This is the best picture I could find that is quite similar to my new haircut. What do you think?

It was one year ago today that I received a phone call that changed my life. I was sitting at the Bellevue Leader on an uneventful and unassuming Tuesday afternoon when my phone rang. It was Todd, the publisher of Omaha Magazine. He was looking for a new editor and wanted to know if I was interested. I’d only been at the Leader since September, so my hesitation to accept the position over the phone was warranted. I told Todd I needed time to think. He needed an answer by the next day.

My mind and gut went into a tailspin. I grew nervous at the possibilities. Which was the right one? Which was the wrong one? Was it time to leave the Leader? Is my work at the Leader close to being done? Those first few minutes (and hours) weren’t fun. They were exhausting, mentally and physically. I had no idea what to do.

I went home to my mom’s house (where I was living at the time) and lay in bed, hoping the answer would show itself before the following morning. And, it did. Once I realized that I could forego the position for now and recommend a good friend who was searching for work, my body relaxed. I was listening to “Half-Life” by Duncan Sheik at the precise moment I made my decision.

I’m awake in the afternoon
I fell asleep in the living room
and it’s one of those moments
when everything is so clear

Before the truth goes back into hiding
I want to decide ’cause it’s worth deciding
to work on finding something more than this fear

Looking back on this day one year later, I’m remain 100 percent certain I made the right decision. So many wonderful, life-changing events resulted from that decision that I’d not otherwise experienced had I left the Leader. I met amazing people through my work, wrote some articles I’m proud of and made friends with people I’ll remember and love always.

It wasn’t the decision that scared me, as much as what would follow. I’m happy, though. I did the right thing. I’m sure of that.

Happy anniversary.

What a day, what a day. Where to begin? At the beginning, of course.

I met with my advisor at UNO to discuss my course of study in the English department’s grad program. We chatted about classes I’ll take and the like. I’m beginning my first semester slow, with a Wednesday evening class on research and methods. From there, I have a series of seminars and classes to get through. I can’t wait to begin!

After that, I made a stop at The Gateway, UNO’s college paper, where I happily handed over nearly three years of my undergrad career. I really started discovering who I was while working at The Gateway, and it felt good to return, even for a little while.

I had lunch with my best bud and co-worker, Jason, at the Dundee Dell. Fish and chips. Mmm. (Carole, eat your heart out!) That was fun. It’s always fun hanging with Jason, though. No news there. We’re like two Hipster peas in a vintage T-shirt-and-black-emo-glasses-clad pod.

I returned home to find my email down, as well as my Web site. Woe is me. The server where my site and email reside had problems today. To those of you who have emailed me since around 1 p.m. today, I apologize for not replying. I’m told everything will return to status quo by the morning. Let’s hope so. I’m going through withdrawal like no other.

And, what you’ve all been waiting for: my haircut. Yes, yes. I went in hoping for Adam Brody but came out looking like Halle Berry, before she grew out her locks as of late. It’s cropped close to my head with funky little pieces sprouting here and there. In addition to the haircut, Margie, my new best friend, suggested I give my eyebrows a good waxing. I panicked. I literally got nervous. I don’t do well with pain, so why would I willingly want to succumb my delicate skin to hot wax and tweezers? I agreed, before giving it much thought. The results? Beautiful. Honestly. I didn’t think my eyebrows needed help, but they did. They frame my face much better, and there’s a clearer distinction between them and the tops of my glasses. Best of all, it hardly hurt! I think I’ve found yet another beauty regimen to continually make me a pretty, pretty girl.

A kiss on the lips. You’re sweet and simple but quite daring. You move for the kill confidently knowing the other person wants the same thing.

What sign of affection are you?

I saw this tonight on “60 Minutes” and absolutely had to share it. This is why, Andy, you should’ve purchased a Macintosh years ago. Most, if not all, of the problems you mention are PC-specific. Right on, Andy Rooney!

Why Computers Are Screwed Up
by Andy Rooney

One day about 10 years ago, the door to my office opened and in walked Bill Gates. I knew his name but really didn’t know much about him.

