Sometimes, I question how I made it through college. Here is a good story:
While visiting my hometown of Sheboygan one weekend, I accompanied my mother to Target, to shop for my little cousins' birthday presents. So there we were walking down one of the sporting good aisle looking for a tiny golf set, or something equally cool and tiny, when I noticed something that looked like a tiny canopy made for a baby on the top shelves.
I pointed at it and asked my mother, "What the hell can fit under there?" My mom looked at me like I lost my mind and didn't answer me. A few minutes later, I asked again. "I don't know. Like a (lists off things that would not fit under a tiny canopy made for a baby)," says my mom. I give her a look like she is crazy. Me, being really angry about it, "No...Seriously! What can that cover? It's...oh."
This is when I realize that it is just a tent model. I noticed the other "tiny baby canopies" with boxes of normal sized tents under them. My mom noted my Eureka! face and started laughing at me while my face turned ten shades of red knowing that people heard our entire conversation. To make light of the situation, as we walked past a tiny sleeping bag model, I said to my mom, "Seriously, WHAT person can fit in that sleeping bag?"
Ummmm....I....was...really tired??? Ok, I have no excuses.
This story is an example of my superior intelligence, and why I am allowed to talk about politics.
11/16/2006
11/14/2006
South Africa "Forward"
South Africa is in the process of recognizing same sex unions. This comes about after the US election in which several states, including my home state of Wisconsin, passed amendments declaring a marriage between a man and a woman, thus making any other status similar to marriages (unions between ANY two individuals) invalid.
OK. First of all. South Africa! This is a country where a legal system of segregation, otherwise none as apartheid, was in place until 1990 (or somewhere in there). This is in a continent that looks down upon homosexuality (much like our own dear country). And yet, they are progressive enough to recognize that two individuals who are devoted to each other, need to have the legal rights to benefits that any couple is given.
OK. First of all. South Africa! This is a country where a legal system of segregation, otherwise none as apartheid, was in place until 1990 (or somewhere in there). This is in a continent that looks down upon homosexuality (much like our own dear country). And yet, they are progressive enough to recognize that two individuals who are devoted to each other, need to have the legal rights to benefits that any couple is given.
11/08/2006
Security in One's Sexuality
Did I ever mention that my family gets into really weird conversations when we are gathered together? One of the conversations we just recently had was about TV/Movie boyfriends/girlfriends. You know what I am talking about...Like how Benicio del Toro is my movie boyfriend...he just doesn't know it. This some how lead into us talking about our TV/Movie same sex crushes AKA "who we'd go gay for." My dad and brother-in-law were a little bit hesitant about admitting they had one. This is when my sister chirp in saying (not word for word but the idea): "It's not so much about the sex. It's more about admiring their talent and having that opportunity to stand next to you. Sort of like, 'Yeah, I'm awesome...Look at how awesome I am, I can get this person!'" So finally, they gave in. Brother-in-law: Sean William Scott "because he's funny." Dad: Tom Hanks "because I like his movies."
Other family members. Brother: George Clooney "because he's the man!" Mom: Charlize Theron "because she's so cute and sexy in that one movie." Sister: Natalie Portman I forget what she said exactly...probably something about being beautiful. Me: Catherine Zeta Jones besides being beautiful I like that she is not painfully stick thin, plus she was an awesome Welsh accent. Although he was not there to partake in the conversation, my other brother has a huge man-crush on Pierce Brosnan.
Hey, speaking of the gays, did you know that Wisconsin passed a marriage amendment stating:
"Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state."
Phew...I am SO glad that traditional marriage has been saved. I just don't have time to explain gay marriage to some confused kids. Oh wait...you say that it is already illegal for the gays to marry? Hmmmm. Well, we all know, if I voted "no" that the gays would waste all their time and energy and money to take their case to the courts, waste some more time in appeals in the slight chance that it will be overturned. That would ruin my life, even though I don't know the individuals and they have no affect on my life. Just the thought that they are married would tear my family apart and cause a nuclear bomb to drop because we all know that the gays have ties with North Korea.
Also, if he let the gays marry, then there will be group marriage and people marry their dogs. Because they are all one and the same and people that advocate gay marriage have no morals and are all depraved sinners. Slippery slope people! Slippery slope! Don't question my illogical thinking because you will make baby Jesus cry.
