tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61945790571804821252024-02-02T01:54:02.642-08:00People Pleasers Who Hate Peoplesumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-14242070016952136182013-02-11T08:55:00.000-08:002013-02-11T08:55:38.026-08:00Denver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo courtesy of wikitravel.org</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, after my travel shenanigans from the past year and a half (Chicago, Barbados, DC, Scotland/England, Napa/San Francisco, New York during Sandy), I decided I kind of wanted to stick around home this year (who am I?). A trip with The Boy, a road trip in New England with my bestie, and that's about it. However, my friend, H, just got a great job in Denver - where my Best Neighbor Ever recently moved as well, so I knew I'd have to make a quick weekend trip at some point. Then, Travelzoo (please tell me you're a member for their Wednesday Top 20 emails! It's awesome, even if just to dream) had a great deal for roundtrip flights (with <em>tax included</em>!!) for $82. Sooold! The only problem was, the last weekend it was available was the weekend of my friend C's birthday. I mean, the other weekends were $120ish, which is still a great deal, but that meant two weekends of stuff; C lives in Austin and is who I went to Barbados with, and we've been friends for-ev-eeer, so I knew I'd need to drive down and visit her that weekend. Two weekends of having to hit up friends to watch my fierce dog, uuuugh...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She too wanted to go to Denver (and for her birthday!). She'd been hitting me up lately for taking a trip. Granted, Denver is not the Mediterranean or Machu Picchu, but.....it <em>is</em> $82. And there might even be snow*! It's like killing 3 birds with one stone (or 3 pigs with one bird as I say, because I'm, like, <em>really</em> into Angry Birds).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So we're all booked! We have a pub crawl scheduled, and it's restaurant week while we're there (although C is a vegetarian, so....that's probably out. I really don't get vegetarians, btw, but that's a discussion for a later time). I got a cute-enough white puffer coat from American Eagle (guilty pleasure, although I am worried about <a href="http://www.nyctaughtme.com/2012/10/my-first-day-of-work-at-elizabeth-street.html" target="_blank">this</a> happening) for just $30, and I have some warm Pucci snow boots from a million years ago, so I feel set! I'm sure there will be pics to come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">* Spending our whole lives in Texas means that we never (ever) tire of seeing snow. I wonder how long I'd have to live in it myself for me not to get giddy every time anything white fell from the sky. I'd guess about 3 days. ;) Below is a picture I took when I had to travel to Chicago for work in December, which I think just goes to show how much that company sucked. Anyway, I was still a tourist, even in the snow. (It should be noted that this was pre-facebook days, before we knew for certain how horrible self shots are... and people walked in at the last minute, so it's not like I just stopped on a busy sidewalk for a self portrait. Okay, a lot of disclaimers are needed for this photo, but I share it nonetheless.)</span><br />
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<br />sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-73581306382658105122013-01-31T08:46:00.000-08:002013-01-31T08:46:06.246-08:00The Queen of Versailles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I watched this documentary last night, and it was strangely enthralling. The gist is this: Filmmaker meets super wealthy, but very approachable woman who is married to the owner of the largest time share company in the world. Together they are in the process of building the largest house in the US (90,000 sq. ft., because their measly 26,000 sq. ft. property just isn't cutting it anymore). Little do any of them know that the filmmaker just happened to start filming at a pivotal time - the market crash of September 2008. What's strange is that you genuinely feel for these [former] billionaires, when in truth, what he was doing to the average person that he sold these time shares to is not much different than what the banks were doing to him. While the </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2012/sep/02/lauren-greenfield-queen-versailles-interview" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">filmmaker</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> still speaks very highly of the Siegels (the wife that you'll strangely love, Jackie, has attended several of the premiers), the husband is currently suing her for </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/movies/the-queen-of-versailles-and-its-lawsuit.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">defamation</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. While I agree that perhaps some of the camera work was shady, I feel like the family was very direct and upfront with her. It kind of reminded me of <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0912592/" target="_blank">My Kid Could Paint That</a></em>, in that the filmmaker started with a different idea for the movie, and then by fate, they were just in the right place at the right time for a whole new story to develop. How could the filmmaker <strong>not</strong> tell that story. [Sn: It reminds me of the </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w4ZbHnFjZg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Golden Girls episode</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> where Rose is sent to report on a dog show and a masked gunman comes in. Instead of telling about that situation, she's still asking people about their dogs while they're on the ground. Oh, Rose.]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I recommend it if you're looking for a little American Dream, money = success story/nightmare. It received rave reviews at the London Sundance last year, and can now be found on Netflix. I</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t's thought provoking; my grandparents hit their prime in the Great Depression and WWII and always warned me about this kind of thing. They would never miss a chance to tell me about rations (as i was eating a pound of sugar with strawberries, or playing with Barbies, several of which were "identical twins" because Mom would buy me the same thing twice on accident). My grandparents had money, but never spent it, so my mom made up for lost time by buying me everything she would have wanted as a kid. Her motto is "He who dies with the most toys, wins," which reminds me of my favorite quotes (though there were several) in the movie. Near the beginning of the movie, Mr. Siegel is asked why he's building the biggest house in America, and he swiftly responds, </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Because I can."</span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-24590703369986292062013-01-28T13:50:00.001-08:002013-01-28T13:50:27.939-08:00The "put a bird on it" craze has gone a little too far.<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As though January and February aren't depressing enough with the cold, short days,* we also get an influx of black birds (called grackles) in the area. It's like straight of Hitchcock. Usually they're only around for a few weeks, but it's enough to make you consider carrying around an umbrella and bb gun for awhile. Please note below that they're on all the near cars/trucks too, and they make a horrible, frightening cackle noise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Okay, confession: It's actually been a lovely January this year with many days (like, almost the entire past week) in the 70's, so I can't really complain... but I choose to anyway. ;) I mean, for one thing, the sun still doens't stick around for long. Also, it means there are still insects around to bite me when I'm sitting on the patio. *shakes fist in the air* Why can't global warming be more fu-uuuuun. Serious question though: Exactly how bad would it throw off nature if we completely killed of mosquitoes? I can hardly think they're thaaaat useful. Of course, that's probably what <a href="http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/11/26/report-u-s-planned-on-blowing-up-moon-with-nuke-during-cold-war-in-1950s/" target="_blank">these people</a> thought too. </span><br />
