Inhale, remind myself of this, exhale, and repeat.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
My Story - Yell.O.W.
Here's "My Story" by Yell.O.W. [I'm not entirely clear on how the group spells their name...I've seen it both as I'd just written as "Yellow"]
Some of the vocals get a little shakey, but it's a live performance so that sort of thing can be expected...I love the bits when all the girls are singing, I think they sound great!
Maybe I should actually learn to speak Korean one of these days...then I'd know what they're singing about without having to ask my mom or cousin!
Friendship Soap-Box...
Why is it such an inconceivable thought that a guy and girl can be 'just friends'?
A good bit of my friends are/were guys, one of my absolute best friends is a guy...and yet it seems to me that the mere idea of it is ridiculous.
From my experience, a lot of people are quick to assume that there's some nefarious hidden agenda beneath any interactions between me and my male friends and, frankly, it's insulting. Now, I will agree that not every friendship is/was 100% platonic...there may have even been some *gasp!* flirting on the occasion...but when it comes to the friendship between me and my best friend, let's call him 'Mr. C,' we've reached a level of friendship that is breaching on that of siblings.
Mr. C and I have been friends since middle school, 7th grade to be exact...that's when my family moved to Smalltown, Alabama. His last name is close to mine, alphabetically, so we would up sitting near each other in many classes. We had home economics together and he sat right behind me...one of his favorite things to do was pretend to blow spit balls at the back of my head [charming, right?]. On one such spit ball chucking day, I happened to have brought a gigantic manga book with me to school...seriously, it was as thick as a phone book! Mr. C was going about his 'annoy the quiet new girl' routine...when I'd asked him to stop a good handful of times, I turned around and smacked him with my comic book! [Yes, yes...we were both very immature...but this was 7th grade, people!] From that day one, he and I have been good friends.
Mr. C and I have seen each other through many break-ups, helped each other move several times, and have stuck with each other through more messes than your typical friendships...but I guess being friends for over 15 years will allow for that sort of thing.
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| Mr. C and I at my 16th Birthday |
He was there for me when things soured between me and my son's father...and I was there for him when things fell apart between he and his last ex, which was right on the tails of his father passing away while he was overseas and culminated in my helping out when he needed to move back to Alabama.
Yes, there are times when I get frustrated and am less than happy with Mr. C, and I'm sure that there are times when he's not thrilled with me either...but that's why I say with confidence that he and I are more like siblings than friends. And no, there's never been anything physical between the two of us either. Ever. Seriously. [That's the point that seems to get me the most raised eyebrows...but that's the truth. Former Girl Scout's honor!]
All this being said...yes, I will get a bit miffed if someone starts rooting around and trying to make something more of my friendship than there's ever been. And if those that are new to my life choose to persist in pressing the issue, hoping that what must be a facade will crack and that all sorts of gossipy-goodness will come oozing out...I'll probably shake my head, laugh, and then decide that maybe we shouldn't be friends after all if they think so little of me, to insist that I would lie about something that has been so factually innocent.
Okay...
That probably seemed like it was a little out of left field, but I just needed to put that out there.
/stepsoffsoapbox
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Learning to Love K-Pop...
I've recently decided to make more of an effort to embrace my Korean heritage. [For those of you who were mentally playing the "guess the ethnicity" game, that's the answer! Half Korean, half Alabama-grade white...]
Now, I don't want to be misunderstood...I've never 'not liked' my Korean heritage. Going to middle school and high school in a backwoods, country town with an Asian population of 2.5 [that's counting my mother and siblings...], it's rather easy to lose sight of how awesome Korean culture is.
Of my siblings, I remember the most about the years that we lived in Korea, simply because I'm the oldest. My brother doesn't remember much at all, but he was 1-3 years old...at one point, he was actually fluent in both Korean and English! But of course, he doesn't remember any of it now, nor does he remember being able to speak Korean at all.../shrug oh well ^_^
So, taking baby steps into the whole ordeal...I've started to look into the musical phenomenon that is "K-Pop" music. [K-Pop music literally means "Korean pop music."]
It's huge. K-Pop can be to blame for bringing the annoying, albeit catchy, "Gangnam Style" to the radio waves.
No, worries...there are many, many other singers that you might like if PSY wasn't quite your fancy. It's a music movement that's been going on for years, so I'm playing catch up...but a few internet searches and BuzzFeed reads and I can already remember the names of at least half-a-dozen artists/bands...
Here's what I think I'm going to do...
I think I'm going to make it a goal of sorts to utilize this blog to become more familiar with the music that's being pumped out of...I don't know...what should I call Korea? My 'Motherland'? Bwahahahaha! That's awesome...it's literally my Mother's land...
Anyway...[I'm tired, you'll have to look over my goofy randomness...]
Here's the first song that I'm going to post as definitely listen-worthy: Unbreakable - Kim Hyun Joong. I love the incorporation of some traditional Korean elements in his music video! And, it is now a life goal to learn how to paint a dragon like the one in this video...
Whatcha guys think? Anyone have any K-Pop recommendations?
Now, I don't want to be misunderstood...I've never 'not liked' my Korean heritage. Going to middle school and high school in a backwoods, country town with an Asian population of 2.5 [that's counting my mother and siblings...], it's rather easy to lose sight of how awesome Korean culture is.
Of my siblings, I remember the most about the years that we lived in Korea, simply because I'm the oldest. My brother doesn't remember much at all, but he was 1-3 years old...at one point, he was actually fluent in both Korean and English! But of course, he doesn't remember any of it now, nor does he remember being able to speak Korean at all.../shrug oh well ^_^
So, taking baby steps into the whole ordeal...I've started to look into the musical phenomenon that is "K-Pop" music. [K-Pop music literally means "Korean pop music."]
.gif) |
| This cat...I love him!! |
No, worries...there are many, many other singers that you might like if PSY wasn't quite your fancy. It's a music movement that's been going on for years, so I'm playing catch up...but a few internet searches and BuzzFeed reads and I can already remember the names of at least half-a-dozen artists/bands...
Here's what I think I'm going to do...
I think I'm going to make it a goal of sorts to utilize this blog to become more familiar with the music that's being pumped out of...I don't know...what should I call Korea? My 'Motherland'? Bwahahahaha! That's awesome...it's literally my Mother's land...
Anyway...[I'm tired, you'll have to look over my goofy randomness...]
Here's the first song that I'm going to post as definitely listen-worthy: Unbreakable - Kim Hyun Joong. I love the incorporation of some traditional Korean elements in his music video! And, it is now a life goal to learn how to paint a dragon like the one in this video...
Whatcha guys think? Anyone have any K-Pop recommendations?
Stupid Monkeys....
Sunday greetings to you all! I hope you're all having a great day so far...
I'm sitting at home with my kiddo debating on when to leave to go help one of my best friends with moving/getting situated at his new apartment. He's been moving all weekend, and I'm really hoping that he gets everything all wrapped up either today or tomorrow...moving sucks. Even more so when people that have given you a verbal commitment to help back out of said commitment and leave you hanging...[that's what's happened to my buddy...and it isn't the first time either...I think I'm going to have to strongly suggest to him to make better friends...]
.gif) |
| Monkeys Are Creepy.../shudder |
How does that saying go? "Not my circus, not my monkeys" or something like that. I'm not crazy about the idea of going to help, but I talked to him earlier today and he sounded quite distraught about the whole ordeal...soooo, SuperTammy to the rescue! Again.
This leads me to another concept that I find simply baffling.
Why is it that so many people seem to be alright with the notion of being un-dependable? This issue is just the tip of the proverbial 'why people suck' iceberg...but, c'mon. If you tell someone that you're going to help with something, then do so! It seems like there are fewer and fewer reliable people...
