How “Hoarders” Has Changed My Life

I will admit it, I have always been known to be a messy person. Let me rephrase, I am a cluttery bargain hunter. I used to only buy things on sale, and did not have the space to house all of my bargains. It was never like I couldn’t manuever in my room, but I just always had clothes on my floor or a project half finished on my bed. I was often traveling, so I would blame my clutter on constant shift.

And then, something changed.

I began to watch a lot of A&E tv. It all started with “Intervention” an emotionally draining mini-documentary on the lives of addicts. It was easy to see these people and their struggle, and think “God, I will never huff 17 bottles of computer duster a day.” Quick decision, life fixed.

Then, there was a new program on, called “hoarders.” For those of you not in the know, hoarding is a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that is categorized by the need to compulsively collect and save items, with the inability to throw things away. The people classified as hoarders are these twisted self-proclaimed “collectors.” Often times their houses are filled to the brim with stuff such as household appliances, books, boxes, trash, food and often, cats. Many people recognize the problem, but are unsure how to go about fixing it. Others are in complete denial.

There is a general outline for a hoarder. A person, male or female, living in a rural area, probably on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale, who suffered some traumatic event that triggered the onset of major hoarding, and usually owns at least 10 cats. The show brings in pschologists and professional organizers to help the hoarder to well….de-hoard, often finding some of the most disgusting, flattened cats under the debris.

So how did this change my life? Well, now that I have been watching hoarders I have been insanely afraid that at any moment I could suffer from a traumatic depression, or loss, and BOOM- I am a hoarder. What if, in 10 years, I had 20 snakes that crawled around and pooped in the house (I am not much of a cat person) and couldn’t even sleep in my own bed? I have no desire to not be able to walk to my bathroom or cook in my kitchen.

So, I have purged my room, thrown away half of my belongings, and now I only focus on purchasing wise “investments” for the future (ok ok, I bought a flat screen tv….hey its like a graduation gift… to myself).

So, while I have a ways to go before I am a neat freak….for those of you like me, who have had clutter issues in the past…watch “Hoarders,” put your cats up for adoption, and start tossing stuff away!

Love peace and elbow grease

Annie G

Jackass 3D…and the side effects of depression

So last weekend I went to see Jackass 3D (it was Gil’s birthday and I let him pick the movie).

We paid our tickets, received our stylish 3D ray bans, and proceeded down the stairs of the Showcase cinemas in Randolph to catch the 3rd installment of the notoriously hilarious shenanigans of the Jackass crew.

And then, about an hour and a half later, I was nauseous.

Not only was I sick because of the excess amounts of vomit, fecal matter and male genitalia that was on display in this cinematic adventure, but also, I was disturbed on a deeper level.

Now, jackass hit its prime when I was just entering high school. In those days, my friends and I would watch that show, and laugh for hours, then ignore any disclaimer and attempt some wacky stunts ourselves. I remember having a giant crush on johnny Knoxville, thinking Bam Margera could be my best guy friend, and desperately wanting to have lighthearted friends just like the Jackass crew.

And now, I am 22, on a quest to become a real person, and looking at Jackass with a whole new perspective.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the movie was quite hilarious, I found myself laughing between dry heaves, but then I thought that these men must be approaching their forties, and they are still reveling in their slapstick ways.

I know I know, they get paid millions of dollars for this crap, I understand. But unfortunately, these guys represent a portion of the population who never quite grow up. And to be honest, it’s a sad thing to face.

When it comes down to it, I still do want to be like these guys (minus the sweat chugging, public defecation and porta-potty obsessions). I want to still have carefree times, where I get together with my friends and do stupid stuff. I don’t want to have to worry about loans, dreams an goals. I want to be able to go to a job where all I do is make people laugh.

I guess watching Jackass didn’t have the kick that it used to….maybe I should buy a video camera.

I’m Annie G. , and this is my blog post!

Open mouth, insert foot

So, after that huge post the other day...

I got a job.

Thus my life as a real person has taken another step....very exciting indeed...

but what is more exciting is that my dear friend Steph moved away from me to the Big Apple, and she has some snappy stories to tell!

check out her blog at http://gripelist2009.blogspot.com/

outtie 3000

Annie G.

Finding a job....the battle for entry level

For those of you who are young, perhaps in high school, and considering enrolling in a prestigious university, I offer you this advice...

Don't.

