call 911.

You can take all the CPR classes in the world but nothing will prepare you for the real deal.

This past Wednesday, I experienced the real deal. It all happened in slow motion. The patron collapsed just 10-15 feet away from me. I saw it happen - he slowly put his head down, and then fell to the ground! His head snapped back, jaw dropped open, and eyes rolled to the back of his head. Without a second thought, I had one of the part-timers call 911. I then immediately called down for a lifeguard to assist.

Did I make the right decisions? Was my course of action correct? I had such a hard time sleeping Wednesday night. I could not get the wife's voice and facial expression out of my head. The look on her face said it all - help me! somebody please help me!

I wanted to help. I wanted to do all I could to help. I know I could have done more - but what should I have done? All they teach you in class is, "Hey, hey, are you okay?" What the hell. Was I supposed to start CPR? Should I have checked his vitals before calling for help?

I can only hope the man is okay; EMS took him away.

I am the winner!

Cowboys victory over the Eagles sealed the W for the week...

pick 'em.

There is a boy at work that interests me. I, however, do not interest him as much.

Tom Brady out for the season?! Damn. Sucks for all the people who had him on their fantasy team!

It has not been done since college, but it finally happened again. I accidentally drove off with my drink still resting on top of my car. Damnit.

The TV is always on when I am home now. Between football season and Fall shows starting up, the TV has my undivided attention.

Anyone know where I can get a new set of eyeballs for a good price?

It did not dawn on me until the other day when I heard my neighbor's baby crying upstairs. If I can hear the baby cry at night, can they hear my TV on at 2 in the morning? Can they hear my alarm go off at 3:45 am on the mornings I have to be at work by 5?

The one time you feel appreciated (almost) makes up for the multiple times your hardwork is overlooked.

Post-hurricane weather is absolutely gorgeous. Too bad I will spend most of the week indoors at work instead of outside in 80 degree weather.

I'm winning this week's pick-ems!!! This is, of course, incomplete with tomorrow's Cowboys/Eagles game still to be determined, but I am so excited because I will probably never win another week the rest of the season!!! Check it...

I am sorry for your loss.

During my twenty-some years of existence, I have only suffered losses of friends. That is not to say that no one of family has died. I have just never 'suffered' as a result of their death, until now.

Yesterday my grandfather suffered a stroke. Following the stroke, MRIs were done to determine the effect of the stroke. Half of his brain was destroyed. The other half was a mess. Doctors projected he had but three to four days to live. My father, aunt, and uncle immediately bought airline tickets to Hong Kong. I can only imagine that their one wish was to make it across seas before my grandfather passed; a chance to hold and touch their father's hands before the blood stops circulating and the palms turn cold.

My grandfather has passed, and at this very moment in time my father is stuck at the airport because of a layover in Los Angeles. How fucking shitty is that?

I do not believe in a particular higher being, but if I did I can tell you I would be doubting all that it stands for right now. I have never felt this sort of pain for anyone before. The pain I feel for my father outweighs any pain I have for myself. Before he left I called him just to let him know I knew of the situation. Of course the conversation was just that - an acknowledgment of the facts and nothing more. Prior to hanging up he told me to take care of myself, as he did not want to have to worry about me, as well. My heart sank.

I hate that I feel, but cannot express. I love you, Dad. I am so very sorry for your loss...

pharmacy funny.

A slow Friday night at the pharmacy...

Me: What's that one saying? Something old, something blue..?

Jill: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Why? You getting hitched?

Me: Ha - Yeah, to Bill.

Bill: I'm the something old.

Jill: And Viagra is the something blue.

so you got jokes.

Pool and darts are my latest pastimes. Though my game could use much improvement, I thoroughly enjoy playing. Maybe it is the atmosphere. Maybe it is the beer.

People who have no sense of humor annoy the hell out of me. Life is depressing enough as it is, with war between countries, people dying of cancer, gas prices rising. For everyone's sake, please, try to laugh a little.

