One of the perks (curses?) of working for a web development company that mainly focuses in medicial companies from all over, is the requirement to edit/format medical injury photographs. Today’s perk consists of editing trauma related injuries, and we can all imagine what type of photographs THOSE are.

I won’t post any of them, mainly to save Peter from having to be grossed out again like he was at my desk this morning

My day will at least be interesting. Luckily I am desensitized from working at the Vet.

I’m….conflicted.

I spoke before about how my mom was trying to get me to go out to dinner with her. Originally I thought the idea was obsurd, and just intended to make excuses not to go. But now I’m considering entertaining the idea.

Not because I want to repair the relationship with my mother, not because I’ve suddenly forgiven her for 20 years of abuse and hatred. But because she has a lot of geneology information that I’d like to have.

That sounds so shallow, doesn’t it.

At the same time, I don’t want to lead her on into thinking we’re -going- to repair our relationship or anything. Something like that would take years and years worth of effort on her part, and I don’t see that happening.

So a cordial dinner with my biological mother, at the request of my sister. I guess I can handle that.

I’ve not been in the presence of the woman for more than 10 minutes for many many years. At the very least, I’ll get a free dinner at my favorite restaurant.

In other news, I’ve tasted soy milk for the first time today. It almost hints to liquid corn. It’s not bad, and edible in cereal. Definitely not drinkable, and definitely not something I’ll buy again.

For the second time in over a decade, I’ve gone to the doctor. This time for my knee though, not anything sick related. The doctor believes I have a torn ligament on the inside of my right knee. Not surprising, it’s what I suspected. My worry was how long it has been taking to heal, which is apparently normal.

I do have to see a specialist sometime soon, and he wants me back in two weeks if it doesn’t feel any better (which I think it will). He gave me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory that I’m not going to fill. My dads meds come first, and I can deal with the pain.

Surprisingly my doctor said I’m in fairly good shape, considering. He’s positive it was just twisted wrong and isn’t something to do with age (which was also a concern of mine, 26 years old!), and that he won’t recommend surgery because he knew I wouldn’t take it. Since I don’t smoke, drink, and am fairly active and take my vitamins, everything else appears fine. He just wants me to take it easy and allow my knee to heal. No stairs, hiking (which will be hard, the weather is so nice right now), no sitting indian style, etc.

I stopped by Terminix after my appointment, since it was right down the street. Got to see my old service manager and the co-worker that disliked me while I was there, but now misses me now that I’m gone.

I also got to meet their new branch manager, who actually offered me my old job back, to which I politely declined. They are apparently not happy with my replacement at all. Unfortunately for them, I love my new job. At least it’s nice to have it as a backup if I ever lose my job.

A bad headache yesterday and today prevented me from doing work from home. I’m coping more this morning since I’ve been keeping a bottle of peppermint oil with me. A few dabs on my temples, under my nose, and occasionally around my forehead where the pain is has kept it very bearable (with the added bonus of being refreshed).

Spring Equinox ritual was at the Grove this weekend. Very cold, not much drumming, but someone new gave some appreciating to my music afterwards, which is always nice. I actually hadn’t intended to play my guitar after ritual, but it was requested.

Money is tight this month. It didn’t have to be, but I insisted on putting deposits into my savings and my holiday fund. As such, I have to be very careful with my finances this month which ,while difficult, is something I am looking forward to getting into the habit of. Forced frugality. Though I did buy “The Complete Tightwads Gazette” a few weeks ago, but for the intended purpose, which is to help save money.

Two bills I’ve noticed in my monthly balances (actually 3, but not much I can do about the cellphone situation atm), that I’m sure are able to be reduced. One of them is my phone situation.

I posted in the beginning of February about how I was researching changing my long distance service due to costs. I’ve yet to remember to call Verizon about the local charges issue, but that’s on my list of things to do.

My concern is, I’m paying $24 a month for unlimited long distance with AT&T, and $56/month for local with Verizon. This is $80/month for a phone, which I find obsurd. I also mentioned in the same post that I’m interested in getting VoIP service, like Vonage, or what Comcast offers. My aunt uses it, and apparently likes it, an old Grovemate uses it and likes it. But my sweetheart also uses it, and hates it. He says it cuts out a lot and is horrible service.

So has anyone else used Vonage? Do you have any input on the service? How long does it take for the switch to take place? How does the 911 issue work?

WikiHow (one of my favorite sites), has a list of tips on how to drink more water everyday:

- If you really can’t stand the taste of your water, try adding a tiny bit of fruit juice or a squeeze of lemon or lime–just enough to slightly change the taste. Refrigerating your water may also help make it more palatable.

- Keep a glass or cup of water next to you whenever you’ll be sitting down for a long time, such as when you’re at your desk at work. Drink from it regularly as you’re working.

Keeping water at my desk has actually helped improve my water drinking amount. Every few minutes I’ll take a sip of it, then go over to the water cooler and fill it up again.

I also use an eco-friendly drink bottle that was recommended to me instead of using all of the plastic and paper cups at work everyday. Not only does it keep my water colder, but allows me to keep a larger amount at my desk (and in my car if I get thirsty).

I also love the design, and according to the Swiss company, the way it’s made, it won’t make your water taste like aluminum (I can attest to this), and it’s given an inner coating that is resistant to fruit acids and isotonic drinks.

I am slightly high off of feminine romance movies, so of course I have to take this opportunity to spout off romantic nonsense that only makes sense to me and one other person.

I don’t write much about my relationship, not for lack of anything to say, but perhaps the desire to keep it more sacred and less poisoned by everyone elses opinions.

I have been in this relationship for a year and a half, and regardless of whatever direction it takes, it has been one of the most positive influences of my life. The mere mention of his name throws me into a permanent smile, even to this day. I’ve memorized all of his little quirks, just as he’s memorized mine. I love the way he calls me baby, I love listening to his laugh, I love the way he talks about taking care of my father, I love the way he says “right” and “list” with his ever charming southern accent, and he makes fun of the way I say “Gas” (apparently I say “Gayus”).

And you know you have a great catch when he goes on a week-long trip to Florida to do some training for work, and not only does he give you a care package of a cute romantic cartoon that you’ve never seen (but you find hold several minute inner-meanings towards your relationship), but talks to you on the phone for hours every night while he’s there (sometimes upwards to 4 hours), watches the movie with you, surprises you with candy, and makes sure to call you every morning.

Then you think that perhaps, finally, those romantic and sentimental movies are actually hitting on something. That perhaps they aren’t just false romanticism stories that get everyone twitterpated and wishing for the impossible. That your previous relationships, while exciting at first, and with many lessons learned, could never have been molded to even match the intensity of finding “true love”.

I guess I just consider myself a lucky girl.

John Chow, who apparently considers himself the Root of all Evil (and is also a very smart internet money-maker) is having a contest where he gives away a Nintendo Wii. The contest is sponsored by a company called 1234Pens.com, who make promotional pens (and they have a -lot- of nice pens, I might think about getting some for the Grove).

In order to enter this contest, you have to do exactly what I am doing now, make a post about it, with a few specified links and words. I don’t necessarily want the Wii for myself, I have little time to play video games these days. (Though I’m sure I will try it out). But for my sweetheart. So I’m bloggin for you, kid, cause I lurve you.