Life Update

Wow! I've had a ton of stuff going on the past week or so!

First, we had everyone on Brian's side of the family over for Easter. We made ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, etc. Counting Brian and I, it was 12 adults and 7 kids. Definitely a full house, but it was good and we had the room for everybody. Dinner was at 2, and everyone was gone and the house was pretty well cleaned up by 7:30. Not too shabby.

Second, I had to take my brand new car in for service already. But, I'm not upset. Everything has little bugs, nothing's perfect, and it's all under warranty. And the issue was minor but annoying. My engine light had come on and not gone off, so I had On-Star ping the car and see what the issue was. They did, and found nothing. When that happens, they nonetheless recommend that you take the car in, because obviously, something is making the stupid light come on. So, I took the car in, and they found that I have a faulty intake manifold valve. It keeps sticking, but it doesn't hurt the car to drive it that way in the short term, and the part has been ordered for replacement. It was funny, obviously those service reps don't encounter people with a ton of car knowledge, especially women. (It's sad to say, and honestly, I have very little myself.) So, he pops the hood, and starts explaining to me what the intake manifold valve does. I ended up finishing his sentence, thus indicating I knew exactly what he was talking about. I couldn't tell whether he was annoyed or impressed.

Third, I had an interview on Monday afternoon in Royal Oak for a part time temp job. The gig would be sitting in on depositions in some asbestos litigation for the defense firm. These are the type of things that, in 9 times out of 10, I would not have to ask a single question, and when I did, it would be a certain set of very specific questions that would be provided me. I would then provide the firm with a summary of the deposition so that they could decide the merit of the case.

Quite honestly, I'm excited about the prospect and think it would be a great position for me to get back out into the work world. I just heard today that the firm is meeting over the weekend to discuss the candidates, and I should hear something next week. So we'll see. I'm trying not to get my hopes up so as not to get disappointed if they don't select me. I think the only thing that would hurt my chances would be the fact that I was 5 minutes late to the interview. But, I have a very good explanation! I left my house at 3:10 for a 4:30 interview. I should have been there at 4, no problem, but MDOT chose that exact time to take eastbound I-96 down to one lane at the Wixom Road project, and it took me 35 minutes to go 5 miles. It was ridiculous. I did call while I was stuck, and profusely apologized and said I would be a few minutes late. When I arrived, they said it was okay, but I'm not sure. I hope they meant it!

So, that's what been happening with me! Whew! I'm tired! Oh, I also beat Guitar Hero in Easy mode, and have to move on to Medium. And, I have a cold that I forgot to mention. Yuck!

It's Aura-licious!

Today I'm so excited! I got my new car!

As back story, I have been driving a 1999 Saturn SC1 coupe for 5 and a half years. I got it used in the fall of 2002. It is still a perfectly good car, one that I would not get rid of but for two reasons. 1) Being a tiny little coupe, it does not fit the baby seat that we hope to be putting in the back soon. 2) Also being a tiny little coupe, it sits low to the ground, thus making Brian hate getting in and out of it, and generally hate the car all around. So, we have been planning on getting me a new car for awhile, and I decided I wanted a Saturn Aura. I really just wanted a larger sedan, I didn't want an SUV or anything. I don't feel comfortable driving them. (I have never adjusted to driving Brian's Trailblazer.) So, the other weekend, when Brian was gone, I went to the Saturn dealership to look at cars with our friends J & C. We test drove an Outlook that C is interested in. (I must say, that's a nice vehicle too.) And I spoke to the salesman about the Aura.

When Brian returned from his trip, we discussed the car issue again, and decided that because of the great financing they were running, it was time. So, Saturday, we went to the dealership and test drove. Boy, the 3.6 L V6 engine hums. And the features are so nice, XM radio, adjustable pedals, etc. (My coupe does not even have power windows or locks.) I thought I wanted a red car, but the only one they had on the lot had black leather interior, which I HATED. I asked about the possibility of ordering a car with the exterior and interior I wanted, and the salesman told us that he could do that, but by the time the car came, the financing would not be available. Sucky. So, the salesman looked at his inventory, and he had one Saturn Aura XR in Techno Grey exterior, with grey leather interior. I LOVED it. So, today, we went back and drove it off the lot. I am ecstatic.

And to top it off, Brian's sister and her husband might buy my coupe, if they like it. I was prepared to put it up on Auto Trader or something if they don't want it, but on the way home from the dealership I called my mom. She told me that if J & J don't want it, she and my stepdad will buy it for my brother, who is turning 16 in August (HOLY CRAP). So, they might be buying from me the car that they themselves bought for me. Funny.

