...sometimes winter feels like it will never end

And as officially as I had removed my second skin 19 days ago...I have now replaced it, putting 'em back on...damn long johns...damn Wisconsin weather...but damn, I love this city. It's truly a love-hate relationship.

What the Hell is that Smell?!

I’ve smelled some stinky things lately. Currently I’m sitting at my desk…and all I can smell is what seems to be a rotten orange. Why? I don’t even have an orange at my desk let alone a rotten one. The other day I was in a meeting, and all I could smell was staaanky feet…like someone kicked off their shoes and throw their staaanky feet up on the conference table, inches away from my nose. And then there was the smell of rotten food…in my apartment none-the-less…but my dishes were done, fridge cleaned out, and trash taken out…and those tasks were completed a few days ago so there shouldn’t be any lingering smells like that hanging out in my kitchen.

At first I thought it was me. I smelt my hair…my cloths…my arm pits. “Is that meeee?!” But nope…I’m 100% confident the smells are not me, but they seem to be following me around. And these smells are something you don’t want to loiter around too frequently or long. So why are these annoying and so far from delightful smells trailing me? It’s so unexplainable. I mean…are they chasing me? Or do I happen to be in the wrong place at the very wrong time? Does anyone else smell them?

I fear these questions will never be answered.

An Elegy to Music

Music is a wonderful thing isn’t it?! It has the ability to change someone’s mood, create a romantic/excited situation, and help others concentrate on the work at hand. My friend’s father told me if he could have any super power, he would want to hear music in his head, basically a soundtrack for his entire existence. Life would be so dramatic…your cat just died and Portishead’s “Road” consumes your mind. Or you just got that new promotion and Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” takes over your body. Unfortunately neither he nor I have this amazing ability, so we need to take advantage of what we do have…MP3 players, stereos, the internet…

When it comes to music, I’m utterly intrigued by what people listen to while in the work place…and in some ways this can be extremely hilarious. For instance, while walking by the HR office earlier, I heard Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” And this song wasn’t just playing quietly in the background…she was blaring the tune (the door was shut mind you)… rockn’ out behind her computer screen. Personally I would love the freedom of gettn’ jiggy with my own playlist while at work…oh what a glorious thought…stick in the earbuds and lose myself in my work and music…no outside distractions…I’m particularly attracted by the idea because people would be less compelled to stop by and talk needlessly to me about something I clearly don’t care about. Unfortunately I don’t have that luxury thanks to the large amount of in-coming calls I receive throughout the day. BUT! I am fortunate to have speakers with access to Pandora or Radio Milwaukee any day or time of the week.

I certainly have no complaints about my music options…besides, beggars can’t be choosers. I remember back in high school when I worked at a department store…and I remember the music too. Ugh! Let’s just say I’m not a big fan of “easy listening” at all…hell, even Christmas music! I slightly threw up in my month if even the thought of Christmas music crossed my mind for years because of that job. I’m now back to a tolerable state with it, but even Christmas music is better than no music at all. Keep in mind there are the employees out there who don’t even have the option of listening to ANYTHING?! If it wasn’t for me, my cub-mate wouldn’t get to listen to music…and lucky for her we have the same taste. Of course there are other circumstances than this. For instance, I have friends who share an office with each other. One can’t stand the silence while the other can’t stand music. A terrible situation it’s true.

But it’s exactly why I should be lucky enough to listen to music while on the job …many people can’t say as much. And silence is so defining. Who in there right mind can concentrate at all without it? Whitney is far better than hearing the light buzz of the florescent lights in the background…or how about those annoying hyena laughter outbursts down the hall, the shrill is like nails on a chalkboard to me. My favorite is when I’m on the phone with a customer, and someone decides they need to have a very vocal conversation about what they did over the weekend or some other life changing event that needs to be told right at that moment, right in front of my cub, and at the loudest volume possible before its considered shouting. Granted, even music can’t due anything about the previous comment…but I just needed to complain about it.

So I’m not a poet…on that note I’m barely a writer. But this is as close as I get to a poem. Ode to music…and to I T for placing me with a computer that allows me to hear the sweet harmonies and rhythmic beats every day. Without it, seconds would turn into hours…dragging time by, making life absolutely dull.

A Quick Goodbye to Winter…see ya!

For the first day in 68 days I think I am ready to shed my second skin. This second skin…also known as long johns…is an additional layer to help keep the little warmth in and the freezing cold out over the past few winter months…or actually couple months…it just seems like the dreadful season has been so much longer than it really has been. And let me tell ya…longs johns are really handy…they’re practically my favorite article of clothing during the winter, especially when you don’t have a car and rely on your legs to get you around the city. Long johns are a staple in my wardrobe…as much a staple as underwear.

As much as I love long johns, I am not upset by any means to see these suckers go…and Saturday, with a high a 45, is a day they can definitely go…stuffing them back at the bottom of my underwear drawer…but not quite at the bottom. I don’t think it’s even remotely close to pull my bikini out yet (it’s the very last item in the pile, at the very very bottom before you hit wood)…but soon enough if it will make an appearance. With the loss of my second skin and with warmer weather only days ahead, it’s a sign for radiator conditions, and eventually, summer will only be right around the bend.

Good bye long johns…good bye winter. I don’t look forward to seeing you next year.

Only in Milwaukee…

Only in Milwaukee will you find people who understand and show compassion when you turn down a night of a few cocktails for reasons to conserve your energy and money for the following days drinking event. We (or maybe “I”) should be considered so lucky to be surrounded by as many drunks as we are…which is really one of Milwaukee’s greatest charms. I definitely don’t think this would be the case in any other city in the United States…well, maybe the exception is Vegas…but that city is far too over stimulating with the flashing lights and constant stream of entertainment from whatever direction you look in anyway.

But it’s true. I just received a call from a friend who needed me to check out his band this evening…a gig they’re hoping to have on a monthly basis, which is why they need as many bodies to fill the venue for support…the more people who show, the more secure the gig becomes. He was very considerate, supportive, and understanding when I told him the reason for my absence was due to a pub crawl that I was partaking in the following day. Both events are a big deal here in Milwaukee…but I’m pretty sure only a fellow Milwaukeean would see it that way.

I live in a good state…but an even better city…just saying.