The term of state contract.

On Saturday, I started bragging about being around all these sick people and not getting sick. Half an hour later, my throat started hurting. It's been down hill ever since.

Moral of the story: Working a lot when you're a lot of sick is a lot of suck.

I've found something I like about Santa Fe. It took me a while. But, it has that small town-after rain smell. I missed that.

One more time, I say.

Every year, the New Mexico House of Representatives plays the New Mexico Senate in a "friendly" game of basketball. This year, the House maintained their 9 year winning streak, beating the Senate, 61 to 51. The whole thing benefits the UNM Cancer Center and this years game was dedicated to Patty Jennings, wife of Senate Pro Tem Tim Jennings, who lost her battle with breast cancer on Valentines Day this year. The game raised an all time high $10,000.

It was surprisingly aggressive. I thought it would be competitive, but I had no idea it would get as rough as it did. But believe me, there's still a lot of comedy in politicians playing organized sports.

By the way, congratulations, Raton. You elected a damn fine basketball player to serve as your state representative.

Meep, meep.

Running Rails.

Normally the train is on time, if not a few minutes early. Overall, I consider myself impressed with New Mexico's first attempt at a commuter rail, something that has been needed between Albuquerque and Santa for a long, long time. I've gotten used to the train by now. I almost look forward to riding the train in the morning. It gives me an hour to relax before work, read and drink some Starbucks. It makes me feel close to my grandfather, my dad's dad. He loved trains. I'm sure he would have loved the Railrunner.

But, sometimes, the train completely blows it. Today, a water pump gave out on the engine, so we had to wait for another train to come and pull us into Santa Fe. I was an hour and a half late for work.

Gross.

Cat fight outside my window.

This kid will either adore his parents or hate them later in life. I like to think he'll adore them.

You know, I feel like I've got a good group of friends, and a large one at that. I really enjoy spending time with them. But lately, I've started to have some major anxieties about public places. I haven't been to Walmart in months and I get super anxious when I can't find a parking spot or a table to sit at in a restaurant. I really don't know where all that's coming from.

Kyle and I spent Love Day inside, for the most part. We got Dion's for lunch, watched a movie, took a nap, got Coldstone, watched some British Office and he went home. This weekend, I launched a major assault on the cold that tried to develop in my throat, so I wasn't up for giant crowds (see above) or outdoor adventures. Most of my downtime is spent recovering from my insult of a work week. It's getting easier, though.

I'm sorry, how has Paul Blart: Mall Cop made over $100million? I had a problem putting that in italics.

Ruthy Baby

Dear College of Santa Fe,

Congratulations, you're failing. No one wants to go to school there. Well, it might have something to do with the fact your tuition is completely ridiculous. Labeling your school as "challenging" and "competitive" and "progressive" doesn't mean it is. It just means it's expensive. While I completely agree that Santa Fe needs a public college, just admit that this move is completely your last resort and you're absolutely disgusted with the fact that Highlands is about to buy you out. You know, maybe if you weren't so pretentious about the level of education you have to offer and charged people a reasonable amount to go there, people actually would! Or maybe I'm just bitter because your snobby film program has spent years shunning UNM's. Well, maybe this is what you get.

Also, thanks for prompting my first letter-blog in probably a year.

Never yours,
Cat, Proud UNM Media Arts Alumni.

Speaking of a year, it's been one of those since I came back from my grand adventure. And what a year it's been... I come home to a fire and a federal office. I feel great, big professional shifts, and maybe some emotional ones. Kathy keeps telling me I'm meaner than I used to be. Maybe I'm just more honest.

I did my taxes, which prompted me to fill out my FAFSA. Who knows, maybe the federal government will give me enough money to get back into school. That's what I really want to do, so I might as well go for it.

I'm really antsy to go back to Quebec, when it's actually warm. I'm not eager to head back to Jersey; G-Pa's health has taken a turn for the worst. Lots of nasty things are happening and for the most part, I don't like talking about it. This may not make sense but, the thought of my grandfather dying doesn't bother me nearly as much as the thought of him being in pain. Grandpa's a spiritual man, I think he's where he wants to be with the God and the afterworld. But, like I said, I don't like talking about it. I'll talk about it when I want to.

Current work's going okay. It is getting busier. I start working Saturdays next weekend. The sun's starting to come up earlier, so I almost get to see Albuquerque in the daylight. Almost.

She's the best of everything.

I know, I know. Imma bad blogger. But I work a lot. About the only thing I want to do when I get home is eat. Then preferably see an amazing person that will let me whine about work for a few hours, then go to bed. It's 9:30. Guess where I am? If you said in bed, you're correct.

But, on with blog.


How I watched Obama Day.

If this picture does not indicate where I work, then... Bad New Mexican! Bad! No, actually working there is the first time I've been in the Capitol in years. WHOOPS. Did I type that?!?

