Welcome to Fact & Friction. This site is best viewed in 800X600 resolution with MIE. Here's what this layout looks like on my computer. I basically use this blog to dish about my life. Be sure to check out my new hair gallery, in the me section. Also new is the views section in content, which replaces my rants. The anti-diva clique is now defunct. Feel free to e-mail me.

Sunday, September 16, 2001

One reason that I haven't been been posting much lately is that I've been sick since Wednesday. My throat has been swollen and sore, my neck's been hurting, I'm congested, I feel sick when I eat, and when I actually ate a full meal, I threw it up not 10 minutes later. But I am getting better. Last week was supposed to be my last one at my job, but I haven't been able to find another job yet. I'll probably have to stay there a while, which I really don't want to do. I've been putting in applications, though, and one center about 7 miles away is looking for a lead pre-k teacher *crosses fingers* Some centers don't require that you have anything but a high school diploma to teach pre-k. Hopefully that's the case with this center, because that's what I'm looking for right now. I just want something a lot closer and NOT with toddlers and their germy little runny noses.
posted by Tonya 11:40 PM

Moving on: I feel sooo bad, because today is Becky's birthday, and I didn't even call her or anything. Completely slipped my mind what the date was. I never used to do things like that. I guess I'll have to call her tomorrow. And by the way, I'm not mad at her about the whole Civic thing anymore (read below). I have a tendency not to trust her because of things that have happened in the past, but I need to get over that. I also need to realize that she's not intentionally trying to hurt me when she does crappy things; she just has trouble seeing things from other people's perspectives. Anyways, she's moving back home because she can't get a decent job to pay the rent where she's living now (and she'll probably be working as a substitute teacher here), and I'm happy about that.
posted by Tonya 11:34 PM

Long time, no blog. I had intended to post something about the terrorist attacks, but by now, everything I wanted to say has been said over and over again. But one point I do want to stress: Middle Eastern DOES NOT equal terrorist. I know a lot of Middle Eastern people here in America (and probably elsewhere) have been harrased or blamed in some way for these attacks, and that isn't fair. Give people the benefit of the doubt during this hurtful time.
posted by Tonya 11:28 PM

Sunday, September 02, 2001

Starting October first, NetZero is punishing their customers who don't want to BUY their crappy internet service by allowing them only ten hours of internet time a month. Stupid punks.
posted by Tonya 12:27 AM

Becky really pissed me off this week. I mean really. I probably haven't mentioned this here, but ever since I could drive, the only car I've wanted is a Civic sedan. I've never had the money to get (a good) one, though. Everyone who knows me IRL knows I've wanted a Civic badly for the longest time, including Becky. Well, Becky has been planning for a while to get a new car, because hers is always on the fritz. During this time, she has named so many cars that she's wanted that I couldn't name them all. But I could tell you that whatever car she wanted was going to be a a sporty little coupe that she could speed around in, the opposite of what sensible old me would want. Well, a couple of weeks ago, she told me she was finally ready to get a new car . . . a brand new silver Sunfire. A couple of days later, she came down again (she lives in a different city than me), but left without even talking to me, or letting me know she came down. I found out from my brother that she didn't get the Sunfire, she got a 1998 Civic instead. I figured it was a coupe, but no, it was a sedan. This from the girl who said on more than one occasion that she doesn't like 4 doors. This from a girl who got pissed at her friend for getting an Avenger the week after she said she wanted one, even though she probably would've wanted a completely different different car by the next week anyway. This from a girl who knew the only car I've ever wanted is a Civic sedan. Even worse than that, I know she'd get mad at me for getting the same car as her if I eventually got up enough money to get a Civic of my own. I don't really care. If I see a good Civic and am able to buy it, I will.
posted by Tonya 12:25 AM

