Newsworthy

What isn't newsworthy these days??

I just read a headline "Obama Swats Pesky Fly During Interview". Because that is what I want to read about in the ten minutes of down-time I have per day. And how a group of 30,000+ crazy, 1st Amendment Rights haters want CBS to fire David Letterman for an off-color joke that was accidently and incorrectly directed towards a minor whose mother's questionable morality and parenting skills are already a tabloid favorite. LIGHTEN UP. Even Palin, whose week-long tirade permeated the airwaves, newspapers and bandwidth, has accepted the apology and dropped the topic.

My belief is that there are too many media outlets and not enough news - that once reputable reports now go digging for the most sensationalistic stories, true or not, in the spirit of competition. Where does that leave the general public? Discussing Jon and Kate, David and Sarah over the water cooler, instead of Obama's newest health care policy ideas or that this is the last year for a once iconic vehicle to be launched into OUTER SPACE.

Yet another gripe.

Comcast.

On my bill, dated 12/27/07, DVR was $11.95 per month. Now?? A year later?? $15.95. A 25% increase in a year?????!?!?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

It's the Important Things That Truly Matter

I get free coffee/tea at work.

We have a handful of moderately cared for K-cup coffee machines, and an assortment of flavored coffees and teas to choose from. In my current state of mind, I feel like being whiny and picky.

I have a morning routine. I pop the last used k-cup out of the holder. I fill my mug with 10 ounces of hot water to clear out the last bits of coffee from the previous user. I then take a paper towel and wipe down the spout where the water/coffee/tea comes out (every time, without fail, I wipe out coffee grinds and gook. Yes, gook). Then I feel like I've done my part to eradicate any coffee flavor, and can brew my tea.

This process may seem tedious and obsessive-compulsive, but for those of you who know of my sensitive palette, it is a necessary evil. So today, after completing my de-coffee-ing procedure for the 2nd time, I was sorely disappointed when I walked away with french roast flavored green tea.

These are the trying times in my life. Thanks for listening.

One Hour, eh?

I typically think of fun blog topics in the car. Don't ask me why. And by the time I get to a computer to transcribe my thoughts, they are gone.

Fortunately, this one came to me at my desk, as I sit here ordering photos of my beautiful new niece. (Naturally, not doing WORK at 10:30am)

I have an issue with one hour photo. I have no patience, so on one hand, it is a blessing. But my photos are never actually ready in an hour. It's not like I get to the store and they aren't ready. (Thank God for that) The website openly and willingly tells me that I'm gonna be waiting 2 hours and 17 minutes. I personally feel that I should get a discount on my inflated Impatience Rate of 19 cents per print. After I hear that my wait time has doubled (sometimes tripled), I would assume that the line to pick up the pictures at Walgreens is around the block. Am I wrong to think that they are incredibly busy and can't get to my pathetic 7 prints in an hour? So when I show up, and the guy behind the counter is texting someone while eating lunch from Subway, and there is NO ONE else in line, I tend to get a little angry.

Thoughts?

Sign of the Times?

A natural procrastinator, I found myself with a need to battle the crowds and head to [sigh] Target to finish up some last minute details. Much to my astonishment, I found a parking spot immediately and stood in line for no more than 5 minutes. Is the recession truly impacting one of the most profitable times of the year for retailers? Only the numbers will tell the truth. One thing I know is, I did my part to boost the economy (while putting yet another dent into the already banged up wallet).

Holidays of Yesteryear

Megan told me my last blog sucked. I can't blame her. I reread my last posting and thought to myself "Damn, my last blog DID suck." Hopefully what follows will show a little more effort and thoughtfulness than the last.

I've been faced with quite a dilemma this holiday season. While people's eagerness to send Christmas cards appears to be on the rise, judging by my daily mail delivery (no doubt in part to the ease with which Snapfish provides to print photocards), their enthusiasm to buy presents is dwindling. Multiple family members of mine, all of whom shall remain nameless to protect their identities, have suggested a "no-gift-giving-Christmas" this year. I question the motive behind this. Is it because the malls are crowded and I (the proverbial "I") just don't know what to buy someone who has everything? Or is it because the true meaning of Christmas and gifts has been tainted by the commercialization of a once religious holiday? Or, still, is it that I don't bother getting to know someone well enough that I know their likes, wants and needs?

