Long Distance Relationships Don't Work

Note: Names have been changed to protect the guilty and the innocent.

"I understand that you might not respond to this but I wanna let you know that I'm open to having a dialogue with you. We've been through a lot. It's just taking me some time to get over it."

Just six months ago we were talking about getting married, having kids, and picking out pet names for the two Boxers we were going to adopt. Our entire lives were planed. Everything was perfect. Except one thing. We didn't share the same space. This is how it all started.

We had a very unique relationship. Or at least that's the way I saw it. In 1998 while I was in middle school, I was close friends with his step sister two years before him and I met. In 2000 during his Freshmen year of high school (my Sophomore) we were together for about a month. A year later during his Sophomore year (my Junior year) we tried again at our relationship. Only that time, we had the advantage of being good friends and got a chance to know each other in a group setting. Lucky for us, we shared an Algebra class together. And for three of those nine months of school, I was his and he was mine. But we managed to maintain a strong friendship throughout the years and that's really all that mattered to me at the time.

Six years into the future someday in August, I casually started a conversation with him about me moving back home to Michigan in April 2011 because of me being homesick and what-not. Excited about my homecoming, Lee agreed that I could stay with him until I found a place of my own. I don't remember exactly how the conversation started about us getting back together but I remember liking that he wanted another try. Days after that conversation took place he flipped the script on me and convinced me to stay in Arizona by telling me that I had a batter chance at survival considering how bad the recession hit the Detroit area. He concluded by telling me that he would move to Arizona to be with me instead. I wasn't fully on board at first because I wanted out of this town and he had a five year old daughter to think about before moving half way across the States to be in a relationship. After thinking about it for a few days I finally sided with him. We both agreed that he would make his move here in February and the rest would follow.

Fast forward three and a half months into our relationship and things have changed drastically. Right out the clear blue sky during the last Sunday in November, I received a text, "...I have feelings for someone else..." My stomach fell to my feet. I've had worse let downs in my love life that fails in comparison to this little bit of information. I knew it shouldn't have phased me. But it did. I was taken back. He wasn't that type. More than any emotion I was feeling at the time was pure disappointment. How could he be so foul? Our history was ten years strong. This certainly wasn't the way to end it. I trusted him with every bone in my body. If he didn't want to continue with this long distance relationship all he had to was say so. "How could you let this happen?" I calmly asked him. His only reply was, "I don't know. It just happened." Granted things do happen, but they don't happen like that. So after talking for what felt like forever we decided to call it quits.

We had one last conversation a week after we broke up just to see if we could put the pieces back together. The outcome of that conversation ended with him telling me that he was going to get his own place. From there I decided to move on too. We didn't speak a word to each other after that conversation...until he texted me on Christmas Day. "Merry Christmas". And again on the strike of Midnight New Years Day. "Happy New Year!". He text me again a week after that. "Hi." And I hadn't responded to nan one of his messages. I had no desire to. The next day he text me "Oh. I see how it is." I don't know what it was about those six words that had my blood boiling but it had me going on an internal rampage. I was done being nice and I let him have it. "Shut the fuck up, Lee! We agreed to be friends. You not only went back on your word by deleteding me from your Facebook but you Blocked me. You didn't have to Block me. You did me wrong while we were together. I was nothing but good to you and you found a way to eff up a good thing. So yes. That's exactly how it is. What the fuck I look like keeping in touch with you? Don't text me back. I mean that!". Much to my surprise he didn't text me back.

For some odd reason Lee was on my mind real heavy yesterday. He was on my mind so bad that I could hardly pay attention in church. After I got home I layed in my bed and thought about him for awhile before I decided to text him, "I understand that you might not respond to this but I wanna let you know that I'm open to having a dialogue with you. We've been through a lot. It's just taking me some time to get over it." And I started getting ready for work.

Twenty minutes later while I was driving to work, I received a text. "I understand." It was from Lee. My heart pounded. I stared at the screen in disbelief that he responded. But I didn't reply.
"How have you been?" Was his second text. I thought to myself for awhile before saying anything. I responded, "I've been fine. How about you?"
"I'm still living. So no complaints."
"Good to know. How's Pertrice doing?" (Pertrice is his daughter.)
"She's doing fine. She made Honor Roll."
"Wow! That's good! That's more that I ever accomplished in elementary. You get your own place?"
Then the bomb shell fell on me. "Sorta. Me and Pertrice's mom had a long talk and decided to give it another try. So we live together."
The smallest part of me wanted to work things out to give our love it's life back. But after learning that he was back with Lucy put it six feet under. I could've gotten away with not caring so much if he was living with some random nobody that he had no history with. But he was with his daughters mother. I can't compete with that. Fighting everything within me I respond generically. "Well, I wish you all the best. I gotta go. But nice talkin' to you." I was lying. I didn't wish them the best.
"Do you really have to go? I wanna know what's been goin' on with you."
"Yeah. I really have to go." I was lying again. I had five minutes before I had to clock into work. I could've stuck around longer to catch up with him. But I couldn't. Part of me was hurt and the other part was grieving over the fact that I may never have him to myself again.  
"Ok. I hope to talk to you again. But if not I understand."