My dog has done her share of destroying our things, including tearing the insole out of my favorite shoes, but this time she's destroyed something that cannot be replaced (well, neither can the shoes since Target isn't selling them anymore, bah). Anyways, my dad moved my entertainment center into what I've been calling the computer room since my brother moved out, and I had boxes of my stuff laying around the room for the stuff that goes on the entertainment center. Well, while I wasn't looking, my dog apparently got into my stuffed animal box. I walked into the living room and saw this stuffed bunny I've had since I was 8 laying facedown on the floor. I named her Mariah, after Carey, because she was my favorite singer at the time. She has [had] an actual hole in her mouth where you could stick her pacifier, which was really cute. I picked up my beloved bunny to assess the damage and found my dog had ripped half of her face off! The nose and mouth area. I think she swallowed most of it, because it's no where to be found. I did find her nose, and what used to be her mouth, but I don't think I can fix it. I cried. At least she didn't get my Snuggles.
posted by Tonya 12:13 AM

Time for an update. To start, I have a new job now--but I don't know if I'm going to take it. It's the same distance from my house as my work is now, which means I'll still be travelling 26 miles a day for work alone. I'm putting in my week's notice Monday whether I have a new job or not.
posted by Tonya 12:06 AM

Sunday, August 19, 2001

I'm going to start looking for another job, I think. I just do not enjoy working with toddlers, and I've been using nearly a tank of gas a week. That adds up. Plus, I'm getting frustrated with my coworkers. Nothing major, they just expect me to be the one do assist with the kids outside while they sit down and talk. And no one ever offers to help me bring the kids to and from the playground, even though it's obvious I have trouble getting them to go into our gate instead of running around with the older kids. It's just getting to the point where I dread going to work.
posted by Tonya 11:28 PM

So, I got myself one of those Site Meter things. I hate having to start over, but I do like keeping track of my referrals and stuff.
posted by Tonya 11:23 PM

Friday, August 17, 2001

Since I don't feel like taking the time to look for an FTP program right now, I'm just going to post links to my new quick cliques members here for the time being. They are: Priscilla, Candice, April, Rayne, Charlotte, Lauren, Tristan, and DawnFae. Welcome and stuff. Oh, and if you sent a submission form to my cliques but your name isn't here, that means there was a problem of some sort. I'll let you know what that is eventually.
posted by Tonya 11:30 PM

*cough cough hack hack*
That's what I've been doing for a few days now. I've been at work since Tuesday, but my cold is still lingering. I hope I don't get sick again, seeing as two of the kids today were vomiting and had diarrhea. Yay.
posted by Tonya 11:21 PM

Tuesday, August 14, 2001

Are any of the links up there besides "site" working for you guys? They're not for me, at least not now. I know they've been working.
posted by Tonya 1:23 PM

Guess what? I'm actually working on a new layout, as well as new content. Aren't you proud of me?
posted by Tonya 1:22 PM

Just a few things I feel I need to reinforce about joining my cliques: PLEASE go ahead and put the graphics on your page. I ask you to do that so I won't have to bother with telling you to do that. PLEASE make sure you have a web site! There's not really a point to this if you don't have one. And I never actually thought I'd have a problem with this, but when I say no pornographic content, I mean it. Even if it doesn't really show anything, I don't want to endorse porn. Thank you.
posted by Tonya 1:21 PM

I was going to add some people to my clique page today, but the free FTP program I downloaded didn't exactly work out, so . . .
I need to know where to find a free FTP program that actually works, or where to find a patch for an evaluation version.
posted by Tonya 1:18 PM

Saturday, August 11, 2001

Speaking of the whole weight thing, I've been trying to lose weight (again). It's been weeks, and I've only lost 3 pounds. But I keep getting sick and can't exercise. I haven't been eating much junk food, and I've been eating more fruit. I'm definitely drinking more water than usual, about 64 oz. a day. I walk my dog around the neighborhood everyday, which is my exercise. I did buy a pair of pants the other day that are 3-4 sizes smaller than what I've been wearing, so that's good.
posted by Tonya 3:30 PM

Thursday I went to drop my mother off to eat lunch with her mom, sister, neices, and her aunt whom she doesn't get to see much. So I got out of the car to see dear old Aunt Mae, since I don't see her much either. Bad idea. She said I didn't look like myself and asked my mom, "Is she getting fat or something?" without even trying to lower her voice. That pissed me off so bad! I didn't really think much about other people thinking I'm fat until now. Then when I was leaving, she turned all sweet and said, "I'm so glad I got to see you." I was thinking, too bad I can't say the same.
posted by Tonya 3:25 PM