/siiiiiiiiigh...okay, I've got to get myself and my kiddo ready to go help out...more posts to come later...
Friday, September 26, 2014
Online Retail Therapy Fail...
I remember reading somewhere that window shopping [even the online variety] can stimulate the same areas of the brain that light up with all sorts of happy chemicals whenever you make an actual purchase...
This is great news for those who are firm believers in retail therapy but don't exactly have bank accounts with limitless funds! [*ahem* such as myself]
A brief Google search didn't bring up the article that I was thinking of, but I'm pretty sure that all of the 'feel good' stuff that comes from shopping is thanks to our little pal dopamine.
[Psychology Today - Dopamine]
Anyway...I was doing a little online window shopping while texting my cousin [it's like we're virtually shopping together! /sigh...I really need to get out more]. I've learned that there's a ton of stuff out there to buy, and most of it is way overpriced.
Devastatingly expensive item number one:
Star Quilted Bedding from Pottery Barn.
$159 plus shipping for a Full/Queen quilt in any of the available colors. Oh wait...the brown quilt is $129. But still. That's ridiculous.
I've been wanting to get one of these quilts for my kiddo since he was about two years old. Over the span of almost four years, the price has never dropped on these quilts!
Devastatingly expensive item number two:
Holtom Storage Bench from Pier One
$349.95 plus shipping...or you could save the shipping fees if you have the item shipped to a store for you to pick up rather than have it delivered.
This isn't really the exact sort of storage bench that I'd want for myself, but it's kind of close, and a definite indicator of how expensive these things can be. Why must you be so expensive, storage bench? Why?!?
Devastatingly expensive item number three:
Elin Tower Bookshelf from World Market
$149.99 plus shipping. Plus a $30 delivery surcharge, as if that's really necessary.
I saw this bookshelf in one of their stores this past weekend...I think I like it because it isn't a typical bookshelf, but it doesn't seem like it's a very practical design. I think it would serve much better as a piece of accessory furniture rather than a functional bookshelf...or maybe I just have too many books. [pfft! nah. there's no such thing as too many books!]
Devastatingly expensive item number four:
Verona Six-Shelf Bookshelf from World Market
$249.99 plus shipping. Add an additional $70 surcharge for delivery. What?!?
This actually makes me kind of sad. Unlike the other bookshelf I posted, I could see these shelves being extremely useful and I love the design. Is there any reason it should be so expensive though? I understand that 'you get what you pay for' and if you want better quality furniture that it's foolish to not expect a heftier price tag...but I'm under the impression that a good bit of the furniture from World Market isn't exactly heirloom quality. If these shelves are made from whatever faux-wood that makes up those cheapo accessory pieces that can be found in catalogs [Think companies like Brylane Home...] then it's certainly over-priced!
I'm going to go on record as saying that this evening's online window shopping session was not successful in producing feel-good amounts of dopamine...quite the opposite actually.
But maybe now is one of those times when I should be optimistic and try to enjoy the things that I have right now...and look forward to getting some of the things that I want when I grow up! [hehehe]
This is great news for those who are firm believers in retail therapy but don't exactly have bank accounts with limitless funds! [*ahem* such as myself]
 |
| Chemical Happiness!! |
A brief Google search didn't bring up the article that I was thinking of, but I'm pretty sure that all of the 'feel good' stuff that comes from shopping is thanks to our little pal dopamine.
[Psychology Today - Dopamine]
Anyway...I was doing a little online window shopping while texting my cousin [it's like we're virtually shopping together! /sigh...I really need to get out more]. I've learned that there's a ton of stuff out there to buy, and most of it is way overpriced.
Star Quilted Bedding from Pottery Barn.
$159 plus shipping for a Full/Queen quilt in any of the available colors. Oh wait...the brown quilt is $129. But still. That's ridiculous.
I've been wanting to get one of these quilts for my kiddo since he was about two years old. Over the span of almost four years, the price has never dropped on these quilts!
Holtom Storage Bench from Pier One
$349.95 plus shipping...or you could save the shipping fees if you have the item shipped to a store for you to pick up rather than have it delivered.
This isn't really the exact sort of storage bench that I'd want for myself, but it's kind of close, and a definite indicator of how expensive these things can be. Why must you be so expensive, storage bench? Why?!?
Elin Tower Bookshelf from World Market
$149.99 plus shipping. Plus a $30 delivery surcharge, as if that's really necessary.
I saw this bookshelf in one of their stores this past weekend...I think I like it because it isn't a typical bookshelf, but it doesn't seem like it's a very practical design. I think it would serve much better as a piece of accessory furniture rather than a functional bookshelf...or maybe I just have too many books. [pfft! nah. there's no such thing as too many books!]
Verona Six-Shelf Bookshelf from World Market
$249.99 plus shipping. Add an additional $70 surcharge for delivery. What?!?
This actually makes me kind of sad. Unlike the other bookshelf I posted, I could see these shelves being extremely useful and I love the design. Is there any reason it should be so expensive though? I understand that 'you get what you pay for' and if you want better quality furniture that it's foolish to not expect a heftier price tag...but I'm under the impression that a good bit of the furniture from World Market isn't exactly heirloom quality. If these shelves are made from whatever faux-wood that makes up those cheapo accessory pieces that can be found in catalogs [Think companies like Brylane Home...] then it's certainly over-priced!
I'm going to go on record as saying that this evening's online window shopping session was not successful in producing feel-good amounts of dopamine...quite the opposite actually.
But maybe now is one of those times when I should be optimistic and try to enjoy the things that I have right now...and look forward to getting some of the things that I want when I grow up! [hehehe]
Birthday Merriment and Movies...
A very drowsy good morning to you all...I don't know why, but it seems like I've had the hardest time getting up and going here lately. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I've actually been getting more sleep that I did about a month ago, but I feel as if I'm less rested that before.
/shrug Oh well, guess it's just one of those things...
Do you remember the post I'd written back in August about the book "Gone Girl"?
[Here's that post just in case you missed it]
It's being made into a movie! It comes out next weekend and I'm super excited! I think the casting seems like a good fit. I'm in love with the idea of Neil Patrick Harris playing the role of Desi Collings...but really, I love just about everything that NPH does [he's a truly amazing performer]. I don't know how I feel about Ben Affleck being cast as Nick Dunne [one of the main characters in the book], but after atrocities like DareDevil, I think the wariness is justified. I'm sure it doesn't help that the Nick Dunne I imagined looked way more like John Barrowman and nothing like Ben Affleck. [Don't even get me started on roles that I think a terrible for Ben Affleck...**coughcough**Batman!*cough*]
My personal casting preferences aside, I think it there's the potential for a great movie...here's the link to the IMDb page, there's a trailer on it you should check out if you haven't seen one yet.
Gone Girl - IMDb
Elsewhere in Gotham City...
Today's my sister's birthday!! Let's celebrate the anniversary of the day my sister graced the world with her presence and took away my 'only child' title!! [I kid, I kid...everyone knows I love my sister...]
The gif of Pinkie Pie bouncing on a balloon is maybe the most perfect depiction of what celebrating my sister's birthday is like...she IS the human embodiment of Pinkie Pie! Super excitable, ridiculously hyper, and a huge fan of the color pink...
Happy birthday to my awesome sister!!
/shrug Oh well, guess it's just one of those things...
Do you remember the post I'd written back in August about the book "Gone Girl"?
[Here's that post just in case you missed it]
 |
| John Barrowman = the perfect Nick Dunne |
My personal casting preferences aside, I think it there's the potential for a great movie...here's the link to the IMDb page, there's a trailer on it you should check out if you haven't seen one yet.
