Trouble?

Normally, I'm fairly light hearted when it comes to people deciding calling me random things. That's because I think that we've at least gotten to a point where we know each other well enough to have that sort of banter. When I don't know a person, I don't expect them to call me anything but my name or Ms.

However, there is one person at my work who I know doesn't know me because he hasn't tried to get to know me, yet he calls me something completely unappreciated -- Trouble. Why? Because when asked if I believed in God, I answered no.

I'm not going to lie to avoid persecution where I work. I don't go shoving my beliefs in everyone's face, but I do openly admit to being Pagan, and Wiccan to those I'm closer to. I didn't say either of these things to the person in question. I simply answered, no. I don't know him well enough to tell him all about myself. The person he was working with that night asked me if I really didn't believe, and said that she didn't mind. That I was still a sweetie. He proceeded to shoot me a dirty look that night. Mind you this was months ago, my birthday actually. I didn't appreciate it then, and now, I come to find that he's calling me "Trouble." To my coworkers no less.

I'm sorry. I didn't shit in his cereal. I didn't make him the repressed bigot that he is. I answered a question truthfully. Do I go around calling him a prejudiced jackass to others? No. I call him by his name. If asked, I'll say he's a little peculiar, given that he insists on signing everything to me, and to a few others, and calls for help whenever he doesn't really need it, according to people around my workplace.

I understand that I grew up in the deep south. I understand that this is where religion is still a major part of people's upbringing. I also understand that there is a stereotype that goes along with being uber-religious: being a prejudiced asshole. He's part of the reason why it exists in my eyes.

Trouble my ass.

On a Happy Note

I think I'm rediscovering my love of being in the kitchen. While I've not tried my hand at baking desserts from scratch, I have tried biscuits. It's been about 4 months since the last time I attempted the garlic cheese biscuits, and the only thing I've really forgotten is the amount of Garlic. Thought I'd over garliced them but it turns out I hadn't. Still, going to give it another try once I have more flour and milk. So soon :)

Another thing I might try soon is Brownie pie. Simple recipe with lots of sugar. And I might try the mountain dew or dr. pepper cupcakes. And homemade cream cheese frosting. Going to have to get those recipes back first though. I can't wait, really. I missed cooking.

Anyways, I made chicken and dumplings from scratch (well, almost. Biscuit dough for dumplings, though I wanted to use the homemade biscuit dough... I just ran out of flour). Forgot the chicken broth, but managed to season it enough that I didn't need the broth. Needed something to cut down the pepper bite, but whatever. I like mine a little peppery. :) Now, if anyone can give me some advice about how to make my stroganoff a little creamier, I'd be sooooo happy.

So, there's my happy note. Cooking and baking.

Because I felt like sharing this one

For those of you who don't know, I write. A lot. Seriously.

And I felt like sharing my latest little short story. If you follow a trail of breadcrumbs, you'll find my ongoing project Fireborn, but that's not my main focus at the moment. This little piece of song inspired mess is...

http://admore.webs.com/singmetosleep.htm

And yes, my Nom de Plume is A D More. Figured why not.

What is up with people?

I know that I have a personal aversion to physical contact when it comes to strangers (and in come cases, even friends). But why did someone feel the need to almost yank me across the counter and kiss my cheek? I wasn't being particularly nice. I was doing my typical song and dance routine behind the counter consisting of friendly-ish banter and bumbling around making drinks. I made small talk about his name and it's origin saying how I had family of similar descent so the name wasn't entirely too weird. Was this reason enough to feel the need to invade my personal space? What if I was a person with OCD who couldn't take being touched? I know I seem like I'm over reacting, but jeez, I like having my personal space without feeling like I have to sacrifice it for someone else to be happy.

And speaking of weird customers, someone tried to chat me up. Talked about Augusta and how I dislike it. Talked about where I had moved from (Milledgeville) and how he was from the same general area (Macon). Basic small talk. He then starts getting into the whole, "So you seeing anyone?" schtick. at that point I'm mentally going, "Oh, hell, here we go. Where's someone I can use for five minutes?"

I tell him I'm not interested in dating anyone. Note that I emphasized the not dating part of that sentence. He continues to carry on. I wind up repeating the words "not interested" by themselves four more times. I had never been so glad for another customer to walk up than I was at that point. He steps away and takes a seat at a table closest to the bar, where I can ignore him. Once I'm through with the line that had formed, he proceeds to insist that I need to start dating someone before asking me for my number. He insists that I should give it to him after I tell him that I don't give out my number. Namely to him. Jackass. I wind up going up to one of the guys  who work on the front end of my store and I proceeded to ask, "Can I use you the next time some creepy old geezer tries to chat me up?"

With the answer of yes coming from the guy in question, I wound up feeling a little bit better. Still, buh.

And so I have to ask once more, what is up with people?

To quote a character out of my own project--

"I think I'm in trouble."

Why? Because after months without talking and thinking that 'Hey, I might be able to say he's just a friend,' I find myself getting giddy and giggly and happy over a friend I should not be feeling giddy and giggly over. Happy, yes, because he's my friend and has been for a really long while.

I don't know why I don't just let myself move on.

Just hoping he doesn't read this mess of a blog of mine. 

Back and Forth

There's definitely a sort of awkward balance forming in my life. One that balances out the good with an uneven amount of bad.

Case in point: Went to a friend's wedding in Savannah this weekend. Saw two of my friends start out a new life together that is taking them (has taken them) to a new state where they're going to try and get by (with much success I hope). A lot of happiness all around. Much joyousness. Laughter, happy tears, etc.

Come a few minutes ago, I log onto facebook and find that someone I knew from high school died in a car accident yesterday. While we weren't close, it was still a nasty little shock considering how I actually considered him a decent human being.

But anyways, uneven. Two friends take the next step in their lives while one winds up losing his altogether.

Balance needs to met in some other way, because this sucks.