So, here we are, already at the end of another month. I can't say much in the way of positive news, so I'll just start by mentioning that today would have been my grandmother's 90th birthday. She's been gone two and a half years, and I miss her every day. I her honor, I went shopping after work. Unfortunately, things are so bad with the economy that I only bought essential items.

Speaking of the economy, things have become so bad that my company announced not only raise and hiring freezes, but an across-the-board 5 percent pay cut for anyone earning more than $35,000 a year. That includes me. The thing that bothers me the most is that I worked really hard to get where I am and, in 32 days, I will revert back to a salary that I was given in 2007.

I don't know how long the raise freeze will last, but I'm not counting on it being out of effect anytime soon. So, it will probably take me at least two years to get back to where I am right now. That just ticks me off, to be quite honest.

You see, I work hard, and I expect to earn a fair wage for my work. I guess I need to slow things down a little and not aim so high. Unfortunately, I'll probably be doing more work than ever, so I'll be forced to work twice as hard and twice as fast. And sure, my work will suffer. But, those are the breaks, I suppose.

The positive spin on this pay cut news was that the company was giving everyone who was affected by it an additional two personal days to use before the end of the year. Unfortunately, I have an overwhelming amount of days off allotted this year, and I haven't even taken any yet. I'm not the kind of person who can stay home and do nothing. I need to have a plan, to go somewhere and do something.

Speaking of going places, at this very moment, more than 200 colleagues from all over the country are gathered in a hotel ballroom in Minneapolis for the American Copy Editors Society annual conference opening reception. I had expected to be there, until I was told that it was not in my company's budget, so they wouldn't be sending me. I briefly considered going on my own dime. The conference registration fee and airfare to Minneapolis were reasonable, but the four nights of hotel really added up quickly. So, I'm following along from home, hoping I'll have a chance sometime soon to get out of town.

Of course, for that, I'd need more money. In fact, the 5 percent pay cut just about amounts to what it would cost to take a relaxing two-week cruise.

Ah, well. There goes that idea.

Enough for this month. Hopefully, things will look up in May (although I doubt it).

It was a mostly uneventful March, but it ended on a high.

We celebrated my parents' 40th anniversary and my sister's 31st birthday with a family dinner.

In much less significant news, I welcomed the return of "Scrubs" to the airwaves, paired with "Better off Ted." There are only six episodes of the former left, and four of the latter. While I'm sad to see "Scrubs" go, I hope "Better off Ted" does well enough to warrant a full-season pickup for the fall. (I guess we'll know more in May.)

And that's about it.

See you next month!

I had hoped that, by waiting until the last day of the month, I would have something exciting to say in my February post. Well, I was wrong.

Sure, I did go see "A Chorus Line" this afternoon. And I got to go with someone who'd never seen it before. Unfortunately, it wasn't as perfect as I remember the Broadway revival of 2006. (Unfortunately, these things never are.) As for my friend, well, she's been listening to the soundtrack for 25 years, so the deviations were all too apparent.

All it all, it was enjoyable. I still cried during "What I Did For Love." The finale was still incredible. You can't really mess this show up. (Unfortunately, you can hire performers whose voices are a little bit off.)

Of course, going to the matinee meant I missed the 4th birthday of Joshua, held at Chuck E. Cheese's. I've had people tell me I was lucky to have an "out" -- but I still would have loved to see the look on his face when he blew out his candles.

Next time this year, he'll be a big brother. (That was this month's big news.)

Speaking of birthdays, my car turned 1 today. Happy Birthday, Honda Civic! (My Aunt Shoshie also celebrated a birthday today, but it wasn't her 1st. We'll leave it at that.)

In other news, the news business is getting worse. Luckily, I'm still employed and love what I do. Unfortunately, budgets are tight, and I won't be able to get an all-expenses-paid trip to Minneapolis for the annual ACES conference. No matter. I'll be OK. I'm seriously considering going anyway, paying my own way. (I can take a deduction on my taxes, right?) I haven't made a decision yet, but I will by next month's post -- I promise.

Happy new year!

I know it's been more than three weeks since my last post, but I really felt I needed to write something today.

A lot has happened since it became 2009. I spent New Year's Day in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where I visited the No. 1 Borders store and got plenty of use out of my new purple coat.

It's been a big week, starting on Sunday, when I went to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where Alexa Ray Joel was putting on a free concert. I'd never seen her live, and free is a fair price, so I got in my car, drove 10 miles and prayed for a good parking spot (which I quickly found). Sure, there was a line to get into the cramped Hard Rock Cafe, but I got in (right under the wire) and settled in a chair right next to the restrooms.

The show was great. Less than an hour, but packed with energy (even during slow songs). Alexa Ray really seemed to be enjoying herself and the crowd, many of which had just come from her father's concert (which was not free and I didn't attend).

