Ok, I am a dork. I am super excited for the season premiere of NBC's new shoe Heroes. Seeing the previews piqued my interest. I don't know if I have always been interested in sciencey-fiction/Superhero stuff or if my brother's interest in that stuff influenced my own interest. Although there are probably some hardcore "fanboys" and "fangirls" out there that would look at this show as a rip-off or riding the X-men/Superman/Spiderman "craze." This is just something else to showoff their superhero knowledge superiority (think of them as music snobs, but replace the music with superhero stuff). Luckily, I am not one of those people. I will fully admit that my knowledge of this stuff is limited, to say the least.
What I like most is the origin stories of superheroes. How did they get their power? What happened when they discovered it? What pulled them into the good/evil side?
In college I took a literature course that was only on graphic novels. We talked a lot about heroes and anti-heroes and the human condition. I am not being facetious in saying that it was fascinating. It really was and it stays one of my favorite courses in college. The professor did a really good job at converting a lecture full of over 100 students, into comicbook/graphic novel nerds.
Anyway, I will be watching the show tonight. To close, I will share what my super human power would be:
I am going to be unoriginal and say---Mind Control (ala-Jean Grey/Phoenix on X-Men)
9/25/2006
9/18/2006
Holy Crap! It's Fall.
This blog would be confusing to those who never lived in a climate where there are 4 distinct seasons. Wisconsin is one of those climate. Fall is nothing like summer, summer is nothing like spring etc. As much as I complain about the cold winters and the hot and humid summers, I enjoy this type of climate. You get to experience of both worlds. The only thing that sucks about it is the unpredictable-ness of it all. The temperature and weather can really turn suddenly and drastically.
One of the great things about the seasonal changes is how it sneaks up on you. For example, I suddenly realized the sudden change to fall this past weekend. Perhaps it was because it was raining for a week straight before it, that I did not notice the leaves starting to change color and fall of the trees, or the crisp-coolness of the air starting to settle in. I think fall is my second favorite season, following summer.
Whenever I think of Wisconsin seasons this is what I think of:
Spring in Wisconsin: Rain, rain and more rain. Not even the pleasant warm rain. No, I am talking the cold, and humid rain. The type where you develop a cold immediately if you even stand in it for 2 minutes. And it never really feels sunny. It almost always feel grey. I don't know why, but when I think of spring, I think of depression which is weird since spring is almost always thought of as a rebirth and sunny.
Summer: Short, but hot and humid. It's surprising that a state that is relatively far north can get this sweltering during the summer months, but it does. I know that it isn't right to complain considering some states deal with summer heat hitting well over 100, but if people from warm states can complain about 40 degree weather (and bundle up like it is freezing) then I have the right to complain about mid-80 to upper 90 degree weather.
Fall: Usually dry, cool and crisp, and I think of as sunny (especially early fall). Wisconsin has some of the prettiest colors to when you go out to the wooded areas for hikes.
Winter: Snow can sometimes start falling before Thanksgiving, but doesn't get into continual falling until January. Lately the winters have been mild but I remember when there would be heavy snow storms with strong wind drifts and feeling like the snow banks were as tall as my dad (6 feet). Of course everything is exaggerated as a kid, but I can tell that the snow hasn't been that big since then.
In summary I like having 4 seasons.
One of the great things about the seasonal changes is how it sneaks up on you. For example, I suddenly realized the sudden change to fall this past weekend. Perhaps it was because it was raining for a week straight before it, that I did not notice the leaves starting to change color and fall of the trees, or the crisp-coolness of the air starting to settle in. I think fall is my second favorite season, following summer.
Whenever I think of Wisconsin seasons this is what I think of:
Spring in Wisconsin: Rain, rain and more rain. Not even the pleasant warm rain. No, I am talking the cold, and humid rain. The type where you develop a cold immediately if you even stand in it for 2 minutes. And it never really feels sunny. It almost always feel grey. I don't know why, but when I think of spring, I think of depression which is weird since spring is almost always thought of as a rebirth and sunny.
Summer: Short, but hot and humid. It's surprising that a state that is relatively far north can get this sweltering during the summer months, but it does. I know that it isn't right to complain considering some states deal with summer heat hitting well over 100, but if people from warm states can complain about 40 degree weather (and bundle up like it is freezing) then I have the right to complain about mid-80 to upper 90 degree weather.
Fall: Usually dry, cool and crisp, and I think of as sunny (especially early fall). Wisconsin has some of the prettiest colors to when you go out to the wooded areas for hikes.
Winter: Snow can sometimes start falling before Thanksgiving, but doesn't get into continual falling until January. Lately the winters have been mild but I remember when there would be heavy snow storms with strong wind drifts and feeling like the snow banks were as tall as my dad (6 feet). Of course everything is exaggerated as a kid, but I can tell that the snow hasn't been that big since then.
In summary I like having 4 seasons.
9/15/2006
And for a little change...A Hate Filled Blog
Do you know what I hate most in the world? A top 10
1. Headaches that won't go away. The kind that have no apparent cause. Any type of pain reliever doesn't get rid of it. The kind that feel like someone is constantly hitting you in one spot in your head. The kind that makes you sensitive to light. No, I don't think it is a migraine because it isn't debilitating.
2. Loud talker and/or laughers. People with annoying laughs are added into this. I can't stand it. Oh, I would be added into this as well. I never thought much about my laugh, but once a friend told me my laugh was funny and weird. And then later another friend told me that my laugh annoyed him, but then he grew to like it. So now I know that when someone says that your laugh is unique or cute that what they really are saying is that they want to throw a brick at your head to make you stop.
3. Idiots that use parking/turning lanes to go straight through an intersection. If it were a perfect world I could ram my car into their car without hurting anyone and not causing any damage to MY car.
4. People who pity me because I am not in a relationship and because I say I don't want to get married and have kids (even if I found a man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with). Beside some benefits laws give (SAME-SEX) marriages, I don't see the point. Promising someone eternity is just the same thing, minus a wedding ceremony and reception.
And just because I don't want to get married and have kids does not mean that I look down on people that do and devote their life to that process. I believe people should be able to live their life they way that they want to.
5. The fact that tight pants and tights are now back in fashion. The fashion world really hates me huh? Well at least I can look back at pictures of myself (as I am at this point in time) 10 years from now and not be embarrassed by the way I look. T-shirts and jeans never look weird. I made all my fashion fau-paux (SP?) when I was in elementary school, and that was all my mom's doing. Yes mom, it was all your fault. Shame (wiggles finger in her direction).
6. A certain somebody that is my mortal enemy, and I don't even think that individual is aware of it. I imagine if we were superheroes, I would be the good guy with a dark edge and my mortal enemy would be the "good guy" exterior with truly evil and vile motives.
7. Ann Coulter- 'nuff said
8. Styro-foam - the sound of it rubbing grates my last nerve
9. Exercising. Whatever fool said that exercising "energizes" you and that you will get over that period of loathing working out is just dead wrong. I have been regularly working out for almost 4 months now and I still dread it. But I am doing it nonetheless.
Also, you know how some people say that because of the release of endorphins while exercising you are more likely to be attracted to someone (ex. Running in a park I may pass I guy and want to jump him, both figuratively and literally, when normally I would think that guy is average to fugly). I don't thing this works for me. Instead of wanting to jump people's bones, I want to punch. For example, when the sweaty and stinky guy decides to use the machine next to me, I start to work out faster to prevent me from punching that man in the face when normally I would not even notice nor care.
10. The person that broke off my atennea from my car. Thanks to that douchebag I can only get three radio stations to come in.
Ok, my rant is over.
1. Headaches that won't go away. The kind that have no apparent cause. Any type of pain reliever doesn't get rid of it. The kind that feel like someone is constantly hitting you in one spot in your head. The kind that makes you sensitive to light. No, I don't think it is a migraine because it isn't debilitating.
2. Loud talker and/or laughers. People with annoying laughs are added into this. I can't stand it. Oh, I would be added into this as well. I never thought much about my laugh, but once a friend told me my laugh was funny and weird. And then later another friend told me that my laugh annoyed him, but then he grew to like it. So now I know that when someone says that your laugh is unique or cute that what they really are saying is that they want to throw a brick at your head to make you stop.
3. Idiots that use parking/turning lanes to go straight through an intersection. If it were a perfect world I could ram my car into their car without hurting anyone and not causing any damage to MY car.
4. People who pity me because I am not in a relationship and because I say I don't want to get married and have kids (even if I found a man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with). Beside some benefits laws give (SAME-SEX) marriages, I don't see the point. Promising someone eternity is just the same thing, minus a wedding ceremony and reception.
And just because I don't want to get married and have kids does not mean that I look down on people that do and devote their life to that process. I believe people should be able to live their life they way that they want to.
5. The fact that tight pants and tights are now back in fashion. The fashion world really hates me huh? Well at least I can look back at pictures of myself (as I am at this point in time) 10 years from now and not be embarrassed by the way I look. T-shirts and jeans never look weird. I made all my fashion fau-paux (SP?) when I was in elementary school, and that was all my mom's doing. Yes mom, it was all your fault. Shame (wiggles finger in her direction).
6. A certain somebody that is my mortal enemy, and I don't even think that individual is aware of it. I imagine if we were superheroes, I would be the good guy with a dark edge and my mortal enemy would be the "good guy" exterior with truly evil and vile motives.
7. Ann Coulter- 'nuff said
8. Styro-foam - the sound of it rubbing grates my last nerve
9. Exercising. Whatever fool said that exercising "energizes" you and that you will get over that period of loathing working out is just dead wrong. I have been regularly working out for almost 4 months now and I still dread it. But I am doing it nonetheless.
Also, you know how some people say that because of the release of endorphins while exercising you are more likely to be attracted to someone (ex. Running in a park I may pass I guy and want to jump him, both figuratively and literally, when normally I would think that guy is average to fugly). I don't thing this works for me. Instead of wanting to jump people's bones, I want to punch. For example, when the sweaty and stinky guy decides to use the machine next to me, I start to work out faster to prevent me from punching that man in the face when normally I would not even notice nor care.
10. The person that broke off my atennea from my car. Thanks to that douchebag I can only get three radio stations to come in.
Ok, my rant is over.
9/11/2006
Bachelorette Party/Bachelor Party
So this went better than I had planned. But then again, I planned disaster beyond monstrous proportions. Here are some highlights.
-Upon driving toward the campsite the people I was driving with noticed a "gentleman's Club" called Crusin' Chubbies. We giggled because we have the maturity level of 12 year olds.
-Once we got our campsite set up, we sat around the campfire trying to warm up, because it was rather chilly.
-We went out to eat at Marley's in Wisconsin Dells. There we ran into around 4 other bachelorette parties that were out to eat. The food was Caribbean style and too spicy for my weak Midwest stomach.
-Rianna told me not to worry about the amount of bars, because there would be plenty for us to go to on the main drag in the Dells. Well, there was two. Both of which were crowded with groups of girls out for bachelorette parties. The few guys that were out, of course, loved this. Many of them were willing to play along with our game, which essentially was making fun of them.
-In order for me to gain a point in the game, I had to ask a random guy to guess my bra size. The guy I asked appeared to be reaching in for a grab. I let out a little scream and ran away before he touched me. He worked at a laser tag place, so you could probably only imagine the scariness.
-Rianna making fun of some "hipster" guy with tight pants, black framed glasses, huge arm tattoo and tiny faux-hawk. She asked him if he was in a band (part of game) when he asked why, she said, "When I went to college the guys that looked like you, usually were ."
-Going back to Marley's (which is converted into a dance club at night) and Rianna joining a dance contest with other bachelorettes. She won and received a 25 dollar bar tab. I think one of the reasons she won was because she was giving away her Blow-Pops from her Blow-Pop bouquet for free while dancing and the crowd was liking it.
-The bachelor party got pulled over for speeding (there was seven people in the 5 person car) and they got away with a warning.
-CM was talking to people!
-There was a guy at the club that made my 6'4" friend look tiny. I looked at him and said, "Whoa," and he laughed at me.
-First time I was at the bars with my brother who just recently turned 21 (come on now, we are good kids that never used fake IDs).
-I got to sleep on the queen size air mattress with one of my friends while my other friend slept on a separate twin sized air mattress (yay for the spoiled camping experience). The one who was alone got cold and said the next morning that she wanted to curl up between us for body heat...like a kitty. But she didn't.
-It was raining in the morning, but luckily it wasn't raining the entire night.
-Upon driving toward the campsite the people I was driving with noticed a "gentleman's Club" called Crusin' Chubbies. We giggled because we have the maturity level of 12 year olds.
-Once we got our campsite set up, we sat around the campfire trying to warm up, because it was rather chilly.
-We went out to eat at Marley's in Wisconsin Dells. There we ran into around 4 other bachelorette parties that were out to eat. The food was Caribbean style and too spicy for my weak Midwest stomach.
-Rianna told me not to worry about the amount of bars, because there would be plenty for us to go to on the main drag in the Dells. Well, there was two. Both of which were crowded with groups of girls out for bachelorette parties. The few guys that were out, of course, loved this. Many of them were willing to play along with our game, which essentially was making fun of them.
-In order for me to gain a point in the game, I had to ask a random guy to guess my bra size. The guy I asked appeared to be reaching in for a grab. I let out a little scream and ran away before he touched me. He worked at a laser tag place, so you could probably only imagine the scariness.
-Rianna making fun of some "hipster" guy with tight pants, black framed glasses, huge arm tattoo and tiny faux-hawk. She asked him if he was in a band (part of game) when he asked why, she said, "When I went to college the guys that looked like you, usually were ."
-Going back to Marley's (which is converted into a dance club at night) and Rianna joining a dance contest with other bachelorettes. She won and received a 25 dollar bar tab. I think one of the reasons she won was because she was giving away her Blow-Pops from her Blow-Pop bouquet for free while dancing and the crowd was liking it.
-The bachelor party got pulled over for speeding (there was seven people in the 5 person car) and they got away with a warning.
-CM was talking to people!
-There was a guy at the club that made my 6'4" friend look tiny. I looked at him and said, "Whoa," and he laughed at me.
-First time I was at the bars with my brother who just recently turned 21 (come on now, we are good kids that never used fake IDs).
-I got to sleep on the queen size air mattress with one of my friends while my other friend slept on a separate twin sized air mattress (yay for the spoiled camping experience). The one who was alone got cold and said the next morning that she wanted to curl up between us for body heat...like a kitty. But she didn't.
-It was raining in the morning, but luckily it wasn't raining the entire night.
Where were you?
5 years ago today two planes flew into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon and one crashed in Pennsylvania (it was headed to D.C. with the Capitol as its target). Today many forms of media are doing different tributes and memorials to remember the day. On the radio they had listeners call in and tell the story of where they were and how they found out. Here is mine:
It was my freshman year at UW-Madison. I got up as usual and headed to the bathroom to take a shower. My roommate was already up and changed, watching television while lounging in her bed. I returned back from the shower in my street clothes, towel wrapped around my head, carrying my little shower caddy. As I opened up my door, I saw my roommate out of bed, standing by her desk, on the phone with her brother. In her other hand she had the remote control. She had just changed the channel to CNN. She then looked at me all puzzled and said, "A plane just flew into the World Trade Center."
