Ever done something that others would see as really silly, but you felt like it was something you needed to do? I did it anyway and we'll see how it turns out.

Kim's wedding was beautiful. More on that when I'm not half-asleep.

Out and About

There is one month left until school officially starts up again. I am determined to use this time to turn things around and enjoy myself. This is a short, but positive post - no negativity crap here today.

Without a second official job, I've been able to actually see people besides when they need to check out books. Yesterday, I (stupidly) volunteered to help Mike move all of the opera set and props to an off-campus location. Several others showed up and we managed to make a good time out of it. Shana and I discussed Tennessee as a possible grad school and Tony joined in for a discussion on choir aesthetics. I said "fuck" in front of everyone which made Mike almost drop to the ground laughing. Apparently, he isn't around me very much... And I get opera brownie points for this although what that translates to has yet to be discovered.

Tonight, I attended the Aeneid String Quartet's performance at Starlight Cafe. Krysta, Peggy and Grimes were there and we had a blast. All four of us are fairly witty people and that just makes it fun for me. I really hadn't met Grimes before although I'd seen him around campus, but I see why his students think he's awesome. Some of the other apartment complex regulars were there, but I didn't really get the chance to mingle with them very much. The restaurant was freakishly crowded for a Wednesday night. Good music, good friends and about 3 cups of hot tea made my night fabulous. And considering how expensive that cafe is, I only spent about $3 all night - my college-sized budget is happy.

Tomorrow is my rheumatology appointment. I go to confirm suspicions and regain control. I'm optimistic and grateful that the solution to my vocal problems (which haven't gone away) is something I can easily obtain and not career-destroying. The simple fact that I noticed this so early is a huge blessing. I know what to do and I'll be better in no time.

Good Riddance, Ledo's!

The past week has been busy.

I quit Ledo's Pizza on Sunday. Yes, I've complained a lot about this job, but I was going to try to see it through until school started. My shift Saturday night changed my mind. There's one evening manager that annoyed me on a regular basis and decided to crank up the antics a notch or three. I was the focus of every joke that night and was chewed out in front of the customers. A few jokes here and there, I can take that in stride - I have a decent sense of humor after all. I despise mean-spirited jabs. Especially when they're accompanied by a fake smile or smirk. The chewing out occurred after I made a mistake on a pizza order - the first since I started working there. Actually, the customer (with little kid in tow) didn't care about the mistake. Ironically, I think the manager's behavior will keep that person from coming back with the coupon he received.

It was almost as if he were trying to get a rise out of me. I calmly continued my duties until the end of the night, knowing very well that if I tried to defend myself, I would say something nasty. Really nasty. After a phone call to my parents who couldn't seem to decide whether or not they were pleased or disappointed in me, I decided to go in the next day and speak my mind. Well, I had decided that about 2 hours into my shift, but I like to make decisions with a level head.

So, early Sunday evening I walked up to an empty restaurant. No, it was open, just empty. The younger manager was outside with the waitresses smoking and I asked to speak with him. He tried to get me to sit down in a booth to talk, but I refused. I wanted this to be short and to the point. I dropped a little plastic bag in front of him and began.

"I quit. Here is my shirt and my badge."

"May I ask why?"

"Sure. You can ask your father for more details, but I consider myself an intelligent young woman who doesn't like to be talked down to or ridiculed in front of other employees and customers. I'll be back to pick up my last paycheck or you can mail it to me. Your choice."

He seemed stunned that I quit, but that faded as soon as I mentioned his father. Apparently, I'm not the first one.

I still have to go pick up my paycheck today. I'm hoping it will be a simple run in and out deal. At least, I plan on making it that way. Then, I drive up to my parents' house to help my father with some office work. I'm not stupid, I'll need money at some point. As long as this doesn't get thrown into my face all weekend...

I also hoped that the general decrease in my stress level would have a gradual, positive impact on my voice. Nope, wrong again. As of today, I have not been able to sing an A above the staff for a week. For those of you non-singer people, this is bad. I usually can and need to sing well above that on a regular basis.

