My Thoughts/Opinions on Pop Culture and Life

Haven't blogged in a while

2011-05-21T13:28:00.001-04:00

My friend doing a fantastic giveaway. I've recently started couponing and looking for any great deals until John can start working (due to immigration issues - but he is legally here!) Anyway, go to this site and you can enter the contest up to four times! Good luck (although I still do want to win)!

Here is the site:

http://jessicasheets.com/?p=1090&cpage=1#comment-11994

Frustrated.

2010-05-20T21:25:00.003-04:00

I thought I had a great weekend! I spent it with a guy who is great! He's generous, Godly, and likes me for me.

I've only goten one text from him since. I'm a bit worried, since he donated a kidney, therefore only has one. I hope he is okay. I am also worried that maybe he didn't like me that much. :( He was in the hospital for a short amount of time, at least til tuesday. He told me that he was released.

So I'm a little confused... a friend told me I shouldn't have cause to worry yet. I don't know how when I should start worrying. I feel very rejected either way!

Free Credit Score?

2010-03-29T11:16:00.002-04:00

Don't ever use free credit score.com. I hate these people right now. They tell you that they will give you a credit score free, then ask for your card to "verify your identity" and then charge you a 15 dollar "membership fee" for them to watch your credit score. Then when you call them, like I did they say "you got a free credit score." I told them, No I didn't because you charged me. Then they gave me my money back.

ALSO, never buy anything online through walmart. I did.. well tried.. twice this weekend. First Friday I put in an order for a laptop. Then it got cancelled, which they never told me. I only found it was cancelled by checking the status of my order. They said it was cancelled because they "couldn't verify the security of my payment" or some BS. I used paypal!!!

Anyway, Then SATURDAY, I tried again using my debit card. So, they cancelled it AGAIN stating that it was basically an inventory issue (they didn't have it). It was never shipped, so they should have never even had anything on my bank account. Well, today I still have a hold a boatload of money on my account because as they say "it takes time for the authorization hold to come off." Why would they even put a hold on an account when they don't even HAVE the product?! This makes no sense to me. I have contacted their customer service (which like many places like that SUCKS), and they supposedly were sending a fax to my credit union. I e-mailed AND called my credit union. NO response to my e-mail yet, and when I called they transferred me to a woman and all I got was her stupid voicemail. I am really ticked off about this, and if this girl gets charged and NSF fees either walmart of my Credit union is reiumbursing me for that!!

How I feel today.

2010-03-23T12:57:00.002-04:00

Lyrics to a Buckcherry song called "sorry"

Oh I have a lot to say was thinking of my time away
I missed you and things weren't the same

Cause everything inside it never comes out right
And when I see you cry it makes me want to die

I'm sorry I'm bad I'm sorry you're blue
I'm sorry about all the things I said to you
And I know I can't take it back
I love how you kiss, I love all your sounds,
and baby the way you make my world go round
And I just wanted to say I'm sorry

This time I think I'm to blame
It's harder to get through the days
You get older and blame turns to shame

Every single day I think about how we came all this way
the sleepless nights and the tears you've cried
its never to late to make it right
all right sorry

I'm sorry I'm bad I'm sorry you're blue
I'm sorry about all the things I said to you
And I know I can't take it back
I love how you kiss, I love all your sounds,
and baby the way you make my world go round
And I just wanted to say I'm sorry

I'm sorry baby
I'm sorry baby
yeah
I'm sorry

Miley Cyrus is a mentor On IDOL?!

2010-03-22T15:21:00.001-04:00

Wow. I just read an article online (link is above.. click on the title of the blog) that says that Miley Cyrus is going to be the "mentor" on this week's "Idol." Really AI? Couldn't find someone better than MILEY "Man voice" Cyrus? She has NO range and flat out can't sing. The only reason she has a career is because she came out of the "Disney Machine," which turns any one of their little stars on the Disney Channel into a "singer."

This disgusts me. Hello- Crystal Bowersox (i think that's how you spell her name) needs NO advice from Miley Cyrus. Seriously?! This season has been bad, but still, I venture to say all of those kids are better singers than Miley. This just disgusts me.

Confusion

2010-03-22T14:05:00.006-04:00

I'm as confused as ever. I got an e-mail from the man I love saying I shouldn't have to wait for him because his life is insecure right now and very uncertain... saying we should be friends.

Am I too much of a girl if this says to me "yes, I should wait"? Especially when a man tells me that I'm a good woman and I deserve better. Would a lesser man say that? I don't know. Is it a line to keep me "on the line" as suggested by someone else I know? I don't know.

I'm just trying to pray for strength and wisdom.. maybe some discernment. Its hard for me to see this objectively.

Healthcare

2010-03-22T14:05:00.001-04:00

No, I don't feel like I should have to pay for people's healthcare that can't pay for it themselves. The end.

Sandy Rios Vs. Lady Gaga?

2010-03-19T11:18:00.003-04:00

So I stumbled across a video online while reading another article that really made me surprisingly angry. (Click on the title of this post to get to the video).

This woman, Sandy Rios was talking (and really going off) about the new Lady Gaga video. She was saying that this video was poisoning the mind of our children, and also had the audacity to say it was mentally raping them.

This really ticks me off, because any parent who is allowing or encouraging their children to watch this Lady Gaga video shouldn't have kids. No, its not for kids... It is not meant for kids. People shouldn't be allowing their kids to watch these things... and if they fault is theirs.

Although some of the video is shocking (I began to watch it at work, and switched it off because she wasn't wearing a whole lot, and it was rather racy). However, she's not wearing much less than Beyonce does in a performance (she's a big fan of the leotards lately).

I know Lady Gaga is polarizing, but she admits she's an artist. I actually am quite a fan of her music. Sometimes her fashion is a little weird, but that's also how high fashion often is... and its no different than some of the costumes that made Cher famous (remember the "If I could turn back time" music video? She was bearing her booty and the tattoo on it). Not to mention Madonna.. she was VERY controversial back in the day.. now she's just got scary manish arms.

So basically Sandy Rios needs to shut up. She's an idiot. She may not like it, but the constitution protects the freedom of speech, and in a way, yes this is art. Much art is Controversial. It may not be moral. It may not even mean that the person performing it partakes in certain acts, or is a bad person. A lot of this stuff is done for publicity and to make a name for an artist/director/whomever.

Sandy Rios also says that this is feeding sexual predators desires. I'm sorry, but you're coo coo. There are a lot of other horrible things on line and in the world that will feed those sexual predators and their demented desires and thoughts. Don't blame Lady Gaga for the next 12 women who get raped or worse. There are always going to be bad people in the world... its not Lady Gaga causing them to assault women or even worse, children.

But having said that, Don't let your kids watch this! I can understand if you let your kids listen to the song "Telephone." It has a great beat, and it can be fun for kids to sing... I can't think of the words and don't know if all of it is appropriate for small kids. But this just shows that parents need to talk to their kids about sex, strangers, and all of that before something or someone else teaches them about it.

To All You Men Out There

2010-03-15T11:07:00.002-04:00

Just for you men.. I'd like to give you some advice.

When you want to "take a break" or break-up with a woman... just do it. Don't drag it out... don't play games behind her back, don't stop calling/e-mailing/returning her calls. Don't change your phone number. Don't just disappear. You see, you might see this as the easiest way out... but its the cowardly way out. Its the weak way out. You see this as avoiding the tears, maybe the anger that she will have toward you. However, we see it as demeaning, insulting, and flat out rude. There's no closure. No explanation. Believe me, we'd much rather know that you're "just not that into us" rather than not knowing what happened.

You see, when we don't know what happened, we blame ourselves. We think "maybe its because I said this." Or maybe we think its because we did that (or didn't do something else). We don't know. This is not right. You can at least me man enough to tell a woman that you no longer want to see her TO HER FACE. NOT via text, e-mail, voicemail or letter. You need to tell her to her face. She deserves this much, no matter how upset you might make her. If you want to break up, you might have to deal with some tears. If you're a real man, you should be able to take that heat. A few tears? I mean would you rather her hate you forever? Believe me, its a lot easier to get over a guy when he breaks up with you like a man, rather than like a little boy- by just running away.

Ironically, the only man who has ever broken up with me in a proper way (to my face, with some honesty) was a man who is now openly gay. Really? And you straight guys can't handle it? Aren't you supposed to be the alpha males who can handle anything? It might be uncomfortable, it might be no fun, but its the right thing to do. And if you can't handle it, quite frankly you don't deserve any woman that you might be dumping for some stupid reason... because let's face it.. most of the reasons are idiotic.

Give up

2010-03-14T17:51:00.000-04:00

I give up. I can't take it anymore. I just give up. Love isn't worth the heartache.

Sad

2010-03-11T19:05:00.003-05:00

I miss him. I don't know what to do. There's no way for me to contact him. I feel helpless. I hate feeling that way. Did I mention I miss him?

Its not normal to be seeing someone and not actually SEE them for a long period of time. I'm ashamed to even say how long. But I know it isn't my fault. Is it his fault? I don't know. All I know is that the one person I want to talk to in the whole world is the one person I haven't been able to talk with for too long.

So many people tell me their opinions. They tell me their opinion of a man they've never met. The only person who hasn't told me to cut my losses is my best friend... because she knows me best. I hope that's why at least... oh and my friend Amber... she told me to follow my heart. I have been following my heart. Now my heart hurts. But in the end could it all be worth it? Maybe. I don't know. I'm too used to being abandoned and having my heart broken. I hate it. Can't ONE thing be easy? Just one. I've never had anything come easy to me... all I ask for is one thing. I'm not rich... I barely make enough to get by. Its difficult getting by as a single person these days. I'm going to be in debt for the rest of my life, unless I hit the lottery (and since I don't play, that might be difficult). One thing... I'm almost 30 years old and I feel like I'm on the verge of losing someone that has meant more to me than probably any other man in my life... although I've only known him for a year.

Then again I wonder... is a year my limit? I have dated people before.. and right around a year they always head for the hills. I'm not a horribly difficult person to get along with in a relationship. I am very giving, loving and supportive. I just don't get it. Sometimes I feel utterly unloveable.

Maybe I'm just venting.. and I hope that I didn't bum anyone out that might actually be reading this. I just need to vent and see if anyone else in the world feels like this.

What happened to figure skating?

2010-02-16T11:11:00.002-05:00

I remember back in the day watching figure skating... and if the person fell, they were pretty much out of the running for metals. Now, the way the score it is so jacked up, that if you fall, but you have a bunch of other (not artistic, but difficult) crap in your routine, you still get a metal? This does not make sense to me. I watched MOST of the pairs skating last night... and I saw a lot of people falling, and one pair which got the bronze. But there were many other couples who did a fine job without falling who got much lower scores because they didn't pad their scores with extra points by grabbing the blade of their skate (making it much less artistic if you ask me) and doing all sorts of ugly positions while spinning. WHAT HAPPENED?! Why did they ruin this competitive sport? Its not as fun to watch as it used to be. No one has any clue where the points come from anymore.

I feel sorry for most of the people who skate in this sport, because I think the scoring has ruined the joy of watching it.

Happiness

2010-02-14T16:40:00.002-05:00

I often wonder if happiness is in the cards (so to speak) for me. Doesn't it seem so often that only some people get happiness, and others get a life full of heartache, pain, strife and struggle? I am wondering now if I will ever find happiness. The world has been a pretty cruel place to me, especially since I've gotten out of college. Most of my friends have married and started making lives and families for themselves. I am almost 30, single, and lost and heartbroken. I wonder if I will find someone who will be able to love me. I often wonder how I am single and so many other people have found their matches. What is it about me that makes me unlovable? I don't know. I thought I had a good heart but now I'm wondering if I don't just deserve all this for one reason or another.

I hate Valentine's day.

2010-02-10T22:28:00.002-05:00

I have never once had a good Valentine's day... I'm starting to wonder if I ever will. This year I expect nothing so I'm not disappointed. That's how I view life these days.... expect nothing so you don't get disappointed and hurt. This is no way to go through life. And by the way it doesn't work. I always end up disappointed anyway. Because even though I tell myself to expect nothing, still in the back of my mind I think "well just maybe...."

Actually this way of life has become a lot better in the past year or so. Before then, I would literally expect nothing, look for nothing more out of life, and got nothing more. When I decided to expect more, and look for more, I got more... but now I'm wondering if there's even more.

Don't I deserve more? I try to tell myself I do, although usually I wonder if its true.

Things have been really difficult for me lately and its been getting me down. I often wonder when things will start going my way, or if they ever will. Just when I think things are starting to look up something else goes wrong.... I guess that's why I try to expect nothing, because that's what I feel I usually get.

Why?

2010-02-06T16:08:00.003-05:00

How do some people seem to be able to share their innermost feelings so easily? I find my opionions on stupid things (that don't really matter like politics) are so easy to share, yet my feelings of love towards family and the love of my life are soooo much more difficult to share? Does everyone feel this way or am I somehow handicapped?

Jumping to conclusions

2010-02-04T21:06:00.002-05:00

When you jump to a conclusion, is it usually right?

I hate when something happens and I automatically go to the worst possible scenario ever..... this happened to me again. I hadn't heard from my man in about two weeks and I was freaking out... thinking he was either dead or something just as bad...... and it turns out it was just a series of circumstances that led to that happening.

Not cool.

Frustration/Love

2010-02-03T11:07:00.002-05:00

I am extremely frustrated right now... and there's nothing I can really do about it.

