So that's why I'm so moody...

Test results:

The Romantic

you chose BY - your Enneagram type is FOUR.

"I am unique"

Romantics have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me

• Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
• Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
• Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
• Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
• Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being a Four

• my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level
• my ability to establish warm connections with people
• admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life
• my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor
• being unique and being seen as unique by others
• having aesthetic sensibilities
• being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being a Four

• experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair
• feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved
• feeling guilty when I disappoint people
• feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me
• expecting too much from myself and life
• fearing being abandoned
• obsessing over resentments
• longing for what I don't have

Fours as Children Often

• have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games
• are very sensitive
• feel that they don't fit in
• believe they are missing something that other people have
• attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.
• become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood
• feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Fours as Parents

• help their children become who they really are
• support their children's creativity and originality
• are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings
• are sometimes overly critical or overly protective
• are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele

The Enneagram Made Easy Discover the 9 Types of People HarperSanFrancisco, 1994, 161 pages

The Quick and Painless ENNEAGRAM Test

Olympics Check-in #3 (The Finale) and other things...

#1: Apolo won Gold!!! Wheeeeee!!!

#2: The Closing Ceremonies were last night. This officially signals my weeks-long decent into post-Olympics withdrawal depression. Thank goodness there's still Project Runway and Seinfeld reruns to keep my heart distracted from the reality that I will be Olympics-less for the next 2 cold, black years.

#3: On an uplifting note: The next Winter Olympics will be in Vancouver, BC!! This is potentailly tres exciting for me for a very specific reason (more on that soon....). Other than the fact that we went there on a band trip in high school and I fell in love with the city.

****

In other news: it was a fairly busy morning at work today as I had a lot of administrative/clerical chores to take care of all at once, but I have since blasted through all of those in a swift and efficient manner and have nothing pressing to do now. Especially since the Bossman is out of town for the next 3 days. Well, I guess I could attempt to finish transcribing the minutes from last week's Executive Committee meeting, which I keep putting off for no other reason than that I cannot decipher the harried notes that I took during my note-taking frenzy that morning. Hey, you try to take clear and concise minutes during a 2-hour long meeting beginning at 7 in the morning. Anyway, at least I have until the next Exec meeting to have those done so I can continue exercising my Right to Free Procrastination until then.

Also: I have been (Miracle of Miracles!) practicing the ol' devil stick again. It feels good, I have to say, minus the part about the crappy reeds being either too hard or too soft (blah blah blah). Here's a sad truth: I am 509% more likely to practice consistently if I just keep my clarinet out next to a music stand full of music. I've found that if all I have to do to practice my clarinet is literally pick up the horn and slap a reed on it, I have no problems playing it everyday (or so). I even look forward to it. But if the task of practicing involves me actually lugging out the gig bag and putting all the pieces together, my laziness will overtake me and I will find an excuse to not practice. Isn't that sad? At least I can admit to it now.

****

In the meantime, on to more surfing the web and mentally planning my lunch hour freedom!!

Olympics Check-in #2

So Little Miss Cohen chokes AGAIN!! Biiiiig surprise. But I won't be too cruel because 1) she may have been injured, 2) she did perform well after falling on her first two jumps, and - most importantly of all- 3) it seems as though she has matured from her snotty younger years and is not quite as stuck-up as she was before.

My favorite skater of the night? Silvia Fontana of Italy.

#1: It was so sweet seeing how she reacted after skating so well during the long-program after doing quite badly during the short.

#2: I admire her coming back from retirement just so she could skate on Olympic ice in her home country, even though she's almost 30 years old.

#3: She's HOT!! Yeah, I can say that. Did anyone else see her?! Sooo pretty!

#4: Also, she skated to "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot which I loooooooooooooove. Love love love. Best. Aria. Ever. Aside from "E lucevan le stelle" from Tosca, which edges out primarily because of the clarinet solo.

Reason #1,087,378 Why Ysabel should never have money at her leisure

One of the things I like to do when I have (sort-of) dispensible income is dare people to eat either a) something gross, or b) something in large quantities for a certain amount of money. Does anyone else do this? I once convinced my friend Kyle to eat a plate full of cake frosting for $2. I don't know which is more troubling, that I got such a kick out of it, or that Kyle was willing to do it for such a small sum of money.