He seemed like a nice guy, and he’s done more good things with his money than most billionaires, but that’s as far as I want to go being kind to Bill Gates.

Someone screwed up the way computers work and I blame it on him. People like to think that loveable old Andy Rooney still uses this 1920 Underwood typewriter.

Well, sorry to disappoint you, but he doesn’t. I wrote eight books on that and thousands of television scripts, but I’ve written on a computer for several years now.

It’s a great tool for a writer – but maddening.

Actually, I’ve written on a lot of computers. I had one typewriter for 50 years, but I’ve bought seven computers in six years. I suppose that’s why Bill Gates is rich and Underwood is out of business.

They make computers so you have to buy a new one whenever there’s a full moon. If my Underwood had been a computer, I’d have had to buy a new one every time I needed a new ribbon because Bill Gates would have designed new ribbons so they didn’t fit last year’s typewriter.

The thing you press to turn on the power on some of my old computers is in a different place on each one of them. You reach around in back to turn on one computer. One is on the left side. And another one is on the top, on the right.

Bill Gates got off on the wrong foot the first time he decided to turn off his computer. Do you simply press a button that says OFF when you want to turn it off? You do not. The first thing he has us do to stop is to press START. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

Next, it asks SHUT DOWN?

Then it says WHAT DO YOU WANT IT TO DO? Well, didn’t I just tell you what I want it to do? It isn’t finished either. It asks SHUT DOWN THE COMPUTER? What the hell else do you think I want to shut down? The bedroom window?

Computers aren’t nice to us. My typewriter never threatened me with a prison sentence by saying I have performed an illegal operation.

When I want to write something, the computer demands a password. In all the years I wrote on my typewriter, it never asked for a password, and no one ever stole anything I wrote either.

All I can say is it’s a good thing Bill Gates didn’t invent television. If it took as long to start up a television set as it takes to start up a computer, you’d need two hours to watch 60 Minutes.

“I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.”
Joan Didion

Discovered at a great Web site, The Quotations Page.

My LiveJournal told me earlier today she was ready for a change. She had grown tired of the neutral pallet I’d chosen for her and wanted to show her inner beauty.

She wanted pink.

So, here she is. Tell me what you think, please. Is this layout easier to read? More fun to peruse? Does the bright pink burn your retinas? Talk to me, won’t you? Post your thoughts or send me an email: wendy@shaggy-money.flywheelsites.com.

You’ll make both of us very, very happy.

You have a dominant kiss. You take charge and make sure your partner can feel it! Done artfully, it can be very satisfactory if he/she is into you playing the dominant role.

What kind of kiss are you?

Last night was a first. I was in a bar (well, two, actually) on a Friday night with friends. Shocking, ain’t it? I’ve never considered myself as the “bar” kind of girl, but I rather enjoyed myself, I must say. I find the whole culture of bars and similar drinking establishments quite fascinating. Girls are often dressed in their best couture, hoping to catch the eyes of surly boys dressed as Hipsters or fraternity treasurers. If you don’t fall into one of these groups (which I don’t), there’s no need to apply.

I had a few boys look my way Friday night; but, as is custom for me, none approached me. Not that I’m necessarily complaining, but curious, really. Is it because I’m not downing shots or shoving my breasts (or lack thereof) in your face? Is it because I use big words? Is it because I look like I’m 12? Is it my glasses? It’s my glasses, isn’t it? Makes me look too smart? Or maybe because I carry a Kate Spade messenger bag, you think I’m uppity. Is that it?

Perhaps it’s because I’m new to the “bar scene” that I don’t quite understand how it all works. Judging from last night and my life thus far, I’ll continue to meet people in academic settings and at work. And, maybe, a party or two. We’ll see. Check back later for details.

It’s time for another hair cut on Tuesday. I’m getting Shaggy McShaggy! Here’s a sneak peek of the look I’m going for.

I’m well aware this is a boy and I’m a girl. But Adam Brody and I share the same texture and curl. I think it’ll work.