Harder than a Rock

Back when I moved here in September of 2005 I already knew a few people and was starting to get to know others.  In Los Angeles, it’s always important to know people and who you know is even more important.  It’s the way Los Angeles works.  On my birthday, we went to Saddle Ranch on Sunset.  I had never been, but I also had only been in LA for two weeks.  So, we’re at a table.  The waiter says I have to ride the bull yaddah yaddah yaddah.  Not sure exactly how everything transpired cause it was 5 years ago (yikes), but next think everyone knew,  I’m talking with people at other tables and taking pictures with them and taking shots and who really knows what else.  When I finally get back to the table, Ray and Lisette say, “We’re gonna start calling you The Mayor.”  I think the story explains itself, but what I’m getting at is that I really took that nickname and ran with it. 

It’s very important for me to meet people, make new friends, maybe make some frenemies, and network.  I’m not meant to sit at home (although it’s nice to have one of those nights every now and again).  I’m very much all about being out and about chatting it up and meeting people.  I’m not sure if it’s because I’m nosey or if it’s because I have control issues, or if it’s because I’ve somehow made it my mision to take over the world.  I haven’t figured it quite out.  All I know is that I enjoy what I do and I enjoy the people I meet. 

This past weekend the President of the So Cal Seminole Club resigned and I took over as acting President.  I knew it was coming, as we already had discussions prior to.  Yet, I still felt very overwhelmed, but also very proud that people trusted me to take this club to the next level, which I intend to do.  I also would appreciate it if you could call me Madame President from now on.

J/K

In a land not too far away (i.e. Grapevine, Texas) and a time when beepers were cool, there once lived two super heroes who could only be matched by the likes of  Takeru “Tsunami” Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut.  They were the Metabolic Wonder and the Human Garbage Disposal.  The Metabolic Wonder could eat anything and everything and not gain a pound.  She was a dancer and singer, a scholar and an athlete, a smart cookie and smart ass.   While she did not eat with the speed of those in the great  I.F.O.C.E. Nathan’s International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest, she did eat with poise and a clean plate.  Her trusty sidekick, the Human Garbage Disposal, in much the same way ate with gusto and an appetite.  Buffets were scared of her and chefs loved her.  These two were the Yin and Yang of eating.  While one ate with poise and patience, the other ate with speed and passion.  Together they were unstoppable.

Unfortunately, life happens.  My sister (The Metabolic Wonder) is now happily married with a beautiful baby girl.  Can she still eat like a champ?  Yeah, she’s pretty awesome.  I, however, (The Human Garbage Disposal) now eat like a pauper.  I had a slice of pizza for lunch.  Just one.  I used to be able to eat five and I could usually stuff a whole slice of pizza in my mouth.  I probably still could do that, but I’m a lady now-ish.  Anyway, there wasn’t a point to this tale except to talk about what once was.  Actually, my friend Lindsey could be the new Metabolic Wonder.  Just sayin’.

Yes.  It’s true.  I’m 80% sure that I have actual OCD.  This is because I have a habit of needing things to be organized, in some order and in my way.  It’s not severe, which is why I’m only 80% sure I have it.  I don’t have to lock my door 3 times (Matchstick Men), nor do I have to have a new bar of soap every time I wash my hands (As Good As It Gets).  I do like to color coordinate things – like the hangers in my closet that are black and pink because my room is black and pink.  I like things to be in rows and I sort my Skittles and M&Ms into colors.  I have a different color folder for all the projects I’m working on for each owner at work and each cover sheet is in the same color with writing in the same color pen and clipped together in the same color paper clip.  HOWEVER, I have learned to be okay and not freak out if someone re-arranges my files, or moves my pen cup to another area of my desk.  Which is why I’m only 80% OCD – because I can control it.  I am 100% sure, though, that I’m crazy.  This is because my OCD stretches beyond what is normally considered OCD.  What I have is what some could call a control issue.  But there is a problem with that term because I don’t need to be in control of everything, I just need to be involved in everything.  I have to constantly be doing something.  I’m a very go go go kind of person and I cannot sit still very often. I was like this as a child – used to drive my mother crazy.   Granted I don’t run around the house like a mad person, but I NEED to be actively engaged in something.  Yes, I do actually veg out and watch tv or movies, but I’ve also been known to fall asleep during a movie (Vertical Limit – sorry it was boring) at the theater.  Also, because I only take “naps” and don’t actually sleep, I have taken naps in the middle of dinner at restaurants.  This is usually because no one is talking specifically to me – group conversations I’m not directly involved in will cause drowsiness.  Anyway, what was the point of this?  I don’t know.  I’m a rambler.

Sometimes I volunteer to do all kinds of stuff from 5ks to home decor.  Recently I’ve volunteered at an orphanage in Mexico.  There are quite a few oprhanges in Mexico, as with any other country, and we try to visit and have fun with these children who have been through a lot.  Many of these kids have been put into these orphanages by the Mexican government.  However, once in the orphanage, the government provides no other aid.  While this blog is not in any way political or  any of that, I did need to share the background of why I was visitng the orphanage.

There is a non-profit organization that we contacted and who we’ve done fundraising for who got us in contact with one particular orphanage.  This organization (who I will not name to protect the “innocent”) also has volunteers it brings to visit as well. 

So, I go there with about 7 other volunteers to hang out with the kids and do what we can to help out.  The other group also had 3 volunteers come down as well.  So there we are introducing ourselves to each other outside of our sleeping quarters and talking a bit about what needs to be done.  Then we disperse to hang out with the kids.

