Hello all and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I myself am working this year. I figured it's better to MAKE money than to spend a ton of money like I did last year. Ended up get mugged too, so there was even MORE money down the drain.

I'm spending the evening with some of my favorite people though. Matt D. aka Tyrone, Eric, Luke, Holly, and my favorite people from Bizar Entertainment (if you need a DJ team...let me know...I'll hook you up with them, they're great!!) So the nights not a total loss. Although this is the start to a LONG rest of the week for me....but I'll be all good I can hang with the big boys :)

Now I'll share my theory on New Years resolutions. I think that they are an excellent way to set yourself up for failure. You put too much pressure on yourself, then end up giving it up in 3 weeks time (if you even make it that far). So my suggestion....funk the resolution. Do something for yourself cause you WANT to do it when you want to. Not just cause it's a new year. So set your goal low so you don't feel so bad when or if you fail. Like, paying an extra hundo to your Amex, getting your oil changed on time for once, or putting 5 bucks occasionally in your savings for once. It's all about doing stuff you need to do anyway, but better....not about losing 60lbs by June or meeting Mr or Ms right. Those goals are so WAY out there, besides, that all comes in time when YOUR ready not when the 'new year' hits. It's not a magical day, just a date on the calendar.

So for all ya'll out there going to party tonight...BE SAFE!! The trains run in Chicago from 8pm till 6am for only a penny so if you can't drive DON'T. And Matty P....you be safe too, I don't need my favorite high schooler in jail for public intoxication....no tub puking either, control the liquor intake! Have a great time! See ya Friday....hasta

Only one more day till the New Year and it's still so hard to believe. I swear it just turned 2003....now 2004....I feel as though I'm getting old. Geez, I'm SO close to my 10 year high school reunion I could spit on it and if the years keep going by as fast as they have....geez it's like tomorrow then!

I'm having this awful wave of tired lately....if I didn't know better I'd say I was pregnant, but since that requires having sex....I'm going to say that's out of the question. It's probably because I don't get to rest or eat properly. I need to start taking better care of this body of mine cause it's the only one I got! Lord knows it's broken enough as it is. What happened to that teenager metabolism that I had? I want it back please!

So I was going to say I wouldn't be posting for the rest of the week, but turns out I have to come to work because a chicka at my work is having furniture delivered so I'm stuck....BOO. Friday I'll be sleeping under my desk for sure! This whole week is going to blow with the amount of hours I have to work. But since I owe my dentist about another $650 .... it'll come in handy I suppose.

I'll be happy when the New Year starts, things should calm down a bit for me. At least I'm crossing my fingers that they do, and I have a feeling they will. Couldn't get any worse than the last two years right? (OK, it could but were just going to pretend for a moment they couldn't)

So I'm off today to check for more bills in the PO Box.....grab some wine for my hotel, maybe do some shopping with my holiday gift certs....don't get your hopes up Luke I'm still not modeling what I get from Vicki's even if you did by me the gift cert :)

Hasta peeps.....

I can not even BELIEVE it's almost the New Year. December 29th! What the! It seems like just yesterday I was jammin' out with Liz this time of the year. Now I'm working so much I can't even find time to sleep or eat properly!

I did come to the realization the other day that I'm a fat ass....ok ok, not really, but my doc is giving me the advice of losing some poundage before I develop heart problems. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not the thinnest or the fattest gal in the world, my issue is my 'body fat content' When this lass was a dancer she was nothing but muscle and for the couple of years after that she maintained a good portion of that. Then came the office jobs and I don't move around as much, I snack more, I eat late cause of the second job.....what did I get and extra 20 lbs and some muscle that has turned so kindly to fat.

I'm still a looker, at least I've been told. (I think more so with my clothes on....certain friends of mine will now keep their mouths shut about certain events I may or may not have done for laughs, shock value, and or for kicks) But since I have a family history of heart disease and stoke it's about damn time to start talking a LOT better care of myself. Otherwise I'll be pushing up daisies by 30. So off to the gym I go...no more pasta and bread for awhile...damn if it wasn't for the fact that I love pasta and bread this wouldn't be so difficult!