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sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-50478834804621246502013-01-25T12:45:00.000-08:002013-01-25T12:45:34.428-08:00Lunch in the Office<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hate the idea of spending a perfectly good lunch hour to <em>eat </em>(unless I'm meeting with friends, of course, but even then, I'd prefer to make it a happy hour). If I'm going to waste the gas to leave the office, it's going to be to go to the mall or take care of errands (true story: I have done grocery shopping while at lunch; sometimes you just have to use whatever time you have). Anyway, the point is, I usually eat at my desk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The problem with this is that I am not a particularly healthy eater, and I've discovered that one of my biggest pet peeves <em>in the</em> <em>entire world</em> is when people comment on my food. Here's just a snippet of the multitude of reactions I've heard while chowing down at my desk:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>"How can you eat that?!"</em> [leftover pasta for breakfast]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>"Was that a solid clump when you heated it up? Well, it's going to turn back into that while it's in your stomach too." </em>[that same pasta breakfast, by a superior]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>"That looks disgusting! I would never eat that!"</em> [nigiri sushi]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>"Someone's a little piggy today!"</em> [leftover casserole for lunch, this time by a female *boss, who was</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> also in HR* who I ever only saw consume EITHER one grapefruit OR one can of chicken noodle soup per 10 hour workday.] </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I digress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, now if I am going to eat something really zany (like, say, McDonalds *scandalous*), I will go out and sit down and eat because it's not worth it, but I've also made it quite clear to my coworkers that I really don't appreciate their unsolicited opinions about my food, unless they want to tell me how jealous they are of my meal (which occasionally happens too, like my infamous pizza breakfasts). I have caught a few stares > open mouth > think > close mouth moments though. It makes me proud. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then something crazy has been happening. I've been....craving...vegetables. Don't get me wrong, this has happened before, but it's usually just during that one week of the month and then it goes away (it's like my body is slowly dying and screaming out, "IRON!!! GIVE ME IRON! And a few nutrients for god's sake!"). But this has been going on for a few weeks now -- and don't think it's some new year's resolution or anything -- it's not like I'm eating healthy, low cal salads here, but it's salads nonetheless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My problem with eating salads has mostly been this: (1) they're usually not that much healthier than other things that somehow seem more satisfying, and (2) not every place offers spinach. I hate iceberg lettuce. Romaine/Spring mix is okay, but what's with all the hard chunks (we call them "lettuce bones" in our fam) left in the salad?! My mom always cut those out (of course, the salads we had growing up were for the beginning of the meal; never, ever did I ever see anyone eat a salad as a meal)! Oddly enough, I have actually met women that like the lettuce bones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I was eating my salad thinking about what lunatics these women must be ( ;) ), when BAM! WTF is this?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm pretty sure my mom had me picking these things out of her flower bed when I was a child. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I'm still trying to get used to this new craving I'm having. Who knows, maybe one day I'll buy me some fixin's and make my own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Juuust kidding, that will never happen.) </span><br />
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sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-25060510436076806722013-01-24T14:14:00.003-08:002013-01-24T14:22:44.160-08:00Go-To Websites<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know, I know, I feel like <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/" target="_blank">Urban Dictionary</a> has been around since dial up, but it can be such a mood lifter for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a particular religious zealot that's about to drive me nuts on facebook, eg:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"Curse words literally hurt my ears. I'm so thankful my mom raised me better than that!" </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"I know what I'm eating today #chickfila #familyvalues"</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"Do you drink? Why or why not?"</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I won't even get started on all the souls she's praying for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, after I sent my mom a thank you note for not making me a fundamentalist Southern Baptist and raising me to be a level-headed human being [I really did send her a thank you note], I went to urban dictionary to clear my head. It's here that I saw this and wanted desperately to post it on said zealot's page. But my momma taught me better than that.</span> ;)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What websites cheer you up? My aaaabsolute favorites are <a href="http://www.happyplace.com/" target="_blank">Happy Place </a>and <a href="http://jezebel.com/" target="_blank">Jezebel</a> (although that one sometimes riles me up!) as well. Also, do you ever feel bad for not being... I don't know.... like society expects you to be? I'm a female from the Bible belt, but I like some raunchy humor and booze, dammit!</span> sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-37091058168233220062013-01-22T11:47:00.000-08:002013-01-22T11:49:27.145-08:00Impulsive<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like every other sane human being in the northern hemisphere, I too hate January and February. It's dreary (we don't get snow, so it's just....dead), there's no holiday to look forward to, and we just had that New Year's mental breakdown of "my life has no meaning." Okay, maybe that last one is just me, but you understand; we realize that we're about to get another year older and that time is racing past us.