Apr 29, 2013

When Did I Start Working Mondays?

So I'm here at work on my lunch break. You might be asking "Adela, why are you working on a Monday?" Clever ready I see. You know I don't work Mondays. Well here I am because my Property Manager was so swamped without me that she needed me today.

So here are some of the pictures taken from C2E2 this weekend. Awesome time!
 
Me and a very well dressed Brony.

Urbanized Harley Quinn.

Going in for a wet one with Fearnets Crypt Keeper.

Standing with my fav Cosplayer ever!

Swanky hotel bedroom.

View at night from 33rd floor.

Came with a living room!
Bought some really cool stuff I've yet to take pictures of, but I will get around to tomorrow. Thanks for being on hold the whole weekend. We now return to our regularly scheduled program.


Apr 24, 2013

When Did I Ever Have Such A Great Nights Sleep?

I appreciate good sleep just as much as I loath bad sleep, and last night was GREAT!

My personal sleeping pill.
AND IT'S ALL THANKS TO JAMES BEING BACK IN CHICAGO! Yes, James arrived last night pretty late, but I felt so amazingly peaceful once we were together again that I had the best nights sleep ever.

So his schedule for today is/was:

  • James goes to the recruiter office to talk to the Officer.
  • James has his appointment for tomorrow at MEPS confirmed.
  • Tonight James will stay at a hotel.
  • Tomorrow morning, James will go and get his MEPS stuff finished.
  • Hopefully from that, we get offered the contract right away Thursday.
I'm in my optimistic zone right now, and I know James is all good to get passed.

Look how good I look after sleep!
So tonight I have to go and buy NEW pants for my costume because the ones I got are too big on me and look funny with the corset over them. I'm already going out with my mom to her physical therapy after work, so it's on the way. Busy days leading up to C2E2, but I'm expecting good news all around! Wish my husband luck!

Apr 22, 2013

When Did I Go To Doctor Appointments?

I went into work today to put in the hours I'll be taking off for C2E2 festivities. Needless to say it was hard convincing my body it was worth it to come in on a day off, but I made it.

This is how I feel when I get out of work.
After work I had an appointment scheduled with my family practice doctor. My back has been killing me, and I was dying for a referral for a physical therapist. During that part where they take your blood pressure, I was told the pressure was good, but I needed to lose weight. Well gee, thanks, I think I know what I'm carrying around here. Anyways, she prescribed me a pill to cut my appetite down dramatically in hopes over 3 months I'll have a shrunken stomach capable of now making me obese with its incessant hunger. I'll let you know how it goes.

So I have just a little preview of my C2E2 outfit for Saturday...and here goes nothing!

Dear god my calves are meaty...
What do you think? "Harley Quinn in High School" worthy? Am I fooling myself here?

Apr 21, 2013

When Did I Get To 50?


Yes, that is a picture of my car from Friday with snow on it. Snow. In mid April to boot.

This week has been hard. James has been in Florida, and I don't feel any closer to the proverbial finish line than when we started a year ago. I hate that, my parents hate that, and I'm sure James feels the worst of us all. I just don't have more optimistic things to say about the whole thing, so I'm just waiting for this to get sorted out so we can move on.


Seems like the only thing right now that makes me forget how crazy fucked up my situation is right now is my friend Michelle. I didn't expect to make a friend like her at my current company, but I'm really glad I did. I was feeling down Saturday and behold she asked if I wanted to go out with her. Nothing fancy, just ran some errands with her after a nice lunch, then went out for ice cream. It was the most fun I'd had all week, and I'm less insane for it. I don't know if she gets how happy she makes me, and how sad I'll be if I leave Chicago.


So for now I'm just trying hard to keep it together. I work tomorrow even though it's my usual day off to make up for C2E2 next weekend. I don't feel like I've had any rest in the past week, so I'm going to keep trucking on through and smiling until something else happens. Thanks for sticking with me here on my 50th post on my blog. I hope I haven't bored you.

