Marilyn, here I come!

Remember just a few days ago, when I said I was contemplating another piercing? Well, I’ve decided that I’m going to do it.
(Sorry, Kathryn!)

I went to my hairdressers yesterday for my nail appointment - yes, I did get hot pink glitter tips, awesome! - and I noticed one of the girls had a new piercing. She explained that she’d broken up with her partner, the father of her 1 year old son, and decided to get her lip pierced for her birthday. Partly because she wanted it, and partly because she knows her ex hates facial piercings. Anyway, it suits her. She has a stud on the right side of her bottom lip.

I fell in love with it, and as soon as Mum realised what I was thinking, she said “I refuse to talk to you about it.” She could see the wheels turning in my head as the afternoon went on.

Although I like the lip piercing, I don’t think I could actually have a bar through my own lip. It would impede all the fun activities, like eating, and kissing, and I can see myself now, chewing on the inside of the bar and stuffing up my teeth. So I thought: “Hey, what sort of thing do I like?” And I remembered that I’ve admired the Monroe piercing on and off for years now.

So I’ve decided to do it! If you haven’t seen a Monroe before, it can also be known as a beauty spot piercing, as its usually a little gem simulating the mole that Marilyn Monroe had - hence the name “Monroe”. It looks a little something like this:

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t want a big stud on my face, in fact, the stud in this photo is probably the size I’d want. Yes, I know I mentioned in the last piercing post that I don’t know how it’d go down at work, but I thought about it, and honestly, we don’t deal with people outside of the office. The only reason I’d leave the office during the day would be to go out and buy lunch. I think it should be okay - I don’t want a big stud anyway, and if people protest about it too much, I’ll get a clear stud to wear during work hours once it’s healed.

Mum has said to me that she doesn’t understand why I want it, but if I want it, fair enough, and I’m old enough anyway. Dad however, once he realised what I was talking about, got angry with me… but I know he’ll get over it. He mumbled something along the lines of “tribal shit, why don’t you get a bone through your nose next…” and that was it. Matt is fine with it for his own reasons, which I’ll explain later.

I spent all of last night on Google getting as much info on the Monroe as I could, and ended up on YouTube watching videos of people getting pierced. It looks like a pretty quick process, and only one girl winced as the needle went through. If I’m going to get a facial piercing, I want to know as much as possible about it, and I want it done properly.

For these reasons, I’ve decided not to go back to the place that pierced my ears in February. It seems a bit less than coincidental that four of us got piercings, and four of us ended up with infections. It is going to be very, very tempting to go up there on a lunchbreak and get it done, but I won’t. I had my nose pierced almost 4 years ago at another piercer closer to home, and not only was she fantasic, talking me through it (I was nervous!), but filled me in on all the aftercare, and helped me out when my 2nd ear piercings got infected. I never had any problems with my nose, it healed quickly and painlessly. I’ve decided that I’m going to go back to her for my Monroe. The bonus is, it will also cost me half as much as my ears did.

I had calmed down about it today. I went to the tattoo/piercing studio to ask some questions, but the piercer isn’t in on Sundays, so I’ll need to have a more in-depth talk before getting it done. I had almost forgotten about the urge to get it done, until Mum and I were in line waiting to buy lunch. I saw a girl with a tiny Monroe stud, and I got all excited, pointed it out and squealed. Ha.

I’m really excited about this now! Like I said, it will be very tempting to go out during lunch and do it, but I’ll wait. My best friend is going to come with me and hold my hand, which is only fair, since I held her hand when she got her nose pierced a couple of months ago. I guess I’m just one of these people that once I’ve decided that I’m going to do something, I want to do it NOW!

For the first few weeks, I’m going to be stuck with a bar longer than what I want, which will allow for the swelling and healing process. Once that’s done, I can get the bar shortened, so it sits flush on my lip, and I can get exactly what I want. I’m guessing I’ll end up with a small gem.

I can’t wait! And of course, I’m going to take a photo once it’s done. I think I’ll even do a scrapbook page about it. Scrappers rarely scrapbook about themselves, and I’ve already thought of a title - “Holey-er than thou!”

Meh and eh

I was going to do a Friday’s Feast post, but I changed my mind. While fumbling my way through my archives, I found a post that I’d forgotten all about: 10 Things I Like About Me. This was just the thing I needed to see to perk myself up a bit.

It’s hard to explain, really, but the past few weeks I’ve just been feeling down. Really down. Down as in waking up every morning and asking myself “Shit, do I really have to get out of bed today?”