Ok enough about my fat ass....on to New Years, I don't know what everyone else is doing this year, but I'm WORKING. That's right...working all night then opening the restaurant in the morning. So Luke, Holly and I decided to get a room across the street. That way, one it saves Holly and I from driving on the same roads as a bunch of crazies, two we won't have to get up as early in the am when we have to be at work cause we're across the street, and three....Luke is only 20 and we wouldn't want to ditch him just cause he's not old enough to get into the bars. It'll be more fun this way anyway I think. (well 10 times safer at least.) FYI for all you partiers....on the toll way (294 for those who are that dense) last week nearly every exit ramp had a road block up to do random safety inspections! So DON'T drink and drive...cab it, and if you don't' live in the city...stay sober or designate a driver....it's not worth the consequences.

Well the dreaded Christmas season is finally over and now all I have to do is to try and get my checkbook back in order to pay the bills.

Most of you know my credit cards are MAXED from all that time without a job. I don't seem to be making much of a dent either. I'm thinking about consolidating my debt, but I'm not really sure how that whole thing works. Has anyone out there ever done it? If so email me and let me know.

Anyway, I had a good Christmas with the family. I think my bro and I had more fun playing with the kids stuff than they did. Sad but true. I did get a winter coat from mom and pops (mostly pops cause he's the one who insisted that they get one for me.) For those of you who didn't know I've lived in Chicago for quite some time without much more than a fall jacket and some gloves. Chicago winters are DAMN cold so I'm more than grateful for the jacket!! **I also got a George Foreman grill so now I can make my own grilled chicken salads! YEAH!

I did hear from lots of people over the holiday too. Luke called and gave me a break from the kids for a bit on Christmas Eve. Thank goodness cause they were MORE than hyper on Christmas Eve. Took us 3 hours just to get them to lay down for more than 5 minutes!! I heard from a friend I haven't heard from in a year on Christmas....Jonathan. It's nice to catch up with old friends especially this time of the year. (and in case any of you reading this know who I'm talking about he's doing well and happily with a new girl, Nicole, for the last 7 months.)

So now all I have to do is concentrate on the weight loss for what I gained over the holiday. TOO much food. Especially for a single gal on her own who doesn't really get to have 3 square meals a day. I suppose I'll concentrate on it AFTER I get my homemade cookies from Luke.....I better get my cookies from Luke!

Well, anyway, I have to make it look like I'm working even though this office is deader than it was BEFORE Christmas! Check ya later!

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kawanza! Happy Holidays! Season Greetings! Happy Yule! (am I politiacally correct?)

Ok, so it Christmas Eve and I'm at work, I think there's something seriously WRONG with that. I should be sleeping, or at LEAST helping my mom cook. But instead I'm sitting here writing in my blog. Hmmm....I suppose being with family isn't that important with my company.

Oh well at least I got my shopping done. I only bought for the kids this year cause I'm BROKE! But it's always fun to watch the kids open presents. I thought it was a little disturbing that the toys from my childhood are making a come back, but I've accepted it now. I did buy my nephew the 'Hungry Hungry Hippos' game...my mom says that's all he talks about getting. He's 4 it's cute, but still a little scary he's sleeping with my old 'Care Bear'. This stuff was cheesy in my day...why bring it back? Oh well....

May everyone have a safe and happy holiday and I'll be back on Friday!

Check out this Christmas card Johnny Blaze sent me. I laughed so hard I almost cried!

http://kringles.mondominishows.com/bells.asp?affil=fan

Hey, here's a question my friend Joe broght up today. Egg Nog....I know what the egg is but what's the nog?

Merry Christmas Luke! I remembered to update!!!

WOW!

That's all I can really say about the festivities of this weekend. It was one CRAZY weekend.

Thursday was my night with Eric (my best friend home from the Marines) and Jason. Umm...TOO much drinking that night, I was one drink away from dancing on a bar...but that's not that unusual :)

Still a bit tipsy I drove to meet up with the gals from work and have a day of beauty before the Christmas party. It was well worth it since we were SMOKING at the party.
That turned into an intoxicating MESS of fun and drama. All and all we had a blast thought and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Saturday Holly ditched Luke and I to go see 'Lord of the Rings'....so Luke bought me dinner at PF Chang. WHAT A GUY! I'll keep him. He's my favorite 20 year old but don't tell Kivi. ;) you know I love ya Franquey, but Luke bought me Chinese! Ok, so now I'm back at work with 8 million things to do, I'll write more tomorrow if I get the time......