Gone Girl - IMDb
Elsewhere in Gotham City...
 |
| Boing! Boing! Boing |
Today's my sister's birthday!! Let's celebrate the anniversary of the day my sister graced the world with her presence and took away my 'only child' title!! [I kid, I kid...everyone knows I love my sister...]
The gif of Pinkie Pie bouncing on a balloon is maybe the most perfect depiction of what celebrating my sister's birthday is like...she IS the human embodiment of Pinkie Pie! Super excitable, ridiculously hyper, and a huge fan of the color pink...
Happy birthday to my awesome sister!!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Supernatural...
As I'm sure you guys have probably noticed, I have a tendency to binge-watch absurd amounts of a TV show for a couple weeks at a time... [If you've been following my blog, you've seen me go through Naruto, Arrow, and Fairy Tail phases already] My current television obsession??
I know this show has been around for a good while, the 10th season is set to start up on October 7...the 10th season!! [Do you know how many episodes of Supernaturally-charged goodness that means I get to watch?!?]
Over the years, I've dated a couple of guys who were really big on following the show, but I never really watched it myself. Now that I'm watching it, I can't help but wonder why I haven't been watching all along. I mean, it's a show with ridiculously handsome men, other-worldly baddies, ridiculously handsome men, one bad ass Impala, and ridiculously handsome men.
Did I mention the ridiculously handsome men??
Dean Winchester [Jensen Ackles] is currently my favorite...he's the older of the two brothers and has the most bewitching green eyes on the planet. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a good looking dude with a bad ass car...
Then, there's Dean's younger brother, Sam [Jared Padalecki]. I'm pretty sure this picture is from an earlier season of the show...his hair seems to get longer with each season. He isn't smiling in this picture, but he's got dimples that are just about the cutest thing that I've ever seen!
Fangirl swooning aside, it's a really good show. I'm only 4 seasons in, and I've seen the show tackle some pretty intense topics [family relationships, faith, loyalty, hidden agendas...]. Thanks to the aforementioned ex's, I'm vaguely familiar with the main storyline up until about season 6...but I'm trying my best to watch the series all the way through without skipping too much.
If you haven't watched the show, I recommend that you do.
If you're like me and are/were harboring some sort of nonsensical reason to abstain from the show, stop. Stop being silly and watch the show. It's awesomeness greatly surpasses whatever nasty former relationship thoughts/feelings that it might conjure up.
If you like the show, leave me a comment/send me an email/contact me through psychic means...we should be friends!
I know that I've left a lot of amazing characters and actors/actresses out of this post, but it's only because the post would be forever long if I tried to mention all of the awesomeness...besides...I've still got 4 more seasons left on Netflix, season 9 to find on DVD, and then season 10 starts in about a week...there will be more Supernatural posts. It's inevitable.
 |
| /swoon |
Over the years, I've dated a couple of guys who were really big on following the show, but I never really watched it myself. Now that I'm watching it, I can't help but wonder why I haven't been watching all along. I mean, it's a show with ridiculously handsome men, other-worldly baddies, ridiculously handsome men, one bad ass Impala, and ridiculously handsome men.
Did I mention the ridiculously handsome men??
Dean Winchester [Jensen Ackles] is currently my favorite...he's the older of the two brothers and has the most bewitching green eyes on the planet. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a good looking dude with a bad ass car...
Then, there's Dean's younger brother, Sam [Jared Padalecki]. I'm pretty sure this picture is from an earlier season of the show...his hair seems to get longer with each season. He isn't smiling in this picture, but he's got dimples that are just about the cutest thing that I've ever seen!
Fangirl swooning aside, it's a really good show. I'm only 4 seasons in, and I've seen the show tackle some pretty intense topics [family relationships, faith, loyalty, hidden agendas...]. Thanks to the aforementioned ex's, I'm vaguely familiar with the main storyline up until about season 6...but I'm trying my best to watch the series all the way through without skipping too much.
 |
| They're just adorable :) |
If you're like me and are/were harboring some sort of nonsensical reason to abstain from the show, stop. Stop being silly and watch the show. It's awesomeness greatly surpasses whatever nasty former relationship thoughts/feelings that it might conjure up.
If you like the show, leave me a comment/send me an email/contact me through psychic means...we should be friends!
I know that I've left a lot of amazing characters and actors/actresses out of this post, but it's only because the post would be forever long if I tried to mention all of the awesomeness...besides...I've still got 4 more seasons left on Netflix, season 9 to find on DVD, and then season 10 starts in about a week...there will be more Supernatural posts. It's inevitable.
That's a video of Dean/Jensen singing to Eye of the Tiger...not even gonna try and deny it, it's in this post just for me ;)
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
BuzzFeed Stuff...
So, this was newly posted on BuzzFeed today:
50 Pictures That Will Take You Right Back To Your Childhood
I know that dozens of these lists get posted every month, but really, do they ever stop being awesome?
Fun Fact: After reading the list, my sister and I got in an argument over who owned one of those color changing Lion King spoons. [Which, of course, is MY spoon. Duh.]
Here's another BuzzFeed that I thought was pretty awesome:
45 Photos That Will Annoy You More Than They Should
Check them out, they're both good lists...Enjoy!
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| MY Spoon! |
I know that dozens of these lists get posted every month, but really, do they ever stop being awesome?
Fun Fact: After reading the list, my sister and I got in an argument over who owned one of those color changing Lion King spoons. [Which, of course, is MY spoon. Duh.]
Here's another BuzzFeed that I thought was pretty awesome:
45 Photos That Will Annoy You More Than They Should
Check them out, they're both good lists...Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Nerds, ftw!
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| Ladies and Gentleman: John Barrowman |
Autumn!
Today is one of my favorite days of the year...it's the first 'official' day of fall!! [Is it more proper to refer to the season as autumn rather than fall? Not really sure..I'll look it up later]
Weather reports say that the temperature is in the 50's this morning and I am overjoyed!
Unfortunately, the high for today is forecasted to be in the 80's...when the weather reaches the point of having high temperatures of about 72, I'll be one happy camper...if I didn't have family/employment ties in Alabama, I'd move to a much cooler climate in a heart beat.
I know it will be a few weeks before this lovely Alabama weather truly feels like autumn, I'm looking forward to the days of wearing jeans and a t-shirt without feeling like I'm burning up!
Other reasons why autumn is awesome:
- Football! There are a few things that we Southerners do a little differently than the rest of the country, football is certainly one of those things [RTR!]
- Foliage! There are very few sites than can match the awe-inducing beauty of trees with leaves that have turned for autumn...unfortunately, Alabama is lacking severely in this department! This time of year is when I miss Grand Rapids the most. Alabama definitely has trees, as any allergy sufferer will tell you, but most of them are evergreen...
-Halloween! Alright, I think this one is pretty self-explanatory.
I mean, who doesn't love an occasion that calls for both costumes and candy?!?
-Thanksgiving! A holiday that centers around food...yes.
-TV Shows! A good portion of television shows come back for their new seasons in the fall...personally, my DVR is set to record at least a half-dozen season premieres.
-Pumpkins! Well, pumpkin carving to be specific. I absolutely adore carving pumpkins...I bought a professional pumpkin carving kit last year [I bought it way after Halloween...you know, when it was on sale!] and I can't wait to try it out! Last year, I was going through a My Little Pony phase, so I carved Derpy Hooves [Also affectionately known as "Derps"] and my kiddo carved Spider-Man. Well...I carved Spider-Man, but he did pick out the design.
