Down The Rabbit Hole

Update?

2010-02-11T22:33:00.001-08:00

So it's been forever since I've blogged. In fact, a friend just mentioned my blog, which motivated me to look at it, which motivated a blog post, so Red? This is all your fault.

2009 really did suck. It was just one bad thing after another, with a few little bright spots just to screw with my mind. I was so glad when I ushered in a new year. I'm 21 now, I've managed to figure myself out somewhat, and some awesome changes have been happening.

Like I changed schools! I left CBU mid-semester, which may or may not have been a terribly wise choice, but worked for me. I'm now at the Art Institute of California in San Bernardino, about to start working on a culinary degree! I'm hunting for a job, but that also seems to be going well, and life is just on an upswing, praise God!

I'm living off-campus. Have since this last summer. My roommates are pretty awesome, and I've got a room to myself again. I don't know. It just seems like things are set for a decent path. It's going to be a struggle, that's obvious. But it'll be a good one.

On Being a Whole Woman

2009-05-10T18:52:00.001-07:00

Warning: Girl talk ahead.

Did that get your attention? Are any of you still with me? Well, it's ok if you aren't. What I want to talk about today is an odd little something that God's blessed me with in the last month. You see, when I was 16, I was told by a doctor that I'd probably find out that I was sterile when I tried to have kids. I wasn't ovulating at all, and it looked like I was just completely unable to do so.

It didn't bother me right away. A year or so passed by and I started growing up, thinking about what kind of life I wanted to lead and the things I wanted to do. I've always wanted to be a mother. I began to have these intensely vivid dreams about being married to a faceless man, in love, and heavily pregnant with his child. Those mornings, I wake up crying.

It ached to hold a child. While I was overseas last summer, we visited an orphanage. I lasted for a good period of time, but at one point, I just had to set the baby I was holding down and step into the hall. I cried for longer than I care to admit. I don't work with kids at church because it hurts in my heart to see their faces.

Recently, though, I had gotten to the point of trusting in God and realizing that no matter what, He'll provide for me. If that means He'd work Hannah's miracle in me, that would be amazing. If it meant He'd provide a way for adoption, I'd be blessed that way as well.

God works in funny ways. Just a few months after I came to peace with the concept of being sterile, I was diagnosed with a disorder called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I figured, great. This means that they have a name for why I can't have kids. Then one of the doctors I saw said the most beautiful thing. He said that women with PCOS respond really well to hormone and fertilization treatments. More than likely, when I'm ready for children, I'll be able to have as many fat babies as I want.

God is good. It's not a Hannah, but He still worked a miracle for me. I went home that afternoon and couldn't help but cry for joy. I no longer feel like I'm less of a woman. I feel like there's a plan for me that involves the children I so desire. And I can be content to wait until God shows me that faceless man in my dreams and gives him the face I know that I'll love.

Odd Dreams

2009-04-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

I've been noticing a recurring theme in a lot of the most vivid dreams that I've been having over the last several months. In these dreams, I'm either pregnant or I have a baby either through my own pregnancy or some strange twist of fate. Once, it was because some guy held up the restaurant I was at and when I talked him out of killing us all, he gave me his infant son to raise before letting us go and killing himself.

I know, disturbing dream.

The reason I blog about this is because last night, I was visited by yet another baby dream. I was in some sort of fantasy world in which I was attending school for... something. I simply remember that I wore a uniform and that I was only really happy when I was singing. Along comes this guy. He's sweet and slightly awkward, and through some odd happenstance, I had apparently gotten formally engaged to this guy and somehow pregnant because of him. I was upset and angry with him, because I felt like I had no choice in all of this. Still, through the dream, I kept my "situation" from him and started falling for him. When it came out that I was with child, he suddenly pulled this really cool move where he turned into a freaking panther and stole me away to his family's home. Turns out he's a prince or some such, and had magic.

I spent the rest of my dream simply spending time with him and getting bigger and bigger. I woke up well before I was due, but you know what? I really wanted to get back to that dream. Stupid biological clock. Stupid hormones. I guess I'm at the age of wanting a baby and it's permeating into my subconscious.

...I hope that there's not a guy out there who's thinking of dating me that reads my blog, because I just scared him away. Ah, well. I know that it's unreasonable to have a baby now. I mean, I'm in the middle of school and don't have a husband nor a "real job". Still. I really wish that I could have my own family soon. It's been strange, hanging around mostly couples. It really makes me feel... alone.