My reaction, although to some may seem harsh, is very characteristic to me. I immediately thought, "What kind of dumbass pilot flies right into a building?" I didn't think at all of a terrorist attack. Because I thought it was some fluke accident, I quickly combed my hair, grabbed my things and went to my Math 221 discussion.
After my class I came back to my dorm. First I went to the cafeteria to grab my lunch. Everyone in the cafeteria was talking about the planes but not going into detail. I got confused about the plural use of the word. With my food, I went to my room, my roommate was gone to class. I turned on the television and got the news. By this time not only did I find out that another plane flew into the other building, but that they had both collapsed and that another plane flew into the Pentagon.
I didn't go to any other classes for the day. I just stayed in my room watching the news in utter shock and feeling guilty about how fast I brushed off the initial news.
I guess that this event is similar to the JFK assassination. Everyone asks you where you were when you heard the news, and you remember.
It was my freshman year at UW-Madison. I got up as usual and headed to the bathroom to take a shower. My roommate was already up and changed, watching television while lounging in her bed. I returned back from the shower in my street clothes, towel wrapped around my head, carrying my little shower caddy. As I opened up my door, I saw my roommate out of bed, standing by her desk, on the phone with her brother. In her other hand she had the remote control. She had just changed the channel to CNN. She then looked at me all puzzled and said, "A plane just flew into the World Trade Center."
My reaction, although to some may seem harsh, is very characteristic to me. I immediately thought, "What kind of dumbass pilot flies right into a building?" I didn't think at all of a terrorist attack. Because I thought it was some fluke accident, I quickly combed my hair, grabbed my things and went to my Math 221 discussion.
After my class I came back to my dorm. First I went to the cafeteria to grab my lunch. Everyone in the cafeteria was talking about the planes but not going into detail. I got confused about the plural use of the word. With my food, I went to my room, my roommate was gone to class. I turned on the television and got the news. By this time not only did I find out that another plane flew into the other building, but that they had both collapsed and that another plane flew into the Pentagon.
I didn't go to any other classes for the day. I just stayed in my room watching the news in utter shock and feeling guilty about how fast I brushed off the initial news.
I guess that this event is similar to the JFK assassination. Everyone asks you where you were when you heard the news, and you remember.
9/08/2006
Remember how I said I had no work friends?
A few months ago I talked about how no one at my office liked me. The friends I did have were the maintenance guys. Well not much has changed. But I do have yet another example of how they see me as their little buddy.
One of them was heading out to the gas station to get everyone coffee/donuts/some kind of snack. He stopped at my door and asked me what I wanted. I politely said I didn't want anything. He asked again. I said I had no money. He asked again. I said, "No really its ok." He asked again. I said, "Fine. I will take a can of soda...Pepsi or Coke is fine."
He came back with the can of soda and a little thing of Goldfish Crackers, because he noticed a few months ago I was snacking on them in my office. Aw, how nice.
One of them was heading out to the gas station to get everyone coffee/donuts/some kind of snack. He stopped at my door and asked me what I wanted. I politely said I didn't want anything. He asked again. I said I had no money. He asked again. I said, "No really its ok." He asked again. I said, "Fine. I will take a can of soda...Pepsi or Coke is fine."
He came back with the can of soda and a little thing of Goldfish Crackers, because he noticed a few months ago I was snacking on them in my office. Aw, how nice.
9/07/2006
Hot Cops.
Yesterday at work. There I am. Happily type, type, typing away at my computer. Next thing I know I see one police officer walk by my window. 5 minutes later, I see another one pass by. Minutes later, I see a group walk by. 20 minutes later I see them standing on a balcony in an apartment building across the way.
Not too long after that I see police officers walking past my window again, this time with sniper-looking rifles. I continue staring out the window thinking, "Ok, this is interesting." I get up and go ask my co-workers, "What the Hell is going on?" They look out the window and go, "Oh, will you look at that. Hmm, don't know. Oh, the cute one is here. Heeeey." I accepted the answer and walked away. I still don't know what happened.
Not too long after that I see police officers walking past my window again, this time with sniper-looking rifles. I continue staring out the window thinking, "Ok, this is interesting." I get up and go ask my co-workers, "What the Hell is going on?" They look out the window and go, "Oh, will you look at that. Hmm, don't know. Oh, the cute one is here. Heeeey." I accepted the answer and walked away. I still don't know what happened.
9/06/2006
Maid of Honor: Why I Will Never Agree to This Crap Again
If I haven't stated it before, my sister is only 11 months older than me. She is just barely older than me, but older than me nonetheless. Growing up, she never let me or my younger brothers forget it. She was in charge. It was her way or... Well there is no end to that statement because there was no question or argument against it.
During our childhood we were close. All the kids were close. It didn't hurt that the four of us were about four years apart. But then, ah, sweet puberty hit. With it came hormones and mood swings. Looking back at it, I think I was the most effected by it. My mom said that I would walk around with a constant rainstorm over my head. I will admit I did, it had more to do with me hating middle school than anything else. For some reason, I think this effected the closeness that my sister and I had. We were still close, just not as close as we once were. We had our own friends and spent time with them alone. Once my sister went off to college, and I followed suit the next year, we became BFF once again.
Her and her fiance announced their engagement this past Christmas and soon afterward she told me I was the Maid of Honor (not that she had much choice in the matter because if she chose anyone besides me my mom would probably cause some sort of damage). My sister reassured me that she would chose me either way.
So last Christmas. That gives them 10 months about to plan and save up for their wedding. Doesn't give me a ton of time to find a job that pays well so I can throw a good shower and bachelorette party. Money and creativity are two necessities in throwing a god shower and party for my sister. I possess neither.
This goes back to my initial paragraph, of my sister being the typical oldest sibling. She wants things her way. Heaven forbid it not go her way. When I first started to send out the invitations for the shower, I told my sister what I was doing. Including note cards so the guests could write down their favorite recipes on them. When Rianna found out that I wasn't decorating them, she got upset with me. She was upset about the note cards? Oh boy, was she going to be upset about the entire shower.
The weeks/days proceeding the shower, she would call me and ask me how I was doing with the planning. I would tell her what I had planned/still had to do and as I would get off the phone with her, I could just hear the disappointment in her voice.
Needless to say I was a nervous wreck for the few days before and during the shower. You know it is bad when your parents are nervous for you as well (I caught my mom the night before re-doing the gift card collection box I made because she said Rianna would complain).
Luckily, it went off well. A lot of guests showed up (without RSVPing of course). There was a lot of food. Decorations were sparse but did the job. Games went well. The party favors were good, but you got the feeling that people were unimpressed with them (people left them there and/or threw them away). They should have just pitied a poor girl and throw it away at home!
Most important of all. No complaining by the bride. Yippee. Well, at least no complaining to my face.
9/05/2006
Surfers are Leather-y and Cool
This weekend I went back home to Sheboygan to host my sister's wedding shower. I was looking forward to spending a nice long Labor Day weekend with everyone. I had no idea that this weekend in Sheboygan was also, Dairyland Surf Classic.
I didn't find out that this was happening until during the shower, when guests were talking about driving past the lake and watching people stand by their cars staring at the waveless lake. Heh, suckers. Apparently there was not enough wind.
I know that Sheboygan is considered a great surf location for lakes in the United States, but my entire 18 years of living there, I have never seen A person surf on the lake. I have seen pretty large waves that individuals could surf on, if they wanted to, but no takers. I never went to competitions either, because they were never advertised well around our city.
Anyway, after the shower, my sister and I went to our mutual friend's bachelorette party. The party consisted of we-girls, bar hopping with the bride, who was wearing a "Suck for a Buck" shirt (candies double-sided taped on a shirt that anyone could take off for a dollar using their teeth). One bar we went to must have been a meeting place for all the surfers. They had bluegrass and swing bands playing and a lot of the surfer people were really friendly, talking to the bride-to-be and giving marriage advice and dollars (sometimes not even taking the candy). I couldn't help but be a little grossed out by their leather-like skin. Overly tan people creep me out.
Best quote of the night:
One of the party goers (and high school friend of my sister and bride-to-be): "Rianna, I touched your sister's boooooooooooooooooooobies."
Rianna: "Heh....What?"
I didn't find out that this was happening until during the shower, when guests were talking about driving past the lake and watching people stand by their cars staring at the waveless lake. Heh, suckers. Apparently there was not enough wind.
I know that Sheboygan is considered a great surf location for lakes in the United States, but my entire 18 years of living there, I have never seen A person surf on the lake. I have seen pretty large waves that individuals could surf on, if they wanted to, but no takers. I never went to competitions either, because they were never advertised well around our city.
Anyway, after the shower, my sister and I went to our mutual friend's bachelorette party. The party consisted of we-girls, bar hopping with the bride, who was wearing a "Suck for a Buck" shirt (candies double-sided taped on a shirt that anyone could take off for a dollar using their teeth). One bar we went to must have been a meeting place for all the surfers. They had bluegrass and swing bands playing and a lot of the surfer people were really friendly, talking to the bride-to-be and giving marriage advice and dollars (sometimes not even taking the candy). I couldn't help but be a little grossed out by their leather-like skin. Overly tan people creep me out.
Best quote of the night:
One of the party goers (and high school friend of my sister and bride-to-be): "Rianna, I touched your sister's boooooooooooooooooooobies."
Rianna: "Heh....What?"
9/01/2006
8/24/2006
Today in Yahoo news...
Pluto is not a planet.
So, now when I ask kids to name all the planets in our solar system, and they name Pluto, I can shout, "No! You're wrong! Stupidhead."
Speaking of being mean to children. I have been having these bizarre dreams involving me taking care of children and being horrible at it. Here are two dreams I remember:
1. I gained custody of my little cousin's baby (who will be 10 months in about a week). I made no preparations like getting a crib, car seat, clothes, formula, child care, healthcare etc etc. While I was at work, I would leave her in my apartment alone. I would not give her baths and not change her diapers enough and I (as a character in my dream) was totally ok with this. Looking at her, she looked kind of like that freaky baby climbing on the ceiling during Trainspotting. I woke up feeling really guilty.
2. For some reason, I was a pre-k teacher. Some kids were in the corner and one kid did something that upset me (looking back at it, I think the actually incident was minor but hey, it was a dream so everything is exaggerated). I grab the kid by the collar of his shirt and proceed to carry him, still hanging by the collar, to the principals office (imagine a mother cap carrying her kittens to her nesting area). Right before we entered the office, I was shouting at the child while shaking them hard. Once again, woke up feeling guilty.
I want to make a note here for strangers who will be reading this. Those above two examples are just dreams. I would never, in anyway, harm or neglect children. That is why I am so troubled by these dreams. I have no idea how to interpret those dreams.
So, now when I ask kids to name all the planets in our solar system, and they name Pluto, I can shout, "No! You're wrong! Stupidhead."
Speaking of being mean to children. I have been having these bizarre dreams involving me taking care of children and being horrible at it. Here are two dreams I remember:
1. I gained custody of my little cousin's baby (who will be 10 months in about a week). I made no preparations like getting a crib, car seat, clothes, formula, child care, healthcare etc etc. While I was at work, I would leave her in my apartment alone. I would not give her baths and not change her diapers enough and I (as a character in my dream) was totally ok with this. Looking at her, she looked kind of like that freaky baby climbing on the ceiling during Trainspotting. I woke up feeling really guilty.
2. For some reason, I was a pre-k teacher. Some kids were in the corner and one kid did something that upset me (looking back at it, I think the actually incident was minor but hey, it was a dream so everything is exaggerated). I grab the kid by the collar of his shirt and proceed to carry him, still hanging by the collar, to the principals office (imagine a mother cap carrying her kittens to her nesting area). Right before we entered the office, I was shouting at the child while shaking them hard. Once again, woke up feeling guilty.
I want to make a note here for strangers who will be reading this. Those above two examples are just dreams. I would never, in anyway, harm or neglect children. That is why I am so troubled by these dreams. I have no idea how to interpret those dreams.
8/22/2006
Proving That I am Not So Dumb After All
Last week sometime, I went in for my second interview for this position I have been trying (and wanting) to get since May. Unfortunately two of the four people who were "interviewing" me, were not my biggest fans, to say the least. I went into the whole process knowing that it was no use because there was no way even if I was qualified (which I more than was) and showed commitment (Hell, I was trying to apply knowing they didn't like me, and them knowing that I shared the same feelings...That is commitment to the program) that they still would not hire me.
Part of me thinks that they think I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer (sometimes I think the same thing). First they let me know that they already filled two positions. Filling positions before all the applicants have been interviewed? Hmm, doesn't seem like good hiring practice to me. Second, one of the two applicants I consider my friend (well both actually are my friends, but one I speak to on a more regular basis) and I know that they only had one interview at the most. Do they not know that we would be talking to each other about our interviews? Duh. Third, they repeatedly told me during the interview, while I was giving my answers about my expectations for the coming year, that I had to put the past year, along with mistakes that the leadership (them) had made, behind us. Funny enough I am 99% certain the only reason I was not hired was because a letter they read, in which I expressed my disappoint in the leadership. Well, I guess they are allowed to take certain things from the past year into consideration, but I am not.
And the icing on the cake that proves just how much of a dumbass they think I am. I walked up to the office about to open the door and realized it was locked. I knocked. Waited for half a minute. Knocked some more, looking into the window seeing heads that were not responded to my knocks. Waited another minute and knocked some more. Finally one of the interviewees came over looking at me through the window like I should know better. She stood there and said, "Try again." While still looking at her, I tried the handle again. She finally opened the door, and proceeded to show me how to open a door. Not until she tried turning the handle did she notice that it was indeed locked. She looked at the door with amazement, and said, "The door handle didn't go down like this." I looked at her and said, "...um no. [whispered because I didn't really want them to hear since there was still a slight chance of getting hired] It was locked."
I is smart because I know how to open a door. I am going to start making "I *heart* Holland" buttons for them to wear, because obviously they think highly of me and hope to be me when they grow up.
Part of me thinks that they think I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer (sometimes I think the same thing). First they let me know that they already filled two positions. Filling positions before all the applicants have been interviewed? Hmm, doesn't seem like good hiring practice to me. Second, one of the two applicants I consider my friend (well both actually are my friends, but one I speak to on a more regular basis) and I know that they only had one interview at the most. Do they not know that we would be talking to each other about our interviews? Duh. Third, they repeatedly told me during the interview, while I was giving my answers about my expectations for the coming year, that I had to put the past year, along with mistakes that the leadership (them) had made, behind us. Funny enough I am 99% certain the only reason I was not hired was because a letter they read, in which I expressed my disappoint in the leadership. Well, I guess they are allowed to take certain things from the past year into consideration, but I am not.
And the icing on the cake that proves just how much of a dumbass they think I am. I walked up to the office about to open the door and realized it was locked. I knocked. Waited for half a minute. Knocked some more, looking into the window seeing heads that were not responded to my knocks. Waited another minute and knocked some more. Finally one of the interviewees came over looking at me through the window like I should know better. She stood there and said, "Try again." While still looking at her, I tried the handle again. She finally opened the door, and proceeded to show me how to open a door. Not until she tried turning the handle did she notice that it was indeed locked. She looked at the door with amazement, and said, "The door handle didn't go down like this." I looked at her and said, "...um no. [whispered because I didn't really want them to hear since there was still a slight chance of getting hired] It was locked."
