C.R.A.P.

In the old days, when you have an evaluationinterview with your boss, you're asked to make a SWOT analysis of your project, your company or your team. In SWOT (and no, not SWAT, all you Colin Farrell-lovers out there) the abbreviation stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
Els and I decided we'd make a CRAP analysis, that would stand for Customer-orientation, Recruitment, Administration and Posting jobs online. Not bad, don't you think?

I had my very own CRAP moment today (literally than): I was taking a picture of my office (@ the company I work at part-time as an inhouse-consultant), when my ex-dad passed me in the hallway, only to enter MY office (ok, the other side of it) moments later. Apparently he's working there. At MY company, in MY hallway. (mine, mine :p)

I ran, I took my phone and I ran, to the ladies' room and I literally hid in one of the toilets (ok, not IN, ...) I called the BF who didn't pick up, I called V. who didn't pick up, I called D. who picked up (thankjoe) and when I calmed down I walked head down to my office and hid behind the newly-placed stickers on my glass walls. And than I started calling people again :-) I just could NOT get over the fact that, of all the companies in the world, he's working there.

The idea of having to work with him in the same building, I can handle (a little. I think. Maybe.). But being there every monday when he comes for his contract in MY office? Don't think so. I've asked V. to change shifts which she agreed, thankyouverymuch.

It's strange to realise that someone you haven't spoken to in almost 10 years, is working there where you are. It shook me to the core. I hate that he still has this effect on me after so long, but I can't help it. I really cried my eyes out from being in shock, and I didn't do that since... I had the guts to pack my stuff and leave his home.

It's a lazy, no-good, manipulative, lying, spineless, pathetic, weak, poor-excuse-for-a-human-being LOSER.

And half my genes are his.

The votes of the Belgian jury...

I had my exam for the degree of "Master Make-Up Artist" today, and... I passed!!!!!
In two weeks I get my official diploma and my exact grade + feedback on my work, I can't wait...

My model was (what did you expect?), of course Els, who looked stunning in the assymetric, gothic, futuristic creation I made. Professional pictures were taken, which I should get in about a week, but until then you can check out a few snapshots on my Telenet-foto account: http://foto.telenet.be/caramellie (in an hour or so, they are loading as we speak but it's sloooooooow)

Just what the Doc ordered.

After the BS on thursday I was in the mood for some ME-time today. Luckily, the BF was away all day, Warre was with his grand-mère (yep, a whole day of French!), and I was meeting my supermodel Els at two o'clock so... I got up early, took a bus into town and went shopping... Nothing can lift your spirits like blazing around town waving with your Mastercard!!!

I was in desperate need of some jeans, since all of my trousers B.C. (before child) are a wishfull-thinking-size-38 in which I'll never fit again (but are now fostercared over by Els :p). The last 10 weeks I've been wearing 42's, but to my great surprize they absolutely don't fit me anymore since I've apparently lost quite some weight since January. So, I treated myself to some fabulous blue jeans from Mango and to a pair of black jeans from H&M. What a relief to discover that I can fit in to semi-skinny jeans again :-)

Ow, before I forget to mention it: the BS with the BF is completely resolved by the way. I discovered a new funny side of him, actually. I was announcing that (for the first time in god-only-knows-how-long) I'm going to party @ Den Aalmoezenier next weekend (for the ones who remember; my Vampire-days... :p). With one or two colleagues. Without him.

You would expect a tad suspicion, jealousy maybe? Nope, not him. He was glàd. Glad I'd found someone who was crazy enough to go dancing with me.
As Den Aalmoezenier is not his style of people, nor music, he was just glad I dind't plan on dragging him there.

His comment was literally: have fun, go crazy, do as you like, I don't need to know all the juicy details, you can stay in bed 'till noon the next day, and you can do whatever you want with whomever you want as long as you come home to sleep. And reinact the specifics the next day. :-p

Now thàts what I call a healthy relationship. How lucky am I ;-)

So next weekend, my funcky new jeans & myself will be partying like it's 1999 :-)

Damn...

I'm really, really in a bad mood now.

I just spent an hour on my exam sketch (a draft of the overall look I will be creating on my model (Els) on sunday when I have my master make-up artist exam). It looked super. Even after some BS with the BF, I managed to focus and get it right.

I have to say: it looked super, something a tad goth with a futuristic twist in it. I like it.

But, then... I remember someone gave me the tip of fixating my sketch with hairspray so the sticky products would't soil the other pages of my sketch book... You can imagine what happened, I suppose? The entire sketch is ruined. I can do everything over again... On saturday, because now I'm REALLY not in the mood to start sketching all over again. Blèch.

Me so sad.

:-(

Some important questions...

... like: where is the lid?

C.H.A.O.S

Currently, my house is in C.H.A.O.S. – also known as: Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome. How did this happen? When Hamsters marry Hamsters…

I am the school example of a Hamster: I keep *everything* that reminds me of *anything*. A postcard, a sticker, a piece of clothing, a book, a note, anything.