Lombok Website Review

2009-04-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

So, I received an email the other day, asking me to take a look at a website. It's not the first time that's happened, but it's the first time that I've actually wanted to use the items that were available for sale. At the Lombok website (http://www.lombokco.uk) they sell a plethora of home furnishings that are inspired by Eastern cultures. Some examples of these are the log basket, the lamp shades, and the laundry baskets.

I found myself getting creative as I looked at these. For example, the log baskets aren't something that a college student like me would need. After all, I don't have a fireplace nor do I have logs which need a basket. However, it's subtle color and practical design made me think of ways to use it, like as the centerpiece for a table or as a catch-all basket under my desk.

Now, a word to all of my friends in the United States who read this. It is a company in the United Kingdom and it does deal in Euros. So when you look at the prices, you have to remember that there's going to be about a 75% increase in the price when you convert it to US dollars. However, the selection is huge and if you order with this company, it's very likely that you will be the only one in your area with this type of product.

I do have a few favorites within the site. I've absolutely fallen in love with the candles that they have to offer. They're very solid and the designs are so unique! I always hate dealing with candles that make me feel like I'd break them if I held them the wrong way.

I also love love love the decorative section. Now, I'm all for decorative without a use, but 90% of what they offer can be used for things other than "Look at me, I'm pretty!" My favorite item in this section, by far, is the etched boxes.

Finally, the thing that really makes this website stand out by far is the ability to zoom in on a picture just by placing your cursor over the picture. This allows you to gain a better grasp of the details of the piece and know just what you're requesting.

The only real drawback that I see in this site is that it doesn't list how much international shipping is nor does it give you a place to convert Euros into dollars to know how much you'd have to pay. One has to call their office to find out how much international shipping is.

Overall, this bunny gives it four out of five carrots. Good going, Lombok! You've got an amazing site with wonderful products.

A pink bubble wish that came true

2009-02-13T18:09:00.000-08:00

Just an hour and a half after I made my wish, I got a knock at the door. Oh, I totally had the moment of looking at it, wide eyed and thinking, "Holy crap, did it come true?" In a way, it was better. Two friends of mine, Autumn and David, were stopping off to say hey and that Autumn was heading home for the weekend. Then David hands me a rose and a bag from himself and his wife, Erica, and says happy Valentine's day.

Sometimes, friends who love you like family are better than any boy. Now I have two roses (One from my RA) and some chocolates. My daddy used to always get me something for Valentine's day, and this more than makes up for that.

Pink bubble wishes

2009-02-13T16:37:00.000-08:00

So I just recently came to terms with the idea of a shorter blog post. I think this is going to be one of those.

I realized just a second ago that if I could be given a perfect moment, I know exactly what I would want. I'd want to hear a knock at the door and open it to find my crush standing there, maybe with a flower or something, and invite me to dinner or to spend time with him tomorrow. I think right now, right at this state, that would be my perfect moment.

Guest Star- The Duck

2009-02-11T02:06:00.000-08:00

I was featured recently in a friend's blog, and it looks to be that this Duck, as I am so affectionately dubbed, will be cropping up there from time to time with the Duck News. I seem to find myself with a plethora of animal-centric nicknames. Bunny, Duck... One more and I'm a trifecta of mammals.

Anyways, go take a look at my dear buddy Daft over at Not The Way It Happened... and say that the Duck sent you.

As a side note, I just realized that the content of my blog probably makes some of you wonder if I suffer from multiple personality disorder. Don't worry, folks, it isn't true.

I enjoy every moment of it.

1:30 A.M.

2009-02-02T01:45:00.000-08:00

It's 1:30 in the morning. I haven't been able to sleep, despite being so tired. Everything's gone terribly wrong in my head. I find myself saying all too often "2009 is not my year," despite only being 1/12 through it.

The year started off rather well. I closed 2008 with a youth conference and opened 2009 with another conference. Things just seemed to spiral downward. My job situation has shifted enough that it's difficult to stay afloat monetarily. My truck ended up needing work done on it, which cost me $200 that I didn't have. The one class I was looking forward to this school year was canceled. I ended things with my boyfriend because he just wasn't the right one for me. Money's even tighter because my loan check is being delayed. There's stress in my apartment between my roommates and myself and it's mostly because they don't talk to me about much.

My parents are getting divorced.

That's the hardest thing of all. All I've ever known is mom *and* dad. They've been married 25 years. I helped my dad arrange the flowers he got her for their anniversary this last November. It breaks my heart and destroys a lot of what I thought about marriage. It makes me nervous to continue dating. It makes me scared to consider moving forward.