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soooo, to cheer myself up, I saw this little number on Ideeli yesterday and before I even knew what was happening, I had bought it (the internet sometimes has that effect on me). I'm certain I'll look just like that when I put it on. :| I figure I need the motivation/something to look forward to, and I know I'll get good use out of a bandeau top. I had to restrict myself after '08 and I'm only allowed one swimsuit a year. It's a hard life, I tell you. I do typically end up buying *the one* in January or February though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where are your favorite places to buy swimsuits? I finally swore off Target and Victoria's Secret. Target, because they're sometimes ill-fitting and I get tired of seeing every 22 year-old in the same bathing suit. Victoria's Secret has the same issue, and on top of that, one time the $40 swim top I was wearing straight up came unseamed in the front while I was sunbathing on my raft. I like to think I just put too much pressure on the poor top. *coughIwishcough* We'll see how this one turns out....it asked for actual sizes (like 2, 4, 6, 8) rather than bra or generic SML sizing. I mean... it was rather impulsive. Also, can I just rant a bit about women's sizing? The description said it was "true to size." Uuuuhm... I have clothes in about 4 different numerical sizes that all fit. That really doesn't help me, bro. Are we talking true to Gap size or Theory size or what? And dress size is sometimes different than pant size, so where does bathing suit sizing fall into all this?!?! Can we get a liiiittle consistency? And, why do women get all caught up in the number? Whether I'm a 4 or an 8, I know I didn't just lose or gain 30 lbs overnight. Who. cares. I have friends who INSIST they're always an XS, and honestly, if they'd just put on a Small (the horror!), they'd look more put together. Wear your size, folks, wear your size. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, it feels good to get that off my chest. Wait, the rant, I'm not talking about the swim top again. Calm down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Am I the only one dreaming of a tropical vacation? I really hope I can squeeze in a beach vacation this year, but....I kind of outdid myself on travelling the past two years. If I do plan something though, I plan on saving this swimsuit for then. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now, here's some token pictures from Barbados to keep our beachin (baha! :\) inspiration: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One of many awesome beaches</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our cheap hotel, which had a great view, but apparently the "noise" that some complained about in reviews was actually an open air nightclub directly across the small road. Elaborate, reviewers, c'mon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I petted (is that a word?) some sea turtles! Best scuba diving trip yet!</span></div>
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<br />sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-21947169613921963242013-01-21T14:13:00.000-08:002013-01-21T14:13:16.829-08:00Happy MLK Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mel and I fist bumpin for freedom.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up late this morning. Late, as in I should have left the house 5 minutes before I actually woke up kind of late. Normally, I wouldn't mind - it happens - but last week I did the SAME THING. However, the morning last week was what I call an Alanis Morissette morning: a traffic jam when I'm already late. I did not want that to happen again. I was so relieved that I only ended up being 10 minutes late because I practically flew into work! I thought, "Wow! Everyone who's late this morning must be in a hurry too, and that's why we're all going 80!" Theeeen, I remembered: I'm the only chump who had to work today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't had MLK Day off at my last two jobs (so, going on a decade), which of course leads me to believe that the companies I work for are racists and don't believe in civil rights. (Totally kidding, but I like to tease them.) Growing up, I always liked learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. I went to schools that were exactly 49% white, 49% black, so it hit home that I wouldn't know half of </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my classmates had I been my parents age (it took Texas a taaaad longer to integrate than other places). Don't get me wrong, there were definitely some tense </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">moments too, especially in the high school years; I definitely remember some "cracker" name calling and "Kill Whitey" chanting, that we crackers would pay no mind to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often times I've wished that I </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">grew up in a quaint New England town where education was valued rather than having to teach myself most of what I know (like when I signed up for my first college classes and they asked how many hours I wanted to take. "Uhm...40?" Oy.), but I do value the life and social skills that school in rural east Texas taught me. I think Dr. King would be pretty proud of what we've accomplished as a nation, even if it has taken way too long to get there and there is still improvement to be made. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Side notes:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Am I the only one that sings "Pride" by U2 in my head when they see a picture of MLK?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In perhaps </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peoples-History-United-States-Present/dp/0060838655/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358805099&sr=1-1&keywords=people%27s+history+of+the+united+states" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my favorite book of all time</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, it's mentioned that it was a Spanish priest that had the bright idea of bringing slaves over to the Americas when the poor Native Americans started dying off. I like to remind my Catholic friends of this. ;)</span></li>
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sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-74294208241378576522013-01-18T07:20:00.002-08:002013-01-18T07:20:46.732-08:00Are we sure Lance Armstrong isn't behind this? <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like when Oprah woke up Thursday morning and heard about </span><a href="http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-teos-dead-girlfriend-the-most-heartbreaking-and-inspirational-story-of-the-college-football-season-is-a-hoax" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this,</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> she immediately yelled "NOT ON LANCE ARMSTRONG WEEK" and slapped Stedman around for a bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I know quite a few ladies that have met Lance Armstrong (during the wild McConaughey days), so I've thought of him as douche for several years and never put anything past him (let's not forget <a href="http://www.wetpaint.com/network/gallery/is-she-really-going-out-with-him-15-weird-celebrity-couples/photo/ashley-olsen-and-lance-armstrong" target="_blank">this</a>, which I consider worse than doping). I was surprised when they stripped him of his medals though. In a weird, probably telling-of-my-ethics way, I have to give it to him - he covered up his mess gooooood. And for a loooong time. That in itself is pretty impressive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Side note: It reminds me of when I was attempting to befriend a Russian girl (we'll talk about my Russian fear later) who was about my same age. We were having dinner, and while I was really trying to figure out a polite way to ask if she was mail-order (I'm being completely serious), I made other small talk and asked her what the biggest difference between the US and Russia has been for her. She said that she was suprised by how long her shoes lasted here and liked that her soles didn't wear out so quickly. Secondly, the she "is surprised by how many Americans really believe you landed on the moon first." Heh. Heh heh. Cute. Here's the thing, I'm not saying our government *wouldn't* lie to us.... I'm just saying *if* they did, they did a good job and it's been over 40 years, so nee-ner, nee-ner.