I Heart Peanut Butter

Well this weekend was a glorious end to an amazing week of craft beers.  Yesterday Kelly, Brad, Matt and I headed to Vermont for the Brattleboro Brewers Fest on what ended up being the first Triple-H day of the year. Matt, Kelly and I volunteered at the event and in return were given the glasses and 8 drink tickets. The day also included the Pub Crawl through out Brattleboro and we were transported by school buses. The Pub Crawl included Steak Out, Flat Street Brew Pub, McNeill’s and Kiplings. The event went down smoothly and without any issues. I do wish there was food at the event for vegetarians/vegans and I spoke with Tim about it to see on maybe how I could help getting such vendors interested.

I got to bed around 2am and woke up at 8am to get ready to head back to Massachusetts this morning. Today went to Julio’s for the Spring Beer Fest (as if I needed anymore beer) with Jason and tried a few new beers of my liking. Went home and headed to my brothers for his dog Murphy’s birthday party, really just a reason to have friends over .

This is a GRAND week to say the least

American Craft Beer Week is May 17th thru the 23rd

In honor of this week MUCH is going on in the area…

The Armsby Abbey is hosting Beer Geek Week

These beers will be on draft this week:

Het Alternatief Bitter Truth

Blaugies Saison d’Epeautre
Cantillon St Lamvinus
Cantillon Vigneronne
De Hoevebrouwers Toria Blonde
De Ranke XX Bitter
Dieu Du Ciel Peche Mortel
Grand-Café Emelisse Double IPA
Haandbryggeriet Norwegian Wood
Jandrain-Jandrenouille IV Saison
Jandrain-Jandrenouille V Cense
Kasteel Chateau
Mikkeller 1000 IBU
T’Smisje Wostyntje
Ballast Point Bourbon Barrel Aged Black Marlin Porter
BBC Sour Ale
BBC/Armsby Abbey/Julians Collaboration Sour Blend #1
BBC/Armsby Abbey/Julians Collaboration Sour Blend #2
Brooklyn Dark Matter
Cascade Sang Rouge
Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree
DFH Sah’Tea
Founders Bourbon Country Cerise
Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Noire
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere
Jolly Pumpkin E.S. Bam
Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot
Malhuer 12
New England Ghandi Bot
Ommegang Tripel Perfection
North Coast Le Merle
Troegs Java Head
Sixpoint Diesel (Nitro)
Sixpoint Gorilla Warfare

From our Aging Cellar:
2007 Allagash Victoria
2007 Weyerbacher 12
2007 DFH 120min
2008 Lost Abbey Brandy Barrel Angels Share
2009 Avery The Beast
2009 Lost Abbey Sinners Blend

This Saturday will be the Brattleboro Brewers Fest in Brattleboro VT. From 1pm to 5pm. I will be working this event for the early part of the day and jumping into the festivities in the later part of the day.

Sunday is the Spring Beer Fest @ Julio’s in Westborough

I am sure more is occurring in the area but this alone can keep you full of beer for the whole week.

Foursquare Article was in the Telegram and Gazette today….

Finding Friends- Networking Tool Connects Businesses and Customers.

Foursquare

A new era…

I don’t even know who I am anymore, I have issues with being unemployed to me a job is who I am. I take a large amount of pride in what I do and the fact that I do it well. I was offered the my old job back at the pharmaceutical company and they said even if I only go back until I find something else that is fine. It is sad that I judge my self worth  on my job and my level productivity. But I am sorry days sitting at the coffee shop between studying for my exam and looking for the few new jobs that have posted in my field is killing me. So I may just take that offer of employment, especially in  such uncertain times.

Today was my graduation from Fisher College and I should feel like I accomplished something huge, it was only my Associates but for me that is one step closer to where I need to be to be happy with my life. Education is one thing that can never be taken away from you. But today due to my mother being ill and my best friend not being able to find a babysitter I had to go to my graduation alone, this made me feel pretty pathetic and I was the only one there that did not have someone cheering me on. It was a very important day for me and ended up being a day of me being a bit on the sad side.  Lucky for me I have plenty of friends in Boston and was able to see a couple of them while I walked all around the Back Bay trying to walk away the feeling of being alone. I am in a weird place right now, as of this time in my life I have not done the single thing this long ever, and I tough-Crystal am to the point of being a bit lonely. It really kills me when I am interested in someone and I am too chicken shit to come right out and say anything but instead leave hints that the interest exist. You can’t help who you like I have learned.