I've got my head all in a fog. I can't concentrate and I fear that I might fall behind in classes a little. I don't know how to focus enough around this whole thing. I'm scared and lonely and it doesn't matter that I'm around people. I don't know how to get through this.

GCN Conference 2009- Day One

2009-01-21T11:47:00.000-08:00

Something that I've mentioned in early blog posts is that I have the privilege of working with a group called the Gay Christian Network (GCN) as a member and a volunteer. GCN has been a ministry that I really can get behind and I've been blessed even as I work for them. The purpose of this forum-based community is to connect people with those who identify as gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered and Christian with others like them, supporters, and friends and family members that are supportive and/or are searching for answers about what God is doing in this community.

Each year, this world-wide network hosts a conference in a major city in the United States. Last year was Washington, D.C. This year was Anaheim and it was my first conference. I've always been involved heavily with whatever church or ministry that I'm a part of, so I immediately volunteered to help out when I realized that I could go to this conference.

Sometime this last spring, a friend of mine contacted me to say "I'm helping coordinate the conference and I wanted to know if you're able to do this." She offered me the position of Publicity Director- I would make the printed materials needed for the conference. Well, I know my way around Publisher and I know what tends to be the best layout for this type of thing. I've attended a lot of conferences. So I said yes and we got rolling.

Getting the program printed was a bit of a nightmare. Unfortunately, schedules tend to wait until the last minute before they're finalized. In addition to this, the night I was hoping to have it finished, my dear Yoshihiro (my laptop) decided that he was going to throw a temper tantrum and not open things properly. I ended up being that crazy looking lady in the airport who has her lunch sitting next to her with her laptop in her lap and a cell phone in her ear, calling around and confirming everything. Still, the programs got printed, they looked awesome, and they got to the hotel early enough to be prepped for registration.

So how did I experience conference? Mostly, it was from the back of the room. Things kicked off Thursday with me learning how to run the program for the projection stuff during the services. I tried to stay as on hand as possible for Chris and Dennis, just basically being their minion of sorts. I absolutely love the job, by the way. They are two amazing people who are fired up for the Lord and just want to serve. Working with them was a blessing. I had dinner with my English roommate, got to talk to a few conference attendees down in the hotel cafe, and then headed up to help out with registration while the regular volunteers got dinner. It was so amazing to have the chance to meet so many people as they were registering. I think things got a little like a whirlwind at one point, but to see so many people registered...

I had a really great opportunity during the general session too. Just after the worship, I ducked out to visit the restroom and Nate from the office was wandering around. He needed more supplies but didn't have a way to get anywhere. Can you say field trip? We hopped into my truck and took off to Target. I loved that evening with Nate, just heading out, getting things done, and talking while we're at it. After cutting a bunch of cards for name tags and ribbon for identifying those who are ok with photos, I spent a while peeling the backs off of avatar photo stickers and just being available for answering questions. I love to be helpful, I really do. I feel like I get more out of an event when I can serve than when I am served.

After things wrapped up a little, I just went and crashed in bed. It wasn't pretty. Friday through Sunday left to talk about. Stay tuned!

Oops

2009-01-21T09:38:00.000-08:00

I really need to start updating this more often. Well, Christmas did show up and then I had two conferences, one of which I will be blogging about later. Still, I glanced at my blog, saw that I had gotten really excited about ISP and said "Well, darn. I need to tell the 3.7 people who read my blog that I'm not going."

That's right. I'm not going. I lost funding, couldn't feel comfortable with where I was going and what I was doing, and realized that I really did need to stay here and take some classes. Plus, a good pair of friends of mine are getting married, and if I had gone, I would have missed their wedding. Not good!

My truck also almost died. Yeah. Buddy says to me, "Hey, don't take it in. I'll teach you to replace the oil." In his defense, I do now know how to change my own oil. I also know what not to do and how to change my transmission fluid. Thanks, Rick.

Single again. Don't know if I told y'all that I was dating. Still, it's for the best all around. Oh, hey, I should get ready for class. See you guys real soon!

ISPOMGBBQ

2008-12-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

My boyfriend said something to me recently that got me thinking just a little bit. He said, "I love surprises, but I hate anticipation." He was referring to the fact that, as a planner, I occasionally hint at the fact that a surprise is coming, but let his imagination fill in the blanks. To be rather frankly honest, I enjoy doing such things.