Later

SO I'm a slacker....well not really.

I've been sick the last few days, now I'm playing catch up at work....BOO....best part is I'll be on vacation till the 22nd!

Ok maybe it's not good for you who want to read about my life, but, it is for me who works all the time!

See you when I get back! I'll tell you all about the drunken Christmas party for work!

So Holly's B-day was a success. It had it's ups and downs, but all in all....Holly went home a knowing she was leaving her past behind and that she had a bunch of good new friends to help her into her future. She's great and I'm glad we could be there for her to make her realize that sometimes ex's suck! :) BUT that is why we call them EX'S!

So, I've decided to make some changes in my life recently, mainly because I've had a headache from since Friday due to stress. I'm going to spend a lot more of my time in. (not like I have ALOT of time, but you know what I'm saying.) I need to cut a few people out of my life that are dragging me down. (don't worry Luke I'm not taking about you or anyone else at Bennigan's).

I worry too much about people that don't give a damn about me I've come to realize. I don't want to share my life with anyone who doesn't want to share their life with mine. As my best friend Beth said to me, don't share you bed with anyone that doesn't want to share theirs. (that's not sexual by the way) Ok, before I start going on and on about it ... which normally I would, but my head hurts too much today .. I'm going to stop now.

Anyway, my weekend besides Holly's B-day pretty much sucked, I got ONE load of laundry done because my head was pounding too intensely for me to keep taking the trek up and down the stairs so I stayed all day in bed pretty much trying to block out all light from making it's way towards my eyes in fear of the pain intensifying. YEAH! GREAT WEEKEND!

Hey...hey...hey!

The weekend is almost here and it couldn't have come soon enough.

It's Holly's B-day tomorrow so that should be fun. We plan to go to her 'other' place of business. Just to be nice for her b-day...buy Holly's movie people!! She was in Shortcut Road. A 'B Horror' flick check it out www.shortcutroad.com. She does 'fake' a blow-job scene in it so you guys might like it! SHES A HOTTIE :)

Anyway, I'm planning on getting alot done this weekend so I don't have to do anything NEXT week when I have off ... let's see how it goes....

Have a happy weekend....someone get drunk for me!

Ok so I'm not so computer savvy....some of my pictures didn't come up the way they were supposed to, I'll ask Tom for help, he's my computer tech :) But I am proud of myself for creating the link!

Well, I've gotten some replies to the MASS e-mail I sent out about the BLOG. Mostly good...some are strange, some are even from people I haven't heard from in AGES I didn't even remember were in my address list till they replied (right Joel?). But all in all, I've gotten rave reviews :)

Kivi/Franquey I see checked out my pictures...and left a nice public comment about Tracy (a fellow co-worker) can't say I disagree...but I didn't make it public (wait I just did!). But he should be proud....he gave my site it's name. He's the one who calls me Dawncandy. It's a LONG story I'm not sure should ever be explained unless face to face cause it wouldn't come out right on the Blog....but let's put it this way, Kivi also likes to randomly text me lyrics to 'Pour some sugar on me' and call me a MILF (and I'm not a mom!) so go figure. I love the kid though (even with his tendencies to pass out and make me take over his tables on busy nights) so we'll keep him and give props where props are due.

So I'm taking a little vacation time, just to forewarn everyone. Next week I took the 18th-21st off. Not a LONG vacation, but long enough for someone who works two jobs six days a week. Some family is coming in for some pre-holiday festivities. I'm happy, but not thrilled for sometimes I feel the need to beat the snot out of members of my family. I sometimes don't think they're as appreciative as they could be and they seem to always be asking for something. BUT...the other reason why I took off is my best friend is coming home for a month starting this Friday.

Eric is in the Marines and proudly serving our country. He's already been overseas and back, they're letting come home for a month cause when he goes back to Cali, they're shipping him off again. Now I'm worried/scared/down right panicked, but at the same time calm cause Eric is the type that is too stubborn to die because he has to always prove someone wrong. I suppose that doesn't stop random bombing, but still. I have faith so I know he'll be ok.

Ok, now he's were I talk about this holiday season. If you don't want to hear it scroll NOW.........