As a recent cum laude college grad from the 69th best university in the nation, with experience working on capitol hill, a university in another country, security at a top venue, one of the top-earning tourist attractions in the city of Boston, and a whole list of other random jobs I have held over the year, one would think I would be a shoe-in for a juicy-salaried career...

But you would be wrong.

Now I know this all sounds very egotistical, and while my stunning resume and well-written cover letters are something to brag about, it is nothing without a response. Since I have returned home (about 2 months ago) I have sent out AT LEAST a resume a day, most times more. With all of this emailing, calling and confirming, I have maybe heard back from 4 people.

In fact, because I was so desperate for some cash, I even applied to Best Buy, Petco, Borders, and all the restaurants at Patriot Place...

...none of which have called me back.

For a while I thought it was me, perhaps I wasn't as smart as I thought I was. Perhaps my intellectual capacity holds no more than what is necessary of a basic clerical worker. Perhaps all of my hopes, dreams and goals are really nothing more than a bunch of crap.

But then I turned to my peers and saw I wasn't alone. In the state of this economy, it is insanely difficult to not only get a job, but one that pays well.

If I had graduated 5 years ago, with the amount of experience I have, I would have easily been able to play my cards right and walk into a 50,000 dollar a year job, perhaps even more. I would not have needed to move home, would not have needed to apply for weekend retail, would not have needed to wake up each day and look at my 97 rusting and heatless grand marquis, and definitely would not have needed to live paycheck to paycheck.

Luckily, I did play my cards somewhat right. I have been freelance writing and working for a textile company (it helps when you are dating the boss and they need a temp) but then I think to myself....I have a degree...and couldn't even get a job at Petco.

The problem is not only that jobs are scarce, but so is experience. Whenever I look at a posting I immediately scroll down to qualifications. Even entry level positions require 2-5 years experience! And not only are we up against all the millions of recent college grads, but also all the other people who were laid off during the economic recession...and usually those people....have experience.

So while it was all well and good back in the day, going to college and graduating with a nice salary that is, I am now stuck battling for 25-30,000 a year positions, while watching thousands of dollars of student loans pile up behind me.

So again, if you are living in 2010, and thinking about college...

Learn how to be a mechanic instead...













...I still need my car's heater fixed.....




Peace,

Annie G

A new view on my blog

Well, as most of you know, my travel days are over (hopefully not for good) I am now focused solely on finding a career, a permanent residency, a new car, and other such things that would qualify me to be a real person. A daunting task it is indeed, but now, my blog will chronicle the ups and downs of real life, as well as those little things that get under my skin....

Actions, Reflections, Predictions, and other things ending in -tions

Well....I am back.....

Let's Rewind.

So I have not posted in a long while, because well...I have been very busy. For four weeks after my Euro-trip, I resided in the city of Lyon, France. I was there attempting to expand ma vocabulaire francaise. While I slightly succeeded in improving upon my foreign language skills, most of the time I spent reflecting upon my last 7 months abroad, and figuring out what matters most in life. For all the other girls (17!!) I was in France with, it was just the beginning of their abroad adventure. But for me, it was my last hurrah.

In truth, I was all partied out. I was sick of the mind-numbing euro-techno always playing at bars and clubs. I was not phased by the weird cultural differences that the other american girls seemed to notice. I was annoyed, not even offended, when a disgusting street man would grab at me or make lewd remarks. I was even just relying on my survival instincts when some drunk man pointed who-knows-what at me and my friends on the street.

In short, I was exhausted.

All that aside, France was a wonderful experience. I met some wonderful people while in Lyon (and now have friends in Germany, Australia, China and Taiwan....and West Virginia...which I also believe is a different country). I found much time for myself, and also marveled at the beautiful things France had to offer (The basilica in Lyon very well could be the most amazing structure on earth).

After Lyon, we had a wild week in Paris, which to me went by in the blink of an eye.

And then...that was it.

I got on a BO filled plane..and went back to the United States of America. I sat next to a Dutch Family, behind a Turkish Family, across from some French and in front of my American counterparts, and I thought...ya this seems right.

I got off the plane, and saw my amazing boyfriend waiting there for me (God his hair got long!). We embraced, gazed into each others eyes after what seemed like a lifetime apart, and I whispered ever so gently in his ear, "I reek of BO...I gotta go to the bathroom"

We made our way immediately down to Cape Cod, where part of the Gallagher Clan was residing. I saw Mom and Mary, and after spending a relaxing weekend on the beach, I saw Dad, Frankie and Danny. I didn't see my car...I was then informed that my family had crashed it in my absence...no surprise there.

