I had my work baby shower the other day, (I know what you’re thinking, “How many showers is this girl gonna have?!?) and it was a little reunion of my current coworkers, a lot of who work at home and my ex-coworkers.

Things have changed so much since we were bought out by Company X two years ago (we were then bought by X-Inc last year). We were a little company of only about 35 people, but of those 35 most of the people had been there more than 4 years. We had all been through so much together, good times and bad. Nights out drinking and sharing moments like weddings and baby births. We never realized how great we had it until we got bought by bigger companies.

It was nice to get together again, to sit and reminisce about the good ‘ol days. We truly were a family back then. When most people wouldn’t want to see their coworkers on weekends during their free time, we’d all hang out and party together or go to hockey games together. Sure, there were problems in the officeplace like there are in any office, but we were a support group for each other. We shared what was new with each other, talking about who was in jail for check forgery, who’s out in Qatar doing who knows what, and who is still hiding a secret marriage (come on guys, we ALL knew about it, and we’re happy for you!)

I really miss those times when I’m sitting in the office, with only Johnny and Don to entertain men. That’s about all that’s left in the office nowadays. Sometimes Tyson will come in and Dan, when he’s not doing secret consulting assignments. I guess that’s why I like working at home a lot - there’s nothing much for me at the office, just a reminder of how it used to be. Of course, it’s always nice to come in to have the company at work, even if it is those two knuckleheads. (Just kidding, guys)

It’s much harder to get that feeling of community and family in a bigger company, especially one where everyone is working from home and rarely has time or wants to get together. There are only a handful of people I feel I’ve gotten close to at Company X, and really no one who I’ve formed a bond with at X-Inc - I never see anyone from there. It’s such a different environment it makes me ache for the way it used to be.

But that’s the way it is now, as much as I’m resistant to change, that’s what I have to do to survive.

Thanks so much for the lunch shower ex-X-Systems people (and current coworkers). And to those of you who missed it - Tony, Amy, Kristin, Vlad, Syed, Sammy, Sam, Mary Jane, Cindy, Jerry, Bryan, Dave, Felicia, etc, I missed you terribly. To the members of my new family (yet old now) from Company X - Mardi, Gary, Margaret, and Carole - thanks also…

Tags: Daily by Yano
3 Comments »

….but Britney Spears is an awful actress.

I’m watching “Will and Grace” right now where she’s guest starring, and I swear, her acting is over the top and her facial gestures are making me uncomfortable for her. I know she’s supposed to be hamming it up, but there’s a difference between hamming up and just being plain awful.

Hmm, stick to singing, girl.

Ahh, better yet, stick to driving your kid around on your lap as you’re taking away your husband’s allowance because he’s spending it on his flopping rap career and strippers….

George Takei, on the other hand, better known as “Mr. Sulu” was awesome. It’s great to see him on screen again. Big props to him for coming out, being on the show, and even better, providing some great comedy in an episode that could have been ruined by Spears.

Tags: Reviews by Yano
1 Comment »

As some of you know, I love Conan O’Brien…turns out he’s coming to Chicago in May! I don’t know how busy I’m going to be with the baby, but I’m definitely going to try and get tickets…just in case!

Here’s the 411 for you Chicago cats:

Location: The Chicago Theatre
175 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60601
Show Dates: Tuesday May 9, 2006 - Friday May 12, 2006
Show times: 4:30pm

To obtain tickets please email your Name, Address, Phone Number and Email Address to:
ConanInChicago@nbcuni.com

———————————————————-

Do not email questions, etc. An allotment of two tickets will be “reserved” per email chosen. Requests for more than 2 tickets WILL NOT BE HONORED. Ticket “reservations” are sent out in excess to seating capacity please be advised that no “reservation” guarantees admission.

Audience line up time: no later than 3:15 pm, day of show you are assigned. Please be advised that lines may form earlier. First come, first served.

Stand by tickets will be given out the day of each show at 12 noon. A line will be formed outside the theatre entrance along the building and one stand-by ticket will be given out per person. You will be asked to re -form a line in an alternate area later in the day in numeric order. No ticket guarantees admission.

Guests must comply with all security procedures. Those bringing excess baggage such as backpacks, shopping bags, and luggage will not be able to enter the theater. It is advised not to bring any unnecessary electronic devices.