So tonight after a cocktail at the Abbey and a couple of beers at the Dive I am going to stay home, I have a busy day tomorrow of helping with stART on the Street (On Main Street for the Spring) and then some fun between the beer garden at the Abbey and Dr. Gonzos Cook-off.  I believe it will be a fabulous Sunday.

What do people who are unemployed do all day? Honestly Day 3 and I am going crazy.

I have applied for every job that I am qualified for over the last month, I have been networking to my fullest ability.

Allergies bothering me so bad the idea of trying to get a GREAT workout in or reading a book but make my blocked head spin.

Another great past few days in the life of Crystal. I wasn’t sure how my first weekend following unemployment would be for me, as I was not much in the mood to be happy. Well it turned out to be another amazing weekend.

Friday night was to be game night at my friend Kelly’s , the collection of card and board games while drinking very little alcohol but enough to make the game interesting. Instead as most of the people showed up late and the fire was going on the outside patio. This turned into a night with far too much drinking, chatter, conversation that can not be repeated and 3am heading home. This made for a very rough day on Saturday but other than a visit to my grandparents and a trip to the movies to see Iron Man II with a couple friends I stayed in my pj’s all day long.

Sunday I had plans with Charles which was lunch (on Mother’s Day of all days) @ Peppercorns, followed by Comic Book shopping, coffee at Espress Yourself , beers at the Abbey and other good times. To make Sunday a pretty awesome day.

Monday was day 2 of Work-Week Unemployment and other than having what I am starting to think is the beginning of a sinus infection and The Good Doctors mid-day birthday celebrations, I am already a bit bored. I do think if my head did not feel so “blocked” I would be able to get more accomplished.

I NEED TO FIND SOMETHING TO DO…..I will work for free just to be busy…I need the social interaction of work…

After talking to a friend last night about his trip back from Chicago via train and the fact that round-trip was a whole $150.00, I started to think. Since I have done all the leg work for getting another job already and it is more of a waiting game, why not go on a train trip.

I have always wanted to do a long distance train ride but never have done it. I just looked and for $183.00 each way to Denver and 44 hours on the train (think of the reading, reflecting and relaxing I could get in with 88 hours of train rides)

Or maybe somewhere else…Maybe Chicago (been like 8 years since I have been there) or hummmmmm anywhere my heart desires.

72 hours to Portland OR…..

But the BEST idea is I can take the train from Worcester-Albany and then Albany- Montreal for $72.00 each way, with a day/night stay.

Tomorrow is my last day at my job, the position was a long term project and the project has come to an end. I am a nervous wreak as I have never been unemployed while alone in my life. I have no other income to fall upon until my unemployment starts.

Today I applied for 8 new positions (to add to the 150 I have over the last 2 months) I contacted 6-7 people that I have meet through networking to see what positions are open where. I have made pretty decent contacts with Directors of HIM in multiple hospital groups. I contacted my old employer to see about a position there once again.

I obtained a letter from my boss and a copy of my original offer letter so I can help expedite unemployment, the one thing that usually holds it up is the verification of why you are no longer employed.

It is going to be a thrifty, low funds few weeks but I think I will be okay, a bit nerve wracking to say the least. But I am a very driven and motivated individual and I am sure I will have a job very soon.

With my time off I will be studying for my RHIT exam and most likely finding a part-time position to help make the bills. Maybe work out a bit more. See I am not going to try to get myself to like the time off because if I do that I will be happy and then offered a job next week. So my focus is work, finding work and studying for the one credential that could make or break the next job.

So tonight I have an interview with a reporter from the Telegram and Gazette about the use of Foursquare. This should be fun, meeting him at the Abbey at 4:30 to discuss.

As if I needed even one more thing to worry me.

So yesterday I had decided in the morning to contact the rep at the position I was offered over a week ago and see if the job was still open. I was told they had hired someone but he thinks they could use me to. He should be getting back to me today.

Well yesterday afternoon I was told the project I am on and was suppose to go until June 30th, will be ending this week. Which means the almost 2 more months worth of job hunting, interviews etc, I don’t get. I took a huge chance with this position when I took it back in November. I knew it was a long-term temp but the close proximity to my house and the fact that I could have a flexible schedule in order to complete my internship, I had to take the risk.

Over the last 2 months I have applied to every position that I am qualified for in a 50 miles vicinity and beyond. I have had a few interviews, I was offered a position that I worried a bit about the pay not being enough so I politely declined.  I honestly have my resume in for close to if not more than 150 positions. Lots of online applications and cover letters and I hope it will pay off. There is no shortage of positions in my field it just seems I am in the “middle” too much experience for some positions and not enough for others.