-Pumpkin-flavored things! I know that it gets way overdone and by the time Christmas rolls around, everyone's tired of pumpkin-flavored everything. But until I've reached that point, I will gladly order pumpkin bread and pumpkin-flavored lattes!
I'm sure there a ton of other reason why autumn is awesome, this is just my short list...
How about you guys? Love autumn as much as I do?
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| Bahahaha! |
Weather reports say that the temperature is in the 50's this morning and I am overjoyed!
Unfortunately, the high for today is forecasted to be in the 80's...when the weather reaches the point of having high temperatures of about 72, I'll be one happy camper...if I didn't have family/employment ties in Alabama, I'd move to a much cooler climate in a heart beat.
I know it will be a few weeks before this lovely Alabama weather truly feels like autumn, I'm looking forward to the days of wearing jeans and a t-shirt without feeling like I'm burning up!
Other reasons why autumn is awesome:
- Football! There are a few things that we Southerners do a little differently than the rest of the country, football is certainly one of those things [RTR!]
 |
| Ken-O-Sha Park - Grand Rapids, MI |
- Foliage! There are very few sites than can match the awe-inducing beauty of trees with leaves that have turned for autumn...unfortunately, Alabama is lacking severely in this department! This time of year is when I miss Grand Rapids the most. Alabama definitely has trees, as any allergy sufferer will tell you, but most of them are evergreen...
-Halloween! Alright, I think this one is pretty self-explanatory.
I mean, who doesn't love an occasion that calls for both costumes and candy?!?
-Thanksgiving! A holiday that centers around food...yes.
-TV Shows! A good portion of television shows come back for their new seasons in the fall...personally, my DVR is set to record at least a half-dozen season premieres.
 |
| Last Year's Pumpkins |
-Pumpkins! Well, pumpkin carving to be specific. I absolutely adore carving pumpkins...I bought a professional pumpkin carving kit last year [I bought it way after Halloween...you know, when it was on sale!] and I can't wait to try it out! Last year, I was going through a My Little Pony phase, so I carved Derpy Hooves [Also affectionately known as "Derps"] and my kiddo carved Spider-Man. Well...I carved Spider-Man, but he did pick out the design.
-Pumpkin-flavored things! I know that it gets way overdone and by the time Christmas rolls around, everyone's tired of pumpkin-flavored everything. But until I've reached that point, I will gladly order pumpkin bread and pumpkin-flavored lattes!
I'm sure there a ton of other reason why autumn is awesome, this is just my short list...
How about you guys? Love autumn as much as I do?
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Stupid Neighbors...
I'm sure that there's some sort of perk to living in an apartment, right?
I don't have to cut any grass, there's a maintenance crew that is supposed to fix anything that may need fixing [keywords: "supposed to"], and I have a place to call home without having to jump through all of the hoops that come with buying a house.
As I've said before, I have terrible neighbors.
Terrible neighbors! Absolutely terrible! [yes, the triple repeat ending in bold AND italicized text is absolutely necessary.]
I am convinced that my upstairs neighbors have been watching the stampede scene from the Lion King over and over and over...for hours on end, with a sub-woofer laying face down on their floor, pumping a ceaseless stream of constant wall-shaking noise into my living room...all day long.
All freaking day long!
Why would anyone want to submit Simba to that sort of punishment, all day long?!?
Is there no humanity anymore?!?
The rumbling is still going on as I type...I can't remember, is my left eye supposed to twitch like that??
I've got about 2 more minutes of being a 'pleasant' neighbor before I...
/sigh what am I going to do about it?? Call the way helpful after-hours maintenance line?? Ugh.
I take it back.
There are no perks to living in an apartment. None.
Anyone considering doing so should promptly contact me so that you can spend 45 seconds in my bass-thumping dance club of a living room and then take me with you when you leave while screaming obscenities at my ceiling...
If anyone reads this, please send help...I'm going to lose my mind!
I don't have to cut any grass, there's a maintenance crew that is supposed to fix anything that may need fixing [keywords: "supposed to"], and I have a place to call home without having to jump through all of the hoops that come with buying a house.
As I've said before, I have terrible neighbors.
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| Run, Simba! |
I am convinced that my upstairs neighbors have been watching the stampede scene from the Lion King over and over and over...for hours on end, with a sub-woofer laying face down on their floor, pumping a ceaseless stream of constant wall-shaking noise into my living room...all day long.
All freaking day long!
Why would anyone want to submit Simba to that sort of punishment, all day long?!?
Is there no humanity anymore?!?
.gif) |
| /twitch |
The rumbling is still going on as I type...I can't remember, is my left eye supposed to twitch like that??
I've got about 2 more minutes of being a 'pleasant' neighbor before I...
/sigh what am I going to do about it?? Call the way helpful after-hours maintenance line?? Ugh.
I take it back.
There are no perks to living in an apartment. None.
Anyone considering doing so should promptly contact me so that you can spend 45 seconds in my bass-thumping dance club of a living room and then take me with you when you leave while screaming obscenities at my ceiling...
If anyone reads this, please send help...I'm going to lose my mind!
Cleaning and Depression...
Hey guys, hope you're having a fantastic Sunday morning...
I've made it my mission to get some serious cleaning accomplished today. Between working and parenting/entertaining my kiddo, it seems to me that clutter tends to accumulate way too quickly...my living room can go from company host-worthy presentable to "what happened in here?!?" in about two afternoons!
Truthfully, I don't mind cleaning all that much. I actually sort of like it! I think it's because cleaning is a task that renders immediate results...I know that if I put, say, an hour's worth of effort into cleaning up clutter, that within that hour, the clutter will be gone. Much, much more gratifying than other things...like exercise. I can exercise for an hour a day, and it would be weeks before there are any noticeable changes. Weeks! /sigh...so, yeah...lots of cleaning will be done today.
Plus, keeping a 'clean home' does wonders for helping to combat depression. I know myself, and I know that on my personal depression scale, I'm doing okay right now...but, I know what's coming.
I know that I'm a few 'bad days' away from hitting some potentially dark lows, and for the sakes of myself, my kiddo, and my family...I need to try and stave the beast off. I've learned the hard way that nothing truly good ever comes from my bouts of depression and I owe it to the people that care about me to put some effort into managing my depression.
I know that the concept of [ decluttered house = decluttered mind ] might sound far-fetched to some that aren't familiar with the idea, but I promise that it's an actual phenomenon.
How Keeping A Clean House Helps Depression
There are several articles on it floating around the internet, here's the link to one of them. Check it out!
I've made it my mission to get some serious cleaning accomplished today. Between working and parenting/entertaining my kiddo, it seems to me that clutter tends to accumulate way too quickly...my living room can go from company host-worthy presentable to "what happened in here?!?" in about two afternoons!
 |
| CLEAN ALL THE THINGS!!! |
Plus, keeping a 'clean home' does wonders for helping to combat depression. I know myself, and I know that on my personal depression scale, I'm doing okay right now...but, I know what's coming.
I know that I'm a few 'bad days' away from hitting some potentially dark lows, and for the sakes of myself, my kiddo, and my family...I need to try and stave the beast off. I've learned the hard way that nothing truly good ever comes from my bouts of depression and I owe it to the people that care about me to put some effort into managing my depression.
I know that the concept of [ decluttered house = decluttered mind ] might sound far-fetched to some that aren't familiar with the idea, but I promise that it's an actual phenomenon.
How Keeping A Clean House Helps Depression
There are several articles on it floating around the internet, here's the link to one of them. Check it out!
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Tired and Haircuts...
/Yawn
I have no idea why, but I woke up absolutely exhausted this morning...I need to find some caffeine!