I is smart because I know how to open a door. I am going to start making "I *heart* Holland" buttons for them to wear, because obviously they think highly of me and hope to be me when they grow up.
8/21/2006
Yet Another Swimming and Old Man Story
Swimming at the YMCA: Sunday afternoon.
I was a little pumped at first, because I was the only one in the large pool. I didn't have to have awkward conversations with the old men swimming next to me or to look sad and slow next to the young high school students that are training for their school swim team's season. But of course, this doesn't last too long.
After I finished with my first 500 meters (20 laps of a standard sized pool), I took a breather. I saw that their was an older man in the next lane to me, who wasn't so much swimming, as he was floating and letting the current of the swimmers in the other lanes carry him a long. He stopped at my end of the pool and starting talking to me. The conversation went something like this:
Old Man: Hello
Me: Hi
Old Man: You were swimming pretty fast there
Me: Hmm, that wasn't too fast for me. Well, at least it used to be not that fast, I've gotten a little out of shape.
Old Man: [Something about being old and being slower all together]
Me: [Gives him a weird look, but a little covered up for the sake of politeness.]
Old Man: Where do you get glasses?
Me: Excuse me?
Old Man: Those glasses on your head.
Me: Oh, goggles?
Old Man: Yeah, those things.
Me: Well, you can get them just about anywhere. You can get a really good pair at a sporting goods store.
Old Man: [giving me a weird look]
Me: Or, I guess you can get them at Wal-Mart of something. [inside going *blech*]
Old Man: [getting all cheery and happy] Yeah. The low price leader!
Me: Eh, yeah.
Old Man: Thanks. No really. Thanks a lot.
Me: [can't hold in my weird'ed out look any longer, so I put on my "glasses"] Yep, no problem. [swim off to do another 20 laps].
One thing I hate about working out and being competitive by nature, is that I always feel the need to outdo or at least keep up with whoever is next to me. And because I am so out of shape, this usually makes me dead tired by the end of the workout session.
I was a little pumped at first, because I was the only one in the large pool. I didn't have to have awkward conversations with the old men swimming next to me or to look sad and slow next to the young high school students that are training for their school swim team's season. But of course, this doesn't last too long.
After I finished with my first 500 meters (20 laps of a standard sized pool), I took a breather. I saw that their was an older man in the next lane to me, who wasn't so much swimming, as he was floating and letting the current of the swimmers in the other lanes carry him a long. He stopped at my end of the pool and starting talking to me. The conversation went something like this:
Old Man: Hello
Me: Hi
Old Man: You were swimming pretty fast there
Me: Hmm, that wasn't too fast for me. Well, at least it used to be not that fast, I've gotten a little out of shape.
Old Man: [Something about being old and being slower all together]
Me: [Gives him a weird look, but a little covered up for the sake of politeness.]
Old Man: Where do you get glasses?
Me: Excuse me?
Old Man: Those glasses on your head.
Me: Oh, goggles?
Old Man: Yeah, those things.
Me: Well, you can get them just about anywhere. You can get a really good pair at a sporting goods store.
Old Man: [giving me a weird look]
Me: Or, I guess you can get them at Wal-Mart of something. [inside going *blech*]
Old Man: [getting all cheery and happy] Yeah. The low price leader!
Me: Eh, yeah.
Old Man: Thanks. No really. Thanks a lot.
Me: [can't hold in my weird'ed out look any longer, so I put on my "glasses"] Yep, no problem. [swim off to do another 20 laps].
One thing I hate about working out and being competitive by nature, is that I always feel the need to outdo or at least keep up with whoever is next to me. And because I am so out of shape, this usually makes me dead tired by the end of the workout session.
8/14/2006
Bonding with the Middle Age Men at the YMCA Pool
I was thinking recently, about how fit I was in high school, all thanks to swim team. Because I would like to get fit again (hopefully not to the full extent of my high school days when I had a triangle shaped body with huge shoulders) I decided to start swimming laps at the Y.
I started this Saturday early afternoon, thinking the pool would be pretty empty (which it relatively was). There was some teenage guy in the right lane and some middle aged man to my left. I started of swimming slowly, stopping every 100 meters, switching up the swimming strokes every once in a while.
Instead of stopping every time I reached the end of the pool, I did flip turns (just as if I was still in swim team - in fact, if I remember correctly, we got in trouble if we didn't do flip turns when we were suppose to). While I was stopping to catch my breath after a set, the older guy to my left started to talk to me and the guy to my right about the benefits of swimming. After a five minute chat, we went along our merry way once again. When I stopped again, same older guy stopped as well and started to ask me about how one does the flip-turn doing a back stroke. I told him, and he started in on how it was done when he was in high school. I just politely chatted back, smiled, put my goggles on and continued to swim.
After I was done, my muscles were really sore, so I decided to hit up the hot tub/whirlpool. Once I got into the area, I noticed that there was already two older guys sitting in there. So instead of turning around and looking like an ass (after they already noticed that I wanted to use the pool too) I just waded in and sat down, minding my own business. Once again, the strangers start talking to me again, talking about how it is nice to relax your muscles after working out and blah, blah, blah. I give a uh-huh and stare off in front of me. One minute later I get up and walk away.
Two things strangers need to know about me:
1. Don't disturb me when I am clearly doing a task, such as exercising.
2. If you don't know me, best bet will be not to talk to me at all. I am kind of cold and stand-offish because I am awkward and not really a fan of people in general. Thank you.
Learning to be friendly is an on-going process. I am working on it. It is hard.
I started this Saturday early afternoon, thinking the pool would be pretty empty (which it relatively was). There was some teenage guy in the right lane and some middle aged man to my left. I started of swimming slowly, stopping every 100 meters, switching up the swimming strokes every once in a while.
Instead of stopping every time I reached the end of the pool, I did flip turns (just as if I was still in swim team - in fact, if I remember correctly, we got in trouble if we didn't do flip turns when we were suppose to). While I was stopping to catch my breath after a set, the older guy to my left started to talk to me and the guy to my right about the benefits of swimming. After a five minute chat, we went along our merry way once again. When I stopped again, same older guy stopped as well and started to ask me about how one does the flip-turn doing a back stroke. I told him, and he started in on how it was done when he was in high school. I just politely chatted back, smiled, put my goggles on and continued to swim.
After I was done, my muscles were really sore, so I decided to hit up the hot tub/whirlpool. Once I got into the area, I noticed that there was already two older guys sitting in there. So instead of turning around and looking like an ass (after they already noticed that I wanted to use the pool too) I just waded in and sat down, minding my own business. Once again, the strangers start talking to me again, talking about how it is nice to relax your muscles after working out and blah, blah, blah. I give a uh-huh and stare off in front of me. One minute later I get up and walk away.
Two things strangers need to know about me:
1. Don't disturb me when I am clearly doing a task, such as exercising.
2. If you don't know me, best bet will be not to talk to me at all. I am kind of cold and stand-offish because I am awkward and not really a fan of people in general. Thank you.
Learning to be friendly is an on-going process. I am working on it. It is hard.
8/11/2006
Watch This Movie!!!
Little Miss Sunshine (short description: dysfunctional family takes a road trip to the youngest family member's Beauty Pageant. Starring: Steve Carrell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, that little girl from Signs, and that boy from that Lifetime movie about being a teenage dad).
I went to see a special screening last night with two friends. I saw a trailer for it earlier in the summer when I went to see, Thank You For Smoking (also great movie), and I thought it looked funny. Imagine how pumped I was when about two weeks ago I saw that they were having a free screening of it in Milwaukee. I signed myself up for two tickets right away.
I have only been to one screening before and that was for Pixar's Cars (I guess it was ok, for a kid's movie). Anyway. There seemed to be a lot of security. They checked our phones, patted some people down to make sure there were no recording devices. And then they told us to stay afterward to give our opinion on the movie.
The movie was inappropriately funny and oddly touching . The pacing was good. It would probably be slow to some (with a rather gloomy beginning) but it becomes much quicker and almost joyous towards the end. Oh, and don't bring the kids.
It's in limited release, but I have heard rumors it will be released nation-wide.
I went to see a special screening last night with two friends. I saw a trailer for it earlier in the summer when I went to see, Thank You For Smoking (also great movie), and I thought it looked funny. Imagine how pumped I was when about two weeks ago I saw that they were having a free screening of it in Milwaukee. I signed myself up for two tickets right away.
I have only been to one screening before and that was for Pixar's Cars (I guess it was ok, for a kid's movie). Anyway. There seemed to be a lot of security. They checked our phones, patted some people down to make sure there were no recording devices. And then they told us to stay afterward to give our opinion on the movie.
The movie was inappropriately funny and oddly touching . The pacing was good. It would probably be slow to some (with a rather gloomy beginning) but it becomes much quicker and almost joyous towards the end. Oh, and don't bring the kids.
It's in limited release, but I have heard rumors it will be released nation-wide.
8/10/2006
My new favorite show EVER: ABC's Medical Mysteries
Ok. So back in the day, when I had digital cable, I would watch a fair amount of Discovery Health Channel, to watch all the specials about "weird" medical illnesses, diseases, syndromes etc. Now ABC has come out with a show that can replace my beloved DHC. That show is Primetime: Medical Mysteries.
Some of the mysteries included so far:
Progeria: I already watched a program on DHC about this. It is really sad. Children with aging bodies.
Morgellons: A disputed disease. Fibers grow out of skin. Lesions grow. Damage to central nervous system.
Body Integrity Identity Disorder: People diagnosed with this have an a strong desire to amputate their limbs. When they think about how their bodies should be, they think of not having legs, arms, hands or some weird combination of that. Some people will actually go as far as to find ways to damage their bodies so amputation is necessary.
Foreign Accent Syndrome: People experience a stroke (or some sort of brain damage) and afterward speak with some type of foreign accent.
trimethylaMinuria: causes individuals to smell like dead fish.
Porphyria: a genetic disorder in which there is sensitivity to the sunlight (UV rays) and turns bones and urine red, and teeth purple.
and Many more. I will be watching this weekly, if I am home.
Some of the mysteries included so far:
Progeria: I already watched a program on DHC about this. It is really sad. Children with aging bodies.
Morgellons: A disputed disease. Fibers grow out of skin. Lesions grow. Damage to central nervous system.
Body Integrity Identity Disorder: People diagnosed with this have an a strong desire to amputate their limbs. When they think about how their bodies should be, they think of not having legs, arms, hands or some weird combination of that. Some people will actually go as far as to find ways to damage their bodies so amputation is necessary.
Foreign Accent Syndrome: People experience a stroke (or some sort of brain damage) and afterward speak with some type of foreign accent.
trimethylaMinuria: causes individuals to smell like dead fish.
Porphyria: a genetic disorder in which there is sensitivity to the sunlight (UV rays) and turns bones and urine red, and teeth purple.
and Many more. I will be watching this weekly, if I am home.
8/07/2006
Kobayashi 1 - Johnsonville 0, aka Those Brats were Gone, Daddy, Gone
Ah, Sheboygan. Home of Brat Days. An entire weekend celebrating the bratwurst. There are parades, bands, carnival rides and brat eating contests. I am proud to call this my hometown. Born and raised.
This year the world champion hot dog eater, Kobayashi, came to participate in the brat eating contest. Sheboygan was very excited about this. ESPN was covering it. Wooooo. Ok, not really a big deal or at least I didn't think it was. My family watched it on television, instead of attempting to go down to the festival grounds (it was early in the day and we didn't feel like attempting to find parking and standing in a huge crowd).
Let's just say, watching it, made me hate bratwurst even more. Grossest thing I have ever seen on television. One participant was shaking while downing them. For 8,000 dollars Kobayashi ate 58 brats in 10 minutes (no buns included).
That last statement probably doesn't make sense to anyone that doesn't live in the US-Midwest area. You see...Here in Wisconsin, we eat our bratwurst with buns. Like a hot dog. I thought everyone did this, but when I met someone from the south, I found out otherwise.
This year's Brat Days featured performer was Violent Femmes. When I first got to my mom's house, I was sitting down with her in the living room. She was talking about how she didn't really want to go to Brat Days because there were no good bands playing this year. I asked who was playing and she said, "The Violent Femmes." And then I was all like, "THE VIOLENT FEMMES?!?!" Well, ok, I wasn't all that dramatic, but I thought it was funny that my mom said there were no good bands, and I think that is one of the only bands that would actually make me want to go down to Brat Days instead of avoid it like the plague.
Anyway, the fact that they were playing at Brat Days, makes me feel older. When I was younger, the performers were bands I didn't know that were popular because of one song that played on the radio when my parents were teenagers (at the latest). Now they have bands/performers that were popular when I was listening to music. Hmm, oh well. The Femmes were awesome however. It was funny to see the crowd react to their songs. They gave a polite applause after each song. When they finally played "Blister in the Sun" that is when the crowd went wild. Sheboygan is not too hip with the music, so they don't know many other songs by The Violent Femmes.
This year the world champion hot dog eater, Kobayashi, came to participate in the brat eating contest. Sheboygan was very excited about this. ESPN was covering it. Wooooo. Ok, not really a big deal or at least I didn't think it was. My family watched it on television, instead of attempting to go down to the festival grounds (it was early in the day and we didn't feel like attempting to find parking and standing in a huge crowd).
Let's just say, watching it, made me hate bratwurst even more. Grossest thing I have ever seen on television. One participant was shaking while downing them. For 8,000 dollars Kobayashi ate 58 brats in 10 minutes (no buns included).
That last statement probably doesn't make sense to anyone that doesn't live in the US-Midwest area. You see...Here in Wisconsin, we eat our bratwurst with buns. Like a hot dog. I thought everyone did this, but when I met someone from the south, I found out otherwise.
This year's Brat Days featured performer was Violent Femmes. When I first got to my mom's house, I was sitting down with her in the living room. She was talking about how she didn't really want to go to Brat Days because there were no good bands playing this year. I asked who was playing and she said, "The Violent Femmes." And then I was all like, "THE VIOLENT FEMMES?!?!" Well, ok, I wasn't all that dramatic, but I thought it was funny that my mom said there were no good bands, and I think that is one of the only bands that would actually make me want to go down to Brat Days instead of avoid it like the plague.
Anyway, the fact that they were playing at Brat Days, makes me feel older. When I was younger, the performers were bands I didn't know that were popular because of one song that played on the radio when my parents were teenagers (at the latest). Now they have bands/performers that were popular when I was listening to music. Hmm, oh well. The Femmes were awesome however. It was funny to see the crowd react to their songs. They gave a polite applause after each song. When they finally played "Blister in the Sun" that is when the crowd went wild. Sheboygan is not too hip with the music, so they don't know many other songs by The Violent Femmes.
8/05/2006
Little Pictures Have Big Ears
I went back to my hometown this weekend. While at home, my mom told me a story about my little cousin saying something funny in front of strangers regarding another family member of ours. My mom went on to say that my cousin reminder her of me when I was little. I was not afraid to say what was on my mind in front of family and friends of my parents. For example, I told one of my parents friends that her hair was "snarly." Luckily for me, she thought I said her hair was gnarly, so she just thanked me.
My mom also told me about a funny story about a trip I took to the grocery store with my dad when I was about two years old. My dad was pushing around the cart, with me sitting in the front seat, when I let out a burp. There was an older woman in the same aisle, so to show that my dad was raising a polite girl, he asked me, "What do you say?" and I replied, "Better out than in." I learned that from my dad who would occasionally say that when he let out burps or farts. I was a bright child who picked up things fast, awhile embarrassing my parents with my social skills.
