Day 3. Getting better at this, I think. I am sitting at work right now. I am "helping out" the paperwork team (AKA - they kicked me out of my group to have me work with others - not happy about it). But I am learning the skills of this trade, and it is keeping me busy, so more power to the Paperwork team, huh?

Okay, so I keep thinking about New Years. Look at my horoscope for the day from Yahoo!
> Overview: You're still running on high, still trying to think of how to properly celebrate the coming holiday. Well, not to worry. As per usual, you're shrewd enough to find the perfect way -- and the perfect group of companions. So, I think I have found the "perfect" plan, whatever that may be. I think I am going to hang out with my family tonight, and some tomorrow. I think I will try to see my roommate at somepoint on Saturday, since I haven't seen her in a few weeks and I have a christmas gift for her. Then, my friend Jenn from Fargo is coming down on Saturday to spend the weekend with her soon-to-be husband's brother and his girlfriend. I think I will ring in the new year with her (cheap, very fun, and she may have a hot friend she would want to set me up with) ;). then on Sunday try to see my family again, see a movie with them or something, and then see Lisa (la Roomie) for a while on Sunday. Then monday - hopefully - rest! So, per usual, I have found the "perfect" plan, that will NOT happen the way I want it to.

So I should probably talk about New Year's Resolutions, as well, since it is the new year. I usually don't make New Year's resolutions, but I think today I probably should. Why not, ya know? It's always good to have goals. My new years resolutions include 1) stop drinking so much freaking coffee. I love coffee, but it's not really good for me. Maybe once a week I can drink some coffee, but not every day. 2) Of course, work out. I have a tredmill, so it would be really easy for me to work out. So just do it already!! 3) Date more. I think just getting out there and meeting people would help me. So why not date them too? (That is, the ones that aren't married or dating anyone or engaged or anything - the super single ones). 4) Expand my music horizons. My older brother has really made an impact on me, making me realize that I need to open my eyes to more music. And last (but not least) 5). Be more positive this year. Last year was not that great of a year for me, so I need to not dwell on that, and just move on and be happy. Best way to do that - just be more positive. If you can tell yourself that today is a great day, sooner or later you will actually believe that.

Well okay then. As my day wraps up at work, I need to wrap this up as well. Have a safe and wonderful New Year. Be Careful driving for the New Years, as the crazies (including myself) will be out. Take Care!

>>>>The past cannot be changed,the future is still in your power. - Hugh White

Good reason to live in ND or MN

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=112976&section=business

Report puts N.D. near top
[Forum and wire reports, The ForumPublished Friday, December 30, 2005]

BOSTON – North Dakota is ranked sixth in the nation by a Boston-based study that measures economic competitiveness based on ability to generate income and promote growth.
‘That’s great news,” state Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle said Thursday.
“It validates some of the information we have about wage growth in the state and what we see in economic activity in some of our targeted industries,” he said.

North Dakota is one of two states in the nation to show job growth in manufacturing from 2000 to 2005, he said. The other was Nevada.

Over the past five years, North Dakota has added 1,900 manufacturing jobs , Goettle said.
Per capita personal income grew 25 percent from 2000 to 2004, second only to Connecticut, he said, according to the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The fifth annual report, to be released today by Suffolk University’s Beacon Hill Institute in Boston, ranked Massachusetts first.

The state’s strengths across a broad range of economic indicators earned it the top spot again, despite the Bay State’s recent population decline and slow job growth.

The report’s authors cited the state’s strong technology base, the quality of its work force and its generous support for new business ventures. Those strengths offset weaknesses in the state’s infrastructure and in its environment.

“This year’s report should go a long way toward dispelling recent, gloomy assessments of the state economy,” David Tuerck, Beacon Hill Institute’s executive director, said in a news release. “Looking at just one or two economic indicators can, as we see, prove misleading. “Despite slow job growth and population loss, Massachusetts continues to be an attractive place to live and work,” Tuerck said.

The study’s authors define competitiveness as “the policies and conditions that ensure and sustain a higher level of per capita income and its continued growth.” The report assigns 42 variables to eight categories: government and fiscal policy, security, infrastructure, human resources, technology, business incubation, openness and environmental policy.

New Hampshire rose to No. 2 in the rankings, from No. 7 the previous year.
Rounding out the top 10 states, in order, were: Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, Washington, Alaska, Maryland and Minnesota.

The lowest-ranking state was Louisiana, followed by Mississippi (49th), Arkansas (48th), West Virginia (47th), Indiana (46th) and Hawaii (45th).

Day 2

Day 2 of my blog. Hopefully, I can think of more things to write than yesterday. I have decided that blogging is the "journal" of the 21st century. So I mine-as-well get with the times, right?

Oh, the best new website I have come across in a really long time - http://www.silverjewelryclub.com. It is totally the coolest. You can get silver jewelry for free, just pay shipping. I ordered something from it yesterday. I will make sure to let you know how it all works out. Just be careful with the necklaces - they don't come with a chain, so you will have to purchase one.

So my roommate called me last night to see if I wanted to go out with her on New Year's Eve. Here's the thing with that. I don't have much money left over from my last paycheck. She wants me to go out with all her friends (which would be super fun) in Downtown Minneapolis, spend $60 for "Dinner and as much as you can drink". Then we would be going to a hotel to crash, so we don't drive anywhere. Cab ride to get to hotel, plus money for the hotel.... we are looking at probably $100 for the whole night. Not bad, not bad. But, I don't really have the money. (and trying to save up money anyway). OR.. I could go with my sister to Rochester, spend time with her best friend Shelby and Shelby's husband, and they have a hot tub. Cost of that - probably gas money to get there, plus the drive, and I wouldn't be with my friends on New Year's. My sister did ask me first, and it will be cheaper. But, I might want to hang out with my friends. I usually just lay low on New Year's. I usually don't go "all out" for that holiday, because I don't want to kill myself with drinking and driving, and all the crazies seem to be out on New Year's. But maybe that was the problem with my past. Maybe I didn't get out enough.
OH, what to do, what to do... I guess I will just have to make a decision. And quick, since it is already Thursday and New Year's Eve is Saturday!!

So I have been tanning for my TRIP TO JAMAICA!! (YAY FOR JANUARY!!) :) I think I really am getting quite tan. Usually I burn pretty hard core one of the first times I go tanning. Nope (knock on wood), no burn! YAY! That means that I could be pretty tan before I go to jamaica, which excites me! I haven't seen Tan Katie in a LONG time!I don't know, I guess not much else new today. I should probably get back to work. Have a great day, to all of you who read this. And know that my thoughts are with you always.

>>Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies. Aristotle

You'll Think of Me

>>>>I've been tryin' my best to get along But that's OK There's nothing left to say, but Take your records, take your freedom Take your memories I don't need'em Take your space and take your reasons But you'll think of me And take your cat and leave my sweater 'Cause we have nothing left to weather In fact I'll feel a whole lot better But you'll think of me, you'll think of me.
I guess I'm feeling just a little tired of this And all the baggage that seems to still exist It seems the only blessing I have left to my name Is not knowing what we could have been What we should have been So Take your records, take your freedom Take your memories I don't need'em Take your space and take your reasons But you'll think of me And take your cat and leave my sweater 'Cause we have nothing left to weather In fact I'll feel a whole lot better But you'll think of me
Someday I'm gonna run across your mind Don't worry, I'll be fine I'm gonna be alright While you're sleeping with your pride Wishing I could hold you tight I'll be over you And on with my life

hurm

First post, first time checkin things out. I am sure I will write later. Blah.