I am crossing my fingers and hoping that the position I originally declined is offered to me today. If not unemployment gets called next week and the month long wait for my first check. I have applied for a few part time positions that I will hope if one comes through I can carry myself a bit better over the next month in either scenario. The good news is I have already done all the dirty work in looking for a new job, so now it is more of a waiting game. I have been networking, emailing everyone I know and applying like a crazy lady.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, god I hate this…..ugggggg

A bit confused, always chipper, sarcastic and humorous, a big smile on a cloudy day, sometimes neurotic, never dull, insanely organized, a loner, or one of the crowd, photogenic, happy, soulful, cheerful,an individual, free thinking, vocal, loving, emotionally reserved, damaged, trusting, hard working, One of the “guys”, adventurous, up for the challenge, bored, one giant walking contradiction.

~CA

My brothers band is playing this Thursday at the Lucky Dog.

May and Me

Chaos is a name for any order that produces confusion in our minds. - George Santayana

Do we ever truly know what we want or do we just make decisions and hope for the best ?

I sort of came to the conclusion that I am tired of being single this weekend, I think because dating stresses me out. But I battle myself with this one, I wonder am I meeting the misfits and freaks because I am just not ready for someone great. The universe has a funny way of making things work like that.

I am really enjoying the time I spend with my friends, they are all gems. But that time alone at home traps me in my own head more than I would like. So what does a gal do, go back to worthless hook-ups and finding one more man that will never commit?

I understand I could be a bit difficult to deal with, not that I nag or act like a woman most of the time. I think it is the opposite, I am not the most affectionate person, I don’t hold hands, and I am not always good at showing that I care about someone. For me most of that comes with time, but if I choose to see someone again I am at least digging them a bit. Also now that I am vegan, it seems some guys are just not open to that. If it is not a big deal for me, why should it be for them. Because I  am not going to order the steak or go to BBQ, I think that is a pretty small detail.

I guess I just would be happy with someone I see on a weekday and the weekends, enough and also not too much. Of course I say this until I meet that one person who rocks my world. But it does get a bit lonely when you always are going home to no one.

Not only was the weather beyond perfect for the 1st weekend in May (some may argue that 90 degree heat is not “perfect”)  but it was a weekend of so much happening and so little sleep. I hate to say it was an “Epic”weekend because I think that word bothers me more and more, as everything in life has become “Epic” but it was a lot of fun.

Even with having to work on Friday I went out on Thursday, it was nice out (cool) but I wanted to listen to music and have a beer or two.  Headed over to the Dive for what I planned a couple hours and it slowly turned into a 2am night and some other debauchery to boil down to me getting about 3 hours of sleep.

So who would have thought I would have done anything on Friday night, normally I have this rule that if I go out on Thursday I know I will be dead tired on Friday then I stay home. But I had tentative plans with my friend Ben and then a girlfriend of mine in Brookline called and said she was having people over for drinks, food, and outdoor celebrations. So after dropping my friend Kelly at the train station I drove my tush to Brookline to what ended up being another fantastic evening. My friend Jen has an amazing group of friends. The night was food, good beer/wine, 80′s music and conversation that kept on going until roughly 3am. I rolled back into Worcester around 4am and tried to get some sleep. Off and on dozing until I finally gave up at 11am. The sun was out, it was in the 80′s and by no means was I about to sleep my weekend away.

Saturday was Alec’s Surprise B-Day party. I still can’t believe the party was pulled off without him knowing a thing. Around 200 attendees plus staff and others involved in the planning and he knew nothing.  The weather was perfect, the band played, the complementary food was amazing. I had went earlier in the day to help with setting up, you know rolling 200 forks and knives in napkins . The evening was also the CD release party for the ‘Ten Foot Polecats” a blues/rockabilly band, they were really good. I stayed out later than I had planned and I was there long enough to see the lights come on at 2am. Although I was offered a ride home there was something magical (if that would be the right word) about the stroll home. Some people have spring fever (I do too) but for me the first summer like evening does something for me.

Yesterday I headed to my folks to visit, play with my nieces and wash my car. Was nice to sort of relax and take advantage of a clothes line to allow my laundry to dry in the warm sun.  I headed home in the afternoon, attempted to get a bike ride in but when you forget your water bottle in 90 degree heat you end up a bit thirsty to say the least.  Jumped in the shower and through on a skirt, tank top and flip flops and headed to have a Diet Coke and listen to some Irish music at the Greyhound for a bit. But last night was a night of relaxation as my day starts at 5am on Mondays.

I have to say this was an amazing weekend, although I missed the 1980′s beat boxing/break dancing antics in the Commons last night.