</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And now we have <a href="http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-teos-dead-girlfriend-the-most-heartbreaking-and-inspirational-story-of-the-college-football-season-is-a-hoax" target="_blank">Manti Te'o</a>. Was it a publicity stunt he was aware of? Was it a hoax he wasn't aware of? Was it a ruse to cover up homosexuality? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS! I think my biggest question, however, is: Really, Associated Press? You don't even caaaaall Stanford? Ask any local reporters about the funeral? Really? It all makes me think of this media <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/12/this-is-why-the-press-circulated-ryan-lanzas-facebook-page/266492/" target="_blank">flub</a>, which I blamed on the instant reporting and social media at the time, but now it really makes me wonder...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ugh, that last link got me all thinking about Sandy Hook again. Let's all look at </span><a href="http://www.happyplace.com/20579/teoing-the-new-online-meme-inspired-by-mati-teo" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to make ourselves feel better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crud, now I feel bad for making fun of the poor guy on the small chance he wasn't in on it and/or homosexual. Here, let's laugh at me for my dog ignoring me and thinking I'm lame JUST BECAAAAUUUUSE I was really into my show about 16th century England. There's a plague going on, Dog!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-8952201150791565072012-10-10T15:06:00.003-07:002012-10-10T15:06:52.982-07:00I Weep for the Future.<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So. Here's a little backstory: I've worked two jobs pretty much my entire adult life (give and take a few spurts of quoting Chapelle's "I'm rich, biatch" whenever I got a new job, and then a few months later quoting Biggie's "Mo money, mo problems"). But, I don't have credit card (or any) debt, so....I try to tell myself it's worth it. *weeps uncontrollably* </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I just got a part time at a retail store that is pretty well known as a great place to work. We're going through our training, and we discussed phones the other night. Now, listen. I've worked in all areas - retail, restaurant, beauty shop reception, corporate world reception - and I think the max that really needs to be spent discussing the phone is 5 mintutes for a high volume place, 2 minutes anywhere else. There were two girls in training with me, one of which works in marketing at a large well-known company, who dragged it out for like 15 minutes with no less than 20 questions that included, but were not limited to: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh, so they can ring on any of those that say 'Lines'?"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Wait, so you pressed the line before you picked it up? Or after?"</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the one that almost made me go postal:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Wait, so you can put it on hold and hang up the receiver without it hanging up on the call?!"</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yall. Really!? I just busted out laughing and upon the sweet, completely blank stares uttered, "...I'm sorry.....I just....I must be a dinosaur."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More blank, sad stares. I could see them thinking, "Why are you laughing? Do you think we're dumb? I thought this was a nice, team-friendly place?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Maybe...yall are used to cell phones...and I remember this from back in the day..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One girl finally chimed in with, "No, I've worked with phones, and they're all different! I had one that hung up when it was on hold." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Me: "Mmmhmmm." I was reaaaally trying to hold it in. "Sure. I mean, I haven't ever heard of that, but I'm sure anything's possible."<br /><br />I MEAN.<br /><br />I'M PRETTY SURE YOU DIDN'T PRESS THE HOLD BUTTON FIRST. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">REALLY!?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those were the thoughts going on in my head. These are sweet, seemingly "smart, successful" girls. They're around 25 with a degree and "good" day job. It was then I realized that I've been answering phones in a business for NINETEEN YEARS (my parents owned businesses and I started manning the phones in middle school.). And this is where my life is.... working a part time job with girls who didn't know phone lines before Monday. Not that we don't ALL ask stupid questions, but....don't most of us usually know when we're about to have to suck it up and ask something stupid? </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Sorry if that seemed more harsh than funny - it really did just amuse the crap out of me - but I'm having one of those, "I need to reevaluate my life" kind of days, and seeing people younger than me, making similar to me with snazzier titles than me showing their idiot side just.....reaaaally drives me to drink somedays, folks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-58299724794751046442012-10-08T12:27:00.000-07:002012-10-08T12:27:18.958-07:00A visual of how Columbus Day makes me feel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NnWrWTIeZrw7J3ZChlyX-e3jda8HdT5dbn4Z_ppwkvGlFRkTKPIMnfiONwzQ6tgKr4OMbW_nlqoDp7VnB2U6YfU_SZneNrItYsIsXVcd1_TOoC7iL_TcMMkosaxYQG-ZvmmGPER9lFgX/s1600/kkcry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NnWrWTIeZrw7J3ZChlyX-e3jda8HdT5dbn4Z_ppwkvGlFRkTKPIMnfiONwzQ6tgKr4OMbW_nlqoDp7VnB2U6YfU_SZneNrItYsIsXVcd1_TOoC7iL_TcMMkosaxYQG-ZvmmGPER9lFgX/s320/kkcry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">via Twicsy.com, as a result of a google image search</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're ever feeling sad for no good reason, I highly suggest looking up pictures of Kim Kardashian crying. I mean....look at that. I'm instantly cheered up! </span></div>