Apr 19, 2013

When Did I Start Dressing My Dog?

Yumiko and the Mommy-To-Be
Well, both the baby shower and company "Bring Your Dog To Work" day were a success. Yumiko not only captured the hearts of the entire company, but also managed to not totally embarrass me. No one would have guessed she is a severely NON-housebroken dog.

So yesterday I wrestled with my mom about how Yumiko would go to the main office. I really wanted her to just go in a nice collar, but mom wanted the whole 9 500 yards. So I gave in and bought her a blindingly pink outfit, a pink leopard print dog carrying purse, and a new pink collar. You can see just how much it got to her head...
The baby shower had awesome food (like chicken quesodillas), pasta, fruit, and salad. The Mommy-To-Be got a ton of amazing presents. We all enjoyed cupcakes and a little pink moscato wine for dessert. The dogs were a lot of fun to have around during.

I don't know if I'll keep dressing Yumiko like a pretty little princess, but I might try to get her into some more outfits now that the weather will be getting nice. DID I MENTION IT SNOWED TODAY! WHAT THE HECK CHICAGO?

Apr 18, 2013

When Did I Start Liking Jewelery?

So when I got married, the biggest hurdle for me wasn't the whole commitment thing, the wearing of a dress, or even the shared bank account. What was really a stretch for me was wearing a ring everyday. Sounds silly right? But for me, wearing jewelery is more of a special occasion thing. I don't wearing earrings unless my mom annoys me into it, I rarely wear bracelets, and necklaces are the same. A ring is something I wear even less. Until I got engaged. The first month of having a ring on was so strange. Having to remember to put it on everyday felt weird.

So fast forward to now and I'm into the habit of wearing my wedding ring very well. I have occasional slip ups but those don't happen too much. I found a website that lets you custom make rings (among other jewelery) in every aspect. Stone, metal, arrangement, and design. I've been playing on it for a couple days now and have a couple combos I really like.

Ring 1: 14 Karat White Gold, Sailor Knot Design, Onyx Gem,  with engraving.  Less than $600.

Ring 2: 14 Karat White Gold, Quintessence Design,  Ruby and Onyx Gems.  Less than $700.

Ring 3: 14 Karat White, Alhambra Design, Ruby Gems. Less than $1,000.
What do you think? Each one means something different to me, but you can clearly tell what my favorite colors are. 

In other news, tomorrow is a coworkers baby shower at work PLUS it's company bring your dog to work day. It's a crazy enough mix it might work. I'll try to take pictures. Wish me luck!

Apr 17, 2013

When Did I Ever Feel So Angry?

Thanks for dealing with my radio silence again yesterday. There are a few things going on this month I"m juggling, but yesterday the most stressful stuff happened. I'll explain.
  1. James and I were tired of waiting for MEPS to call back (3 weeks) and we booked him a flight to Florida to continue his Navy process there.
  2. He told his recruiter office this was happening.
  3. James left yesterday in the morning to Florida. (Cue crying)
  4. Around lunch time a Navy Officer called me looking for James. He had been on vacation a few weeks, and was only able to get back to us today, of all days.
  5. Navy Officer says James can go back to MEPS. (proceed to scream)
  6. Call my husband after his flight lands (and $200 later) that he never had to leave.
  7. James's recruiter, Ross, claims to have been unwittingly unaware of everything.
  8. We'll need to spend another $200 on a ticket for him to fly back to Chicago.
So there you have it. Frustration, Crying, Anger, Rage, Frustration, and so on. As you can imagine, James and I and beyond words on this subject. So many people dropped the ball here it's not even funny.

On a lighter note, I intend to watch Defiance (SyFy) which premiered this week but I didn't catch it. We'll see if I like it and I can add it to my weekly line-up of things to watch.

I could use some pick me up words of wisdom...

Apr 14, 2013

When Did I Find Time To Write This?

There is a lot going on this month for me, and it's all demanding my attention. Don't worry, I didn't forget my Hannibal (NBC) Episode 2 poem.