At the last minute, I chickened out and decided to get my hair cut into a short bob rather than a pixie cut. I showed the lady cutting my hair several different pictures of what I'd like, one of which was this adorable little blonde cut on Chelsea Staub...
Well...the cut I ended up with looks nothing like the picture. Nothing.
Yeah, this little gem on the right is much closer to the haircut that I ended up with.
Okay, I might be exaggerating...but only just a little.
I hate it.
And I'm not really sure what ended up happening either! But I'm going to give it a few days...see if I can make the new cut at least tolerable by styling it a few different ways, or something...but if not, then I'll go back and have the rest of my hair cut off into a pixie cut after all...
I don't think I'd mind it. And maybe that's why I hate this current cut so much, because I know I'd rather have it shorter...
Meh. Whatever...it's just hair, right?
 |
| I'm awake! I swear! zzzZZZzzz |
I have no idea why, but I woke up absolutely exhausted this morning...I need to find some caffeine!
Don't you just love these kinds of mornings?
I went to bed at a 'reasonable time,' had what should have been a restful night of sleep, and then wake up feeling worse than I did before I went to bed in the first place! /Sigh
It probably doesn't help that I've had an incredibly busy work week. Seems like the appraisal business is constantly in some sort of up/down cycle...the last week and a half or so were very slow, and now we've got so much work that it's overwhelming. Oh well, better to be busy than bored, right?
Elsewhere in Gotham City...
At the last minute, I chickened out and decided to get my hair cut into a short bob rather than a pixie cut. I showed the lady cutting my hair several different pictures of what I'd like, one of which was this adorable little blonde cut on Chelsea Staub...
Well...the cut I ended up with looks nothing like the picture. Nothing.
Yeah, this little gem on the right is much closer to the haircut that I ended up with.
Okay, I might be exaggerating...but only just a little.
I hate it.
And I'm not really sure what ended up happening either! But I'm going to give it a few days...see if I can make the new cut at least tolerable by styling it a few different ways, or something...but if not, then I'll go back and have the rest of my hair cut off into a pixie cut after all...
I don't think I'd mind it. And maybe that's why I hate this current cut so much, because I know I'd rather have it shorter...
Meh. Whatever...it's just hair, right?
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Loot Crate!
I consider myself more or less up to date when it comes to happenings within the "nerd world"...but, yesterday, I learned about something that is simply too awesome to keep to myself!!
Behold! The LootCrate!
The brilliant minds behind this gift from the geek gods brings a box of goodies to your door on a monthly basis, for as many months as you wish! (Or wish to pay for!) How great is that?!?!?
I've posted pictures of a couple previous crates so you can get a better idea of what exactly comes in these boxes of epicness!
Behold! The LootCrate!
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| So much win!!! |
 |
| August's Crate |
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| April's Crate |
I've posted pictures of a couple previous crates so you can get a better idea of what exactly comes in these boxes of epicness!
Too...much...awesomeness....
Sign me up!
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Stupid Wandering Thoughts...
Ugh.
What a stupid, crummy, bah humbug day.
You might wonder, "Why are you having that sort of a day?"
I'd reply, "I did that incredibly foolish thing where I let my mind wander, unchecked, to thoughts that open up old emotional wounds. Again. I know it's a stupid, masochistic thing to do, and I let it happen anyway...which kind of adds another layer of "duh stupid!" to the already crappy hurt feelings. /sigh"
Yeah, yeah, yeah...look at me with all of the condescending tones that you want...you won't make me feel worse than I already do, trust me.
What a stupid, crummy, bah humbug day.
You might wonder, "Why are you having that sort of a day?"
 |
| And you're surprised, why? |
Yeah, yeah, yeah...look at me with all of the condescending tones that you want...you won't make me feel worse than I already do, trust me.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Progress Reports and Haircuts...
Yesterday, my kiddo brought home his very first progress report card. I really don't see much point in sending home report cards for kindergartners, but I guess it's just part of the whole "getting acquainted with school" process.
I should probably clarify my meaning in what I just wrote:
I don't see much point in sending home kindergarten report cards because there are no grades! Instead of grades, there are a few of the concepts that they're working on and a note on whether your student is performing at a satisfactory/unsatisfactory caliber. Soooo...yeah...
Though, I'll admit that I'm a little bit concerned that my kiddo received 2's on a few of the check boxes at the bottom. He's not quite '3 material' when it comes to finishing tasks in a timely manner and listening to instructions the first go around...
I'm kind of at a loss on how to handle this sort of thing...
As a student, especially in elementary school, I was such a 'people pleaser' of a child, that I really don't remember ever bringing home any progress reports that weren't absolutely dripping with comments on how I was "such a delight to have in my class!" or the "ideal student!"
Okay, my memories may be a little bit biased...
But seriously. What's the best way to handle this sort of thing? I don't think that he's being a terrible student, really, but I know he isn't applying himself the best he can...Ask the kid anything about the Avengers, Spider-Man, or Star Wars! He'll dazzle you with how much his 5-year old mind can retain! But ask him to sit down and do some handwriting or reading and you'll probably wonder if English is even his primary language...
A good portion of me is cautious about being overly strict here...A product of a military father and a "tiger mom," I know what can happen when you press a child too hard. [Love you, mom and dad, but you know I'm right...] However, I also know what can happen if you're too lenient and a child perceives that there are no consequences or no incentives to do their best...or worse, the child can feel like the parent simply doesn't care about how they're doing in school and, thus, doesn't care about the child...
/Sigh Where's that nifty little guidebook that was supposed to come with becoming a parent?!?
Parental calamity aside, I've had another pesky thought swimming around my head a good bit lately:
I want a hair cut!! [I blame my cousin for this!! She mentioned wanting to get one a few days ago, and now I REALLY WANT ONE!]
Why is this a big deal? Because, I don't want just a trim or an addition of a few layers...I'm seriously jonesing to get another pixie cut. I present to you, my options!
Option 1:
I definitely wouldn't go blonde [it just isn't a color that I like for myself], but I like the overall shape of this cut. I also like the medium-length-ish bangs!
Option 2:
Now, this color is one that I adore! I know I've mentioned in previous posts that I have a love for red hair...this picture combines that fantastic red with an amazing cut...yes, please! This cut has longer bangs...more styling possibilities?
Option 3:
As seen on the fantastic Anne Hathaway, pixie cuts also look fantastic on brunettes...pretty sure that my natural hair color isn't the same lovely shade as hers, but it's pretty close...closer than red, anyway. This cut has shorter bangs than the other two.
Option 4:
Yes, I know this one is a bob and not a pixie...but I think it my be my compromise cut. It's still a good bit shorter than the current shoulder-length hair I've got going on right now, but isn't as dramatic. I'm also thinking that not going quite as short would give me the change of pace that I'm looking for without the commitment that comes with a pixie cut...
I'm planning on giving the whole haircut situation a good couple of weeks to think about...partly because my cousin and I have an unspoken agreement to get dramatic haircuts together, and partly because I need to tap-dance around my finances a bit to make sure that I can spare the money required for an excellent cut and color...definitely not a job for Great Clips!
What do you guys think? Which haircut would you choose?
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| Smiley faces are 'good,' right? |
I should probably clarify my meaning in what I just wrote:
I don't see much point in sending home kindergarten report cards because there are no grades! Instead of grades, there are a few of the concepts that they're working on and a note on whether your student is performing at a satisfactory/unsatisfactory caliber. Soooo...yeah...
Though, I'll admit that I'm a little bit concerned that my kiddo received 2's on a few of the check boxes at the bottom. He's not quite '3 material' when it comes to finishing tasks in a timely manner and listening to instructions the first go around...
I'm kind of at a loss on how to handle this sort of thing...