Anyway, a couple of nights ago Scott and I went to eat dinner at this sushi place near the apartment. For no reason I suddenly got the urge to ask him what amount of money it would take for him to eat the entire lump of ginger on his plate in one bite. Turns out, he was willing to do it if I went to Blockbuster and returned and paid off the 3 movies that have been overdue on his account since God knows when. I don't think it was so much the money thing ("No more late fees!"), so much as the having to own up to the overdue-ness of it all. Which I have no problem with since it's not my name on the account. In fact, I'm looking forward to walking up to the counter and saying, "Hey, see that guy waiting outside in that truck? Yeah, that's my boyfriend. He's too scared to come in here and return the movies himself. Isn't he dreeeaaamy?" Hahaha. The best part is that, in the weeks and months we have had these three movies, we only ended up watching one of them.

Epilogue: Scott ate all the ginger, felt sick to his stomach for about an hour, and now I have to go to Blockbuster and pay off his late fees.

***

Also: Speaking of ingesting questionable foodstuffs, the other night I met up with a couple of friends for dinner after work (Sushi...again.), then came home, plopped myself down on the couch, and got ready for a delightful night of uninterrupted Olympics-viewing.

However, after about half an hour my stomach started feeling icky and I was afraid I was going to start vomiting. You know that feeling when your body starts preparing itself for puking? You break into a cold sweat and your mouth starts producing that gross acidic saliva. Ewwwww. So I curled myself up in my warm snuggly childhood comforter and willed the vomit-feelings to go away. Then I started to get that achy feeling all over where it hurts to even have anything touch your skin. I think at one point I actually got angry at my sweater for daring to touch my arm.

And then Scott called (who, oh yeah, is in Seattle for Round 1 of his doctoral program auditions) to talk because he had found out earlier that he had been accepted to the University of Washington with a full ride. Huzzah! I am very proud of him. Anyway, I tried to express my happiness and excitement over the news, but all that came out was, "Congratulationnnnns...bleeeeeeaaaaaahhhh.... I am really happy for y-- uuuuuuuuuugggggg..." Something to that effect.

Anyway, I am blaming the grossness on the mixture of sushi, mochi and red wine that I had at dinner. Also, perhaps the fact that I started on this sudden less-coffee-more-water health kick and drank an estimated 80+ ounces of water at work that day (which may have been a little bit overboard?). I literally went to the bathroom over 10 times during the course of the workday. Ok, that's all. Peace out.

Oh wait! One more thing! Ladies figure-skating long program tonight. Very excited. Ugh, I do have to admit now (bleah) that Cohen is a talented skater. Let's just hope she doesn't choke in the long program like she's done since ... oh, always.

A makeover!

What thinkest thou about my new blog design? I think it's pretty, but I fear the color scheme I chose is a little too Spring-y/Easter-ish/baby's nursery/pastel/etc etc etc.

It is pretty, though, I'd have to say. There's nothing too complicated on the page yet, considering it takes me about 2 hours of trial and error every time I want to tweak something or add something else to the design.

HTML is such a b*tch. I'm so glad I went into music.

Muchos frustrationos!!

I've decided that I'm bored with my blog design and have spent the last hour trying to tweak things around to make it look cooler, but I can't get anything to turn out the way I want it to! This HTML nonsense is driving me MAAAAADDDD!!!!! Perhaps if I give it a break and go back to work (i.e. what I'm supposed to be doing), I can cool down a little bit...

Really really mean phone messages also: Olympics Check-in #1

Okay, so I get this message from my 4-year old niece, Kat, while I was at work today. It went like this:

"Hi Auntie Ysabel. When are you coming to visit? ...Can you come tomorrow?"

I think my insides spontaneously melted as I checked my voicemail.

The "mean" part was that it was so obviously a calculated maneuver by my own mother. I know this because 1) my mom had just called my phone 5 minutes before and did not leave a message, and 2) I could hear her in the background right before Kat started the message saying, "Ok, go!"

Thanks, Mom! You know playing the Kat card is completely underhanded! She is like kryptonite! What do you want me to do? Spend my paycheck on a plane ticket to California so I can come see you guys this weekend??!! Because I will!!!! Gaaaaaaah!!!!

*****

In other (i.e. Olympics!!!) news:

• I am obviously hearbroken over the fact that Michelle took herself out of competition. But her graciousness and generosity in doing so only solidified my admiration for her. I can admit that she is no longer in top condition. There's now a new crop of skaters that are younger and more physically in their prime. But Michelle was just so great to watch. I really don't care now if the U.S. medals in women's figure skating. Does that make me a bad American? Cohen can kiss my well-toned patootie and so can the little mini-me version of the biznatch who stole the gold from Michelle 4 years ago. Maybe I can root for the third girl on the U.S. team (otherwise known as "Whatsername"). I have nothing against her. Yet.

• Will everyone lay off Bode's back already? He's an f*ing skier, not Captain America. Plus, he's still got the Super-G. And if, for whatever reason, he doesn't win gold? He can still whoop your -- as well as anyone else's -- bootay on the mountain.

