Sunday, June 22, 2008

Summer Solstice Festival 2008

I’ve always thought that riding naked on a bicycle seems like just about the most uncomfortable idea ever, but of course I never miss a chance to see dozens of naked, painted hippies riding bikes in public all at once. Thus, I once again this year attended Fremont Summer Solstice Festival to gawk and drink beer. What a glorious way to spend a Saturday.

I think this year Fremont was more packed than ever. I only managed to catch a glimpse of the parade through the swarms of people, but a peek was really all I needed of the flabby, hairy, colorfully painted anatomy going up the street. We grabbed some lunch and then headed over to the real highlight of the festival... the Beer Garden!

Larisa, definitely enjoying herself.

The group, feeling just a little bit silly after a morning of mimosas.

Is this just way too cheesy for words?

Mike & Jeanna.
The ladies.
Larisa & Dave.

There's really nothing much more entertaining than people-watching at festivals while drinking beer. I swear, the characters who are willing to come out in public continue to amaze me. And thsi year was made even more entertaining by the fact that several homosexual males took it upon themselves to hit on my boyfriend. Is it bad that I simply looked on from the sidelines, laughing at his discomfort? Poor Stewart tried to explain to them that he is, in fact, straight. But the boys explained to him that he's actually just "confused." And with a few beers in me this was hysterically entertaining.

Poor Stew (although he does look darn cute!)

The view from our amazing rooftop patio.

A rendezvous with Crystal.

Of course later that evening there was no reason to stop the general shenanigans of the day, so we met some more friends at a local Fremont bar, followed by drinks on our glorious rooftop patio, followed by more drinks at a well-known Queen Anne establishment... complete with karaoke, Stewart-style. Hearing my boyfriend sing Oasis's "Wonderwall" drunkenly at the top of his lungs definitely brought the day to a fantastic close.

I can't wait until next year.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Hasta La Vista!

Let's face it. Anyone who knows me at all is aware that I have been extremely unhappy with my professional life for a long time now. Lately, it's been so bad that I don't even want to go to bed at night... because I know that in the morning I have to wake up and go into work. I feel like I am constantly having full blown anxiety attacks. I end up in tears at my desk at least once a week. I’m not eating much and I’ve started smoking again. I've begun to wonder if all the glowing recommendations I received from previous employers throughout my life were false. Am I a completely incompetent employee?

Think about it. Things have to be pretty bad if I’ve been reduced to such a horrible mental state. There is nothing worse than waking up five mornings a week filled with dread over how you have to spend your day. And then spending your weekend filled with terror about what you will walk into Monday morning. Knowing that no matter what you do, it will always be wrong.

I’ve been trying for months and months (let’s face it, for over a year now) to do my job correctly. And somehow to matter what I do, it’s not right. One day I could choose decision A and be reprimanded for selecting incorrectly. So the next day I choose decision B. Nope, also incorrect. It’s a constant lose/lose situation, and try as I might to identify what I am doing wrong or how I might improve, it seems that my boss is perpetually telling me that I should have done things differently.

It’s taken me a long time to realize that the problem is not me. I receive glowing recommendations and praise from both my co-workers and my clients. However, I think there is an un-resolvable personality conflict between me and my boss. The two of use could sit in front of a red wall for hours, and as much as I could insist to her that the wall is red, she would continue to explain to me that I’m wrong: the wall is black Sarah, don’t you see? And finally I would have to admit that the red wall is, in fact, black. I was wrong – the only obvious conclusion in my supervisor's eyes.

So a couple weeks ago I made a decision. I decided that my mental health and quality of life is far more important than a job (especially one that I am not in the least bit passionate about). So I gave my two weeks notice. With no other employment opportunities lined up, yesterday I walked out of a company that has made my life a living hell for the past two years. And I’ve never felt better.

So see you later… I will miss all my fabulous co-workers and clients terribly, but am interested to see what will happen with this poorly-managed company. Karma’s a bitch.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Little Brother Graduates

I absolutely cannot believe it. My baby brother has graduated from high school. For some reason I just haven't allowed him to age in my head. To me, he will always be an adorable little seven-year-old. But it's funny. Every time I go home to my parents house he's a little bit taller... his voice is a little bit deeper... and I get the funny feeling that if he wanted to, he could beat me up. I don't understand how this happened!

In any case, I went down to my hometown of Olympia yesterday to spend the day with my family and attend Capital High School's graduation ceremony, which took place in the gym at Saint Martin's University, the exact same location where I graduated from high school seven... or is it eight?! years ago. My my, how the time does fly. I think this effectively renders me "old."

It was so fun to see my brother all dressed up in his graduation garb, joking around with his friends. It seems he is quite the nerdy cool kid!

Oh my, what a cutie!

The quintessential family graduation photo, complete with three generations.

Sisters with Little Brother...

And of course, Mom and Dad. Oh they are so proud, how cute!

The whole family. Love it.

One thing I learned at AJ's graduation... these things never change. The speeches might be slightly altered, the haircuts a little different, and the teachers a little older, but these things are MIND NUMBINGLY BORING. Even Little Brother agreed. But hey, it's a necessary rite of passage I suppose, and not an event I was willing to miss, even though it required me to take the day off work. Totally worth it to see AJ walk across the stage in his cap and gown. Oh I was so proud! *Tear*

And off he goes... In September he will join the Freshman ranks at Central Washington University, and who knows what the future holds for him.

Good luck, Captain Jack McCool!

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Happy Birthday, Stinger!

Steve, as you experience life one year older, I hope it is not fear that grips you, but only a heightened sense of things. We need to go shoe shopping immediately.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!