So I went from living this exciting, jet-setting adventurous life...to living at home with my parents, with no car, no job, and loan payments piling up. Woot!

But if there is one thing I learned from all these travels, its to appreciate the things you have. When I heard Danny crashed my car, I was of course upset, but I was also just happy he was OK. The Annie from over a year ago wouldn't have been so quick to think that way. When I got home and looked in my closet, I realized I had so much stuff I just didn't need. The Annie from over a year ago would have thought I needed to go shopping for something new. When I come home, I know I have a place to stay and food to eat, and family and friends who care about me...the Annie from over a year ago would have immediately been looking to move away again.

Don't get me wrong, I am still the exact same person. Not a whole lot has changed, except some outlooks on life. And now, life begins. I am actually going to be a real person. I am done for a while with classes, and grades, and other social college nonsense.

So I am going to do what I do best and make it all work...but I will definitely be keeping you posted!

And if you know if anyone is hiring.......

Peace

G

England: A journey to find a hostel

So the bus ride from Dublin to London was...interesting...

We boarded the bus, and couldn't help but smell the fact that we would be sharing this experience with a few, large, creepy (Roma?) men. Mary and I sat together, Mackenzie alone, and behind her a girl who seemed around our age. The girl was sitting peacefully alone, when the largest and grossest of the men plops down next to her. I thought back to my nights on public transportation, or the days of riding the Fung Wah, and understanding the severe torture this girl would be suffering had we not intervened.

"Mackenzie....Save her!!"

So Mackenzie invited Jamie to sit next to her, a charming young woman from Ireland, and thus the first act against the Creeps was performed. Before we boarded the ferry, the bus driver specified that we would all have same seats upon reboarding...an idea that we will later find out is harder to accomplish than one would think.

So after the ferry ride, and watching "My life in Ruins" ...twice...we went to go back on the bus. My seat had been taken, which is not a big deal, as there was plenty of extra room on said bus anyways. So I sat in a row with space available right in front of us...no problem right? WRONG

So the Creeps get on and start pointing in my face and saying "no no no same seats" in horrendously broken english. Now, anyone who knows me will understand that the one thing I hate more than men talking to women as if they are inferior is when someone points in my face. So after discussing some choice words with him and pointing out how ridiculous he was for there were two open seats directly in front of us, he finally sat down...only to recline his seat all the way back directtly into my lap. Obviously, I was not happy...

I ended up moving seats and telling everyone to watch their stuff because who knows what those disgusting creeps were capable of. We got off at customs, and of course, upon reentering the bus they were sitting in our seats and laughing like 7th graders...

It was at this point, our boston came out.

Mackenzie became to loudly point out that they had a horrendous odor, and no one wanted to sit next to them anyway. At this point, we rallied the bus to take out perfumes, sprays, and any nicely scented oils to spray at them to try and mask their odor. I continued to point out how absurd and disgusting they were, as they tried to beg my forgiveness.

And that was the day, the creeps learned...don't mess with Mass.

We finally arrived in London, and desperately searched for an available hostel....of course...to no avail. We got some internet and some breakfast at a bar, where we discovered a hostel with availability near Fulham Broadway. Booked and done....we were on our way.

We walked up to the Hostel with a look of dismay...it appeared completely shut down. Upon further inspection we realized that no, it was not shut down, it was merely the shadiest place we would ever agree to spend the night. You had to enter behind a bar, the beds were not made, there were flies everywhere, broken toilets and no shower curtains....but hey...it was only 10 pounds a night.

Luckily everyone there was super nice. We wandered around London, being touristy and checking out all the ridiculous attractions. London is a great city, and it was the perfect place for us to end our journey. We got a chance to meet up with Jamie again and she took us around, showing us the sights (including platform 9 3/4s (mackenzies dream) and Abbey road (me and Mary's dream)).

We had a wild night dancing with some equally crazy brits at a club up the street, and the next day (at 2 in the morning) it was time to go. We boarded a shuttle in the dead of night to bring us to Luton airport, which appeared to be the setting of the next Stephen King novel. People were passed out everywhere, waiting for the Langoliers to come and eat them up- pacman style. We got on the plane, this time without being under the influence of any mind- altering substance, and made our way back to Paris.

We chilled out, relaxed, and then I brought mary to the airport, where, after yet another lost bag bomb scare, we said our tearful goodbyes.

The next day Mackenzie and I boarded yet another plane, this one to Lyon, for my last Northeastern Hurrah, a programe to learn french, and experience a whole new ridiculous world.