...of blogging! I thought I'd do this lovely meme. Wanna hear it? Here it go:
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Not that I'm aware of.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
November 4th.
3. Do you like your handwriting
Yep.
4 . WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Sopresetta
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Nope. Just dogs.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Oh my damn, yes!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Is the bear a Catholic?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yep.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Um, no. I really doubt it.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Frosted Flakes with half and half. But I don’t eat it anymore, either. 'Cause, hi, I don't need any MORE calories, esp. first thing in the morning!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Not usually.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes, I do.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Very good vanilla or coffee.
14. WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
If they'll look at me in the eye.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
That I keep refusing to exercise discipline.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST
My fam, my numb3rs, my vbf.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Nah. I'm flexible.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Jeans, none.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A taste of yeast roll.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW
Toddykins telling me stories of his day.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Silver.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Clean sheets and clean man!
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Toddykins.
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS?
Lurve.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
College basketball.
27. HAIR COLOR ?
Brown, blond, etc.
28. EYE COLOR?
Brown.
29. Do you wear contacts
Yes.
30. FAVORITE FOODS?
Carbohydrates?
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Smiley Face (Please, please, do not waste your time.)
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Black. But just until there's something darker.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer all the way!!!!
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Yes, definitely!
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Shagbark hickory magic cookie from The Goose.
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Not sure.
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
Also not sure.
39. What book are you reading now?
Twilight
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Nothing.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V.. LAST NIGHT?
Fringe
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Hysterical laughter, especially groups of people -- especially the Numb3rs or my niece and nephews.
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Depends on the day.
44. What is the farthest you have been from home?
Portugal... but I was sort of "home" then, too.
45. Any new news in your life?
I'm going to go be a minister. Like, for a living.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Patuxent River, Maryland
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Anyone who answers!
48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
7:26 p.m.
Wednesday, November 26
To get back in the habit
Thursday, October 30
Monday, September 8
Friday, September 5
Thursday, September 4
Just a few more words on the political front
So, when you talk with someone about your point of view, what sort of tact do you (does one) take? Well, if you're intent on having them see your point of view, possibly even adopt your point of view, you would first demonstrate on what points the two of you agree. You'd build rapport, lay some groundwork. If you're really smart, and you truly care about the person to whom you're speaking, you'll maintain respect throughout the entire discourse. And, if you happen to be talking to me personally, you will not show up with hate. You won't show up to the party with a nice, heaping, steaming pile of bitter. Or better, either.
I fail to understand how anyone expects ANYONE to "come over to their side" by belittling, declaring another's point of view stupid/greedy/self-serving, or presuming that you're are better than someone else because you're more, oh, I don't know, enlightened. . . evolved. . . superior?
I'm very lucky to have had almost all of my political discussions of late start and continue with respect and love. Some of them have not. Personal attacks on human beings that WE DON'T EVEN KNOW are fantastically ridiculous. Breathing fire about some woman from Alaska makes as much sense as hating the guy behind the counter at Subway. I'm not stupid, I get that her choices may turn out to have much more impact than do his; however, they're equally human. And equally fallible.
To be clear, I'm not trying to take the enlightened/evolved/superior path. (Hee!) I'm just pointing out that discussing choices, leadership styles, decisions, and philosophies creates an entirely different thing than tearing at the fiber of a person. Tearing people down, even those you believe to be against you personally, does not create anything worth having.
Just some thoughts on how we might move forward talking about politics. Or, you know, whatever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P.S., If you're reading this, I didn't write this in reaction to anything we've discussed.
Tuesday, September 2
One More Taboo Topic: Politics
I'm not a Senator McCain hater in any way. Truly. I don't think he's Satan or Satan's Puppet (those are the ones I've heard that make me laugh,) or anything less inflammatory, either. But I do have one very important question, and it goes like this: WHAT THE F*&%?!
Whether Sarah Palin is qualified for a national office -- particularly this one -- is not what is most disturbing to me. What's disturbing (for the sake of this particular blog entry) is how it appears. The selection of a little-known, inexperienced, female person comes off like this to your random woman voter:
"You didn't get Hillary, so here's another vagina for you."
