Month of April, 2004

Who?

I got an email from a woman whose name I didn't recognize. It took me a whole minute to realize this was my sister's name now that she's married. Wow, that's going to take some getting used to.

Not Listening to the News

Normally, I listen to NPR on the way to work. (I commute about 45 minutes so it's a great way to catch up on what's going on in the world.) The news has been so depressing lately that I can't even bear to turn it on. This whole thing with Iraq seems hopeless and is horribly unsettling. It doesn't seem like we're doing the right thing. I can only imagine how awful it must be for our troops.

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Karen's 29th Birthday

Karen turned 29 on Monday, and I was so distracted by my business trip, I didn't post about it. Luckily, I'm home and have access to the Lucci photo archives.

Karen and I have always been close, close, close. She's a wonderful sister whom I love very, very much. I was sad that we couldn't celebrate her birthday together this year, but at least I can embarrass her on the Internet.

Karen was dancing even before she could stand up! (I was lucky enough to have her teach me all her moves.)

Karen has always known how to strike a pose.

Karen was nice enough to share her sense of fashion with me.

Karen let me tag along everywhere she went.

Karen has always been a good sister to both Kristen and I! Look at how happy she was at Kristen's birth.

Karen, I love you and am so glad we've had so many years together!

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Back in Dallas

I'm back from the conference and I'm exhausted. There was definitely too much staying up late and getting up early. Looks like I might actually get some rest tonight for a change.

Everything went fabulously well at the conference. I know you have no desire to hear the details, so I won't bother writing them. Let me just say that business is good. Oh yeah, and I should also mention that the conference showed me that I love Canadians.

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Thoughts from the Conference

Everyone in Las Vegas is a flirt. I swear, I had more casino employees flirting with me yesterday. I guess it's a part of their job description to make single women feel like they're important. The attention is certainly a change of pace. The best comment I’ve received since I’ve been here was at the sushi bar. The waiter said, “My, you’re looking fresh tonight.” Fresh. They must say that a lot at the sushi bar.

I've arrived in Las Vegas, specifically Caesar’s Palace, where I will probably stay for the next 4 days. These casino complexes are large enough it would be very easy to never have a reason to go to another casino. In my case, I really don't have a reason to visit another casino - all the work is here. When I arrived this morning, my room wasn't ready (to be expected since I arrived at 10am). I anticipated this scenario and packed accordingly. So for the past 4 hours, I've been laying out by the pool. My own little mini vacation. It was fabulous and I have the sunburn to prove it. I'm rested, relaxed, and officially ready to conquer the world...err, at least be nice to my customers.

Tonight I met a bunch of customers. I heard lots of good things about the team I work with. But I also heard a lot of comments about my height. People say I sound a lot taller on the phone. Hmm, I wonder what that sounds like.

The best was a customer telling me that he hoped he hadn’t been an asshole to me. We had a tough conversation a few weeks ago regarding some things that I could improve. It’s always tough to get criticism even if it is constructive. He wasn’t being an asshole and I told him that. He was simply giving constructive criticism. I’m taking it to heart and am trying to make things better. I feel like he and I just had a breakthrough with each other by him asking if he was being an asshole. It’s like he said he was sorry for being tough on me and that he respects me. He also said he thought I was very relational and not particularly weird. It sounds strange writing it, but in context, it was a fabulous compliment. That conversation made this whole trip worth it. Oh yeah, and the conversation where I probably helped sell some consulting services. That made the trip worth it too. Wow, it’s on the first night and I’ve already got things rolling. Who knows what the next few days will bring!

It occurred to me just now that a client of mine asked me yesterday about my studies. Over a year ago, I told him that I was going to pursue higher education. Yesterday, he brought it up. Wow, that’s a good memory. Then he asked me about my skills in other areas of the software. It felt like he was testing the waters. I wonder if he’s going to try to offer me a job in another year…the company is in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Interesting.

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Vegas, Baby!

I'm off to Vegas tomorrow to work a conference. I should be excited about this opportunity, but I'm not. I'm tired and just want to stay home. I've got a paper due Wednesday and a final on Thursday when I get back. It's just too much all at once. Why am I going to school AND working a full time job?

Tonight I had a nice break from school work by having dinner with Leia, Sparkler, and Kristen. It was nice to sit back, laugh, and gorge myself on Mexican food. Can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night. Actually, that's not true. I can think of a better way...but there would have to be homemade ice cream involved.

