Tough Love Couples, What Chilli Wants, and Brandy and RJ.

I spent most of Saturday looking for old letters my mom wrote to add to a scrapbook, ironically I put them away not to lose and have lost them even worse. :?  I'm vowing to speak to St. Anthony this evening to see if we can work on this problem.

My nephews each took turns testing my endurace with a veritable obstacle course of activities this weekend, I took 6 ibuprofen, a women's 1-a-day and a red bull and attempted to make them "tired." 

LJ ran up and down Mt. Trashmore 3 times. I did once. I did however, cheer enthusiastically and hobble to the top. On the other side - we "discovered" a wooden kingdom of sorts where LJ encouraged me to follow him. I got stuck twice on the slides and was reminded of childhood and why I stopped riding slides.

Teri enjoys being strolled and listening to my ipod, so that was relaxing the first walk around. By walk number 7 of cheering and clapping - I begin to think I was being featured in a physical fitness montage sequence. FYI: there is never just one thing that you can do with children. Running, playing, eating - it's just like Doritos..if you spin them once you must spin them 50 x.

Cam and I celebrated our first hour of non-crying (wailing) - I was awarded a smile, a burp, and then 2 hours of screaming and crying. I have not given up on Cam.  I did however drink half a bottle of wine and fall asleep in the living room...when his parents got home of course.

:)

I hear it screaming loud, over everything somehow

A quick music recco, if you're like me, and like when there's lotsa people singing at once.

A Test Frequency

After many, many months in seclusion, I sorta feel like re-entering the blogging game. One of the reasons I've been gone is my inability to easily blog from a computer that may or may not reside in a building in which I may or may not be employed. So I'm testing out this blogger-by-email feature again. If it works, there's a possibility of more communicae from me in the days, weeks, months, & even years to come.

No promises, tho.