After trying everything I know, I emailed my teacher for a lesson which we had yesterday. Overall, my technique was fine, but my voice was breathy. That typically means there's swelling (not good), irritation (not good), or damage (not good). They can be caused by anything from allergies to immune disorders to air conditioning changes.

Take a wild guess what I think it is.

I've had some suspicion that my RA was slowly seeping its way back into my life, but its all been circumstancal evidence. Joint stiffness in the morning, but especially after I've worked out. Fatigue, but I've been working two jobs and teaching lessons. My knees hate my bicycle, but my tires could need air again. Everything could have an explanation other than arthritis. I think its about time I start keeping track - a doctor's visit may be in order.

Survey Says

I promise that a real post is coming soon.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name:	Sarah Paulette
Birthday:	November 13
Birthplace:	Norfolk
Current Location:	in the middle of a whole lot of tobacco and cotton fields
Eye Color:	hazel? they change a lot
Hair Color:	brown
Height:	5 foot 2 inches
Right Handed or Left Handed:	ambidextrous although the left hand lost a few points in the arthritis war
Your Heritage:	very Italian with a little French, Irish and German mixed in
The Shoes You Wore Today:	sneakers
Your Weakness:	wouldn't you like to know
Your Fears:	didn't I just answer this?
Your Perfect Pizza:	I'm not picky, just not disgustingly greasy
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	um....graduate?
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	I don't think I use it enough to overuse a phrase - maybe Hey! how are you?
Thoughts First Waking Up:	fuck, I have to work at @@@@ again
Your Best Physical Feature:	eyes
Your Bedtime:	when rehearsal is over
Your Most Missed Memory:	but if I missed it, how can it be a memory?
Pepsi or Coke:	is there a difference?
MacDonalds or Burger King:	::remembers the bone she found in the chicken:: Neither!
Single or Group Dates:	both
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	neither, I like the real, brew-it-yourself tea especially white, rooibos, and peppermint
Chocolate or Vanilla:	as long as its sweet
Cappuccino or Coffee:	tiramisu
Do you Smoke:	nope
Do you Swear:	::laughs::
Do you Sing:	I try
Do you Shower Daily:	yup
Have you Been in Love:	I thought I was a few times - but I guess the answer's no
Do you want to go to College:	I want to get out
Do you want to get Married:	sure, if I can find a straight, mildly intelligent guy without a girlfriend
Do you belive in yourself:	that's what I tell myself
Do you get Motion Sickness:	not unless I'm reading in the car
Do you think you are Attractive:	not when I played the crazy lady in Crucible - I think I looked scary
Are you a Health Freak:	as a singer, I would answer yes, but I would be lying
Do you get along with your Parents:	sometimes
Do you like Thunderstorms:	very much
Do you play an Instrument:	I sing and play the piano - there's a whole bunch of others I had to learn, but sucked at
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	yes
In the past month have you Smoked:	nope
In the past month have you been on Drugs:
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	I don't think the lunches with gay/ taken men count
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	yes
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	I actually don't like Oreos, blasphemy, I know
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	I don't think so
In the past month have you been on Stage:	would have liked to have been
In the past month have you been Dumped:	this is the great thing about being single
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	nope
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	the show? maybe
Ever been Drunk:	no although I've been told that large quantities of caffinee work just as well for me
Ever been called a Tease:	not to my face
Ever been Beaten up:	not physically
Ever Shoplifted:	wanted to? yes - actually do it? no
How do you want to Die:	differently than all the stereotypical ways I do on stage
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	an opera singer would be nice
What country would you most like to Visit:	anywhere but here
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color:	as long as they're looking at my face
Favourite Hair Color:	clean
Short or Long Hair:	if I can see you're face, you're ok
Height:	taller than me
Weight:	healthy
Best Clothing Style:	for me? or is this still about the boy?
Number of Drugs I have taken:	lots - legally, of course
Number of CDs I own:	I lost track a long time ago
Number of Piercings:	3 in my ears
Number of Tattoos:	I had temporary tattoos as a kid
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	fuck
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!