Tags: Cool Link by Yano
2 Comments »

So I’ve been packing my pregnancy bag for the last couple days….the bag that I’ll be bringing to the hospital with me when I go into labor. I’ve read books and stuff like that with suggestions on what to bring, but I’d love to hear your opinions. I’ve already got some stuff in there based on what my friends and relatives told me. Here’s what I have so far:

- Socks
- “Going Home” clothes for me
- Sleeping clothes
- Breath mints (if Dave’s face is gonna be in my face during the delivery, we’re going to have the freshest breath ever)
- Nursing pads
- Nursing bra (well, once I buy one)
- Fuzzy slippers
- Video Camera and tapes (we’re not going to tape the birth but I’d love to get a lot of vids afterwards)
- Batteries for video camera and regular camera
- Pony tail holders
- Baby’s going home outfit (I’m going to bring several and let him choose)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo, conditioner and soap
- Q-Tips (I’m a Q-Tip freak)
- Snacks to munch on
- Pillow
- Notebook and pen to write down what I’m gonna tell you guys - Lip balm
- Book
- Home made CD - “Childbirth Jams 2006″ Of course, I haven’t made it yet because I’m trying to decide what music to put on it. I was thinking of songs that bring back good memories, but I don’t know if I want my baby born to “Bootie Call”…

I doubt I’ve got it all, and I’d rather overpack than underpack…

Any suggestions?

Tags: Pregnancy by Yano
18 Comments »

Ahh, remember long ago when I first got my Dell laptop for work? I was so excited that it booted up so fast, that there was so much hard drive space on it, that there was tons of memory…

Well, time changes those feelings…and yes, although this laptop has been good to me and has traveled around the whole country with me, I’m feeling a bit frustrated with him now. Frustrated, and a bit sad.

Why?

Because he’s dying.

Slowly, but he’s dying nonetheless.

Looks like there is an existing problem with the motherboard where it stops recognizing the AC adapter being plugged in, which then does not allow the battery to be charged. It only recognizes the adapter when it feels like it. So I’m constantly wondering how long my power supply will last. Also, it stops recognizing my USB mouse. I have to unplug it and plug it back in again. I’m only at about a 75% productivity level for work. The rest of the time I’m trying to figure out what the right position would be for my AC adapter to work, or waiting for the computer to charge when I DO get it to work…

Oh, my poor laptop. You’ve been good to me (even though you weigh about 20 pounds). I’ll miss you when you’re gone and I have a NEW, SPEEDIER laptop next week. Whoo hoo!

Tags: Daily by Yano
6 Comments »

Wow, I’ve got 30 more days (give or take) before my baby is born…isn’t that pretty f@*$&*$ crazy?!?!

I’m gonna be a mom!

I’m not nervous or scared anymore…its almost like when I was in college and I’ve studied for a test so much that I decide to take a day or two off to just relax and destress.

Who am I kidding? I always crammed for tests!

But really, I’m a pretty peaceful place right now, just more waiting than anything else…

Less than a month!!!

Tags: Pregnancy by Yano
14 Comments »

Today I laundered my first load of baby clothes. I bought the special baby detergent (though didn’t get the super expensive one) and I was ready to go. Since I’m starting up my hospital bag, I need to put some clothes in there for the baby. I want to make sure that I wash all the things for the baby before they’re used.

So I picked out some outfits, burp cloths, socks (they’re so tiny!) and receiving blankets for my first load. I threw it in the washer and decided to go to the grocery store to do some shopping since we’re out of milk and I had a craving for some. It was about 11 at night, but I knew that the market was open til midnight. I wondered if it was a bad idea to leave the washing machine going while I was gone, but decided that it probably wouldn’t catch fire or anything like that so it should be ok for the hour that I would be gone.

I got back, parked the car in the garage and went into the house through the garage. I was using the spare key for the car so I didn’t have an actual key to the house, so the only way I could get in there was through the door in the garage.

I was worried about the ice cream that I had in the trunk, so I wanted to put my groceries away quickly. I opened the door into the house and *BAM*, the door would only open 1/8 of the way, too small for me to fit me and my big fat belly.

WTF!?!?!

I looked at the crack in the door and saw the culprit….

The laundry room is room you enter when you’re entering the house through the garage. Sometimes when I do laundry, the washing machine shakes so much it moves from its place. Normally it’s only a couple inches, but there have been times it’s moved more than a foot.

To my dismay, this was one of those times. It had moved so much that it blocked the door. The way it had moved was so it was lodged between the door and the dryer.

