How do you remove a bandage?

Do you think about it for a long time? Do you consider the pros and cons of leaving the bandage on to remove another day? Do you explore all options for removing it?

Do you pull the bandage off slowly, hoping that the incremental advancement will somehow lessen the discomfort?

Or do you rip the bandage right off, quick?

I'm currently considering my options but I think I have a bandage that needs removing. Maybe I've even been picking at the edges. But I think the rip might come soon.

P.S. This isn't about an actual bandage. It's a metaphor. For a situation.

P.P.S. Eww. A bandage? Really?

P.P.P.S. Six Word Saturday tomorrow.

New Friends Thanks to Social Networking

Over the years, I've met a lot of people online that I now consider to be close friends. Some I've met through chat rooms, others through message boards, more recently blogging and Twitter. It's only in the past few years that they've started calling it "social networking" and it's suddenly the "in" thing.

So this weekend, I signed up for a new site. They viciously hacked conveniently accessed my email contacts so I could become "friends" with other users on the site. These connections are then confirmed by email that states "you are now friends with...".

Now, first of all, that's kinda not accurate, is it? NOW I'm friends with them? No, I was friends with them before. Otherwise you wouldn't have set up the connection.

My favorite notification is when I get messages that "you are now friends with Joe McPuncherFace". As in my husband. When I mentioned to him that it's kind of funny to now be friends with him, he only scoffed. "We're married - being friends has nothing to do with it."

Umm, haha? I think?

Six Word Saturday

Describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does each week with their entries.

September 11th - I still haven't forgotten

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit. That way, everyone has equal chance. In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

All that's necessary to participate is to post your own six words. You can post an explanation if you wish but it's certainly not required. If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" /></a>

Ordinary Words, Unordinary Feelings

I've noticed that I'm starting to accumulate quite a list of words that others use quite freely but trigger a punch you in the face reaction from me. Often the twitchy reaction is started by one person's use of the word and it grows until any use of the word makes my blood pressure rise. For kicks and to save you from potential face-punchings, I thought I'd share a few today, along with how they've been used that makes me recoil in disgust.

hubby: "I only stay with my hubby because we decided whoever leaves has to take the kids and neither of us want them."

The first in a long line of words poisoned for me by my mother. She constantly refers to my father as her "hubby", usually while saying something demeaning about him or condescending to him. As a result, anytime I hear the word "hubby", it makes me think the husband involved is being verbally abused.

irked: "With your wedding coming up soon, this is the wrong time to have your father and I irked at you."

We'll let the improper use of "I" slide to focus on "irked". Why was she "irked"? Because I refused to let her forge my signature on a check that was coming in my name. "Irked" is definitely one of her key words and she overuses it.

lucky: "You and your husband are lucky you have such good jobs. Your sister and her husband haven't been that lucky."

Yes, luck. That is why we have our jobs. It has nothing to do with those college degrees, post-undergrad training, certifications, years of experience, relocating to areas with a lot of jobs in our industry, or Joe's MBA. My current school endeavors are apparently for grins and giggles.  And yes, my sister just isn't as "lucky" as us with her high school diploma, 6 months experience as a part-time grocery bagger, and location in the city where she grew up, which has no jobs. "Lucky" my arse.

acclimate: "I know you don't like it when I'm away but you're going to have to stop freaking out and get acclimated."

Really, husband? Really?!?! I realize, looking back, that it was silly of me to be so upset when he traveled. But to use the word "acclimate" on your upset spouse is not the most comforting approach. Though, I guess I'm "acclimated" now because I'm a-ok with him taking off occasionally.

I think I'll leave you with just those for now. I'll save some others for another post.

On an unrelated note, this is my second day at home as a student. The last two days at work were rough, ending with my car being rear-ended at a red light on the commute home last night. I'm fine and the car isn't even scratched. Still, sipping my coffee on the back porch while I ease into the books is not a bad gig.

What a Start

I'm going to go ahead and warn you right now that this post includes references to slight ickiness that you may or may not want to read over breakfast. Or ever.

Today begins my status as a part-time employee, full-time student. I only work two days this week, with yesterday being a holiday and the remaining two days devoted to classwork.

I awoke early with great plans! On most of my class days, I intend to wake up at the same time I would wake up for work. Sure, I could indulge and sleep in but that's not the point of this part-time employment. So this morning, I started off well, waking up around 6:45 and out of bed by 7am. I created my task list for the day, including two more units of my PR class.

As I prepared coffee and a light breakfast-to-go for the husband, it all took a turn for the worse when Tonya came flying down the stairs like her tail was on fire. She decided to put that fire out by scooting her furry little booty across the (new!) carpet. Apparently she missed the memo that the (new!) carpet is NOT Charmin. I yelled and chased her back upstairs, where I held her down as Joe cleaned her up. The entire time, she cursed and screamed serenaded us with some lovely songs of thanksgiving.

It was while I stood in the bathroom holding Tonya for her impromptu booty-bath that I looked over and discovered that Rusty had decided to poo in the tub again. Awesome.

So far, my first day as part-time employee, full-time student has involved a cat bath, scrubbing cat poo out of the bathtub, and using my miraculous BFF (pictured at right) to scrub multiple spots on the (new!) carpet. All before 7:30.

It can only get better from here, right? RIGHT?!?!? ZOMGPBANDJANDBBQ YOU HAVE TO TELL ME I'M RIGHT!!!!

P.S. As I prepared to click "publish" on this post, I heard a crash from upstairs. Where Tonya is hanging out because Joe has already gotten the hell out of Dodge abandoned me with the fur-devils dutifully departed for work. If I'm not back in ten minutes, assume I am murdering cats. And please send help and gin.

P.P.S. This post was not sponsored or endorsed by Bissell. But I'm totally willing to be their spokeswoman. Call me!