Also, all of you live-in boyfriends who batter your girlfriends rejoice! Domestic violence laws will no longer apply to you.
Other family members. Brother: George Clooney "because he's the man!" Mom: Charlize Theron "because she's so cute and sexy in that one movie." Sister: Natalie Portman I forget what she said exactly...probably something about being beautiful. Me: Catherine Zeta Jones besides being beautiful I like that she is not painfully stick thin, plus she was an awesome Welsh accent. Although he was not there to partake in the conversation, my other brother has a huge man-crush on Pierce Brosnan.
Hey, speaking of the gays, did you know that Wisconsin passed a marriage amendment stating:
"Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state."
Phew...I am SO glad that traditional marriage has been saved. I just don't have time to explain gay marriage to some confused kids. Oh wait...you say that it is already illegal for the gays to marry? Hmmmm. Well, we all know, if I voted "no" that the gays would waste all their time and energy and money to take their case to the courts, waste some more time in appeals in the slight chance that it will be overturned. That would ruin my life, even though I don't know the individuals and they have no affect on my life. Just the thought that they are married would tear my family apart and cause a nuclear bomb to drop because we all know that the gays have ties with North Korea.
Also, if he let the gays marry, then there will be group marriage and people marry their dogs. Because they are all one and the same and people that advocate gay marriage have no morals and are all depraved sinners. Slippery slope people! Slippery slope! Don't question my illogical thinking because you will make baby Jesus cry.
Also, all of you live-in boyfriends who batter your girlfriends rejoice! Domestic violence laws will no longer apply to you.
11/03/2006
Flipping someone off is not quite effective when wearing a mitten
Two things that are getting to me today:
1) My morning commute is starting to get to me. People cutting me off on the highway, when there is no room to cut me off, drives me up the wall! Usually, or so the rules of the road say, the far left lane is designated the "fast/pass" lane. Why do people insist on going 5 mph below the speed limit in this lane? In good weather? In daylight? Meanwhile people in the other lane are going the same speed or every so slightly more/less than that stupid car going 5 mph below the speed limit. There is nothing left for me to do but to stay behind the "fastest" car and make the "you're killing me" hand gestures.
2) I can't believe I am about to complain about this, because I am from Wisconsin and I should not be so much of a sissy wuss, but....IT'S COLD! In the morning, I wake up usually 30 minutes before my alarm clock goes off because I am cold. And then I hurry off to take a hot shower proceeded by a hurried attempt to get dressed and dry my hair. Seriously, my apartment does not know how to be warm, not even lukewarm.
Although, it is not so cold that I NEED to wear hats, scarves and mittens I wear my mittens while driving because the steering wheel is cold and it takes forever for my car to warm up.
On a side note...Why am I still wearing "mittens"? I should be wearing some chic gloves and be the sleek city girl that I am, what with....Oh, who am I kidding.
After work, as soon as I get into my apartment, I grab my fleece blanket and wrap myself with it and continue to wear it while I do my chores or watch TV. When its time for bed, I prepare my sheet, fleece, comforter (and sometimes extra comforter) cocoon that keeps me nice and toasty until I wake up 30 minutes before my alarm clock goes off because I am so dang cold (I should also note here, that when I wake up I also notice that I usually have kicked off two layers of my cocoon sometime in the night, so that might explain my being cold).
What makes me upset, is that I know it is only going to get worse, WAY WORSE.
1) My morning commute is starting to get to me. People cutting me off on the highway, when there is no room to cut me off, drives me up the wall! Usually, or so the rules of the road say, the far left lane is designated the "fast/pass" lane. Why do people insist on going 5 mph below the speed limit in this lane? In good weather? In daylight? Meanwhile people in the other lane are going the same speed or every so slightly more/less than that stupid car going 5 mph below the speed limit. There is nothing left for me to do but to stay behind the "fastest" car and make the "you're killing me" hand gestures.
2) I can't believe I am about to complain about this, because I am from Wisconsin and I should not be so much of a sissy wuss, but....IT'S COLD! In the morning, I wake up usually 30 minutes before my alarm clock goes off because I am cold. And then I hurry off to take a hot shower proceeded by a hurried attempt to get dressed and dry my hair. Seriously, my apartment does not know how to be warm, not even lukewarm.
