Monday, September 24, 2007

The day I have been dreading...

Yes, I am still alive...just putting in extra hours at the wine bar. For this week, I am off the schedule...yeah!

So, today is Monday and the first day of my Basic Sales and Use Tax Auditing course. (I sense I have already lost some of you with this information) A 15-day, 120-hour course designed to teach me everything I ever wanted to know about auditing, but knew better than to ask. What was I thinking???? The second chapter of the Audit Manual is 86 pages devoted to the intimate knowledge of one form. Yes, that's right...86 pages, one form. Last week, I actually found myself nodding off in my cubicle as I tried in vain to finishing reading the chapter and to date, I have yet to complete it. You would think that by now, some clever State employee would have created "Cliff Notes" to aid in the prevention of self induced comas. But alas, no relief in sight.

Let it be known, I am a visual learner. So, 86 pages of instruction on how to complete a form is about as useful to me as carrying water in a strainer... I have retained nothing. However, in utilizing all my study techniques from college, I have carefully highlighted all the bullshit that appears to be vital in the hopes that the information will magically be planted in my head. And, as I look at the neon yellow lines of highlighted text on the page, it is apparent that my technique did not work; the osmosis has failed. On to Plan B...the appearance of knowledge. I'll just look like I retained the information., competent and confident... I just hope that I am not asked any questions or I may end up looking like this...





Wish me luck...I am going to need it!

Friday, September 7, 2007

A good cry...

Originally, I had planned to drop by the wine bar to celebrate the end of the week. But, as I eased my car onto the freeway, I found myself re-thinking my plans for the evening. I just needed some time to stop and "reboot", so to speak. Yes, it was a perfect evening to make some popcorn, spend time with my dogs and enjoy whatever could be found on TV.

However, it wasn't going as well as I had expected. Apparently, you are supposed to have plans on Friday evenings...this would explain why nothing worth watching was on... I was seriously started to contemplate watching "Sideways"...yet again. I decided to take one more look before I gave up....and there it was. The granddaddy of all chick flicks...."The Way We Were".

Now, I must add that I am not a fan of Babs...oh no. But for some reason, this is the one movie where I not only tolerate her, I love her. And though I have no interest in men of fair hair...Robert Redford sold me on this one... I went and got some tissue...I was going to need it. For two and half hours I laughed and cried; well, mostly I cried. It was a two and half hour release of emotion and it was fantastic. I forgot how much I love this completely sappy and sad movie. Thanks Babs and Bob for a great Friday night!