Today was a rough day at wok. They happen. We were short a few people, and things are getting busy. I was barely able to maintain my sanity without doing the overtime they asked for. We were all feeling it today, too. Especially those who were willing to work overtime. So, of course, Paula had to have her say, too.

She let out this odd combination of a groan and a screech. I've had both noises separate, but never combined quite like this. Behind me, Pat turned around, "You too, huh?" Followed by latest signature tic, "Yeah!"

It was all fun and giggles til the shoulder tic showed up. That's when I knew it was time to go home and take a nice bath with a good book...

Paula's Friends

Paula is kind of popular. Pretty sure more popular than I am most of the time. However, Paula has the ability to attract friends I don't even know about!

For example, I have a friend named Kadi. She is a marvelous individual, and I love that I can call her friend. How did I meet her? At first, they were vague comments. "I thought I heard Paula during sacrament meeting, but I couldn't find you."

Then they became centered around a person, "This girl Kadi sounded just like Paula!"

I was finally able to meet this wonderful human who did not have TS, but chronic hiccups. After meeting, Kadi and I bonded quickly. So did Paula and her hiccups. They would talk back and forth in church all the time. They were typically the loudest ones and they always got away with it!

There is also a new girl at work, who likes to make random noises. She has complete control over hers, but you can bet Paula loves having someone to talk to during the day!

Paula's Chosen A Career

Ever since I've posted about Paula's sound effects, Paula has decided this is a talent she would like to pursue. I think she has decided to follow a career as a Foley artist, making sound effects in movies. My life suddenly sounds like I'm in a cartoon.

I sit down at my desk as she makes a noise to narrate it. Her timing is actually getting really good with that one. Her noises are fitting conversations all too well, making noises that just sound like Monday. She started imitating the time clock again (despite the fact that we updated our system) when someone mentioned they forgot to clock in.

It may not be perfect, but I think she is well on her way!

Birthday Shenanigans

Whoa, two posts in two days! Someone take my temperature and make sure I'm not sick! I said I would do a follow-up to the birthday excitement since Paula hadn't even come to say hi at the time I had written. The sad part is, she never showed up at all yesterday! Out of all the birthday wishes, there was nothing from Paula. The punk.

Then I realized it might possibly be due to the fact that I never celebrate hers! I feel like a total jerk. Confession: I don't even really know when her birthday is... But I have ways to find out! Good thing I have always been such an avid journal writer! Who knows, I might uncover a few good gems I haven't even put on the blog yet with all the journal digging! Wish me luck, I'm off to do a lot of reading...

Celebrate!

The thing about Tourette Syndrome is that there is really no rhyme, reason or pattern to when tics show up. Paula just likes to do her own thing. Sure there are trends, but that does not guarantee any kind of pattern. For example, statistically speaking, most people with TS tend to tic more when they are stressed. I tend to do it more often when I am excited. It's the same idea, adrenaline rush, butterflies in the tummy and what not.

This is why I am a little surprised that so far, Paula has not shown up on my birthday! Of all days! I love my birthday and get terribly excited about it. So far, nothing. Although, that might also be due to how much Paula likes attention and I have not been around many people yet today. Guess I'll have to do a follow-up post with any birthday antics once I actually leave the house...

Sound FX

Well, well. After all this talk of no new stories and getting slightly bored with having Tourette Syndrome, I finally get a new story! Kudos to Luke! He is the brother of a dear friend of mine, and all three of us happen to work together. Kinda. Luke works upstairs but happened to be down visiting Courtney a few seats over from me.

I have no idea how their conversation was going, but Paula decided it was as good of a time as any to pop out, getting quite chatty and tossing in a few different noises. Here I must mention that I cannot imitate Paula's noises. I have tried, but I can't quite manage to get them to sound the same. Paula really is her own entity with her own voice.

Luke looked right at me, "Those were great, I wish I could make such great sound effects."

Me, too, Luke. Me, too.

Mondays...

Not many people like Monday. However, I'm a fan. I like having a fresh start to the week and starting over with goals I may have messed up the week before, or stretching the goals I did achieve. Remember New Year's is my favorite holiday and I basically re-celebrate all year long, touching on my goals quarterly, monthly and weekly. I kinda love goals. Sunday I check in on how I'm doing and Monday is the fresh start to who I want to be and what I want to accomplish.

This past Monday was not my favorite, though. There was a big storm back east, and there was a lot going on, so there was overtime to be worked because we basically felt behind all day. Some of my co-workers decided to pull twelve-hour shifts. I was proud of my ten, thank you very much. It was a long and exhausting day.