I left the last words of the conversation to him and immediatley clocked in to work my six hour shift...in a bad mood.

Long distance relationships don't work.

How to be a Good Customer 101

I've been working in customer service for ten years now, so I know a thing or two about giving excellent customer service. However, what never changes are these customers. I get the same types everywhere I go. It's like they're following me. Excuse me while I vent.

1) Give me your Loyalty Card when I ask you for it. Don't tell me you want to wait until the transaction is done because you like to see the savings show up on the end. I don't care what you like. The reason I ask you ahead of time is so I can get that part out the way and focus on getting you out of here. We are being timed on our scans and waiting to swipe your Loyalty Card until the end takes time and precious points off of my score. Yes we are being timed and ranked on who's the fastest. I'm currently in the ninetieth percentile. I'd like to be in the 100th percentile one day.

2) When you have an item you don't want, hand it to the cashier. I don't understand why that's so hard for you to do. Why are you trying to hide the item like I can't see you? Give me the shit so I can set it aside!

3) When you have a hand basket, place that shit on the conveyor belt! Don't shove it off in some random corner for someone to discover later. We don't like clutter in our store, genius!

4) Be prepared. You went shopping for a reason. That reason happens to be to spend. Don't waste my time and discover you forgot your wallet or purse in the car after the transaction is over and done with. There's five people behind you that was responsible enough to bring their payment with them. You on the other hand are a disgrace.

5) The check lane is clearly marked Express Lane 15 Items or Less. Get the hell out my lane!

6) U-Scan is designated for small orders. Why are you bringing your "shopping for the week" ass over here? Take your ass to check lane 3!

7) Screaming, rude, out of control children are to be left at home. 'Nuff said.

 8) We (me and my bagger) are not responsible for what you forgot to grab. Here. Let me ring you up so the people behind you who remembered what to grab a can leave within a reasonable amount of time. You're wasting our time waiting on you.

9) Get your ass up off the U-Scan scale! That's for food. Not your ass.

10) Yes I know some of your savings show up automatically. However, there are some that show up after I Total out the transaction. Don't get all bent out of shape and start questioning me about the price. It is what it is. Just wait until I Total your order out before we jump to conclusions about what's right and what's wrong.

11) Get off the phone! I'll completely ignore the fact that you're having a conversation with someone that's not even here with you and talk ask you if you found everything ok, ask you if you have your Loyalty Card, and if you have any coupons. You're in my lane. I get your undivided attention.

12) Read the sales paper! It is clearly marked that you have to buy $25 worth of groceries before you get the 4 for $11 sales price.

13) No we're not accepting competitor coupons at the time. Why are you trying to sneak one in your coupon stack? I'm literate. I can read that this does not belong to us.

14) What? You can't get that from the bottom of your cart? Then how the hell did you get it down there?!

15) Who's idea was it to stick four different types of apples in one produce bag? All produce have different produce numbers. Why are you making my job so damn difficult? We have to weigh the produce according to the produce numbers, idiot. Now I have to take time away from what I'm doing to separate your apples. Thanks.

16) Yes I have to scan all of your pop. Just because they are all the same price don't mean a thing. There's this thing called inventory. Google it.

17) No I can't cash your lottery ticket. The Service Deck closes at 8 pm. Can't you read the sign that's directly in front of your face?

18) I asked you if you had a coupon for a reason. Don't try to be cute and ask me should you have one or if I have some for you. Shut the fuck up!

19) Lady! Everyone just got off work and this place is packed. Why are you giving me a stack of 50 coupons? Thanks. Now everyone behind you hates me.

20) No I can't honor this coupon. It's expired.

21) What do you mean this is your item? Oh. I'm sorry I didn't see any divider down. Um..let me quickly explain this to you. That ugly 12 inch black stick is what we call a divider. It is used to divide orders between customers so we know what belongs to who. USE IT! I'm not one of your psychic friends.

22) The check lane light is off. I'm either off my shift or I'm going on break and I'm tired on top of that. Why are you sneaking into my lane? I can see you.

23) I'm not responsible for any coupons stickered to the item. As long as I act like I didn't see it, I'm not accepting it.

24) Don't call me by my name if I don't know yours.

25) Um...is there anything on your screen? If you used a card to pay for your things pay attention to what you're doing instead of zoning out like I'm the problem.

26) Rain Checks. Hand them to me before I start the transaction. That way I wouldn't have to go back to Void out all of the rain check items just to give you the sales price, idiot.