Last Friday (not the 29th, but the 22nd)- I got a message via IM from my man saying that he was going to call me. This might seem wierd, but he not too long ago traveled home to Africa in for a family emergency and was gone for a while. In order to get money for the extremely expensive trip, he sold his phone to a friend. Well, since then he hasn't had a phone. And that I know of, since he's been back he hasn't gotten a job. Employers apparently don't like it when you pick up and leave for another country for months.

Anyway, we haven't had phone contact since he left and has been back. The last time he tried to call me from his computer, I didn't answer because it said "Unknown number" and on my phone, that usually means someone calling for some guy named Charlie Jones that I don't know, never have known and never will know. He apparently isn't too great at paying bills.

Anyway, that was the reason he told me he was going to call... because the last time I didn't answer. So, I being the silly, head-over-heels in love girl that I am stayed home nearly all night (except for a small excursion for Chinese food) waiting for a phone call. Got nothing. So I believe the next day I sent him a message saying that if he called I never got it... and was hoping to talk to him soon. Sunday comes around... still nothing. So I message him asking him if he's okay. Still nothing.

So then about every other day since then I've either sent him an e-mail or a message asking him if everything is okay, and praying that he is. Still nothing. I have it set up so that on my blackberry when i send an e-mail I will get a receipt when the e-mail is read. Still nothing.

So I called his old number of his phone he sold. The person called me back, but I couldn't answer at the time, so I called back again and left a message. That was Monday. No response back.

I hate to think the wrong thing, but I can't really help it. I also can't help but think he could be deathly ill or hurt in a hospital and I have no idea. I hate that. If anyone out there has ever not been able to contact the one they love, they know how I feel. It is absolute agony.

So If you're a prayer, please pray for us, and for him. Also for my mom as she is sick & in the hospital, but I don't know what's going on with that yet. Please and thank you. I'm going crazy here!

Jay Leno: Nice try.

2010-01-19T21:23:00.002-05:00

Apparently last night on his show, Jay Leno said something like this about this whole late night debacle: "Its just business..when you don't get the ratings they take you off the air."

Really, Leno? You mean like your failing show? The one that has been cancelled because of its ratings? Hey Leno, remember when it took you 18 months to get your ratings to where the network wanted them? So you just crap all over Conan's dream because you can't face the facts that your out of date and ridiculously unfunny.

I will never watch The Tonight Show again while Leno is hosting. He is not funny, irrelevant, and in my eyes, ridiculously not classy, for allowing this whole thing to happen becaues you can't realize that you should be wearing all denim every day "working" on your cars and eating unhealthy food. I'm ashamed that I know that much about him.

Heidi Montag (excuse the language): Media Whore

2010-01-19T20:19:00.004-05:00

When I go to work, this might sound crazy, but I leave the TV on for the dog. I usually watch the Today show in the morning (mostly for the weather). So when I get home, the TV is still on NBC. And about the time I get home, those entertainment non-news shows are on. So today when I got home, this "celebrity" Heidi Montag was on one of them. She was saying that she wasn't addicted to plastic surgery, she did this for her "music career" (although she refused to sing for the person interviewing her), and that she was a "strong Christian" and that God made her the way she was, but he also brought her plastic surgeon into the world and he could have put the man on this earth because he knew she was going to try to have a music career and want plastic surgery. All that after admitting she didn't like the way she looked before.

First of all:

God makes us all the way we are: Psalm 139:13-17- "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place...."and it goes on.

So a "strong Christian" would know this, and would not let society, the music industry or anyone else dictate to them to change what the LORD above gave them.

Second of all, they showed a little portion of what she was doing a photo shoot in.. and it wasn't much.... it looked ridiculous with her insanely fake, huge breasts. Paul says if it causes your brother to stumble don't do it. So she's going to have plastic surgery and then show her body to everyone (to lust after)? How is this something a Christian thinks is okay?

I have so many problems with this person... Claiming to be a Christian, and carrying on the way she does... only does the Good name of Christians everywhere harm. Her and Carrie Prejon (or however you spell it, I don't really pay that much attention) make us all look horrible, and I hate it!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Leno, Bow Out.

2010-01-14T11:05:00.002-05:00

I have heard over the years (even Conan has said it) that Leno is a "class act." He might not be funny but he supposedly a "good guy."

If he were such a great guy, he would bow out of this whole situation. I understand that he supposedly didn't want to leave the tonight show(he wanted to continue telling lame, unfunny jokes for years to come apparently), but the network decided to go another direction. Can you blame them? Now, its more about pleasing affiliates and new owners than anything else. Conan hasn't had a chance to really establish himself and his show (let alone settle in to his new home, no doubt)... and they're considering breaching the contract they signed years ago.

I don't care where Conan is, wherever he is, whatever network- I'll watch him. I will never watch Leno again. I think this whole thing would be fairly easily fixed if he did bow out, and do the graceful, classy thing. He doesn't seem to be doing that. Which pisses me off, because if he was such a great guy, he would. Its not like he needs the money. This whole thing is ridiculous.

Conan, You are awesome. Please stay.

2010-01-11T14:07:00.002-05:00

For those of you who were not aware... I love Conan. I have a freaking conan coffee mug from the NBC store I love him so much. My love for conan has been described as... unnatural.. obsessive... and so totally awesome. lol.

The point is, I hope Conan Stays with the tonight show... if for no other reason than to make Leno stay with a lousy half hour show (which will most likely get cancelled), and stay under the tonight show title. I think conan deserves it. He's SOOO much funnier than Leno (when was the last time Leno was funny? oh, and headlines don't count, because he does nothing for those).

Please Conan STAY ON THE TONIGHT SHOW! Show NBC who can really be successful! I will watch you no matter where you are, but I think that it would be a shame for you to not be the host of the Tonight Show. Don't let Leno continue to Dumb down humor for those who can't understand good humor.

LENO SUCKS.

2010-01-11T08:58:00.001-05:00

Yeah, I said it... Leno Sucks. He's not funny. If NBC knew anything about TV or culture, or FUNNY, they would give Leno the heave ho. I am PISSED that they're pushing Conan back To give Leno a half-hour long show. I will always be sure that my TV is NOT on NBC for that time, and still Record Conan (whether he's on FOX or NBC). I am boycotting Leno. Seriously, if Leno knows what's good for him he'll retire. I thought that's what he wanted anyway?

LENO: You were funny 20 years ago, but your jokes are lame and NOT funny now. I will not watch your show and I will encourage anyone I know not to watch it.

(I'm not dellusional enough to believe he would actually read by blog, just venting).

Conan vs. Leno

2010-01-08T15:24:00.000-05:00

Thanks to those of you who follow me.. lately postings have been few and far between, mostly because I was without internet at home for a while. Posting via Blackberry can be soo tedious.

I was reading on google news today that Leno's new 10pm show is struggling. This does not surprise me. I don't find any of his jokes funny, I find them lame. The only funny things he does are headlines and jaywalking, and those don't really have anything to do with his jokes, they just show the stupidity of people in general.

I also read something about him possibly going back to 11:30... wait.. he's struggling at one time, so NBC really things putting him at his old time will help? Hey, NBC, its not the timeslot. I think its time for Leno to retire from TV. Its long overdue. He does the same jokes night after night and they're not usually funny the first time.

They said they would give Conan a choice whether he wants to go to another network. Apparently this is all speculation ? I don't know, it was on the NY times website. I suggest that NBC, if they cancel leno's 10pm show, not to give leno another show, even if it is only a half hour (what would be the point?).

They need to not mess with my Conan. Conan is freaking hilarious and is a great tonight show host. What would they be thinking to bring Leno back? I don't know if any of this is true, but I do know that no one under 50 thinks Leno is funny. Period.

John & Kate

2009-10-08T22:03:00.002-04:00

I've never seen the show John & Kate plus 8. I had never even heard of it until a few months ago. I've only ever seen clips of it on shows like "The Soup." But somehow, even though I've never wanted to watch this show, these people are constantly on my TV. They need to go away and get off my TV. The media circus needs to stop giving these people airtime.

I do not care about all the negativity going on in these people's lives. I do not want to hear another story about how a man is leaving his wife for casual sex with young women. I do not want to see another man basically abandon his children because he's bored with his life. I do not care who is taking what money out of their bank account. Please take them off our TVs.

Why don't we see more information about the Crisis in Darfur? That is more important than John &Kate. That is more tragic, and has to do with innocent civilians being murdered and raped. There are children being turned into killing machines.

Let's hope that John & Kate go away, and we start to see some real news on our TVs. Otherwise, I challenge you to turn off those shows that glorify these two people who are divorcing. I feel sorry for the kids, but let's face it- their father is more of a child than they are and both of their parents are feeding the media frenzy when they should be tending to their children.

Let's focus on something we may be able to do something about and help. What do you know about Darfur? How can you help? I'm working on letters to people in positions of importance at the UN. You can too. See my link relating to this story to see what more you can do.

Aunt Neen

2009-09-25T23:18:00.003-04:00

In case you didn't know, My Aunt died Saturday. She was a huge part of my life... she always will be. She's the person who helped make me who I am. A lot of my sense of humor and my alleged wittiness is because of how much time I've spent with her throughout my life.

Its taken me a while to write this because every time I think about it, or say it out loud... it doesn't seem like it could be true. I was there. I saw her body lifeless, not breathing that day. I still find it surreal. I went to the viewing. Even as I walked into the funeral home it didn't seem like this could be possible. How could Aunt Neen be dead? How is this fair? She was only 54 years old!

She fought valliantly... stubbornly. Imagine that, a member of my family is stubborn! She defied everything they said of her with this cancer. They said it would be two months. She went three and a half. They said a few days after going off dialysis, maybe a week. It was a week and a half. These may seem like small things but I know she didn't want to die. I know she wanted to fight and fight and never give up.

I know she didn't want to because I was there when hospice first came to the house. I was in her room with her. I had gone to see her and to bring my dog to see her too... because she loved him so much. She said to me "I don't know why they're all here. I think they think I'm dying." I wanted to cry... but I couldn't do it in front of her. She was so brave... how could I be so weak in her presence?

I never thought I could feel more pain in losing someone after Andrea died last year. I still miss her every day. But when I grew up... gosh.. I spent so much time with my Aunt, if we didn't live in a small town people would have believed I was her daughter (I say that because everyone knows everyone, so they knew who my mom really was). She did so much for me and in the end all I can do for her is sing at her funeral. I was there for her.. I visited her.. I was there every day in the end. But that doesn't make me feel like I somehow lost time with her by not being there every day for the last two years.

I know this is all part of the process. Part of me thinks that if I go to Grandma's house, that she's still going to be there. Not like she was in the end.. just in bed not able to really respond. She'd be there like she always was... full of life, laughter and just love.

No matter what I said or did... no matter how I screwed up.. she always loved me. No matter what... she was always there for me. Never in judgment... always in love and understanding... and usually with humor.

I know although she couldn't really respond to me at the end.. I know... in my heart of hearts that she heard me say how much I loved her, and when I thanked her for everyhing she's done for me in my life. I know she heard me. I know she loved me. She didn't know any other way.

Kanye West: Jackass

2009-09-16T14:03:00.002-04:00

So what? The president called Kanye west a jackass. So ... when is it wrong to speak in truth, whether on the record or off? Quite frankly, thank goodness someone high profile said it (and it doesn't get much higher profile than the president).

Obama said that Kanye is a jackass because guess what: HE IS A JACKASS! Recall the hurricane Katrina telethon. Recall his actions toward paparazzi. I admit, I would probably get pretty ticked off about people constantly taking my picture- but then again if you're famous you must be kind of thankful for that too, because if they weren't taking your picture anymore that means no one cares about you and you must have fallen into obscurity.

I also found his "apology" on Jay Leno very contrived and not sincere at all. The almost fake crying did nothing for me. Maybe he was upset about how his mother would have reacted. However, that doesn't say to me he's any less of an idiot (or as the president said, jackass). He has proven to be a very ignorant racist person.

Racist, you ask? Yes. Kanye West is the kind of person who doesn't help the problem with racism in this country, but makes it worse. He obviously sees color (hence "George Bush doesn't care about black people.") This bothers me. I mean, obviously everyone physically sees color. But many people in the world do not go out of their way to say "I don't care for that person because he/she is black." I admit that there are people who DO. However, I think that those people are not in the majority anymore as they used to be.

Finally! And then the bad news....

2009-09-15T00:27:00.002-04:00

So today my man was finally able to contact me.. thank goodness! I can't handle no contact! We texted.. and he told me something that troubled me. HE said that he was dropped from a class and that changes his status. I didn't know what that meant. He said he has to take 12 credits to keep his status as a student here, and without that many credits he could get deported. This definitely worries me. Lansing is far enough away! Africa is too far away. Duh! Like I even had to say that.

So hopefully things will all work out. I'm praying hard... because honestly I would be devastated if he left me here alone.

Feeling down

2009-09-12T22:54:00.003-04:00

The last week (not even full week) has been unbareable. The guy I've been seeing is having some issues with his phone service and I haven't been able to talk to him since Monday. We talked on the phone Monday, he e-mailed me on Wednesday and since then there has been no contact. I hate it. I feel like we're not even together. I hate it. I hate not being able to see him I hate us being so far apart- even though its not even that far.

I think he's worth it.. no- I know he's worth all the nights and days I spend without him. I just hate that I have to do it. I think that in one way its better than not having someone who (hopefully) is missing me too... but that doesn't make it suck any less.

I feel like I'm ready. I don't know if he is... sometimes I feel like he is... but I've been wrong before, so I try not to be too excited about it. I've just been burned so much and I get scared. I get scared when I don't get to talk to him on the phone. We've been in contact nearly every day one way or another for a while now... and all my fears just start building up.