However, today I find myself on the other side of things, waiting in anticipation for information that I desire. The International Service Project team reveal is tomorrow and I want to know where I'm going. Part of it is so that I can figure out if I'll be able to go to a friend's wedding or if there's a chance I'll miss it entirely. Part of it is so that I will have the satisfaction of knowing where it is that I'm heading.

The ISP program is something that is really important to me. I have a lifelong goal to work in the same type of capacity on a permanent, career basis. Still, this biting of the nails is going to drive me slowly insane. The worst part of it is that it's a three hour meeting and they don't tell you your destination until the end of the night.

Despite this, I am excited. I may join old team members for another adventure. I will be going to a brand new country. And I will be serving the coolest, most amazing God that mankind has ever had the privilage of worshipping.

Summer drabble

2008-11-28T23:28:00.000-08:00

So I remembered this little drabble that I worked on a little while ago. I'm still not sure if I'm going to expound on it at all, but hey. It's fun and kind of random.

*******

She could feel her skin slowly start to burn as she moved down the street under July’s hot sun. Sweat beaded on her forehead only to drip down into narrowed eyes. She wished for something to shield her from the heat- a tube of sunscreen, some shade, even an umbrella. The press of a cold, twelve ounce can against the back of her neck caused her to jump. A man laughed, breaking the self-imposed silence that buzzed in her ears. Suddenly, she could hear it again- the hum of conversations, the toll of bells that was children’s laughter, and the many sounds of machinery that made this fair run like one smoothly oiled engine rather than several parts of chaos.

She reached for the soda and the light caught her eye, causing a wince. Blue eyes glanced back up, this time from a slightly different angle. The man looked as well. There were no bright colors to this tent. No carnie beckoned outside, no hawker of wares, nothing showed the reason for this dark tent beyond a simple sign pinned to the entrance. “We’ve been waiting for you,” it said in its simple block letters. “Come to see what we have for you.”

A shift of bodies. She pressed closer to the man, unconsciously, even as he put an arm around her. At the same time, they both felt the draw, the pull of this possibly wondrous place.

Passed Props Pose Problems

2008-11-05T14:11:00.000-08:00

I love alliterations.

So I haven't taken a huge look at the results of the recent election. I was pretty resigned to the fact that I wouldn't be too terribly happy with either president. I couldn't really care about the representatives for the state or anything along that line. What really held my interest were two propositions- Props 4 and 8.

Prop 4, as you may know, was the proposed law to require that abortion agencies inform parents prior to conducting an abortion for a minor. It did not pass. Frankly, this upsets me on two levels- intellectual and spiritual. On the spiritual level, I am fully pro-life and feel that once a child is conceived, it has life. Speaking as a woman who is at a very high risk of being infertile, I wish that there were more emphasis on adoption in these situations. On an intellectual level, it infuriates me that parents get angry over a child receiving an asprin without their permission but allow invasive surgery to be conducted, a surgery that has many complications and both emotional and mental scarring. What type of twisted world do we live in where that makes sense?

I understand that there are girls out there who make mistakes, end up pregnant, and could be hurt by a parent if they came out and said that they were pregnant. Still, wouldn't it be much more positive and proactive if we developed a way to facilitate the informing of parents that would keep the girl safe?

Prop 8. It's so loaded. I do not feel that God supports and blesses same sex relationships. However, I do not believe that it is a disease or a defect that should be "healed" or whatever it is that people believe should be happening to those who are gay. I did not support nor did I vote for Prop 8 and that is because I feel that by it passing, it just brings about another step of discrimination against these people who are in despirate need of God's love.

Now, there are gay Christians. I work with an organization called the Gay Christian Network. Their website can be found at http://www.gaychristian.net/ and you can see what their ministry entails. I support what they call Side B- those who identify and embrace their sexuality rather than try to change it, but still remain celibate and abstain from same-sex relationships. It is my dream, my very bold dream, that one day, churches will be welcoming people into their congregations and rather than promoting the ex-gay ministries, they advocate a Side B approach. It is my dream that every gay and lesbian that I come across will not feel like they are second-rate in society's eyes, in my eyes, in the church's eyes, nor in God's eyes.

Prop 8 just serves to lower these people. How can we call ourselves Christians if we reject a group of people based on one item that makes up part of who they are? We were not sent out to reach out to the whole, but to the broken.

I'm so glad that I don't plan on living in California for long.

No Props for Prop 8- Part 2

2008-11-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Last night was Halloween. As you can guess, I saw a lot of things that I don't typically see. After all, I was dressed as a witch. How often do you see a pirate, a sniper, a witch, a princess, and Master Chief wandering down a sidewalk together?