As a student, especially in elementary school, I was such a 'people pleaser' of a child, that I really don't remember ever bringing home any progress reports that weren't absolutely dripping with comments on how I was "such a delight to have in my class!" or the "ideal student!"
Okay, my memories may be a little bit biased...
But seriously. What's the best way to handle this sort of thing? I don't think that he's being a terrible student, really, but I know he isn't applying himself the best he can...Ask the kid anything about the Avengers, Spider-Man, or Star Wars! He'll dazzle you with how much his 5-year old mind can retain! But ask him to sit down and do some handwriting or reading and you'll probably wonder if English is even his primary language...
A good portion of me is cautious about being overly strict here...A product of a military father and a "tiger mom," I know what can happen when you press a child too hard. [Love you, mom and dad, but you know I'm right...] However, I also know what can happen if you're too lenient and a child perceives that there are no consequences or no incentives to do their best...or worse, the child can feel like the parent simply doesn't care about how they're doing in school and, thus, doesn't care about the child...
/Sigh Where's that nifty little guidebook that was supposed to come with becoming a parent?!?
Parental calamity aside, I've had another pesky thought swimming around my head a good bit lately:
I want a hair cut!! [I blame my cousin for this!! She mentioned wanting to get one a few days ago, and now I REALLY WANT ONE!]
Why is this a big deal? Because, I don't want just a trim or an addition of a few layers...I'm seriously jonesing to get another pixie cut. I present to you, my options!
Option 1:
I definitely wouldn't go blonde [it just isn't a color that I like for myself], but I like the overall shape of this cut. I also like the medium-length-ish bangs!
Option 2:
Now, this color is one that I adore! I know I've mentioned in previous posts that I have a love for red hair...this picture combines that fantastic red with an amazing cut...yes, please! This cut has longer bangs...more styling possibilities?
Option 3:
As seen on the fantastic Anne Hathaway, pixie cuts also look fantastic on brunettes...pretty sure that my natural hair color isn't the same lovely shade as hers, but it's pretty close...closer than red, anyway. This cut has shorter bangs than the other two.
Option 4:
Yes, I know this one is a bob and not a pixie...but I think it my be my compromise cut. It's still a good bit shorter than the current shoulder-length hair I've got going on right now, but isn't as dramatic. I'm also thinking that not going quite as short would give me the change of pace that I'm looking for without the commitment that comes with a pixie cut...
I'm planning on giving the whole haircut situation a good couple of weeks to think about...partly because my cousin and I have an unspoken agreement to get dramatic haircuts together, and partly because I need to tap-dance around my finances a bit to make sure that I can spare the money required for an excellent cut and color...definitely not a job for Great Clips!
What do you guys think? Which haircut would you choose?
Monday, September 15, 2014
Tiny Death Star...
Hey, guys! Hope you're having a good morning!
I apologize for my lack of posts over the last several days...I've been rather occupied with some visiting family and trying my darnedest to kick the cold bug that's been bothering me. After going through almost two whole bottles of DayQuil, I think I've finally gained the upper hand and have even (/gasp!) started to feel a bit better! Crossing my fingers that I'm back to 100% very soon!!
What else has been going on lately...
Umm...oh! My Tiny Death Star has grown to over 25 floors!
I'm not terribly certain if that's an actual milestone or not...but it's something, right?
Tiny Death Star is a game that my sister downloaded on her phone to entertain my kiddo while she kept him for me for a few hours a week or so ago...and of course, I downloaded it onto my own phone later on that same night!
It's very time consuming and mildly entertaining...but when I'd told my sister of my Death Star exceeding 15 floors just before the weekend, she laughed and said that hers still had only 6 floors...bringing to light that I tend to my Death Star WAY more often than I probably should.
I can't help it, though! Every time I tend to my Death Star (replenishing stock in the various stores, collecting items from recon droids, rearranging the work/living situations of my captive 'bitizens'...) I receive a menacing notification from The Emperor sternly reminding me that some other floor or bitizen needs my attention...and it must be reconciled quickly before Darth Vader is made aware!
...
Maybe I should delete the game from my phone after all...I'm not going to let some tiny Sith lord push me around!
(Or maybe I'll just turn of my notifications! hehehe)
Well, I'd better go...Darth Vader has noticed that the Cantina has run out of food I've got lots of work to do!!
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| No more cough drops!??! |
I apologize for my lack of posts over the last several days...I've been rather occupied with some visiting family and trying my darnedest to kick the cold bug that's been bothering me. After going through almost two whole bottles of DayQuil, I think I've finally gained the upper hand and have even (/gasp!) started to feel a bit better! Crossing my fingers that I'm back to 100% very soon!!
What else has been going on lately...
Umm...oh! My Tiny Death Star has grown to over 25 floors!I'm not terribly certain if that's an actual milestone or not...but it's something, right?Tiny Death Star is a game that my sister downloaded on her phone to entertain my kiddo while she kept him for me for a few hours a week or so ago...and of course, I downloaded it onto my own phone later on that same night!
It's very time consuming and mildly entertaining...but when I'd told my sister of my Death Star exceeding 15 floors just before the weekend, she laughed and said that hers still had only 6 floors...bringing to light that I tend to my Death Star WAY more often than I probably should.
I can't help it, though! Every time I tend to my Death Star (replenishing stock in the various stores, collecting items from recon droids, rearranging the work/living situations of my captive 'bitizens'...) I receive a menacing notification from The Emperor sternly reminding me that some other floor or bitizen needs my attention...and it must be reconciled quickly before Darth Vader is made aware!
...
Maybe I should delete the game from my phone after all...I'm not going to let some tiny Sith lord push me around!
(Or maybe I'll just turn of my notifications! hehehe)
Well, I'd better go...
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| I said I wanted a LARGE french fry!! |
Friday, September 12, 2014
Hooray!!
Hey, guys...
This cold/allergies/virus/energysuckingplague is kicking my butt...I've been steadily losing Round 2 with what I thought was the same 'bug' that I had about a week or so ago...but now I'm not positive that it's the same bug at all. I'm starting to think that it's some ridiculously mutated version of itself and it's been running amok all over my respiratory system.
I finally gave up and bought some Day-Quil yesterday, and it seems to be helping a little bit...but I'll be glad whenever I finally get over this crud! Crossing my fingers that I can get well without giving the bug to my kiddo...
Some awesome news! My college roomie, and one of my dearest friends, had her first baby! I'm super excited for her, maybe even ridiculously so...she's the first of my friends to have a baby (I don't have any nieces or nephews either, yet...but that's really okay, I'm the oldest of my siblings anyway!) and I'm genuinely stoked!! I got a pictures of the little darling yesterday and I can't wait until I have a chance to go visit them! Road trip to Louisiana sometime in my near future? Yes, please!
Speaking of road trips...
I guess a car is a rather necessary component of a road trip to anywhere...I'm still dealing with an unresolved lack of car, but thankfully the battery issue with my borrowed one seems to be handled. I've come to the conclusion that the battery died due to the interior light being left on...a rather /facepalm sort of situation, but at least I don't have to replace the car battery just yet.
Okey dokey, I'm going to find some sort of hot beverage that will, hopefully, make me feel a little bit better...happy Friday!
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| So...many..cough drops... |
I finally gave up and bought some Day-Quil yesterday, and it seems to be helping a little bit...but I'll be glad whenever I finally get over this crud! Crossing my fingers that I can get well without giving the bug to my kiddo...