I soooo want another dog! A cute little female Shih-Tzu. I'll put bows in her hair and paint her toenails pink. And, um, I'll take care of her and stuff. But alas, my parents refuse to allow another dog in the house (and I'm usually so good at talking them into things . . . which is why they won't discuss it with me). This place seems like a really good place to adopt from. They're selective about who they let adopt, so you know they won't accept your application unless the dog you want is right for you and vice versa.
posted by Tonya 3:21 PM

I'm sick yet again. Damned toddlers and their rampant germs. This makes the 4th time I've been sick since I started my job in June. I'm feeling better now, though. Not good, but better.
posted by Tonya 3:16 PM

Did I mention my brother is selling me his computer for $200? That includes his CD burner and desk. He's so getting ripped off.
posted by Tonya 3:15 PM

Saturday, August 04, 2001

Yowza. I have 10+ members to add to my clique. NOW people want to join. I don't have an FTP program on this computer. I'll try to download one before my brother takes his comp. so I can add you guys.
posted by Tonya 8:30 PM

My brother moved out Thursday. His apartment is really nice. He's not bringing his computer there until he gets a smaller desk for it, so that gives me some extra time on this thing.
posted by Tonya 8:28 PM

Sunday, July 29, 2001

Okay, The Counter sucks. They changed the site around, and now you have to sign up (which means paying a stupid fee) for the "charter membership" in order to see any of your stats. What a bunch of bullshit.
posted by Tonya 8:12 PM

I'm thinking I might have fibromyalgia. Don't think this is out of the blue; I just haven't mentioned having chronic pain up until now because 1) I'm so used to it, I only really notice it when it's severe, and 2) it just occured to me recently that not everyone is in some sort of pain all the time. I think some people, like my dad for instance, think I'm exaggerating about my health issues. Whenever I bring something up, like social phobia or fibromyalgia, he's sure I don't really have it. But if you think about it, everything's connected. It all started with the social anxiety, which is probably hereditary since my mother has experienced some of the same anxieties and thoughts I have. As the SAD got worse, I started to get depressed, which often occurs in people with social anxiety. Having anxiety and depression could have led to chronic muscle pain, as one of the fibromyalgia web sites I looked at stated. And the trouble with my bowels (most likely irritable bowel syndrome, which I haven't mentioned yet because, well, ew) could have stemmed from the fibromyalgia. I might be getting a little ahead of myself since I haven't yet been diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FMS) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but my friend who has FMS thinks I do, after I shared my symptoms with her. I just hope it's not multiple sclerosis or lupus that's making me feel this way. I'm a very lucky gal, aren't I?
posted by Tonya 8:07 PM

So, my brother is supposed to move out next week. He only has like $250, and he probably owes everyone in town money, but he's still supposed to be moving. That means I probably won't be online for a long while. Something is wrong with the modem on my parents' computer, and I can't log on to NetZero with it anyway because the version is old. But I can't upload the new version without going online. That smarts, huh? I really, really, doubt my parents will buy me a computer.
posted by Tonya 7:46 PM

I think I'm sick again. Not as bad as last time, though. I just feel all achy and have an upset stomach. And I had a fever earlier. Maybe I'll get to miss work for a couple of days.
posted by Tonya 7:42 PM

Sunday, July 08, 2001

Yaaaawn. I want to put up a new layout, but I have no inspiration and no motivation to do so. Plus, I have to work, and when I'm home, I don't want to do anything. I hate to let this site go to waste since I've put so much into it thus far.
posted by Tonya 8:23 PM

Thursday, July 05, 2001

So, I watched the premiere of Real World 10. I pretty much like all of the cast members so far, with Mike being my least favorite. Nicole doesn't seem like one to be getting into fights, but the clips theyshowed from this season prove otherwise. The Lori/Kevin things is annoying. I don't understand why Kevin is all of a sudden acting uninterested in Lori. Maybe he doesn't like the way she's obsessing over the possibility of a hook up. The whole thing with Mike's rascist comment . . . I honestly don't think he meant any mailce by it. He's just niave because he hasn't had experience with diverse people, which means he doesn't know the boundaries of what is rascist. You could tell he genuinely felt bad about offending Coral and Malik. I think he has a lot of learning to do. Coral was right to be angry, but she should've taken the opportunity to explain why his comment was so wrong instead of just blocking him out. I'm glad for Rachel that she got out of her mom's house.
posted by Tonya 10:10 PM