To be clear, I'm NOT saying anything about Ms. Palin with this statement -- she could, indeed, make a good VP -- I'm saying it about the people who selected her for the candidacy. If the GOP felt they truly needed a female candidate for the ticket, how about Sen. Elizabeth Dole? She's an educated, nationally-eperienced, charismatic woman. How about Kay Bailey Hutchison, the senior female senator? How about anyone, regardless of anatomy, with leadership experience and qualities that makes her or him an acceptable choice for president, should anything happen to McCain?
This entire frame of selection pisses me directly off. I remember feeling exactly the same way about President Clinton's selection of Janet Reno. Both of the president's previous nominees, Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood, had confirmation problems; by the time he selected Reno, it appeared that he was searching for a woman to do the job much more urgently than he was searching for the most-qualified person to do the job. Yes, of course there's always the chance that the three most qualified candidates were all female, but I doubt it.
It's this sort of gymnastics (among other things, naturally) that makes me wonder how we'll rise above the game of politics and move forward, and upward with concern and love for people living in this country.
Yes, I'm idealistic. Yes, I had a visceral reaction. I offer no apologies for either.
Tuesday, August 26
Religion. Just what you're not supposed to talk about.
My dadness posted this on his blog a couple of weeks ago, and it has been much on my mind since. Here's what he posted:
"Although the US is one of the most religious nations in the world, a survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life shows many believe things which contradict their stated faith. 70% of those who claim religious affiliation believe multiple religions can lead to salvation and 68% believe in multiple interpretations of their own religion. 57% of self-identified evangelicals believe multiple religions can lead to salvation. 21% of self-identified atheists believe that some kind of God exists. 80% of respondents believe in moral standards of right and wrong, but only 29% claim their religious teachings help them determine those standards. A copy of the report can be read at www.pewforum.com (SFGate.com June 23, 2008)"
I found the study very interesting, mostly because I'm positively crazy about sociology and about belief in and wrestling with the divine. I'd like to know your thoughts about this study, if you're interested in discussing them.
My dad's comments, found here (click me) were principally about the aspect of human nature dictating that moral determinations are personal, and what we do and do not know about our religions' teachings. For example, our culture says it’s OK to adhere to the tenets we agree with and ignore others.
My opinion is that yes, culture shapes religion. I would suggest that making a religion constant is not possible; indeed, is not even all bad. Religion isn’t a way to “have eternal life” as mentioned in the study. If one adheres to the Christian scripture, it’s obvious that religion isn’t a path to God, the person of Christ is that path. I believe that religion is NOT equal to God, it’s just a way to practise knowing God while we’re in this form. Another thing to think about: is it possible that people are discovering the Divine — real, personal, tangible discovery of the living God — in ways that don’t line up at all with their religions? and… wouldn’t that be GREAT!!!!????
Interested in your thoughts.
Much love,
Stacey
Monday, August 18
Also, what the hell?
OK, so I love the Go Fug Yourself girls. I found this picture on their site, along with comments that are far more clever than these. However, I HAD to post this one, along with the very important question: what the hell? Paula, 1986 called... blah blah blah, you know the rest.
Friday, July 25
After completing 21 days of very, very healthy eating (vegan-style)...
...I have discovered the following:
- The dairy I miss the most is cheese.
- I don’t miss microwave popcorn nearly as much as I thought I would.
- I really love the tastes of sunflower seeds, pistachios, cashews, and natural peanut butter.
- When I wait until I’m really hungry to eat, pretty much every healthy thing tastes good.
- Feeing myself good food with actual nutrients is powerful. It feels like caring for myownself.
- It’s actually possible to ask myself to do something new in the food department, and then do it.
- It’s easier than I thought it would be.
- I like beans on my salad.
- I love guacamole more than ever.
- I love living with a kick-ASS chef!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edited to add some quotes directly from my body. It's been saying odd things.
"We haven't seen this many vegetables and fruits since your mother was in charge of feeing us."
"That's a LOT of fiber for one day!"
"What the HELL are you doing? Are these nutrients?"
Wednesday, July 23
Apparently, I have a blog.
Not that I've noticed, lately. So, I'm popping in to share something funny with you (you know, if you're even still checking whether I'm updating!) And, then, later? I'll blog. I have some things on my mind.
Until then, here you are:
Three women, one engaged, one married and one a mistress, are chatting about their relationships and decided to amaze their men. That night all three will wear black leather bras, stiletto heels and a mask over their eyes.