I think I told the story already somewhere in this blog, but I don't care.
My mom also told me about a funny story about a trip I took to the grocery store with my dad when I was about two years old. My dad was pushing around the cart, with me sitting in the front seat, when I let out a burp. There was an older woman in the same aisle, so to show that my dad was raising a polite girl, he asked me, "What do you say?" and I replied, "Better out than in." I learned that from my dad who would occasionally say that when he let out burps or farts. I was a bright child who picked up things fast, awhile embarrassing my parents with my social skills.
I think I told the story already somewhere in this blog, but I don't care.
8/03/2006
Rent-a-Baby
Yesterday, I finally used my YMCA membership to actually swim. And not that recreational splash around type of swimming. No I did the laps type of swimming. Doing this made me realize how out of shape I am. I did 50 meters (two laps of the pool) and I stopped to catch my breath. Dang. While on my high school swim team I would do 60 laps (1500 meters) for a warm-up.
Anyway. I was swimming in the same lane as CM and JR. While we were taking our extended breaks at the end of the pools we were watching the swim lessons going down in the lane next to us. The kids were around 2-3 years old and so adorable. It was funny to see the range of fearlessness the kids had. Some kids were charging right into the pool. Other kids were grasping for their lives onto the swim instructor (even though they had a floaty-thing strapped on their backs and a noodle to hang onto).
Watching these kids made me want a kid of my own to teach how to swim. In fact, I want to have a kid that I can play with and have an excuse to go to places like Chuckee Cheeses or children's Museums. Those places are awesome. Why can't adults go? I'm just a kid at heart. My mom tells me that I am really good with my little cousins (who range from the ages of 2-8 years old) because instead of interacting with the other adults I will play games with the little kids at family functions. What she doesn't know is that I really like to play those games and I am just happy to have someone I can be goofy with.
Just because I like children does not mean that I want to birth or raise a child. I just want one for a few hours so I can play with it. CM and I have talked about starting a Rent a Baby business before. It would almost be like day care. Parents who work would bring in their kids. Then people that would want to rent them would come in. It would work like foster care (or how foster care should work) in that we would do extensive background checks to make sure we don't have any meany mcmean people coming in to rent babies.
I would probably be one of those people that would not be allowed to rent a baby because, for example, if I were to rent a baby/child to teach how to swim I would probably end up tossing the kid into the pool saying, "This is how you learn how to swim kid!" Don't worry, I would make sure that they had on some kind of flotation device. Another example, with my sister's friend's 5 year old daughter: During the 4th of July parade I got her to start chanting (to the Republican State Senator as he passed by with re-election campaign literature), "We say no. No to Joe." I also like to tell kids things I know that are not true, just to see if they believe me. Yeah, kids don't fully grasp sarcasm and it is not good to use it with them.
JR, CM and I need to find a way to combine Captain Oily's and this Rent-a-Baby business.
Anyway. I was swimming in the same lane as CM and JR. While we were taking our extended breaks at the end of the pools we were watching the swim lessons going down in the lane next to us. The kids were around 2-3 years old and so adorable. It was funny to see the range of fearlessness the kids had. Some kids were charging right into the pool. Other kids were grasping for their lives onto the swim instructor (even though they had a floaty-thing strapped on their backs and a noodle to hang onto).
Watching these kids made me want a kid of my own to teach how to swim. In fact, I want to have a kid that I can play with and have an excuse to go to places like Chuckee Cheeses or children's Museums. Those places are awesome. Why can't adults go? I'm just a kid at heart. My mom tells me that I am really good with my little cousins (who range from the ages of 2-8 years old) because instead of interacting with the other adults I will play games with the little kids at family functions. What she doesn't know is that I really like to play those games and I am just happy to have someone I can be goofy with.
Just because I like children does not mean that I want to birth or raise a child. I just want one for a few hours so I can play with it. CM and I have talked about starting a Rent a Baby business before. It would almost be like day care. Parents who work would bring in their kids. Then people that would want to rent them would come in. It would work like foster care (or how foster care should work) in that we would do extensive background checks to make sure we don't have any meany mcmean people coming in to rent babies.
I would probably be one of those people that would not be allowed to rent a baby because, for example, if I were to rent a baby/child to teach how to swim I would probably end up tossing the kid into the pool saying, "This is how you learn how to swim kid!" Don't worry, I would make sure that they had on some kind of flotation device. Another example, with my sister's friend's 5 year old daughter: During the 4th of July parade I got her to start chanting (to the Republican State Senator as he passed by with re-election campaign literature), "We say no. No to Joe." I also like to tell kids things I know that are not true, just to see if they believe me. Yeah, kids don't fully grasp sarcasm and it is not good to use it with them.
JR, CM and I need to find a way to combine Captain Oily's and this Rent-a-Baby business.
8/02/2006
Games Which I Get Sucked Into
My Dream Last Night
So last night, I had a dream with Sarah Jessica Parker. In my dream, Sarah was my friend. She was still, famous actress on the television show Sex and the City, but for some reason I ended up being her BFF. Anyway, we were having this conversation about her being on "Hot" lists or "Sexiest" lists or even "Most Beautiful" lists. Then she was going on about why she was on those types of lists. The reason she gave me, was that her look was so unique and yet she was still elegant, graceful and sophisticated looking. Also, because she had a killer sense of style. My only response to her, in the dream, was "Um yeah. I still don't get it." Dang, I'm a bitch in my dreams too.
8/01/2006
All Grown Up~~~Worst Blog Ever
I was taking a shower earlier, and as I was shaving my legs I thought about the very first time I did that. It is one of those passages in a girl's life. A big step that makes you feel like you are that much closer to womanhood. That first time shaving your legs...It's actually fun. As you get older, you realize what a pain in the ass it is. Waxing is not much of an alternative since it hurts like a mother. Laser treatments are expensive and not that useful. I could not shave my legs at all (hey, everyone already thinks I am a hippie), but I like the way my legs feel when I rub them together right after I shave.
Anyway, back to my first time shaving my legs. I remember I wanted to do it badly. My sister is only 11 months older than me, so not surprisingly, when she would reach a "milestone" I would want the same thing to happen to me as well. I asked my mom if I could. I don't remember if she protested much but I got my way.
If I remember right, the first shaving took place on top of my kitchen table. I don't know why that happened either. Maybe my mom wanted to make sure I was doing it right and I wouldn't slaughter my legs. Maybe I wanted to be on display for everyone to see me being an adult. I didn't get any nicks or cuts. I was a pro!
Isn't it weird how these type of memories just suddenly hit you and then you kind of stew on it for awhile?
I won't share anymore memories of my first steps into womanhood because...That's just gross.
Anyway, back to my first time shaving my legs. I remember I wanted to do it badly. My sister is only 11 months older than me, so not surprisingly, when she would reach a "milestone" I would want the same thing to happen to me as well. I asked my mom if I could. I don't remember if she protested much but I got my way.
If I remember right, the first shaving took place on top of my kitchen table. I don't know why that happened either. Maybe my mom wanted to make sure I was doing it right and I wouldn't slaughter my legs. Maybe I wanted to be on display for everyone to see me being an adult. I didn't get any nicks or cuts. I was a pro!
Isn't it weird how these type of memories just suddenly hit you and then you kind of stew on it for awhile?
I won't share anymore memories of my first steps into womanhood because...That's just gross.
7/26/2006
My local Fox news affliate is moral and going to heaven
Here is why:
1). News story about why teenage girls dress too provocatively (I roll my eyes at what they think is provocative). How this leads to sexual behavior (I'm sure it has nothing to do with hormones mixed with curiousity and a dash of having no sexual education from teachers or parents). Anchor talks about how that type of dress distracts the teenage boys from learning. Um, ok. Yeah, those little girls..they are slutty and just asking for it. If I could, I would insert an icon that has rolling eyes.
2). Beyonce's new video (featuring current boyfriend Jay Z) is under fire for being too sexual. Haven't seen the entire video myself but the little snippet they showed looked harmless. I mean, I didn't see any dry humping. You can see much worse with people in other videos who are not couples in real life. These videos can usually be seen on BET late, late at night (from what I hear).
Is this story even worth airing? Oh wait, slow news night. They are also airing a story about a wax figurine being made in the likness of Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. I hate the world we live in that this crap is newsworthy. (Please ignore the fact that I am even writing about it.)
3). Christina Aguilara's new album is going to be softer. Then the anchor says "This coming from someone who had a song called Dirrrty onan album called Stripped." Oh, X-Tina is soooooooo scandelous.
1). News story about why teenage girls dress too provocatively (I roll my eyes at what they think is provocative). How this leads to sexual behavior (I'm sure it has nothing to do with hormones mixed with curiousity and a dash of having no sexual education from teachers or parents). Anchor talks about how that type of dress distracts the teenage boys from learning. Um, ok. Yeah, those little girls..they are slutty and just asking for it. If I could, I would insert an icon that has rolling eyes.
2). Beyonce's new video (featuring current boyfriend Jay Z) is under fire for being too sexual. Haven't seen the entire video myself but the little snippet they showed looked harmless. I mean, I didn't see any dry humping. You can see much worse with people in other videos who are not couples in real life. These videos can usually be seen on BET late, late at night (from what I hear).
Is this story even worth airing? Oh wait, slow news night. They are also airing a story about a wax figurine being made in the likness of Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. I hate the world we live in that this crap is newsworthy. (Please ignore the fact that I am even writing about it.)
3). Christina Aguilara's new album is going to be softer. Then the anchor says "This coming from someone who had a song called Dirrrty onan album called Stripped." Oh, X-Tina is soooooooo scandelous.
Some More Boy Band News.
Lance Bass of N'Sync is Gay. Gay, gay, gay. Apparently he is dating Reichen of "Reichen and Chip" on Amazing Race. I always thought that guy was cute. Nice catch Lance.
I don't know why this news is current. I remember finding out, well kind of finding out, while watching Kathy Griffen's "My Life on the D-list," or whatever that god-awful show is called. She was hanging out at her new house and invited her friends over. She was talking about how they were all gay. Then they showed her friends with a caption that read "Gay friends" and I sat there thinking, "That one dude looks like that guy from N'Sync." Yep, it was Lance. Even then, it didn't SHOCK me that he was gay. Not that I sat there trying to figure out who was gay in his band. I just genuinely didn't care to think about any of their sex lives, because I just didn't care.
Even though I didn't and still don't (I swear!) care, I love me some celebrity "gossip." I remember reading somewhere, once upon a time, that Lance dated that girl from"Boy Meets World." So I imdb-ed it and this is what it states currently:
"She use to date Lance Bass from *N Sync, but the constant time apart led to their break up. They are reportedly still friends."
That, and the fact that he liked men just like her. Well, here's to hoping that men can be openly gay while in boy bands and not have to cover it up to make sure that it does't "hurt" the band.
Oh, and I also hope Lance knows he is going to hell.
I don't know why this news is current. I remember finding out, well kind of finding out, while watching Kathy Griffen's "My Life on the D-list," or whatever that god-awful show is called. She was hanging out at her new house and invited her friends over. She was talking about how they were all gay. Then they showed her friends with a caption that read "Gay friends" and I sat there thinking, "That one dude looks like that guy from N'Sync." Yep, it was Lance. Even then, it didn't SHOCK me that he was gay. Not that I sat there trying to figure out who was gay in his band. I just genuinely didn't care to think about any of their sex lives, because I just didn't care.
Even though I didn't and still don't (I swear!) care, I love me some celebrity "gossip." I remember reading somewhere, once upon a time, that Lance dated that girl from"Boy Meets World." So I imdb-ed it and this is what it states currently:
"She use to date Lance Bass from *N Sync, but the constant time apart led to their break up. They are reportedly still friends."
That, and the fact that he liked men just like her. Well, here's to hoping that men can be openly gay while in boy bands and not have to cover it up to make sure that it does't "hurt" the band.
Oh, and I also hope Lance knows he is going to hell.
7/25/2006
Visit These Websites!
www.wordorigins.org - While having a discussion with friends, the phrase "Indian Giver" came up. There was some confusion on why the statement was offensive and who it was referring to in particular. Myself, I never really understand the phrase either (Hey, I never said I was smart). So, I did what I always do: I googled it. By typing in the phrase "Indian Giver Origin" the first search result leads you to this site. Once I got my explanation of where the phrase came from (if your wondering...look it up yourself) I kept on perusing the site. I find etymology really fascinating. I know, I am a nerd. But I also like this site because it goes into folklore, false rumors and admits when it doesn't know.
My Cat Hates You - Funny site that shows the true evil side that lurks in all kitties. Here is what the site states in its "About" section:
1. 75% of my cat-owning friends love to talk about how badass their cats are and/or how their cats hate everything.
2. I too hate people, so I can relate to the statements included with each hateful photo.
Here is an example and here is another good one.
---Do sudoku online! I have been wasting a lot of time online doing this.
--Has anyone seen the promotions for the new show on NBC called Heroes? I went to the official site and watched the trailers and read a little bit about the storyline, and it seems interesting. I think it is a show I could really get into but not tell anyone because I would be too embarrassed to admit that I like it.
Plus it has that little girl from Remember the Titans, who I thought was soooooooo adorable. I am surprised to see that she turned into a pretty teenager. She is at the age where formerly cute child stars turn into awkward to ugly looking washed-out has-beens. Oh, I am pretty sure that she is hiding more than one addiction as happens to almost all child stars, (Stephanie Tanner anyone?) but at least she is working and doesn't looked cracked/methed out.
Ok, I got nothing else.
My Cat Hates You - Funny site that shows the true evil side that lurks in all kitties. Here is what the site states in its "About" section:
"But there is another side to Cat, is there not? A side that harbors deep-seated, almost primal, resentment toward us and our gangly, pseudo-intelligent, simian ways. And what creature wouldn't? If someone treated YOU the way we treat THEM, you would hate too. The premise behind this site is just that; your cat, though soft, cuddly and sweet, could really do without the likes of you, and me."
1. 75% of my cat-owning friends love to talk about how badass their cats are and/or how their cats hate everything.
2. I too hate people, so I can relate to the statements included with each hateful photo.
Here is an example and here is another good one.
---Do sudoku online! I have been wasting a lot of time online doing this.
--Has anyone seen the promotions for the new show on NBC called Heroes? I went to the official site and watched the trailers and read a little bit about the storyline, and it seems interesting. I think it is a show I could really get into but not tell anyone because I would be too embarrassed to admit that I like it.
Plus it has that little girl from Remember the Titans, who I thought was soooooooo adorable. I am surprised to see that she turned into a pretty teenager. She is at the age where formerly cute child stars turn into awkward to ugly looking washed-out has-beens. Oh, I am pretty sure that she is hiding more than one addiction as happens to almost all child stars, (Stephanie Tanner anyone?) but at least she is working and doesn't looked cracked/methed out.
Ok, I got nothing else.
7/19/2006
Welcome to my life, tattoo!
When I got my first tattoo my dad found out, started to laugh and sang The Who's Tattoo. It was one of those, "I'm 18, so its time to get one," tattoos. I did take time to figure out what I wanted before I went in to get it. I was a little pissed that exactly what I wanted just happened to be on the wall of the shop.