Although, it is not so cold that I NEED to wear hats, scarves and mittens I wear my mittens while driving because the steering wheel is cold and it takes forever for my car to warm up.
On a side note...Why am I still wearing "mittens"? I should be wearing some chic gloves and be the sleek city girl that I am, what with....Oh, who am I kidding.
After work, as soon as I get into my apartment, I grab my fleece blanket and wrap myself with it and continue to wear it while I do my chores or watch TV. When its time for bed, I prepare my sheet, fleece, comforter (and sometimes extra comforter) cocoon that keeps me nice and toasty until I wake up 30 minutes before my alarm clock goes off because I am so dang cold (I should also note here, that when I wake up I also notice that I usually have kicked off two layers of my cocoon sometime in the night, so that might explain my being cold).
What makes me upset, is that I know it is only going to get worse, WAY WORSE.
10/27/2006
Let's Get One Thing Clear
Just because I don't eat red meat, does not mean I am a vegetarian. I still eat chicken. Occasionally I will eat pork. And I am growing to like fish. I think this qualifies me as a carnivorous.
Also, the reason I don't eat red meat, has nothing to do with the "inhumane" way that cows are treated and slaughtered. Like I said, I eat chicken, and they are treated way worse than cows.
The truth is...I just don't like the taste of beef. I started to not eat beef, around my freshman year of college. I used the excuse of "mad cow disease" but in reality, I just didn't want to eat red meat anymore. I felt weird telling people that, so I thought a phobia to a disease that would waste my brain away sounded more convincing then to a sudden distaste for red meat. Don't question, it made sense in my head at the time.
Sucks for my family who before my decision to cut out red meat, was a beef loving family. Now, whenever I come home and eat dinner with my family, my parents have to cook something with chicken or make a smaller portion of the meal sans the beef. An example would be my mom's chili. This reminds me of a funny story:
So as I said, my mom started to change her cooking habits once I went non-beef (hee, every time I write that it looks like I am talking about turning into a lesbian). One weekend I went home and my mom decided to make chili and fry bread for dinner. She gave me my bowl and told me she made a separate batch for me. I started to eat when I realized there were little chunks of beef in it. I showed my mom and asked her if she was sure she didn't give me the wrong bowl. She said no an showed me the tiny pot she made for me and said she put the chili con carne in it and showed me the can she used. This is when I said, "Mom, 'con carne' means 'with meat.'" My mom's reaction was basically along the lines of, "D'oh."
If you're reading this mom, don't worry, I will share some of my airhead moments later.
Also, the reason I don't eat red meat, has nothing to do with the "inhumane" way that cows are treated and slaughtered. Like I said, I eat chicken, and they are treated way worse than cows.
The truth is...I just don't like the taste of beef. I started to not eat beef, around my freshman year of college. I used the excuse of "mad cow disease" but in reality, I just didn't want to eat red meat anymore. I felt weird telling people that, so I thought a phobia to a disease that would waste my brain away sounded more convincing then to a sudden distaste for red meat. Don't question, it made sense in my head at the time.
Sucks for my family who before my decision to cut out red meat, was a beef loving family. Now, whenever I come home and eat dinner with my family, my parents have to cook something with chicken or make a smaller portion of the meal sans the beef. An example would be my mom's chili. This reminds me of a funny story:
So as I said, my mom started to change her cooking habits once I went non-beef (hee, every time I write that it looks like I am talking about turning into a lesbian). One weekend I went home and my mom decided to make chili and fry bread for dinner. She gave me my bowl and told me she made a separate batch for me. I started to eat when I realized there were little chunks of beef in it. I showed my mom and asked her if she was sure she didn't give me the wrong bowl. She said no an showed me the tiny pot she made for me and said she put the chili con carne in it and showed me the can she used. This is when I said, "Mom, 'con carne' means 'with meat.'" My mom's reaction was basically along the lines of, "D'oh."
If you're reading this mom, don't worry, I will share some of my airhead moments later.
10/25/2006
Sometimes, other people's lives are amusing...
I heard two stories recently that I found cute and funny:
Number 1:
The characters: My sister and her husband.
The setting: Acapulco, on their honeymoon.
Quick back story: My sister always used to be able to stick her stomach out pretty far and used to do so (while saying "I'm pregnant!") to make people laugh. Also, my sister found out a few weeks before her wedding that she was pregnant (That's right bitches, I am going to be an Auntie and my sister is a sinner who does "it" before she is married, heh).