Some awesome news! My college roomie, and one of my dearest friends, had her first baby! I'm super excited for her, maybe even ridiculously so...she's the first of my friends to have a baby (I don't have any nieces or nephews either, yet...but that's really okay, I'm the oldest of my siblings anyway!) and I'm genuinely stoked!! I got a pictures of the little darling yesterday and I can't wait until I have a chance to go visit them! Road trip to Louisiana sometime in my near future? Yes, please!
Speaking of road trips...
I guess a car is a rather necessary component of a road trip to anywhere...I'm still dealing with an unresolved lack of car, but thankfully the battery issue with my borrowed one seems to be handled. I've come to the conclusion that the battery died due to the interior light being left on...a rather /facepalm sort of situation, but at least I don't have to replace the car battery just yet.
Okey dokey, I'm going to find some sort of hot beverage that will, hopefully, make me feel a little bit better...happy Friday!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
I've Got Terrible Neighbors...
So, I've had a rather eventful day!
This morning, the kiddo and I were on our way to his school, as usual...and I was greeted with a humorously dead car battery. The battery was so dead, the radio didn't even so much as flicker when I tried to start the car. [Remember, it isn't even my car!]
In a quasi-panic, I called up my sister and asked her if she could take my son to school [my sister is not really a morning person...not at all!] and then I called my parents to see what they suggested I do to remedy the situation.
My dad suggested that I try to jiggle around the cables on the battery, thinking that maybe one of the cables had lost contact with the battery...he even recommended using a hammer to 'improve contact' if necessary...all this was being said as my dad was putting on his shoes to come to my rescue. [My dad really is the awesomest!]
So there I was, in the parking lot in front of my apartment building...hood up on the car, wailing on the battery cable connection with a hammer, and trying to assure my kiddo that everything was fine and 'no, you don't have to stay home from school just because the 'car is sick.'...
Here's what bothered me:
The whole time this scene was playing out, there were people all around me! Right before the hammering of the battery cable connection started, a young couple parked their stupid beige Camry right next to my distressed car...the girl went inside to fetch her friends, and the guy stayed...right by his car, which was less than 5 feet from where I was futilely attempting to resuscitate the poor car's battery.
Not once did said d-bag guy offer to help. He never even asked if I might need some help! Instead, he kept his eyes trained on his stupid phone probably losing at candy crush.
When the soccermomcamrydriving girl came back with her friends in tow, not a single one of them offered help or gave me even so much as a glance of concern over my vehicular distress.
They weren't the only ones, either. There were at least 5 others who merrily [or grumpily] got into their cars this morning and didn't even bat an eyelash at me and my car troubles this morning.
What a shame! What's the matter with people? Since when is it alright to not help someone when they're visibly in need?
Ugh.
Anyway...my sister stepped up and helped in a huge way by taking my son to school and my dad brought jumper cables and brought the car back to life...all in all, the drama was relatively short lived. So, that's a bit of good news...
But seriously. I've got some a-hole neighbors, don't I?
This morning, the kiddo and I were on our way to his school, as usual...and I was greeted with a humorously dead car battery. The battery was so dead, the radio didn't even so much as flicker when I tried to start the car. [Remember, it isn't even my car!]
In a quasi-panic, I called up my sister and asked her if she could take my son to school [my sister is not really a morning person...not at all!] and then I called my parents to see what they suggested I do to remedy the situation.
My dad suggested that I try to jiggle around the cables on the battery, thinking that maybe one of the cables had lost contact with the battery...he even recommended using a hammer to 'improve contact' if necessary...all this was being said as my dad was putting on his shoes to come to my rescue. [My dad really is the awesomest!]
So there I was, in the parking lot in front of my apartment building...hood up on the car, wailing on the battery cable connection with a hammer, and trying to assure my kiddo that everything was fine and 'no, you don't have to stay home from school just because the 'car is sick.'...
Here's what bothered me:
The whole time this scene was playing out, there were people all around me! Right before the hammering of the battery cable connection started, a young couple parked their stupid beige Camry right next to my distressed car...the girl went inside to fetch her friends, and the guy stayed...right by his car, which was less than 5 feet from where I was futilely attempting to resuscitate the poor car's battery.
Not once did said d-bag guy offer to help. He never even asked if I might need some help! Instead, he kept his eyes trained on his stupid phone probably losing at candy crush.
When the soccermomcamrydriving girl came back with her friends in tow, not a single one of them offered help or gave me even so much as a glance of concern over my vehicular distress.
They weren't the only ones, either. There were at least 5 others who merrily [or grumpily] got into their cars this morning and didn't even bat an eyelash at me and my car troubles this morning.
What a shame! What's the matter with people? Since when is it alright to not help someone when they're visibly in need?
Ugh.
Anyway...my sister stepped up and helped in a huge way by taking my son to school and my dad brought jumper cables and brought the car back to life...all in all, the drama was relatively short lived. So, that's a bit of good news...
But seriously. I've got some a-hole neighbors, don't I?
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Balloons and Potatoes....
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| Yay! Balloons! |
Now, I have no idea if this is actually something to celebrate (I'm sure there are tons of amateur blogs that pull over 500 views daily...), but I'm kind of excited about it!
[At this point, I'll note that about half a dozen or so of those views can be attributed to me trying to tinker with the formatting...before I realized that I could turn off the option to 'track my own page views.' Oops..]
What else is note-worthy so far about today.../ponder
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| Derp... |
Oh! I've come to the revelation that some people have social skills that rival that of a potato. Yes, yes, I know that by knowingly choosing to have male best friends, I signed up for a lot of facepalm-inducing social interactions...but c'mon!!
Isn't it 'common sense' that most conversations, even via text message, warrant at least a tiny bit more than a 'K' response?? (I hereby submit a motion to rename that which is currently known as 'common sense' to something more fitting such as 'ultra-rare smarty smarts!')
For anonymity sake, I won't elaborate on why I feel compelled to compare one of my dearest friends to a potato...but, those that do know who I'm talking about, please do feel free to pelt him with tater tots. Frozen or thawed, doesn't matter...
Not much else new to write about...
I started doing some research on some of the private schools in my area...it's a pretty short list to look at. Especially if I start cross-referencing the private schools that are available with the private schools that I can afford...hahaha yep...that amounts to zero schools!
/shrug oh well, doesn't hurt to look, right?
You guys have a good afternoon! I'm off to sit in carpool-lane traffic and drain my cellphone battery by listening to audio books and trolling through Pinterest! Hazzah!
Not much else new to write about...
I started doing some research on some of the private schools in my area...it's a pretty short list to look at. Especially if I start cross-referencing the private schools that are available with the private schools that I can afford...hahaha yep...that amounts to zero schools!
/shrug oh well, doesn't hurt to look, right?
You guys have a good afternoon! I'm off to sit in carpool-lane traffic and drain my cellphone battery by listening to audio books and trolling through Pinterest! Hazzah!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Hamster Wheel!
Let's talk for a minute about ruts...
You know what I'm talking about, right?
That state of mind where you can't help but feel like your life is on a constant loop of sorts...each day is the same thing as the day before...get up, go to work, come home, go to bed, repeat repeat repeat...
You know what I'm talking about, right?
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| I SAID SNOOZE!!! |
I spent a few minutes thinking about the premise of 'daily ruts' earlier, and I've decided that the whole think is a bit baffling...
As human beings, our brains are more or less wired to create routines...to some degree, we crave routine. This can be very beneficial, allowing us to form 'muscle memory' for tasks that would be too demanding otherwise (driving, most athletic feats, typing on a keyboard with any sort of proficiency...I'm sure there are a million other examples, all of which manage to escape me at this moment...)
However, it is these routines (blown up to a daily scale) that can lead to 'ruts'...I can't think of anyone that would say that they actually enjoy being in a rut. They're terrible!
What a cruel trick of nature...