Now that I'm home, I've got to pack for Vegas. Yeah, I'm the worst procrastinator when it comes to packing. If I thought I could wake up early enough, I'd wait to pack until morning. But I need my beauty sleep so it'll have to be done tonight. But before packing, I've got to share some pictures!

I finally put up the pictures from the post-wedding party for Lyn and Bryan last week. Last Saturday was the most fun I've had in a long time. I sat on the patio at Caves, listened to good music made by friends, chatted, and drank Guinness. The weather was perfect as was the companionship. It was a fitting celebration for a very special couple.

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Lingering in Bed

It's 7:30am and I'm still in bed. I just can't seem to find the motivation to get out. It's Friday so I have to get up...eventually. Motivation seems to be a problem for me right now. Finals are next week, but I can't seem to force myself to study.

Instead of getting ready to work, like I should be, I've been surfing. Enjoyed Lisa's photos quite a bit.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Dave? He's my best online-only friend and he never stops cracking me up with his response to my comments. If only he would tell the truth.

Mom and Dad are in Nuevo Vallarta so I won't get to hang out with them this weekend. It makes me sad, but is probably for the best. I've REALLY got to study. On Sunday I'm leaving for Las Vegas - my company is throwing our big conference. (I really wish I was traveling to the opposite side of the country.) The timing of it throws a big wrench into my life, but I will survive. And truly, I'll probably have a good time while I'm there. It's always a nice change to talk with customers when they're happy (because they're drunk and they didn't lose all of their money yet) instead of when they're going ballistic.

Ok, it's time for me to get out of bed now. Work calls. Though, if you were here, it sure would justify staying in bed a little longer.

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Quote of the Day

"Brad Pitt is hot even as a gladiator."
- Kristen

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Jungle Frat House

At school, I walk by a row of frat houses between the parking garage and the business building. Last night I was in for a surprise. One of the frat houses had a makeover! It was such an amazing site, I had to take a picture. It's hard to tell, but they even had water running out of the bamboo pipes into the moats! Quite impressive. Apparently they're having a big party tonight (the guys outside invited me while I took pictures). For about half a second I imagined myself in a "Jungle Jane" outfit partying with a bunch of undergrads, then I realized that I've never been to a frat party for a reason. (A few reasons, actually.)

But I totally enjoyed the decorations and wish I could meet the master designer. After all, LucciHouse could use some sprucing up.

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Quote of the Day

"It's the biggest non-event of the year!"
- Cameron's comment about theHot Abercrombie Chick saga

Breedster

I joined Breedster. You can watch me grow! Right now I'm just a larvae.

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Clean Garage, Eat, Arts Festival

Kristen and I had an amazingly productive day yesterday. It started off with mowing the yard. Then we ran the sprinklers for the first time this year and made sure they were all working properly. We became motivated to work around the house, so a trip to the hardware store came next. We purchased brackets in order to get some scrap wood off the floor in the garage. That led to cleaning out the whole garage! It looks totally amazing now. (Or it will when we take all the trash out tomorrow morning.)

After the garage, we had lunch with Mom and Dad. It was surf and turf day - salmon and steak! Wow, I'm so spoiled. After lunch, it was back home to rearrange the kitchen and get rid of everything we didn't use anymore. I think we packed up three boxes of stuff! The kitchen is so much better and feels more usable now. (Not like I'm going to cook anytime soon...maybe when I'm done with my MBA.)

In the late afternoon, we went to the Main Stree Arts Festival in downtown Fort Worth. I bought a couple prints and a couple photographs as well as saw Amy from school. We loved the weather and as alwasy, the food vendors. This is a kinetic sculpture I really, really want, but will never be able to afford. Price tag - $8000. The artist is Andrew Carson at windsculpture.com.

We finished up the busy day with a walk to the park with the dogs. By ten o'clock I was fast asleep. It's the best sleep when you've worked and played hard.

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Hair Extensions

I've kinda been itching to do something different with my hair. Maybe I should get extensions and have it long for a little while. (Nothing dramatic...just longer than it is right now.) I found a very fun website of stylists who do all sorts of extensions - Hairpolice.com. Maybe something kinda like this.

Does anyone know a stylist in the Dallas area who does extensions? Do you have experience wtih extensions?