"Holy Shiitake!"
Written by: Adela M.

Will Graham you shot down
That killer Hobbs plenty
Did it in his kitchen as your
flashbacks remind me.

For his daughter Abigail
you feel responsibility
Confiding in Dr. Lecter
How bad could that be?

That red head blogger Freddie
She's one sneaky bitch
If she doesn't tread more carefully
She'll end up in Lecter's knish

Somewhere in this episode
there were some gross bodies
covered in yucky fungus
by a pharmacist crazy

Will Graham takes the shot
saving young Abby
he really should be asking 
"Who is saving me?"

This episode was fantastic. The spotlight isn't on Hannibal, but rather on Will and how Hannibal is eerily able to connect with him and enable him. The "murderer" this week was brilliant in a creepy psycho way that doesn't help me trust my local Walgreen's anymore...

So this weekend I'll be working on the clothing aspect of my cosplay more heavily now that the hammer is finished. Wish me luck everyone!

Oh, by the way, Shiitake reminds me...

Apr 13, 2013

When Did I Start Depending On Technology?

So, at my job, Fridays are a pretty big deal. Not because it's the last day of the work week,  because that is Saturday, but because we tend to get a lot of traffic via people walking in, emailing, and calling us. You know what is the worst on a Friday? No. Internet.


Yes, I did. Our Internet not only keeps the 2 computers in the office useful, but also keeps our intercom system working, and our office phone. So in a business that is nothing without Internet or phone, you can imagine how we felt yesterday.

But now it is Saturday, and I hoped to walked in 100% back up and running. However, the phone is still not working. At this point I'm thrilled Internet is at least back, but it's not good for us loosing calls on such an important day for renting like a Saturday.

Oh, side note, I saw Hannibal Episode 2 yesterday, and you can expect my poem review tomorrow. I'll talk to you guys then!

Apr 11, 2013

When Did I Start To Hate Marriage?

No, this is not a sign my marriage with my husband James is falling apart. This has to do with another marriage; my parents. And this isn't a new issue; we're talking 20 years.

So I'm sure you've read by now that I have a pretty nice pair of parents. My mom is my boss where I work, and my dad works at central offices for the public school system in the city. Both are in their early 50's and have been married for a little longer than I've been alive (20 years). Both of them have a daughter from a previous marriage, and I'm their only kid together.

Since I can remember, and we're talking me around 6 or 7 years old, my parents have argued, fought, separated, and even divorced only to get right back together. When things are good between them, it's heaven, and likewise, when they are bad, it's hell. They have these "fights" that can last a day or can go for a month or more. The word "divorce" is thrown around like a feather instead of like lead as it should be.

Growing up like this, needless to say, is and was not fun. Always in a state of uncertainty and being a ball of nerves waiting for the next argument to start. Now that I'm older, I can clearly see the effect it had on me through my anxiety attacks.
Now I'm an adult, though still living with my parents until the end of this year, and nothing has changed. A week ago, my parents were golden. They went out to the movies, dinner, and hung out in the living room all night. This week, it's like someone dropped a nuke. Everyone is catty, snarky, and irrational. These all start with PERCEIVED issues or slights. They don't even take the time to think about what they're doing.

So now I'm married and I'm trying to be none of the bad things my parents are. Don't get me wrong, they love each other very much I'm sure, but they are way too volatile for one another. I just want a peaceful marriage.

Apr 10, 2013

When Did I Get A Reason To Use My Hammer?

So I've finally finished ONE hammer last night, and I am not disappointed. Check it out!


Made from:
  • Handle: 1/2 inch PVC pipe (cap on bottom)
  • Hammer Head: 5 inch irrigation pipe (caps on both ends)
  • Held together with epoxy
  • Decorated with handy dandy duct tape
It will go fabulously with my Harley Quinn outfit for C2E2, don't you think?

Before I go, I have some gross/disturbing news to share with you....prepare yourself.