27) Um..I asked you for your Alternate I.D because you don't have your physical Loyalty Card with you. I didn't ask you for your effin' I.D. Pay attention!

28) No I can't get your prescriptions. The Pharmacy is closed and the Law forbids me to get them for you.

29) Uh. Excuse me. I'm talking to someone else at the moment. Grow up and wait your turn. Don't interrupt.

30) So you mean to tell me that you can't see my purse hanging off my shoulder, with my jacket on, my phone in one hand and my keys in the other and you still wanna ask me where shit is? Leave me alone. I'm off the clock!

If you're offended by any statements made above, then that means you're one of those types of customers. Get a clue. Get a fuckin' clue.

Slip & Slide (The box, my enemy)

"I bet you after I jump on this box, I'll slip and fall on the floor." If I had only chosen my words more carefully...

Anthony and I were at the front check lanes restocking the plastic grocery bags on the bag racks and in the cubbies for the next day business day. After my cardboard box was empty I left it at the check lane to break down later and moved on to the next check lane to restock the rest. On the other hand, after Anthony was done with his first box he placed his empty box on the floor with the open end on the floor which then had the closed taped end facing the ceiling. No soon after he had placed the box on the floor he took his left foot and stomped it. The box was slightly crushed on one end making Anthony appear a tad weak. Not being able to keep my comment to myself I blurted out "Is that the best you can do?" Anthony looked at me and replied "It works all the time. I don't know why it didn't--". Tuning him out I had a light bulb moment because I'm competitive and I have to out do everyone. I walked back to the previous check lane to grab the cardboard box I so proudly abandoned and said, "Hey. I bet you after I jump on this box I'll slip and fall on the floor. And while I'm on the floor I'm gonna laugh at myself." Being stupid and trying to be funny. We both chuckled at my statement as I placed the box on the floor not thinking of what would really happen. I took two giant steps back, one huge leap forward, and WHAM! On the floor I went. Both feet successfully planted through the defenseless box. Mission accomplished. While in mid air I remember feeling the box and I slide an inch or two across the shiny title. Right after that I can clearly remember falling directly to the floor. My manager, Josh, was on the phone at the Service Desk counting down a drawer about ten feet away from us and looking right in our direction. He laughs and blurts out "Oh my gosh. I can't believe. I just seen that. Hardy har har." Anthony was laughing his butt off while I was on the floor trying to hide my shame but keeping good spirits doing just as I said I was going to do just a short few seconds ago. I fell on the floor and I was laughing at myself. Looking over in my managers direction I shout out while laughing "I told him I was gonna fall. I told him". After being helped up off the floor by Anthony I couldn't keep my hands off my butt. It was stinging as if I was stung by bees.

During my moment of stupidity a customer walked through my check lane to be checked out. He saw what had happened and asked me if I was doing ok. I told him yes. But secretly I was screaming out in pain. My manager came over to see how I was doing and I told him the same. A few moments later while helping a new guest who was ignorant to what had just taken place, I took a look past them to see how far Anthony has gotten with restocking the plastic grocery bags and I swear to goodness I seen him down on check lane seven trying to hide his laughter at my stupidity.

Boxes behave when there isn't a human trying to smash through them.

Gentalman (original post date January 26, 2008)

Let's go back to a simpler time. Let's go back to a time where I was three years younger and I was in the process of moving from Michigan to Arizona. Let's go back to a time when I met him...



January 26, 2008

Yesterday I finally went on my date with Kimani (pronounced Key-mon-knee). I put the emphases on finally because I had been anticipating Friday since Sunday January 20th. I literally did not feel that the day could came fast enough. I had the time of my life. I wish I could relive Friday a few more times because that day is now gone. All I have left is to look forward to seeing him again next Friday February 1st.

Kimani drove all the way out here to Macomb Township from the West side of Detroit. When he got here I was excited because this was our first time meeting. We have been talking every since last Tuesday January 15th. I am not ashamed to say it. We met through Myspace.

When he arrived I quickly ran down the stairs in excitement to open the front door for him. Kimani approached the porch looking at me. I smiled and said, "Hi" He smiled back and replied "It's nice to finally meet you." I couldn't think of anything else to do so I kept smiling and said "You too." I invited him and shut the door behind him. Nana walked in from the laundry room. She introduced herself as Mary and her husband Sylvester, then followed and had done the same. Once everyone was happily introduced Mary offered Kimani a seat in the family room. I was excited that he was finally here but I was ready to bounce!