I’ve been feeling like I’ve run a marathon but haven’t left the starting line, if you catch my drift. Like I’m treading water - going nowhere fast. This might have something to do with the fact I’m still fighting this sinus infection…

Since I changed jobs, I decided it might be best not to go into detail where work is concerned. The past couple of weeks, though, have been incredibly draining. Physically and emotionally draining. There’s a little bit of uncertainty going on (don’t worry, my job is safe!) which makes you wonder what’s going to happen next. I am grateful for the 3 day weekend ahead.

I’m so tired I really don’t know if I can write anything else! It is very difficult for me to keep my eyes open at this point…

I get my nails done tomorrow. Hot pink glitter, if she has any. If not, then I’ll think of something!

 

Kelly Marie - Not to be confused with the pop singer.

I’m a fraud, apparently.

Awhile ago, I googled “Kelly Marie” for kicks, and discovered that there was a pop singer from the ’70’s or ’80’s that went by the stage name “Kelly Marie”. I was amused, I’d never heard of her before! I did post about it, but I can’t find the link now…

Well, I have been found. By a Myspace tool, nonetheless. Said tool has found my blog and sent a rather nasty comment calling me a faker and fraud, because SHOCK HORROR, I’m not their pop goddess.
(I spammed the comment, with great pleasure, and will spam any future comments. Abuse on my blog through comments will not be tolerated.)

I know I’ll be inciting further comments from this whack-job, but here’s a blog post bashing me, for a few giggles: Proof that I’m a fraud? And then a commenter said “death to the wannabe!”

Pssh.

There are six billion people in this world, names are going to be reused in some way, shape or form. I’m no singer by any means, but yes, I am Kelly Marie. I was born, given that name, and Christened with that name, almost 21 years ago. Get over it. I know heaps of Kellys, and I also know lots of people with the middle name “Marie”. The combination is going to happen. My best friend shares the same name as well!

Perhaps this person should find something better to do with their time, instead of googling has-been pop stars, and then abusing others who happen to share the same name?

Just to make it clear - I AM NOT, NOR HAVE EVER BEEN, A POP SENSATION. IF THAT’S THE KELLY MARIE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR, YOU CLICKED THE WRONG LINK!

(But thank you, Myspacer, for giving me a topic to post about, and also linking to me so I get more traffic!)

Three weeks on…

So, it’s been nearly three weeks without Snuggles. It’s quite weird. I’m still used to having him around. That’s a weird statement in itself - Snuggles was a part of the family for 17 years, so of course it’s expected to think like he’s still around, no?

It is really hard to talk about him in past tense. It’s still not believable, to some degree. I see his collar on my desk every morning, which I’ve slowly gotten used to, but talking about his antics and what he used to do, is very difficult.

I took some pictures of his garden the other day. It’s nearly done, it just needs a few potted plants, which will come soon. On one hand, it’s like the garden’s been there forever. On the other, part of me wants to run down, dig it up and get him out because it’s an unnatural feeling, knowing that he’s in the ground.

Here’s the garden, as it is at the moment. Dad made the picket fence himself and put it up. Dad used to say that he hated Snuggles, but he cried as hard as any of us that night.

Here’s a close-up of the little sign Mum found for him. I think it’s very poignant, that the sign says “Welcome”, but the puppies are so sad. It sums it all up, really. Snuggles was always happy to see you, and we’re all very sad that he’s no longer around…

On a seemingly more random note, here are my slippers:

I bought these a few years ago, just to stir Snuggles. He used to love play-fighting with your feet, whether you were wearing shoes, socks, or barefoot. He never bit down - his trick was holding his mouth open over your big toe, and if you moved, he’d jump and bark and repeat the process. I saw these slippers, and I couldn’t resist!

The first few times I wore them, he was mortified. He wouldn’t come near me… he actually thought they were real dogs! Once he realised that my feet were in them though, that was it. My favourite game was trapping Snuggles between my feet and swaying him from side to side.  He, in turn, would turn on his chosen nemesis, left or right, and bite the nose and ears, slapping his paw down on its head so that it couldn’t get away. He loved it when I chased him around the coffee table wearing them, too.

I still miss my dog. I miss how he hated being bathed, but once he was out of the water, he loved it. I miss how he used to bark at the vacuum cleaner when it was first switched on, but then he’d get scared and run away. I miss the frizzy hairs behind his ears. And I miss his sloppy kisses.

I hope this gets easier over time.

Am I holey enough?

Four months ago, during a burst of spontaneity, I went and got my fourth piercing. I now have three holes in each ear, and a stud in my nose.