He's told me he's afraid about what I think if he doesn't call me at night. I'm no expert but I think that means he cares. I just can't help that those fears to build up. I'm not sure what to say about it. I've just been treated like crap a lot... and I don't want to open myself up to that again. However, I do want to open up to him and to know him and for him to know me.

I'll stop going on and on now!

Thoughts of Confusion

2009-09-07T10:37:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I just don't understand.... why do these things happen that shake me to the core and make me wonder about people... why do I have such an issue with trust that if I don't hear from my man, I automatically assume the worst? Maybe its because the worst has happened to me time and time again. Is this something I have to reiterate to him? Is he just that clueless? Or does he just not care? These are all of my questions... and I have no answer to them and no way to get in touch with him at this moment.

This is why men think we're crazy.

2009-08-18T20:34:00.004-04:00

Alot has happened since my last post.

My brother got married:

It was the most beautiful wedding and most entertaining, fun and original reception I've ever been to. It was still traditional, but there were many neat ideas! I definitely know who is helping me when I have my big day! For those of you who don't know, that would be my sister-in-law, not my brother. Seriously- its sooo weird to think I have a sister-in-law!

Another thing has happened since then. I am very happy with the man I've been seeing. Actually, I'm getting ready to introduce him to my mom for the first time. Actually, this is the first time I've brought someone "home" in years. Its rather nerve-racking! I think its so much so for me because I know that this is actually important. I'm just so happy with him and I want to continue moving in a positive direction with him. :)

I said a lot.. but I guess I was wrong.. it was more like two major things.

2009-07-26T00:50:00.001-04:00

I love my life...

I had a wonderful day with Davies today... such a good time all around... what kind of man says to you "Thank you for spending time with me today"? A great one.

Coward

2009-07-20T00:15:00.002-04:00

I really hate when people leave stupid comments on my blog:

I just got this today, and no I won't publish it under whatever post it was posted on, but I will show it for what it is:

You're right. Your coworker had no right to make assumptions about someone who has twice been charged with counts of child molestation, changed his appearance so as to in no way resemble his former self, and who died of a suspected drug overdose. You had every right to chastise her for stating an opinion.

However, it is perfectly acceptable to show the love of Christ to your neighbors by leaving them passive-aggressive notes about taking out their trash. I'm sure the phrase "it's not rocket science" was in no way rude, hurtful or disrespectful and I'm sure it opened many doors for you to show them Christ's love in the future.

Standing up for a deceased person that you don't even know doesn't take much effort, but showing the same respect to those nearest to you does.If you want others to take your messages seriously, consider the other messages you're posting on the very same blog.

As for the first paragraph above:

I did not chastise her for her judgemental opinion. And no, she didn't have the right to judge anyone, and neither do you... whoever you are. No one has the right to judge... it says so in the good book. You aren't God and I'm glad you aren't because you speaking to me in that fashion just shows that you're one of those people who takes themself way too seriously and can't take a joke.

Second paragraph: I Left my neighbors a note instead of talking to them because they stay up all night partying (loudly and disrespectfully.. although having been asked nicely to respect the other people in this place) and aren't awake during the daytime or if they are, they aren't around. So the note was to make sure they got the message. And seriously, who doesn't know how to take out trash? It certainly isn't rocket science. And the fact that you got uptight enough about that just shows that you obviously don't know me and my sense of humor.

Here are a few other things about these neighbors: At least one was on felony probation, recently his probation officer came looking for him to arrest him. I'm pretty confident they were selling and using drugs in their apartment which is only separated by a wall and a vent from my place. I had no proof, so I could not call the police.. since they live next door and I already felt unsafe with them living there... especially with the type of people that they associated with. What else? yes, there's more. Another one was being sought out by Child Protective Services for some reason. I don't know ... all I know is that they have been looking for him and watching over him for some time. Also, I heard the way those guys talked to those kids (with all sorts of expletives) and I understand a little of why. I have gotten up at four in the morning and asked them to be quiet because they woke me.. and anyone that knows me knows I can sleep through ANYTHING. Well, at least I used to think I could.

Before you come down on me, maybe you should think of how you would feel if after asking multiple times for trash to be taken out, and going up to your door with trash in front of it because animals came up the stairs and got into the trash and ripped the bag open. How would you feel after in the summer you came home every day to more and more trash building up outside your door? Believe me, it didn't smell good either.

Third Paragraph: I stand up for things I think deserve to be stood up for. Friends (you can ask many), causes, and I like to keep people in check. Most people don't realize when they are offending others (and I'm sorry, but as much as you might not like it, the MJ subject is a touchy one for many people).

I urge you all to remember a few things. Before you judge anyone for altering their looks through plastic surgery, something they are accused of, or just being "different," think about this: how many women "alter" their appearance with make-up? How many people work out not to stay healthy, but to "look good?" You're not throwing stones are you?

And also, next time you judge someone for something they are accused of.. maybe you can think of a time when someone falsely accused you of something you didn't do. How did that make you feel? I can only think of a few little things that I was accused of that I know I didn't do, and I know that made me feel horrible. I can only imagine if it was something like what MJ was accused of (and found not guilty of for lack of evidence).

One last thing:

People who can't even have the gall to put their real name on a post are really just hiding. I think that is just ridiculous. So many people get on the computer and go to whatever site and post their opinion on things to feel important.. or to show "how right they are." Maybe before posting next time, you can consider that you may not know the person you are coming down on. You don't know their situation. And you certainly have no right telling the person what to do, how to react, or what to post or not to post. I'm just a flat out honest person who likes to make people laugh. Some people may not get this... they may not realize how to take my posts because they don't know me. Know this: This blog was not meant for your eyes then. My friends read this, and I expect no one else to read and understand this blog because even people that know me sometimes don't know how to take me.

Lighten up.

Judgemental People/Christians

2009-07-07T22:09:00.004-04:00

This past week or so I have been plagued by the fact that people (especially Christians) are so judgemental. I will try to put this into words because this very thing makes me very upset- especially within the Christian community.

This is what encouraged this post:

A little over a week ago, I was at Uccellos with some friends from work. A girl I worked with said something that most people know better than to say to me. She said that she thought Michael Jackson was "weird." I asked "well, do you know him?" She said no. I said "well, have you ever met him?" Again, she responded with a no. I said "well, then you don't really know, do you?" I can't remember if there was any logic or educated response- she just said "I just think he's weird." I again went through my questions, then said "You and I both know there's One Judge, and you're not He." Of course, as a Christian she had nothing to say in response to that.

Then today, I made a joke about how I should have used a funeral day or bereavement time for today. She gave me the death stare, as if I was Satan himself. I looked at her and said "It was a joke!" Then she said some things that really got me hot. She said she thought he was "overrated," and as I told her "Not to go there" she said he was "a freak." I told her again not to go there.

First of all, I know the history. Believe me, I've been a Michael Jackson fan since I was born practically. I know more than the average person does about his life. I still believe in America, our Legal system, and I do believe (as emphasized in the memorial today) that men are innocent until proven guilty. Michael Jackson has not been proven guilty.

I also do believe that ALL men have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. I also believe in his saving grace. I believe that ALL men have sinned. Shall the first of us cast the first stone at Michael Jackson for his legal problems, alleged crimes, "odd" behavior, or changing "look?"

Did you know that before Michael Jackson MTV never played R & B or black artists? Thank you MJ for Thriller.

It really makes me angry when holier-than-thou Christians (or people in general) assume things. And it also ticks me off when Christians go out of their way to judge people (judge not, lest you be judged according to the same measure). The judgmental Christians of this world are the ones who turn people off to the church. I have been on the "turned off" side, so I can speak to it. Its the same for the "fake" Christians. People don't want a part of something fake, judgmental, hypocritical. They want to be part of something genuine, loving, and accepting.

So next time you want to cast that stone, remember that you are not perfect. Whether or not Michael Jackson (or anyone else for that matter) had "Issues" with his looks, money, etc.. think about what occured over the past few weeks. The day he died, the world practically stopped. Every news story was about how he had passed. Everyone was talking about it. No one could believe it. Everyone was listening to songs like "Heal the World," "Earth Song," "Hold Me," and any other song by MJ.

Maybe something else you can do is say to yourself: What can I do to impact the world? How can I do my part?

I'm sorry, but I doubt many of us will know how it feels to have the world love them, and to have impacted so many people through spoken word or song that thousands of people will do whatever it takes to simply have a seat at our funeral.

And today. Hundreds of thousands of people stopped their day to watch or participate in a memorial service to a man they didn't personally know. He was a true humanitarian. He got the whole world to stop and sing "Heal the World, and "We are the World" in the middle of a workweek. People all over the streets of New York City and London were holding hands and singing songs about making the world a better place! How extraordinary is that? How often does it happen that the whole WORLD takes note of an event?

Let's continue to not judge each other, but lift each other up in prayer. Let us get to know each other, and truly love each other. Maybe next time when someone says "I love you," You can respond with "I love you more" and truly mean it.

Relationships

2009-06-29T19:01:00.003-04:00

With the way things have been going with me lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking. I was thinking about how my relationships have gone in the past... as well as just my past experiences.

One thing I'm beginning to wonder if I know how to be in a relationship. I have been alone for so long I don't know if I know how to be with someone. This really scares me to death, because I don't want to be alone- and I don't believe God created any of us to be alone.

I don't want to be alone- but right now I feel like its all I know. I really do feel alone in the world right now. I'm not sure anyone can know or understand all the things I feel.

I know that the Lord is there to comfort me- believe that. Sometimes it just nice to have a friend to talk to and who will just be there and let you cry on their shoulder. I don't really feel like I have any friends close enough in proximity to do that for me.

Sometimes you just need a hug, you know?

Lies

2009-06-28T13:52:00.002-04:00

I have never understood why some people lie. I know that we've all done it- whether its "you look great in that," or "no, your dog isn't annoying," or "your baby is so cute!" However, when it matters... when it really truly matters, why lie?

I'm going to surprise myself with how much I'm going to share- I know already. I was recently in a relationship with a man, and I'm now finding out/realizing that my deepest thoughts may have been true- and that he told me at least more than one lie. What I don't understand about people is do they really think I'm that dumb? And by people I mean do men really think I'm that dumb? Do I look like I can be easily fooled? I'm told I look young, but never dumb. Maybe that's another lie! Who knows?!

The point is this: Men: Don't lie. The woman in your life (whether it be significant other, friend, or even family member) has an undeniable intuition that she may or may not ignore... but the truth always does come out.

Yes- by nature women are curious- as someone once told me "nosy.' Do you want to know why we are? Because we've been hurt before and we're trying to protect ourselves from the lies that many men tend to tell... for no real good reason.

I can handle the truth any day, but to me, there is no reason for a lie.

Al Capone once said that "The only reason you lie is that you are afraid." I think that a lot of times this is true. Maybe you're afraid of what people would really think, how they will react, or maybe you're just afraid to be yourself. I know a lot of time for me, its because I'm afraid of rejection. I've had so much rejection in my life I shouldn't be afraid of it anymore. However, the fear comes from knowing how much the rejection hurts. For those of you who may not know- I try to put up a tough front but I'm pretty sensitive. I take things harder than a lot of people. I've always been sensitive. Ask anyone who I went to elementary school with. I'm sure they'll tell you all sorts of names I was called... and then the name I got when I was made fun of for reacting to those names.

All these things have made me who I am... and I know that everything happens for a reason. The hurt is just so much sometimes.

Too long

2009-06-23T08:52:00.002-04:00

I've let fear rule my life for too long. I'm trying to turn that around and be more bold in my relationship with someone I care for deeply. We'll see how this goes!

Pray for me- anyone who reads this.

How well do you really know your friends?

2009-06-20T00:50:00.002-04:00

I was just wondering how well we know the people we call our friends. All day- any day- a single person can have millions of thoughts. So, this leads me to wonder how well we know each other. We think we know each other, but how much do we really know?

Sure- we know things like our closest friends pet peeves, birthdays/anniversaries, middle name, and favorite food. Do we know their deepest fears, personal struggles, thoughts? Do you know if your best friend ever feels lonely, depressed, hopeless? Or do you only hear about the "up" times?

I don't know about you, but for me its more difficult to share when I'm hurting. I love to tell good news- no matter what its about.. whether its a new pair of shoes, a new job, or a new love. However, when I'm hurting, I'm more likely to keep that "news" to myself. It just makes me wonder how much we really conceal from each other when we really shouldn't.

Maybe its just because I live alone and get lonely that I have more time to think than people with kids/extra jobs/etc. I don't know. I don't really think my thoughts are that deep most of the time. I think I'm pretty logical for the most part. But sometimes I get lost in my own head and allow myself to get lost in lonliness and fear rather than in hope and Truth.

Its kind of like when someone asks you how you are and doesn't even wait for you to answer before they walk away. I hate when people do that. If you don't really care to even hear my canned answer, don't bother asking the question. But even more than listening to canned answers, shouldn't we ask the question "How are you really doing?" How are you handling your current situation (whether it be lonliness, family illness, fear, pride... the list goes on).

I just think there are a lot of questions we don't ask each other that need to be asked. Especially if you truly care about your friends and their well-being... ask an extra question or two. Get to know that person a little better... a little deeper. I've never regretted getting to know someone on a deeper level. Never.

2009-06-18T20:47:00.004-04:00

I found out today why the USPS is ineffective and why they constantly change rates. I went to track something I had purchased a while back. I tracked it with the little number the place gave me when bought the item online. I found that it was "in transit," but found the history of the package interesting. It had come from somewhere out of state to go to Wyoming, MI(for those of you who are not familiar-that's basically Grand Rapids). Then from there, it went to Lansing, Mi. From there it said my package was in transit to its final destination.