When I got my second tattoo, my parents were supportive because it was simply three letters on my foot. They were only supportive because they were my grandmother's initials and thought it was a fitting tribute to her (she had past away a month prior).
On Monday I just got my third tattoo. I have been waiting about two years to get it done. The design of it was done by my friend Crystal. She couldn't even go with me to get it because she is all the way on the east coast now. It was my first time going all by myself. I felt like such a grown up, because normally I don't like going places by myself. Also, I like someone I know to be there with me while I go get the tattoo so they can distract me from the pain through conversation.
Only person that had an opinion this time around was my sister, whose exact words (upon finding out I was getting it and where I was planning on putting it-upper middle of my back-) were, "You couldn't wait until after my wedding?"Hee. At least I am still making my parents proud by putting my tattoos in places that can be hidden by work clothes. And I still look like a clean wholesome innocent woman that wouldn't dare have tattoos, because they are only for bikers and prostitutes.
When I got my second tattoo, my parents were supportive because it was simply three letters on my foot. They were only supportive because they were my grandmother's initials and thought it was a fitting tribute to her (she had past away a month prior).
On Monday I just got my third tattoo. I have been waiting about two years to get it done. The design of it was done by my friend Crystal. She couldn't even go with me to get it because she is all the way on the east coast now. It was my first time going all by myself. I felt like such a grown up, because normally I don't like going places by myself. Also, I like someone I know to be there with me while I go get the tattoo so they can distract me from the pain through conversation.
Only person that had an opinion this time around was my sister, whose exact words (upon finding out I was getting it and where I was planning on putting it-upper middle of my back-) were, "You couldn't wait until after my wedding?"Hee. At least I am still making my parents proud by putting my tattoos in places that can be hidden by work clothes. And I still look like a clean wholesome innocent woman that wouldn't dare have tattoos, because they are only for bikers and prostitutes.
7/18/2006
Entire day of the 15th: So this is what hell feels like
Last Saturday my sister and her boy came up to visit me. I sat in my nice air conditioned apartment knowing it was sweltering outside, but still thought it was a great idea to go to Bastille Days, which is basically French fest in Milwaukee. Man, was that a bad idea. I seem to have forgot that my sister is allergic to sweat/heat/the sudden change from cool to hot. Her face was bright red and she kept on complaining. Luckily for her I found the fest to be boring so I didn't mind up leaving after an hour. The heat doesn't bother me too much. It is bothersome, but I know I won't die as long as I hydrate and not move that much.
We spent the next few hours at my apartment watching Love Actually (and I did a little sudoku). But then we became hungry. So I suggested the place with really good grilled cheese. Only, we found out once we got there that we had to sit outside because there was some kind of party going on (looked like a rather well-off family because they took up 3/4 of the bar, which is set nicely on the riverside). So we were sweating eating our dinner. The others may have not liked it, but I got my fancy grilled cheese so I didn't care.
Later on in the night, we went to go to my friend's CD release party/show. If you think you'd like bluegrass with a little amphetamine twist, take a look their website. The bar was air conditioned, but you would not have noticed. That bar area made the outside feel cool. We toughed it out as long as we could (two opening bands and 5ish songs of my friends band) before my sister wanted to leave. I heard that we missed my friend strip down naked later in the show. So thankful I missed that one.
I think my sister's boy was scared of the bar. So many scary tattooed smoking people. Heh.
We spent the next few hours at my apartment watching Love Actually (and I did a little sudoku). But then we became hungry. So I suggested the place with really good grilled cheese. Only, we found out once we got there that we had to sit outside because there was some kind of party going on (looked like a rather well-off family because they took up 3/4 of the bar, which is set nicely on the riverside). So we were sweating eating our dinner. The others may have not liked it, but I got my fancy grilled cheese so I didn't care.
Later on in the night, we went to go to my friend's CD release party/show. If you think you'd like bluegrass with a little amphetamine twist, take a look their website. The bar was air conditioned, but you would not have noticed. That bar area made the outside feel cool. We toughed it out as long as we could (two opening bands and 5ish songs of my friends band) before my sister wanted to leave. I heard that we missed my friend strip down naked later in the show. So thankful I missed that one.
I think my sister's boy was scared of the bar. So many scary tattooed smoking people. Heh.
Night of the 14th: Being really really ridiculously good looking: new friends you meet at bars
Last Friday night, I met up with my friend (same one from Seether night) to have a few drinks while she filled me in about all the happenings in her life that one week. My friends convince me to not drive home that night, and take a cab with them, so I can drink my to my heart's desire. I don't need much convincing (I know that 90% of my posting are/seem alcohol related, but I am not an alcoholic).
The Budweiser guys came around three time to hand out free beer to our table. While in the bathroom one of our fellow drinkers ran into a hair stylist and invited (?) her to come to our table. This stylist's friend was hilarious, but not in the intentional way. She was talking to Danielle and myself about how she and her friends have a hard time making friends with other girls, because they are so good looking. I stare blankly at her, thinking, "ok, I don't really believe that second part, but even so, so what?" I think she thinks girls are catty towards attractive girls, which they are sometimes, but she wasn't that pretty. I would say she falls in the category of butterfaces. Then she went on to say that she even has girls come up to her and tell her how gorgeous she is. When the girl is distracted by Budweiser guy I look over at my friend with a "is this girl serious?" look. Then the girl decides to leave with her friends, and asked us to come with. Surprisingly, we didn't jump at that chance.
We taxi-ed our way to the next bar. Nothing to exciting except when I got asked by some dude if he could buy me a drink. I wasn't aware of the way I said no, but apparently it was funny. A guy my friend met up with watched it, and said it looked like I laughed rolled my eyes and shooed that boy away. I'm guessing it looked like I out-dissed him in a "I'm too good for you way." When in reality I was laughing at the guy and said no, because he LITERALLY could not buy me a drink, they made last call 15 minutes prior. Please! Because it happens so rarely we all know I would take a free drink from anyone (as long as I was at the bar with them so they couldn't roofie it) as long as I can find an out (ex. Oh, I need to go find my friend! She's really drunk!) from the conversation that follows. I'm a cold hearted snake.
The Budweiser guys came around three time to hand out free beer to our table. While in the bathroom one of our fellow drinkers ran into a hair stylist and invited (?) her to come to our table. This stylist's friend was hilarious, but not in the intentional way. She was talking to Danielle and myself about how she and her friends have a hard time making friends with other girls, because they are so good looking. I stare blankly at her, thinking, "ok, I don't really believe that second part, but even so, so what?" I think she thinks girls are catty towards attractive girls, which they are sometimes, but she wasn't that pretty. I would say she falls in the category of butterfaces. Then she went on to say that she even has girls come up to her and tell her how gorgeous she is. When the girl is distracted by Budweiser guy I look over at my friend with a "is this girl serious?" look. Then the girl decides to leave with her friends, and asked us to come with. Surprisingly, we didn't jump at that chance.
We taxi-ed our way to the next bar. Nothing to exciting except when I got asked by some dude if he could buy me a drink. I wasn't aware of the way I said no, but apparently it was funny. A guy my friend met up with watched it, and said it looked like I laughed rolled my eyes and shooed that boy away. I'm guessing it looked like I out-dissed him in a "I'm too good for you way." When in reality I was laughing at the guy and said no, because he LITERALLY could not buy me a drink, they made last call 15 minutes prior. Please! Because it happens so rarely we all know I would take a free drink from anyone (as long as I was at the bar with them so they couldn't roofie it) as long as I can find an out (ex. Oh, I need to go find my friend! She's really drunk!) from the conversation that follows. I'm a cold hearted snake.
Day of the 9th: apocalyptic rain and food drives
I volunteered to help a friend with her job's food drive. Apparently the Goo Goo Dolls (who were in town for? You guessed it...Summerfest) have a thing for their summer tour where at every stop they get a local food pantry to set up a table and they would inform their fans to bring non-perishable foods. I really wasn't needed. In fact, I think my friend didn't even have to be there to collect food. Here is the reasons why:
1. A total of three fans brought food. Geez, you would think Goo Goo Dolls fans would be more charitable.
2. It was terribly organized. My friend was not informed properly of where to set up (outside the Summerfest gates next to the stage the band was performing at), what to bring etc. We got there and had to bring a table and sign (the latter which we didn't have so we just looked like kids hanging out at a table).
3. It was hotter than a Hades. I wouldn't blame fans for not wanted to lug food around from the parking lots to the Summerfest grounds.
4. In the midst of everything the skies darkened, clouds rolled in and it got chilly. And....down pour. We had a three foot wide shelter to stand underneath that didn't help because the rain was coming from a 45 degree angle.
We gave up and left with three bags worth of cherry filling, dried tortellini and other random (but helpful) food. What a bust. We really wanted to demand to see Johnny Reznik to give him a piece of our minds. First I would tell him that his music sucks, then I would tell him that his marketing/pr people need to work on the charity/fundraising skills. Still thinking about writing a strongly worded letter.
1. A total of three fans brought food. Geez, you would think Goo Goo Dolls fans would be more charitable.
2. It was terribly organized. My friend was not informed properly of where to set up (outside the Summerfest gates next to the stage the band was performing at), what to bring etc. We got there and had to bring a table and sign (the latter which we didn't have so we just looked like kids hanging out at a table).
3. It was hotter than a Hades. I wouldn't blame fans for not wanted to lug food around from the parking lots to the Summerfest grounds.
4. In the midst of everything the skies darkened, clouds rolled in and it got chilly. And....down pour. We had a three foot wide shelter to stand underneath that didn't help because the rain was coming from a 45 degree angle.
We gave up and left with three bags worth of cherry filling, dried tortellini and other random (but helpful) food. What a bust. We really wanted to demand to see Johnny Reznik to give him a piece of our minds. First I would tell him that his music sucks, then I would tell him that his marketing/pr people need to work on the charity/fundraising skills. Still thinking about writing a strongly worded letter.
Night of the 8th - Seether: a band that sucks
I went to go see them at Summerfest. My friend really wanted to go and had free tickets, so I figured I would go and drink my way through the misery. Besides, I have dragged my friends to bands they either didn't like/know.
Sorry to all the Seether fans out there, but they just are a painful band to listen to. Not a fan of the genre in the first place, so whatever. Luckily my friend had another friend that we met up with, so I could busy myself by making several trips to the beer tent, and several trips to the bathroom and she still had someone to be with to watch the show. So in total, I saw about 10 minutes of the show. Good times.
Afterward we took the free bus to the downtown area to drink some more. While riding we chatted with some guy (15-20 years older than us) who was also a Wisconsin alum and talked about our majors and what we were doing currently (we were being polite because this guy was rather belligerently annoying). At our stop we said goodbye and got off the bus. Halfway down the block we notice same guy following us. We enter the bar, and so does he. We order our drinks and stand in a corner and he joins us again. For about 10 minutes my friends and I don't really say anything, just staring at each other, "subtly" giving the hint we were not interested in engaging in conversation. Hee, we are beeyotches. Finally the guy leaves the bar. We always befriend random people whilst we are out drinking that like to follow us around for the remainder of the night (I will post another amusing story later).
Sorry to all the Seether fans out there, but they just are a painful band to listen to. Not a fan of the genre in the first place, so whatever. Luckily my friend had another friend that we met up with, so I could busy myself by making several trips to the beer tent, and several trips to the bathroom and she still had someone to be with to watch the show. So in total, I saw about 10 minutes of the show. Good times.
Afterward we took the free bus to the downtown area to drink some more. While riding we chatted with some guy (15-20 years older than us) who was also a Wisconsin alum and talked about our majors and what we were doing currently (we were being polite because this guy was rather belligerently annoying). At our stop we said goodbye and got off the bus. Halfway down the block we notice same guy following us. We enter the bar, and so does he. We order our drinks and stand in a corner and he joins us again. For about 10 minutes my friends and I don't really say anything, just staring at each other, "subtly" giving the hint we were not interested in engaging in conversation. Hee, we are beeyotches. Finally the guy leaves the bar. We always befriend random people whilst we are out drinking that like to follow us around for the remainder of the night (I will post another amusing story later).
7/06/2006
Ever wonder what it means to have "Traditional Values" AKA How the Gays made Baby Jesus cry
Well here you go. This is taken from the Traditional Values Coalition website.
I highlighted my favorite parts in blue and added my commentary in red. Keeping it patriotic yo.
"A moral code and behavior based upon the Old and New Testaments. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that the Lord has given us a rule book to live by: The Bible. We are committed to living, as far as it is possible, by the moral precepts taught by Jesus Christ and by the whole counsel of God as revealed in the Bible.
I highlighted my favorite parts in blue and added my commentary in red. Keeping it patriotic yo.
"A moral code and behavior based upon the Old and New Testaments. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that the Lord has given us a rule book to live by: The Bible. We are committed to living, as far as it is possible, by the moral precepts taught by Jesus Christ and by the whole counsel of God as revealed in the Bible.
As an outgrowth of our commitment to the Bible, we believe the following:
Right To Life: We believe that every human deserves the right to life—from conception to death—and that we do not have the right to kill unborn children nor to murder the elderly through active euthanasia. We do, however, support the death penalty. The Bible is clear that the government has the responsibility to provide for peace and security for its people. We also believe the government has the power to take the lives of those who murder others and to wage war against our enemies.
"Because murdering our enemires and other murders doesn't count."
Fidelity In Marriage And Abstinence Before Marriage: Based upon biblical principles, we believe that marriage is to be a lifelong commitment. We also believe that fidelity in marriage is essential. We also believe that teenagers and young adults should be taught to abstain from sexual contact until after they are married. The epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases running rampant in our culture is evidence of the failure of the sex education movement. Violating God’s principles on chastity has dire consequences. We support the God-ordained institution of the family, which is a union of a man and woman, with or without children—and is based upon marriage, blood, or adoption.
"Wait...there is/was a sex education movement? Missed out on that one. Also, I think that heterosexual married couples who are willingly without children (and plan to be that way forever) should go to hell too. I mean, they are having sex for fun! Those sinners."
Homosexuality, Bi-Sexuality, Transgenderism, And Other Deviant Sexual Behaviors: The Bible clearly condemns all sexual behaviors outside of marriage between one man and one woman. Homosexual behavior is explicitly condemned in both the Old and New Testaments as an abomination and a violation of God’s standards for sexuality. We oppose the normalization of sodomy as well as cross-dressing and other deviant sexual behaviors in our culture.
"Well, this speaks for itself, doesn't it. But, I just want to know what these "other deviant sexual behaviors" are. I bet masturbation is one of them. Its really hard to reproduce that way."
Pornography: The spread of pornography in our culture is a threat to the stability of families and frequently results in family break down, child molestations, and spousal abuse. We oppose this threat because it destroys families and it destroys the person who has become addicted to it. Pornography is a progressive addiction that ruins the conscience of the person. Frequently, this person acts out his sexual fantasies by molesting children, raping girls, and committing other sexual crimes—including murder.
"I wonder if divinity schools have pornography, because that seems to produce a lot of child molesters."
Patriotism, Loyalty To Country, And Political Involvement: We believe that we are to be good citizens. This means we are loyal to our nation (not blind loyalty "they mean literally blind here", however); we are to support our Armed Forces, law enforcement officials, and we should participate in the political process. We live in a free country but we will not remain free if we do not exercise our rights as citizens.