<br />sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-21409916471339187962012-10-08T12:24:00.001-07:002012-10-08T12:24:15.045-07:00Columbus Day agrivates me eeeevery year.<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously, why, in 2012 when we know better, does this man still have a holiday? He did not discover America, nor was he a good person. I don't get it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>(Side note: I was recently introduced as, "Someone who can talk American history and celebrity gossip with equal enthusiasm." It's pretty much the best compliment I've ever received.)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, one of my favorite books is Howard Zinn’s <em>A People's History of the United States</em>. I don't understand why it's not mandatory reading in schools, but below are some excerpts from the very beginning of the book that get me all weepy every times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Of the Arawak people on Hispanola, of whom estimates say there were nearly 2 million upon his arrival, Columbus wrote in his log, “They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance . . . They would make fine servants . . . With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want” (Zinn p. 1).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Indians “are so naive and so free with their possessions that no one who has not witnessed them would believe it. When you ask for something they have, they never say no. To the contrary, they offer to share with anyone” (Zinn p. 3). In exchange for ships and supplies for a second voyage, he offered the nobility of Spain “as much gold as they need . . . and as many slaves as they ask” (Zinn p. 4).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Columbus forced all Arawaks “fourteen years or older to collect a certain amount of gold every three months. When they brought it, they were given copper tokens to hang around their necks. Indians found without a copper token had their hands cut off and bled to death” (Zinn p. 4).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“In two years, through genocide, murder, mutilation, or suicide, half of the 250,000 Indians on Haiti were dead . . . By the year 1515, there were perhaps fifty thousand Indians left. By 1550, there were five hundred. A report of the year 1650 shows none of the original Arawaks or their descendants left on the island” (Zinn p. 5).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And he has a federal holiday.</span> sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-51288794513515475322012-09-10T07:36:00.000-07:002012-09-10T07:36:26.824-07:00Color Me Rad - Ft. Worth 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt-AQjck41V8jxaPLmpf1CcqitZI_b5r9-f09VA1cSMy7AyrRIWZ-juyloWzoFopzo_OgO8fwq0i_50iPqYKci2TC2p7ugN3jK1xiX1KbGKRVxj4JixMfdp2sCepDMEz3J_Bk9bMIcAW0/s1600/cmr3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt-AQjck41V8jxaPLmpf1CcqitZI_b5r9-f09VA1cSMy7AyrRIWZ-juyloWzoFopzo_OgO8fwq0i_50iPqYKci2TC2p7ugN3jK1xiX1KbGKRVxj4JixMfdp2sCepDMEz3J_Bk9bMIcAW0/s320/cmr3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ran the Color Me Rad race this past Saturday in Ft. Worth. Let me tell you, I am not a runner. In fact, unless you count doing some 1 minute sprints on the trail when I'm angry and need to release the fury, the only time I run is when I'm in a mob of people for a 5K. Also, like Michael Scott on The Office, it usually makes me want to vomit (motion sickness, maybe?). However, this was an awesome 5K (for me): there were no clocks or mile markers, so I didn't have that internal self talk of "crud, I still have 2 more miles," or "Why do walkers and people with 15 children insist on starting with the first leg? Slowing. down. my time." Okay, I might have still had that last thought going through my head. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boyfriend and I then spent the weekend in Fort Worth and had a great time. I actually really love Ft. Worth (but I would never admit that to the locals, of course). It's more laid back, there's still stuff to do (but it's not too big), and, unlike Dallas, the downtown is very much alive and walkable.* Also, they don't have to deal with that "Douchebag Dallas"/shallowness stereotype [it's the truth]. The place is just more genuine (and more "Texas-y" for tourists). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, for dinner we went to one of my favorite restaurants, Grace. It has my favorite steak tartare, and we also tried foie gras to start <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(don't leave me vegetarian readers! Although, it might behoove you to stop reading now so you won't hate me.)</span>. I'd heard that foie gras just got banned in California, so of course I had to have it. Not a do over. I'm an adventurous eater, and I'm sure this restaurant did it right, but....it's not for me. It was served 3 ways: pate, seared (the salt really made it - this was the winner of the three), and a mousse (oh dear god, help me). Guys....I'm going to say it: it tasted like animal crisco. I think if they used it as a butter and gave us copious amounts of bread, it might have been more appetizing. That said, we finished it anyway like champs. Entrees were one of the most amazing steaks I've ever had and the boy had a bass dish with clams that was also very good.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgVYhM6NdNXJ3mRN7iV83l8P4xG_KzTAQSseS5PL8-Ag1nEntKcZ9L7ZuP2ohoQCE8RnHVRZGeFav3h9QNrqj7-wWU1jQILuMRGq7ND8MTuawTH3bZTDnQi0pNAdWbdcocWx3Dapy_T08/s1600/tartare.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgVYhM6NdNXJ3mRN7iV83l8P4xG_KzTAQSseS5PL8-Ag1nEntKcZ9L7ZuP2ohoQCE8RnHVRZGeFav3h9QNrqj7-wWU1jQILuMRGq7ND8MTuawTH3bZTDnQi0pNAdWbdcocWx3Dapy_T08/s320/tartare.JPG" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tartare = yum!</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ9dDd0pcifxzO6oLjl-MD3Fj2Ch7is9DNHQcjpu_UDYr_Mkzk9M2BH8haxwrt1qnNQaQyMQvsN9FWBJXILsuOCTyKstYiq0cAbDEvY7dMv_XUprjxnmfK_6MH7fawYtyhepPSHzoTSXQ/s320/foie+gras.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Foie Gras = Well, I can cross that off the bucket list.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Note to other cities who want to maintain a popular downtown and good reputation in the rest of the nation: Don't assassinate a beloved president when he's visiting town. Seriously, there are newer skyscrapers and some revitalization projects, but most of downtown Dallas appears to be stuck in the 60's/70's.</span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-29186892208927591562012-06-05T12:42:00.000-07:002012-06-05T12:42:29.291-07:00Just the Two of Us....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tFMjxin5FysWWF2XI8pGb4-B8Tf2Qtj5aJ4LGmaOTdu5UFbnPBGJsAgwdSQIVGqIb6o4YP3hqLU5BYMibe1_kfsm45O2TiKZsOwEEK_aWNc9KE20xHrwT31uRc22xd7VBDkxs5MqEIND/s1600/me+and+daph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tFMjxin5FysWWF2XI8pGb4-B8Tf2Qtj5aJ4LGmaOTdu5UFbnPBGJsAgwdSQIVGqIb6o4YP3hqLU5BYMibe1_kfsm45O2TiKZsOwEEK_aWNc9KE20xHrwT31uRc22xd7VBDkxs5MqEIND/s320/me+and+daph.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is me and the ol' pup, Daphne Devereaux. Just thought I'd share. :)</span></div>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-37272242296524861402012-03-28T06:56:00.001-07:002012-03-28T06:58:00.934-07:00Uncle Sam has a way with words!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A girl I once worked with was also in the Army for few years. She just received this letter from the government, and it cracks me up:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1piFDV3f_uDRY3iq3bs_9aWhye4r-OAh-o1B7QZxYFnZSOUHsLYRMagjHmgUEyYAeTwGIVFSkDzGxbkKCdVuF7hyphenhyphenqBn3MCsjowWW0a6WbS6c3utVH6je4yCkveZzWJK_x1GWLbwu0xUs/s1600/army+letter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1piFDV3f_uDRY3iq3bs_9aWhye4r-OAh-o1B7QZxYFnZSOUHsLYRMagjHmgUEyYAeTwGIVFSkDzGxbkKCdVuF7hyphenhyphenqBn3MCsjowWW0a6WbS6c3utVH6je4yCkveZzWJK_x1GWLbwu0xUs/s400/army+letter.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-18105192580216726982012-03-09T09:00:00.000-08:002012-03-09T09:00:30.175-08:00Spring Showers (and a future vacation or two)<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTyLVsXnFu9gZ5M_QO29u2cr6RWmrmCfEQRqwYavp4ZyhHOc3bF6Dic4N8Cn2NRm95DYSnzQmGpy_48WASSlV3izy_84_nSpvAmL-FeOIM9qdsKWX3p_cP6npj2-FBRMb_MgD69ggyH5g/s1600/rainwear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTyLVsXnFu9gZ5M_QO29u2cr6RWmrmCfEQRqwYavp4ZyhHOc3bF6Dic4N8Cn2NRm95DYSnzQmGpy_48WASSlV3izy_84_nSpvAmL-FeOIM9qdsKWX3p_cP6npj2-FBRMb_MgD69ggyH5g/s320/rainwear.JPG" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.target.com/p/Totes-Clear-Bubble-Umbrella-Silver-Trim/-/A-10780081" target="_blank">Umbrella</a> via Target.com; <a href="http://www.zappos.com/product/7871798/color/316884" target="_blank">Jacket</a> and <a href="http://www.zappos.com/kamik-heidi-khaki" target="_blank">boots</a> via Zappos.com</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm suuuuch a grown-up, yall. I decided that it's time to finally buy rain boots and a rain jacket I'll actually wear. I feel like I deserve an <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/06/this-is-why-ill-never-be-adult.html" target="_blank">award</a>.