After a few days they meet again for lunch.
The engaged woman says, "The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my life. I love you.' Then we made love all night long."
The mistress says, "Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing the leather bodice, heels, mask over my eyes and a raincoat. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but we had wild sex all night."
The married woman says, "I sent the kids to stay at my mother's house for the night. When my husband came home I was wearing the leather bodice, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. As soon as he came in the door and saw me he said, 'What's for dinner, Batman?' "
Anyone wanna guess why I'm not married? HEE!
Wednesday, July 2
Tuesday, June 17
Monday, June 16
Mostly just for the Numb3rs (and Jenny)
'Cause I know how much y'all like looking at my brother. HEE! Yay for David and Dadness.
Friday, June 6
What Beth said...
Surely Stanley Burt Eisen doesn't think he's any different, as Beth said. Especially when he looks like this (scroll down).
Wait for it...
GAH!!! I'm scared.
Wednesday, June 4
Just remembered!
Another one of those things that got caught in my thoughts? EVA LONGORIA. Maybe my head just likes women with three-letter first names. Also, this site cracks me the hell up! If you've never been to Fug, go now. You will not be sorry.
Happy Wednesday!
Monday, June 2
Wednesday, May 28
Tuesday, May 27
Excessive Rumination
As it turns out, "excessive rumination" is a symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD). Other symptoms are uncontrollable crying, nausea/vomiting, anxiousness, inappropriate guilt, and other symptoms that masquerade in the mind of the depressed person as character weaknesses. So, not only does one feel like crap if one has MDD, but one also thinks "I know I should be able get over this," while trying very, very hard to get out of bed without crying or throwing up. Good times. Good times.
I have had three major episodes and probably five minor episodes of MDD over the last 15 years. In my case, it's pretty well controlled by talk therapy and medication.
My point, and I do have one, is that there are some funny-ass things about this disorder. Which brings me to excessive rumination. This symptom isn't very cute while you're going through it, but afterward, it's hilarious. You know how you can get a song stuck in your head, and it doesn't go away for HOURS, or maybe DAYS??? That's an example of excessive rumination.
The following is a list of thoughts that I've had, while feeling like serious crap, that just kept running and running running and running running and running through my tired lil' haid. Thank God this doesn't happen often! (My notes in italics.)
- Pia Zadora -wtf?
- 7:48 -A time of day. Are you kidding?
- Who got the love, who got the fresh-e-freshy? Who got the only sweetest thing in the world? -This was SHEER horror at the time. Damn Everlast.
- Pregnancy test -Though, at the time, I had never had sex.
- Bop bop bop -What am I, Barney?
- Tuna fisheries -Tuna. Fisheries.
- Wee willie wonka -Who wouldn't think of this repeatedly?
- Burt Bacharach -Hee!
- Taxpayer's remorse -We all have it; why not ruminate about it?
Please enjoy these ridiculous things with me now that I feel fantastic and am not being repeatedly tormented by Pia Zadora. The bitch.
Monday, May 19
Monday, May 12
The other half of what white people like.
#51 Living by the Water
Truly a lovely dream, here in landlocked Indiana. I probably wouldn't give a rat's ass, but I used to live ON THE BEACH. Like, 50 yards from the Pacific.
#52 Sarah Silverman
Mostly, no. Sometimes v-e-r-y funny, but really not my swirl.
#53 Dogs
Don't even get me started. I'm in-sane over dogs. Don't even know why, exactly, I'd just love to have a huge yard somewhere temperate and 12 dogs.
#54 Kitchen Gadgets
Nah. Those are for the man in our house.
#55 Apologies
When they're warranted, absolutely.
#56 Lawyers
Not overly intrigued by them; however, do find myself wondering if I could make it in law school. Actually, I know I could make it in law school. And, yes, I'm full of myself.
#57 Juno
Huh? Ohhhhhh, Juno the movie. I was thinking maybe the internet service there for a minute. Yes, loved it, but not because it's some Indie thing. I loved it because the writing was great, even though it's unrealistic. It's a STORY, they're supposed to hold you in a state of belief, regardless of reality.
#58 Japan
Sounds lovely; never been. Not at the top of my list. Italy, on the other hand...