Paula evidently felt the same way. At one point during the day, she let out a loud, long scream. It wasn't even a crazy noise, it sounded like a scream from a horror movie. All around me, there was a chorus of, "I feel you, Paula," "I know, right?" and "My thoughts exactly" from many of my co-workers. Sometimes, she just says it better than anyone else really can.

Forgetful Me...

I'm glad Paula still manages to keep me on my toes, even if I'm getting bored. This week, she pulled another stunt. I was with a group of friends when someone came up to speak with a mutual friend, but I didn't know him at all. He asked a question and thought it was obviously not directed at me, Paula decides to not only answer, but answer quite emphatically, "Yeah, yeah, yeah!"

He sent a glance my way and continued to speak with our mutual friend, while others in the group got a good giggle and asked me a few more questions about my TS. Sometimes I forget that others aren't around it all the time the way I am. I may get bored with it (as I mentioned in my previous post), but it is still new to others. Sometimes it's nice to have a reminder.

I should really find new ways to explain it to keep myself entertained. Maybe that way I won't forget.

Boredom

I haven't run into this problem in the 13 years I have had TS. There has always been a funny story. There has always something new, exciting and different. Maybe I've just been spending too much time at home trying to write, but I have no stories. I've been so focused that I don't pay much attention to when Paula goes off and when she doesn't.

Sure I can still make others giggle. It just doesn't tickle my own funny bone the way that it used to. When she pops up, it's the same thing she's always done. She'll say "hello," she still screams, people still jump... same old thing. How sad that I'm suddenly bored with my Tourette Syndrome. Who would have guessed it was possible? Good thing I'm at least working on new and exciting things in other areas of my life.

What Are You Looking For?

I have a confession. Yeah, another one. I'm not a very secretive person, can you tell? I just have another rant to go off about. I guess it's a good thing that my rants become the most well-read of all the posts I have. Getting back to topic. My confession is: I love Facebook.

Most of my friends have this love/hate relationship with this social media site. Often they will take "Facebook fasts" and just unplug for a while. Good for you, doing what you think is best for you. I don't think I ever will, though. I find too many good things that make me happy. And I don't cut myself off from things that make me happy.

Facebook has become more than just a way to connect with others. It's almost become a surrogate news source, showing videos and articles from anyone on anything. One of the common reasons I hear people wanting to take a "Facebreak" is to get away from all the negativity and overwhelmingly despondent things they see online.

Politics, corruption, racism, abuse. All highly prevalent in today's society. I can't and won't deny that it's there. However, it's not what I want to see on my timeline. When I want to see what's going on, I look at actual news station's websites or a newspaper. So when it comes up on Facebook, I hide all similar posts. You know what's left? The things I actually want to see.

I see my friends doing happy things. Getting married, graduating, having children, adopting children, traveling far and wide, or enjoying a simple staycation. I see simple, happy moments in their lives, I see the awkward stories. I hear the songs that have made their heart soar. I see the jokes that make them laugh. I see their hopes, I see their dreams. I see the things that moved and inspired them. Sometimes I see cries for help and am able to jump in and lend a hand. I see my friends and the people I love.

Not only that, but I get to see people that I don't even know doing extraordinary and inspiring things. People chasing their dreams. People going out of their way to help another. People doing what they can to survive. Sharing, giving, and any other form of goodness you can imagine. Things that overall make me a better person for watching, reading, listening. There are so many kind hearts in this world. Just as much, if not more than the negativity that continues to spread. The things is- are you looking for it? Because you find what you are looking for.

Facebook is a simple matter of filters, but it totally applies to any area of life. You will find what you are looking for at work, at school, at home, at church... The list goes on. I have spent most of my life in the pursuit and understanding of being happy. What does it mean and how do we get it. Guess what. I found it.

Much Appreciation

Back to the "normal" Paula stories for today! It's a short one, but I was thoroughly entertained. Not by Paula, mine you. Maybe I'm getting too used to her. She doesn't really surprise me often anymore. What does catch me off guard is the clever way others play with her.

For example, I walked past a guy at work at the same time he happened to sneeze. Then Paula went off. As I continued walking, he said, "Thank you, Paula."

I'm so glad someone appreciates her! Just today, a leader came by and asked us to get together for a quick huddle. Paula got excited and piped up to show her approval. "Except Paula. She can't come to this meeting."

Paula was surprisingly quiet. Normally she would give sass right back and demand a place in the meeting. She must have just been shocked into silence this time around. I guess at this point, she wasn't feeling that appreciation...