Growing up, I always had a little bully inside of me. Grown up, I apparently still have it in me. I will make a conscious effort to be nice.

C. Parker is amazing...



Someone please explain to me the logic behind blister-packing migraine medications. Between my Zyrtec D and my Amerge, my headaches triple in severity. When my head is throbbing, the last thing I want to do is try to break about a plastic seal to get to a tablet that may or may not help soothe my pain.

Guitar Hero owns me.

The countdown to The Olympics and Football Season has begun! The Olympics have not been the same since the Dream Team days; hopefully this year will be exciting. Football season, on the otherhand, is always exciting. I cannot wait!

I will no longer take my health for granted. The past month has been hell. I feared permanently losing vision in one eye. Talk of surgery scared the shit out of me. Hundreds of dollars were spent trying to find a treatment. Headaches were suffered each day, as contacts could no longer be worn and glasses were the only option. Bottles and bottles of eye drops prescribed. Daily activities (work and play) were put on hold - I have taken off more days from work the past few weeks than I have the past few years. Hopefully my appointment tomorrow will bring good news and send me on my way to being back to normal. I cannot even begin to describe how awful the past month has been...scared, alone, feel of hopelessness...

what the hell is wrong with me?

I have been up since 4 am. I worked practically 15 hours straight. I have to be up in less than 4 hours. I am wide awake. It is like my body is on crack. I cannot even thinking straight. I keep thinking about the $4.99/lb rib-eye steaks I am going to buy tomorrow. Fuck it. I am going to watch TV.

stay strong.

I understand what you are going through. More than you will ever know. Though it may seem like night and day, the same stars shine upon us. I wish, with all my heart, I could take away all the pain, frustration, and uncertainty which now consumes you. Stay strong, as you are every bit deserving of happiness.

I love this game.

Such a close game! Romo's team won by 3, but Tommy's team played a good game. They were never down by more than 9 and even pulled ahead the second half. It came down to a fouling game at the end.

My favorite fan quote of the game, "Don't foul him too hard! He's our quarterback!!"

fuck the domestics.

Is it fair to criticize a manager's ways when you, yourself, are not of managerial standing? Being a manager is no easy task, but how does one go about giving him/her constructive criticism? Or do you not?

The Race for the Cure kicked my butt, once again. It snuck up on me, and I was forced to move my legs in a back and forth motion resembling that of running for almost the entire 5k. My legs saw more exercise in that 37 minute period than it has in the past year.

Everyone is raising their prices. The cost of living is going up! Restaurants are charging additionally for bowls of rice. My gym membership went up 30%. Le Madelines is now serving their bread in halves.

Uncle Sam's allowance was spent before it was even received. A Wii was posted on the swap meet and within an hour I replied and purchased it. Somehow it ended up a Father's Day gift and is no longer within my possession.

Somewhere along the way, I turned into a bully. I do not mean to treat him as an inferior. I do not mean to belittle. I do not even realize how I am.

"Nothing exciting going on here. Some dumb kid just stepped in the mouse trap over by the vending machines." Ha. Only at my place of work. Stupid kid.

The NBA season has ended. It will be months until football season begins. What the hell am I going to do until then?

Mexican beers are my new love. Lime or no lime.

"You don't return my phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, or phone calls..." Take a hint! Do I really need to spell it out to you?

Hopefully business picks up at the pharmacy so that my favorite pharmacist can come back to work. Monday nights are going to be dreadful without her. She only worked 4 hours once a week, but I looked forward to working each of those hours with her.

missing from my life.

There is something that I want more and more each day. I fear that if I do not ever attain this, then my life will be incomplete. I will not consider my life full without this. Each and every day a certain aspect of this makes it more desirable. Consider it a challenge. Consider it a blessing. Consider it not a part of my life.

Living vicariously only makes it harder. If I was more grounded in religion, I would think maybe it was not meant to be. Maybe this is how it is supposed to be. But as a non-believer, I wonder if maybe I am just not as fortunate as others.

