Update: Unfortunately, her stunt group has now been cut all to pieces because two of them couldn’t keep their grades up. The other day I picked Taylor up from school and she had a big ol’ fat lip because her new flyer kicked her in the face on a toe-touch. I still think it’s cute. Maybe I’m a little demonic. Hey, I’ve come to grips with the fact that she’s a cheerleader. I just hope that the competitive sports bug bites her really hard soon.

How can I hold on to the notion that we as a nation are leaving discrimination behind us when Obama is elected president and a proposition like 8 is passed on the same night? Why can’t we just wash our hands of discrimination and move forward. We always have to do it in small chunks. Okay, we’ll let an African American man be president but gays still need to put in their time of suffering. It disgusts me.

Anyway, it all worked out. I didn’t let the fact that I hadn’t received my mail-in ballot or the fact that I didn’t know what to expect stop me from doing it. Now I can do it with ease next time. This is ramping up to be the year of firsts for me. First jury duty, now this. Who knows … maybe next I’ll join the friggin’ PTA.

So it happened, I finally finished my costume and headed out. I know that by the looks of it isn’t much of anything but the process of getting to this stage was painful and long. First, I couldn’t come up with any good ideas. Then, I finally came up with the idea of a bad pick-up line (Angel who fell from heaven). The sign was meant to prompt people to ask me, “What hurt?” and I could respond, “When I fell from heaven.” It didn’t really work out that way but I’m okay with it anyway.

Once I had the idea I bought a white halo and white wings and set out to find some kind of angel outfit. Yeah, that was difficult. I can’t really pull of slutty costumes and hate huge stuff that lays on me like a tent … seemed like when I was looking those were my only two options. I finally ordered what appeared to be a decent robe-like gown online, paid extra to get it to me on time and then sat back and felt happy that I was done looking. I didn’t mention that I spent an entire day shopping around the town for some kind of white outfit I could make myself that would look angelic. Guess what you’re not supposed to wear after Labor Day? That’s right, white. I was in a sea of fall colors with no white in sight.

Anyway, so after I got the costume and realized that it was of the tent variety I mentioned above, I was upset and ready to call Halloween off entirely. Then I was shopping in Burlington Coat Factory for my second idea (thanks to Krista) of going as the wrong holiday so I was looking for Christmas stuff to decorate myself with. I stumbled across the top I’m wearing in this picture and really liked it. So I thought, what the hell, why not go as a dark angel (since I am falling from heaven anyway) and paint the stupid white stuff I’d purchased black. This is the result. I’m happy considering all the horror I went through to pull it off. Next year will be better planned. I just waited too long to come up with anything. Now I’ve got about 50 different costume ideas that I’m keeping a list of to work on throughout the year so this never happens again.

Hope everyone else’s Halloween was everything they wanted it to be … now back to real life.

So what is it about these “convenience store” experiences that I relate to so much? I think I may have narrowed down some thoughts on this subject while I was eating my pre-packaged salad from VONS during lunch yesterday:

1. I love the ability to wander around at my own pace and pick up exactly what I want.
2. I hate being pressured by the next customer in line or busy waiter/waitress.
3. I don’t have to boldly announce my entire order in front of a group of people.
4. I value the idea of a separated “purchase” and “perusing” process.
5. I like to eat alone. Secretly, I eat very fast and messy. I don’t get stuff all over my clothes but I take large bites making a temporary mess of my face.

In many ways I think the fact that I’m socially awkward is to blame. I always feel like people think I’m boring, unstylish and, of course, fat (as if being fat is the worst thing in the world). So, I’m left with the following question … do I go to therapy and try to get to the root of the problem hoping to blend in with the rest of society or do I just lovingly embrace who I am and quietly enjoy my convenience store lunches?

The drive in was uneventful. I took the 5 because everyone had told me that the 805 was a joke. I was pleased with my decision when I arrived within 20 minutes, no stop-and-go. I was a little weary of the commute home, but was optimistic. Famous last words …

I left at 5:00 pm, kind of in a rush because I’d had a last-minute deadline at work that held me longer than I’d wanted. I get on Genessee because I heard it was a better route going back. I didn’t want to have to go all the way out to the 5 each time because it adds a few unnecessary miles to my trip. I shouldn’t have questioned the power and speed of the 5 … I know that now. It took me 20 minutes to get from Eastgate Mall to La Jolla Village Drive on Genessee. I think I ran one red light and got stuck in the intersection at another. I finally came to my senses and moved over to the 5. It had 3 areas of stop-and-go but much better considering.

It took me a full hour to travel the 18 miles from La Jolla to North Park last night. Here’s hoping that it was just the Chargers game that made it so horrible. Tonight I have the added joy of having to swing back up to North Clairemont for my daughter’s volleyball league (see the map) … What the hell was I thinking?!?

It’s true, I’ve officially been part of the great American legal system by way of Jury Duty. In the interest of keeping an unbelievably long story short, I’m officially back at work (narrowly escaping a two-week criminal case).

I’m left wondering about these few things:

1. Do you think our judges had this in mind when they spent countless hours and thousands upon thousands of dollars in law school?
2. What happened to the art of “follow my lead?”
3. Why do people always feel it’s necessary to share their entire life story whenever given the chance to speak? I seriously needed my own portable “Wrap it up” Box.

Anyway, I have discovered that I’m way too wound up and in much too much of a hurry (compared to the rest of the planet) to be a part of any jury. Let’s hope I don’t get another summons for quite some time.

For those who don’t know, I sprained my ankle during my volleyball league on Thursday 8/28/08 (coincidentally my sister’s 30th birthday). I was blocking and the hitter decided to come under the net. I landed on his foot and rolled my right ankle. I was laid out all Labor Day weekend with my butt on the couch and my foot in the air.

I’m happy to report that my ankle feels much better today (almost a full week later). Still have some residual pain when the blood rushes back to the area and almost no range of motion but at least when I put my weight on it, it’s not squealing in agony.

One thing I have noticed about the human race during this period … we’re a bunch of jerks! I’ve never seen so many rude looks, unhelpful attitudes, and just general demeanor of “I don’t give a shit about you” in all my life. I now strive to go out of my way to help those struggling to get around. I feel your pain and I am truly sorry if I’ve ever been discourteous.