Now that those people are gone I'll have my little discussion with well....myself....but you reading this too. I went Christmas shopping last night for the first time this year. First of all I HATE the mall on normal weekends, let alone holiday shopping weekends.

What's with the moodiness of the holidays anyway. I feel the need to cancel Christmas because people forget that it's about spending time with the one's you love, not spending money on the one's you love, like, know, and somewhat know but haven't seen in a while but would feel bad if you didn't send them a fruitcake or something.

I have determined the holidays do three things to most people. Make them angry, broke, and rude. My older brother gets like this BIG time. Now I remember growing up and seeing the cheesy Christmas movies and the 'Grinch' and such and I remember the whole trying to teach the 'meaning' of Christmas. Now never in those meaning did it say whomever gives the bigger gift of the season wins.

That's what it's like now a days though. Everyone going out spending money they don't have to impress their family, friends, and what not. Personally, I don't have that kind of money so I get stuff for the kids (meaning my nieces and nephews) and I get jazzed cause I get to go home and spend some time with my family. I like playing board games with the kids and drinking beers with my brothers.

I think in order to understand what the holidays are about you need to be broke and in debt like me. I can only afford to spend so much money...in reality I can't even afford that but I can't tell a 5 y/o I'm in credit card debt.....and that's all I spend. I don't feel bad about it, I wish I could do more not because I want to impress anybody, but because I like to watch the kids open presents. It's fun. But I'm also not about to rack my brain for 6 months trying to pay for what I bought. It just wouldn't make sense.

Ok, ok....I'm done talking about the commercialism of Christmas. (note I did not bring religion into this for a reason.) Oh just one more thing though, if your going to take your kids shopping with you, letting run wild around the stores in NOT a good idea. Target is not one big Gymboree! That's how kids get kidnapped and or hurt and parents sit there and say things like "I don't know how this could've happened." and "I only turned my back for a second." FYI...It only takes a second!

Done...

So anyway, back to the grind.....blah! (that's how I feel on this rainy day) Hello to all the new readers, and since he likes it when I mention his name.... Luke, did ya find Holly a birthday present yet?!

Till next time....

Ok I added a new link.....

I'm SO computer savvy suddenly!

It's pictures, of me, of friends, some current, some old....but fun none the less....more to come every so often so check up.....

Ok, ok, I'm a slacker. I haven't written in a few days, but no one really has the address anyway to want to read it everyday so who cares right?! Right.

So we didn't go to Denny's. Holly ended up not having to close, so Luke protested the Denny's excursion by offering to pay....so we went to Applebee's. I'm not a fan myself, but it works especially when your as hungry as I was by that time.

We laughed, we ate, we complained......all and all....great time had by all.

That was pretty much the highlight of my weekend. I know, I know.....I lead an exciting life, your jealous. The weekend ended with apartment cleaning, a visit from the P's, and dinner at Gino's East (the best pizza in Chicago!). Who wouldn't be wiped out after all that excitement!

Anyway, after work last night, I got home right around 10pm. I did the usual brushing of the teeth and washing up before crawling into the sack for some TV to put me to sleep. What I discovered however is the immense amount of crap there is on TV now-a-days. Not like this is something NEW, but it seemed to really fire me up last night and I really started thinking about it.

For one, Howard Stern should stick to RADIO. Who ever thought it was a good idea to put this trash talking overly hormonal geek on TV was an idiot as far as I'm concerned. I mean seriously how many times do I HAVE to hear this guy ask some chick to take off her top/pants/etc. NOW I have to actually watch the dumb chick DO it. (in squiggly censored vision that is) Mind you it's not like Howard is a looker either! There's a guy who went into radio for a reason!

Then of course there's the whole 'Wild On' show that usually comes on right before or after Howard intellectual hour. It should properly be called 'Drunk girls who take their clothes off and make out with each other'. Who watches this crap and thinks....damn I need to go there! Well besides drunk frat boys and girls looking to be in the next 'Girls Gone Wild' video. I'm always up for a good time, and trust me I've been drunk, sometimes to the point of the random flashing.....really who hasn't.....but I don't think it has a place on basic cable for cripes sakes.