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Don't get me wrong, I'm really a colorful person (although, I do get in the black and white rut sometimes, but...it's just so easy for the 8 - 5, you know), but if there's something I've learned from wearing so much color, it's that neutral accessories are my friends. You should know that I do consider olive green and dark purple neutrals, as well as hot pink. They work with so much! I still swoon over super colorful boots, though. </span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's a medley of other boots (beauts' too) from zappos.com:</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJuXi4gSq9yezAd89UDu5fBjuuYs4qxqaPDAfJA9NL6Yb_0Hfjniel9vwUsNMeo59VKzzwm_FTzYlp9hsWHTChdwr4-0nk4z6pjc3ZwnawdPfchodrfdH-ssAAwJVlVKYq1zDFPECi9LZ/s1600/hunter+yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJuXi4gSq9yezAd89UDu5fBjuuYs4qxqaPDAfJA9NL6Yb_0Hfjniel9vwUsNMeo59VKzzwm_FTzYlp9hsWHTChdwr4-0nk4z6pjc3ZwnawdPfchodrfdH-ssAAwJVlVKYq1zDFPECi9LZ/s320/hunter+yellow.jpg" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One day I WILL have a yellow pair one day, although I'd really take any of these <a href="http://www.zappos.com/hunter-original-high-gloss11-magenta" target="_blank">colors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaN_piiL_AWmZWAezQJwEgVX4A9BPQycDEQ0Zhk97YwfR9fUnXVBnJ0pZx5bqPxP0FWU6sFS8YI0sIaMx4KGJhOOX1hSuFX6stgMcT7MT655HMKvlHsR5mMzAGIhReFKsDe_JVk0Dm8yX/s1600/burberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaN_piiL_AWmZWAezQJwEgVX4A9BPQycDEQ0Zhk97YwfR9fUnXVBnJ0pZx5bqPxP0FWU6sFS8YI0sIaMx4KGJhOOX1hSuFX6stgMcT7MT655HMKvlHsR5mMzAGIhReFKsDe_JVk0Dm8yX/s1600/burberry.jpg" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxcu6ChgjlZlnws6P5nJVdkkjxq9V-oX4H7Jp-8-HamYUHkZr-xPkQvM5_d8IkPryLHoUOasJh1rILL_uASzHi5E9FxmvWaSDK9Gz5bWzkXyNwdrFEMFLbQRJSHv3p3JubYpzicUBalmF/s1600/green+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxcu6ChgjlZlnws6P5nJVdkkjxq9V-oX4H7Jp-8-HamYUHkZr-xPkQvM5_d8IkPryLHoUOasJh1rILL_uASzHi5E9FxmvWaSDK9Gz5bWzkXyNwdrFEMFLbQRJSHv3p3JubYpzicUBalmF/s320/green+blue.jpg" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc7rYs5CBEWE2_zkOTl-8tNPpLNHkd1ZyTJRM2AOXaNcpTcPtzxW9lvtjSkP7kMOnzk7OTimLKl5phyphenhyphenwNzUoMnZBTSEW6CoPY9yj6YE_TQgu88ScJfk8EBFWoia8CuaBsTP5KVs2aN57P/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc7rYs5CBEWE2_zkOTl-8tNPpLNHkd1ZyTJRM2AOXaNcpTcPtzxW9lvtjSkP7kMOnzk7OTimLKl5phyphenhyphenwNzUoMnZBTSEW6CoPY9yj6YE_TQgu88ScJfk8EBFWoia8CuaBsTP5KVs2aN57P/s320/owl.jpg" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijL_B5hlmbtZQGEiCcaZB0Hbx8rVhn1XT16PpDb-O_XcUwJHWSASepSmIzyxLNJ_2Ze_kh1jeQFZ3qlCotwXtZkzNVUvquEyOMFbfmQetwN4Dy2S-OeUmuVg3ld8msKEjvzxcZDZ8z0-24/s1600/vivi+west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijL_B5hlmbtZQGEiCcaZB0Hbx8rVhn1XT16PpDb-O_XcUwJHWSASepSmIzyxLNJ_2Ze_kh1jeQFZ3qlCotwXtZkzNVUvquEyOMFbfmQetwN4Dy2S-OeUmuVg3ld8msKEjvzxcZDZ8z0-24/s1600/vivi+west.jpg" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivkqKJ_l3SvuV8C1FVS-Pfo9MiPN_hAdG9Gg39ptqXXjjKNG7byizJOcQVLbn-TTE1oBH2R9U-dF6RQUJBZikZGahvubK40wENyEb7EIIB2sY9vg-EoSF3Xw2TYeK7Q9OJcipAat__FhU/s1600/kamik+nataliie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivkqKJ_l3SvuV8C1FVS-Pfo9MiPN_hAdG9Gg39ptqXXjjKNG7byizJOcQVLbn-TTE1oBH2R9U-dF6RQUJBZikZGahvubK40wENyEb7EIIB2sY9vg-EoSF3Xw2TYeK7Q9OJcipAat__FhU/s1600/kamik+nataliie.jpg" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuz8lNbPeFB-7jFvpBiI2C1P1cyl6HYwyBLnwLw8VkDaQ7sFC1iOS2fUai3aNT4TOAd8BF_6ekNT4pnIntuyIFhIWrzFiulf8DYxoSCxxSGlD-BTW7fI3SBbcLvW9VyGoQq1YAOHl04f8/s1600/hunter+wedge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuz8lNbPeFB-7jFvpBiI2C1P1cyl6HYwyBLnwLw8VkDaQ7sFC1iOS2fUai3aNT4TOAd8BF_6ekNT4pnIntuyIFhIWrzFiulf8DYxoSCxxSGlD-BTW7fI3SBbcLvW9VyGoQq1YAOHl04f8/s320/hunter+wedge.jpg" width="320px" yda="true" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm normally opposed to wedge rainboots, but...<a href="http://www.zappos.com/hunter-champery-eggplant" target="_blank">these</a> Hunters are hot.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii63iFXOXptF76FDM962cS_2V2497yowUMFVWc0O9z4oP6zzNczPj7h98LjIvK520TNJOrg1sPpaSo-36jF0XIkgb1HcJ2Qd0vhDTsXAWZqGJPwxitggrsNVoGYE75WPFieiY8grU9VJW6/s1600/classy+hunter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii63iFXOXptF76FDM962cS_2V2497yowUMFVWc0O9z4oP6zzNczPj7h98LjIvK520TNJOrg1sPpaSo-36jF0XIkgb1HcJ2Qd0vhDTsXAWZqGJPwxitggrsNVoGYE75WPFieiY8grU9VJW6/s320/classy+hunter.jpg" width="320px" yda="true" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And, a grown up pair to end it. I'd seriously wear <a href="http://www.zappos.com/hunter-cece-black-cafe-latte" target="_blank">these</a> as real boots, even if it's not raining. They all classy and <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shi..tuff. ;)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, that was fun. So, yeah, this shopping spree was brought on because 1) we got our first spring showers yesterday and 2) I'll be taking a trip to DC soon, and to England and Scotland later in the year, so I figured it might come in handy. Remember my dream couch? Well, it got sidelined for that overseas trip...which is during the time of the London Olympics. Make my checking account go owie. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Also, as I decided a few winters ago, I'm too damn old to be uncomfortable. I turn my heat or air up when I feel like it. I might as well invest in a rain jacket and rain boots I'll actually wear (I bought the bubble umbrella a few years ago, and it's been awesome). Here were the qualifications: For a</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> jacket, it needed:</span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a hood (sometimes the umbrella doesn't cut it)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">classic style that didn't make me look like a blob</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not black</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">long enough just in case I sit down somewhere (I'm not very smart sometimes... and I've been to a few outdoor concerts in my day).</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The boots were easier to figure out; I wanted something I wouldn't be embarrassed to wear to work oooor a hh. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I think I did okay, no? Also, what is it about crazy colorful rain boots that make us drool? Is it because we think that's one time we can get away with wearing pink paisley in public? Reliving our youth? Just want a pick me up from a gloomy day/time of year?</span></div>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-30691041132032572892012-02-29T08:11:00.000-08:002012-02-29T08:11:58.679-08:0029.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVY2iM57rhGCcdwUQhE8UaS00GSExcb-2u2C3PbIMxRLB3hkdw_8MowHfMRk669I31seAB41GrtgEN_HUgzdavbcEV8AFiPdJ5ii_xZEV1CK_cJ2maB-AjGv4slNgpAWeD28uRo6x46fR/s1600/29+years+old+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVY2iM57rhGCcdwUQhE8UaS00GSExcb-2u2C3PbIMxRLB3hkdw_8MowHfMRk669I31seAB41GrtgEN_HUgzdavbcEV8AFiPdJ5ii_xZEV1CK_cJ2maB-AjGv4slNgpAWeD28uRo6x46fR/s1600/29+years+old+crop.jpg" uda="true" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Image from Google Images - This is the first picture that pops up when you search "29 years old" and that, my friends, makes me laugh hysterically.