Frank said "somethings gotta give"...

I think it's been fairly well documented that I'm busy. It may also have come up that I can't say "no" to things - I get overbooked. Part of the 'year of Jen' was to work on this problem, but I'm not doing very well.

Work is - busy. People keep leaving and we can't hire replacements fast enough (plus hiring takes time we don't have, which is an irritating catch-22). It's a busy time of year anyway and add to that a few poorly-timed projects (transition to PHP5 servers- still love ya, Jason) and I'm in the middle of a stress test.

Of course what do I do? I have a vacation planned! I leave Friday at 4:00pm for NYC. Unfortunately, the last person to leave was my only web back-up, which means my boss will be stuck calling inexperienced part-timers or application programmers in my absence- neither of whom want to do my job. I expect I may need to take care of a few things while I'm away.

So, treading water as fast as I can I've just managed to stay mostly ahead of the work needs. I have not done as well with other things, such as my master's class. I was unable to finish my assignment that was due tonight. I don't know if that means I need to drop the class or audit it or what. I just couldn't get it all done. I'm going to see if I can catch up at all over spring break, and if not... well, if it's work or school I have to take care of work. I hate to get two months into a class and bail though. Sigh.

I am going to do my damnedest to let all this go on Friday at 4pm. Check back and I'll let you know how successful I am and how cold NYC was!

Random Updates

Progress Energy
Apparently I wasn't the only one with power problems in my area. Progress Energy came out and tore up the cables for everyone in my row of townhouses and then kindly put down grass seed in the area where I'd just finished killing the grass. On the plus side, my power hasn't flickered in the slightest since then so (knock on wood) I think things might be fixed!

Bedroom Set
It's GORGEOUS! The biggest problem now is that I don't want to get up in the morning because it's so pretty and comfy! Yeah!

Valentine's Day & Weight Watchers
It took me a couple days to get over it this year. My ability to ignore it was tested by several obstacles. My roommate got flowers and enjoyed her time with the boyfriend; I went to a Valentine's Day party with six couples (including an ex) and... me- lucky number 13; and my Weight Watchers meeting cheered me right up with the news I lost a whopping - wait for it - .6lbs.
In fact, I've lost in total only about 8lbs in the 6 weeks I've been doing WW. I think in part that's because I've been going to the gym so much; I know some of this is muscle. But WW doesn't account for that and it certainly didn't cheer me up on the 14th. Hence the very mopey post. The only defense I can offer is, as sad and bitter as that post sounded, I was WAY more sad and bitter in real life.

But we're past it. Another year until V-Day comes again. I wonder if I'll still be single... ;)

Be mine!

Oh good it's that Hallmark-hyped holiday again. Sweet Valentine's Day, how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways...

1. Months of candy and hearts to remind us the day is coming
2. The mass of crappy romantic movies on every channel for the entire week
3. The kind inquiries by friends who suddenly remember you're single
4. The rude inquiries by creepy people who suddenly remember you're single
   
5. The wondering if you'll still be single this time next year
   

I could keep going but you might think I'm bitter and depressed so I won't. Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

More for Me!

I have been mocked pretty mercilessly for the whole "year of Jen" thing (can you believe my co-workers actually read this thing? Joke's on you!) but I'm stickin' to it. I realized today after a completely meaningless interaction with a waitress that I have gotten better and stating my point-of-view, even when I don't want the confrontation. I'd like to think I've also gotten better at knowing when to say nothing, but that may just be an excuse for all the times I say nothing.

My latest year-of-jen extravagance is that I've bought myself a new bedroom set (check out the picture)! My brother put up crown molding, I painted accent walls and trim (not done with the trim) and bought new sheets and a duvet cover. I still have to buy new blinds and finish a few other things but I'm so excited! I haven't had new bedroom furniture since we had a house fire in high school twelve years ago. Every bedroom I've had since I've lived on my own has been cobbled together furniture and mis-matched decorations, if any. It seems silly to put this much effort into a room that's really only for me, but I'm gonna!

Anyway, the bedroom set comes tomorrow -- I can't wait! I'm hoping I like it as much as the picture... Gotta get back to painting and cleaning.