The story: My sister and her husband, while on vacation tried to speak Spanish, especially when necessary. I'm thinking this happened when they were alone in their hotel room, but my sister did her normal sticking out her stomach thing for her husband. He just looked at her and said, "MUCHAS PREGUNTAS!" My sister giggled and said, "You just said, 'Many Questions!'" I can't wait until she starts to really show. I am going to be saying that to her all the time.
Number 2 (heard while at a baby shower for a friend):
The characters: The host of the party (friend to my friend who is having the baby) and her now husband.
The setting: Unknown, but during the proposal.
Quick back story: They don't know much about wedding/engagement traditions.
The story: He said to her, "Megan, will you marry me?" She said, "Yeah!" He slipped the ring on her finger. Then he said, "Do me! Do me!," while holding out his left hand, ring finger extended. She said, "Ok! Shawn, will you marry me?" He said yes and she slipped on his ring. Few weeks later, a co-worker saw his ring and said, "You know YOU aren't suppose to wear the ring until AFTER the wedding, right?" And he said, "But she gets to wear her's!" Dude, that is the third guy this year I have heard that was super excited to wear the wedding ring. How adorable.
Number 1:
The characters: My sister and her husband.
The setting: Acapulco, on their honeymoon.
Quick back story: My sister always used to be able to stick her stomach out pretty far and used to do so (while saying "I'm pregnant!") to make people laugh. Also, my sister found out a few weeks before her wedding that she was pregnant (That's right bitches, I am going to be an Auntie and my sister is a sinner who does "it" before she is married, heh).
The story: My sister and her husband, while on vacation tried to speak Spanish, especially when necessary. I'm thinking this happened when they were alone in their hotel room, but my sister did her normal sticking out her stomach thing for her husband. He just looked at her and said, "MUCHAS PREGUNTAS!" My sister giggled and said, "You just said, 'Many Questions!'" I can't wait until she starts to really show. I am going to be saying that to her all the time.
Number 2 (heard while at a baby shower for a friend):
The characters: The host of the party (friend to my friend who is having the baby) and her now husband.
The setting: Unknown, but during the proposal.
Quick back story: They don't know much about wedding/engagement traditions.
The story: He said to her, "Megan, will you marry me?" She said, "Yeah!" He slipped the ring on her finger. Then he said, "Do me! Do me!," while holding out his left hand, ring finger extended. She said, "Ok! Shawn, will you marry me?" He said yes and she slipped on his ring. Few weeks later, a co-worker saw his ring and said, "You know YOU aren't suppose to wear the ring until AFTER the wedding, right?" And he said, "But she gets to wear her's!" Dude, that is the third guy this year I have heard that was super excited to wear the wedding ring. How adorable.
10/24/2006
"I'm not going to marry and have kids." "Sure...Yeah...Mmmhmm."
People don't believe me when I say that not only do I not see myself getting married and having kids, but I don't want to either. I don't see the point. Perhaps it is the part of me that fears commitment. Just not a fan. I won't go into detail because my reasons are boring and 90% of people disagree with them.
But there is a small list of famous people that I would willingly give up my devotion to Old Maidhood. Here is my list I can think of right now:
Comedian Demetri Martin. He's funny. He's Greek. He's cute. He is sometimes all three at the same time.
Actor Adam Beach. He's handsome and he's Native. Finally I would do something my mom would approve. I just re-read that last sentence and found an entirely new funny meaning.
Actor George Clooney. Seems like the biggest douchebag and yet sometimes arrogance is hot. Sometimes, I loathe myself but then I remember, that other people love him too. Like the ladies at Go Fug Yourself.
But there is a small list of famous people that I would willingly give up my devotion to Old Maidhood. Here is my list I can think of right now:
Comedian Demetri Martin. He's funny. He's Greek. He's cute. He is sometimes all three at the same time.
Actor Adam Beach. He's handsome and he's Native. Finally I would do something my mom would approve. I just re-read that last sentence and found an entirely new funny meaning.
Actor George Clooney. Seems like the biggest douchebag and yet sometimes arrogance is hot. Sometimes, I loathe myself but then I remember, that other people love him too. Like the ladies at Go Fug Yourself.