I was stuck in the garage. I could move the washing machine a couple inches, but it was hard to manuever it around since I could really only stick in my arm. I stood there, wrestling with the door and the washing machine, but I was getting nowhere. I was trying to think of my options - I could call up my sister to bring her set of keys. Oh wait, I didn’t have my cell phone. I could drive to my dad’s place and pick up a set of keys from him, but it was almost midnight and I didn’t want to drive any more. I could drive to my in-laws, but I didn’t know if they were home or not. Dave was on call so he wouldn’t be back til the morning.

And the most worrying thing was that my ice cream was melting!

I got a second wind of energy and was able to move the washer out of the way after several back and forth moves. I made sure not to use my stomach muscles because I was paranoid that I’d pop the baby out. Wouldn’t that be something? Having my baby in the garage because I couldn’t get in the house?

Happily, I was able to get in the house and throw my ice cream in the freezer. I left the rest of the stuff in there for Dave to get in the morning…I was too pooped!

Next time, I won’t leave that sneaky washing machine on at home alone!

Tags: Stories by Yano
11 Comments »

My kindergarten was about four blocks away from my home, and every morning my father would drop me off. Since my father and mother both worked, my grandfather who lived with us would pick me up when school was done and walk me home. This was our regular schedule. Daddy drops me off, I wait outside after school and Lolo (grandfather) picked me up to walk me home.

I was a pretty shy kid in kindergarten, intimidated to make friends because most of the kids had gone to pre-school together and knew each other already (I didn’t go). A couple of the eighth graders who would help out with class became friends with me which made it a little easier. One of them was this thuggish guy, who I was scared of at first because he was so tall and seemed mean. But he eventually won me over with his personality, I only remember calling “Clownie” because he was so silly.

One day after school, my grandfather never came. I stood in front of the school with my pink and blue duffel back waiting for him, and started to cry when I didn’t see him. I was scared because there was no one to walk me home. Clownie came up to me and asked me what was wrong, and I told him my Lolo never came to pick me up. “Do you know how to get home?” he asked me. “Yeah, of course I do,” I said, “but I can’t go home by myself!”

So Clownie offered to walk me home. Back then I didn’t know much about not talking to strangers or that kids got kidnapped all the time, so I was like, “OK”. So I pretty much led the way to my house and he entertained me and cheered me up along the way. As I said before, it was only several blocks away. He stayed on the sidewalk as I rang the doorbell, hoping that someone was home. It turned out that my grandfather had fallen asleep and forgot about me. He came out and thanked Clownie.

I turned around and waved goodbye and he went to wherever kind hearted thugs go after they do good deeds. I never got a chance to really thank him, or tell him that even now it’s something that I look back on fondly.

Tags: Memories by Yano
8 Comments »

…unless you’re the #1 and #2 players in the NCAA and you get beat in the sweet 16…

Sorry Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick…I know you guys were the favorites, but hey, you got outplayed yesterday. There was so much passion and intensity with these guys, it’s a shame they didn’t go forward (Duke screwed up Dave’s NCAA pool by losing, though he was cheering for LSU…) But that’s why they call it March Madness, baby! Adam, I’ll miss that 70’s porn ’stache and hairdo you’ve got…I obsess about it every time I see you play!

Honorable mention goes to UCLA’s Arron Afflalo - when most others would be rejoicing their win with their teammates, he went up to the poor guy from the other team who was on the middle of the court, devastated, and tried to help him up.

“That’s just a sign of obviously a great program,” Morrison said. “They had enough guts as a man to come over in their moment of victory, pick somebody off the floor. If I could thank them, I would.”

Man, too bad Bradley didn’t win…that would have made it even crazier!

Tags: Reviews by Yano
3 Comments »

I haven’t changed my layout in 3 months, which is a record for me…I’ve just been busy, unmotivated and uninspired.

I finally gave in and legitimately bought a graphic for my site, from istockphoto. There are a lot of great illustrators out there who need to make cash from me, so I don’t mind spending a couple dollars on an illustration (the one on the left) I can’t find anywhere else. This one was perfect for the way that I’m feeling now, and it really brought out some creative energy that I’ve been suppressing for the last couple months.

Anyway, I hope you like the new layout. I really like the childish, whimsical look of it. I did it on my laptop so the colors may be a bit crazy - I’ll check it on the desktop tomorrow. There are still a couple kinks that I need to fix, too….but for now, it’s off to bed for me!

Tags: Page Update by Yano
7 Comments »