Why do I want it so bad? Why am I forced to face what I do not have day in and day out? Why is it not a part of my life?

I had a dream.

I did not know it was possible to have a vivid dream about a person you have not seen in...over 10 years. Why in the world would this person be in my dream? Why would this person play such a role in my dream? I do not dream often, so a dream like this definitely leaves me pondering...

I do not dream often. I am no Martin Luther King, Jr. I think I will leave the dreaming up to others.

no work, all play.

So my lack of posts the month of May either reflects a super busy or super boring and thoughtless month. Whatever the reason, I am pleased to present recaps of two consecutive weekends off from work. Weekends that mainly consisted of alcohol and people who's company I enjoy. Oh, and alcohol.

I have officially been tagged a member of the "rowdy" table. You know, the one you seat at the back of the wedding, near the bar. I am honored.

Please note that an open bar wedding is the best kind of wedding. It really should be the only kind of wedding.

Several attempts later, I finally found myself at Ghost Bar. Though it did not have the same ooh-ahh effect as Las Vegas, it definitely felt like home. Well, in that the music was good, the drinks were not unreasonably priced, and the company was great.

Wearing a dress is one of the most stressful and uncomfortable things ever!

According to my weight scale, I gained almost 5 pounds this past weekend. I wonder why - alcohol, korean food, burgers, fries, frozen custard, late night meals...

Just call me old. First my knee, now my foot. I am falling apart.

I am a ninja. I like to take pictures when nobody is looking. Now if only I could "turn down the flash."

Note: Do not order the Crazy Roll at Blue Fish. Though it is quite crazy, it hardly allows for an enjoyable taste. Between fighting the watery eyes and hoping there is not another bite of wasabi, the roll leaves you wishing you had settled for another Yellowtail Roll.

I love Dallas, and I love Plano, but I hate the pretentiousness that comprises 98% of the area. Is it really necessary to throw down $600 dollars to have a good time at a lounge? Do you not think there is something wrong with dressing your 5 year old daughter in an outfit that costs as much as your Gucci sunglasses?

'til death do us part.

Having gone to two weddings in the past 10 days, I cannot help but think...

My friends are now approaching the age at which marriage is not uncommon, and is very much accepted, if not expected. I, in turn, am also nearing that age.

I am at a point in my life where growing old may soon become a reality, and no longer a fear.

People are building families; I want that. I want to be a part of a family in which I actively build so that I can put to rest the one in which I play a passive role in.

I want kids. I feel like the more I say it, the less likely I am to have any. But let it be known, that I love children. I see my co-workers' children grow, and hear about their antics each and every day, and it never ceases to amaze me what they are capable of and the joy they bring to their parents' lives.

Love is out there. I have no earthly idea what it is and what it feels like, but I have witnessed it in others.

Boom Tho.

I somehow managed to sprain my pinky while popping my knuckles. Grown-ups always tell you not to pop your knuckles because it could cause arthritis when you are older, but did they ever warn you about sprains? Fingers take forever to heal, too!

Having black friends sure does have its advantages. They keep you in the know and give you soul. How else would I know about the new Movement...Boom Tho!



How are you supposed to react when someone asks you, "Are you shrinking?" Mind you, this was not a friend or family member asking...but rather a customer. Maybe I have lost an inch or two. Do you really need to point it out?

Food makes me so happy. My latest homeade indulgence...



Congratulations to Cate and Brent - probably the purest couple to wed that I will ever know. The ceremony was beautiful, and I wish you two nothing but happiness for years to come.

Congratulations to the other happy couple that just wedded this weekend. The ceremony and reception were both gorgeous. The crab cakes were delicious, and the open bar was the shit.

Hurray for Whitney - America's Next Top Model Winner:



I found my first gray hair. I was, and still am, devastated.

How many pairs of basketball shorts can one girl own? Apparently not too many, as I just purchased three more this past weekend. I could not help it - the Nike outlet had a sale!