Kimani sat for a few minutes to converse with Mary and Sylvester while I ran upstairs to grab my purse. I walked back in the family room and sat for a few seconds. To lighten the mood I said "Can we go now?" and Kimani replied, "Yea. I'm ready when you are." and I said "Let's go." We got up we walked through the kitchen and I remembered that I forgot my keys. I walked ahead of him and ran back upstairs into my bedroom, grabbed my keys out of my winter coat, and closed my door behind me. Over the railing of upstairs I could see Kimani looking up at me from the bottom of the stairwell. I looked back. We stared at each other while I was walking down the stairs. Once I got to the last step he approached me and said "You look nice." I smiled at him and replied "Thank you." Kimani opened the front door for me. We said good bye to everyone and we were out the door.

Once out in the cold dead of winter we headed to his SUV. I could hear his foot steps behind me so I looked back and there he was ready to open my car door for me. I said "Wow! I'm not used to getting this treatment." (I am sorry audience but I forgot what he said back to me.) After my door was opened I sat in my seat. I then proceeded to lean over. I returned the favor by opening his door too. Since he was being a gentleman I figured I could be a lady. We were in and everything was good.             

About a half hour or so later we arrived in Royal Oak. Kimani wanted to "Devirginize" me and took me to his favorite Sushi joint. This place was something out of a movie. I am used to seeing sushi joints on television quiet and quaint, but here the atmosphere was completely opposite. The mood of the lighting was intimate. There were tube lights lining the tops and bottoms of the entire architectural structure. The tube lights made the restaurant glow in romance. The music was modest. Not too loud that we couldn't hear each other. There were sophisticated people wall to wall. And best of all there was a bar in the back! Kimani brought us both drinks. So far, I was impressed.

Shortly after getting our drink on we sat at our table. I had never been to a sushi restaurant before so Kimani ordered for us. While we waited for our food we were gazed into each other’s eyes and chit chatted until the food arrived. I felt completely comfortable dinning with him because we shared one physical feature. We both have gaps. I think his is cuter but he told me mine was. It's a gap thing. You wouldn't understand . Another thing that we both do is speak "Properly". I hate to admit this but speaking proper in the black community is frowned upon. We are either viewed as uppity, too educated, or sell outs. In my case I was none of the above. Speaking proper was always in me. With him I felt that I could be myself and I did. 

Once our food arrived, Kimani placed one of each of the sushi rolls on my plate. There was a California roll, Spicy California roll, and a Salmon roll. He then placed some wasabi sauce on my plate and filled the small china bowl that was on the right of me with soy sauce for dipping. After struggling to use the chop sticks, I was finally confident enough to try to pick the sushi up for dipping. Once I had dipped my California roll I hesitated to eat it but not for long. I said "Fuck it" and went for it. Much to my surprised the California roll was very delicious. I hurried up and popped the other two in my mouth all while trying not to look like a hungry horse. I love to eat and once I start I do not stop until I'm full.

Kimani fed me one of his California rolls and Salomon roll. He also took the liberty of taking a Salmon roll off my plate and that to me as well. I didn't really care for the Salomon roll. I think he caught wind of that and was trying to force feed it to me. I really didn't care. I was enjoying myself.  His actions were somewhat unexpected. I let go of my inhibitions and went for it. I like his gentle but manly ways. As I could tell he liked feeding me. I egged him on by being a flirty tease. I felt no insecurities on my part. I just kept eating until everything was gone and I was full! After the sushi fest the waitress came over and offered us desert. Kimani looked at me and I agreed that we should have some and we did. Kimani ordered Green Tea ice cream. There was a trial of red chipotle powder in the form of a single line on top of the scoop of ice cream. I was scared to eat it because it looked weird but I went for it. I am not the type to turn food down. Much to my surprise the Green Tea ice cream was delicious. The Ice cream has a required taste. It took me three scoops to get used to the peculiar flavor and I finished it all without any problems. Kimani had to stop eating the ice cream half way through since he unknowingly placed chipotle powder on his lip and slightly burned his self. I don't know about him but that was funny to me. 

After dinner we left. Kimani opened my car door and I proceeded to do the same for him. We were supposed to go see National Treasures: Book of Secrets but sadly enough every theatre in town was no longer showing the movie. We headed to his place so he could grab something but we got lazy and we ended up staying in the rest of the evening.   

Fast-forward to 3 AM and I am home. Just like a gentlemen, Kimani walked me to my door. And of course we sealed the night with a last kiss. I woke up the next morning staring at the walls fantasizing of the night before. I was finally at peace but at the sometime I didn't want the night to end. 

...I cannot wait to see him again...

Despite our relationship not being able to last (due to us being long distance) that didn't stop our friendship from carrying on. I love you, Kemi :) 

She's Just Not That Into You

I don't understand why it's so hard for people in relationships to take off their rose colored glasses and see what's right in front of them. If that person isn't calling like they're supposed to or isn't putting in the effort like they used to or is showing little to no interest in the relationship, then guess what? That person isn't that into you. Move on!

