purty fleur (9/25/02)

Ok, I am going to pass on some wisdom for those with the Rat sign. If I haven't told you already, this is the year of the Horse, which is the polar opposite to the Rat. Therefore, this year, you are probably experiencing lots of turmoil/change/dramatic episodes/incredibly surprises/life-changing events. This little tidbit was passed onto me by Amy Arnold. Thanks Amy!

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There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Just ate lunch -- Taco Bell #1 (burrito and taco supreme). That was too much. Feel sick.

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This week's horoscopes are dedicated to:

>> Yvette, good to see you, girl

>> Mike, Jen and Graham, XOXOXO

>> Sally, Sunita, Alison, cheers

>> Eileen and Michel, good luck with the toilet

Good Day Sunshine (9/18/02)

Job Update:

Day 8: Feeling great. Desk is still the same size, no bigger or smaller. Now have chicken ornament and photos of nephew on desk. Have met people in my department. Learned some new gossip and found decaf tea. Overall, good day.

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REAL TRUTH

Reader's Digest. I have spent a considerable amount of time maligning Reader's Digest, a small magazine that is published in 48 editions and 19 languages and is sold in more than 60 countries. The reason why I hated it was because of the way that they digest fiction and spit out a shortened easy-to-read version of novels, stories, etc. For that matter, they digest everything and spit it out into tiny little pieces that middle America can stomach. Seriously: why read the NY Times when you can just read a two-sentence version of an article? Isn't that enough? Well, I started feeling badly about making so much fun of this magazine, especially since I hadn't read it in many, many years. So I actually read a copy. OK, two copies. And it wasn't bad. Seriously. What I liked about it was, YES, it is easy-to-read, but most importantly, I think that many people can identify with the substance of the magazine. Yes, the messages and news are filtered and digested into easy to read pieces. Yes there is a bit of revisionist history in its articles. But essentially, people identify with the people highlighted in the articles. The silly stories that people submit for $300 a pop are stories that anyone can identify with. Or it could be said that I am getting older and my perspective has changed. So many people in this world don't read at all -- at least they are reading something when they are reading RD. Or it could be said that I am getting soft in the head and can't digest real articles. Hmmm....I don't know. Too many sentences.

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This week's horoscopes are dedicated to:

>> Lynn Kim, who deserves more than basic cable andthe $250m powerball lotto

>> Carey Meyers, who should have warned me about the lethal post-Italian sub onion breath

>> Sally Davis, who gave me the chicken, which proudly sits at my humungo desk at work

GOOD EATS! (orig. post: 9/11/02)

Sept 11th: it is a day of rememberance. I would normally talk about it -- but every channel on every tv, radio, etc. is talking about it. So instead, I will say that I am thankful that we are all safe and friends.

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New Job: It's great. Non-profit doesn't pay much but the benefits rock. My boss is fantastic and I am learning a lot. I am doing lots of financial stuff which is pretty funny considering my monetary habits of late. However, I am loving it.

Current Observations
1. I have a really long desk. It must be seven feet long. I look tiny next to it.
2. I don't have administrator rights to my computer so I can't download AOL or Yahoo instant messenger andI have to say, it's killing me. (I also can't download Free Cell and that is killing me as well)
3. There is no dress code (but people still dress biz casual).
4. Everyone here is pro-choice.
5. The commute sucks. Of all of the weeks to start a job near the UN, it had to be this one. The UN General Assembly is meeting for the next 10 days. Not only that, with 9/11 ceremonies and security, traffic is at a stand still.
6. Bonus: Taco Bell is nearby.
7. Today, I got to send a fax to Nairobi.
8. I have a window.
9. Great benefits -- 24 days vacation!!!
10. I don't have to watch my back like I had to at those &*(&%%%$$##@#@ PR agencies.
11. I wrote a cover note and my boss didn't want to review it at all. She trusted me. Amazing.

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This week's horoscopes are dedicated to:
>> Ann & Dabney
>> Michelle E.
>> Lori
>> Sandy
>> MARK STEYN

Why is it called West Nile? (orig. post date: 9/4/02)

Hey all --I am in Florida this week, watching a tropical storm coming my way -- YAY! So, I hope everyone had a nice long weekend and best wishes for the coming week :)

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This week's horoscopes are dedicated to:
>> Carey and Steven -- Congrats!
>> Kim and Ethan -- Love to you love you baby!
>> Alex -- ;)
>> Cassie -- best long distance toast ever!

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