• Shaun White (Yeah yeah yeah, "Flying Tomato" blah blah) is hilarious. As well as talented. Oh, to be a multi-millionare skate/snowboarder at 19 years old. His only fault? That he has the hots for Cohen. Blah.

• Oh, and did anyone else SEE that interview of the Russian pairs skaters after the Chinese pair Zhang and Zhang had a horrible fall in which it looked like the female skater could have dislocated her hip or fractured a knee and then still managed to finish their routine almost flawlessly??!! ...Probably not. Anyway, I won't even bother to explain the whole story because I know nobody out there really cares (heathens!!!), but long story short (and I have nothing against Russians in general, mind you): the woman in the Russian pair is a self-centered raving lunatic!! A beeeeeetch!!! You'd think getting dropped on her face by her partner a couple of years ago would have knocked some sense -- or at least a sense of sportsmanship -- into her. I guess not.

• And lastly, I would just like to say this: Um, could Apolo Anton Ohno be any hotter??!! He was decently attractive in Salt Lake, but I do have to say Damn, if he hasn't progressed nicely in the last four years!!*

* These last sentiments in no way reflect on my deep and unabiding love for Scotty McScotterson. He is my very own personal hottie!! Dare I say, my schmoopy? Hahahahahaha! I made you all gag!!!

OLYMPIC FEVER!!!

This is what has been playing in my head all day today (and what will continue to be in my head for the subsequent two weeks):


Dagada daa dun
Dagada daa dun
Dagada da
Di da
Dun

Dagada daa dun
Dagada daa dun
Dagada da
Di da
Dun

*

Didada di dida
Digada
Didada di dida

(BOOM)

Didada di dida
Digada
Didada di dida

(BOOM)

Didada di dida
Digada
Didada di dida

(BOOM)

Da digada digada diiiiii
Dun da dunnnnn!!!


In short, I have Olympic fever, baby. And I have it BAD!!

If you don't hear from me for the following two weeks, please don't be offended. It's just that I will be busy shutting out the entirety of the human population whilst:

a) watching Kwan kick Prissy Cohen's @$$ on the ice
b) discovering a deep love for sporting events such as curling and skeleton that I never knew I had

An unnecessarily angry phone call and other things...

Knoxville Symphony Society office, 11:15am:

Me: Knoxville Symphony. How can I help you?

Old geezer: I just got a card in the mail from you guys that says "Come meet Doc Severinsen." ...What kind of doctor is he?

Me: Sir, Doc Severinsen is the former bandleader of the Tonight Show and is the featured guest artist in our upcoming Pops con--

Angry old geezer: Now why would I want to meet somebody like that?!

Me: Well, he is a great trumpet pla--

Angry and rude old geezer: {click.}


Somebody promise me that if I ever end up so bitter at the world -- to the extent that I get unnecessarily angry upon receiving an invitation to meet a world-famous musician -- you will just sneak up behind me and slap me upside the head. And then give me an atomic wedgie.

****

In other news: the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy begin tomorrow!! Is anyone out there as excited as I am??!! I am planning to host a small get-together at our apartment for other fellow Olympics-lovers after work tomorrow evening. Meaning, I will be sitting at home celebrating the Opening Ceremonies by myself (along with Scott, who has lovingly said he would watch them with me even if nobody else shows up...) because apparently nobody else in Tennessee shares my love for the Olympics. Hahaha. We'll see.

In other other news: Ysabel's first official KSO paycheck comes in T-minus 6 days! Is it sad that my first order of business* upon receiving said paycheck is to buy massive quantities of thermal long-underwear? It is cold as iiiiice here in Knoxville. Well, it is for me anyway.


* Yes yes yes ... I, of course, mean after paying my bills and buying various thank-you presents for my parental and brotherly figures for loaning me millions of dollars during my Decrepit Years (i.e. every day of my life since becoming a musician).

Yay yay yay yay yay!!!!

Today at exactly 12pm PST I am going to have a brand new baby niece!!*

Squeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Congrats to my sister and brother-in-law!!! Well, Greg, ready for one more female to join your little estrogen clan there? When I visit this summer I'm going to find you baking cookies and watching Oprah while giving yourself a mani-pedi. Ha ha!

Anyway, the entire world knows that their first daughter, little 4-year old Kat, is literally the CUTEST munchkin in the entire known history of the universe. Sometimes when I go home to visit I find her cuteness so powerful that I have to struggle to contain myself lest I implode from her overwhelming cuteness. Seriously. She is that cute. So I cannot wait to meet this new little one. With a double-attack of cuteness, I may very well just explode on contact. We'll see.