Now this may not seem that odd, until you look at a map of Michigan and where I am in relation to Grand Rapids and Lansing. I live in Lake Odessa, which is actually about halfway inbetween Grand Rapids and Lansing.

On the map above, both Grand Rapids and Lansing are circled in red. Grand Rapids/Wyoming being the red circle on the left (west) and the other red circle being Lansing. The green circle is where my package is headed for. So why does the USPS feel the need to send it from the huge post office in Grand Rapids to the one in Lansing- only to send it to its final destination in Lake Odessa, which is actually back-tracking?

And we all wonder why postage costs go up every year.

2009-06-13T23:22:00.002-04:00

Fear.

Fear is something that people seek out. Whether it be through movies, roller coasters or so-called haunted houses. People chase storms for the sheer thrill of the fear it makes them feel.

Fear is also something that can be crippling. Fear can bind us and hinder us from where we feel like we should go with our lives and where God wants us to be in our lives spiritually and emotionally.

Fear is something I've dealt with ever since I can remember. When I was younger, I was afraid of the dark, had nightmares. I even thought I saw people watching me through my windows. I was afraid. I was afraid of what people thought of me, what people didn't think of me and even how I felt about myself.

When I started college I was afraid I wouldn't make any friends. I was afraid no one would like me and that it would be four years of loneliness. For those of you who went to college with me, you obviously know this didn't happen. I got some great advice from someone that I met my freshman year. She said basically that the worst thing I could do with my college experience was go through it not being myself and not making the best of it. I took that to heart immediately and have never regretted it.

Now my fears seem to be more numerous than they ever have been. I'm afraid of where my life is going- and where it isn't going. I'm afraid of how I feel. I'm afraid that my mom won't get better- and that she'll never be the same. I'm afraid that my Aunt is going to die and I'm afraid of how I'm going to feel when she's gone. I'm afraid of how I feel about the other more personal things in my life and I'm afraid I'll get hurt again. I'm afraid that I might be wrong. I'm afraid I'll never accomplish any of my hopes and dreams- including having a husband, family and fulfilling career. I'm afraid I'll never make a real impact.

I have let fear rule my life. I'm afraid of how I feel, so I don't share my feelings. I'm afraid of what people think of me so I keep to myself until I get comfortable with people- which can take a long time sometimes. I'm afraid of never doing anything with my talents so I keep them to myself. I'm afraid of all the sickness happening with my mom and my aunt, so I try to distance myself from it and put it out of my mind- which is not always possible.

I bring this up because I had a visit with a wonderful couple tonight and Dave brought up fear. I've been thinking about my fear a lot lately because I have a lot of time to think. I've realized how much fear has crippled me and hindered my relationships. Dave said he used to be afraid of everything, but he's not anymore.

I want to be like that. I want to feel like I can share my feelings when its important. I can always share my feelings when it doesn't make me vulnerable. However, when it comes to vulnerability- again I'm scared. I hate that I'm scared, but often think that its "natural" to be scared. But at some point, I have to make myself vulnerable.

I took a tiny step tonight. Davies often asks me what I'm thinking... and honestly it scares me sometimes. I'm afraid that when I tell him what I'm really thinking it will be too much. Part of this comes from an actual experience where a guy I worked with asked me what I was thinking, and before I realized it I was telling him, and about two minutes later- after explaining my train of thought, he just said "Wow."

Anyway, tonight Davies asked me what I was thinking, and I told him I was thinking about what Dave said about fear, and that I could really relate to that, because I'm afraid a lot. I just left it at that, because I was afraid (there it is again) that if I started listing all the things I was afraid of that he would be too overwhelmed and I didn't know what he would think of that.

There are so many other things that I have not listed that I could say I'm fearful of. I don't want to bore anyone (all three people that read this) with the details.

I guess I just was wondering if anyone else can relate to this. I know there are so many Scriptures that go with these feelings. What are your favorites? Just curious. If you think of it, say a prayer for me and this fear that I tend to carry.

2009-05-27T19:34:00.003-04:00

I'm sure that many of you have heard about this ridiculous media frenzy about John and Kate from "John and Kate Plus 8."

I hear more about it, since I leave my TV on for my dog. You see, I get home and all those stupid (sorry, I'm not a fan of them) entertainment shows are on. So, there's much speculation about "what happened" and why it happened. I have a simple opinion.

If he did cheat- which that eventually is between the two of them and their marriage, even though they did thrust themselves into the spotlight- IF he did, I think I can see why he did. His wife, from just the clips that I have seen, constantly emasculates him. Telling him he breathes too loud, telling him he needs to do this or do that. I'm sorry if this sounds prehistoric or not 21st century enough, but men do still need to be treated like men. Husbands should know that they are valued, loved (the way they are- loud breathing and all) and treated like the man they are.

Kate treats him a little bit like a dog or a child. Actually I wouldn't talk to my dog the way she talks to him. The blame is not all hers though. They both need to talk about this, about how they want or NEED to be treated. Counseling may be a good idea if this marriage is salvagable. I don't know. I know I wouldn't want to be treated that way by someone who said they loved me. I know I wouldn't be happy, and people have to do what they have to do for their own personal happiness. Hopefully for the kids they can work it out, but no one but them really knows.

I know, I'm not married.. blah blah blah- I don't need to hear that. I know! However, I have learned some things about men. Not only just in my dealings with men, but also in reading "Captivating" written by John and Stasi Eldridge. In this book, it talks about what women long for (to be pursued and held as "captivating," among other things), and how men were created to be pursuers, and hunters and need to know they are needed as well as wanted. This can be hard for us independent women to convey and truly show.

I also do not feel sorry for this couple because the media is in their business. Sorry- you invited the media into your business when you decided to exploit your children to have a reality show, become fake celebrities, and get free things just so you have shows people will watch.

2009-05-27T13:30:00.006-04:00

So, why do people feel the need to insult other people's dogs? I might be a little sensitive to this, but here's what I've heard regarding my (adorable) dog.

"Look at that little dust mop"
"What a furry mut" - I cleaned that one up, because it had bad language included also.
"he needs a haircut"
"he looks like a girl with his hair like that"

Okay.. so my dog is like my child, since I don't have any human babies yet. So, why do people think its okay to insult my dog? Would I go up to someone and tell them their son looked like a girl? Would I tell you your child needs a haircut? Probably not to a complete stranger. And I definitely wouldn't insult the child by calling it a mut or something worse than that... It just really bugs me. I have actually told people that they are rude. I wouldn't do that to you, so don't do that to others!

So yes, my dog's hair is supposed to be long (its a shih tzu, purebred... google it), and yes his hair is in a ponytail, but that is the desired look for shih tzus- male or female. And yes, they are supposed to have long hair (male and female). I keep it long because I think they look weird with short hair and those big eyes. This is my dog (my "child"), my choice.

2009-04-26T21:19:00.001-04:00

To answer Deven's question on my last post, they took their trash down... it took them two days to get rid of two bags... and now there's more crap there! Yay! One garbage bag and a box full of hoses or something. I don't know. They were also up and loud until after 4 am this morning. Rock on... that's my favorite.

2009-04-22T12:49:00.001-04:00

So really how stupid have people become? He's a good story.

So I got some new neighbors. They have been nothing but a problem. For those of you who don't know, I live in a house that was turned into apartments. There are four apartments in the house. Two are upstairs (one being mine) and two are downstairs. My new neighbors are in the other upstairs apartment.

This is how the outside of my place is set up: THe stairs go straight up, and the first door is my door. Then there's a little walkway/porch/landing. Then you walk about three feet and there is the other door.

My new neighbors have had their trash outside their door on the landing for over a week. This disgusts me. Not only is this gross, but WE HAVE TRASH SERVICE. Its literally a walk down the stairs and a 40 foot walk to take trash to the trash can.

So Last night, my disgust had reached a new level, and I left a note on their door saying something like this: "You need to take care of your trash. That is disgusting. We have trash service, use it!"

Not too mean, but authoritative I thought.

Well, this morning I wake up and go to let my dog out, and my note is on my door saying something like this "we will, but please let us know where to put the trash."

Really?! Where? Where do most people put their trash to be picked up by the trash man? Most of the time, in a residential situation I think everyone knows that they come to the curb and pick it up. Well, some people don't have the trash bins, and I understand that. However, about 5 feet from our driveway there is a rather large brown trash bin. Its right next to our house and there is no possible way it could be mistaken to belong to another home.

I wrote back "Its not rocket science, you put it in the trash bin near the road!"

This may seem harsh to some, but let me tell you that this is not the first problem I've had with these people. A few weekends ago they woke me up with their loudness at 4 am. I went over and asked them to keep it down, since it was.. well 4 am. The guy who answered said he'd try. I told him he wouldn't try, he would or I WOULD call the police. He was quiet for a while but woke me up again at six. This time I didn't get up or even call the cops because I was so out of it.

However, for those of you who have never roomed with me or travelled with me, I must say that I'm a pretty hard sleeper. I always have been. I'm not like Micah who could wake up to a turn of a knob. And having been on tour so many times with Chorale, I've also learned to sleep pretty much anywhere.

Anyway, some people at my work said I should have written instructions and a map on how to take out the trash. Lol. I really wish I would have. However, I will call our landlord if the trash is still there when I get home today! The last thing I need is to be taking my dog out late at night and come out to my walkway to a skunk or raccoon going through their garbage.

2009-03-24T18:52:00.002-04:00

Why is it that you go into a public bathroom the sink and counters are all wet? This happens at my work, and I don't understand how it can get so ridiculously wet and disgusting when only adults use this bathroom. Not just adults- allegedly educated adults with decent jobs. It makes me wonder (and dread ever seeing) what these people's bathrooms look like. Its so bad, that if you're not paying attention when you go to wash your hands, your entire front of your shirt (or pants, depending on how tall you are) can get completely soaked.

I don't understand what is so difficult about hand washing that makes some people not be able to do it in a half-way civilized manner or at least take a paper towel and clean up after themselves after!

Come on, people! lol.. this is ridiculous!

2009-03-10T20:12:00.002-04:00

I got some amazingly good news this weekend. This is how the story went down:

I got a phone call from a friend, and I missed it the first time (of course the one time I get a call I'm out of the reach of my phone). I called her back just a few minutes later. This happens to be a friend whom I used to work with, but we rarely get to talk or spend time together since our work schedules are pretty much opposite of each other.

Anyway, I called her back and she had this to say:

Her: "So here's the deal: I was supposed to go to Cancun with my friend, and now he doesn't want to go. The tickets are all-inclusive, non-refundable and already paid for. So I was wondering if you wanted to go with me."

Me: "Wow... yeah! Well, how much is it?"

Her: "Oh, I already paid for it. If I don't find someone to go with me I'll have to go alone, and that won't be any fun. Its all inclusive, and its at a resort, so everything that we'll want to do will be right there."

So.. I told her that I would check to be sure I could get the time off and let her know the next day. I called her back Monday saying that I did get the time off. I also mentioned I had some questions, and that I keep thinking that I should be looking around the corner for Ashton Kutcher because I feel like I'm getting punked.

So, if I'm not getting punked... in just over a month I'm going to Cancun! This kind of thing never happens to me.... I'm overwhelmed and will definitely owe her for life!!!

2009-02-23T12:11:00.001-05:00

Well, I had a very eventful weekend... okay I lied: I didn't.

The main "excitement" of my weekend was this: going to my sister's and watching a movie while doing my laundry and hanging out with her and Isaak. The rest of the weekend I left my apartment once to go get doritos to put in the massive batch of taco salad I made.

So yeah.. the rest of the weekend was spent mourning the sad attempts of the Pistons and watching the second season of Friends on DVD.

2009-02-12T11:27:00.001-05:00

This is one of the latest pictures of my dog. This was taken when we were at my sister's. He loves peeking over the side and back of that couch! He's so cute!!!!!!

2009-02-12T11:04:00.004-05:00

Sorry about the gross pictures! I just want to inform everyone... not trying to over-share! They turned out dark on this computer compared to on my phone, so I'm not sure whether its just the settings on the computer or what. Sorry about that.

The signs of bed bugs from what I understand are that they are usually contained to a certain area. For instance, mine started on my armpits. I sleep on my stomach, so most of them were on the front of my body. They are very itchy. They don't exactly look like flea or mosquito bites, but everyone does react differently.

The best way to protect yourself from them is to get a fully encased zipped hypo-allergenic mattress cover. I paid about $60 bucks for mine at target, and it was microfiber. Its really nice and I'm glad I was kinda forced to buy it.

They are good at hiding, so if you suspect them, you need to vaccum EVERYTHING. INSIDE everything, under everything, around... etc. They can go for months without feeding so the best way they say is to get a fully encased mattress cover to trap and kill them over time.

There are other products you can get online that kill them instantly or over time, but you may not need them if its not too bad of an "Infestation.

On another note, DEVEN- I wasn't implying that I thought your house was a mess for sure. Haha. I was just recalling our room back on freshman year. It was always... "interesting." Anyway, you have a reason for your house to be a little messy- you have kids! Me- not so much. Couldn't really blame many messes on the dog or cat.

2009-02-11T11:18:00.000-05:00

So the mystery of the "rash" has been discovered. At least I think so. I'm pretty sure they were some sort of bites.

I have cleaned my room, purchased at $60 fully encased zipped mattress cover, and cleaned again.. vaccumming ever possible crevice in and around my bed.

I did this because after much research on the internet, I thought that I might have somehow gotten bed bugs.