I read Geekologie every weekday usually, but since April started I haven't checked it out. I started from most recent and worked my way back to where I stopped reading last, and discovered that little gem of a post. Let nightmares ensue.

Then again, I finally have a bug suitable to crush with my mighty hammer!

Apr 9, 2013

When Did I Start Making Props?

Good morning all, and Happy Tuesday! It is a bit glum here in Chicago; rainy and gray, and just how I like it. Sorry for the silence Monday, but I was enjoying my day off from work.

So let me update you on my C2E2 costume: the props! I had only 1 real prop in mind for the Harley Quinn outfit I'm going to do, and that is 2 hammers.

Aren't they marvelous? Not finished of course, but they are really taking shape. I'll have a (fingers crossed) finished product to show you Thursday morning, but what do you think of them so far? I've never done anything like this before.

On another note, I've decided to keep at my Hannibal (NBC) review poems. Although I don't watch the shows the day they air (Thursdays) I figure I'll do it every Sunday so it gives everyone time to see it. Sound fair?

So I'm one episode away from finishing Sherlock's second season on BBC, and what a wild ride it has been. If you haven't started watching, go to Netflix right now and catch up on season 1 and 2. You'll be dying for the Sherlock experience to last much longer than 3 episodes a season. Did I mention I have "Cumberbatch Fever"?

Apr 7, 2013

When Did I Start Forgetting Promises?

It's true, I forgot I had promised you all a poem on Saturday, so I'll just has to mix it in with the original plan I had for the blog today, which was a Hannibal premiere (NBC) review.

"Will & Grace Hannibal"
Written by: Adela M.


Will Graham I am impressed
With your strange abilities
Empathizing with viscous killers
You still give me weak knees.

You are so much more
Then you are letting on
But Dr. Lecter knows this
He won’t just play along.

He pushes all your buttons
Whose side is he on
Will solves the case all the same
But in the end who is to blame?

Episode one is finished
And my conclusion is
That Dr. Lecter William Graham
Are destined to be best of friends!

So there you have it folks, I love the character of Will, so disturbed by his own "creativity", and enter Dr. Lecter who is the ice cream on the pie, completing our psycho duo. Can't wait for next week, maybe they will hold hands, they've already had breakfast together.

Quick update if you haven't noticed. I have tabs at the top of the blog now!
  1. Blog Entries: Just my humble blog posts.
  2. C2E2 2013 Pictures: This is where I'll post all the con pictures end of April.
  3. My Pandora Music Feed: Wanna see what I'm listening to? There.

Apr 6, 2013

When Did I Start Falling For Opera Singers and Psycho Detectives?

Last night was just amazing. The hall was packed, everything looks very well put together, and there was never a dull moment. Completely blown away by the talented finalists that sang at the Opera Idol event. My absolute favorite was this performer named Sean (I'll find out his last name later) who just had the whole package: stage presence, a beautiful and powerful voice, and a very anti-diva attitude. He was also pretty cute...The event ended 10:00 pm-ish, and I noticed I had stood up the entire time since 6:00 pm.

After this prissy chick won Opera Idol, I was invited out by the lovely Michelle (Marketing Director), Ruth (Leasing agent at the property we were at), and Mary (Ruth's friend). Needless to say we caused a ruckus at the IHOP we descended on. Nice conversation, no end to the laughs, and we looked like we'd been friends forever. Left there 12:30 am-ish.

So if you get a chance to go see some opera live, you really should. I never expected to enjoy it, but it was very powerful and moving in person.

SIDE TRACK! I started watching Sherlock (BBC) a couple of days ago, and I am an addict for the chemistry between actors Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Martin Freeman (Watson). Both actors have had some very main stream success; Martin being the main in The Hobbit, and Cumberbach being the villain in the upcoming Star Trek film.

There are 2 seasons up on Netflix, each 3 episodes at about hour and a half length each.

The real reason I watch it...

Apr 5, 2013

When Did I Start Jamming?