What really bothered me, though, was how many people I saw carrying around Yes/No on Prop 8 signs. (No, they didn't say both options- I just saw both types of sign.) It's Halloween- a time for fun and frivolity, not for political statements.

What really concerns me about this proposition is the potential ramifications that such a proposition may have on the GLBT community and the huge rift that is there between the Christian church as a whole and the community itself. You see, many churches react badly to a member of the church coming out of the closet. They demand that the person either leave the church or try to change who they are, go through things called ex-gay ministries. I'm not going to reference any specific ones here, because I think they're really more damaging than they benefit people. It's rare to have success stories that really last a lifetime, that don't leave the person damaged. Besides, a straight person wouldn't ever be forced to become gay, would they? Of course not. That's their nature.

The problem is that people assume that by identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, you are automatically sinning. However, it is not until one actually acts on such an urge that a sin is being transgressed. I am in full support of those who identify as gay Christians and also identify as celebate as far as their homosexual urges go. I feel that by such a blatant refusal to give the GLBT community something that they've asked, to exclude them from something so important in our society, just brings more discrimination against them. Here's the kicker- A person who is gay is no different from you or me.

If the church could get to that point and deal with the issue of sin without condemning the person, what a revolution could be had!

No Props for Prop 8- Part 1

2008-10-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

I've been debating with myself about if I should talk about this issue or not. Then there was the fact that if I talk about this issue, I need to decide just how much I'm willing to talk about myself. I think I've got the courage right now to talk about Prop 8 simply because my brain is all fuzzy from the drugs I have to take for the pain I've been having. Still, we're talking about it.

As many of you know, Prop 8 is the proposition to amend the California consitution to state that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's all. The Yes on Prop 8 website (http://whatisprop8.com/) leads one to believe that the very act of Prop 8 not going through would be enough to have the following six consequences:

Children in schools will be taught about same-sex marriages.
Churches can get sued for refusing to perform same-sex marriages.
Religious adoption agencies will be challenged to put children into same-sex homes.
Religious schools with married housing will be forced to provide housing for same-sex couples even if same-sex marriage is against church creed.
Pastors that speak against same-sex marriage may be sued for hate speech and risk fines.
It will cost you money.

People, please! They're twisting a lot of things in order to change how you're going to vote. I know that I'm blogging late in the game, but this is something that I need to talk about, or else I'll feel like I've failed myself. Kids aren't being taught about marriage in schools. It's assumed that things like that are left for the home. That's one of the reasons why we have so many unwed mothers and such a high divorce rate.

Churches still have the option to choose who they perform ceremonies for. Maybe they won't be able to say no to a couple on just the basis of orientation, but if they provide other reasons, things that have stopped straight couples as well, things should be fine. 9 times out of 10, gay people don't want to have weddings in a church that won't accept them in the first place.

Adoption agencies. Aren't there enough kids out there that need parents? I've known many straight couples that were terrible parents. What gives a religious agency the right to turn down a couple who wants to love a child that doesn't have parents simply because they don't follow the same creed as that company? Do the Catholic companies turn down non-Catholics? Sounds like a double standard if they don't.

I don't know about you, but my religious school doesn't have married housing. Most religious schools don't have people who are openly gay. Do you know why? The religious community has turned homosexuality into some big unforgiveable sin. There typically are two reactions- kicking people out of churches or forcing them to go through programs that are to "get rid" of the gayness. That annoys me.

As far as being sued for preaching against homosexual marriage, the only instance of that happening was in Canada, a different country entirely with its own constitution and set of rules. The state has no right to speak against what a church preaches, unless it is specificially to incite or otherwise inspire criminal acts.

Finally, costing you money. They cite that different lawsuits will end up taking money out of your pocket. Now, I don't know if more civil suits would mean that more civilians would end up paying more money, but there are going to be more court cases either way.

Part two will come later.

Excerpts from Real Life

2008-10-10T10:58:00.001-07:00

Today is the twenty-first day of the worst headache of my life. Considering I've been getting at least three weekly headaches since I was twelve years old (read: 8 years), that says something. To be honest- and let's face it, sometimes a blog is the only place you can feel fully honest- this scares me to death. There are so many things that it could be caused by, so many possibilities. My mother always says that I row the boat before I even get into the water, saying that I worry before it's even an issue, but this is very real. I know full well that they will be checking for tumors, for vascular issues, and for a few other very serious conditions. I've been tested before, but that was 6-7 years ago. A lot can change in that time.