"Just don't ask so many gosh darn questions."
We believe in the principles outlined in our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, and the writings of our Founding Fathers. We support free enterprise, limited government, low taxes, and personal responsibility. We believe in self government, not self indulgence. We do not believe that the federal government should extend its power over every aspect of our lives. The best government is the one that governs the least.
"Now let us tap your phone. Keep records of your online activity, and library records. Also, you know these are the same people that are complaining about city roads, sanitation, parks being crappy but keep on voting for people for lower taxes only."
Religious Freedom: We are advocates of religious freedom. We believe the First Amendment to our Constitution gives all of us the right to freely exercise our religious faith and that religious faith is the cornerstone of freedom in this nation. Our Founding Fathers supported religion, purchased Bibles, established congressional chaplains, and sent missionaries to witness to the Indians. They enacted the First Amendment to protect religious freedom, not to stifle it. We are opposed to any movement in this country that will strip away our constitutional rights to freedom of religion, speech, and association.
"And by religious freedom, we mean as long as you are under the umbrella of Chrisitianity."
Addictive Behaviors: We are opposed to the spread of legalized gambling in our society because this behavior frequently leads to addictions, the destruction of families, and the abuse of children. We oppose the legalization of addictive drugs and support strong law enforcement efforts against this societal scourge. We believe it is self-destructive and destructive of our culture, for individuals to become addicted to such behaviors as gambling, alcohol, smoking, pornography, or the use of drugs.
"Because if anyone partakes in any of the above, automatically they are addicted"
Discrimination And Tolerance: We are not tolerant of behaviors that destroy individuals, families, and our culture. Individuals may be free to pursue such behaviors as sodomy, but we will not and cannot tolerate these behaviors. They frequently lead to death. We do not believe it is loving to permit someone to kill themselves by engaging in a self-destructive behavior. We believe in “discrimination” in the good sense: choosing between good and evil, right and wrong, the better and the best. We believe in discrimination in the sense of being discerning between good and bad choices. Popular culture maintains that all forms of discrimination are wrong. This is incorrect. A person with “discriminating taste” is one who uses wisdom in making choices. In short, we believe in intolerance to those things that are evil; and we believe that we should discriminate against those behaviors which are dangerous to individuals and to society.
"WTF??? What happened to the bible saying something to the extent of the only one who is allowed to judge is God? Loving thy neighbor?"
Love And Hate: The Bible teaches us that we are to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. We believe it is a loving response to oppose behaviors that destroy individuals and families. It is not loving to allow someone to kill themselves or other individuals. It is not “hate” to fight against such cultural forces as pornography, drugs, abortion, and sodomy.
"Hee. It just answered my question with a dumbass response."
The Summing Up: Traditional Values are based upon biblical foundations and upon the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, the writings of the Founding Fathers, and upon the writings of great political and religious thinkers throughout the ages.
President George Washington, in his Farewell Address in 1796, said that popular government cannot exist without morality—and morality based upon biblical principles. In effect, he defined traditional values in these words:
Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports….And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. – Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure—reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
In short, Bible-based traditional values are what created and what have preserved our nation. We will lose our freedoms if we reject these values."
Oh no, I don't want to be not free. I better embrace the traditional.
howdootherguyscomparetowill.com
Will Arnett gets a Supporting Actor Emmy Nomination. Yay.
He won't win.
He won't win.
Flogging Molly is for babies
Went to Summerfest last night with my brother-o and his girlfriend. He wanted to go see Flogging Molly (with Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band performing right before them) and asked if I wanted to come along with. I had a free ticket, and didn't have any other plans to go (no bands I desperately wanted to see) so I said I would go.
We got to the stage and sat down right before RPBDB went on, and I knew right away I was going to be annoyed out of my mind. The average age of the kids had to be 16-18. Parents were scattered around as well. The idiots were WEARING Flogging Molly t-shirts. Don't they know you don't wear the band's t-shirt when you go to see them play? Concert faux-pas!
I did have a good time though. I made fun of the guys not wearing shirts, the hippies dancing around likes idiots, the little "punks" pumping their fists to "Rebels of the Sacred Heart." Do these kids even understand where the mentality of Irish punk/rock comes from? Probably not.
RPBDB was awesome. First time I have seem them perform. They have a great sound and good energy. I would go see them again if they come back to Milwaukee.
We got to the stage and sat down right before RPBDB went on, and I knew right away I was going to be annoyed out of my mind. The average age of the kids had to be 16-18. Parents were scattered around as well. The idiots were WEARING Flogging Molly t-shirts. Don't they know you don't wear the band's t-shirt when you go to see them play? Concert faux-pas!
I did have a good time though. I made fun of the guys not wearing shirts, the hippies dancing around likes idiots, the little "punks" pumping their fists to "Rebels of the Sacred Heart." Do these kids even understand where the mentality of Irish punk/rock comes from? Probably not.
RPBDB was awesome. First time I have seem them perform. They have a great sound and good energy. I would go see them again if they come back to Milwaukee.
6/29/2006
Fun things for you to do: Courtesy CM
I don't know where she finds this stuff:
McDonalds Video Game. You help manage the pasteurs, the slaughterhouses, the chains, and the coporate offices. My record before going bankrupt is 15 years, and I almost hit 100,000 dollars. Yay for capitalism.
thepregnancytester.com It tells me that I am indeed pregnant! I am having a boy who will weigh 14lbs 16oz, be 21inches long and have blonde hair and hazel eyes. The baby daddy is Fabio. Upon his birth (December 25th at 7:16pm), he shall be named Justin Daniel.
and one my brother introduced to me, and loves:
Kitty Cat Dance. That song will be stuck in your head, regardless if you like it or not.
McDonalds Video Game. You help manage the pasteurs, the slaughterhouses, the chains, and the coporate offices. My record before going bankrupt is 15 years, and I almost hit 100,000 dollars. Yay for capitalism.
thepregnancytester.com It tells me that I am indeed pregnant! I am having a boy who will weigh 14lbs 16oz, be 21inches long and have blonde hair and hazel eyes. The baby daddy is Fabio. Upon his birth (December 25th at 7:16pm), he shall be named Justin Daniel.
and one my brother introduced to me, and loves:
Kitty Cat Dance. That song will be stuck in your head, regardless if you like it or not.
6/26/2006
Sophie, why I don't hate poodles quite that much anymore
I usually hate poodles. With their stupid groomed fur. They look stuck up, and from the few I have known in the past it is true. Usually, short tempered and nippy as well. But CM's dog, Sophie, is different.
Sophie always greets me whenever I come over to visit. She isn't groomed to have that puffball look. She knows cools tricks, like knowing which stuffed animal is which. Oh, and she is black. You all know how much I hate whities.
Sophie always greets me whenever I come over to visit. She isn't groomed to have that puffball look. She knows cools tricks, like knowing which stuffed animal is which. Oh, and she is black. You all know how much I hate whities.
Backstreet Boys say goodbye to Richardson
My first reactions to seeing this headline on Yahoo! News:
1. The Backstreet Boys are still together?
2. Which one is Richardson?
3. (after seeing the picture of him) NOOOOOOOOOOOOO....Not the one with the eyebrows!
4. Heh, HE's the first one to leave? Come on Nick Carter, I thought you were suppose to be the Justin Timberlake of the Backstreet Boys.
5. Wow, does anyone care?
1. The Backstreet Boys are still together?
2. Which one is Richardson?
3. (after seeing the picture of him) NOOOOOOOOOOOOO....Not the one with the eyebrows!
4. Heh, HE's the first one to leave? Come on Nick Carter, I thought you were suppose to be the Justin Timberlake of the Backstreet Boys.
5. Wow, does anyone care?
6/21/2006
***Cliched title alert*** Another One Bites the Dust
Yet another one of Hussein's lawyers were murdered. I bet defense attorneys are just lining up for that job. Yeesh.
And in the meantime, the US is still turning a blind eye to the happening in Africa with it's own leaders participating or ignoring the genocides/mass killings. Oh how we pick our battles.
I'm thinking about joining some religious organization, but it seems like The Rapture is here. That or human beings are flipping power-hungry idiots.
And in the meantime, the US is still turning a blind eye to the happening in Africa with it's own leaders participating or ignoring the genocides/mass killings. Oh how we pick our battles.
I'm thinking about joining some religious organization, but it seems like The Rapture is here. That or human beings are flipping power-hungry idiots.
Hey.....You!!!
You know what I like a lot? When you run into someone you met while completely inebriated. Upon meeting this person, you are friendly, chatty and declare that this person is awesome and you will be friends forever. Of course, you don't get contact information to actually become friends with said person, but it doesn't matter because that one night of friendship will stay in your memory.
unfortunately, there comes that time when you run into that person and one of three things happen:
1. You remember the person (name, city where born, college attended and other random facts you exchanged with that person). Except that person doesn't acknowledge you. Part of you wonders, does that person remember me? Should I go over there to say hi? But you end up not doing anything because you don't want to come off as a stalker and/or creepy. Perhaps part of it is being embarrassed about the way you acted while drunk.
2. Person approaches you and you remember their face but can't place where exactly you met, or their name, or anything else about them. So, you just say, "Hey...[awkward pause searching brain for name]....you!" I must admit, this happens to me even when I initially meet a person stone cold sober. I am a face-remember-er and not a name remember-er.
3. Person approaches you and you have absolutely no idea who they are. It is similar to number one, except the other person is creepy and/or stalkerish. You apologize for not remembering or you just fake it and pretend like you remember.
I'm sort of a beeeyootch.
unfortunately, there comes that time when you run into that person and one of three things happen:
1. You remember the person (name, city where born, college attended and other random facts you exchanged with that person). Except that person doesn't acknowledge you. Part of you wonders, does that person remember me? Should I go over there to say hi? But you end up not doing anything because you don't want to come off as a stalker and/or creepy. Perhaps part of it is being embarrassed about the way you acted while drunk.
2. Person approaches you and you remember their face but can't place where exactly you met, or their name, or anything else about them. So, you just say, "Hey...[awkward pause searching brain for name]....you!" I must admit, this happens to me even when I initially meet a person stone cold sober. I am a face-remember-er and not a name remember-er.
3. Person approaches you and you have absolutely no idea who they are. It is similar to number one, except the other person is creepy and/or stalkerish. You apologize for not remembering or you just fake it and pretend like you remember.
I'm sort of a beeeyootch.
6/20/2006
My weekend in Sheboygan
First thing I noticed when I walked into my parents' apartment was a big ass plasma TV. I mentioned it to my mom, and she told me that my 20 year-old brother bought it for himself (he is now working a factory job for the summer, making pretty good money). I think this is the dumbest purchase he could have made, but what do I know. I don't have money, and when I have it I hoard it like a mother. I think he should save it for a trip, or at least drinking money for the coming school year.
I met up with a friend from high school for a margarita while I talked about Public Allies. She was in an AmeriCorps program as well, so she knows all about my dramas. While there, we ran into her uncle, who paid for our drinks. Score! I always enjoy free drinks. I couldn't help but notice while we were drinking at the bar, a group of guys sat next to us. I recognized them right away as being guys a year younger than us, that went to our high school. Me, hating everything having to do with my high school, wanted to get out of there immediately. I wasn't scared of them talking to me, because they would have gone on happily ignoring us, it's just I get a fiery ire whenever I see someone (that isn't one of four people I still communicate with) that went to my school.
Saturday, I had breakfast with another friend from high school (one of the four). She used to be one of my "rebellious" friends. Now, she has a nice steady job, a steady boyfriend, a HOUSE (as in she owns it), and is pregnant. Obviously, she did all her growing up in high school. I am really happy for her though. She deserves that happiness.
Went "cake testing" with my sister. Turns out, we just went to the cake-maker and she talked to my sister and her fiance about cakes she makes and prices/designs/flavors/icing etc. And then my sister got to take home two 6-in diameter round cakes (one white and one cheesecake). So then, I went to my sister's place and ate cake. We came to one conclusion, one layer of her wedding cake has got to be cheesecake because DAMN! that shoot was good.
Babysitting Alana, my cousin's seven month old. She is adorable but she is very spoiled. You could put her down on the ground, but you had to be in her sight. If not, this is when she would start crying. Once she saw you, she didn't stop crying, she just lifted up her arms demanding to be picked up. Earlier in the day I bought her a new shirt and skirt, so I tried it on her, because if babies are anything, they are life-sized dolls to play with and dress up. She really doesn't like skirts.
Next, my family went 20 minutes away to have dinner for my parents anniversary and father's day. So, when we get to this steakhouse, in the middle of nowhere, we wait around in the bar area for over an hour and we finally get seated. The place was my sister's idea. I don't know what she thought was so great about it. I could think about 5 other closer places that I could get the broasted chicken dinner I had.
But that doesn't matter, because before I left for Milwaukee, my mom made chili and fry bread. Mmmmm.
I met up with a friend from high school for a margarita while I talked about Public Allies. She was in an AmeriCorps program as well, so she knows all about my dramas. While there, we ran into her uncle, who paid for our drinks. Score! I always enjoy free drinks. I couldn't help but notice while we were drinking at the bar, a group of guys sat next to us. I recognized them right away as being guys a year younger than us, that went to our high school. Me, hating everything having to do with my high school, wanted to get out of there immediately. I wasn't scared of them talking to me, because they would have gone on happily ignoring us, it's just I get a fiery ire whenever I see someone (that isn't one of four people I still communicate with) that went to my school.
Saturday, I had breakfast with another friend from high school (one of the four). She used to be one of my "rebellious" friends. Now, she has a nice steady job, a steady boyfriend, a HOUSE (as in she owns it), and is pregnant. Obviously, she did all her growing up in high school. I am really happy for her though. She deserves that happiness.
Went "cake testing" with my sister. Turns out, we just went to the cake-maker and she talked to my sister and her fiance about cakes she makes and prices/designs/flavors/icing etc. And then my sister got to take home two 6-in diameter round cakes (one white and one cheesecake). So then, I went to my sister's place and ate cake. We came to one conclusion, one layer of her wedding cake has got to be cheesecake because DAMN! that shoot was good.
Babysitting Alana, my cousin's seven month old. She is adorable but she is very spoiled. You could put her down on the ground, but you had to be in her sight. If not, this is when she would start crying. Once she saw you, she didn't stop crying, she just lifted up her arms demanding to be picked up. Earlier in the day I bought her a new shirt and skirt, so I tried it on her, because if babies are anything, they are life-sized dolls to play with and dress up. She really doesn't like skirts.
Next, my family went 20 minutes away to have dinner for my parents anniversary and father's day. So, when we get to this steakhouse, in the middle of nowhere, we wait around in the bar area for over an hour and we finally get seated. The place was my sister's idea. I don't know what she thought was so great about it. I could think about 5 other closer places that I could get the broasted chicken dinner I had.
But that doesn't matter, because before I left for Milwaukee, my mom made chili and fry bread. Mmmmm.
6/15/2006
BOOOOOOOOOOOOORED!!!