New job is going pretty alright. People seem to want to give me fancy job titles that, in all actuality, don't mean a whole lot. I got "promoted" from what I thought my original job would be. That means I make more money, but I seem to have an almost identical job. People tell me that'll change in a month or so, but I'm skeptical. People always seem to tell me my job is going to be a lot more than it actually is. Am I really good at avoiding work or...?

I will tell you that's it's super awesome to hear the older women in this place talk about how excited they were to vote for Obama. Makes my heart glow.

Commute is still balls. The train's been on time, but that doesn't stop the fact I have to be up early. For the most part, I feel like early is early. If I've got to be up prior to 8am, it's early. But, 5:15am... that's a whole nother early. I guess I'll just spend the next two months of my life super tired. I'm not proud to say that Starbucks has become my morning BFF. I feel like butt if I don't have some kind of caffeine before I get on the train. And drinking Dr. Pepper prior to 10am just doesn't feel right.

BUT. HEY. What happens when you get trapped in an ice storm?


You drink a lot of Lost Lake. That's what.

I'll be honest and tell you that ice storm sort of ruled. I mean, I got an involuntary vacation. I got oh so lucky in getting stuck with Chelsey. She and I have pretty much the exact idea of fun, which is hanging out on a couch and watching game shows. Then, when you get bored with that, you throw ice balls at neighbors you don't like. Then, when you get bored with that, you walk to Walgreens and buy a Snuggie.


No really, we had a super good time.


This is what Ice Storm looks like.

Sort of. This is ice that's melted off a roof and crashed into ice that hasn't melted on the ground. Just imagine everything in your world. Now, put a sheet of ice on top of it. That's an ice storm.

This postsecret, as previously posted about, has proved to be one of the biggest catalysts of change I have ever witnessed. I think we, as New Mexicans, have all thought about it. Now, a lot of us seem to be doing it; sort of a mass exodus. It's really exciting and intense, the thought of leaving. But, I think coming home is just as big of a rush, regardless of how long I've been gone. I told Ashley tonight I was portable. It made a lot of sense.

Speaking of change, I decided it was time for some. Out of thin air, and a bit of luck, I visited Emily Stone at her first official day of hair cutting at Casa Verde and she took off a good six inches. I absolutely love it. I had no idea there was actual hair under all that death and damage. I also spent a lot of money on Aveda products, in an attempt to look, feel and smell better (that stuff smells sooooo good). AND I booked an herbal salt glow at Betty's. The point is, if I'm going to be working so much, I need to take care of myself. I feel better already.

Now. If only a museum would hire me...

Start all over again.

What a day. Pretty much all I want to do is collapse in a pile of misery.

There's just something about being in an office environment that makes me want to throw my head through a wall. I walked around my new job today and saw all the empty desks, waiting for me and the other temp's to fill them. It disgusted me. I could barely stand it, barely keep it together. I spent 8 months wearing dress pants and a fake smile. Fact is, I don't think I can fake it any more.

Maybe it was just the shock of being thrown into that world again, maybe it was the anxiety and the lack of sleep. But maybe, that's just not what I'm built to do. I don't feel like Cat, or even Catherine, when I'm in situations like that. I don't like the person I become in a professional office. God, I'd give absolutely anything to have my ice-cold perch in the Golden West back.

After almost a year of searching, I finally have an interview in Oklahoma on the 26th. It's a better office job. But even hearing the word "office" automatically makes me resent it. (But that, and the insecurities that come along with leaving New Mexico belong in a whole other blog.)

I know I need to give it time, it'll probably get easier. But, I really did promise myself that I wouldn't settle for a job any more. I want to wake up and be excited to go to work. It really does seem like a simple request, but so few people actually get that opportunity. I honestly don't know how one goes about that anymore.

Leper colonies.

Well, gross. OU lost. Not only did they lose, but I watched them lose in the company of a ravenous Florida fan, who promptly told Sam Bradford to "go back to the reservation" after he made a good play. My boyfriend defended my football honor. It was absolutely precious.

On a more important note, I got one them fancy jobs you people brag about. EXCITING!!!! But (and there's always a catch) it's in Santa Fe, so I'll be commuting north 5 days a week. Also, it only lasts 60 days. But, it's something. And it's good experience for the good ol' resume. Not sure if I can blog about it, since I haven't been officially hired yet. So, I won't say much. But, let's think about it. A job in Santa Fe. That only lasts 60 days. And it starts at the beginning of a new year. HMMMM.

I have decided in my INFINITE music wisdom to compile what I define as great love songs into one playlist. I'm trying my best to make it as universal as possible; not just adding songs that I've attached to personal relationships. Sure, there's indie rock wedding standby's like Death Cab's "I Will Follow You into the Dark", but most of them are more on par with the Eel's "Not Ready Yet" and "Cautioners" by Jimmy Eat World. Songs more about personal insecurities and challenges than the mushy gut feelings you get over being with someone for forever. I'm not quite sure what that says about my perception of love. Maybe it just means I love honest music.

I stubbed the crap out of my toe tonight at Brickyard. Like, toenails' severed sort of stubbing. Grump.