At the time, I honestly hadn’t considered going and getting my ears pierced again. I hadn’t really thought about getting any more piercings in general. It took 3 attempts for my second ear piercings to take properly, and after finally being able to get my nose pierced - I say finally because I wanted it for 2 years before Mum relented - I didn’t want anything else. Or so I thought.

You may remember my recap of the now infamous “Piercing Day”. I got my ears pierced again, and not only was I the last one to be pierced, but I was certainly the tamest!

I had that familiar adrenaline rush from it for a couple of months. Don’t get me wrong, it really hurt, especially since I had to get them done with needles, but they were healing up nicely and I couldn’t wait to put something sparkly in my ears.

That is, until all the problems started.

The first six weeks, everything was spot on. My ears were sore to sleep on for the first week, but after that, they were fine. I went back to have my check-up with the other girls, and there were no problems. It was only when the six weeks was up and I thought I could get them changed that the problems began.

I had these awkward bars in my ears, with a ball on the front, and a flat disc on the back. The disc made it a bit difficult to clean the back of my ears, but I persevered. I later discovered that I was getting lumps on the backs of my ears because of the pressure created from sleeping on them, or so the piercer said. I paid to have them cleaned up, only to have to return a week later and have stainless steel rings put in instead. This was to solve the problem, apparently.

It didn’t work. The lumps reappeared, and started to drain themselves, so I would wake up with dried blood and gunk on my ears. If I knocked one accidentally, it would bleed through the piercing and come out at the front of my earlobe. I went back to the piercer, again.

The problem this time around, apparently, was that the new piercings were being infected by the sterling silver jewelry I had in the first two sets. I thought this was a load of crap, but I figured that these guys were professional, and what would I know, it’s only my ears, right? I had them cleaned up again, and had the jewelry changed for the second time, this time to plastic.

I was getting charged for each time I went back to get cleaned up, and I was charged $20 just to have the plastic put in. Not bad, considering I had to pay $60 to get my ears pierced in the first place. Oh, and the other girls all had problems with their new piercings too. Was that an ominous sign?

I am now very happy to say, that four months after getting them pierced, and after two months of having to put up with cheap plastic bars in my ears, what I hope was the last of the infection has cleared, and I was able to change them myself for the first time. Nothing special, just a pair of stainless steel studs that I bought months ago…

That was the final buzz, being able to change the jewelry myself. I can finally have my ears the way I want them! I’m very happy, because for my 21st birthday my parents have promised me a pair of diamond studs, which I fully intend to put into that 3rd set and wear forever.

But now… I want another piercing. Now. But what would I get? What can I get?

I don’t have any more room in my earlobes, and I think three sets is plenty. Any more and my ears might start looking like a junkyard. I like the tragus piercing, but one, that’s in my ear, and two, that’s cartilage, and I’m not too keen on getting a piercing through cartilage when I had all this trouble with my earlobes.

There’s the Monroe, which I absolutely adore, but probably wouldn’t be able to get away with, since I work in a corporate environment. My nose piercing, while fairly unnoticeable, is pushing the limits already. And I think I’d be scared about getting another facial piercing. I don’t want to have too much metal in my face.

There’s my navel, which I already have plans for. I’ve pencilled it in to have it pierced as my 21st birthday present to myself. I could have it done now, but with my ongoing weight battle, it will be affected. It could even grow out as the weight comes off. I’m not convinced that adding sparkles to my currently over padded midsection would be aesthetically pleasing, either.

That pretty much leaves the piercings that I won’t consider. No tongue, and definitely nothing below the belt. And as for a nipple, well… ouch.

I’m in quite a predicament, obviously. Over a piercing. A piercing that I want but I don’t know where I want it. I did know a girl that had her septum pierced without her father knowing. She had a small straight bar through it, with slightly angled ends, which meant she could turn it up inside her nose and nobody knew it was there.

I need help. Or encouragement. Or discouragement. Or something.

Fun Fun Friday!

Last Friday, I had a terrible day, which I recapped purely to get it off my chest.

This Friday, though, was great.

Firstly, there was no lunch in the fridge at work to be stolen.

Secondly, I was told that if everything was done by lunchtime, I could go home early. And I left at 1pm.

And thirdly, I was very popular at work today, because of my overnight transformation:

It may sound stupid, and vain, but it actually felt really nice to walk in the door this morning and have half a dozen people crowd around me and exclaim “Oh my God, your hair looks fantastic!!!” and ask me all about it. I also got more comments as the day went on.