#59 Natural Medicine
Gimme the chemicals, baby. I believe in Better Living through Pharmacology.
#60 Toyota Prius
Isn't that what my Left Coast granddad drives? (Yes.)
#61 Bicycles
Cars!
#62 Knowing What’s Best for Poor People
This one makes me sad.
#63 Expensive Sandwiches
GUILTY! My favorite is from Goose The Market right on the corner in our neighborhood!
#64 Recycling
So far, I only recycle paper. I'm a bad left-leaner.
#65 Co-Ed Sports
Once again, have you met me? My idea of sports is watching hot guys play ball.
#66 Divorce
Oh, yes.
#67 Standing Still at Concerts
I'm decidedly non-white on this one.
#68 Michel Gondry
No.idea.
#69 Mos Def
Only know who it is. Sad, sad pop-culture-less girl.
#70 Difficult Breakups
Two divorces? Check.
#71 Being the only white person around
When I was one of a couple white-ish people in my college choir, it was a total kick to be in and around people of a culture I wasn't born in. I would not say I seek this out, however. Oooooh, unless you also count the trips to South and Central America, where I guess I was in the minority, too. Cultures other than mine are interesting. Looks like I'm a white girl on this one.
#72 Study Abroad
Would have LOVED to!
#73 Gentrification
Hmmmm, according to the essay regarding this entry, I qualify in that I live in a neighborhood which is considered "up-and-coming." Where I live used to be a crack house. However, the building started a long time before we moved in (we rent), and now the taxes are at a level (very high) where the people who bought the properties from the people who owned the crack houses are actually moving out of the neighborhood. Kinda crazy. And I just thought it was cool to live close to work.
#74 Oscar Parties
Nah.
#75 Threatening to Move to Canada
No.fricking.way. No offense to Canada or its citizenry, I just love being an American.
#76 Bottles of Water
I do drink them, but the faucet is free. And what a total first-world miracle that I can drink right out of the faucet and stay healthy! And, while I'm on that, the very fact that there is a faucet is pretty damned miraculous.
#77 Musical Comedy
Occasionally. VERY occasionally. Though, I admit a certain fondness for Adam Sandler's SNL bits with the guitar.
#78 Multilingual Children
Someone else's multilingual children, maybe.
#79 Modern Furniture
Comfortable furniture is better.
#80 The Idea of Soccer
HA! That's just funny.
#81 Graduate School
Definitely. Been dreaming of it since I came to Corporate America.
#82 Hating Corporations
Been doing it since I came to Corporate America. My participation in them, actually. Corporations on the whole don't cause me to hate.
#83 Bad Memories of High School
There are about 8.3 million good memories, too.
#84 T-Shirts
T-shirt whore, right here, people. But not the wearing of them, the CREATION of the slogan on them!
#85 The Wire
I know nothing of this show.
#86 Shorts
Hi, no shorts. Ever. Bermudas maybe, but I'm a fat woman over the age of 35, we don't need to flaunt that, really.
#87 Outdoor Performance Clothes
This would require me to have a life involving Outdoor Performance.
#88 Having Gay Friends
Why pick friends based on one characteristic? If you're smart and funny, I probably can't resist you. If you're also real honest about yourself, I definitely can't resist you.
#89 St. Patrick’s Day
Isn't St. P's day for amateurs?
#90 Dinner Parties
Guilty! Always a good opportunity to show off my awesome chef boyfriend, too!
#91 San Francisco
Ehn.
#92 Book Deals
OMG, I WOULD LOVE ONE! GIMME?
#93 Music Piracy
Nah. Unless Lola does it.
#94 Free Healthcare
Ah, hell, I still don't know what I think about this one.
#95 Rugby
Nope.
#96 New Balance Shoes
Own 2 pair.
#97 Scarves
ONLY when it's freaking freezing outside.
#98 The Ivy League
Sure, I still long for Harvard. It was a girlhood dream.
#99 Grammar
Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. Guilty as sin. But legal to be so, since I have a degree from Purdue in English, and I work as an editor. Hee!
Stuff White People Like
Not only does this site crack me directly up, it's something that works for many of my favorite women, too. It's "Stuff White People Like." Click here for the the full list of stuff white people like on one page. Today's entry, Grammar, is what propelled me to examine how many of the now 99 items I actually like, as I am (mostly) a white chick.