Contrary to much belief, this is not due to bad hygeine. I clean a lot actually (Believe it or not Deven). I like my apartment to be free of clutter and mess. However, i did have some things under my bed where I found one insect that was dead I believe was a bed bug. It was just a decorative box, but its made of wood and they apparently love wood. It got into the crack and must have been hiding in there. They get in from luggage or even clothing. One could have crawled on my dog and made a home in my apartment basically overnight. This started last Monday. That's when I got bitten all up and freaked because I thought it was some sort of weird rash because they were all in the same place. Apparently this is one of the trademarks of bed bug bites.

I also killed a spider in the cleaning process (a really big black one that was on the ceiling). I believe that may have bitten me (at least once on my hand).

Well, the point is, when you travel please, please be careful what you bring home. Apparently bed bugs are more common in hotels and they like to travel in luggage. I never had the problem in college as much as I traveled, but we did rarely stay in hotels. So, when you travel, vaccum out your luggage, inside and out. Then if you have a bag to your vaccum, take it out and get rid of it, just in case. You do NOT want to wake up with what I did.

I will try to post pictures later so you (especially you parents) can know what kind of thing to look for on your kids.

Thanks for still loving me and not thinking I'm gross!

2009-02-09T15:30:00.002-05:00

Poor Whitney Houston. Maybe I shouldn't say "poor" her. She has made choices in her life that have made her only a shell of what she used to be. I watched a You Tube Video of her pre-Grammy Performance last night. It was not impressive. Her voice is nothing like what it used to be... mostly likely from using drugs and living a hard life, probably mostly due to getting involved with Bobby Brown.

If you are interested, go and check it out. I have been inspired recently to practice some of her songs to do at karaoke again. How fun. I do love a challenge!

2009-02-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

I'm sure Katrina Darrell is really busy GOOGLING herself, so Hopefully she reads this!

Let's Start with this article:

In case there were any lingering doubts, Ryan Seacrest made it clear on his KIIS morning show Thursday that he's just not that into Bikini Girl.

If you've been living in a cave and have not heard of Bikini Girl, let us recap: She's the Chino Hills 20-year-old model who wore a bikini to her "American Idol" audition, landing the support of judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson and causing the consternation of Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi. She also declared that she had a mad crush on Seacrest and forced him to kiss her, even though it was clear he didn't want to.

Katrina Darrell is her name. And she was booted out during Wednesday's Hollywood rounds after she chose sleeping over rehearsing and drama ensued.

On Thursday, Seacrest kicked off a phone chat with her by letting her know that she's "very polarizing."

"There are a lot of women who wouldn’t get along with you and didn’t on the show and didn’t as viewers," he said. "And there are some that believe it or not, actually understand you."

Her response? "I know. It’s crazy. A lot of girls are haters."

That might be true, but Seacrest reminded her that she "created a lot of drama" to get women to this place of "loathing you" and then called her a "bad sport" for not wanting to hug her group members on stage.

Darrell explained that her group mates "threw me under a bus" and that she went to sleep because her feet and back hurt.

"But, Katrina, this is the shot of a lifetime. Who cares if your feet hurt?" shot back the host who has never turned his back on an opportunity.

Then Seacrest brought up the K-word. As in judge Kara, who has twice called Darrell a word that rhymes with witch on camera. Darrell acknowledged she felt the tension from the beginning.

"That’s another thing, too. Oh, I think you’re a beautiful girl, and I like your derriere. And then as soon as I walk out, “She’s a [that naughty word].” You know what I mean?"

Seacrest seemed empathetic at that point. Then he brought up something else DioGuardi had said to Darrell: "Next time bring your pole.”

I am not a stripper," Darrell responded. "I do have a stripper pole in my room. But that’s only for fitness. It’s not for any other reason. So don’t get it twisted."

"It's to tighten your core. I understand," Seacrest replied. "So she was kind of accurate?"

Darrell agreed it was time for her to leave "Idol" and that she wants a career as a singer and Victoria's Secret model.

Asked if in hindsight the bikini was a good idea, she replied: "In a sense, I shouldn’t have worn the bikini, but I’m a risk taker and I think you should live every day like it’s our last. And it was 110 degrees in Phoenix, and I wanted a chance."

Seacrest then gave her an opportunity for some parting words to judges, contestants or fans. To DioGuardi, Darrell said: "Hopefully we can become better friends in the future, but if you continue to hate."

That's where the thought finished.

She also wanted to know one thing from Seacrest: "When are we gonna make out again?"

"It's still against the rules," he said.

— Maria Elena Fernandez

I hated the bikini girl from the beginning. Not because she was thin, and "pretty," or anything. I hated her because she thought she looked Waaaaay better than she did, she thought she could actually sing and she sucked, AND because the only reason she even got to the Hollywood round was simply because she wore a bikini, not because of any talent she had.

Lets face it, the girl is a surfboard. SHe's not going to be a Victoria's secret model. When is the last time you saw a Victoria's secret model that looked like her? And by "Like her" I mean, like a skank.

And I'm sorry, but you do not have a stipper pole IN YOUR BEDROOM for only fitness. Come on. How dumb does she think we are? WE are certainly a whole lot smarter than she is!

And I'm really shocked that she's looking into playboy(sarcasm). No, really?! You mean she didn't really want to me the American Idol?! That is shocking. She stayed in bed instead of practicing, and then screwed her group over by trying to perform with them anyway. She deserved to be "thrown under the bus." They told the truth. She thought she wanted to look cute so she wore some stupid heels that her sugar daddy probably bought for her and had sore feet. Big deal!!!!! I would do anything for that opportunity!

Oh one more thing, that one girl with the annoying laugh is fake and needs to be thrown off. She's not as good as she thinks she is either.

2009-02-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

Question: IF said rash/bumps are/is a yeast infection on the skin, how does one get rid of it? I've only ever really heard of the other kind of yeast infections and know that there are treatments you can get over the counter. But if it is on my skin, what do I do to get rid of it faster?

(-Thanks Deven's mom, aka Pam)

2009-02-04T08:59:00.002-05:00

I have a strange rash/ itchy red bumps taking over my body!!!!

I thought it was from a medication, but the doctor isn't sure. They say its probably an allergic reaction. I haven't changed laundry soaps or anything so I'm a little concerned. It started around my under arms and upper chest and has gradually worked its way south.

Does anyone have an idea of what it might be? I'd go to the doctor if my high deductible insurance covered it!

2009-01-27T11:24:00.003-05:00

I have used 319 out of my over 6000 minutes allowed on my cell phone plan for this month. The 6000 includes rollover minutes. However... I have sent & received over 4000 text messages. This may be out of control. I've gotten to the point where I almost hate talking on the phone. So many times there are what seem like awkward pauses and I don't like that. You don't have to really worry about that with texting. Plus, you can send a quick text at work.

Part of the 4000 I must say are from my sister. She doesn't currently have a phone, so she texts me through yahoo messenger. We do this quite a bit... so don't think I'm too out of control. Also, I tend not to abbreviate "you" to "u" or "are" to "r." I'm not a prepubescent girl, after all!

2009-01-23T08:35:00.002-05:00

So I talked to a friend I hadn't spoken to in a while. I ran into her mom first at the store, and she told me Andrea's car had gotten stolen. I was really surprised. Not because she doesn't have a nice car- she does. However, what happened was this: Her car was stolen and completely totalled. Her purse and ID were in her car but nothing was taken. The police say its personal.

A few months back, she got moved from the store she managed to a different store. I would use her words, but they would be pretty offensive if you didn't know her. But basically someone that she managed said that she was racist (completely not true) and the district or regional manager moved her to another store.

A few weeks ago I guess she was at a party and this other girl was there. Andrea can barely control her mouth normally and apparently she had a few drinks and ran her mouth a bit. Then... suddenly her car gets stolen and demolished.

So now she's moving and eventually needing to get a new car. I just can't believe some people. In whose mind is this a good way to seek revenge? The police are going to investigate and if they get evidence against the person that did it, I'm sure they WILL go to jail. This is just stupid. Why not just do something ... not illegal? Or LESS illegal... like a fist fight or something.. I don't know... it just seems stupid.

2009-01-20T15:42:00.000-05:00

Thanks for those of you who inquired about my mom at any given time.

She seems to be going better. I didn't get to see her this weekend because I ended up needing to get some things accomplished. However, I hope to go see her tomorrow night.

Nothing else really new that is post-worthy with me. I have a really boring life and only have a few minutes until I have to start working again.

2009-01-19T08:50:00.002-05:00

This may tick some people off... but I'm not sure that it matters because this is true!

People who have children and buy them those stupid heely shoes and let them wheel around in public places are morons. I was (regrettably) at the laundromat yesterday. Although, I must say how nice it is spending an hour and a half doing my laundry rather than a whole day. ANYWAY- These people came in. A couple probably in their 30s- typical Lake Odessa people. They had what I assumed was their daughter who looked to be somewhere between 8-12. She was at first wheeling around them, which was annoying enough. The Lake Odessa Laundromat is pretty small by comparison to most and it can get pretty dang loud in there pretty fast. So this girl starts going around the whole laundromat with these stupid heely shoes. It was so loud it actually hurt my ears to be in there. They said NOTHING to ask her to stop. NOTHING to ask her to stay by them. NOTHING when I got so annoyed by the sheer volume that I stopped folding my clothes and just threw them in my basket and walked out, only to have the child wheeling right behind me because I was slowing her down.

Ooooh, I'm sorry that I had a huge laundry basket full of clothes and blankets to carry and my purse and laundry detergent and I couldn't get out of your way since you wheeling around in a public place is soooo appropriate. I'm sorry, but ITS NOT. Those shoes are stupid and annoying. Letting your kids have them and play with them outside on the sidewalk is fine, as long as they're not say-running down the mail man or something. However, when you go to a public place (i.e. Restaruant, bar (someone brought their child in to karaoke once and he was wheeling around in them until midnight... which brings up a complete other issue), store, laundromat,etc.) you should NOT... I repeat NOT let your child wear these shoes. Its bad enough to go to the store and have some children running wild. Its even worse when they're on wheels!

To sum up, heely shoes are fine at home, outside, parks where that sort of thing is allowed (as long as they're not running over the elderly or toddlers) but for the most part keep them at home. There is no reason for them to be in a public place where it is downright disrespectful to let your child speed around in them or any other sort of footwear with wheels. What is this? Facts of life? Are you Tootie? I didn't think so.

2008-12-08T09:22:00.001-05:00

Keep praying for my mom... she's in the hospital with pneumonia....... I'll know more later.

2008-12-06T23:44:00.000-05:00

Yay! The Rosie "Variety show" was cancelled!!!

More proof that there is a God.

2008-11-24T22:44:00.000-05:00

Whose idea was it to give Rosie O'Donnell a variety show!? Seriously!!! I can't imagine who would want to watch this. Not only can she NOT sing at all (although she still tries), but she's...well, to put it mildly, she's not easy on the eyes.

Not only that, but everyone pretty much knows now that she is an ugly person (inside). She's constantly mean and stirs controversy on purpose. If someone wants to be a lesbian, that's their issue- but don't say people are hate-filled because they don't believe its moral! That's the very hate-mongering that you're supposedly preaching against.

Seriously, I hope this show is cancelled halfway through the first episode. I urge everyone not to watch it! As fun as disasters can be to view, resist!! Do not give that show ratings! It will decrease your IQ by the second!!

2008-11-23T13:42:00.000-05:00

I used to LOVE the show on VH1 called "Best Week Ever." It was hilarious with all the different people commenting on all the things that happened in the week. Now it is hosted by one guy (Paul F Thompkins). It sucks now!!! Its not nearly as funny and now I have to look has is weird snaggle tooth look during the whole show instead of intermittently. Its not nearly as funny as it was before. I used to laugh constantly during the show (NOT at the current host, but most of the other people).

Basically, the new format sucks. Go back to the old format!!!

2008-11-19T11:27:00.000-05:00

For those of you who don't have facebook- please pray for my mom.

My mom is back in the hospital. She's starting kindey dialysis because her kidneys are functioning at 11% capacity. Also she's starting a new chemo that was just approved recently and the doctor says he thinks it will be really good and work well for her.

PLEASE pray for my mom. Don't pray for me... I am not the sick one. I am so worried about her. I just got off the phone with her and she kept saying she loved me and that everything was going to be okay- as if she had to believe it. I miss my mom so much... she's not what she used to be.

While I'm asking for prayer, please also pray for my aunt. She has been going the chemo too because she had cancer in her kidney that had partially gone to her lung. She's not doing very well either.

My mom's name is Loreen and my Aunt's name is Colleen.

2008-11-12T15:58:00.001-05:00

I had an epiphany recently about the Kitchen sets of Family Matters and the Hogan Family. I remembered them to be pretty similar, but I wasn't sure if they were exactly the same. Make your judgements....

Family Matters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sEW3bZKD7I

The Hogan Family:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bl0V1o_LfQ

Family Matters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuILDBM8YJQ

The Hogan Family:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKXF9um4T1k

Pretty similar... also note I looooove Jason Bateman... and that YES, that is Sherri From Punky Brewster... or was it Cherie... anyway... whatever.

Don't ask me how I noticed this. I haven't seen either show in years.. I guess that's what happens when you lack human contact!

2008-11-12T00:12:00.000-05:00

Excuse me while I rant a minute...

Whose idea was it to let drunk, ugly a-hole douches sit behind the press table in Sacramento's Arco Arena?! I am watching the Pistons/Kings game and all I can hear half of the time is some bald douche (I wanted to use another D word because I'm so annoyed right now) yelling, whistling, and making off color comments right being George Blaha and Greg Kelser. Seriously!! I understand that its a basketball game, but shouldn't the NBA think about the quality of the games they are broadcasting? Maybe re-think the seating at least in that arena... Because it was ridiculous at times.