I've been on a little music bender these past few days. There has even been occasional dancing and singing. Could this be...SPRING FEVER? CUE MUSICAL NUMBER!
So I've been using Pandora One for the past month, which is a paid version so you don't get any commercials. I think it was $4 or so for a month, and I find it worth it. I need music when I'm getting ready for work, and for going through paper work during the day.

There a few songs right now I'm really into, obviously "I Love It" by Icona Pop is one of them. That dancy girl pop is better than Red Bull to jump start my day!

Are there any songs you're jamming out to this week? I love finding new music.

I'm making this post to post automatically since at work I will be busy with an inspection, and afterwards I will helping out at the finale of the Opera Idol event sponsored by one of my sister properties. Gonna be load of fun, but I know getting home later than usual will make blog updating prospects impossible.
Got the hubby to take a quick shot of me this morning.

Tune in Saturday, as I'll be writing you all a poem!

Apr 4, 2013

When Did I Start Enjoying The Weather?

Internet, you'll be happy to hear that I think winter is finally out of Chicago. Reading the forecast, we're looking at high 50's and low 60's for at least the foreseeable future. YES! Time to break out the Spring/Summer wardrobe and forget about thick coats, boots, and long sleeves.

To celebrate getting over dreaded Wednesday in one piece, I decided to go out with the hubby. After a much need nosh on spinach artichoke dip, baked potato soup, and a 10 oz. steak for dinner, we headed to the movies. We saw The Host. Which by the way was awesome! I remember reading the book my freshman year of High School and enjoying it, so having a movie version that was ACTUALLY worth seeing was nice.

As if you needed more fantastic news, but I've finally broken the demon sickness known as The Flu! I woke up today feeling so great, was totally ready to go to work, and I've got lots of energy. So look out Thursday, Adela's here to ROCK YOU!

Apr 3, 2013

When Did I Start Worrying About Bees?

Don't get me wrong. I HATE bees. I hate honey bees. I hate killer bees. I hate funny bees. I even hate a-Bee-cs. So why am I so worried about them?

Well, what I read not too long ago off CNN disturbs me. "More than half of all the honeybees in the U.S. died almost at once this spring." That's not ok, and Kim Flottum knows exactly why they are dying. "The food system in this country for honey bees is broken, and it needs fixing."

Let me break it down. Even though I think honey bees are icky, scary, and I want them all to keep a 10 foot radius away from me, they are essential to nature. We need them.

Bee keepers are used to seeing 30% of their "livestock" die each spring, so is the cruelty of nature. This spring an unprecedented number of bees died, more than 50%.

This loss is being attributed to something kind of like deforestation....for bees. Their lush Plains, Midwest, and Mountain States have been converted into acre upon acre of ethanol-producing corn fields. Guess what? BEES DON'T WANT THEIR POLLEN!

They are literally being stressed out to death! We are taking away the diversified land they need to gather pollen by planting giant areas of crops like corn, spraying the heck out of them with chemicals, or building that strip mall we so "desperately need".

I bet you're asking yourself "Shouldn't I be more worried about melting ice caps than some stupid bees?" To that I say "YOU SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT BOTH!"

We need bees. We need ice caps. Can the human race just try a LITTLE harder?

Apr 2, 2013

When Did I Catch The Plague?

Even I'm not immune to the scourge that is "The Flu". Today's the 3rd day of infection.

I'm at work, but I am feeling a lot better than yesterday. I really would never wish this on anyone. Sore body, congestion, sore throat, and a killer headache. Thank you modern meds. I'm on a regiment of Robitussin, Beyer Migraine, Inhaler, and Ricola. Yummy.

Being sick has its advantages, though, especially catching up with stuff on TV.
  • I've caught up to Season 2 of Downton Abbey. What a crazy good show.
  • Watched the Season Finale of The Walking Dead. Yay Daryl is alive!
  • Watched the Season Premiere of Game of Thrones. Targaryens!