10/19/2006
My cousin Brandon (ringbearer) looks like he is ready to kick some ass. My cousin Emily (flower girl) is just being cute.
Here is a picture of my sister and our grandpa. He was looking quite snazzy. When my mom saw him she was all..."Ooooo, Johnny Cash!"
I think someone did not listen to the Pastor's instructions to look at the bride and groom during the ceremony. Tsk tsk.
I have a giant and a hippie for brothers (middle and last one on right respectively).
Oh yes its ladies night, and the feeling right
Wednesday nights apparently are "Ladies Night" at a bar that is down the street from where I live. Girls get three tokens good for three Miller or Rail drinks (please tip your bartender). Since I am poor and love me some free anything (especially alcohol) I was all about going out on a weekday when my friend called me.
Upon entering the establishment we were approached by a very nice looking young man. I wasn't paying attention to what he was saying because I was on my phone with my sister but I heard him say something about getting free beer, making it a total of five free drinks. When I came back I was informed he was the Bud/Michelob guy giving away free beer. Bonus! Now I don't like Bud, but as I stated before, I like free stuff. Especially free stuff from cute boys. Hell, I will take a free beer from an not-so-cute boy and engage in a small discussion before I....Oh look there's my friend *hurried run*
Normally in situations like this, the beer guy/girl walks away to get to the next person but this guy stayed right with us. Even through awkward silences where all of us didn't know what to say. I (an another girl that was with me and my friend) noticed that the Beer Guy kept on eyeing up my friend. So I actually got embarrassed for her (cute guy staring at you and you being completely oblivious to it), because I am always embarrassed for other people in this situation. I don't know why. I just am.
He ended up talking with our group the entire time he was there before he moved on to another bar in the area. This is when everyone informed my friend about Beer Guy sneaking a peek at her. Her reaction was along the line of "WTF? No. Really? Why oh why am I such a loser in these situations?" So what did our group do? Instead of cashing in on our free tokens, we totally went to the bar that the Beer Guy was at (which he just so happened to casually mention he was going to) because we are stalkers.
He noticed immediately that we were there and proceeded to give us more free beer. But because she was playing a game of darts, my friend didn't chat him up. Later I was giving her some good and corny lines to use on him. "So, is it a requirement to be really good looking for his job?"..."So when do you find time for yourself (or date)?" But she was not having it. Oh well, but he did end up with her number, because some two girls may have approached him about a cojoneless friend they had that wanted to give him her number. Boy blushes and takes number.
I must say, in conclusion, how impressed I am with Milwaukee in providing their quality Beer/liquor promo guys. They are always really really redonkulously good looking men that are very friendly AND give you free booze. What can get better than that? In Madison, they always had girls. Boo! But I would still take the free beer.
Upon entering the establishment we were approached by a very nice looking young man. I wasn't paying attention to what he was saying because I was on my phone with my sister but I heard him say something about getting free beer, making it a total of five free drinks. When I came back I was informed he was the Bud/Michelob guy giving away free beer. Bonus! Now I don't like Bud, but as I stated before, I like free stuff. Especially free stuff from cute boys. Hell, I will take a free beer from an not-so-cute boy and engage in a small discussion before I....Oh look there's my friend *hurried run*
Normally in situations like this, the beer guy/girl walks away to get to the next person but this guy stayed right with us. Even through awkward silences where all of us didn't know what to say. I (an another girl that was with me and my friend) noticed that the Beer Guy kept on eyeing up my friend. So I actually got embarrassed for her (cute guy staring at you and you being completely oblivious to it), because I am always embarrassed for other people in this situation. I don't know why. I just am.
He ended up talking with our group the entire time he was there before he moved on to another bar in the area. This is when everyone informed my friend about Beer Guy sneaking a peek at her. Her reaction was along the line of "WTF? No. Really? Why oh why am I such a loser in these situations?" So what did our group do? Instead of cashing in on our free tokens, we totally went to the bar that the Beer Guy was at (which he just so happened to casually mention he was going to) because we are stalkers.
He noticed immediately that we were there and proceeded to give us more free beer. But because she was playing a game of darts, my friend didn't chat him up. Later I was giving her some good and corny lines to use on him. "So, is it a requirement to be really good looking for his job?"..."So when do you find time for yourself (or date)?" But she was not having it. Oh well, but he did end up with her number, because some two girls may have approached him about a cojoneless friend they had that wanted to give him her number. Boy blushes and takes number.