2008-11-11T11:23:00.002-05:00

Oops... check out this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIGP4je2hA

2008-11-08T08:47:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry that I don't have a life. That just means that if you read my blog, you're going to have to read about things that annoy me or basketball.

Well, my team lost last night, so there's not much to talk about there. I do have something I am annoyed about.

I was watching a CMT or GAC and they were playing music videos. The thing that I was annoyed about was a Jessica Simpson video (she's trying to pretend she 'sings' country). What annoys me is when people aren't the best singers, so the whole video is showing (in this case J. Simpson) women/a woman wearing few clothes. This particular video made it very obvious with shots that show her legs with her in subtely provacative positions. At least THEY probably thought it was subtle. There was even a few butt shots. At least they kept her silicone covered. And yes, she does have implants.

It just annoys me that the music industry is like that. I was watching another video the other day(its the one that talks about chasing pavement), and the girl almost looks as if they treated her like a troll hiding her in the back, layered and wearing a long jacket because she's not a size zero.

I'm just so sick of the mediocrity that is settled for musically because someone looks good. Just watch American Idol. The more attractive contestants last longer. Its not about the music. Its about looks. It should be called the looks industry, not the music industry.

2008-11-03T09:20:00.000-05:00

This is the article on Barak Obama's Pastor. Note the original date of March 13, 2008

Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, U.S. to Blame for 9/11
Obama's Pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Has a History of What Even Obama's Campaign Aides Say Is 'Inflammatory Rhetoric'
By BRIAN ROSS and REHAB EL-BURI
March 13, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama's pastor says blacks should not sing "God Bless America" but "God damn America."

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright has made a number of controversial statements.The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's pastor for the last 20 years at the Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's south side, has a long history of what even Obama's campaign aides concede is "inflammatory rhetoric," including the assertion that the United States brought on the 9/11 attacks with its own "terrorism."

In a campaign appearance earlier this month, Sen. Obama said, "I don't think my church is actually particularly controversial." He said Rev. Wright "is like an old uncle who says things I don't always agree with," telling a Jewish group that everyone has someone like that in their family.

Rev. Wright married Obama and his wife Michelle, baptized their two daughters and is credited by Obama for the title of his book, "The Audacity of Hope."

An ABC News review of dozens of Rev. Wright's sermons, offered for sale by the church, found repeated denunciations of the U.S. based on what he described as his reading of the Gospels and the treatment of black Americans.

"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon. "God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme."

In addition to damning America, he told his congregation on the Sunday after Sept. 11, 2001 that the United States had brought on al Qaeda's attacks because of its own terrorism.

"We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye," Rev. Wright said in a sermon on Sept. 16, 2001.

"We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards. America's chickens are coming home to roost," he told his congregation.

Sen. Obama told the New York Times he was not at the church on the day of Rev. Wright's 9/11 sermon. "The violence of 9/11 was inexcusable and without justification," Obama said in a recent interview. "It sounds like he was trying to be provocative," Obama told the paper.

Rev. Wright, who announced his retirement last month, has built a large and loyal following at his church with his mesmerizing sermons, mixing traditional spiritual content and his views on contemporary issues.

"I wouldn't call it radical. I call it being black in America," said one congregation member outside the church last Sunday.

"He has impacted the life of Barack Obama so much so that he wants to portray that feeling he got from Rev. Wright onto the country because we all need something positive," said another member of the congregation.

Rev. Wright, who declined to be interviewed by ABC News, is considered one of the country's 10 most influential black pastors, according to members of the Obama campaign.

Obama has praised at least one aspect of Rev. Wright's approach, referring to his "social gospel" and his focus on Africa, "and I agree with him on that."

Sen. Obama declined to comment on Rev. Wright's denunciations of the United States, but a campaign religious adviser, Shaun Casey, appearing on "Good Morning America" Thursday, said Obama "had repudiated" those comments.

In a statement to ABCNews.com, Obama's press spokesman Bill Burton said, "Sen. Obama has said repeatedly that personal attacks such as this have no place in this campaign or our politics, whether they're offered from a platform at a rally or the pulpit of a church. Sen. Obama does not think of the pastor of his church in political terms. Like a member of his family, there are things he says with which Sen. Obama deeply disagrees. But now that he is retired, that doesn't detract from Sen. Obama's affection for Rev. Wright or his appreciation for the good works he has done."

It was only after that(March 16) that he left the Obama campaign. Check out this article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1581791/Barack-Obama's-pastor-quits-campaign-after-explosive-911-remarks.html

2008-11-03T09:01:00.000-05:00

I am praying for a miracle.

I am praying for a miracle because I am voting for John McCain. I was listening to a radio show this morning and was ASTOUNDED by some of the ignorant reasons people are voting for Obama (or AGAINST McCain). One person said McCain was a "Nazi" and another said don't vote for him because he's old and bald. Good reasons to vote for the leader of one of the most powerful countries in the world.

McCain is not a Nazi. McCain is older than Obama, I'll admit that. But Ronald Reagan was older when he went into office and he survived just fine. Not only that, but he is one of the greatest presidents we've ever had.

I know McCain said it, but he is not George Bush. Does anyone remember when the Republicans didn't want him as a nominee because he wasn't conservative enough? Anyone? He is more middle of the road and even reaching across the aisle than any of the candidates (including the primaries) that have run.

Barack is known as one of the most Liberal of his Party. I don't care about William Ayers right now. Look at some of the things his long time pastor said while Barack sat in a pew and listened. He ONLY distanced himself after he realized that he had a shot for the presidency.

I have heard Barack's wife is a racist (against white people) but I haven't researched that. I know its possible. For those of you who think the definition of racism includes "Against 'black' people," you are wrong. Just check out some of the things Lauren Hill has said in the past. She HATES white people (or at least used to).

People look down at John McCain for voting with President Bush too much. Barack hasn't even reached across the aisle. He has voted with his party 97 % of the time! How does he think that he is going to some great uniter?

Experience. Something we should all want in a candidate. There is no doubt that John McCain has more experience than Obama. Let's forget about the Muslim background that Obama has (although he says he is not Muslim, whether you want to admit it or not, he DOES have a Muslim background). Let's forget the fact that he's half black- because to me that doesn't even matter. I'd vote for Colin Powell. However, the fact that Barack Obama is so inexperienced scares me.

People, stop using Sarah Palin as a reason to vote "against" McCain. She does have the most executive experience of all the candidates (VP and Pres). Yes, she got off to a bad start, and made herself look bad. However, we've gotten a few laughs out of it (thanks SNL).

People think because of McCain's age that means he must be destined to die any second. Look at Cheney! He lasted 8 years and he has serious heart problems! McCain will be fine. Don't use his age as a reason to not vote for him because you think Sarah Palin is an idiot. You forget that anything the president wants to do has to be approved by congress. Remember Congress? Checks and balances?

That leads me to my last point. I do not want to see a fully Democratic (as in the party) presidency and congress. There are no checks and balances there! Plus the most liberal person of the democrats in the office? There needs to be a balance. And John McCain is the perfect person who reaches across party lines and gets things accomplished for this country... NOT just working with Republicans. Distancing himself from Bush. NO he is not Bush, and just because people run as Republicans doesn't mean all Republicans are the same.

So before you go out and vote, educate yourself. Take a few minutes and look at what is True, real, and what the country needs. It needs someone who can work with both parties and get things done. Not just work for the Democratic Agenda. We need someone who will look out for what's best for all of us.

2008-10-25T09:06:00.000-04:00

Well, if anyone still ever reads this, sorry for the lack of posts. I don't have a life. Nothing exciting is happening. I've been working a lot of overtime. Since the hurricanes (specifically Ike), we've been swamped at work. I don't normally get overtime, so I'm getting as much of it as I can while I can.

So I just saw something on the today show saying something like "six kids hasn't stopped Angelina Jolie from her humanitarian efforts." They also referred to her as "super mom." I have to disagree. I'm sure I've read that she has nannies. How could she not when she still works in movies and what not? I'm sorry, but a millionare who can afford nannies to take care of her kids while she jets around the world does not consitite a super mom to me. Someone who is a single mother taking care of their kid(s) on their own is a super mom. A stay at home mom who stays sane is a super mom. A mom who balances work, kids, and husband is a super mom. People that can't afford to have multiple nannies and take care of their kids themselves are super parents. Sorry... Just had to say that.

If anyone still reads, keep me in your prayers. I've been feeling pretty alone lately. I don't really have any friends where I live and I've been feeling really down. I miss Andrea. She always understood that feeling.

2008-10-16T09:27:00.002-04:00

From factcheck.org:

Obama strained to portray himself as willing to break ranks with fellow Democrats. His prime example was his vote for a bill that was supported by 18 Democrats and opposed by 26. Congressional Quarterly rates him as voting with his party 97 percent of the time since becoming a U.S. senator.

Obama incorrectly claimed all of McCain’s ads had been “negative.” That was true for one recent week, but not over the entire campaign. And at times Obama has run a higher percentage of attack ads than McCain.

Obama repeated a dubious claim that his health care plan will cut the average family’s premiums by $2,500 a year. Experts have found that figure to be overly optimistic.

Obama wasn't entirely forthcoming about his relationship with ACORN:
Obama: The only involvement I've had with ACORN is, I represented them alongside the U.S. Justice Department in making Illinois implement a motor voter law that helped people get registered at DMVs.He did, but that wasn't his only involvement. He also worked closely with ACORN's Chicago office when he ran a Project Vote registration drive after law school, and Obama did some leadership training for Chicago ACORN. The Woods Fund, where Obama served as a board member, gave grants to ACORN's Chicago branch; both organizations are concerned with disadvantaged populations in that city. And during the primaries of this election, Obama's campaign paid upwards of $800,000 to the ACORN-affiliated Campaign Services Inc. for get-out-the-vote efforts (not voter registration). Those services were initially misrepresented on the campaign's Federal Election Commission reports, an error that some find suspicious and others say is par for the course. ACORN's Chicago office and CSI have not been under investigation.

McCain was referring to comments Obama made at a town hall meeting in Albuquerque in August. But Obama did not say that "his object is a single payer system." He said it would "probably" be his first choice "if" he were starting with a clean slate, which he isn't. He said his object is to "build up the system we got." According to the Wall Street Journal, Obama said:
Obama (as quoted by the Wall Street Journal, Aug. 19): If I were designing a system from scratch, I would probably go ahead with a single-payer system. ... [M]y attitude is let’s build up the system we got, let’s make it more efficient, we may be over time — as we make the system more efficient and everybody’s covered — decide that there are other ways for us to provide care more effectively.Back in 2003, Obama was much more explicit. At an AFL-CIO forum, he said he was “a proponent of a single-payer health care program,” adding, “that’s what I’d like to see. And as all of you know, we may not get there immediately.”That was five years ago, however, and recently, Obama has said he’d favor single-payer only if “starting from scratch.” He told The New Yorker in May 2007: “If you're starting from scratch, then a single-payer system ... would probably make sense. But we've got all these legacy systems in place, and managing the transition ... would be difficult to pull off. So we may need a system that's not so disruptive.”Obama exaggerated a weakness in McCain's health care plan:
Obama: Now, under Sen. McCain's plan there is a strong risk that people would lose their employer-based health care. Experts see a risk that some would lose their employer-based care, but Obama’s reference to "people" makes it sound as though nearly everyone would. Two independent studies both found that McCain’s plan would lead to a net decline in the number of people with health care through their jobs. (They said Obama’s would result in a net increase.) Both reports show, however, that there’s not a “strong risk” for all, or even a majority, of workers to lose their health care. Currently, 159 million Americans have health care through their jobs, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. A study by the Lewin Group shows a net decline in the number with job-provided benefits of 9.4 million people in 2010 for McCain's plan. The Tax Policy Center projected that the net decrease would be 7.7 million in 2010 and 20.3 million people by 2018.McCain and Obama both said much more that may have confused viewers. For a spin-free look at both of the candidates’ health care plans, see our recent article on this issue.

Obama falsely claimed all of McCain's ads had been "negative."
Obama: And 100 percent, John, of your ads – 100 percent of them have been negative.
McCain: It's not true.
Obama: It absolutely is true.
It was almost true, for one recent week. Obama was referring to a report by the Wisconsin Advertising Project at the University of Wisconsin that concluded that “nearly 100 percent of the McCain campaign’s advertisements were negative” during the week of Sept. 28 through Oct. 4. During the same week, 34 percent of the Obama campaign’s ads were negative. The Obama campaign was found to have outspent the McCain campaign in nearly all of the competitive states, in some cases by a margin of more than 3-to-1.
McCain’s ads, however, have not been deemed 100 percent negative in other weeks. In fact, in the week after the Republican National Convention, 77 percent of Obama’s ads were negative, according to the advertising project, while 56 percent of McCain’s were negative

2008-10-14T19:52:00.002-04:00

A few non-partisan sights to view if you're still undecided or questioning your decision for the election:

http://2008election.procon.org/

http://www.factcheck.org/

2008-10-09T10:06:00.002-04:00

I am getting soooo irritated!

So it pisses me off when I hear both sides of the candidacy pointing fingers as teach other. This is not what we care about. We want to look ahead, not behind.

I also don't want to hear people say "well, he said this...." and continue to say that they're not BOTH running attack ads that are negative. Don't try to act like you're above it when obviously neither candidate is above it. THEY ARE BOTH DOING IT. So whether you're republican or democrat, don't try to act like your party is not doing the same. Both sides are doing it.