I've been talking to a friend of mine for the past two hours about his love life. We'll call this friend James. Well, James has been talking to the girl he's been with since last October, while he was in a relationship with a different girl, I might add. James and that other girl called it quits in early December and he started his new relationship with the the other girl in late December and for the past few weeks they've been going through the typical male bullshit like: she's not calling/texting him or even bothering to retun his calls/text, she's showing little to no interest in him, she's not making time for him but she is for her friends blah blah blah. But yet he wants to give her another chance. OMG! Are you retarded?! He told me that if she doesn't make contact with him by tonight then he's breaking up with her. But if she does he's gonna have a little talk with her so they can work things out. I really don't see the point, James. She's just gonna keep effing you over.

Me being the good friend that I am I told him a little story. I say "I was once in a long distance relationship with someone and all he wanted to do was call and text me like I had nothing else better to do. He got on my nerves so much that I started ignoring him. We broke up after 3 1/2 months. But still. He was annoying. Is that how you are to her?" He replies "But see I am like that in a way. If I text and I don't get an answer within a reasonable time frame, like if it takes her 3-4 hours and she ain't doing nothing, I'll text again. If I don't call or text for 24 hours she sure as hell ain't trying" I say, "Stop! Just stop. Don't contact her. Give her time to come to you. Give her time to miss you. I don't care how grueling it is for you. Just keep yourself busy." I didn't want to take sides. I was just being nosy. And I wanted to see where the issue were.

Issue #1: He's being a bug-a-boo.
Issue #2: She doesn't give a damn.
Issue #3: He can't see that she doesn't want to be with him.
Issue #4: She doesn't trust him.
Issue #5: He needs to stop wasting his time on her and move on.
Issue #6: She need to stop wasting her time on him and move on.

James and I were together for five months three years ago. The way she's treating him is the exact same way he treated me. That's karma, baby!

In the meantime, build a bridge and get over it. She's just not into you.

The Bitchy Waiter

The monotony of Facebook lead me to one comedic, witty, creative, hilarious, cute blond curly haired person all wrapped in one. He was the first thing I thought about when I woke up and the last thing I thought about before I went to sleep. Hell! I even dreamt about his ass. I don't blame myself though. I was drawn to him. He's hilarious. This man made me laugh so hard that I had tears running down my face. I was drawn to his writing. Our inner monologues are practically the same. He says the most out of the box things. His style of writing is by far the best I've had the privilege of reading in awhile. To me, that's a pretty damn good rank to be in as far as I'm concern. He is my favorite person on the internet. I swear we would be best friends forever if we knew each other in real life. I love his blogs! If you don't know who I'm talkin' about you must be living under a rock. The only person I could possibly be talking about is The Bitchy Waiter.

The Bitchy Waiter blog is exactly what it sounds like. He's a waiter that bitches about his job. I mean honestly, how many people out there do you know bitch about their job? That's right. Everybody. But he took his bitching to a whole new level by talking about how much he hates kids. Those blogs were always funny. He talked about practically every customer in his section: The good tippers, the cheap tippers, and the non-tippers. Celebrities he's served. And celebrities he has not served. He wrote about how people don't read the menu. Please Note, people: The menu is your friend. Even his co-workers and managers weren't safe. No one is exempt from getting written about. He's like the Perez Hilton of blogging. If you got on his bad side, you were the story of the day.

His cowardly critics would comment but only by being Anonymous. If Bitchy found an anonymous comment that really erked him, he would publicly address the anonymous critic by responding to them via blog. Bitchy didn't have any mercy. He would talk about that person so bad that their kids kids would know not to eff with him. He knows how to put his critics in their place. He talks about everything from their bad grammar, to their lack of intelligents, to their ignorance about the food service industry, and then wraps it all up with his closing argument.

One birth child of one Anonymous person comment lead to Frazzled But Happy Stay-at-Home Mom. On a previous blog My Child, My Pet someone commented "...Grow up, have a family, and post something worth reading..." Well, Bitchy being Bitchy, he took this persons advice and came up with Frazzled But Happy Stay-at-Home Mom just to prove a point. The point was: the Bitchy Waiter blog is about bitching. I don't understand why people can't comprehend that simple concept. 

The second birth child of another Anonymous comment creatived Dear, Anonymous. That was later transformed into A Comment on Comments. That was where Bitchy would comment on their comment to basically shut them up. I wouldn't dare go up against Bitchy. He's has no discretion when it comes to putting someone in their place.

A third birth child was born. His name was Dear, Bitchy Waiter. This was where his Followers could email him a question or concern regarding their job, personal life, or relationships. Bitchy would then create a blog to respond to the question or concern with the original question or concern included. But of course all of his advice wasn't all real. The Dear, Bitchy Waiter made mostly for comedic relief that included sarcasm and wit. I sometimes question whether the emails are real seeing as how Bitchy can morph into any character he wants to. Dude is talented.