In any case, CONGRATULATIONS again, Kristina and Greg!

And Happy Birthday to Vanessa (have you guys decided on a middle name yet??!!) Zumstein!!!


* Don't ask me how I know precisely when my sister is going to give birth. I have magical powers.

I swear I do actual work in the office...

1. What is your middle name? Mateus. My mom's maiden name. A musicology professor once told me it comes from Portuguese origin. I have no idea how to spell Portugeez. Portugueueueuese.

2. What size is your bed? Queen? Full? Ich weiss nicht.

3. What are you listening to right now? A Mozart piano concerto on the radio. A co-worker on the phone. People hanging some paintings in the art gallery next door.

4. What are the last 2 digits in your phone number? 13

5. What was the last thing you ate? A stale cinnamon pastry and coffee for breakfast. Now have moved on to a bag of Cheez-Its. And coffee. My eating habits frighten even myself.

6. Last person you hugged? Scott?

7. How is the weather right now? Overcast, but not too nipply.

8. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? J.W. (the Bossman) needing a ride back to the office from his meeting.

9. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Ugh, I already anwered this. Their smell, ok??!!

10. Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend? Yes

11. How long have you been with him/her? 1.25 years

12. Do you have a crush? See #9.

13. Ever get so drunk you don't remember the entire night? No. That freaks me out. Plus I always fall asleep or vomit (ew) before I get to that point anyway.

14. Hair color? #9

15. Eye color? #9

17. Favorite holiday? #9

18. Favorite season? Autumn.

19. Ever cried for no reason? Not for no reason, no. (HA! A triple-negative!!) Even if it's hormone-induced, there's always a reason. Right, ladies?

20. Last movie you watched? Was it all the way back to King Kong? I think so.

21. How many mirrors are in your room? Just one in the back of the door. People from UOP: remember the magic mirror in my apartment that made everyone look tall and skinny? I miss that mirror...

22. If you are white, do you know any other Fall-Out Boy songs other than "sugar we're going down"? Say what now? Fall-Out-wha?

23. Have you ever decapitated a barbie doll? Barbie, schmarbie. It was all about She-Ra, Ha-Man and Skeletor!

24. Do you enjoy the sensational taste of starbucks? Oh. My. God. If you even have to ask, I forbid you from reading my blog and being my friend ever again.

25. Does the word "horcrux" mean anything to you? No

26. Do you have any friends of the gay preference? "Gay preference"? What does that mean exactly? I have gay friends, yes. And they are awesome.

27. Do you think Jesus is great? Jesus is Grrrrrreat!! Perhaps some interpretations of his teachings leave something to be desired...

28. Is cheese like the best food ever, or what? Totally!!

29. What books are you reading? None. I no longer read after getting DVR. I am now only capable of enriching my brain through moving pictures on a screen.

30. Piercings? Still 5.

31. Favorite movie? Agh, too many. Princess Bride, Usual Suspects, Endless Summer II, Star Wars, LOTR, etc etc etc.

32. Favorite college football team? Wha?

33. What were you doing before filling this out? Um...working? ...But not really.

34. Any pets? Just Scott's cat, Bela. He rocks.

35. Dogs or cats? Yes. But only until my allergies and asthma kick in and I want to tear my eyeballs out from their sockets.

36. Favorite flower? Irises. Or poppies. Or wildflowers.

37. Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to? Yes. But I was only unable to talk myself out of it once.

38. Have you ever loved someone? Isn't that from a Celine Dion song? Or was it Brandy? Anyway, the answer is yes.

39. Who would you like to see right now? Kat. My family. Scott. Ben. Sarahs. Etc etc etc.

40. If you could be anyone else (living) for a day, who would it be? Hmm...maybe Kobe Bryant so that I could kick @$$ at just one basketball game and then throw myself off a cliff.

41. Have you ever fired a gun? No. Ew.

42. Do you like to travel by plane? I like travelling and I like airports, but I despise airline travel. The air is stale. I look forward to the age of tele-transportation.

43. Right or left-handed? Right-O!

44. If you could be with someone right now who would it be? Didn't I already answer that question in #39? I don't like this survey very much.

45. How many pillows do you sleep with? One or two. But sometimes none if my neck is being difficult.

46. Are you missing someone? When am I not, really?

47. Do you have a tattoo? Nicht.

48. Do you still watch cartoons on Saturday morning? Sleep has replaced cartoons as my weekend luxury. And if I weren't asleep, I'd like to be listening to Saturday morning NPR programming. Wait, when did I turn into my dad??

49. Are you hiding something from someone? Yes. MWAHAHAHahahahaha...

50. Do you play an instrument? Ugh, this survey SUCKS.