Crowded malls? Problem solved. Enter...the Internet. Not only is it easy and convenient, a feat accomplished while still in pajamas, but most internet sites actually carry a larger inventory than the store itself. Now, you have proof that the person you are buying for does not, in fact, have everything.

Christmas spirit is reflected in mall Santas, toy commercials and WalMart's 4th quarter profits? Ok, I'll give you this one, however it is easily remedied by teaching your children the true meaning of Christmas by taking them to church and reading them the story of the real St. Nick.

The last reason for abandoning gift giving I find pathetic. If you are so inclined (whether it be societal pressure or sheer desire) to buy a gift for someone, it would be in your best interest (and for that of your karma) to put a little effort into your purchase. Listen to hints that people drop, observe habits and hobbies that might boast meaningful gift ideas. For crying out loud, it's NOT THAT HARD.

In case you couldn't infer thus far, I LIKE the idea of gift giving. Not because I like receiving gifts, but I enjoy the hunt and thrill of finding the perfect gift for someone. But in all selfishness, I don't want to put that type of effort into someone who is going to get me yet another gift set from Bath & Body Works (the standard 'I-don't-know-what-to-get-someone-gift').

Simply put - the holidays have lost their "flare". Christmas use to begin with Thanksgiving and continue through the month of December. Every Sunday there was a new advent activity during Sunday School, and carols were sung every church service the whole month of December. Now laziness and hangovers cloud my Sunday mornings. Trimming the tree was a family event with music in the background. This year, I picked out a tree in 7 minutes, and am pretty sure it's going to die any day now. No longer do I have off from December 23rd until after the new year. Christmas movies on tv are cut and edited for content and are littered with commercials. I am no longer so excited for Christmas morning that I can't sleep the night before. For me, it's just another day off from work...where I will most likely spend 2 or 3 hours in the car, fulfilling the needs of parents and family who insist you come to THEIR house.

Before long, Christmas will become just another one of those holidays that includes a family dinner (or in my case, multiple family dinners) where one or more family members drinks a little to much, and everyone leaves 5 pounds heavier. I'm hoping that one day, when I introduce kids into my life, my outlook will change and I can once again see Christmas through a child's eyes, where the magic is as real as the gifts under the tree.

Blog wha...?

I'm such a slacker. I've neglected my blog and my loyal fans. My sincere apologies.

Much has happened since my last blog. I went to Vegas and won some money. The Phils won the World Series. I got engaged! Turkey Day. And my 10-year high school reunion. Oh, and I got a new job in the midst of the chaos. Life is good.

Misreference...

So I was listening to Wired 96.5, not because I like the R&B music (all 5 songs they play over and over (and over) again) but because I like Chio and his morning show.

This morning they had a caller say that she (and her Englishman BF) could never double date with G-N (and her Irish BF) because the English and Irish hate each other. The date would be like "World War IV", she says.

I'm sorry, did I miss WWIII, or is that reference played out?

I can smell the post season!

No longer do the stinkin' tomahawk waving Braves reign atop the NL East!

Just Breathe

There is little that we take for granted more in this world than the ability to breathe through our noses. I have somehow acquired a summer cold - congestion, tight chest, cough, fatigue - the whole shabang. I can tough it out througout the day - I have a lot of other things to distract me. But at night, it is the purple elephant in the room, the bain of my existance. Breathing through my mouth is out of the question - 2 hours into it, my throat is cracked and dry and the coughing fits start.

Which brings me to my over-the-counter heroine-like substance - Afrin Nasal Spray. I would kiss the feet of the inventor, if only I didn't despise him. You see, the nasal spray works SO well that it's almost addictive. Well no...it IS addictive. You use it more often cause it works so well, but after some time, you need to use more of it, and more frequently to get the same effect. So I struggle during these times with the idea of relief and the terror of addiction. Now, I'm not a hippy or a naturalist or anything, but I believe that the human body is very capable of healing itself in time, without the use of medication, and I try to avoid putting anything into my body that isn't nature made (unless it is some type of baby preventing pill).

So for the time being, the Afrin remains on my nightstand, and I (and the people around me) will have to deal with the stuffy-nose bitching.

