Like a naughty toddler, I received a verbal smack for not updating this page in, er, a while. So here goes.



In general, all’s been well. I started a new job in January, which led to my moving back to New Orleans in April. I would have moved sooner, but I had a hard time finding a place that fit my budget. When I finally managed to move, the place was FILTHY and it took me a month – literally – to get it in livable shape. Now, it is terribly cute and the perfect size for me. My only gripe is that I don’t really get to spend much time there just hanging out. Work keeps me jumping all day long so when I get home I’m usually so beat that I pass out as soon as I let myself sit down.



My job is good for now. I do the work of three people, but I certainly don’t see the pay of three people. One maybe. Most of my co-workers are salespeople, so I don’t see much of them around the office. They are all pretty cool though. The office people… well, that’s another story altogether. Around here, I get the feeling that I’m the new kid at school, and none of the other kids like me very much. But I don’t really fit in. I am not old, married, a parent, or interested in the petty gossip that hovers over the cubicle farm, so it’s little surprise to me that the cats prefer not to include me in their activities. And I’m alright with that, most of the time. It can be pretty dull around here sometimes, and unless you’re down with shooting the breeze, you’re pretty much SOL if you want an office social life. Also, I am the youngest member of the management here, and I think that my appointment to this position ruffled a few feathers… I think that if I was in my 40s or 50s and knew that a 20something year old kid could fire me, I’d probably feel strangely around them to. But office politics aside, my position offers a fair amount of autonomy in how I get my work done, which is preferable to excessive micromanagement. So, in general, I’m pretty happy with my day job.



Dancing has been great. I’m still teaching two classes per week in Baton Rouge, and even though the drive can be annoying, I’m really happy with how that’s been going. My drills & conditioning class has actually been changed from a session class to an ongoing class, which is awesome in terms of security. It’s typically pretty well attended these days, and since I love teaching that class the most, I’m really happy with it. I feel like I’m becoming a better teacher, and that being a better teacher is making me a better dancer in turn. The gigs were picking up too, but then summer came and everything in New Orleans slowed down, so I’m not getting as much work right now. It’s a bummer. I love getting paid to do something that I enjoy so much – I never feel like I’m working when I’m teaching a dance class or dancing at a gig. It’s so nice to be paid to do the thing that you love. I only wish that I could completely support myself with my dancing. That would be ideal. I’m a little less than satisfied with my tribal troupe right now. I feel like we have a lot of stop and go, where we go nuts getting ready for a show or something, and then things go stagnant for a period of time, and I’m not seeing the growth that I need in that area because of it. I’m just glad that my solo career is going so well, because if I had to rely on my troupe for “job” satisfaction, I’d probably quit.



I’ve been spending a lot of time with my friends too, getting reacquainted with some of my favorite restaurants and bars. It’s really nice to have a social life again. This weekend one of them is having a luau at a bar he likes, and I can’t wait. Even though I do a lot of bellydancing, it will be nice to go to a bar and just party. And dance. Yay.



I’m still up in the air about whether or not to return to medical school. When I know, I’ll have more update on that.



Alright, well I sincerely hope that wasn’t too boring. There is more to add, and I’ll add it over the next few days. Mostly about my adventures with insurance companies that will not pay claims and fun with gay boys. Stay tuned. It’s sure to be riveting.

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Grand Duchess Christina the Recumbent of Great Leering Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

So life is getting better, y'all!!



Spent this weekend at 3rd coast bellydance festival, and what fun it was!!!



Got a new job - yay! Giving my notice tomorrow!



And my cold is just about gone.



It's been a long time since I posted just because I was in a good mood, so I decided to do so today. I'm a happy chick. Yup yup yup!

Would you do business with a man who made his least knowledgeable employee call you and discuss information about which he/she knew very little?



Would you do business with a man if you knew that he routinely swore at his employees?



Would you do business with a man who had racist tendencies and little compassion for people less fortunate than himself?











So is it any wonder why I've had throbbing headaches every day for the past three weeks? Why I experience a visceral reaction when I walk through the door every morning?



You know, we get irritated with people who are less than pleasant to deal with professionally, but does anyone else ever wonder why? It's my fault that I'm still here. I let myself think that I couldn't do any better, when I really can (though I could argue that it is hard to put aside a lifetime of being beaten over the head by the limitations of your class, but I'm not in the mood to spread blame). What really gets me is that I put up with this and I still struggle financially. It doesn't make any sense.



I want out. Now. Today. I want to get up and walk out of the door and not turn around. But I'm so locked into this place that it's just not an option right now.



How wonderful life is...

Been a while, I know. But I saw one of the most idiotic bumper stickers this morning.



1 cross + 3 nails = 4gvn



Yay. I'm so happy I live in the bible belt. Really.