After the show, those who wanted to 'say hi' to Alexa formed a line. Somehow, I ended up in the front of it (thanks, unnamed English guy!) and within moments was face to face with the daughter of legends. She was really sweet. We chatted for several minutes, occasionally interrupted by well-wishers from her dad's crew. She told me how nervous she was because of all the people who were coming straight from her dad's show with high expectations of her. I told her how great her show was, and told her that I wasn't even at her dad's show (for the very first time in 20 years). We took a picture, she signed a head shot (using her dad's trademark 'cheers' salutation) and I was on my way. Yes, it was totally worth staying up past my bedtime.

Yesterday was Monday. Other than being a little tired from the night before, it was nothing special. The main event was today: Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States.

A little before noon, about 20 co-workers gathered in the conference room to watch the ceremony. We saw Rick Warren give the invocation, a quartet of musicians play "Air and Simple Gifts" as arranged by John Williams, Joe Biden take the oath as vice president while resting his left hand on an impossibly large bible and Aretha Franklin's hat sing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" to the world. (OK, maybe that was an exaggeration; but her hat was really huge. I bet the people all the way at the Washington Monument could see it.)

When it was time for the main event, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. was to administer the oath to Barack Hussein Obama. (Yeah, he said it.) I don't know who messed up first, but it wasn't all that pretty. Someone should have done a run-through. Still, the oath was valid -- even without the oath, Obama was president as of noon, Eastern time -- and the crowd roared.

The inaugural address was wonderful. When it was over, there was such a feeling of hope in the conference room. And then, we all returned to our desks. I did catch a glimpse of Elizabeth Alexander reciting her inaugural poem, but I wasn't all that impressed.

I've mostly stayed away from the coverage this evening, as too much can be overwhelming. But, I am proud of my country today.

I don't know how anything else this year will top today, but I hope to be back here next month.

There's good news, and then there's bad news.

First, the good news: This is my 332nd post. That means that by the time the year ends in three days, I will have only missed 34 days. I don't think that's too bad.

But, there's bad news: This is my last post of 2008. I'm headed out of town in the morning, and I won't be back until the new year. I haven't decided whether or not to consciously continue posting here in 2009. I guess it'll be a surprise for all of us!

So, until we meet again: So long, and have a happy, healthy new year.

Right now, I should be packing for my trip. Unfortunately, I am laying around instead, trying to figure out which movie to watch.

That's right: I have not yet begun to pack.

In fact, I haven't done much of anything (aside from some laundry) all day.

If I pop in a movie and pick out some of my finest, warmest, able-to-withstand-snow clothes to pack, that's multitasking, right?

On this Boxing Day, I stayed away from any and all boxes. I was not among the throngs of people who needed to return unwanted Christmas gifts, so I slept late, putzed around the house and went out for an early afternoon movie.

I really haven't decided if "Seven Pounds" was a good film or not. I had really high expectations for it. I can't say it changed my life, but it didn't bore me, either. I suppose it was just alright.

I went to my parents' for dinner (Chinese leftovers) and a winter coat fashion show. I still don't know if I'll end up taking my new coat, or my dad's UM coat, which I think makes me look like a green marshmallow. Regardless of which one I choose, I do need to begin the packing process -- and soon. After all, my flight leaves in less than 60 hours.

Today was quite possibly the best Christmas ever!

I went down to meet my sister, and we exchanged gifts. I got her a PRODUCT(RED) shirt from the Gap that said TREASU(RED) on it, which she put on immediately. (It helped that, when I arrived, she was still wrapped in a towel from her shower.) For me, she ordered the "Yes We Did" poster by Shepard Fairey, commemorating the Nov. 4 election of Barack Obama as the 44th U.S. president. I loved it! I would've gotten it for myself, but I can't make political contributions, and the order form said this would be such a contribution and, once I was asked for my employer's name, I quit filling out the form. So, my sister got it for me.

After we were done with the gift exchange, it was off to Tropical Chinese, where we had a 1 p.m. reservation. The place was packed! Apparently, even the Chinese go here to eat! Since it was lunchtime, there was all kinds of dim sum being offered from steaming carts. However, I had to order off the menu: Emperor's Prawns in a Grand Marnier sauce, served with the best broccoli ever and a side of steamed rice. I'd been looking forward to it since my first trip, when I decided to order "something new" -- and fell in love with a new dish. My sister ordered from the dim sum carts, and I tried some shrimp dumplings and part of a sesame ball (filled with lotus seeds). It was all well and good, but nothing could compare to the Emperor's Prawns.

After we were full, we packed up the leftovers and dropped them back at her apartment before heading to the movies. We weren't sure what was playing at exactly what time, but we were flexible. We settled on "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which started 40 minutes later. It was a full house, and I enjoyed the film. It did seem to drag at times, but I thought it was a good movie. Of course, both my sister and I picked the precise moment that Brad Pitt reached his "ultimate hotness." (And, yes, the man can act, too.) By the time the movie was over, it was dark out. Even though it wasn't yet 7 p.m., I was tired. We went back to her apartment, where we lit the Chanukah candles and I retrieved my leftovers.

So, here I am, back and home, enjoying the last bits of Christmas lunch and deciding what to do next. After all, I am officially on vacation. I might as well make the most of it, right?