I do not mean to always play devil's advocate; it just seems to always play out that way.

10 superstitions, traditions, personality quirks.

1. I eat my sides first, then the main course.
2. I eat french fries with mustard, not ketchup.
3. I do not do drive-thrus.
4. All my athletic shoes are Nike.
5. I write checks to pay all my bills.
6. I put a period after my name when I type emails and leave online comments on websites/blogs.
7. The only time I drink sodas are with alcohol, as a cocktail.
8. I bounce the basketball three times and then spin it in my hands before shooting each free throw.
9. I always ask for two straws with my drinks at restaurants.
10. I always have chapstick on me; usually in my right jean's pocket.

10 things you love about your life.

1. My DVR. Cable would be worthless to me without my DVR.
2. My work attire. I can wear tennis shoes and jeans every day. Hell, I can even wear my Tevas so long as my toes are painted.
3. My sister. She is the only person in this world I can truly say I love.
4. My health. Despite my headaches, I am grateful for my health. Namely, my mental health, as I have never met so many people with mental illnesses until this past year.
5. My alma mater. I bleed burnt orange. Hook 'em!
6. Not having college loans. I am grateful to my parents for this.
7. My co-workers. I love going to work each day.
8. The luxury of having Starbucks twice, if not three times, daily.
9. My apartment. Living on my own has been quite the pleasant experience, bills aside.
10. The memories. I cherish everyone of them.

...in no particular order.

all I can hear are my head and my heart.

It is not always about me, I know. But is it better to sit and watch as the person I know and love become someone I do not know but will always love? Was I being selfish or did I really have her best interest at heart? I feel alone in this matter, and for the first time in a long time, my emotions are getting the best of me everywhere I go and with everything I do. I fear this will not pass until I know she will be okay.

because you are my manager.

And this is what I would have said to my manager...

You're too quick to doubt, instead of giving the benefit of the doubt.

You play favorites.

Kim can do no wrong. And Connie and Ameer can get away with anything.

What I admire about you is your patience, but sometimes you have to take a stand. You shouldn't have to wait for another pharmacy manager to tell you to do something that has been a long time coming.

It wasn't what you said. It was how you handled the situation.

I wouldn't get mad over such a petty thing. I would be the first to banter back with you. But like I said, it wasn't the words, but rather the actions.

Enraged and frustrated, I have decided to take the so-called high road. I will show up to work to do my job the only way I know how. It is not in my nature to sabatoge my work ethics in order to prove a point. I will continue to put 110% in everything I do. I am responsible for my actions, and my actions alone.

footlong turkey on wheat, please.

Do you know anyone else that would do their nails, and then two hours later go and play basketball?

Upgrades are only done to secure the jobs of programmers and IT people. I will never understand the need to upgrade softwares that work perfectly fine.

Being "socially sober" during a work-related happy hour is incredibly enlightening. The things people say...and the things you learn...

At the rate in which I am eating $5 footlongs, I will soon become a footlong turkey on wheat with american cheese. Eat me.

Ever notice how quick girls are to compliment other girls when their hair looks nice? Sometimes they even make it a point to say it several times throughout the day.

I will admit it, I am an Idol junkie this season. I cannot help it. I love the guys, D. Archuleta and D. Cook, and I think C. Smithson is absolutely amazing! This week's performances gave me goosebumps...





I can only hope that you know I am always here for you.

Uncle Sam can kiss my ass. Each year I dread doing my taxes. This year was no exception. I am being punished for working hard and having two jobs.

I have a little crush. It probably will not develop into anything more than a little crush. It will never be a full blown crush. I do not think I will ever get to know him well enough to take a liking to him. The crush will probably only last a few weeks. But it is a crush, nonetheless. And I get to see him several times a week.

Texas weather is fucking crazy. Car ports falling on cars. Trees getting split in half. Traffic lights being blown down. Fences falling down. Roof shingles flying all over the place. When it storms, it really storms.