The Road to Blackberry

Yesterday I reported that there hadn’t been any new developments concerning my Blackberry (a.k.a. my Christmas present).

Oh what a difference a day makes…

After writing yesterday’s entry, I decided to bring the subject up to Tia (accounting clerk at work) by simply saying “so am I going to the Verizon store today?”  She replied with “oh that’s right, I did say I would do that today, let me call them now.”  At 4:30 pm she walks into my office and informs me I’m all set.

On my way home I headed to the Verizon store thinking it won’t take that long (I mean really, how long does it take to add a line to a family plan?), an hour and half later (you heard me right) it was all I could do to refrain from screaming at the top of my lungs WHAT THE HELL IS TAKING SO DAMN LONG!!  I kept my cool though, and waited patiently (not an easy feat for me) for the process to be completed.

Meanwhile, before I had stepped foot into the Verizon store, I had called and placed a dinner order for my mother and I at Not Your Average Joe’s (I had a severe craving for a cheeseburger) the hostess told me it would be 20 minutes, so when I realized I would be longer I called to ask the meals be kept in the warmer, the hostess agreed and said “no problem.”  (I continued doing this w/ each time frame when I realized I was going to be delayed longer, and each time she said “no problem.”)  She never did, the entire meal was ice cold, and on top of everything she helped the person that came in behind me first (who worked at the restaurant down the street to give her free take-out containers).  Let’s just say a very angry telephone call will be placed to complain about the hostess!  But I digress.

The very first thing I set up on the Blackberry (even BEFORE the date, time or voicemail) was Ubertwitter.  Yeah…I’m not going to be addicted to this thing, no way (HA!).

That said I am going to go back to playing with my new toy!

The Blackberry Chronicles

What is the one thing that a severely technologically challenged individual (such as yours truly) shouldn’t be without?  Give up…a Blackberry of course!

Today is the day I am supposed to get a Blackberry…so far, at 3:30 pm (EST) there has been no mention of it…nada…not word one.

Here’s the story behind the self-amused intro:

Last summer while en-route to a meeting, I was texting a friend and my dad (who was driving and who I work with at the family business) jokingly said “what are you, writing a book?”  (In reference to how long it was taking me to complete.)  I laughed and then mentioned this is precisely why I am looking into Blackberry’s.  Dad then offered to get me one for Christmas – woo!

Between grueling schedules at work and school, not to mention the craziness of preparing for the holidays, I wasn’t able to do the research needed (which Blackberry I wanted, plans, etc…) It wasn’t until several days after Christmas I realized due to multiple obstacles, a Blackberry just didn’t seem very practical for me.  I told dad this and viola – obstacles cleared.

Last Wednesday the accounting clerk came into my office and told me they have a Blackberry available and I can have it the next day, it’s mine if I want it.  Trying not to appear ungrateful (which I failed miserably at), I said sure (not gonna lie, I was disappointed – after all this IS my Christmas gift!  For which I didn’t receive any gift on the day- because the Blackberry was my gift).  Anyway…she continues by saying: a) they will NOT be changing the email over to my name b) I have to use the apps already installed on the phone (no customizations to my wants / needs) c) I can’t add any contacts in the phone.  So basically all I’d really be able to use it for is a mobile web application.

After a brief (although silent) tantrum I thought maybe things were tight for dad and this is his way of keeping his promise to me.  I put my big girl pants on and happily accepted the offer of the used Blackberry.

A couple of hours later, the clerk appears in my office once again and says “you’re getting a new Blackberry.”  Apparently the sales rep who they were taking the Blackberry away from freaked out and called the sales manager who complained to the controller (and got his way, of course).

Interesting Note: The sales rep whose BB was being taken away from is contracted to spend eight hours per week making sales calls.  In the entire month of December he only made 10 minutes worth.  Funny he got paid for all 32 hours for the month.  Is that really Blackberry worthy?  Just saying….