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, leap year. I remember sitting with my friend watching the 2008 Olympics and saying, "Just think, the next time it's a leap year and the summer olympics are on, we'll be <em>30</em>." I love the look on people's faces when I point out something horrible they've never thought of; I'm just a good friend, what can I say. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I actually really don't care about turning 30. I mean, no one likes change (I've really been relishing when I start my age with "twenty-..." lately), but it's not as scary as, say, <em>40</em> (that's always been my "scary" age; I mean that's when you either stay cool or you just turn into your mother). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the problem with 29: it's felt like Sunday night for the last several months. You know what I'm talking about, when you've had a great weekend, and then it's Sunday night, and you're just sitting there dreading Monday so you can't even enjoy the rest of your weekend. Not that anything bad is going to happen Monday...maybe you even have a happy hour planned. The point is, 29 is Sunday night. For an entire year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, thank you leap year for giving me an extra day during my Sunday night. </span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-83321818564031518012012-02-01T06:48:00.000-08:002012-02-01T06:48:50.092-08:00Speaking of domestic skills...<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This needs to go in my future <em>suitor </em>packet:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG68yjRxLyz3SAcX5UTWkFeMTD1sMT8fIQIzN_ni-3Idy0W90mS3M6qzbVmgwqAABUZzh14WQqwSLvExe1opNO6MVQbqIDtdkhyxa-FRiSxALjNl8y6NH_PXqN-SrTnXabQV8AMQNYRLr/s1600/meorhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG68yjRxLyz3SAcX5UTWkFeMTD1sMT8fIQIzN_ni-3Idy0W90mS3M6qzbVmgwqAABUZzh14WQqwSLvExe1opNO6MVQbqIDtdkhyxa-FRiSxALjNl8y6NH_PXqN-SrTnXabQV8AMQNYRLr/s400/meorhouse.JPG" width="294px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">via Pintrest....sorry I don't know the original source!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-88024935310423278762012-02-01T06:44:00.000-08:002012-02-01T06:44:20.100-08:00I kill fake plants. :(<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIg9JFaZKPOOkQqkkxVrcfsOmJ2higYFGegzbCc-9bZrijqeBgj49a9ZpkBcKc8DjksPfJQ7GkCraOjd55OYp1-THSUjGpYEG048xTtiRY9xg8fcqdlS34iMCCLKN3YXf5JX5DgJv4gYh/s1600/plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIg9JFaZKPOOkQqkkxVrcfsOmJ2higYFGegzbCc-9bZrijqeBgj49a9ZpkBcKc8DjksPfJQ7GkCraOjd55OYp1-THSUjGpYEG048xTtiRY9xg8fcqdlS34iMCCLKN3YXf5JX5DgJv4gYh/s320/plant.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really? This does not bode well for my domestic skills - I mean, it's bad enough that I have fake plants, but even they can't put up with me. Haha, oh well, it wouldn't have fit in with my future lottery sofa anyway.</span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-77361161302116248742012-01-27T13:39:00.000-08:002012-01-27T13:39:04.681-08:00When I win the lottery...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-Pp5CcplfeMSv3ECFINSFM9qucPQudS0arY7TQbMpAn_Jnp9CSM2xeGcO3lDBPx-ElP3hm7nYH2CnHj2GyL2GFY8a8bfUQ5PZD31rH37-PM_H4w3VqV2wSkErl6tDdKyiyGhxqiDOibB/s1600/cbcouch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="153px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-Pp5CcplfeMSv3ECFINSFM9qucPQudS0arY7TQbMpAn_Jnp9CSM2xeGcO3lDBPx-ElP3hm7nYH2CnHj2GyL2GFY8a8bfUQ5PZD31rH37-PM_H4w3VqV2wSkErl6tDdKyiyGhxqiDOibB/s320/cbcouch.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/sectional-sofas/lounge-2-piece-sectional-sofa/s188967" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">via crateandbarrel.com, Lounge sofa</span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...this will be mine. I MUST win the lottery. Here's the thing, I've wanted this couch since I bought my place; in fact, I bought my place visualizing this couch in my living room. Unfortunately, all of my furniture COMBINED (including my current beeeeiiiige sectional) wasn't as much as this sofa. COMBINED, people. I couldn't justify it then, and I just recently started to justify it when....bam! my AC unit went out on the last 100+ day last September (there were at least <a href="http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/dallas-breaks-record-for-most/55022" target="_blank">70</a> of them). Considering my AC unit is a year younger than me (and it made it through the hottest summer ever), I can't hate. But that'll be a solid $5K this year. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And let's not forget that I also have a penchant for eating delicious food, drinking, shopping, travelling....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I need to go find my big girl panties now....must have left them in my beeeeiiiige couch. *throws temper tantrum*</span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-24651593158124694312012-01-27T12:46:00.000-08:002012-01-27T12:46:22.571-08:00Getting a little sap in here...<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While being mushy isn't my thing, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/22/us/tuskegee-airmen-first-couple/index.html" target="_blank">this is such a wonderful story</a> I read the other day that I had to share. (It's long, but worth it.) </span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-67474972850470371402012-01-18T13:03:00.000-08:002012-01-18T13:15:01.926-08:00This probably doesn't fit in well with most resolutions...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4mSOUR3cY2mLW9lrjFvZP93qc15JmG6olf8nWtJ_AKW4d2pe86rHIWRtg7X-quT6QIcCD9p3zdsQRyysAkPvcqS41b8ikVupOUFS-M8_PdhEmyFRk-XSky397P3vWg8PtxxycJbYDvBu/s1600/1103_recipe_macncheese_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4mSOUR3cY2mLW9lrjFvZP93qc15JmG6olf8nWtJ_AKW4d2pe86rHIWRtg7X-quT6QIcCD9p3zdsQRyysAkPvcqS41b8ikVupOUFS-M8_PdhEmyFRk-XSky397P3vWg8PtxxycJbYDvBu/s320/1103_recipe_macncheese_xl.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">via MarthaStewart.com</span></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/274798/favorite-cheese-recipes" target="_blank">this</a> and instantly got chills. 75 recipes?! Martha, you're ooc!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Seriously though, I normally don't do new year's resolutions, however, I decided this year that I want to cook....I want to cook just <em>one</em> meal a month. Sounds pathetic, right? Well, I have to keep it obtainable, guys. Note, I did say a meal though; I'm not talking just your everyday spaghetti friends, oh no, I'm talking some sides too. Mmmmhmmm. This is not single girl territory. Anyway, that's what led me to that gangsta Martha's site. For the past, oh, say 3 or 4 years, I've really wanted to make what I call "fancy" macaroni, as in 4 cheese baked macaroni. With a panko crust (damn what the instructions say, I will have my panko!). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyway, tonight's the night. Ideas on what to serve it with? Chicken? (I really dislike chicken, btw. Just saying the word makes my face do a solid : |. As much excitement as I feel about cheese, I feel the opposite towards chicken. I mean, really, how boring is <em>chicken</em>?)</span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-17934611837965924122011-10-21T11:49:00.000-07:002011-10-21T11:50:10.272-07:00Home Ownership = Marriage?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpDMGeM9qBi96JJZ53T4PYpE9aK_EUR3mjzBXuhvisW-n6P9-gz5Hdm-U94qQrF4CzQox4khw22EfvmhL6IT7fQD7lR63HVaEhRAtfJPdOR4AgH1M7LyZc8GRhlDIPnLVvc49grvi-nQO/s1600/phoenix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpDMGeM9qBi96JJZ53T4PYpE9aK_EUR3mjzBXuhvisW-n6P9-gz5Hdm-U94qQrF4CzQox4khw22EfvmhL6IT7fQD7lR63HVaEhRAtfJPdOR4AgH1M7LyZc8GRhlDIPnLVvc49grvi-nQO/s320/phoenix.