I must say, in conclusion, how impressed I am with Milwaukee in providing their quality Beer/liquor promo guys. They are always really really redonkulously good looking men that are very friendly AND give you free booze. What can get better than that? In Madison, they always had girls. Boo! But I would still take the free beer.
10/09/2006
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day
To some of you, today is Columbus Day. To those of us who chose not to celebrate an individual who:
A) Did not discover a land that was already inhabited by civilized groups of people and was already visited by other European people.
B) Was in charge of the genocide (both intentional by murder and "unintentional" by disease) of millions of Taino "Indians".
C) Just in general a bad example of a decent human being.
Instead celebrate a day of the survival and revitalization of Indigenous people in the face of years of oppression and discrimination.
A) Did not discover a land that was already inhabited by civilized groups of people and was already visited by other European people.
B) Was in charge of the genocide (both intentional by murder and "unintentional" by disease) of millions of Taino "Indians".
C) Just in general a bad example of a decent human being.
Instead celebrate a day of the survival and revitalization of Indigenous people in the face of years of oppression and discrimination.
A Bet I Lost
I went out Saturday night with my friends CM and Danielle. We started out at a bar called Bryant's, which I have always wanted to go to, but always ended up not being able to attend. Anyway that bar is cool, very laid back and had nice strong drinks.
Later on we went to this other bar because we thought we would run into some of Danielle's dental school friends, who we never ran into. This bar is the yuppiest bar that ever yuppied. I felt underdressed.
Anyway, it was here that Danielle told me that I was mean, or at least being mean that night. It is almost as if she had never gone out with me before. That is what I do. I set there with beer in hand while I make fun of everyone in eye sight (not to their face, because I am not that mean). A real world example of what I say:
"That dude is totally wearing a Cosby sweater."~~~This is mild in comparison to what I say.
Danielle made a bet with me that I could not go without saying something bad for 30 minutes. I was doing really good, partially because I was talking about how I wanted to go over and touch this one guys hair, because it was so pretty. He was rocking the hair that the guy from Heroes has. Mmmm, Professor Sex.
Then, a short man went walking past me (and if memory serves me, he was wearing a fug shirt too). I just let it slip. "That guy was tiny." I gave an "Oh shit!" face before CM told me she noticed him to but was going to wait for me to say something. I had to say 5 nice thing about people to pay Danielle back. Let me tell you, that is hard when you are in a bar full of douchebags.
Later on we went to this other bar because we thought we would run into some of Danielle's dental school friends, who we never ran into. This bar is the yuppiest bar that ever yuppied. I felt underdressed.
Anyway, it was here that Danielle told me that I was mean, or at least being mean that night. It is almost as if she had never gone out with me before. That is what I do. I set there with beer in hand while I make fun of everyone in eye sight (not to their face, because I am not that mean). A real world example of what I say:
"That dude is totally wearing a Cosby sweater."~~~This is mild in comparison to what I say.
Danielle made a bet with me that I could not go without saying something bad for 30 minutes. I was doing really good, partially because I was talking about how I wanted to go over and touch this one guys hair, because it was so pretty. He was rocking the hair that the guy from Heroes has. Mmmm, Professor Sex.
Then, a short man went walking past me (and if memory serves me, he was wearing a fug shirt too). I just let it slip. "That guy was tiny." I gave an "Oh shit!" face before CM told me she noticed him to but was going to wait for me to say something. I had to say 5 nice thing about people to pay Danielle back. Let me tell you, that is hard when you are in a bar full of douchebags.
10/05/2006
Showing off my photoshopping skillzzzzzz
After/BeforeSeriously, the armpit fat was kind of scaring me. So I fixed it. Am I good? Ok, ok. I tried. I also realized that the picture looks weird because it looks like my cousin is about to stick her hand down my cleavage. I don't know what she thinks she will find down there besides some tissue i stored incase my nose started to leak from the cold I was just about to get (and now have).