2008-10-08T09:26:00.003-04:00

Last night while watching the debate, I became more irritated than Tom Brokaw. So here I go again...

So, I'm not sure if I'm just hearing things or what. Obama said something about our nation having a surplus when George W. was elected into office. In the next breath, he said what our deficit was at the time. How is that possible? How do we have a surplus and a deficit at the same time? Perhaps I misheard him....

I also like to weatherize my home. Its winterize I believe...

He also said that 9/11 was the reason for Iraq. Now, I do believe that Saddam was one of the people who helped Al Queda by giving them money. However, Iraq was a totally different story from 9/11. Yes, I could get into the whole WMD discussion but we all know we didn't find them (doesn't mean they weren't there at some point). Saddam Hussein was a horrible dictator. Some of the things that he and his sons did were beyond atrocious. They were horrible men who deserved their end, in my opinion. And I think the world is better off without Saddam Hussein. Now, yes Iraq does still have its problems. Does anyone recall history? Did our country get its independence and then have just smooth sailing along the way? No-there were some wars that occured. Remember the American Civil War? I mean, obviously you don't remember it because you weren't there.... but I think I'd be safe to say that a lot of the time when a country gains independence that there will be civil unrest. Iraq is no different. However, if we pull out and they all decide to kill each other, we will be blamed for that.

I recall a point in the debate where Obama said that he would go after Pakistan. Then after a response from McCain he said he wouldn't go after them (militarily). I'm confused... someone please make up the Senator's mind for him.

I also would like to know how Obama thinks he can rationalize and talk with leaders of places like North Korea (sorry, I'm not exactly sure how to spell Kim Jung Il) and Iran. These people are ridiculously unstable and impossible to bargain with. Sanctions don't work. Sorry to say. The UN is a joke. You can't sit down with these dictators without preconditions and expect it to go well.

Can someone explain to me why Obama is telling us we need to give money to countries like Lativa? Complain about the deficit and then tell us we should give monetary support to these formerly Russian Countries... that's not talking out of both sides of your mouth at all!

Okay. So, people were freaking out because McCain said to an observer named Oliver that he had probably never heard of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac before the past few weeks. This was NOT a racist comment. I'm sorry, but saying that its a racist comment or meant in a negative way proves that the people who said it are the ones who are racist. MOST of the nation hadn't heard of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac before the past few weeks. He wasn't just saying that Oliver hadn't heard of them because he's black and he obviously hasn't heard of them (sarcasm). He was saying that as a generalization... most of the middle class probably hadn't heard of them. That's what he meant.

I also have to say that I loved... LOVED what McCain said about not disclosing strategies to other countries/enemies. FINALLY! Someone who understands! You don't go after a country diplomatically or militarily and beforehand tell them what strategy you are going to use. Obama says he "understands" the way things work... he obviously doesn't... he mapped out his strategy.

2008-10-05T09:49:00.000-04:00

This post is going to continue on the same lines of the last one. I just can't help it.

I know what the reason is that a lot of people go on shows like "Meet the Press." I just hope everyone else that sees or hears things like this is. I hope everyone realizes how transparent some of these people are that are biased and pushing their own propaganda. This is probably the point. However, I'm afraid that there are too many uneducated people, or just people that don't understand politics that just don't realize this. These are the people that go and vote blindly, by flipping a coin, voting for someone they know won't win (like Nader in years past), or even people who go and vote for the person they think is more attractive(studies say this does actually happen).

In this day and age, it is simple to do a little research. How about NOT just taking someone else's word for it and looking into it yourself? Are we as a society so lazy that we can't take even an hour or so to do some research on who we want to lead our country for the next four years? How sad.

Another thing that bothers me is on the opposite end of the spectrum. I hate when people try to talk about politics when they have no idea what they are talking about. They use their ignorance to decide who they are going to vote for. Did we forget that ignorance breeds ignorance? Did we forget what's really important to us as individuals and a country?

So, next time you're talking about the election or just politics in general, maybe you should ask yourself, "do I really know what I'm saying, or am I just talking out of my butt?"

I try to get people to think about why they want to vote the way they do. Not just say, "I don't like him/her/that" then when I say why, or try to explain some reasoning, the next thing you say is, "well, I just don't like it." No. If you can't explain to me why your opinion what it is, I have no choice but to believe you either have some motive to hide or you're just plain ignorant.

2008-10-03T09:25:00.005-04:00

I hope not to offend any of my friends by what I am about to write.

After the vice presidential debate and the events following, I have decided that the people who still are undecided are morons.

People focus on the wrong thing when it comes to elections. They need to focus on the issues. The economy, education, yes even Iraq. Things like abortion and gun-control don't really matter because they aren't as important as the aforementioned issues in the US right now.

People that just want the Iraq war to be over are naive to say the least. They don't understand that even if we do just pull out and let them do their own thing that when it goes into the crapper, we(as a country) will be blamed for that too. The country needs to be stable before we take our men out of that country and stop helping them.

As for Palin and her supposed lack of experience.... does anyone realize that she actually has more executive experience than all the other candidates? She's the only one who has served in that way. Is it because she's a woman that it doesn't seem to matter? Is it because she speaks in a certain manner that people can't get past it?

Don't get me wrong. I'm no liberal feminist by any means. I am almost as far from a feminist as I could get. However, I do believe that a woman of authority should be respected and treated as an equal rather than treated as though she should allow herself to be railroaded by men.

I heard one "undecided" woman say that Palin's mannerisms at the debate were "disrespectful." No doubt this is a woman who won't ever make eye contact with a man or talk back to a man because that's the way women "should" act.

The reason undecided voters are idiots is this: There are approximately 30 days until election day. And how long have the campaigns been going on? A LOT LONGER THAN THAT! People who are undecided are either lying to themselves, or are just plain ignorant. Maybe those people just shouldn't vote if they can't get their heads out of you-know-where.

2008-09-27T13:14:00.000-04:00

I only watched part of the debate last night and portions of it irritated me. Here's why:

People who support national health care don't realize a few things. Number one: the money has to come from somewhere. The nations that have national healthcare now pay higher taxes than we do, because one day there's not going to be a magical solution to make healthcare free. If there is a national healthcare plan that goes into effect, you WILL pay higher taxes to pay for it, because the government is NOT going to foot the bill.

Next, I've known some people who have lived in countries that have national healthcare and I have not always heard good things about it. I've heard it could take a very long time to get into the doctor for a routine visit, among other things.

Also, I don't know about you, but I'd prefer to have the government less involved in my life rather than more. I like the idea that I can choose my healthcare plan, and I can choose whether or not to have a healthcare plan,

Perhaps instead of focusing on national healthcare or other issues, we should focus on education. Why do people not have health insurance? Because they don't have a job, usually. Why can these people not find a job? Because they have no education(or little). Believe me, I've seen it first hand. My sister's boyfriend has been trying to find a job and can't find one at all. This is because he doesn't have a high school diploma. I suggested instead of killing himself trying to find a job for a little while, that he should work on his GED. That will increase his hiring potential, although unfortunately not much anymore. A college degree has now become what was once a high school diploma.

I know this because when I got laid off from a previous job, I couldn't find a job for six months and I have a bachelor's degree. And even though I have a bachelor's degree now, and I'm smart and have many skills, on paper I don't have enough experience for a lot of jobs. And with the economy the way it is now, it seems any jobs one applies for is being applied for my at least 100 others that may have more experience (or education).

So anyway, I know that we need people to be working some of the lower paying jobs in the country, but the reality is that the more education one has, the better chance they have of getting a quality job, and not sponging off the government the rest of their lives. Don't get me started on that. There are waaaay to many people who do nothing and are supported by the government, never even attempting to find a job, and that just infuriates me even more because I work my butt off, and I can barely afford to drive to the job I work my butt off at!

2008-09-24T11:16:00.003-04:00

I found what Joe Biden said extremely funny:

“When the stock market crashed, Franklin D. Roosevelt got on the television and didn’t just talk about the, you know, the princes of greed. He said, ‘Look, here’s what happened...’”

Okay... When the stock market crashed, FDR was not the president. FDR was elected president in November 1932. I believe in 1929 he was the govenor of New York.

Also, FDR did not go onto the TV in 1929... why else would there have been "The Fireside Chats" by him on the radio from 1933-1944?

I also love that not long ago he was telling McCain to "Study History." Take your own advise. Think and know things before you speak.

I don't care who you support in this election, that is hilarious. FDR on TV. If he went on TV no one would have elected him because he was disabled by polio. No one would have elected a leader who appeared to be weak.

It almost reminds me of what a girl at work yesterday. We were talking about food, and I said something about creme brulee.. she responded with "Sick... I hate seafood." Awesome.

2008-09-16T23:34:00.000-04:00

I absolutely had to write something about this, because a few of you who read it will want to die when you read this story.

So, here it goes:

Today at work, one of the supervisors was making fun of a guy's taste in music, because she apparently looked through his I-pod playlist. She said she didn't know any of it, so it sucked. I added my two cents saying "this coming from the girl who bought the latest Britney Spears CD." She responded by saying "That just means I'm more cultured musically than some people." I almost vomited immediately. I had to restrain myself, because-well, she's a supervisor and because I knew no matter what I said would go over most of their heads anyway.

Since when is Britney Spears considered any sort of musical culture!? Who says to themself, "I need some culture today. I think I'll listen to "hit me baby one more time." Ugh- the thought that those words came out of her mouth in that order disgusts me! Don't get me wrong, I like the girl that said it, but hate the ignorance behind it.

After this happened another guy I work with said something like this "pop music in general is anti-cultural, because it is made to be dispensable." I agree. There is little musical depth to aforementioned pop music. That is one of the things I really hate. And don't get me started on the mediocrity of most of it!!! This post would never end!

2008-09-15T11:23:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking of doing something new with my hair, which is one of the reasons I haven't gotten it cut in a while (its a bit longer than the picture shown on the side of my blog). I like having a little shorter of a cut, because its low maintenance... even though I have been longing to grow it out. If I do, it will probably drive me crazy and end up in a ponytail 95 percent of the time. So these are some of the pictures that I liked when I did a google search. Any opinions?!

2008-09-10T09:27:00.000-04:00

In case I need to be added to a list to see any blogs (Heather & Justin, and anyone else), my e-mail address is kristenlea47@hotmail.com. Thanks guys!

2008-09-04T12:53:00.006-04:00

I heard about this book when I was listening to Free Beer and Hot Wings ... yesterday I think. FYI, if you don't know, Free Beer and Hot Wings is a morning show run out of Grand Rapids, but its broadcast all over the country. Check it out online http://www.freebeerandhotwings.com/. You can also subscribe to the podcast, I believe.

Here is the article about the book ( I think the book's cover is totally classy, by the way.. haha):

Book advises women to 'be sexy and obey men'

A self-help guide which tells women to wear sexy clothes while cooking and cleaning as well as follow men's orders has become a hit in America.

By Chris Irvine Last Updated: 8:58AM BST 29 Aug 2008

The Re-education Of The Female, by first-time author Dante Moore, advises women to follow their man's orders.

Despite the chauvinist opinions, copies have been flying off the shelves in the US.
One piece of advice reads: "Here's a little secret, ladies. Men never really ask for anything. They command. And believe me, what you won't do, ten broads around the corner will."

Mr Moore, a 33-year-old computer engineer, who has never married, continues: "The fatter you get, the more you decrease your potential single-man pool. Let me give you an example.

"When you go to the grocery store to shop, do you pick out the nastiest-looking, most rotten, smelliest fruit or meat you can find?

"Oh you don't? Why not? It's the same with men when they see baby-elephant-sized, out-of-shape women."

Mr Moore, who has an 11-year-old son from a previous relationship and has a girlfriend, says he has never found true love. (BIG SURPRISE)

He insists all he wants to do is help women because he loves women. He grew up in a house with his mother, two sisters, two aunts and two female cousins. (Narcissists always say they love women, but this guy sounds like a sociopath)

Dr Gilda Carle, US feminist and TV therapist, has questioned Mr Moore's advice however.
She said: "He's never found the one, fallen in love and got married, so what makes him an expert? Frankly, I would like to get any woman who has ever dated him on my therapist's couch."

Another excerpt about this book:

"Your responsibilities include cooking, staying skinny, wearing sexy things around the house and doing whatever your man tells you to do (because, Moore writes, 'Here's a little secret, ladies: men never really ask for anything. They command. . . . And believe me, what you won't do, ten broads around the corner will.')" And you know, Moore is right: his advice will probably net you a man.

Its hard to believe this guy isn't taken! Come on! What woman wouldn't snag up a catch like this? I find it hard to believe that anyone who isn't a weak, pathetic, shadow of a woman would actually read this or buy it for their man.

Yes, women should work to keep their man happy. BUT, men also need to keep their woman happy. Its a two-way street, and I'll tell you what- any man that "commands" me to do anything is better off doing it himself because its not going to happen. Now if I'm asked politely, I'll do things for people. But ANYONE (man or woman) who commands me to do anything has another thing coming.

I think that anyone who would read this book and actually take it seriously is not only a moron, but is setting themselves up for a very unhappy, empty, sad life.

(In case you weren't aware, the red text was added by ME).

2008-09-03T09:29:00.002-04:00

Ohhh.. good question Nicole! The position I was referring to is in Fayetteville, NC.

And I can't get onto some of your blogs because they are private (D'Amico, Heather & Justin). If you need my email address let me know!

2008-09-02T16:06:00.001-04:00

Things seem to be looking good for a possible position. After my last interview, they called my supervisor for more information. I assume this is good... they probably wouldn't ask for more info if I wasn't even being considered for the position.