I had intentions of sitting down and writing a mind-blowingly profound about 'ruts' and the unfairness of the human condition...but it's coming on 5 pm and I have to start getting dinner ready...
Hmm? Oh, never mind me...I'm just another person stuck in the perpetual hamster wheel that is a daily routine! Tra-la-la!
However, it is these routines (blown up to a daily scale) that can lead to 'ruts'...I can't think of anyone that would say that they actually enjoy being in a rut. They're terrible!
What a cruel trick of nature...
I had intentions of sitting down and writing a mind-blowingly profound about 'ruts' and the unfairness of the human condition...but it's coming on 5 pm and I have to start getting dinner ready...
 |
| Squee! |
Hmm? Oh, never mind me...I'm just another person stuck in the perpetual hamster wheel that is a daily routine! Tra-la-la!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Sunday...
Hey, guys!
I know it's been a while since my last post...I've been trying to get away from posting everyday, I realized that if I post too often, this blog almost turns into an online diary rather than...well, whatever else it was supposed to be.
It's been quite an eventful week for me...my kiddo got sick on Labor Day. But of course he wasn't symptomatic until around 6pm. Perfect timing for all of the emergency walk-in clinics to be closed! Luckily, I was able to get in touch with his pediatrician through their after-hours phone number...I ended up having to take him to see his doctor, but not until the next morning. The odd thing is, I still don't really have a clear idea of what my little one was sick with...he had a very low-grade fever Monday evening, but no fever at all after that. He had some coughing and sinus drainage, but it was actually better than it had been in the weeks before...
The only thing that was really bother some were his swollen lymph nodes in his neck. When I say 'swollen' I mean REALLY swollen. The one on his left side was swollen so badly that it was obviously swollen. (To clarify, I've always been rather bad at deciding whether something was swollen or not...I'd usually have to end up comparing it to the same, not swollen body part...like comparing the right and left side by touch)
The swelling has gone down significantly now, and I'm sure that he'll be back to normal in a few days. Thank goodness!
Other than that, most things are the same as the last few times I've posted. I'm still looking for a car, I'm still working on appraisal classes, and I'm still listening to audio books.
I hope you guys are having a good weekend! Will post again soon!
I know it's been a while since my last post...I've been trying to get away from posting everyday, I realized that if I post too often, this blog almost turns into an online diary rather than...well, whatever else it was supposed to be.
It's been quite an eventful week for me...my kiddo got sick on Labor Day. But of course he wasn't symptomatic until around 6pm. Perfect timing for all of the emergency walk-in clinics to be closed! Luckily, I was able to get in touch with his pediatrician through their after-hours phone number...I ended up having to take him to see his doctor, but not until the next morning. The odd thing is, I still don't really have a clear idea of what my little one was sick with...he had a very low-grade fever Monday evening, but no fever at all after that. He had some coughing and sinus drainage, but it was actually better than it had been in the weeks before...
The only thing that was really bother some were his swollen lymph nodes in his neck. When I say 'swollen' I mean REALLY swollen. The one on his left side was swollen so badly that it was obviously swollen. (To clarify, I've always been rather bad at deciding whether something was swollen or not...I'd usually have to end up comparing it to the same, not swollen body part...like comparing the right and left side by touch)
The swelling has gone down significantly now, and I'm sure that he'll be back to normal in a few days. Thank goodness!
Other than that, most things are the same as the last few times I've posted. I'm still looking for a car, I'm still working on appraisal classes, and I'm still listening to audio books.
I hope you guys are having a good weekend! Will post again soon!
Monday, September 1, 2014
RJ11 Cables...
Hey guys! Hope you've had a good weekend (and a long weekend, at that!).
I've been putting off writing a new post...was rather hoping that a brilliant topic would come to me, but that still hasn't happened yet! So, instead, I'll let you guys in on a little bit of computer stuff that I learned over the weekend.
Remember me mentioning my new computer a few posts back? Well, I decided to tackle the project of setting up my "home office" yesterday. Not a terribly huge task, but it involved moving my computer set-up from my bedroom to the living room.
I decided on a good spot to set up my work center and started moving computer pieces, but it wasn't until I started to move my router that I realized that it was going to take a bit of planning to actually do so. I get my cable and internet through AT&T U-Verse...I don't know if it's the same way for everyone that uses their services, but in order for my cable to work properly, the 'main' receiver must be directly connected to the modem. This is the point when I realized that, rather inconveniently, my new PC doesn't have built-in wireless capabilities. And that the only broadband outlet in my entire apartment is in my bedroom...
After placing my cable boxes in their new homes and testing them to make sure that they'd work properly after I'd rearranged wires and such, I realized that the modem would have to be in the living room in order to be connected to both my PC and the main cable receiver. No big deal, all I'd have to do is get a really long cable and run it from my broadband outlet to the modem...so, off to retail land I went to find said cable.
Here's where I learned something new...(well, sort of new). In the diagram, see the cable that has orange dots on it? That's the cable that runs from the outlet into the back of the modem/router, and it's a RJ11 cable...also known as a plain old phone cord.
Silly me, I didn't realize that the cable that goes from the outlet to the modem/router and the one that goes from the modem/router into the computer are not the same sort of cable!
I really wish I had known this before I went and bought a ridiculously long cat5e cable (which would be fine for connecting the modem/router to a computer). I'd spent almost 2 hours running the wrong cable all around my living room, meticulously placing clips to securely hold the cable in place (rather than running the cable through the middle of my living room floor) and then discovered that the cable was pretty much useless.
At which point, I had to go back to the store, buy a dang phone cable, and correctly connect my modem/router to my broadband outlet. And now, there's a phone cable running across my living room floor...but my computer has internet access!!
So there you have it! Now, anyone have any tips for hiding a phone cord?
I've been putting off writing a new post...was rather hoping that a brilliant topic would come to me, but that still hasn't happened yet! So, instead, I'll let you guys in on a little bit of computer stuff that I learned over the weekend.
Remember me mentioning my new computer a few posts back? Well, I decided to tackle the project of setting up my "home office" yesterday. Not a terribly huge task, but it involved moving my computer set-up from my bedroom to the living room.
I decided on a good spot to set up my work center and started moving computer pieces, but it wasn't until I started to move my router that I realized that it was going to take a bit of planning to actually do so. I get my cable and internet through AT&T U-Verse...I don't know if it's the same way for everyone that uses their services, but in order for my cable to work properly, the 'main' receiver must be directly connected to the modem. This is the point when I realized that, rather inconveniently, my new PC doesn't have built-in wireless capabilities. And that the only broadband outlet in my entire apartment is in my bedroom...
After placing my cable boxes in their new homes and testing them to make sure that they'd work properly after I'd rearranged wires and such, I realized that the modem would have to be in the living room in order to be connected to both my PC and the main cable receiver. No big deal, all I'd have to do is get a really long cable and run it from my broadband outlet to the modem...so, off to retail land I went to find said cable.
Silly me, I didn't realize that the cable that goes from the outlet to the modem/router and the one that goes from the modem/router into the computer are not the same sort of cable!
I really wish I had known this before I went and bought a ridiculously long cat5e cable (which would be fine for connecting the modem/router to a computer). I'd spent almost 2 hours running the wrong cable all around my living room, meticulously placing clips to securely hold the cable in place (rather than running the cable through the middle of my living room floor) and then discovered that the cable was pretty much useless.
At which point, I had to go back to the store, buy a dang phone cable, and correctly connect my modem/router to my broadband outlet. And now, there's a phone cable running across my living room floor...but my computer has internet access!!
So there you have it! Now, anyone have any tips for hiding a phone cord?
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