Food for Thought

After re-watching “Julie & Julia,” (which if you recall is the movie that inspired me to create and maintain this blog on a daily basis, as a New Years resolution of sorts) I noticed something I hadn’t before.  In the movie the main characters use phrases such as utter bliss, I’m in heaven, or it’s such a comfort when describing various aspects of food.  I couldn’t help to notice the sheer enjoyment they experienced with food whether it was cooking or eating it (although I still don’t completely understand the love affair both had with butter, I mean yes it’s a delicious ingredient but…but I digress) I tried to conjure up some memory of me enjoying food, simply for being itself, alas I wasn’t able to, and that is really sad.

Although I am not the least bit surprised as most of my meals are mass produced and eaten on the go, thanks in part to the numerous drive-thru’s available in my area.  The conclusion I have come up with is I eat for comfort, which at a whopping 341.2 lbs means I am relying entirely too much on food for comfort, I need another outlet.

But here’s my question: when you have hundreds of pounds to loose and have to obsess about every morsel you put in your mouth, and most healthy food taste like cardboard (to those not accustomed), how are you suppose to stick to a diet?

Please do not misunderstand, this isn’t a cop-out of me eating healthy, not a chance, I just wondered, if food is meant to be enjoyed, and those who eat far too much of it don’t enjoy it, and now have to eat food they aren’t particularly fond of, how is one suppose to be successful at a weight loss endeavor?

Personally, I am going to take a more hands on approach and attempt (key word here folks) at pseudo cooking.  I say pseudo because I do not have a kitchen in my apartment, just a double hot plate, a few utensils, two pots and one pan.  My thinking is maybe I will learn to appreciate food more if I have ownership in the creation of it.

If nothing else, it will be interesting to see what happens.

New Year, Same Heavy Concern

I have been heavy my entire life, and super morbidly obese for the last 10 years.  This morning I weighed in at 341.2 lbs, and while two years ago I was in the neighborhood of 360′s (368 lbs I believe), I realize now, more than ever, it’s imperative I take the weight off, mainly because I clearly am not getting any healthier by continuing with my current eating and exercise regime (both of which are something to be desired).  On November 13, 2009 (a Friday no less), I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and I was utterly shocked when my Doctor told me!  I had a million thoughts, feelings and concerns swirling around in my head.

Telling my family was especially hard, my mother thought it was the end of the world, and my father (who’s very much into healthy living), showed his concern by nagging me to get the weight under control (still is a month and half later).  I know they (along with my step-mother) mean well, but if they haven’t figured me out by now, they should open their eyes and see that nagging the shit out of me is counterproductive.  I have to do it on my own, in my own timeframe.  (Maybe they’re afraid by the time I do, it will be too late.)

So beginning today, the second day of 2010, I vow to not only eat better and exercise, but also take better care of myself in general (appearance, style, skin, etc.) at the risk of sounding narcissistic, I have a feeling 2010 could very well be my year, which is a very exciting thought!

The Inspiration to Self Discovery

Last night, my long time friend Chappy and I were talking about the circumstances that lead me back to school (in 1999, when I was 26).  I told her if it hadn’t been for her helping me with the entry essay, I never would have gotten in.  She then said “I always knew you’d go someday, it was just a matter of you finding yourself.”  Completely flattered (and a bit stunned) by her statement, I couldn’t help to think “Funny I don’t feel like I ever found myself.”  (Obviously I have her completely fooled.)

Today while watching the 2009 movie “Julie & Julia,” I realized just like the main character Julie, I too have a problem finishing anything.  I got so swept away with the story and as the ending credits rolled I began to search for a resolution / project that I could do as a way of testing myself (to see if I am capable of accomplishing something).

Enter this idea of creating and maintaining a blog for one full year, 365 days, beginning today, Friday January 1, 2010 at 7:27 pm (EST) and ending Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 7:27 pm (EST).  (You thought I was going to do a cooking blog, didn’t you?  Ah no, I can’t even boil water, sad but very true.)  The goal is to post an entry everyday no matter how short.

I will record my thoughts, feelings, experiences, tribulations and successes throughout the year in hopes of proving to myself (as well as those around me) I can commit to something and finish it.  And who knows, maybe I will discover a little bit of the person I am.