Here is the list of the first 99 things, and my comments about my personal affinity for each of these items, thus revealing my whiteness or lack thereof, as the case may be, nudge nudge wink wink, say no more. (I bet white people TOTALLY like Monty Python.)
#1 Coffee
I definitely love the coffee. And the CoffeeGoddess. What's not to love. Did I ever tell you how I started loving coffee? It was Mark Bourdeaux. He was my English TA at Purdue, and I adored him. He sat in the student union for his office hours and drank a lot of coffee. Also, he had a schload of earrings and long hair. And wore painters' pants with a squirrel hide stitched to the ass. Need I say more?
#2 Religions their parents don’t belong to
True. I don't belong to one, but I do like them.
#3 Film Festivals
Not so much. First, I refer to them as "movies" not films. And I'm certainly never going to the Cinema. Hi, I'm not European.
#4 Assists
Nah. I'm ruggedly individualistic. (hee!)
#5 Farmer’s Markets
Well, they're OK, but the boyfriend is a whore for the things.
#6 Organic Food
Nope. Gimme fried dough and sugar, please.
#7 Diversity
Yeah, I do love it. I always think of it as "variety" though. It's the spice o' life, dontchaknow. A very smart person I know said that "Diversity training" exists so that we can have an emotionally mature response to people who are different than we are, which is a pretty good idea. Also, growing up as a traveling Navy brat, my brother and I both tend to gravitate to anyone who doesn't look, sound, or seem "like" us.
#8 Barack Obama
Better than the alternative.
#9 Making you feel bad about not going outside
Not this white girl. I will SO lay my ass on the couch on a lovely day.
#10 Wes Anderson Movies
I had to look this name up. Darjeeling Ltd is the only one I've seen. And it didn't change my life.
#11 Asian Girls
This one's for every man I've ever dated or been married to. Yes, they've all been white.
#12 Non-Profit Organizations
Sure! Why not?
#13 Tea
Ehn.
#14 Having Black Friends
I would no sooner select my friends based on their skin color than I would their marital status. Though, being black is "different" from me, so maybe this falls under the diversity/variety umbrella.
#15 Yoga
Haven't tried it.
#16 Gifted Children
Have none. Was one.
#17 Hating their Parents
Puh-leeze. Oh sure, I am still silently rebelling against my mother at the tender age of 38, but I adore her.
#18 Awareness
This entry of stuffwhitepeoplelike.com is just hilarious. Please read.
#19 Traveling
I had no idea this was a white thing! I just thought I liked to go places.
#20 Being an expert on YOUR culture
I'm barely an expert on my own culture. OK, I'm not blind to US historical culture, but absolutely to pop culture. Just a couple weeks ago I was telling Allie what a total square I am (to effectively demonstrate my total obliviousness of current parlance). She said, "You can probably quote Chaucer, though." Because she's a giver like that. (And yes, I can. In Middle English. ARGH!)
#21 Writers Workshops
I'd like to conduct one, but not attend one.
#22 Having Two Last Names
Previously guilty.
#23 Microbreweries
Yum.
#24 Wine
YUM.
#25 David Sedaris
Painfully funny.
#26 Manhattan (now Brooklyn too!)
Don't know yet. But, I have thought of a year-long NYC living experiment, just for the experience.
#27 Marathons
HAVE YOU MET ME?
#28 Not having a TV
Done it. Considering doing it again!
#29 80s Night
Hi, I was in high school in the 80s. Why do I want to relive that?
#30 Wrigley Field
Nah.
#31 Snowboarding
Sounds fun.
#32 Vegan/Vegetarianism
See #6.
#33 Marijuana
No comment.
#34 Architecture
I can pick the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower out of a lineup, does that count?
#35 The Daily Show/Colbert Report
Funny, but not staples.
#36 Breakfast Places
Yum. See again, fried foods.
#37 Renovations
Easy there, hot rod. I'm far too lazy for that.
#38 Arrested Development
Pretty sure I've seen this once.
#39 Netflix
Um, yeah, canceled.
#40 Apple Products
I do love my iPod. A lot.
