Why do I always have skin issues? Last Saturday, at the work event, I managed to do something to my upper left arm and today (three days later), it still had a huge red rash. Paranoid that a deer tick might have biten me, I went to HR who referred me immediately to the medical clinic. Btw, what kind of doctor is totally stylin’ in pinstripe slacks, elaborate dangly earrings, and sunglasses on the head? She was gorgeous! And no white coat or gloves?! Anyway, she didn’t think the rash was caused by an insect bite but rather she suspected some kind of puncture wound that just got infected. Her answer? A large syringe with about 3 cc of antibiotics shot into my right ass check. That’s right. Ass shot and it frickin hurt. Plus oral antibiotics plus antibiotic cream. Sounds like overkill to me, but what do I know? I just hope it goes away soon.

OMG, are you serious? Labor Day is right around the fucking corner? Well, it’s been another busy month– yeah, my main problem? I’m work-obsessed. Of course, I could be much worse, but I dunno, for some reason that part of the brain just never truly shuts off. My coworker who has seen web updates and work emails from me at all hours of the night, insists that I have a row of different colored light bulbs above my bed. Anytime I receive an email reporting some issue from a specific department, its corresponding light flashes and I immediately awake to handle the issue. Yup, my work is uber important. Like I said, saving lives over here.

The good news is I enjoy my work (still), so I guess that means I don’t mind processing emails as I get them (rather than wait until office hours). Good thing, right? Anyway, August is a busy month at work. We just released our Annual Report newsletter, and I launched our 2nd annual photo contest. Also, we have some projects on fast track with the Goog as well as some upcoming video projects. Ugh, just so much to do. And because it’s the web and people see cool web stuff all the damn time, I feel this extra pressure to keep having a wow factor. I know, not sustainable with a one-person web team but still.

I’m also continuing to make good contacts at work, which helps with moving projects along. I feel like all that social anxiety crap I worked through in Shanghai really paid off. I’ve developed some really helpful connections with contractors for work projects, so that makes things so much easier. Once I find the superstars, things aren’t so bad. Although, I will say, my developers never seem to want to get paid. They cannot provide detailed invoices to save their lives. I have yet to figure out what that is about. Meanwhile, I continue doing what I do naturally– I ride ass every few days. Eventually, they have to give in.

In other work-related news, we had our annual recognition event last Saturday. Every year our department organizes a huge party with pre-event activities, an awards program, gift baskets, catered food, booze… it’s huge and very stressful and quite laborious. Anyway, it went really well, so big sigh of relief. On to the next gabillion events put on by my department (public affairs). Yes, putting on the ritz is actually exhausting.

Outside of work, John and I recently discovered that he should be able to qualify for unemployment, so that’s wonderful news for us. We’re doing really well with budgeting, but the extra money will give us a bit more breathing room. Seriously though, we’re educated folks. Why didn’t we know about unemployment before? Damn system. It’s just like the taxes. When you don’t know about stuff, you can really lose out. That’s probably the reason my parents are always “suggesting” that I go to law school. Then, at least I’ll be in the know.

John is doing well. He’s been focusing the bulk of his energies on exercising (he’s at his lowest weight since moving over here in 2006!), gardening, and cooking. He’s intermittently programming, but it seems his true interests lie with food sourcing and cooking… we’ll see what happens.

Btw, I realized the other day that I haven’t cooked in like three months. Uh oh, becoming too dependent. Time to break out the Rachel Ray and Cooking Light. Can’t get too soft you know.

On my day off, we headed north to Point Reyes. Lots of open lands. John’s camera even made a rare appearance outdoors. The main highlight? We saw lots of elk, including ones with massive antlers, but I was too obsessed watching John get closer and closer to the herd. I think he made all of us nervous. Anyway, Point Reyes is a nice and quiet place, but I’d recommend saving the trip for a hot summer day.

My parents were in town this past week… to be honest, I was kinda dreading the visit: we’re not really known for getting along and under those circumstances, six days is a really long time. In the days before their arrival, I was innundated planning where to go, what to do, what to eat… John and I live in a 2 BR townhouse/rental where one room is the office. So, when the parents come over, that means we sleep on the foam mattress wedged between our two desks. I actually think sleeping on the floor is better for my back and I seem to sleep quite well, but John does not, especially without his usual mountain of pillows.

Anyway, the visit turned out much better than expected. For a few nights, John and I made dinner– not fresh seafood like my parents typically eat, but whatever, I (and they) was just thankful my stuff was edible. Mind you, we still hit two Asian markets in six days, and they loaded up on stuff as if our fridge were totally barren but it all worked out.

We took them to various attractions in the area: Monterey Aquarium, Filoli House and Garden, Pulgas Water Temple, College of San Mateo Farmer’s Market, SF Botanical Gardens, Conservatory of Flowers, SF Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf… Thankfully, they are still in great shape, so we did a lot of walking without too much trouble. Also, the weather was beautiful and for every outing, I was uber prepared: I made sure to pack a lunch box full of water, fruit, and snacks. Plus, because of the drastic temperature differences in the area, I also packed extra jackets, umbrellas (for the sun), etc.

Before you know it, the visit was over. Not too shabby. In fact, I even think we could do it again! 🙂