I'm not asking you to leave.....

I really loved this silly little blog for a time.  And as silly as cliche's are, I really wanted to say peace out instead of just disappearing off somewhere else. You see OEF was here before Friendster, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter.. It was this happy retreat where I could share my life. Fast forward to present: there are too many ways to share and like that guy in college.. I am now "the 30 year old".  People are more single serve cones and like their life experiences in 140 characters or less.

I'm still too lazy to communicate the old fashioned way - i.e. the phone.  I still see Hench and G in cyberspace (everyday) and occasionally in real life. That being said - I started this blog with a group and it feels odd to jabber on here in a solo capacity.  I came to this conclusion oddly enough watching the Temptations concert at Town Point Park, and then felt robbed when I found out it was only one member of the Temptations.  I shivered thinking: OEF featuring Leslie...or myself standing by the microphone with two empty mikes by my side.  It's the same old song, but a different meaning since you've been gone..

You can still find me over in Lavaponyland and on Facebook and I'm going to eventually start my own solo writing blog when the time permits. It'll probably be lists of things I like or song lyrics..or lists of things I f*kn hate! Or maybe more of the same.

It's been real y'all.

The critical hour...

I'm trying desperately hard to keep my eyes open at my place of employment in these last 2 hours (120 minutes).  I don't want to resort to Red Bull or 5 hour energy (pretty sure I'm at the conclusion of a crash from said beverages).  I seriously feel like one of those kids from the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, except instead of Freddie Krueger, I'm facing something much scarier...UNEMPLOYMENT.

Just kidding..but seriously. So tired...not bored..just sleepy.  Energy where are YOU!!!?

Moving Day...

From Everlong by the Foo Fighers...  

And I wonder
When I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
Got to promise not to stop when I say when

I normally don't post song lyrics as entries..but how else to sum up the close of a Leslie Era, but with a song that it began with.

Wax Ecstatic

Wow, remind me to never post directly after a wine festival (or for the record visit stores I frequent during the non-intoxicated work week). Apparently my drunk logic lends itself to curious nostalgic emo. I'm also submitting this image (stolen from Lani's wall) to verify that I should wear sundresses more often, and dark large black glasses instantly make you anonymous in a crowd.

Nothing epic to write home about today so far. Lots of work - BUT - I will give THOR - the Leslie stamp of approval. Also oddly, this is the 3rd feature length movie I've watched (at all recently) and all 3 have had Natalie Portman in them. Not by active choice but by fate. I'm curious to see if she cameos in Bridesmaids and Harry Potter just to keep the streak running.

On whale painted parking lots...

I had been looking for awhile to find something joyous in the elevator and parking lot situation at the new jobby and this morning I found it. In pouring rain, I have no outside transition from car to office. There is now garage, lobby, elevator, desk. Which = dry non-pooftastic-Mufasa hair.

Still nothing positive to relay on elevators.

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?