Someone, PLEASE help me come to my senses. I CANNOT buy a $210 pair of dress shoes for a wedding that I will seriously only wear, at best, 4 times. That is an insane waste of money. Right???

Camping and CRABS

So, it took me a while, but I finally realized that I left the crab part out of my last blog. So here it is:

Sunday was wrapped up nicely with some crabs, beer and Phillies at Mike's dad's. Who could ask for more?!?!?

Camping and crabs

After battling through many obstacles, Mike and I were able to venture out into the woods for some R&R. Every time we settled on a place to camp, we would find out they were booked - apparently we were not the only one's with this idea. In the end, we found a place outside of Lancaster, that was pet friendly, and had availability.

Bailey in the tent

Friday consisted of lots of shopping (all of my camping gear is tucked away nicely in my parents garage/attic/basement). Food, tent, lantern, sleeping bag, etc. Followed by some bickering - Mike was antsy to get on the road asap because 'no one wants to set a tent up in the dark'. I took my sweet old time before we got on the road and then showed Mr. Pessimist how you put up a tent in 6 minutes flat. In the dark. HA.






Saturday was absolutely beautiful - we did some hiking, some swimming some reading, and then later, some fire building and marshmallow roasting. I LOVE S'MORES!! (I even managed to sneak in a run in the afternoon - not a long one though, since running in the mountains is f-en HARD!)

My kick-ass fire

Sunday was time to leave, but not before I whooped some a$$ in mini golf. :-)

All in all it was an awesome weekend - and now we have camping equipment and can go whenever we want!

Run, Forrest, Run!

I've been completing long runs at a sweet 9:30 minute mile pace. I need to learn how to stabilize my pace though, because my fastest mile was a 7:30, so you do the math to figure out my slow mile.

To my credit though, I have a bunch of hills in my run which always slow me down.

Oh, the great outdoors

Ed. Note:

Cabin camping turned into tent camping rather quickly due to our last minute decision to make reservations. Tent camping with a dog. A 90lb dog.

Chores can wait...right?

I'm torn between being the mature adult and tending to my responsiblities, and skipping town for the weekend with my man piece (and a pup).

Mike proposed heading to the Poconos this weekend for a 'camping' excursion. I say camping in quotes because we are going to end up getting a cabin, since we are dog-sitting Mike's brother's 11 year old lab, Bailey, and can't store her in a tent that will overheat if we want to go do a dog-fee activity.

I said yes to the weekend, sitting here thinking "But what about the garden that needs to be weeded, or the ivy that needs to be tamed, or the hallway that needs to be painted" etc etc etc. So much to do, so little time. But with summer dwindling down, I'm persuaded to put off all of the home projects - after all, that is what winter is for, right?

Are they serious????

Now, I've heard of firming lotions, even padded underwear for a booty boost. But firming BRAS??? What's next???

Again....I have the coolest boyfriend ever

So, I knew I was getting this (after we had a conversation about it), but I had to act like it was a surprise.



A running watch with GPS that talks to satellites. So now I can be SUPER anal about my run - the distance I go, the pace I'm at. Awesome.

Zzzzz....

Ah, sleep. To some, a luxury. To others, a necessity. To me, well, sleep use to be like a little slice of heaven. Little was better than a July morning in 1996, waking to the sound of my parents leaving for work, only to fall back asleep til noon, knowing my sole duties for the day included emptying the dishwasher before going to the pool. Sleep was peaceful then, silent and stress-less.

Sleep has changed for me these last few years, months and weeks. Sleep is now filled with dread of the coming work day, fear of the future's challenges. Sleep is now interupted hourly by my busy mind, aching to quiet life's stressors before the 6 o'clock hour. Dreams are frequent and twisted, with so many mixed messages that my interpretation book is useless. Sleep these days is so fitful that Mike's occasional snoring is actually soothing.

I look forward to the days when sleep is once again restful and comforting. My concern is that those days are a long way off or, possibly, not even there.

I'm...BATMAN

If you haven't yet, go see the Dark Knight.

And if you think Heath Ledger is only garnering Oscar buzz for his performance because he died this year, you are wrong. He is phenomenal as the psychopathic Joker, and deserves every Oscar whisper.