#41 Indie Music
I'm very into what my brother and boyfriend now call "adult alternative." Thank God it's not "adult contemporary" as the thought of Michael Bolton makes me sad.
#42 Sushi
This is one item I wish I liked. ICK.
#43 Plays
Fun, but not a staple.
#44 Public Radio
A definite staple! I a-dore Cartalk and Prairie Home Companion. Also like Morning/Evening Edition quite a lot. Oh, and Thistle and Shamrock.
#45 Asian Fusion Food
Because the Chef in my life is an expert at this, YES!
#46 The Sunday New York Times
Not yet a habit. Actully, I think I read the books section once, but that's it.
#47 Arts Degrees
Have one, of the "Liberal" variety.
#48 Whole Foods and Grocery Co-ops
See #5.
#49 Vintage
I am an environmentally unconscious American ass who loves new stuff.
#50 Irony
Me? Irony? Certainly not.
I'll do the other half tomorrow!
Tuesday, May 6
Quote that made me laugh today
The definitions of pretty:
"Pretty means pretty. Cute means pretty but short and or hyper active. Beautiful means pretty and tall. Gorgeous means pretty with great hair. Striking means pretty with a big nose. Sexy means pretty and easy. Exotic means... ugly." --Vicki Lewis as Beth on News Radio
By these definitions, I'm both cute (hyperactive, in many instances, except when napping) and gorgeous. Which are you?
Cheers!
Monday, May 5
Thursday, April 24
Life in the ATL, or Atlanta for us white chicks.
I'm in Marietta, GA with two of my favorite wimmins -- Lola and Allie (the hairbanger.)
Bangin' Lola's hayers:
Finish product of my banged my hayers (I'm blond again!):
Then, we had margaritas. See Lo's finished hayers and Allie's HAWT 'do:
Here's a preview of our concert experience. We sang along with Mraz. Mraz, the one I've adored since one of my first 5 or 6 posts.
Must go now. More lolling to do.
Saturday, April 19
Brand Equity
Brand Equity
According to Wikipedia (which, incidentally, j'a-DORE), Brand equity refers to the marketing effects or outcomes that accrue to a product with its brand name compared with those that would accrue if the same product did not have the brand name. That is, when people think of coffee, they also think of Starbucks. (Sorry Christel.)
I wanted to announce that I have spectacular brand equity. Spectacular, I tell you!
At the beginning of 2008, I took over my new job as a marketing editor. I love this job. I've long said I only care about people and words -- and I'm pretty serious about that. This job is people and words: charming people into making decisions and seeing things a certain way, then making it linguistically perfect. Nice! It's also fantastically overwhelming, and very nearly impossible to actually accomplish all the projects we have going on, due to volume alone. Prima donna personalities notwithstanding.
I say all that to say this: all my colleagues are new to me. And yet they know exactly who I am. It's strange and unbelievably cool.
The colleagues I'm making friends with (nearly all of them, as they are awesome women!) are constantly saying things like, "Stacey, I thought of you this weekend when I was shopping, I saw something you'd love..." and it's always something I'd love. Something shiny, or sparkling, or literature-related, or maybe it's a tiara. Nancy calls me The Glitteratti. BWAHAHAHA! This cracks me up to no end. I always knew I was obvious and, shall we say, ridiculously transparent. But I never thought of this as a good or even a funny thing. And now, I have a marketing term to describe this little phenomenon that makes me laugh.
I have spectacular brand equity. Thinking of glitter? Think of me.
Friday, April 18
Earthquake Update
This morning, around 5:30 EDT, there was a 5.2 earthquake at the Wabash fault (a northern branch of the New Madrid).
My VBF woke to feel her house shaking and hear the window rattling, and she lives about five hours north of the epicenter.
My colleague Nancy, a former resident of Los Angeles, popped out of bed and headed for a door frame, to protect herself from falling objects. (The Fig and I learned the same technique while attending elementary school in the Bay Area.)
The Hairbanger called to make sure I was OK after the quake. I assured her I was.
I had slept through the whole thing.
Wednesday, April 2
Tuesday, March 25
A quote I truly love.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.
-- Carl Sagan
Wednesday, March 19
For Christel
Because she understands how hot I am. (Hot, not sexy, in this case. Just in this case.)