I don't like being unprepared, either. I like to have plans and stratagies. I'm probably the only person at my school with a fire-safe lock box for the important documents, but hey. If there's a fire or earthquake, my important documents are safe. I don't, however, have an "In case of cancer" plan.

To be honest? I'd probably quit school for a little while. I'd get my father to come down here and we'd haul my stuff home. I'd do my treatment at home, maybe a little bit of online schooling through the local community college. Make a few trips to see the really important people in my life.

I'm tired of the pain, too. The pain's been so bad that I just can't do more than one or two things a day. Unfortunately, this is tech week and I can't bring myself to go to class. I can't focus and I can't be around bright lights long enough to actually sit through a class. I went to chapel today and it was torture.

Please. Pray for me. I have an appointment on Monday with the doctor. He's a little limited as to what tests he can do due to certain complications, but hopefully, we'll have an answer soon. Pray that I can have the strength to make it through opening weekend this weekend. Pray that I can stop worrying about all the what ifs and take peace in the knowledge that whatever it is, God has a plan for me.

Still looking for a title, still looking for a name...

2008-09-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

I started this story while overseas. The idea just came to me to do a Maltese Falcon-like story with a woman detective. I've just got the first bit done, but I haven't managed to pick a name for the detective, nor settled on a title. I also need to decide why this gentleman has come into the office needing the detective's help. Any comments, critique, or suggestions are very helpful.

~*~*~*~*~

It was evening, mid August, the weather thick and balmy. I was bored, surfing the net. The heat felt like an afghan wrapped around me, light and clingy all at the same time. It snuck up on you, making you feel comfortable for a while, then suddenly making you wish that you could shed your skin like just one more unnecessary layer. As it was, my suit jacket was already draped over the back of my chair and I had unbuttoned the top few buttons of my blouse. My heels lay discarded beneath my desk, and my feet were propped up on the corner of the monstrous oak creation that Elise, my secretary, insisted commanded a greater presence. Frankly, I thought it was a desk, and a pain of one to get up the stairs.

But I'm rambling, aren't it? That's neither here nor there. So here I was, behind my desk. I left the door from my office to the waiting area open, so that I could see anyone come in. Elise was home already, reminding me that as the boss, overtime just meant less personal time and not more money. I had sent her on her way, back to her husband and children. I wasn't ready to go home, to that empty apartment with the ghosts of what could have been still clinging there. Still, there was only so much you could do on email sites and lurking on forums.

Just as I had closed the browser window, he walked in. He wasn't like the usual clients I received, women who needed information or small, nervous men who wanted a wife watched. No, he was tall and narrow, solid all the way through. The tailored suit hung well on him and he seemed as comfortable in that as a regular man would feel in jeans and a favored t-shirt. He walked in with a hand in one pocket and the other slowly removing his sunglasses. Armani, I noted, tucking that away in the mental file marked "How much should I charge this shmuck?"

I remained where I was, choosing to let him react to the scene he walked in on rather than attempting a professional composure now. "Can I help you?" I asked, cool and crisp. He smirked, looking at my stocking-clad toes in the air on the desk. "Yeah, toots," he replied after several beats. "You can get [last name] on the horn and see if he'll come in to talk with a new potential client. If you're real quick about it, I don’t see a reason to tell him that I found you behind his desk, all casual."

In the file marked "Who the hell is this guy?", I dropped "Chauvinist" along with "Rich" and "Gorgeous as sin". Still, more fun could be had before I told him just what was going on. "And who should I tell [last name] is calling?" I asked, keeping my voice at an even keel, showing him that his threat hadn't phased me in the slightest. I peered at him over the top rim of my glasses, studying this man.

"Listen, toots, I don't need you to get nosey. I want to talk to the PI directly, and I won't use a go-between like a tart of a secretary such as yourself." He rested those large hands on the edge of my desk and leaned forward. "Detective Harrison sent me over here himself, and I'm not about-"

"Harrison sent you here?" I interrupted, swinging my feet off the desk and standing. I was nowhere near his height, even bent over as he was, but it still helped. "Well. That's a horse of a different color. Now, normally, I would let you hang yourself on your words, Mr. Whatever your name is, but you must mean business." I slid my heels on carefully then stepped around the desk. "[full name], Private Investigator. Why not tell me your story and I'll see about overlooking that tart comment."

No time to say goodbye- Hello!

2008-09-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

All right, then. You've managed to find my blog and thus, my intro post. Very good. Very good indeed. Contained herein will be in process bits of work, happenings in my life, and other nonsense and fluff. My name is Heather. I am an artist. My medium is the English language.