2008-08-27T11:17:00.004-04:00

I had a few interviews lately... to keep you all updated on not just my opionion on Michael Phelps.. haha. I had a phone interview for a position in Orland Park, IL a few weeks ago. They told me that it would be a while until I heard back because I was the first to apply for the position and the first they interviewed. I had a phone interview yesterday for pretty much the same position in Fayetteville, NC. We'll see. The North Carolina people said they would have a decision made by the end of the week. I'm nervous. I'm ESPECIALLY nervous if I get it, because in the interview they said "Oh, just so you know, the position said it offered full relocation costs and it offers NONE." I was thinking "oh crap!" Nice to know! Thanks for the heads up, guy!

However, even though I know I don't have the money to move, I know that if I get hired that God will provide something for me. Anyone know someone in or near Fayetteville that could put up with me and my animals for a period of time? Haha... I know I'm the easy part. Its someone who would allow me to bring my animals too.

Other than that, I'm totally stoked for this coming weekend. I don't have any solid plans for the weekend except for watching some softball. Every year on Labor Day weekend, there is a big softball tournament in Woodland (a town nearby). I know some people who play in it and LOVE to go watch it. It used to be a huge deal and teams from ALL over the state would come. They even had a co-ed tournament in addition to just men's. Now its just the one. Last year I don't even think they had a game on Monday because there were so few teams. I wish they would do more to promote it. Its a really good time.

Oh- the picture in this post is from our division's picnic at my company. In the picture with me is Christine (we always got called each other's names). She has been worked with us this summer and last summer. She's loud and obnoxious and laughs at my jokes. I love it.

2008-08-22T12:58:00.010-04:00

Recently, Amanda Beard (whom I will refer to has Horseface for the remainder of this post) was caught talking trash about America's Golden Boy, Michael Phelps.

She was on some crumby radio show, and they asked her if she was dating Michael Phelps, and she said no. They asked her if she'd ever kissed him and she rudely responded "Eew, no!" She followed that up with-”C’mon, I have really good taste.”

Really, Horseface? Do you? I know that some don't consider Michael Phelps as the most handsome guy ever... but I think he's pretty dang hot. He's got an unbelievable body. I think he's cute, actually. People dogg him because he has big ears. Who cares?! No one is perfect... but AMANDA BEARD IS NO PRIZE! Hello!

Maybe she's bitter... because I'm sorry, but I doubt that Phelps is the kind of guy who would want a girl who is posing everywhere she possibly can NUDE. She's a butter face and everyone knows it (for those of you who don't know, that means everything's good but her face). She's posed in FHM, Playboy, and "for PETA" either nude or close. Sorry, but she seems like the kind of girl who is a little skanky, so I doubt he would want that kind of girl.

And now we know she has a superiority complex. Maybe she's kinda jealous that she never got as much accomplished in the swimming world as Phelps did. OR maybe he rejected her because she's ugly. Seriously. Phelps could do better than her, not the other way around. I've seen pictures of her "boyfriends" and none of them look half as good as Michael Phelps. And you guys, I have really good taste.

Way to go Amanda Beard. Way to get most of the world to HATE you.

2008-08-18T11:34:00.000-04:00

See how many of the 100 most common words you can guess in 5 minutes. Fun, and kinda hard!

Share what your score was in the comments on here! I think it would be cool to see what everyone gets.

http://codebox.no-ip.net/controller?page=misc.QuizCommonWords

2008-08-18T09:51:00.001-04:00

Check out this ACTUAL obituary:

Dolores Aguilar, born in 1929 in New Mexico, left us on August 7, 2008. She will be met in the afterlife by her husband, Raymond, her son, Paul Jr., and daughter, Ruby.
She is survived by her daughters Marietta, Mitzi, Stella, Beatrice, Virginia and Ramona, and son Billy; grandchildren, Donnelle, Joe, Mitzie, Maria, Mario, Marty, Tynette, Tania, Leta, Alexandria, Tommy, Billy, Mathew, Raymond, Kenny, Javier, Lisa, Ashlie and Michael; great-grandchildren, Brendan, Joseph, Karissa, Jacob, Delaney, Shawn, Cienna, Bailey, Christian, Andre Jr., Andrea, Keith, Saeed, Nujaymah, Salma, Merissa, Emily, Jayci, Isabella, Samantha and Emily. I apologize if I missed anyone.
Dolores had no hobbies, made no contribution to society and rarely shared a kind word or deed in her life. I speak for the majority of her family when I say her presence will not be missed by many, very few tears will be shed and there will be no lamenting over her passing.
Her family will remember Dolores and amongst ourselves we will remember her in our own way, which were mostly sad and troubling times throughout the years. We may have some fond memories of her and perhaps we will think of those times too. But I truly believe at the end of the day ALL of us will really only miss what we never had, a good and kind mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I hope she is finally at peace with herself. As for the rest of us left behind, I hope this is the beginning of a time of healing and learning to be a family again.
There will be no service, no prayers and no closure for the family she spent a lifetime tearing apart. We cannot come together in the end to see to it that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren can say their goodbyes. So I say here for all of us, GOOD BYE, MOM.

2008-08-14T11:30:00.001-04:00

Awesome freaking video. This add proves how dumb people are and that they don't think of what they say.

http://break.com/index/really-awkward-car-commercial-slogan.html

2008-08-13T16:12:00.002-04:00

I could pretty much look that that all day long.... its not lusting... its appreciating God's work.

2008-08-13T11:21:00.001-04:00

This video rocks my face off (and makes me laugh):

http://funhouse.bubble.ro/1735/Law_Student_Owned_By_Judge_Milian/

2008-08-11T16:04:00.008-04:00

So, if anyone hasn't been watching the Olympics, Michael Phelps is a pretty big deal. I had the pleasure of watching one of the greatest swimming relays of all time last night with him in it. Not the point. I was reading an article today about Mark Spitz being upset that he wasn't "invited" to the Olympics to see Michael Phelps attempt to break his record of 7 Gold metals in one single olympics. In the article, he practically whines about how they voted him one of the 5 greatest olympians of all time and he wasn't invited to the olympics. Am I wrong, or couldn't he buy tickets himself? What is this guy's problem? He's supposedly a stock broker, so he should have the money to do such a thing. It seems to me that he just wants attention and to be able to go on someone else's dime.

Quit Whining Spitz! This article has made me lose any possible respect for you that I ever could have had.

He also says if they would have had the 50m freestyle like they do now in his day, he probably would have won that too. So basically he's whining and saying he's just as good as Phelps. SPITZ- your glory days are over. Get over it. Seriously, Someone was going to beat the record sometime, so please stop being a little girl about the whole thing.

An excerpt:

Spitz, whose brief stint in show business in the 1970s never quite matched his success in the pool, said he attended the Athens Olympics four years ago—when Phelps also tried to break the record.
"They did not once put my face on television," he recalled. "But as soon as the swimming was over, and Michael Phelps didn't break my record, every time I went to beach volley, they put my face on the volleyballs."
Spitz said it would have been a great idea if he could be the one presenting the gold medals to Phelps, who has for years been candid about his ambition to eclipse the mark of seven golds.
And Spitz thinks Phelps will succeed—for one very good reason.
"He's almost identical to me. He's a world-record holder in all these events, so he is dominating the events just like I did," Spitz said. "He reminds me of myself."

Get a clue Spitz. You don't need to be a part of this. This is HIS time to shine, not yours to hone in on whatever possible TV time you can get.

I hope that no other supposedly great olympians never show up in the media turning out to be big wieners that seem to just have done their sport for the media attention.

Here's the link for anyone interested: http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=afp-oly2008swimusaspitz&prov=afp&type=lgns

2008-08-07T08:17:00.000-04:00

I had a phone interview for a job in Illinois yesterday. I can't really say anything about how it went or what I think because the guy told me that I am the first one they called and talked to about the position. Its an "entry-level" position, but I'll be making quite a bit more than I am now. The only bad thing is that it is one of the few positions I looked @ that doesn't pay relocation costs.

I don't know how I feel about it. I guess I have mixed feelings at this point. I figure at the rate I'm going I probably won't get offered the job anyway. But if I do I'll figure something out.

2008-08-04T11:25:00.000-04:00

I had a pretty good weekend. Saturday I mostly just spent chillaxing with my dog (Tayshaun) and Sunday I had a visitor. One of my great friends from High school was in town and she came over for lunch and talk time. She was at my place for three or four hours.

Beth and I talked a lot about different things, but I think the person we most remembered was Andrea. We both were very close to my Best friend from High School, Andrea Dahms, who was killed in a car accident in Mexico a few months ago. We talked about memories of her, and things that we all three did together. I know that her heart aches as much as mine does from the loss of one of the most wonderful and joyful Servants I've ever known- and one of the best friends I've ever had.

It was good to catch up with Beth and to be able to make her a little meal. We had a good time, and I wish I could spend time with all my old friends like that. Its not often that I get to anymore.

So basically what I'm saying is that Sunday made my weekend.

2008-07-31T09:21:00.004-04:00

Hey "Barney Fife," Mind your own business. I can handle overtime. I can handle the pay. I can handle anything. I worked for Bankers life and Casualty and didn't get paid for three months straight while working, so I can handle anything. I know others who are reps for Foremost and Farmers and NO I will not visit that dumb website. I am a single person with no kids, no ties, I can do whatever I want and don't need the advise of people who can't even use their real name.

And how does one not get ANY overtime and yet still work 60 hours a week? Hmm... that's a head-scratcher.

Since my last post, I also applied for a position in Gainsville, FL and in North Carolina.

Did I mention they pay relocation expenses? Rock on.

2008-07-30T11:17:00.003-04:00

ATTENTION INDIANA RESIDENTS:

Possibly coming to a catastrophe near you: ME!

I applied for a job today in Indianapolis with Farmers Insurance (they own Foremost, whom I work for now). I'm super excited. Its for a claim representative position, and I jumped at the chance to apply. I have been hesitant to think about moving away since my mom has been ill, but things are going better for her lately and I also figured its not that far away. Plus, I'm single, so I might as well take a chance like this if it comes along! I mean, its not so far fetched... I was looking at jobs in the United Kingdom yesterday with our other parent company!

So, don't get too excited yet (Amanda Faz)- but I'm really hopeful. Not only would I be moving closer to lots of friends (who may or may not need babysitters someday and whose kids like dogs)... I'm stoked. Trying not to be too excited, because I just applied, so its not like I've been offered the job yet.

There would also be a 2 week training in Cali! Woo hoo!

2008-07-29T09:28:00.001-04:00

I need you all to comment on this if you want me to link you up to my blog (those of you who already are- you're safe). However, I changed templates without paying attention and lost most of my links. Most of them were out-of-date anyway, but please- HOOK ME UP!

Thanks !!!!

2008-07-28T11:17:00.003-04:00

I had a date this weekend. Yes- believe it or not. Haha. Well- here's what... it was the first time EVER that a man has given me a bouquet of flowers. I've gotten a single rose, or something of the like before- say when Jeff and I were dating... (ok- not the best example)- and I've also gotten them when I was in shows from other male castmates.... doesn't really count. Anyway, we were talking on the phone when he pulled in (he's unfamiliar with Lake Odessa like EVERYONE else- haha) and I told him I'd just come right down. I didn't do this because I didn't want him to come up or anything- I just didn't want him to have to wait for me. However, he came up and had a nice bouquet of flowers, which I thought was VERY sweet. We went out to eat, and then went back to my apartment and watched the end of the Tigers game. It was fun, and I think a pretty good date... but then again.. I'm out of practice for the most part.

Included in the post is a picture of the bouquet. I LOVE these kinds of bouquets with wildflowers.

2008-07-22T13:30:00.003-04:00

I am pretty much sick of people. This is why:

A while back, we were in a meeting at work, and we all had to go around and say something about ourselves that most people don't know. One girl said she worked at a Chinese Restaurant for a day. I commented by saying "You didn't see any cats wandering around in the back, did you?" And I got talked to-- saying that It was a racist comment. When I asked my supervisor if that comment was racist, she said "I don't know, is it?"

Now yesterday I was telling a guy that sit next to me about this Jim Gaffigan bit where he says that you could say "I'd like to talk to you about Jesus" to the Pope and he'd say "Easy freak, I keep my work at work." And I got approached asking if I had made jokes about the Pope.

I am just so fed up! Why are people so uptight? I mean, I'm a Believer and I still am able to have a sense of humor!

I really hope I get one of the positions I'm interviewing for, because I can't take it in this department much longer. OH- Did I mention I had an interview friday and two more this week? In the same company, just other places. All pay more, and all seem like they could be very fun and exciting.

P.S. I didn't place in the karaoke contest because I didn't play air guitar or act like an idiot on stage. Whatever. I will not use "tricks" to convince people I am good. A lot of people got screwed in the contest. Such is life.

2008-07-18T16:09:00.002-04:00

Last night was the karaoke contest I mentioned, and I made the finals. There were 39 singers, and I was singer number 32! I was there all night and it didn't finish until almost midnight! But I am one of the 15 finalists. So, if any of you are out there reading this, keep me in your prayers! Money will be awarded tonight and I'm so excited to get this show on the road!

2008-07-16T11:27:00.001-04:00

This is going to sound silly, but keep me in your prayers.

I am in a karaoke contest this week, and I'm gearing up for it. The semi-finals are tomorrow (Thurs) and the finals are Friday.

I ask this because there are cash prizes! I really need the money and could use this money for car payment assistance, as well as other things. I would really like to win some cash money!

More later... Have to get back to work...