I found this site tonight, and it seems like an interesting way to waste a few minutes of time before going to sleep….
Here is a map of the United States of America. All the states in red are the ones I have visited. Admittedly, my visit to a few of these states — Michigan for example — has only been the airport… but I’ve still been there!

create your own visited states map

I’m actually on time this week!
the friday five
When was the last time you…
1. …went to the doctor?
I don’t remember… but I had the flu and felt like crap. Within the last year or so.
2. …went to the dentist?
August, right before I left MD and lost my health insurance coverage.
3. …filled your gas tank?
Today. Driving all over (Santa Barbara and back twice in one week!) takes a lot of gas.
4. …got enough sleep?
Last night. Slept in really late the other day and it felt good to get lots of sleep. Pretty soon it’s back to getting 7 hours instead of 10 to 12.
5. …backed up your computer?
Ummm. I backed up all the important stuff to CDs about a year and a half ago before I upgraded to XP. Good thing I did because I ended up reformatting the whole thing, even though it wasn’t really necessary.

I start my new job on Monday. =) And of course, I couldn’t let the occasion slip by without a theme song.
Working again will be nice, but I’m worried about the dogs. They’ve gotten used to me being around a lot more. And I’ve gotten used to getting up whenever I please. After considering getting up early the next few days to get acclimated, I decided it would be a very stupid idea. Give up my last few days of being lazy and sleeping in?? What was I thinking!
Workin’ for a Livin’ — Huey Lewis and the News
Somedays won’t end ever and somedays pass on by,
I’ll be working here forever, at least until I die.
Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t
I’m supposed to get a raise week, you know damn well I won’t.
Workin’ for a livin’ (workin’)
Workin’ for a livin’ (workin’)
Workin’ for a livin’, livin’ and workin’
I’m taking what they giving ’cause I’m working for a livin’.
Hey I’m not complaining ’cause I really need the work
Hitting up my buddy’s got me feeling like a jerk
Hundred dollar car note, two hundred rent.
I get a check on Friday, but it’s all ready spent.
Workin’ for a livin’ (workin’)
Workin’ for a livin’ (workin’)
Workin’ for a livin’, livin’ and workin’
I’m taking what they giving ’cause I’m working for a livin’.
Ooh, Workin’ for a livin’
Ooh, taking what they giving
Ooh, Workin’ for a livin’
Ooh, ooh
Bus boy, bartender, ladies of the night
Grease monkey, ex-junky, winner of the fight
Walking on the streets its really all the same
selling souls, rock n’ roll, any other day
Workin’ for a livin’ (workin’)
Workin’ for a livin’ (workin’)
Workin’ for a livin’, livin’ and workin’
I’m taking what they giving ’cause I’m working for a livin’.
Workin’ for a livin’, livin’ and workin’
I’m taking what they giving ’cause I’m working for a livin’.
Workin’ for a livin’, livin’ and workin’

“Well I’ve got ladyfingers baby, I got kidgloves, baby I got heart.”
– from Ladyfingers by Luscious Jackson
There’s something to be said about having heart. The song Ladyfingers was once suggested as my theme song by one of my closest friends. Now, I didn’t really know the song well at that time, but I’ve really come to like it. I think it’s much more uplifting than my own personal choice for a theme song, Hard Luck Woman by Kiss.
So what does having heart entail? It means being passionate, truly caring about yourself and your life, and the people around you. The people who make your life filled with happiness and the people who, even if they are miles and miles away, still care how you are, call when you are sick, and wish you luck before that big job interview or that hot first date.
Now, everyone knows my baby-dogs are the loves of my life, but someday… who knows? I’m sure they would tell you that “I got heart”. I may have lost focus for awhile, there’s been a lot going on the last few years, jumping from one bad relationship into another that, in the end, was just as bad. Finished school without any direction, and just went to work everyday because it was a job and paid the bills.
The meaning of Life, The Universe, and Everything is still 42 (always has been). But now is the time to start living my life the way I want to, not the way that is convenient or easy. A little focus, one step at a time, and we’ll be on our way. I won’t feel sorry for myself or worry about past mistakes. They’re in the past, they’ve already been made. I can’t change the past, but I will change the future. =)
Step one: Job, job, job. Lots of prospects, just gotta get an interview and show them that I know my stuff. Shouldn’t be too hard, right?
Step two: Shop, shop, shop. A job means an apartment. I get to go furniture shopping. Not my favorite past-time, but I’m determined to have a cute apartment.
Step three: Well, I haven’t made it that far. Some goals are hard to reach. We’re going to take baby steps, just like Bill Murray in “What about Bob?”, until we get so close that we’re already there. Won’t happen overnight, but that’s ok. It wouldn’t be a worthwhile goal if it could be accomplished overnight.
That’s all for now. HA. Blame this on reading “A Brief History of Time” and its examination about the beginning of time and the universe and the discussion of whether or not it’s important to know how it all began and what happened before then. Or blame it on Sex in the City and all that talk about the unexamined life.