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I'm being reminded a lot right now about...

• being happy with exactly where I'm at. I don't want to look into the future so often that I'm not appreciating this moment.
• being honest with myself and others. It's not so much just being honest (because it's not like I go around telling lies), but it's about being openly honest. It's not always easy for me to tell other people how I feel.
• how important relationships are in my life. I am so loved.

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Brother-in-law

I was instant messaging with my new brother-in-law tonight. He was teasing me about how great the married life is (as if to encourage me to think more seriously about it). Then he said, "But I do want you to know that I really love living with your sister." Aww, is that not the sweetest thing ever?! I'm so glad he's a part of our family and that he loves my sister as much as I do.

Oh snap.

A phrase uttered in disbelief or when something bad happens.
"Oh snap! Look who just walked in here!”

From Teen Lingo

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Welcome Home Banner

I used The Rastorbater, recommended by Roger, to create a welcome home banner for Karen and Jason. It's hard to tell, but the banner is actually 4 1/2 feet by 5 1/2 feet.

I know they had a blast in Costa Rica on their honeymoon and can't wait to see pictures. They were back in Dallas on Monday. On Tuesday they packed up the rest of Karen's stuff and a ton of wedding gifts then headed up to Oklahoma City. I miss them already. Good thing they come back on Friday for Bryan and Lyn's wedding.

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Raise

Today is a good day. I just got a 10% salary increase.

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Taxes

I can't believe it's already April 13th. Why aren't my taxes done already? Oh yeah, because I didn't do them. That stinks. Why won't someone do my taxes for me? Oh yeah, because I'm too cheap to pay someone else. Why won't my Dad do them for me? Oh yeah, because I'm an adult now. (Or at least we pretend I am.) Why do I keep complaining about doing my taxes instead of just sitting down and doing them? Hmm, no idea.

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Broke Up

I broke up with Kevin about four weeks ago. We'd been together for two years. It was a good two years, and I have no regrets. Kevin is a wonderful man, but I don't believe he is the man I'm going to spend the rest of my life with. It's hard to explain, but it's just something I know deep down inside me.

The breakup has been really hard on both of us. I feel like I've lost my best friend. I have. We were talking for a couple weeks afterwards, but it was too hard. We need some space between us. I still cry about it sometimes, but I know I've made the right decision. I don't think it's fair to continue on in a relationship that I know isn't leading to a longer term commitment.

Kevin has asked me why I feel this way and what we can do to change it. It's hard for me to say that there's nothing we can do. It's just something I feel. Kevin doesn't believe love works like that so he doesn't understand. I don't know any different way to explain it.

I wish it didn't feel like this.

Quote of the Day

"Yes, I do fish off the company pier."
- Tim says to use this phrase when explaining a date with a co-worker

(P.S. I don't date co-workers.)

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Monster Island

Monster Island is a serial novel about a zombie apocalypse in New York City. You can't possibly find better content on the web.

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"Hi, this is Erica Lucci."

It occurred to me this morning that when I call people, I almost always say, "Hi, this is Erica Lucci" instead of saying, "Hi, this is Erica." Most of the time, it's the appropriate thing to say since the person I'm calling doesn't know me all that well, or we don't talk often enough to be casual. But occasionally, the person on the other line will mock the fact that I'm introducing myself by my full name. It always makes me feel like a big freak. Because my life is a big blur of work and school, I get stuck in a loop. I'm becoming a robot!

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Spontaneous

When was the last time you did something really spontaneous?

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Wedding Pictures

I know everyone wants to see pictures, but it will be awhile until mine are up. Connie took some great ones, so go look at her photos. I took the liberty to borrow a couple of my favorite ones to post here.

Bryan also posted pictures from the wedding! You can really tell that everyone was having a great time! I took the liberty (again) to post some of my favorites that Bryan took.

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Karen's Wedding

Karen and Jason were married last night. It was so wonderful and perfect. I am so happy for them. The whole weekend revolved around their marriage and it was all so incredible. I'm completely exhausted, but utterly happy.

Thanks, everyone, for sharing the joy with me and my family.

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Julie and Jason's Wedding

Last weekend Jason and Julie got married in Austin. It was wonderful to see how happy they are together. See Slideshow.

Today, Karen and Jason are getting married. I can hardly wait!