Today at work, my supervisor is gone. All my office co-workers are gone. Only people in, besides me are the maintenance guys and they are on-call all day taking care of maintenance issues (duh). Anyway, because I am so bored, I thought I would talk a little bit about my Yahoo Launch account. Well, not talk about it, but to show what kind of music I have on my "station." I turned it on today, and here is the first ten songs played:
1. Roy Orbison "The Comedians"
He played on the station because I rated "Pretty Woman." There is something about his voice that I like a lot. I am not familiar with this song, but his voice is so familiar that I like whatever he sings.
2. Pixies "Levitate Me"
They play a lot on my station, because I ranked them as one of my favorite groups. Love them, love the songs.
3. Tim Easton "Before the Revolution"
I don't know why he played on my station. Probably similar to another artist I rated before. He and the song were just ok to me. I would probably have to hear more stuff to make any final decisions.
4. Pavement "Stereo"
This is one of those songs that I can never get sick of. I can play and replay it over and over again. Its not like I am a huge Pavement fan, they are good but not my favorite. This song is just catchy.
5. Otis Redding "I've Got Dreams to Remember"
Whenever I hear this song, it reminds me of Dream a Little Dream (you know, that movie with the two Coreys, where one of the Coreys' body gets taken over by an old dude and he likes that girl that looks like a poor man's Justine Bateman whose body also got taken over by an old woman). I like Otis Redding a lot, especially "Try a Little Tenderness."
6. Deep Purple "Smoke on the Water"
I don't have much to say here.
7. The Breeders "Cannonball"
To me, this has to be THE MOST catchiest (yes, I did just use MOST and ----iest in one statement) song ever. I love Kim Deal's voice. I love the bass on this song. The lyrics are just weird, which I like. Once again a song I never grow tired of.
8. The White Stripes "Passive Manipulation"
I don't own the latest CD, so I am not familiar with this song. It was over by the time I even noticed it was playing.
9. Rihanna "Pon De Replay"
Part of my pop guilty pleasures. I like the singles that she has had out so far. Plus her name is similar to my sister's so she gets some bonus points there.
10. Duran Duran "Hungry Like the Wolf"
I blame my mom for my love of 80's music. Another guilty pleasure of mine, but at least I can spin it into almost being ironic or retro or something "cool" in one of those annoying indie/hipster ways.
and the next ten, without statements because I am still bored.
11. Gratitude "Drive Away"
12. The Promise Ring "Skips a Beat"
13. The Violent Femmes "Kiss Off"
14. The Apples in Stereo "The Rainbow"
15. Spin Doctors "Two Princes"
16. Talking Heads "electricity"
17. Led Zeppelin "Immigrant Song"
18. Team Sleep "Ever" -- Apparently this and number 11 played because I ranked Ok Go. These two songs suck and sound nothing like Ok Go. Whatever Launchcast!
19. G. Love and Special Sauce "Cold Beverage"
20. Jewel "Drive to You" -- I guess when a popular (or in this case a formally popular) artist has a new album out, Lauchcast likes to pimp it by randomly just playing it on your station. Icky.
1. Roy Orbison "The Comedians"
He played on the station because I rated "Pretty Woman." There is something about his voice that I like a lot. I am not familiar with this song, but his voice is so familiar that I like whatever he sings.
2. Pixies "Levitate Me"
They play a lot on my station, because I ranked them as one of my favorite groups. Love them, love the songs.
3. Tim Easton "Before the Revolution"
I don't know why he played on my station. Probably similar to another artist I rated before. He and the song were just ok to me. I would probably have to hear more stuff to make any final decisions.
4. Pavement "Stereo"
This is one of those songs that I can never get sick of. I can play and replay it over and over again. Its not like I am a huge Pavement fan, they are good but not my favorite. This song is just catchy.
5. Otis Redding "I've Got Dreams to Remember"
Whenever I hear this song, it reminds me of Dream a Little Dream (you know, that movie with the two Coreys, where one of the Coreys' body gets taken over by an old dude and he likes that girl that looks like a poor man's Justine Bateman whose body also got taken over by an old woman). I like Otis Redding a lot, especially "Try a Little Tenderness."
6. Deep Purple "Smoke on the Water"
I don't have much to say here.
7. The Breeders "Cannonball"
To me, this has to be THE MOST catchiest (yes, I did just use MOST and ----iest in one statement) song ever. I love Kim Deal's voice. I love the bass on this song. The lyrics are just weird, which I like. Once again a song I never grow tired of.
8. The White Stripes "Passive Manipulation"
I don't own the latest CD, so I am not familiar with this song. It was over by the time I even noticed it was playing.
9. Rihanna "Pon De Replay"
Part of my pop guilty pleasures. I like the singles that she has had out so far. Plus her name is similar to my sister's so she gets some bonus points there.
10. Duran Duran "Hungry Like the Wolf"
I blame my mom for my love of 80's music. Another guilty pleasure of mine, but at least I can spin it into almost being ironic or retro or something "cool" in one of those annoying indie/hipster ways.
and the next ten, without statements because I am still bored.
11. Gratitude "Drive Away"
12. The Promise Ring "Skips a Beat"
13. The Violent Femmes "Kiss Off"
14. The Apples in Stereo "The Rainbow"
15. Spin Doctors "Two Princes"
16. Talking Heads "electricity"
17. Led Zeppelin "Immigrant Song"
18. Team Sleep "Ever" -- Apparently this and number 11 played because I ranked Ok Go. These two songs suck and sound nothing like Ok Go. Whatever Launchcast!
19. G. Love and Special Sauce "Cold Beverage"
20. Jewel "Drive to You" -- I guess when a popular (or in this case a formally popular) artist has a new album out, Lauchcast likes to pimp it by randomly just playing it on your station. Icky.
6/07/2006
Washing Cars the Carrie Way
I have been driving around in my car for a couple of weeks now, with bird poop all over it. This, of course, is on top of 9 months worth of dirt and salt residue from not washing it since inheriting it from my parents when I moved to Milwaukee. Normally I just let the rain wash my car, but it hasn't been doing the trick lately. When I mentioned to Carrie I needed to get it washed (and that I needed to get a tan) she said I should come over to her place and we would wash our cars and then lay out in the sun. I had nothing else to do on that Sunday so I went.
Let me just say, Carrie is completely thorough when it comes to car washing. First you hose down the car. Then you suds it up, but not completely because you don't want the soap to dry. Then you hose it down again. Next you get one of those fancy drying towels and wipe up the excess water. While doing this, you open your car doors and wipe off the immediate inside so there will be no rust. She also windexed my windows for me (along with a little GooGone for the sticker residue that was left over on my window). She asked if I wanted to vacuum out my car, and I believe I gave her a, "Wha...?" face. Come on now. It doesn't have to be clean all over. I just need a car that runs and I am happy.
I am not an idiot when it comes to car washing, I just like to pay to run my car through an automatic car wash and not do it by hand, because I am lazy.
Let me just say, Carrie is completely thorough when it comes to car washing. First you hose down the car. Then you suds it up, but not completely because you don't want the soap to dry. Then you hose it down again. Next you get one of those fancy drying towels and wipe up the excess water. While doing this, you open your car doors and wipe off the immediate inside so there will be no rust. She also windexed my windows for me (along with a little GooGone for the sticker residue that was left over on my window). She asked if I wanted to vacuum out my car, and I believe I gave her a, "Wha...?" face. Come on now. It doesn't have to be clean all over. I just need a car that runs and I am happy.
I am not an idiot when it comes to car washing, I just like to pay to run my car through an automatic car wash and not do it by hand, because I am lazy.
Working Out, Getting Fit
Since I have gained 10 pounds in the past year and a half, I thought it was about time for me to work out and get in shape. So I asked CM, if she wanted to go running with me in her neighborhood. Then she reminded me that we are not good runners. We would only be embarrassing ourselves. Especially since I would be stopping every block because I would be winded. CM then suggested the YMCA. But I don't have a membership and I was scared of the monthly membership fee. It would destroy my monthly stipend. However, there is a reduction on the monthly membership fee for people, poor, like me. We have gone two whole days already (for an hour each) and we have managed to not feel completely embarrassed at our lack in exercising abilities.
Oh, and I got my first month free. I love free stuff.
Oh, and I got my first month free. I love free stuff.
The Joy of Cleaning Out Storage Areas
Last weekend, my supervisor asked me to help out with a project of cleaning out the towers' storage areas. I said I would, since I really want to use this new area for meeting space, or some kind of community area for the residents of the development. Still crossing my fingers that this will work out, since this area is in need of some space where the residents can meet and actually FEEL like a community as opposed to strangers living in the same area. Not like I think any of this will help in the short term, you know, the time I actually need to see change for my AmeriCorps "goals" or whatever.
Anyway. Before cleaning day, we sent out notices to the residents that we would be cleaning it out, so they could pick up anything we wanted to discard (there was furniture, books, bikes etc. from past residents up there). I got there right when the manager would be opening it up, and there was already a line of people waiting to get in. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of big items to take. The best thing someone got away with was a 30 inch-ish TV.
Other stuff I found was weird: a dried up condom (still rolled up, so unused...I think...and remember I had on work gloves but it was still insanely gross). I also saw these really cool antique looking, wooden cigar boxes. I would have taken them, if a resident didn't take it, but I came out of the experience empty handed because everything was either gross (my gloved hand was sticking to things!) or taken.
One storage bin was interesting. Its content included: "old lady" clothes, stanky ass perfume spilled inside an old school makeup tote, a plant with soil intact, an adult bath commode, a gold box containing rosary beads and a prayer book and here's the best part (especially considering the last thing I listed), a paperback copy of The Joy of Sex. You know, that book from the 70's with illustrated pictures of couples in sexual positions. When I found it I was giggling (because I am actually 12 years old) and a resident and one of my co-workers was next to me, and asked what I found. I showed them. My co-worker said, "That's a classic." And then the resident took it from me and put it into her box of things she was collecting. I would have love to have met the woman who owned those items.
Anyway. Before cleaning day, we sent out notices to the residents that we would be cleaning it out, so they could pick up anything we wanted to discard (there was furniture, books, bikes etc. from past residents up there). I got there right when the manager would be opening it up, and there was already a line of people waiting to get in. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of big items to take. The best thing someone got away with was a 30 inch-ish TV.
Other stuff I found was weird: a dried up condom (still rolled up, so unused...I think...and remember I had on work gloves but it was still insanely gross). I also saw these really cool antique looking, wooden cigar boxes. I would have taken them, if a resident didn't take it, but I came out of the experience empty handed because everything was either gross (my gloved hand was sticking to things!) or taken.
One storage bin was interesting. Its content included: "old lady" clothes, stanky ass perfume spilled inside an old school makeup tote, a plant with soil intact, an adult bath commode, a gold box containing rosary beads and a prayer book and here's the best part (especially considering the last thing I listed), a paperback copy of The Joy of Sex. You know, that book from the 70's with illustrated pictures of couples in sexual positions. When I found it I was giggling (because I am actually 12 years old) and a resident and one of my co-workers was next to me, and asked what I found. I showed them. My co-worker said, "That's a classic." And then the resident took it from me and put it into her box of things she was collecting. I would have love to have met the woman who owned those items.
5/30/2006
You know who else is weird...Brad Pitt.
Hot, but weird. I always thought it was weird that his look changed with each new woman he was with, and then I found a site that shows pictures of his transformation. Boy seems to have issues. I will post the pictures on my blog when I get home, but for now I will just post the link:
With Juliette Lewis (young, "hip", and grungy)
With Gwenyth Paltrow (mod, preppie)
With Jennifer Aniston (just plain Hollywood and metrosexual)
With Angelina Jolie (goth and badass humanitarian).
But I most admit, I do like the name Shiloh for a girl. Unique without being Hollywood weird (Audio Science anyone?). But who am I to talk, I have the name of a country (not even the official name), and I saw a website that said it is a bad name. (scroll down to the third boxed off section: about a family with kids named Scotland, Britannica and Holland. I think Holland is the lesser of the three evils).
With Juliette Lewis (young, "hip", and grungy)
With Gwenyth Paltrow (mod, preppie)
With Jennifer Aniston (just plain Hollywood and metrosexual)
With Angelina Jolie (goth and badass humanitarian).
But I most admit, I do like the name Shiloh for a girl. Unique without being Hollywood weird (Audio Science anyone?). But who am I to talk, I have the name of a country (not even the official name), and I saw a website that said it is a bad name. (scroll down to the third boxed off section: about a family with kids named Scotland, Britannica and Holland. I think Holland is the lesser of the three evils).
Creepy!
So a few hours ago, there was a thunder storm. It was really dark and grey and there were a few lightening strikes. I take a look out my office window and I see some random kid standing in front of the apartment complex doors. Just standing there in his/her raincoat looking off into the distance. Why was that kid just standing there? Where are the parents? Why is that kid, like, 2 feet tall? I half expected the kid to turn to me with neon green glowing eyes.
Speaking of how kids are weird and creepy...At my work, I signed us up for this program called Color a Smile. Basically we receive pictures that some random children draw, and we hang them up around places to "brighten" peoples days. Some are cute, some are scary. For example: One kid drew the sun and a flower. The flower and sun have faces on them. The sun, looks like your normal yellow ball with a smile on it (ala "Have a Nice Day!") but the flower has this really evil sinister smile on it. Not to mention it is about 1000% taller than the other flowers on the picture. It creeps me out. 9 year-old Hailey, you creep me out with your flower drawings!
What I find funny about these entries is how kids will write out their age. They are so willing and ready to tell you exactly how old they are. They would tell you the number of years, months, weeks, days, hours and minutes old they are if they could. You can also tell the kids that just learned to write down how old they are, because they will write it down multiple times (Age: 5 5 5 ). Kids are most definitely weird.
Speaking of how kids are weird and creepy...At my work, I signed us up for this program called Color a Smile. Basically we receive pictures that some random children draw, and we hang them up around places to "brighten" peoples days. Some are cute, some are scary. For example: One kid drew the sun and a flower. The flower and sun have faces on them. The sun, looks like your normal yellow ball with a smile on it (ala "Have a Nice Day!") but the flower has this really evil sinister smile on it. Not to mention it is about 1000% taller than the other flowers on the picture. It creeps me out. 9 year-old Hailey, you creep me out with your flower drawings!
What I find funny about these entries is how kids will write out their age. They are so willing and ready to tell you exactly how old they are. They would tell you the number of years, months, weeks, days, hours and minutes old they are if they could. You can also tell the kids that just learned to write down how old they are, because they will write it down multiple times (Age: 5 5 5 ). Kids are most definitely weird.
5/29/2006
Weekend wrap-up...Good Times!
Friday:
Left Friday training and headed straight for my apartment. Whoops, forgot that the front door lock had been changed. I got the new keys the day before, and there were signs everywhere reminding tenants that the locks would be changed on Friday. I am just a dumbass and forgot to bring the new keys with me when I left in the morning.
I tried calling the onsite manager but he wasn't in. I tried calling a few other people that lived in the complex, but no one was answering. So, I just left to go visit CM for awhile. Her dad cooked us some dinner, and then we decided to go see X-Men 3. I left the movie not knowing if I was disappointed or overwhelmed with the awesomeness. Apparently I missed a scene that was at the end of the credits, which would add even more to my indifference. The movie also made me realize I need to brush up on my x-men knowledge. Apparently watching the cartoon as a kid, and having a brother that is knowledgeable about the X-men world does not help me in being confused by the movie.