Here's a portion of a brilliant note to Mother Nature:
"You and I have had our differences before. As one who sweats profusely under certain conditions, such as sitting quietly at room temperature, I wasn't too wild about the summer of 2005. By late June I was technically classified as an estuary."
Click here for entire article.
Wednesday, February 27
Gonorrhea on Valentine’s Day
A seminal person from my adolescence and early adulthood has died. You’ve probably never heard of Larry Norman, but I considered him a friend and a hero. Larry died on Saturday after a life rich with love, stories, faith, conversation, friends, music, controversy, heartbreak, travel, adventure, and creativity. He is also known as the “Father of Christian Rock,” which, in my opinion, is a hilarious title for him. I’d call him a Revolutionary Heart.
See here some of the lyrics to his song The Great American Novel as supporting evidence:
i was born and raised an orphan
in a land that once was free
in a land that poured its love out on the moon
and i grew up in the shadows
of your silos filled with grain
but you never helped to fill my empty spoon
and when i was ten you murdered law
with courtroom politics
and you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
but i know you better now
and i don't fall for all your tricks
and you've lost the one advantage of my youth
you kill a black man at midnight
just for talking to your daughter
then you make his wife your mistress
and you leave her without water
and the sheet you wear upon your face
is the sheet your children sleep on
at every meal you say a prayer
you don't believe but still you keep on
and your money says in God we trust
but it's against the law to pray in school
you say we beat the russians to the moon
and i say you starved your children to do it
you are far across the ocean
but the war is not your own
and while you're winning theirs
you're gonna lose the one at home
do you really think the only way
to bring about the peace
is to sacrifice your children
and kill all your enemies
the politicians all make speeches
while the news men all take note
and they exagerate the issues
as they shove them down our throats
is it really up to them
whether this country sinks or floats
well i wonder who would lead us
if none of us would vote
well my phone is tapped and my lips are chapped
from whispering through the fence
you know every move i make
or is that just coincidence
well you try to make my way of life
a little less like jail
if i promise to make tapes and slides
and send them through the mail
and your money says in God we trust
but it's against the law to pray in school
you say we beat the russians to the moon
and i say you starved your children to do it
you say all men are equal all men are brothers
then why are the rich more equal than others
don't ask me for the answer i've only got one
that a man leaves his darkness when he follows the Son.
(Click HERE to hear him sing it.)
Once upon a time, I met Larry at a retreat that my youth pastor had arranged. That was in January of 1987, I believe. We were in northern Indiana, and on the church bus trip back to Indianapolis we stopped at McDonald’s. Larry said, “C’mon, I’ll buy you a burger.” (This still makes the VeryBestFriend and me and laugh.) We were NUTS about both Larry and our youth minister. Later that year, VBF and I went to Florida on spring break; my dad and mom drove. VBF and I insisted on playing Larry the whole way down. And back. Not only that, we frequently piped up with "I'm Larry Norman." "No, I'M Larry Norman." I'm surprised my dad didn't throw us out of the car.
Anyway, sometime during the retreat weekend, Larry said about this life and the hereafter, “I think you get where you’re going.”
Enjoy your destination, Larry.
Friday, February 22
Thursday, January 31
Emailed Meme.
Place an X by all the things you've done, or remove the X from the ones you have not. Then answer the questions below and send it to your friends, or post on your veryownblog.
(X) Smoked a cigarette.
( ) Drank so much you threw up
(X) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested
( ) Gone on a blind date
( ) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
(X) Been to Canada
(X) Been to Europe
( ) Been to Asia
(X) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been lost
(X) Been on the opposite side of the country
(X) Gone to Washington, DC.
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers ---(or cowboys and Indians!!?)
(X) Recently colored with crayons.
(X) Sang karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with only coins
(X) Ate the same thing for a week to save money.
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
(X) Made prank phone calls
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue and made snow angels
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( ) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Made a bonfire on the beach?
(X) Crashed a party
( ) Ever done it in the back seat of your car?
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Been skinny dipping...
( ) Gone to the movies, paid for one ticket, and then snuck into another theater to see a different feature afterwards
1. Any nickname? Aunt Tasty or just Tasty
2. Mother's name? Charlene Ann
3. Favorite drink? Coffee, Vodka, Ice water!
4. Tattoos? Yep, two.
5. Body piercing? Ears.
6. How much do you love your job? A BUNCH! But, I'm still going to leave it one day.
7. Birthplace? Pax River, Maryland.
8. Favorite vacation spot? Seattle.
9. Ever been to Africa? Nope.
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Have you MET me?