Work was okay today. The kid who's usually the worst was actually behaving himself today, but one of the girls who usually behaves was not. Go figure. Here's a rundown of the kids I take care of:

Cedrick: The above-mentioned worst kid. He likes to call me "fucka" and "bitch," no lie. I doubt he understands how bad those words are, but still, 2-year-olds should not be cussing. He also likes to pull the little girls' hair. He talks a lot, but I have trouble understanding what he's saying, except when he's cussing at me.

Dillan: The second worse. He likes to throw things and then whine until I pick them up for him. Sometimes he tries to go out the gate when we're outside (there are two gates; one leads to another play area, the other to an area that doesn't have fencing, which is by the parking lot). He doesn't usually bother the other kids, but he does hit me (very lightly) sometimes. His favorite words are "no," "shut up," and "stop it."

Zahnyih or "Na Na," as we call her: She's a sweety, most of the time. She does try to take the other kids' toys sometimes. I've never heard her say a word. When her diaper needs to be changed, she taps me. That girl is a messy eater.

The (fraternal) twins:
Layla: She's bigger than her sister. The only word I've heard her say is "no." She likes to take things from people. And she hardly ever listens to me.

Kayla: She's the sensitive one. When her sister takes things from her (often), the tears start. She smiles a lot. She's generally pretty sweet. She, to, has trouble following instructions.

Then there's Savannah, Jordan & Jamal who come occasionally. But the above kids are the ones I see every day.
posted by Tonya 10:03 PM

Things I keep forgetting to mention:

1) I sent in my request for Friends tickets, but they said the show's already sold out for the whole next season. Le poo.

2) Becky has officially moved, but she comes back here so often I hardly even notice the difference.

3) My first paycheck was sooo not as small as I expected, even though I'm getting paid 10 cents less than at my previous job. That's because I get paid for 2 weeks at a time, whereas at my other job, I got paid biweekly but only for one week's worth of work. Oh well, at least I'm not broke anymore.
posted by Tonya 9:48 PM

Sunday, July 01, 2001

And I'm serious about that Rivers Cuomo picture, you guys.
posted by Tonya 7:08 PM

I was right about my illness getting worse. I ended up getting a stomach virus, so I was laying around on the couch from Sunday to Wednesday. Then Thursday I was going to go online, but NetZero decided to start implementing a policy where you're only allowed 40 hours a month to go online with their free service, and we'd apparently used all of them up. As if having to use NetZero in the first place isn't bad enough. Well, everything's going okay now. I should get my first paycheck tomorrow, albeit a small one. At least I'll have money.
posted by Tonya 7:07 PM

Saturday, June 23, 2001

I have a request: if anybody has or knows where to find the picture of Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) from a recent (around Memorial Day) issue of Entertainment Weekly, please divulge me.
posted by Tonya 8:52 PM

My brother bought The Sims, which I am addicted to in addition to Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2. I've spent most of my time trying to get hitched. Even though my relationship meter with Mortimer Goth is always up to 100 and there's a heart by his picture, he refuses to accept my (many) proposals. He's either too hungry or not comfortable enough or in a "bad mood," even though he gives no indication of that before I pop the question. Is there any strategy to those sorts of things, or is it just random? That game pisses me off. Okay, I'm taking it way too seriously.
posted by Tonya 12:29 AM

So, I officially have a job now. They've already put me to work, from 2-6. I know (most of) the kids' names by now. I've only been there a few days and I'm already sick. Oh, the joys of working in day care. My throat is killing me. It'll be worse tomorrow, probably. I wanted to *enjoy* my weekend :P
posted by Tonya 12:24 AM

Hotmail sucks. Everytime I try to sign up there, every possible user name I type in is "already taken." I could type in djkfnikkmsandmd and it would still say that. I need to get e-mail somewhere, because chickmail still isn't working for me and it'll be gone soon anyway. Maybe I'll just use gurlmail for now.
posted by Tonya 12:22 AM