I Heart Pete Sampras

I love Pete Sampras. There. I said it. It's out there. Pete Sampras is one of three men I would leave my husband for (the other two being David Duchovny and Patrick Stewart). I think Brian is just beginning to realize that there's this other side of me that I've never showed him, this love for all things Pete. But, I should probably back up and explain what is prompting this post.

The other night, after Brian and I were finished watching our favorite bit of sci-fi/teen angst "Kyle XY," he was flipping through the channels. He was going through all the sports channels we have, and for some reason stops at the Tennis Channel (yes, we have too many channels). It was playing an exhibition match between Roger Federer and Pete Sampras. If you don't know, Federer is currently the best player in men's tennis, and Pete was the best player for a LONG time, in particular the 1990's and early 2000's. He has won 13 Grand Slam Championships, including 7 Wimbledons. Pete retired about 5 years ago to marry Bridgette Wilson (Adam Sandler's hot teacher in "Billy Madison") and they popped out a couple of kids. Generally, he's been living his life.

I was VERY excited when Brian found this on the TV. You see, my teenage years were not the greatest for me. I was the "smart one," kind of chubby, picked on a lot, etc. So, in response to never having a real date (or much of a life), I had a very active fantasy life. One of the main objects of my affection was none other than Mr. Pete Sampras. I was convinced that one day Pete would meet me, realize that I was the woman for him, and we would run off into the sunset together. I watched every match I could with him in it, even staying up till 2 a.m. to watch 1st round matches of the Australian Open. And Wimdledon--whoa. That was like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one blissful two week period every summer. It was so good because Pete won it 7 times, and in one period, he won the tournament 5 times in a row. So, every year, I knew that Pete would advance deep into the tournament and my happiness would continue.

This is really embarrassing, but my friend A can attest that I was so in love with Pete (and David Duchovny--"X-Files" night was the other happy time) that I had my "shrine." I probably should have gotten help for delusions or something. In my closet, I had pasted on my wall any picture I could of Duchovny and Pete Sampras, including the image in this post. I can laugh at it now. But looking back, it actually makes me feel good to realize how far my emotional maturity has come in the last decade or so. I am no longer obsessed with Pete, although I must say, minus being slightly balder, he looks exactly the same as he did 10 years ago, which is good. And he can still hit the damn tennis ball, which I will be excited to see more of in the future. Only, I hope they don't pan out to the audience to Bridgette so darn much. I hate her. She stole my boyfriend.

I'm a Guitar Hero...Sort Of

As I stated in an earlier post, Brian sold his PS2 and all of the games for it, and got a Wii. Of course, he had to buy "Guitar Hero" for the thing, even though he'd already beaten it in Medium. He brings it home, plugs it in, and whips through the thing all over again. He gets to play as Slash, beat the devil at the end, the whole nine yards. He then tries to get me to play.

As I held the guitar in my hand several weeks ago, I thought, "This can't be that hard." Ha! How wrong was I. I was absolutely hopeless. I couldn't even play in super duper slow practice mode. I angrily resolved never to play the damn game again. "Pi-shaw!" I though to myself. "Who needs to play this crappy game anyway?" I continued to watch him play it, and occasionally run into trouble, but then always beat the stupid song in the end. And in the back of my mind, I secretly wished I could play too. But I thought I was hopeless.

The other night he was playing, and for some reason, I felt compelled to try again, fully expecting to get booed off the stage, and again, resolve never to play the game. I tentatively pick up the guitar as Brian adjusts the shoulder strap to a much shorter level at which he had it. He takes the game out to the Easy level for me, then I pick a song.

As I begin to play, I realize I'm actually hitting my notes and my right hand seems to be miraculously working in tune with my left. I continue playing, missing notes here and there, and expecting to be booed. I'm not booed. Brian tells me how well I'm doing. I keep saying that I suck. But I don't suck. I'm not great, but I don't suck. I finish the song! And then another, and another, and all of a sudden, on Day Two, I'm battling Tom Morello. That I couldn't complete. (Yet.) But I was beating songs, averaging about 88%, which I'd say is a B+. I can handle that. I've even formed my own band, called "Hotlips," like the character on MASH.

And the other night, I realized the best part about playing--when I play, Brian thinks I'm hot, even if I suck.