Anyway, after the movie, I attempted to get back into my apartment. Called the manager, still a no-go. Called a few apartments: no one home. Finally got a hold of someone, explained my situation to her. She helps me out by hanging up on me. She best watch out, I know where she lives. Tried another apartment and got through. The guy lets me in. Yay. In reality I can't fault the girl for hanging up on me. I am taught over and over again, in my crime prevention workshops that I am not suppose to let others in, when they don't have keys. Whatever.
Ok...I need to take a break here to discuss a commercial I just saw. Sears Department Stores is now going into dentistry? Really? Wow. "Trust your smile to Sears." Um, no thanks.
Another breaky comment. I saw on this one site, they had a discussion about how cats like to be in boxes. Cats like boxes? No way.
Cats also like sinks.
Saturday:
Started the day off, by finally dealing with this bridesmaid dress screw up. Apparently all I need to do is to hand in the dress which is one size too small, and order a new one for myself. No extra charges. Hah, suck it David's Bridal, I knew I could work your "No refunds, returns" etc policy. I don't know if I posted it before, but here is the dress I will be wearing. Same color and all. (edited: After checking the link, the color of my dress is the truffle color, not that ugly ass yellow color).
While getting ready for the wedding, I realized that my hair just does not curl. No matter what I do. Curling iron plus hairspray does nothing. Oh well. I still looked ok.
The ceremony was a Catholic one, but not as long and drawn out. I was giggling to myself while the priest talked about the sanctity of marriage (basically, without outright, saying between a man and woman with no premarital sex). I know that all the people in the bridal party (including the bride and the groom themselves) that do not believe in the sanct-ness of marriage, based off of what the priest said. Sinners!!!
The reception was nice. The people I went with spent the majority of the time outside, where we (or should I say they) could smoke, and it was also beautiful outside so we were enjoying the weather. Highlights of the night: Being groped by the groom's brother and his boyfriend, being dropped off at the reception by my co-workers friend while feeling like we were being dropped off at the prom by mom, squeezing seven people into a car for the longest ride home ever!
Sunday:
Hottest day ever. I actually turned on my air conditioner, which I initially swore I would not do. I went out with CM and JR later in the day. We had an awesome bike ride by the lake. For $12 a half hour, you can rent out one of these awesome bikes. We had a bell and everything (useful when you want to tell the people in front of you to get the hell out of the way). Riding that surrey bike, made me realize that I am totally out of shape. I was sweating up a storm and breathing heavily. Hopefully, when I apply for membership at the Y, I will no longer be huffing and puffing my way through a bike ride.
As for today, I am enjoying my day off.
Left Friday training and headed straight for my apartment. Whoops, forgot that the front door lock had been changed. I got the new keys the day before, and there were signs everywhere reminding tenants that the locks would be changed on Friday. I am just a dumbass and forgot to bring the new keys with me when I left in the morning.
I tried calling the onsite manager but he wasn't in. I tried calling a few other people that lived in the complex, but no one was answering. So, I just left to go visit CM for awhile. Her dad cooked us some dinner, and then we decided to go see X-Men 3. I left the movie not knowing if I was disappointed or overwhelmed with the awesomeness. Apparently I missed a scene that was at the end of the credits, which would add even more to my indifference. The movie also made me realize I need to brush up on my x-men knowledge. Apparently watching the cartoon as a kid, and having a brother that is knowledgeable about the X-men world does not help me in being confused by the movie.
Anyway, after the movie, I attempted to get back into my apartment. Called the manager, still a no-go. Called a few apartments: no one home. Finally got a hold of someone, explained my situation to her. She helps me out by hanging up on me. She best watch out, I know where she lives. Tried another apartment and got through. The guy lets me in. Yay. In reality I can't fault the girl for hanging up on me. I am taught over and over again, in my crime prevention workshops that I am not suppose to let others in, when they don't have keys. Whatever.
Ok...I need to take a break here to discuss a commercial I just saw. Sears Department Stores is now going into dentistry? Really? Wow. "Trust your smile to Sears." Um, no thanks.
Another breaky comment. I saw on this one site, they had a discussion about how cats like to be in boxes. Cats like boxes? No way.
Cats also like sinks.Saturday:
Started the day off, by finally dealing with this bridesmaid dress screw up. Apparently all I need to do is to hand in the dress which is one size too small, and order a new one for myself. No extra charges. Hah, suck it David's Bridal, I knew I could work your "No refunds, returns" etc policy. I don't know if I posted it before, but here is the dress I will be wearing. Same color and all. (edited: After checking the link, the color of my dress is the truffle color, not that ugly ass yellow color).
While getting ready for the wedding, I realized that my hair just does not curl. No matter what I do. Curling iron plus hairspray does nothing. Oh well. I still looked ok.
The ceremony was a Catholic one, but not as long and drawn out. I was giggling to myself while the priest talked about the sanctity of marriage (basically, without outright, saying between a man and woman with no premarital sex). I know that all the people in the bridal party (including the bride and the groom themselves) that do not believe in the sanct-ness of marriage, based off of what the priest said. Sinners!!!
The reception was nice. The people I went with spent the majority of the time outside, where we (or should I say they) could smoke, and it was also beautiful outside so we were enjoying the weather. Highlights of the night: Being groped by the groom's brother and his boyfriend, being dropped off at the reception by my co-workers friend while feeling like we were being dropped off at the prom by mom, squeezing seven people into a car for the longest ride home ever!
Sunday:
Hottest day ever. I actually turned on my air conditioner, which I initially swore I would not do. I went out with CM and JR later in the day. We had an awesome bike ride by the lake. For $12 a half hour, you can rent out one of these awesome bikes. We had a bell and everything (useful when you want to tell the people in front of you to get the hell out of the way). Riding that surrey bike, made me realize that I am totally out of shape. I was sweating up a storm and breathing heavily. Hopefully, when I apply for membership at the Y, I will no longer be huffing and puffing my way through a bike ride.
As for today, I am enjoying my day off.
5/22/2006
Tires? Not a good conversation starter or a way to pick up the ladies...
For once my antisocial friend, CM, wanted to go out. And for what is worth, to go out and have a few drinks!!! This is a big step for her. She may just become social after all.
We went out to the bar around the corner of my apartment. It is a real hole-in-the-wall, so not much of a "hot" spot but I like the bartenders and the regulars. Since it is the end of the school year, the obnoxious Marquette kids are not coming out in droves.
So there we are drinking our High Lifes, talking to each other about something not important and obviously forgettable since I can't remember what it was. All of a sudden this guy who is sitting next to CM says something witty about the tire commercial on the TV. CM does the number one No-No: She responds.
This leads to her engaging in a pretty lengthy conversation about tires. The different brands and their quality, how to rotate (and why we do), and I am pretty sure I over heard the guy talking about some studies he read about tires. How exciting! What was funny about the entire conversation was that this guy kept on stroking CM's arm. Knowing CM and how much she LOVES to be touched, I found this hilarious. I even excused myself to the bathroom, to give them some privacy. CM always has a good time with me (reference the time she had a lengthy conversation with the guitar teacher about animals at the party I forced her to come to).
They guy wasn't exactly her type, at least I don't think so. Oh well, at least she learned something about tires. Goodyear=good, Michelin=bad.
We went out to the bar around the corner of my apartment. It is a real hole-in-the-wall, so not much of a "hot" spot but I like the bartenders and the regulars. Since it is the end of the school year, the obnoxious Marquette kids are not coming out in droves.
So there we are drinking our High Lifes, talking to each other about something not important and obviously forgettable since I can't remember what it was. All of a sudden this guy who is sitting next to CM says something witty about the tire commercial on the TV. CM does the number one No-No: She responds.
This leads to her engaging in a pretty lengthy conversation about tires. The different brands and their quality, how to rotate (and why we do), and I am pretty sure I over heard the guy talking about some studies he read about tires. How exciting! What was funny about the entire conversation was that this guy kept on stroking CM's arm. Knowing CM and how much she LOVES to be touched, I found this hilarious. I even excused myself to the bathroom, to give them some privacy. CM always has a good time with me (reference the time she had a lengthy conversation with the guitar teacher about animals at the party I forced her to come to).
They guy wasn't exactly her type, at least I don't think so. Oh well, at least she learned something about tires. Goodyear=good, Michelin=bad.
5/16/2006
Those Darn Geese
Where I work, we have this big ass pond, which is the home for many dumb Geese. I rarely see/interact with them because I am cooped up in my office all day. Today was different.
So, I will admit it, sometimes I am not a completely observant driver. However, I have yet to get myself into an accident (knock on imaginary wood). This morning I was making a mental list of things to do at work today, while not entirely paying attention to the road in front of me. Usually I keep my eyes on the car in front of me, but not the actual street, but whatever.
Then, about a half a block up I saw a goose and some of her babies starting to meander into the busy street. I started to slowly push on my brakes thinking that the geese would back up right away, but they aren't too bright, and continued on their merry way. When I realized that they weren't stopping or backing up, and that the road was much more slick from the morning rain than I first anticipated, I slammed on my brakes all the way.
Luckily for me, there was no cars behind me, and I didn't run over any geese! The mother goose, finally turned around when I was about a foot in front of it and at a complete stop. She kind of looked at my car in a lazy, "Hey, what's up?" fashion and retracted back to the sidewalk. Luckily for that goose, it didn't continue in the direction it was going, in front of traffic coming from my left shoulder, because there would be some dead baby geese lying in the road right this moment.
So, I will admit it, sometimes I am not a completely observant driver. However, I have yet to get myself into an accident (knock on imaginary wood). This morning I was making a mental list of things to do at work today, while not entirely paying attention to the road in front of me. Usually I keep my eyes on the car in front of me, but not the actual street, but whatever.
Then, about a half a block up I saw a goose and some of her babies starting to meander into the busy street. I started to slowly push on my brakes thinking that the geese would back up right away, but they aren't too bright, and continued on their merry way. When I realized that they weren't stopping or backing up, and that the road was much more slick from the morning rain than I first anticipated, I slammed on my brakes all the way.
Luckily for me, there was no cars behind me, and I didn't run over any geese! The mother goose, finally turned around when I was about a foot in front of it and at a complete stop. She kind of looked at my car in a lazy, "Hey, what's up?" fashion and retracted back to the sidewalk. Luckily for that goose, it didn't continue in the direction it was going, in front of traffic coming from my left shoulder, because there would be some dead baby geese lying in the road right this moment.
5/10/2006
Last night on the news...
There was this report about the upsurge of muggers on the UW-Madison campus, primarily attacking, of course, college students. This makes me laugh, mostly because I think about myself as a college student. When I was walking around the campus, I usually had no more than a pocket full of change and my debit card, which had no more than 20 dollars on it. Not too much of a find. And I know that I was not alone. College students in general are broke-ass hoes. But then again, there are those "Coasties" as we affectionately called them. Those kids who can pay out-of-state tuition, private resident hall prices, and for drinking at least 5 out of the 7 nights of the week. These are the kids probably getting mugged (successfully).
5/08/2006
Those immigrants should just be English-speakers
Just got done watching a segment on Nightline talking about how the Senate wants to pass a bill that the Star Spangle Banner should/will be song in English...ummm ok. How exactly is this going to be enforced? Fines? Imprisonment? Execution?
Remember that time they had Native Americans sing the National Anthem in their native language for the Olympics (don't ask me when or where this was done,it could have not even been done for the Olympics but the Superbowl instead, but I remember it was done)? So its diverse and moving then but now it is an abomination? Oh yea, now I remember why its bad. Because we have to be reminded that all Mexican Immigrants are dirty, evil and anti-American in every aspect. You know, because being American does not mean being diverse and coming from many different backgrounds. Being American means you are English-speaking, white, straight, Christian and...am I missing anything?
I'm glad the Senate is working on this and not working on gas prices, environment, health care etc. etc. I hope the next bill they pass is one that makes it illegal for anyone to walk the streets not wearing the colors red, white and/or blue.
Remember that time they had Native Americans sing the National Anthem in their native language for the Olympics (don't ask me when or where this was done,it could have not even been done for the Olympics but the Superbowl instead, but I remember it was done)? So its diverse and moving then but now it is an abomination? Oh yea, now I remember why its bad. Because we have to be reminded that all Mexican Immigrants are dirty, evil and anti-American in every aspect. You know, because being American does not mean being diverse and coming from many different backgrounds. Being American means you are English-speaking, white, straight, Christian and...am I missing anything?
I'm glad the Senate is working on this and not working on gas prices, environment, health care etc. etc. I hope the next bill they pass is one that makes it illegal for anyone to walk the streets not wearing the colors red, white and/or blue.
David Blaine sucks
I mean he can't even hold his breath for 9 minutes? Come on! The promos were saying that he was going to drown if he couldn't hold his breath for that long. They are liars. What a let down.
While watching his special tonight, I was very happy to see his gray and wrinkled hands and feet. They looked like they were about to fall off. Mmmmm decomposed-looking appendages. As if I needed another reason to be nauseous.
Why was I initially nauseous? Some kind of stomach virus I think. I stayed by the toilet a good amount time from Saturday around 11pm to Monday 10am-ish.
While watching his special tonight, I was very happy to see his gray and wrinkled hands and feet. They looked like they were about to fall off. Mmmmm decomposed-looking appendages. As if I needed another reason to be nauseous.
Why was I initially nauseous? Some kind of stomach virus I think. I stayed by the toilet a good amount time from Saturday around 11pm to Monday 10am-ish.
High Roller
I went out shopping and then out to eat with my friend Carrie on Saturday. As we were leaving the Fridays at Miller Park Stadium, we were trying to decide what to do next. Initially we were thinking about going to a neighborhood bar close to my apartment to play pool/darts and have a beer but then Carrie says, "Want to go to Potawatomi?" This is a casino/bingo hall in Milwaukee. I have never been in a casino before but was hesitant about the possibility of losing money. Carrie reassured me that we would set out monetary limits and not let each other go over them, plus we would only play nickel slots, because we are cheap.
So we each spent 20 dollars. They people there were funny. Such a diverse group of gamblers. But I would say that 80% of them were smoking. Luckily they have a non-smoking lounge for people as well. That is were I made my "big money." I ended up making 20 dollars (16.75 if you include the 3.25 ATM fee, bastards). I had no idea what I was doing, but it was still fun. I guess the fun was the making of the money, if I would have lost, I would have been very disappointed.
Funniest moment of the night: We were riding the escalator down from the non-smoking lounge to the smoking lounge, and I took notice of all the "Native regalia" and pictures on the walls. Loving to say inappropriate things, I say, "Carrie, Look at all the Native people!" The people standing in front of us look at us with slightly disgusted faces. Carrie is so embarrassed by me.
So we each spent 20 dollars. They people there were funny. Such a diverse group of gamblers. But I would say that 80% of them were smoking. Luckily they have a non-smoking lounge for people as well. That is were I made my "big money." I ended up making 20 dollars (16.75 if you include the 3.25 ATM fee, bastards). I had no idea what I was doing, but it was still fun. I guess the fun was the making of the money, if I would have lost, I would have been very disappointed.
Funniest moment of the night: We were riding the escalator down from the non-smoking lounge to the smoking lounge, and I took notice of all the "Native regalia" and pictures on the walls. Loving to say inappropriate things, I say, "Carrie, Look at all the Native people!" The people standing in front of us look at us with slightly disgusted faces. Carrie is so embarrassed by me.
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