Lipsy Gay is the forth character adopted by the bitchy waiter. Lipsy Gay is a fictional version of a former manager that talks with a gay lisp. Hence the name.

The Bitchy Waiter is a creative man. He's an actor, vocalist, and artist. He has his own jewelry line and merchandise. Recently one of his blogs was published in a magazine called The Printed Blog. He was also interviewed by a radio station in New York and in addition to that, he was interviewed by U.S. News and World Report in 2010. Is there anything this man can't do?

Alright y'all. I'm all Bitched out. Good Day.

Blast from the Past

Note: Names have been changed to protect the guilty and the innocent.

If I'm going tell a story I might as well tell the truth.

So there I was minding my own business checking my Yahoo Mail when all of a sudden I see Kent on the IM contact toolbar. There I sat stunned and said out loud to myself, "Oh my God! I thought I deleted him." While looking at the screen, I tried to figure out what to do.

Kent is my ex boyfriend if you're wondering. We met May 17, 2010 during our training shift for a new restaurant location opening for May 24, 2010. He was going to be working in the Deli while I was going to be working on the floor as a waitress.

Monday
The first day of training I noticed him right away. There he stood 6 foot tall, kissable lips, almond shaped eyes, and his complexion was to die for. I couldn't help but sneak a few glances at him. Kent was fine! And I wanted him bad. The only problem was that I was in a relationship so that made him permanently off limits. I could tell by the freshness of his skin that he was a few years younger than me. By how many years? That had to be found out. Mental note to self: Not interested in young guys. Immure and have nothing to offer. With that mental note stored, I changed my thinking process.

However, that didn't stop me from glancing at him the entire time. I mean, I was sitting in the booth two rows behind his table. I couldn't help but glance in his general direction considering how all the trainers, managers, and owners were standing directly in front of him talking to us. So how else was I supposed to keep my eyes off him? So, hey. I wasn't in complete stalker mode.

We made little interaction that day. We spoke very few words during or lunch break but that was it. Outside of that, nothing. After our shift was over, I headed to my vehicle. During the process of airing out all of the unwanted dry heat out of my SUV (may she rest in peace) I notice someone drive up behind me and stop. I looked out. It was Kent. He smiled, waved, then drove off. Hmm...that had me thinking. But I abruptly stopped whatever it was I was entertaining and drove over to my boyfriend, Juan's, apartment.

Tuesday
During the second day of training I couldn't hide from him. I had much of no choice. We were both in the same training group together. By the end of our shift he asked me for my number. I politely told him "No." and tried to distract him from his request, but my methods failed me miserably. He grabbed my phone from off the table and put his number in it.

Wednesday
By the next day we were practically good friends seeing as how we were texting the night before. During our down time we played a few computer games. It was his bright idea to bring his laptop to work for that purpose. By the end of our shift that day I knew just how into me he was. The feeling was mutual.

Thursday
I broke the news to him that me and Juan broke up. The look on his face was priceless. Just a little FYI: The break up had nothing to do with Kent. Things just ended up happening that way. Anyhoo, throughout our entire shift he was practically stuck to my hip. I couldn't walk two feet without him being right behind me. After our shift he invited me to go to the DMV with him. That turned out to be the beginning of the madness...

While inside the DMV you would have thought that we've known each other for years. Our bond and chemistry was off the charts! The topic: Sex. 'Nough said. After leaving the DMV and returning to the empty restaurant parking lot in the scorching Arizona heat we had little to nothing left to do other than to put our heads together and come up with a plan. We didn't want to go our separate ways so us being as into each other as we were, we pretty much came to the same conclusion. We both decided to go across the street to the mall to spend the remainder of our time together.

To kill some time we walked around, sat on the big comfy couch, walked around some more, wound up in Spencer's looking at what other than sex toys and what-not, and then I had a light bulb moment. "I have a taste for a Mai Tai. We should go to Kona Grill." Being new to the state, he didn't know what Kona Grill was, so I had to school him on it. We both found out that we both shared another common element; we both shared a love for seafood and the wonderfulness that is Sushi.

We spoke over California and Atlantic Rolls, Mai Tai, and a huge Brownie dessert that we both shared. Everything was bliss. During our little spontaneous date I learned that there was a three year age gap between us. But I didn't see any mind in being older than he was seeing as how I had no intentions of being his girlfriend. Our sex conversation made it's way back into the mix and I have to admit, I have not been so sexually attracted to anyone in my life other than Andrae. He's another ex of mine. The only difference with him was that we spent 8 1/2 years together. Alright. Enough about him. Back to Kent.

There was an obvious attraction between us. He knew it and I knew it but neither one of wanted to come out and say it. We learned a lot about each other. We had loads in common. Lunch was over and done with and suddenly there was nothing to do again. We looked at each other "Now what do we do?". The only option we had was to see a movie. While in the lobby waiting for the auditorium to clear we started doing some experimenting that lead to a kiss. Or first kisses I should say. Just thinking about it now brings a smile to my face. He was good! He was so good.