Myself and another girl and one of the guys from the other group choose to talk to a few of the teenage girls there.  In so, we discover that one of them can speak English.  In between the other guy is telling the other girl in my group what to say in Spanish.  We then find out that another of the girls can also speak English.  Meanwhile, I’m more observing and trying to pick up on the Spanish.  Then I say something in English to try to help the girls out.  And here is what ensues:

Volunteer Guy: Oh, you speak English too?

Me: Yeah?

Volunteer Guy: How long have you been speaking English?

Me: Uh? What? (questioning expression on my face)

Volunteer Girl: Uh, she’s one of us…

And then they continue to talk to the girls while I inch my way to the basketball courts because this man I met 5 minutes ago mistakes me for one of the teenage orphans and it’s just weird between us the rest of the trip.  I mean, at the time, it wasn’t funny cause I’m Filipino and I know I look young.  That, and the guy met me 5 minutes ago with the rest of the volunteers. 

Anyway, that is why I am now an “Orphican.”  Thanks Lindsey for that one.  It’s funny, cause we’ll tell people I’m Mexican and they always go, “Really?  I thought you were Filipino.” And then I have to tell them the story. It’s a great converstaion starter.

On a serious note, I love volunteering and visitng those kids, especially because it had been almost a year between the first time I went and this time and one of the special needs children recognized me right away and it really just made my whole trip.  These kids are awesome and their stories will amaze you.  Hopefully my story amused you.

Today I had a discussion about people on my “radar” – which is a very short list.  During that time a thought crossed my mind about how to proposition someone during times when traffic is slow.  We discovered that certain business language could be double entendres for specific things you want to express without being so direct.  Here is what we came up with:

Dear [Insert Name],

Thank you for your interest and involvement in the interview process thus far .  At this time, we do not feel that you are a good match for our company for a full-time position.  However, the applicant pool is much smaller than anticipated and therefore we are willing to offer you part-time work on an as-needed basis.  We know times are hard and while we cannot offer you all the benefits of a full-time position, we feel you’ll find the part-time position to have many advantages, including time to persue other opportunities.  We do ask that you be available one night a week for maintenance, as we can get backed up at times.   We will consider you for a full-time position again after six months.  Thank you again for your continued interest in our company and we look forward to working with you.

Rockstars or rather SUPER Rockstars need to be warriors.  Warriors are people who can power through anything regardless of how tired they are, how sick they are or whatever circumstance that makes the average person want to give up. They take a challenge and they destroy it.   They tell people, “You say I can’t, but I know I can.”  They push through and make it work!

This past weekend was definitely a weekend for Warriors.   It started on Thursday when I spent all day either at the airport or in the air.  My flight got stuck in the air due to weather in Atlanta, so we had to touch down in Birmingham, fuel up and then return back to Atlanta once the storm cleared.  When we finally were able to land in Atlanta my flight that was already delayed, was then delayed an hour later and then another hour and then another until we finally started boarding around 8:30pm.  Unfortunately, due to the lack of baggage, we had a bit of a weight issue that was finally resolved an hour later and took off around 9:30pm.  By the time I finally got to my final destination that is Tallahassee I had a fun eye twitch (sign of a warrior and someone who needs sleep).

Friday morning was full of workshops, campus tours (interactive tours in which I won a free hat) and discussions.  It ended with the Downtown Getdown and a big shrimp po’ boy.  I love southern food!  On Saturday, I got up for breakfast at the University’s President’s House were we met President Barron and enjoyed a lovely breakfast and conversation.  Then it was on to the airport to return to LA.

Without a beat, as soon as I was picked up by my posse, we collected the rest of our crew and headed on to Beerfest.  It was a blast – from what I can remember.  Lots of beer, lots of crazy people and lots of things to laugh about.  The true test was the next day, Sunday, for Warrior Dash.  The truest of tests for a warrior is being hungover and not only doing a 5K, but also climbing over haystacks, walls and cars, climbing through barrels, mud and water, jumping over fire, crossing thin balance beams, climbing a cargo net and surviving to tell the tale.  The best part was that I wasn’t the only warrior that day!  I had great friends with me to not only power through the course, but also at the end tear into a turkey leg, beer and an impromptu visit to Chili’s.  That makes us Super Warrior Rockstars!

And that was only one weekend!  So far, April has been the month to really show what kind of a Rockstar I am – and it’s only the second full week of the month!  I’ve been out of town both weekends and will be out of town the next two.  On top of that is of course sporting events (i.e., basketball, dodgeball, kickball), meetings, and it wouldn’t be complete without the burlesque.  Oh the burlesque is just the beginning!

You know when you’re talking to someone and they ask you “why are you single?” or “why don’t you have a boyfriend?”  I hate that question.  I think it’s the worst kind of question.  Do people really know why they’re single?  Can you really give someone a correct answer of why you aren’t in a couple without jeopardizing being part of a couple with them?  Not normally, but I can.  When someone asks me the stupid question of why I don’t have a boyfriend, I simply say this:

I don’t have a boyfriend because I don’t want one.  Not right now, not ever – okay, maybe not not ever - but definitely not right now.   Anyone who knows me and knows my schedule knows that there is no room for such a thing.  Plus, he would never be able to find me.  I haven’t had a night off in forever, so good luck trying to spend time with me.  I haven’t even spent time with me.

Plus, I have commitment issues, i.e. I can’t make them.   There are soooooo many fish in the sea (worst cliché ever), but those fish are dirty and I cannot commit myself to someone who could possibly jeopardize my health (the nice way of saying I don’t want your STD’s you dumb slut).   Benefit of the doubt, I’m sure there is 1 out of every 10 single guys in LA alone who are loyal and awesome, but it takes patience to find that guy and I honestly don’t have the time nor the patience.

In the words of Dwight Schrute, “You can’t handle my undivided attention.”