And I must admit, I love the new hair. I’ve been lightening it up for a bit now, but over the last week I decided to take the plunge and go full-on white blonde. My fringe was giving me the shits too. I was trying to grow it asymmetrically so it would be a nice length for my wedding, but I got sick of it. It never sat right, it always looked greasy even after I washed it… and I was over it. It took me over 9 months to grow that fringe out, and it was gone in 30 seconds. Looking at it now, I definitely don’t miss it!

One of my workmates has now “banned” me from wearing eyeshadow from now on. She said the new colour makes my eyes pop, as well as making me more mature and slimming my face (WOW!), and if I were to wear eyeshadow, it would ruin it.

Here’s another photo, bit bigger:

Just for future reference, I had my scalp bleached, and then toner through it to take the yellow out. And folks, scalp bleaching HURTS. I’ve had it done before. This time wasn’t quite as bad because it was a cold night… but one the bleach was washed out, my hairdresser cut my hair, and then put the toner in. As soon as she started combing my hair… OUCH. But it’s worth it. And now that it’s done, I’ll only need the regrowth done, so it won’t be this bad again.

Matt is very happy with the new colour, although I didn’t do it for him, I did it for me! I was white blonde when we first met, see, and he swears to this day that’s what caught his attention. When he came home last night and saw me, he sniffed my hair (apparently he likes the peroxide smell?!), and has been wolf-whistling at me ever since. He even said to me while we were in the car “Look out lady, because if my other half sees you, she’s gonna be pissed!”
I guess that means I look like a totally different person?

Another couple of tidbits that made my day even better:

- I found the earrings and necklace set that Matt gave me for my birthday. I lost them a few months ago… but they were safe in the box they arrived in!
- Four months after I got my 3rd set of ear piercings, I was finally able to change the earrings myself. All traces of infection are gone, so let’s just hope it stays that way!

Dude On Stall Harasses Sick Shopper

You know those people that set up a little stall in the middle of the shopping centre and lure people over? I hate them. I will try and avoid them at all costs. I’ve even been known to walk around the outside of the centre to get to a certain shop instead of through the centre so I don’t get hassled.

My favourite story of these makeshift stalls was when my gym was down there trying to recruit members. There was a young woman on the stall, fit, toned and terrific. I started to walk past, and she looked me up and down and must have thought “Well, she needs a bit of work” - because she went to talk to me. It was very satisfying to snap “I’m already a member!” and keep walking.

Until today, that was my favourite story.

I was down the shops today buying tissues and lip balm for my mum (who is now sick, and I know exactly how she feels), when I saw not one, but two stalls set up. I forget what one was, but the other was some sort of conservation fund.

I walked past once with no problems - they already had people to harrass. But as I walked back, with two bags of shopping, mobile phone out to look busy, the conservation guy thought he’d have a crack at dragging me over. Funny thing was, I had a sinking feeling as I walked back that someone was going to try and talk me into something…

Him: Hi! (Grins at me like an idiot, trying to charm me. Wanker.)
Me: Hi… (I keep walking)
Him: Come here?
Me still walking… walking away.
Him: Come here! COME HERE! Oi! Ohhhhhh…..

Now, I’m not one to be rude. If someone says hi to me, I’ll say hi back. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to acquiesce to his request to “come here”. Especially not with a blocked nose, high temperature and being on the verge of descending into a pleghm-producing coughing fit. (Too much information?)

Seriously, though, who the hell yells out “come here!” to some random person trying to go about their shopping? The only one who can say “come here” to me and get away with it is Matt, and it would want to be for a damn good reason - a nice kiss or a hug, for example - or I’d slap him for his rudeness. The guy acted, and looked, in my honest opinion, like a total wank.

The stupid thing is, I felt guilty as hell for continuing to go about my shopping.

I mulled it over as I headed back to the car - new car! SQUEE! - and I came to the conclusion that he would have wanted one of four things had I walked over to him:

a) To waste my time;
b) To try and get me to sign my life away;
c) To get money out of me; or
d) All of the above.

And you know what? Stuff him! Because:

a) My time is valuable, or at least I think so;
b) I sign nothing except the paperwork when I use my credit card, which I’ve been doing a lot of lately, because;
c) Between the mechanic and Queensland Transport, I have no money because I forked out over $2000 to get my car on the road yesterday. I should mention that the $2000 was cash, too. No plastic. Crisp $100 notes that made me cry as I handed them over; and
d) Well, that’s it really, but the last one of these had 4 points, so I figured this one should too.