We spent our last three hours watching The Back-Up Plan starring Jennifer Lopez. Don't judge us. Nothing else was out and he had already seen everything else. So watching J. Lo on the silver screen was acceptable. However, there wasn't much watching goin' on if you know what I mean. Ok...maybe you don't. But who cares? We had a good time. After the movie was over we finally accepted that we had to part ways. It was after 9PM and there definitely wasn't anything left to do. We shared a last deep kiss good night and we drove separately into the night.

Friday
No work. No play. All business. Come to think about it. I hadn't heard from Kent all that day and I was very bitter over it.

Saturday
No work again. I had stopped thinking about him and moved on to better thoughts. Thanks to my selective memory I had totally forgotten about what happened two days before and I stopped thinking about him completely until...I randomly received a text from Kent that afternoon. Little did I know how much my life would change just by replying to his message. He came over to visit later that day for a few hours. That few hours turned into four days. In that four day period he managed to have his gym shoes on to my closet floor, clothes hanging on my hangers, toothbrush in my toothbrush cup, hair care and facial care in my bathroom drawers and cabinets, food in my refrigerator and a permanent parking spot on my street. That four days then turned into a month (on and off). I was astonished! Dude had really made himself comfortable.

All of that happiness we shared from that first week we were together went from "I love you!" to "I CAN'T STAND YOU!!!" all in the matter of four months. After the good phase of our relationship passed we found out that we really weren't meant to be. We were both Leo's for one (birthdays being four days apart). Two, he only wanted to be with me when he found it convenient for him. For example: if he's over at my place he'd give me his undivided attention. But the moment he stepped outside these four walls, got inside of his car and dove off, it was like he was a completely different person. He didn't call. He didn't text. He didn't sign on to Y! Messaging. He didn't Skype. He didn't respond to his Facebook inboxes. I was basically nobody to him unless he wanted to come over. After a while I got tired of putting up with his bullshit and I began throwing away his things. He caught on to what I was doing and he ended up removing what ever items of his that remained. And, finally three, he was moving back home to Baltimore, Maryland. The grey cloud above our heads about him having to move back home brought our relationship to a screeching halt and it was one of the major contributors that tore us apart in the beginning of our relationship.

So there I sat in front of the computer screen trying to figure out what to do. Luckily, I was signed on as invisible. No one had any idea I was signed on. Especially him...until I selected Available on the drop box just to see what he would do.

"Heeey." he said.
"Hey, Nova." I replied.

We had a three minute conversation that made me remember exactly why we broke up and stopped talking for months. The last time we spoke was October 2010. One month after we broke up. After that little IM pow-wow I gladly deleted him from my contacts list. He's an ass with a capital A-S-S.

I swear can't stand my exes! Ugh!

Thanks for wasting my time

I went out today in hopes of finding a job. Well, things didn't go as I planned. The first place I went to was Famous Dave's. I filled out the app, after I was done I gave my app to the hostess who then passed it off to the manager. Five minutes later I'm told that the manager is busy and that she'll call me whatever whatever. Alright. On to restaurant number two.


I drove around the corner to Chilli's. I filled out the app, after I was done I waited at the hostess stand where no one was. The bartender noticed me standing there and took the liberty in passing my app off to the manager. So I waited...and waited...and waited until finally the manager decides to grace me with her presents. One word: Ditz. She didn't come back out with my application looking it over telling me that everything looked good or asked me any questions. She just stood there. Looking at me. With no expression on her stupid face. So I opened my mouth and started talking about how I just filled out an app and how I was wondering if there were any positions open. She must've been new because she was way too clueless.

Thanks for wasting my time, ladies.

Job Search

Alright, so I get to experience the pleasure that is looking for a new job tomorrow. Well, I'm actually looking for a second job. I currently work as a grocery store cashier. My one job is not enough because of the rules of seniority and my ranking in the system. Since I was the last to get hired in I have the joys of working whatsoever shift that's left over. I also have to personally thank Select-A-Schedule too. With my lowest ranking on the totem pole, I'm the only one that's not allowed to select my own schedule, until of course someone else is hired to replace my ranking. Ugh! I hate seniority. It's gets on my nerve. Why can't they just divide up the hours evenly so scheduling would be fair for everyone?

Ok, back to the job search. I'm not looking for just any run of the mill retail job where I'm stuck behind a counter doing nothing but staring at people all day and being bored. I'm going for something with more responsibility. Something with pizazz. Something with alcohol. Something with tips. Something like waitressing...again. But I'll get into that story on a later date.

Honestly, people. I love the hospitable side of the biz. What I can't stand are the types that demand entitlement, have a chip on their shoulder, and the ones that don't tip when good service is being provided. But I guess you have to take the good with the bad. No one or nothing is perfect.