I always thought people had to be crazy to go to a mall on Christmas Eve.

Well, call me crazy then -- because I was at Sawgrass Mills this afternoon.

I wasn't there to buy last-minute Christmas gifts, though. Instead, I was in search of the perfect coat because I will be heading to the Midwest in five days. It's cold there, and I, as a native Floridian, do not own a coat.

Well, that might be an overstatement. I do have a purple coat in the closet in the room I used to occupy at my parents' house. But, I haven't used it in years, and it's far too small now.

So, today, I picked up a replacement. I may not keep it, but at least I have something to fall back on. If I decide not to take it -- instead choosing to lug a giant UM jacket I bought for my dad at least a decade ago -- I can always return it.

I made it through my last deadline of 2008, and I am so ready for vacation!

It was a long day; I'm all headachy.

I just need to do a few things before my head hits the pillow so I can sleep well before I wake up and put in my last workday of the year tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be a short, easy one.

It's been a long day, and I don't have much time before I need to plop on the couch for one of the funniest sitcom episodes in recent history: It's "Slapsgiving" again on "How I Met Your Mother."

Suffice it to say, the reason I am home so late is that I made a pit stop at mom's for some leftover matzoh ball soup. (Rule No. 1: Never say no to matzoh ball soup.)

All my gifts are wrapped -- and I have a whole 90 minutes to spare! Go me!

I don't know if it's to punish me because I'm such a procrastinator, but I experienced a cookie avalanche not too long ago. Two dozen brownie bites fell to to floor as I tried to arrange the just-out-of-the-oven cookie sheet on top of an empty muffin tin. I was wearing one of those silicone gloves to prevent burns to my hands. Unfortunately, I couldn't prevent the burn to my arm as I reached into the oven. So, still stinging from that, I was unable to maneuver the cookie sheet before it lost balance and came crashing down.

I hope the trash likes the brownie bites as much as my co-workers do.

I have just an hour until I need to be at today's holiday gathering, and I've accomplished only half of what I'd planned for today.

All of the Chanukah presents I have for tomorrow's family get-together are still unwrapped.

But, I managed to get cookies baked. (I didn't want to arrive at the shindig empty-handed.)

The holiday merriment has officially been put into high gear!

My immediate supervisor invited out entire department to his home for our annual Chinese gift exchange -- with all the gifts coming from the fabled "eBay room" that we've all heard of, but never entered (probably because it's too full for anyone to walk into).

I ended up with an Art Deco vase that I love. I also acted as a proxy for a co-worker who was unable to stay for the exchange. I hope he likes his serving tray.

I still haven't wrapped and bagged my gifts. I got caught up with some long-distance calls last night. My friends will always take precedence when they're footing the bill.

In an attempt to no longer be known as the girl who cried "I am leaving now" (but who doesn't actually leave for 30 minutes), I left my desk at 4:30 this afternoon, and was in my house by 5:15. I would've been home sooner, but I spent a good 10 minutes gabbing with a co-worker before I actually got in my car.

Yes, I slept like a baby yesterday. Yes, I am hoping that I'll be able duplicate that tonight.

But, before all that can happen, I must wrap gifts. Or put gifts in bags. We'll see what's what, then get everything squared away for the giving portion of my holiday season, which commences (and ends) this weekend.

Today was the last Wednesday deadline of the year, and it was a doozy.

I spent no less than 12 hours in the office. By the time I got home, I had two minutes to pop a frozen meal into the microwave and check the mail.

I spent the next two hours watching my favorite Wednesday TV shows, then went to bed, where I slept soundly for the next eight hours.

Or so I hope. We'll find out tomorrow.

If the current trend continues, at this time tomorrow, I won't yet be in my car, heading home.

The good news is that I am counting down the days to my end-of-the-year vacation, and there are only six more left.

Piece of cake. I can totally do that.

Even if I'm at work until 9 p.m. by the time Friday rolls around.

Another day, another attempt to leave work early ends in failure.

Sure, I only stayed 30 minutes beyond my intended departure.

And true, I did make it home before the sun went completely down.

But, just once, I'd like to turn to leave and not be told, "Wait, I have something for you."

It's a good thing I only had to go to the post office once this holiday season.

At the only local post office that's open on a Sunday, there was a line waiting, even before it opened its doors at noon. I figured I'd let the initial crowd dissipate, and come back later.

At 2 p.m., the line was out the door and into the mall. Luckily, I had a sandwich with me, so I killed a few minutes eating egg salad on marble rye.

Thirty minutes later, I was done. The two packages were handed over, and I even had some new stamps. Now, I just sit and wait to hear that they've arrived. Sure, I sent them by Priority Mail, but I wasn't about to spring for Delivery Confirmation.

I set out at 9 a.m. this morning to finish my holiday shopping. And I am pleased to report that, a mere eight hours later, my mission had been accomplished.

Sure, it took me several trips to unload it all from the car, but at least I can say I am done. And I have eight days to spare (before Chanukah).

Now comes the really fun part: wrapping and bagging all the gifts!