Wedding Day Stuff
So my sister's wedding went off beautifully. The night before, my mother rented out a suite in a hotel so that my sister, myself and three other bridesmaids could spend the night, and have a large enough space to get ready in the morning (there was no real bridal suite at the place of the ceremony...just a tiny tent). I had no idea we were staying at a hotel so I didn't pack my swim suit to go into the whirlpool, oh well. The suite had a king sized bed and a pull out couch. I shared the king bed with my sister and cousin (who is 8 and was the Jr. Bridesmaid and wasn't originally in the plans to spend the night, but she wanted to hang out with the big girls). Luckily the bed was big enough for us so we could all be comfortable without getting into each other's business. However, I woke up in the middle of the night to find my little cousin's arm partially wrapped around me. Apparently she usually sleeps in the same bed as her mom.
In the morning, we spent about 3 and a half hours getting hair and make up at the salon the groom's sister works at. Surprisingly, I didn't come out looking like a clown, much like I expected. We got back to the hotel to change. I had my mom help me into the corset and dress, which I fit into, much to my surprise. We didn't have much time to hang out because we had to make our way to the ceremony/reception area.
The weather was perfect (too sunny for the photographer, but who cares). I didn't cry, only time I felt like crying was from being nervous with so many people looking at me while I walked down the aisle. The flowergirl, even after I reminded her right before I left down the aisle, did not drop any flowers, except for one single petal right at the end.
The pastor made more religious references that I expected (or from what my sister said there would be ). But what do I expect from a man whose job it is to talk about God. I giggled a little when my sister started to weep while reciting her vows. Yes, I am an asshole.
I was also giggling because the flowergirl, who is also my cousin, kept on waving at people in the audience. Then she would turn and look at me and poke me in the legs and poke her sister (the Jr. Bridesmaid) in the back. One time a plane flew over, and she, in a some what loud voice, said to me, "A Plane!" She started to pick up petals that were blowing out of her basket during the ceremony, and last...right before she was walking back up the aisle, she took a header to the ground. In the process she dumped most of her petals. She stayed down for a few seconds, pondering whether or not to cry, when I helped her up and told her it was ok and to go quick. Overall, she almost stole the show. (Notice in the picture my armpit fat is folding over...yeah, did I mention I barely fit in that dress?)The time between the ceremony and dinner was when the photographer took pictures of the bridal party, and the guest had a champagne hour. For the kids, my sister rented a cotton candy machine. Oh, but that didn't stop the adults from partaking in on the fun. It was very much my sister. One cousin on my dad's side, while eating his cotton candy, stated, "This is the best wedding ever!"
My maid of honor toast went well. I told the story about how my sister and the groom went to high school together but never interacted really, until they met again at a bar (heh) where she approached him (this is where my sister goes, "Nuh-uh, I was talking to random people and he just so happened to be there). Whatever. She liked what she saw, so she went ahead to go get it, and more power to her!After toasts the ran a slideshow of pictures of the two of them (separately and together). They played some good songs while showing them, like "God Only Knows," by the Beach Boys...I love that song. There were some embarrassing pictures of my sister "modeling" as a pre-teen and there was one of me dressed up as an "Indian" as a kid....Boy, I don't know what I or my mom were thinking. The dinner itself was kind of meh to me. It might be that I didn't really eat a lot of it to care, but how could I eat when I felt like if I put anything into my body my dress would rip apart.
The rest of the night was filled with dancing, chatting, drinking (unfortunately, not by me) and more dancing, oh yeah and Crabby Reception Hall Owners who yell at Maid of Honors for trying to help clean up. Crabby old hag.
My sister and her hubby are now in Acapulco on their honeymoon and all I have left from the wedding are bruises left over from where my corset was rubbing against my love handles (or what I like to call "sex fat"). Good Times.
9/29/2006
Wedding this Weekend...
My sister's wedding is this weekend. I am really looking forward to it. I checked the weather forcast, and it seemed like a miracle. The day before and after is forecasted for rain, but the day of it is suppose to be high in the 60's and sunny. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will happen. Still haven't planned out my maid of honor toast (shhh...don't tell anyone). But I think I know what I will do and say. Things I am expecting for the day:
Picture taking will be torturous.
I will be uncomfortable the whole night in my dress.
The biggest drunks at the reception will come from my (and the bride's) side of the family.
I won't dance, and if I do it will be with my little cousins (or when I have to, with the groomsmen).
Me to bomb on giving a funny and sentimental toast.
Catching up with some old friends (yay!)
Eating yummy cake.
Seeing my adorable little cousins all dressed up for the wedding.
Did I mention drunken relatives?
Good times to come.