I remember a time when you could NOT see this kind of thing on TV unless it was on HBO in the LATE night hours. Now there's sex all over primetime. And people as what happened to the innocence of or children....HELLO people it's called you let them watch crap like this! I myself grew up on 'I Love Lucy' re-runs and 'The Cosby Show'. Where my niece and nephew grow up with 'Will and Grace'.

Don't get me wrong, I really like 'Will and Grace', but I don't think it's appropriate for a 12 year old. Just like all the violent games and shows for kids. Seriously now, we had Duck Hunt and Mario and the Smurfs......they have Vice City and the Power Rangers.....Hmmmm.....I think someone had a screw loose when they make a game of stealing cars, killing people, and raping hookers for POINTS! Can't say I think that's ok at all, but I can say sometimes kids confuse reality with this "game" since everything is so life like now....and well they we end up with kids beating the crud or even killing kids cause they don't quite understand the consequences. They know it's wrong, but not sure why...hmmmm.....how about a little parenting and showing your kids how to use their imagination they haven't seemed to have developed because they are to busy numbing their brains with mindless/preverted/violent TV and video games.

Anyway, I'll stop that tangent....I'm sure in the long run someone will read this get mad and tell me I know nothing about how hard it is to raise a child since I don't have any....your right I don't. But I've taken care of enough, and I have a big family so I know a little something. Besides, they're just opinions, so calm yourself. This is my place to vent my frustrations.....get your own blog if you don't like it. :)

So our IS dept. has gone a dad bit overboard on the blocking of materials lately. I understand the blocking of the prono, but seriously we can't get into anything that may have offensive language, sports, or as they say "unauthorized content", meaning basically ANYTHING on the internet. Some of it doesn't even make sense. Like I can get to www.thesmokinggun.com , but if I try to go into the archives...."blocked for pronography" PRONO?!! In the smoking gun! Where cause I missed it! It's a bunch of legal documents for christ sake! Geezz....get a life IT!

Ok since I know someone will be asking soon.....

My links are this.... Google News (cause I like to be informed)

Andrew....www.justsomedude.com....my friend in Denver has a website, the website makes me laugh, I give props to Andrew by giving him a link on my blog.....nuff said.

And Email me...I don't think I need to explain this one, but I will.....IF you want to email me....Click there....

You know what sucks about working in a one horse town? You find people you would really like to hang with, but nothing in damn open later than midnight here.

Granted for NORMAL people this isn't a problem, but when you work in the restaurant industry it IS a problem.

I'll lay it out since I just made this public for those of you who don't know what's going on. I work at Bennigans, on Saturday nights I always make plans with fellow co-workers Holly and Luke (anything from movies to grabbing a bite and such). We hang, we laugh, we talk, it's, quite frankly, a great time. How many people can you talk about the 80's with in your car in a parking lot till 3am......

Anyway, here the problem, we work in a town that basically shuts down at the stroke of midnight. Normally were out by 9 or 10, so this isn't a problem...this week Holly is closing and we close at 11, the ealiest she'll be out is 11:30. It's really not late, but it basically ruins any plans of catching a flick or eating in town.

Now, I know what your thinking go to a local pub....well that's the kicker Luke is a youngin'. Love him, but he's not of the legal drinking age until Oct. '04. Besides, even though I can party with the best of them....getting blitzed after 9 to 11 hours of waitressing with nothing in my stomach isn't my idea of a good night.

My solution to this 'problem'.....Denny's. I myself can not STAND Denny's unless it's 4:30am I'm buzzed and I can just point to the picture of the food I want, but if I want to hang with my buds (and I do)...Denny's it is.

Luke suggests we go to his house, cause he lives in the area, but something about walking into a 20y/o's parents house with 2 chicks one 25 and the other 26 doesn't seem very comfortable to me.

Granted we're friends AND ONLY friends, just doesn't seem right to walk past the parents with a don't mind us were just going to watch movies......Why don't we go to Holly's/or my apartment??....well we live on oppisite ends of the planet from each other (I in Chicago her in the Northwest suburbs)

Denny's.....I've resorted to Denny's for a Saturday night. I'm not sure if that makes me a big loser or not, but I'm ok with that....the company will make it well worth it :)

.....I'll have the 'Moons over my Hammy' please......

So my good news of the day is I bought a new dress for our very fancy dancy Christmas (opps sorry that's not PC) correction....HOLIDAY party here for my day job.