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.centralphoenixliving.com/coronado-historic-district-phoenix.html">Who'd-a-thunk this place is in Phoenix?</a></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been almost 3 years since</span> I bought my place, which is hard for me to believe. That means that I've lived in my place <em>a year longer</em> than I've lived in any place in my adult life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, kids, besides being a people pleaser who hates people, I'm also a commitment-phobe who's afraid of taking chances.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This was no doubt a big decision and the most stressful decision I've made in my life so far. It's also occurred to me that home-ownership is a lot like what I think marriage is like: Most days you're content, if not happy, but then there are those days....those days that you think, "This is the worst decision I've ever made in my life. I can't even stand to look at you right now! How could my friends and family have let me make such a horrible decision!!!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There's more. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I don't know of anyone who hasn't had real-estate buyers remorse or at least questioning at some point. I still find myself stalking my range on MLS listings yelling at the computer, "What?! I could have had <em>that</em>! I wish I'd known that would be a %#$@&(* option!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then I have to calm myself down by reminding myself that no place is perfect, and mine's pretty good most of the time. I also try not to think about me possibly being stuck with it for the rest of my life, but if I am, I'm going to make the best out of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I know what you're thinking: I'm going to be such a catch for some young man someday. </span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-69425545406906597142011-10-18T14:03:00.000-07:002011-10-18T14:03:23.987-07:00Southern Women<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P2x3zMNx95147aZ8EBjrgBuFRm_ixnoJvHpODPPd-FET0CK72CseAzQge_cU6qEgY-sFb3u903d6mgsiIZsQzTxzx4ZPPclTFWZN6G3mfwmf4ovpOSFS5SFWWr8RlTff8X8GkiN-jGSS/s1600/scarlett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P2x3zMNx95147aZ8EBjrgBuFRm_ixnoJvHpODPPd-FET0CK72CseAzQge_cU6qEgY-sFb3u903d6mgsiIZsQzTxzx4ZPPclTFWZN6G3mfwmf4ovpOSFS5SFWWr8RlTff8X8GkiN-jGSS/s1600/scarlett.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The Queen Mother, herself <a href="http://images.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=671&bih=605&q=scarlett+ohara&gbv=2&oq=scarlett+oh&aq=0&aqi=g1g-s9&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1531l5172l0l7156l13l12l1l2l3l0l281l1829l0.4.5l9l0&safe=active">via Google Images</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to be from Texas. I've done the math, and the way I see it there are at least 40 states crappier than this one. Better to be infamous than not known at all, right? Right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Southern women tend to have the same philosophy. Here are a few lessons that my mama, Betty, taught me that like any good daughter I've learned to ignore:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Wearing black is for a funeral. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Must always have toenails polished. Always.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- If you got it, flaunt it! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(okay, I still follow this one.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Marry rich. For God's sake, marry rich!</span> (not that I'm against it. How you doin, Zuckerberg?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are tons more, but that's just what comes to mind. I've often thought about what I'd be like if I were raised or lived somewhere else. For example, I can guarantee that if I lived in NYC, I'd probably look like a big ol' lesbian (like, even more than I already do by Dallas standards). Every once and awhile, I'll see something that I think, "If I lived in NYC, I would totally rock this." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Example: Oxford flats or saddle shoes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'd loooove a pair of each, but in Dallas, no, that would not fly. Even though they're all over mags and the blogosphere? Why? Because they do nothing for your gams, silly! The horror! I mean, what if you went out in public without looking like you're about to strut a runway?! Might as well just cut your long, beautiful hair off and join a softball league while you're at it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Basically, here women are taught at an early age that beauty is the most important feature a woman can have.* Betty was good about teaching me to be independent though, and advised me to watch Gone With the Wind once a year just to see how much more stupid Scarlett seems as I get older. She also used to sing the old Doris Day song to me when I'd get all worried about if I were pretty enough as a kid**:</span><br />
<br />
<em>When I was just a little girl<br />
<span class="goog_qs-tidbit goog_qs-tidbit-0">I asked my mother, what will I be</span><br />
<span class="goog_qs-tidbit goog_qs-tidbit-0">Will I be pretty, will I be rich</span><br />
<span class="goog_qs-tidbit goog_qs-tidbit-0">Here's what</span> she said to me.<br />
<br />
Que Sera, Sera,<br />
<span class="goog_qs-tidbit goog_qs-tidbit-1">Whatever will be, will be</span><br />
<span class="goog_qs-tidbit goog_qs-tidbit-1">The future's not ours,</span> to see<br />
Que Sera, Sera<br />
What will be, will be.</em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've met some women (from the Midwest and Northeast, respectively) that don't know how to apply lipstick or have never dyed there hair, and I feel like I need to get them into a rehab program or something before the rest of the natives find out! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What about you? Any quirks in your area? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">*And, hopefully like me, were also informed that there will always be someone more beautiful out there, so don't go crazy about it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">**Always a worrier, this one. I was 4 days late when I was born, and it was probably from overthinking the whole ordeal.</span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194579057180482125.post-91194298460372131382011-10-17T07:39:00.000-07:002011-10-17T07:43:58.840-07:00I really dislike children.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's what I've learned from adopting a 6 year-old fully trained dog at the age of 29: I really can never have children. I already have to do the "I'm so sorry" whisper combined with a wild eyed look when my dog starts barking at other dogs hysterically because she just wants to sniff their butt soooo bad. I tell her these actions make her look desperate. She ignores me. (In case you're trying to figure out where I'm going with this, yes, I am comparing a dog to a child. Just go with it.) I now feel like I understand what those moms are going through when I give them *the look* at Target because their kid is acting a fool. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, in case you're wondering, yes, I do follow a ton of mommy blogs. :) They're clever, people!</span>sumslayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741898787211919600noreply@blogger.com0