a slice of randomness

* today, i went to dr. textbook for my annual check-up. (i know, i know... i'm still going to dr. textbook. someday i'll find an awesome doctor but, in the meantime, i've got her.) within an hour, i'd had blood drawn and my heart tested and my urine sampled. she's referring me to a neurologist to have my numb ass and back checked out -- the ass is almost definitely a result of an irritated nerve, because i can get the tingling to stop if i correct my posture, but the tingly section on my back is more of a mystery. it, too, is likely caused by a wonky nerve, but dr. textbook would rather i have it fully checked out. and so would i. earliest available appointment for the neurologist? april 15th. booked it. also booked my mammogram and accompanying ultrasound for next week.

* my dentist's office called yesterday to tell me that it's time for my six-month check-up and cleaning. timing.

* the new editor -- the one i don't like -- is turning out to be a gigantic tool and is not making any friends. she keeps to herself, doesn't engage any of us in conversation, gets huffy when huffiness is not called for, speaks only when spoken to and, even then, does so in as few words as possible. she also skipped work over the holidays even though she'd been required to come in. she figured no one would know or find out, but people know and found out.

* the new editor i DO like, for the magazine launching in spring, is, by contrast, fantastic. smart, savvy, ambitious, proactive and an excellent sharer. we're starting to get promotional merchandise coming into the office, and she ALWAYS distributes it to the rest of us. so cool!

* i am moving desks at work. again. and, sadly, i'm going from prime real estate to terrible real estate. no more windows. no more quiet. no more privacy. my colleague and i are being yanked from our professional oasis and plunked into a noisy, windowless, congested, high-traffic collection of pods, and we're both seriously bummed about it. we'll try to make the best of it, but it kind of sucks.

* working from home won't be an option for me until the property management company at my building finishes renovating the unit directly above mine. seems the previous tenant, who was quite quiet and often away, moved out in december... so the place is being gutted. LOUDLY. the workers arrive by 8:15 each morning, so i try to be out of my apartment by 8:45am at the latest. but i really miss working from home. until the pounding and drilling and hammering and sanding and construction noise ends, though, sitting at my desk or on my couch during the day is out.

* right now, i am working on SEVEN pet-related stories.

* speaking of pets, over christmas my parents discovered that george has learned how to open doors. thankfully, just closet, cupboard and storage room doors, which are all somewhat light and don't lock. he's a clever little monkey, that guy.