For those of you who don't know I do work two jobs, assistant by day, waitress by night.....

I'm excited cause I haven't had a reason to buy a new dress since Prom of '96 (DAMNIT dated myself again) and because the whole sohpicication (mmm...spelling??) of the 40's/50's is coming back so my dress is very Audrey Hepburn 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' type. Kelly (my fellow asst and bay mate) even made me get a mini tiara to put in my up-do we plan on getting that night by the hair school by the hotel.

Ok yes, it seems like were going a little tinsy bit far with this whole holiday party thing, but geez when the hell do we get to get dressed up and look fancy? When Tony takes me to O'Donovan's the Irish pub down the street, I think not he's not even worth the trouble. Or better yet my "dates" with Luke and Holly (Bennigan's co-workers)to the movies on Saturday nights....mmmm something tells me I'd be a bit out of place.

So sue me, I'm excited.

So my good news of the day is I bought a new dress for our very fancy dancy Christmas (opps sorry that's not PC) correction....HOLIDAY party here for my day job.

For those of you who don't know I do work two jobs, assistant by day, waitress by night.....

I'm excited cause I haven't had a reason to buy a new dress since Prom of '96 (DAMNIT dated myself again) and because the whole sohpicication (mmm...spelling??) of the 40's/50's is coming back so my dress is very Audrey Hepburn 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' type. Kelly (my fellow asst and bay mate) even made me get a mini tiara to put in my up-do we plan on getting that night by the hair school by the hotel.

Ok yes, it seems like were going a little tinsy bit far with this whole holiday party thing, but geez when the hell do we get to get dressed up and look fancy? When Tony takes me to O'Donovan's the Irish pub down the street, I think not he's not even worth the trouble. Or better yet my "dates" with Luke and Holly (Bennigan's co-workers)to the movies on Saturday nights....mmmm something tells me I'd be a bit out of place. Sue me I'm excited.

So in my wonderful job that I love SO much (that being sarcasim for those of you who are slow.) I have ALOT of customer interaction. I like to call myself a glorified customer service rep. My job titles me as sales/graphic assistant. Which basically means I do all the work EXECPT go out and bring the customers in. So for every one of my 'salemen' all 7 of them that bring in customers, they basically hand off my name and number and all these people do is call me when they want to order product or need a new graphic made or so on and so forth and I get it done.

Problem with my job is most people somehow and for some reason (maybe my salemen told them) they think I'm psychic and/or know everything there is to know about every product/graphic detail in this company. Now I admit I'm GOOD, but NOT that good.

I know it's frustrating to call somewhere and be told that the answer you were looking for can't be given to you right then and there....I've been there....but I'll tell you right now cussing me out because your damn spoons are on back order is NOT I repeat NOT going to make me get it for you any faster.

I have adopted a new policy. I'm telling people with the attitude problems that if they don't watch it Santa's going to bring them coal for Christmas.

Didn't everyone learn in like kidergarden you'll be more likely to get something from someone if you NICE than a raging manic! Two thumbs down to the crazy people yelling at Kelly and I the last two days!

Funny thing happened while I was moving in July, I found my old diary. I'm not talking about the diary from like high school, I'm talking OLD...like 4th grade old. It had Maggie Simpson on it (does that date me?) and the things I wrote in it were just quite pondering. Like did I really think (even at the age of 10) I was ever going to care what I had for lunch, or what I did in recess/gym that day. Was it that monumental in my mind at that age? I suppose that why there are diaries....but then again I think I just felt an obligation to write in it since it was giving to me and so I wrote whatever trival detail of my life there was to write like who's butt I happened kick in tetherball that day.

Speaking of which do kids still play tetherball? That game RULED! Or is that one of those things taken from playgrounds because it was too dangerous to make our next generation of kids wusses? Whoops got off the subject....

Anyway, I decided maybe that's why I was so 'carefree' as a child, well besides the fact I had no bills to pay for, but I always wrote out everything, so why not start up a modern version. Although it's slightly different, for one I'm not hiding with it's mini padlock between my mattresses, I have a feeling that would be uncomfortable for sleeping purposes, I'm letting the world get in my head. Ok, so it's a long shot, but it makes me feel good at least....so sit back relax, and laugh at my pathetic life (and spelling mishaps...tee..hee)