Picture taking will be torturous.
I will be uncomfortable the whole night in my dress.
The biggest drunks at the reception will come from my (and the bride's) side of the family.
I won't dance, and if I do it will be with my little cousins (or when I have to, with the groomsmen).
Me to bomb on giving a funny and sentimental toast.
Catching up with some old friends (yay!)
Eating yummy cake.
Seeing my adorable little cousins all dressed up for the wedding.
Did I mention drunken relatives?
Good times to come.
For those who care
Yes, Heroes, was awesome. The pacing was a little odd, but I think that is due to the fact that the cast is so large and they aren't currently interacting with each other (although the pilot shows that they are all somehow connected, in some kind of Six Degrees kind of way). My opinion of some of the characters so far (giving almost all nicknames because I don't know their names well enough):
Hiro: Japanese guy who can stop/bend time and transport himself. He is your standard comic book geek who is super excited about his new abilities. I am liking him so far.
Cheerleader girl: She is unbreakable. Seems a little saddened by her abilities but at the same time curious to see how far she can push herself. Also revealed at the end that she may be adopted. Is one or both of her parents a Hero as well?
Stripper Mom: She has some kind of alter ego/dual personality, which she sees in the mirror. I am still not totally understanding what exactly her power is, but it is the most intriguing. She also has a genius son, who so far, doesn't appear to have any powers.
Politico guy's brother: Thought he could fly, but apparently could not. He is kind of annoying, in that ideal angst-y kind of way, but from the previews for future episodes it seems like he is still some how a central figure to the heroes. I have read on other forums that he may be an empath. I am hoping some kind of human cerebo (See X-Men).
Politico guy: He is the flyer. He is also an asshole, which isn't surprising since he is a politician.
Indian professor: Following up on his dad's research on human potential. I get the feeling that he is going to be a kind of Professor Xish figure on the show. Oh, and the actor who plays him is really nice to look at.
Drug addicted painter: Paints the future (while high?). I felt his character wasn't shown enough, but you get the feeling he is extremely tormented by his powers. If he doesn't need to be high to see the future, I am confused in wondering if he needs his painting abilities to see the future, or can he envision them on his own?
Drug addicted painter's girlfriend: I can do without her just because she is boring so far. Get a storyline please.
Cheerleader's Adoptive Dad: Seems to be chasing the heroes and people connected to them. Is he evil? So far I am saying yes. Does he know about his daughter's abilities? If not, what will he do when he finds out?
Kind of soap opera-y but I am still looking forward to future episodes.
Hiro: Japanese guy who can stop/bend time and transport himself. He is your standard comic book geek who is super excited about his new abilities. I am liking him so far.
Cheerleader girl: She is unbreakable. Seems a little saddened by her abilities but at the same time curious to see how far she can push herself. Also revealed at the end that she may be adopted. Is one or both of her parents a Hero as well?
Stripper Mom: She has some kind of alter ego/dual personality, which she sees in the mirror. I am still not totally understanding what exactly her power is, but it is the most intriguing. She also has a genius son, who so far, doesn't appear to have any powers.
Politico guy's brother: Thought he could fly, but apparently could not. He is kind of annoying, in that ideal angst-y kind of way, but from the previews for future episodes it seems like he is still some how a central figure to the heroes. I have read on other forums that he may be an empath. I am hoping some kind of human cerebo (See X-Men).
Politico guy: He is the flyer. He is also an asshole, which isn't surprising since he is a politician.
Indian professor: Following up on his dad's research on human potential. I get the feeling that he is going to be a kind of Professor Xish figure on the show. Oh, and the actor who plays him is really nice to look at.
Drug addicted painter: Paints the future (while high?). I felt his character wasn't shown enough, but you get the feeling he is extremely tormented by his powers. If he doesn't need to be high to see the future, I am confused in wondering if he needs his painting abilities to see the future, or can he envision them on his own?
Drug addicted painter's girlfriend: I can do without her just because she is boring so far. Get a storyline please.
Cheerleader's Adoptive Dad: Seems to be chasing the heroes and people connected to them. Is he evil? So far I am saying yes. Does he know about his daughter's abilities? If not, what will he do when he finds out?
Kind of soap opera-y but I am still looking forward to future episodes.
9/25/2006
Geekishly Excited
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)
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)
9/18/2006
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.
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