I’m pretty sure the guy was there for a good cause, saving furry animals, or even trying to save his own arse. He probably wasn’t the devil incarnate, or an axe murderer. I just hate being pressured into stuff. Especially by strange people who have fake smiles and their fingers crossed behind their back.

Next question: Is there anyone left out there that would use my name and “sane” together in a sentence?

Free! Free! FREE!

Well, I am, anyway!

My car is on the road! Woohoo! Sweet, sweet independence!

It’s still blue, but that will change on the weekend. At this point, I don’t care that the paintwork is crap… I’m just glad it’s driveable.

You don’t want to know how much I paid the mechanic. Mind you, he’s an honest guy and doesn’t charge anywhere near as much as other places, and I’m safe in the knowledge that there’s absolutely nothing mechanically wrong with the car. It still hurt handing over the money though!

My personalised purple plates are on… I fought for an hour or so with my seat covers, and I got a dashmat, which promptly flew off at me when I reversed out the driveway. I guess I’ll need to stick it down with the provided velcro after all.

But - car! Mine! Independence! Wheels!

Pics soon!

Sickness confirmed

After a weekend of not being able to get out of bed (bar Dad’s birthday lunch), I figured I should call in sick and drag myself down to the doctors.

It’s confirmed, folks. The “Sinus Infection From Hell” has returned. Or maybe it never fully cleared up last time? Don’t know. But it’s painful. Also, not only do I have bad sinuses, but my throat is bad too. Joy. I got a doctor’s certificate for today and tomorrow, so that I can rest up before having to go back to work on Wednesday.
(I had a pretty good sleep last night, which Matt just confirmed by informing me that I snored because I was trying to breathe through my nose. Give a sick woman a break…)

The extra pain came when it was time to pay for my antibiotics. Sixty dollars, people. Considering that 2 months ago I still had a current concession card and would have got the exact same medication for about $10. It’s an expensive business, getting sick. Gah. I’ve got a repeat on them too. They better work the first time!

Oh, and how’s this? When I was paying for my medication, the guy (who’s always there) says to me: “Do you still have that sinus infection?!”

I’m finally getting around to updating some stuff around here, slowly. There’s some stuff on the list that I’ve gotten done, and I’d forgotten all about my 100 things list, so I’m going to update that and put it back up. Once it’s done, I’ll feel better.

I should have some exciting news tomorrow! More later…

F$*# Me, It’s Friday!

One of the girls at work wore a singlet with that phrase emblazoned across it last Friday. Obviously she had another shirt over the top of it, but it tickled my fancy.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved to see a Friday night roll around. To quote Comic Book Guy and put my own twist on it: “Worst. Week. Ever.”

Topping the week off nicely, was discovering upon arrival at work this morning that some conniving, sneaky, low-life FUCKING THIEF stole my unopened lunch out of the fridge and ATE IT ALL. Who the hell steals other people’s food and eats it?! I hope they enjoyed it, because it cost me $6 from the lunch van. And I was looking forward to eating it today. Bastard.

I’m sick at the moment, so I think everyone knew to stay away from today’s repurchased lunch in the fridge. I also wrote on it in purple ballpoint pen “Kelly’s lunch - NOT YOURS!”, which might have helped as well. I’m investing in a black marker this weekend, so that exact phrase slaps you across the face when you open the fridge door.

Do you want to know what annoys me when I’m sick? This:
“Eewwww, don’t breathe on me!”
Yeah, because I’m feeling shit hot, and I’m going to go around the office licking people. Seriously.

When I first complained of feeling sick, I got asked if I was pregnant. Which I’m not.
Then I continued feeling like I was going to projectile vomit all over my desk, so somebody else asked me if I was pregnant. Which I’m not. And I think they all might have gotten the message when I snapped “I’m not pregnant! It is IMPOSSIBLE for me to be pregnant right now. Okay?!”

I’m afraid that if I wipe my nose just once more, it’ll drop off. Which might be less painful than the constant wiping. I was on the phone to a supplier today, and since I couldn’t blow my nose down the receiver, I plugged my nostril with a tissue and held it in place - which got giggles from my friends. I must have looked real sexy today, no make-up, red nose, and the white tissue accessory hanging from one side of my face.

What was nice about today, though, is that I got some muchly-anticipated stamping supplies in the mail. Yay! I can now see about making Matt’s birthday card. I made one for Dad for Sunday and it came up pretty damn awesome, if I may say so myself!

I’m off to stamp myself into oblivion!