11. Ever steal any traffic signs? Nah.
12. Ever been in a car accident? Yes.
13. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 5!
14. Are you in the mile high club? No.
15. Favorite salad dressing? Blue Cheese.
16. Favorite pie? Cherry.
17. Favorite number? 3, 4, 5, 9... which is the right answer???
18. Favorite movie(s)? Princess Bride, Holy Grail, The Jerk, many more.
19. Favorite holiday? 4th o' July.
20. Favorite Dessert? Ice cream, cheesecake.
21. Favorite food? This week, it's pork tenderloin sandwiches, made by Todd.
22. Favorite day of the week? Every one of them!
23. Favorite brand of body wash? Bath & Body Works True Blue scrub stuff.
24. Favorite toothpaste? Aquafresh Extreme Clean
25. Favorite smell? Puppy breath.
26. Favorite Sound? Apparently, my own voice.
27. What do you do to relax? Laugh and nap.
28. Do you have a message to your friends reading this? You are a rockstar.
29. How do you see yourself in 10 years? As a fabulous, happy, healthy, gorgeous 48 year old woman who travels a lot.
30. Furthest place you will send this message? Who knows? I'm posting it.
31. Who will respond to this the fastest? Not knowin'.
32. Who is the least likely to respond? Not knowin' that, either. Prolly my dad. This one is long and kinda silly. :-)
Monday, January 21
Best political commentary. Ever.
Who knew I'd have so much in common with the creators of South Park. (Sorry, Dad.) I stumbled/surfed upon an interview with Trey Parker and Matt Stone during which Parker said, "George Bush doesn't know what's going on. Michael Moore does not know what's going on. And Alec Baldwin definitely does not know what's going on." That part made me laugh.
The part of the interview I found so brilliant? "People on the far left and the far right are the same exact person to us." They are to me, too.
Friday, January 11
Late to the party, but here I am with my fancy shoes on!
Here’s how it works:
Link to the person that tagged you: Brian and others!
Post the rules for the meme on your blog. And here they are:
Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
OK, lemme think.
- My new job is insanity-making what with the deadlines and the details and the working on 45 projects (approx) AT ONE TIME and the spelling and punctuation malarkey. I. LOVE. IT.
- I also would almost rather go to a movie alone than with someone. I don't want any whispering or to share my carmel corn or coke with you. I also want to be able to leave without worrying about what you want. For *me* this is really a commentary on my life. I don't really, truly want to consult with anyone. I don't care to discuss daily decisions, just philosophical positions. I'm superfun to live with!
- One of my very best friends once said to my boyfriend, "Seriously, you have to speak up and be strong with the Ericksons. If you don't, they'll just run you over." And I took it exactly in the spirit in which it was intended. I love it 'cause it's true.
- It almost took me longer to decide I could live without Ruby and Opal (my dogs) than it took me to decide if I could divorce Grimace (former spouse). Turns out, I can live without them. Though, I'd rather like to keep living with the puppers.
- Y'all prolly know this, but. As much as I LOVE the party/gathering/dinner with friends on a very, very frequent basis, I LOVE being alone equally as much. Turns out, I'm decent company, and damn if I don't love a silent evening reading. Or watching TV with no interruptions. At all. (Maybe this is why I don't have les bebes.)
- Being an aunt to Beth's kids is way more precious to me than I ever imagined it would be. It gets sweeter all the time, too. Part of my plan for general improvement/growing into some more of my potential includes being a better aunt.
- I would much rather eat popcorn for dinner than have to do dishes.
Now I'm supposed to tag some people. But all my peoples did this already, except for His Dadness. Tag!
Tuesday, January 8
Cartoon of myself
When I mentioned that something turns me into a "cartoon of myself," my darling Terri piped up with, "I envision a large Portuguese female superhero, named Estacey del las Flamencos, with a pink satin cape and a tiara, whapping the ignorant with her scepter of justice."
Is perfection, no?
Monday, January 7
A driveby a la Allie and Christel...
| What Stacey Means |
 You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care. |