When whe moved from Ghent to Antwerp, I cleaned up my mess. I started packing, carefully looking at each item, thinking what it reminded me of, and if it was a memory I wanted to keep alive. With the succesfull mantra “when in doubt, throw it out” I managed to shrink my pile of junk into ’just a few boxes’.

Then, there’s my Dear Husband. He’s even a bigger hamster then me: he does not only keep everything thatreminds him of anything, but also all the things he thins might have a use… someday. This can go from microwaves (we already have one!) to mirrors. You name it, he has it (or at least two of them).

So, same story when we moved: when in doubt, throw it out.

Somehow, after throwing out everything we were doubting about, our place is still a mess. Since my beautybusiness started (a girl can never have enough make-up, especially not if you are a make-up artist ;p), my piles have gotten bigger and bigger, and then there’s the Tupperware…

Luckily, the Visible Rooms (living, kitchen, Warre's bedroom) are tidy and (most important) clean. But our bedroom and the office-slash-beautyspace are still... a mess.

So my C.H.A.O.S still isn’t over, and I have to make a one-legged-leap over two boxes, half a table and a piano to get to the PC to type this message. I'm working on it...

El Puerto

Last Friday, the Good Collegues (*!*), some partners and myself went to El Puerto on the Waalse Kaai to eat tapas. I cannot remember all the things I ate, but I call tell you: enough to last me till next easter. It was delicious.

You can see the silly pics of this very nice evening @ http://foto.telenet.be/caramellie

ENJOY!!

Dedications, part two

I forgot one very important dedication... Myself
Els will get this one.
The absolute all time favourite - if my life were a soap opera, this would be the theme song.

Dedications

Copyright to D, because I copied this idea from his blog.

For all my past & present loves & crushes... Here are some dedications.
Never mind the bad video's, it's all about the lyrics.

For the one who opened my eyes & ears to Meaningful Lyrics:


For the one who rescued me:


For the one who still doesn't get it:


And last but not least: (could not find the actual video, but it's the right version...)

Mr Big...

That's one way to talk about heart surgery...

YouTube For Dummies

Or should I say: YouTube for babies?

Besides numerous ways to entertain myself, I found a new use for YouTube: entertaining The Baby!!! He absolutely LOVES Bumba, apparently. I just melt watching him giggle and chuckle when he's glued to the screen, waving with his teeny weeny arms every time the parade begins...

So, for the die-hard Bumba-fans:

More Useless Tests To Post On Your Blog:

Your Leprechaun Name Is:

Lucky Greenknickers

What's Your Leprechaun Name?

You Are a Smiley Face Cookie

You're happy go lucky. So happy, in fact, it's a little past the point of normal sanity. You usually make those around you smile ... when you're not creeping them out!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

And this one I find surprising:

You Are Loafers

You are confident, powerful, and successful. Hard working and business like, you always dress and act appropriately. You are consistent and a bit conservative. You aren't really susceptible to trends, although you always dress well. While you tend to be formal, you know how to adapt to your surroundings. So are professional at work... but more laid back when your with your friends. You should live: In a huge city You should work: In a competitive field where you can rise to the top

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Who knew... Loafers.

Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Yes, people, it exists... And apparently I am... Big Bird!!!! (or as we say in Flanders: PINO!)

You Are Big Bird

Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around. You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy. You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you. How you life your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper."

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Whaaaaaaa

I just got this amazing email: a media company from Brussels wants me to come and give a make-up seminar to their employees to teach them how to use make-up on their clients!!!!!!!!!
All I can say is...

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Eighties Els!

You have to admit: some spandex, some legwarmers, she fits right in!

(This is what happens if you say yes to being model-for-a-day at my school ...)

Kickin' Ass

Yowyowyow

Kalson! Un coca s'il vous plaît.

This is one the abroadies aren't going to understand (Dutch language joke) so I'me posting it in Dutch...

Gisteren op de cursus: foute eighties make-up. Ik post later de schittenrende transformatie van Els in eighties-chick nog.

Enfin, we praten over mode uit de 80's: epauletten, spandex, beenwarmers, haarbanden en... calleçons. Also known as: leggings. Maar Tessa, mijn Hollands collega'tje, kende duidelijk het woord calleçon niet. Want, zei ze: is dat niet wat jullie op café naar de ober roepen als jullie nog een pintje bij willen?

:-)))))))))))))))

Copy-Paste

... what to do if you have a bad case of Writer's Block?
Use the Copy-Paste buttons!
Especially to just-about spoil it for *some*:

- "Slippery slope -- today we withhold porn, tomorrow it’s clean bandages."
- "You wanna know every place your mom’s thumb has been?"
- "Lies are like children: they’re hard work, but it’s worth it because the future depends on them."
- "The problem with sleeping with strangers is… they’re strange."
- “Minus five for ingratitude. No ‘Thank you, Doctor,’ ‘Here’s a bottle of codeine for your troubles, Doctor.’”

... muhaha!

Hmmm

It's awfully quiet here.
Writer's block, I suppose.
...
Yep, that's it.