I'm going to say about..hmm...a month ago, I had an interview for Red Lobster. I had to go to work right after the interview so it was no time for me to stay and take the personality test. I then told the manager that I'd call him the next day to set up something. He said, "Ok." or whatever I think he said and I left and went off to work. I called the next day as promised. The other manager that was on duty took his call and told me that he was busy and I gave her my number for him to call me back. The douche never did. A few weeks go by and now I finally have the chance to go up there to take the test. I spoke to him today (or yesterday...technically) and he told me that he went in a different direction and hired his quota. I thought to myself "Whatever". And then he tells me to come back in a month because he doesn't feel that some of his new hires are going to last. Alright, Patrick. Fair enough. But he best believe I'll be up there in a few weeks only if something better doesn't come along.

I've been eyeballing Outback Steak House, Chilli's, and Red Robins for awhile. Hopefully one third of them will hire me...and hire me quick at that!

Later, Bloggers :)

25 Random Facts

1. I LOVE candles!

2. I'm a random person. Hence the title.

3. I still enjoy watching cartoons.

4. I absolutely hate bad grammar and misspelled words.

5. My birthmark looks like the American Eagle.

6. When I was preschool age I used to get a plastic grocery bag, puncture holes on the bottom of it, and use the handles as shoulder straps to wear as overalls. LMAO. Yes. I was a very imaginative child.

7. Starting from day one of High School (Sep 1999) until my High School graduation (June 2003) I made a promise to myself that I would put any change I had left over into my change jar. Over that span of four years, I saved over $60.00 worth of change. I had about $20.00 or $30.00 worth of Quarters.

8. I've written in a journal/diary for every year since 1999.

9. I had my baby tooth extracted two years ago...

10. ...Hell! I've had two teeth extracted two years ago and one extracted last year.

11. I still sleep with a teddy bear. His name is Bear-Bear. The story of how this came to be was in 2003. I got a little curious. I said to myself, "I don't understand what the big deal is about little kids and their stuffed animals. Why can't they sleep without them?" And so, one day I took my bear down from where he was and I slept with him that night. Ironically enough, I liked it and I haven't slept without him since.

12. I'm deathly afraid of live fish. If they're behind glass, that's all fine and dandy. But If I have to remove one from the tank or feel one brush up against me in a lake I will freak!

13. I'm 12 years older than my brother. I call him my little big brother because he towers over me.

14. I hate Texas. It's too big. The next time I take a road trip I will make sure I avoid Texas at all cost.

15. My favorite author is Trista Russell and we're friends on Facebook. It's really her. We used to be friends on MySpace when I had the account and she once gave me her email address.

16. I've never flown in an airplane.

17. I would love to donate to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

18. I would love to help build for Habitat for Humanity.

19. Independents Day and Thanksgiving are my two favorite Holiday's.

20. I absolutely love cake!

21. I don't understand how people can spend ten minuets or more in the shower. I take five minutes or less; Get in, get out, and get on with my day.

22. I love watching documentaries.

23. I love watching documentaries on PBS.

24. I can't make a pancake to save my life.

25. My headband collection is way bigger than my shoe collection.

Keep the cycle going. List 25 Random Facts, habits, or goals about yourself. It's not as easy as it looks. I'll tell you that.

Guess who's bizack!

Seeing as how I wrote my last blog nearly three years ago it looks like I have a lot to live up to.

Let's do a little updating, shall we? Well, since my last post, I must say that I do not spend a huge part of my day writing anymore. Why you ask? Well because I was unemployed at the time and since I found a job two months after posting Passion all of my focus has been on making money. And to add, my pink and purple Bic Velocity pen died; can't find them in stores anymore.

That whole making cakes for my friends promise never happened. It turns out that I forgot about the promise until I coincidentally rediscovered my BlogSpot account two days ago.

I ended up not going to Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School. Turned out that the tuition was sky high and I didn't have a co-signer. So I had to scrap that plan and go back to the drawing boards. What I did end up doing was going to school for Dental Assisting in March 2009. I graduated March 2010 with a 3.7 GPA. Not bad. I must pat myself on the back for that. Job well done, self. Finding a job as a Dental Assistant *clearing throat* is another story. We'll have to recap on that later.

My dreams of opening my own bakery/pastry shop has been changed to opening up my own restaurant. I figure that since I love food and food loves me that we all should get into business together. And seeing as how I'm a work rebel and that I don't like to working for others, I think that this will be a match made in heaven.

MySpace. Haa! Who's on there anymore? Anyways, I ended up deleting that profile and moved on with a monogamous relationship with Facebook. I'm too much of an adult to be caught dead on that site.

Welp. That's about all for now. Stay tuned for what's next. This blogging thing will get better. Promise.