People I met on the internet.
I started to tell you about some of my best friends in a recent “Fun Monday” post, and promised to introduce you to all of the misfits in my life as time allowed. Here then, is a little bit about my most “unique” group of friends.
As you know, this past weekend I attended a wedding in New York City (okay, technically it was in Queens, but whatever). And as promised, there will be details on the wedding, Grease, and LawBoy later in the week. But first, the full story of how I met Ms. B., the bride. A little background before I delve into my tales of the city.
Thanksgiving of this year will mark seven years since I started a little group on Yahoo Groups (back then it was Yahoo Clubs) which would forever change my life. It was the year my grandmother had passed away and therefore the first year that Thanksgiving would not take place at her home. A smaller version of the family headed to my mother’s house for dinner that year, and with low spirits, and not feeling as festive as in recent years, the party wound down much earlier than was customary. Once the relatives had left, I was depressed, and bored, and needed a distraction from the lack of celebration this particular Thanksgiving had brought. It was a time before MySpace and certainly before the explosion in the “blog-osphere”, and everyone was using means such as Yahoo “clubs” to communicate with complete strangers online. But I couldn’t find a “club” that fit me. I wasn’t looking for a dating group, I wasn’t looking to discuss my babies or my cats, or my hobbies…none of the “clubs” I found were appealing to me. So I decided to create my own. I started a group for women only…single women in their 20s just looking to talk about life without being hounded for their phone numbers by creepy guys.
So I started this group, and over the next few weeks and months a variety of women would join. Some jumped right in, others lurked for a bit, some stayed, others left. Within a few months though, there was a core of seven of us that were obviously what the group had been created for. As we got to know each other better, and began sharing more of our lives with one another, we decided it would be wise to close off the group to the public. It became more of a “meeting place” then an internet “chat room”. Over the next seven years we would have weddings, break-ups, home purchases, cross-country moves, a national terrorist attack, family deaths and births, dating misadventures, health scares, and other enumerable events that shape life in your 20’s and early 30’s. And we would share them ALL with one another.
It would be about a year before any of us would meet in person. Ms. B. was the first of the seven that I met. With her living right outside NYC and me right outside of Boston, it only made sense that we would arrange to meet. We hit it off instantly, as we already knew we would, and over the years we’ve spent many weekends at each other’s homes, as well as traveled together. A few of us planned a trip to Atlantic City one year, so that we could meet in person, and were thoroughly looking forward to the experience, but our trip was planned for the weekend after the world changed. Many frantic e-mails and phone calls later, after assurances that we were all okay, the trip was cancelled. Nobody in this country would be flying anywhere that week. But that dreadful day didn’t quell the love of travel in most of us. It was that love of travel that introduced both Ms. B. and I to the second of the seven. We met Texas when she invited us to join her on a cruise she had booked prior to the attacks. Without ever meeting her in person, we agreed. The look on people’s faces on that cruise when they would ask how we had met, and we would tell them “On the internet”, was priceless. We had a fantastic week on that cruise, and I only wish we could do it again. And then life got in the way, and money got tight for everyone, and plans to re-plan our Atlantic City weekend were never ironed out. A few of the other girls have arranged meetings along the way, and just last year I was able to reconnect with Texas for a quick dinner one night while she was in the area for a wedding. Ms. B. and I have continued our visits and weekend trips. But, with the exception of a recent attempt at meeting one other member, which unfortunately didn’t pan out due to a missed flight, it was not until this weekend that I was able to meet any of the other members of our group of seven.
As I mentioned in my Thursday Thirteen before I left, I was to be meeting Foxy and Bubbly this weekend, and I couldn’t have been more excited. After nearly 7 years of almost daily correspondence, we would finally have a face to face conversation.
Foxy and I arrived at the hotel at the same time on Friday, and after checking into our room (yes, we were sharing a room, and no, there was no anxiety about this), we proceeded to gab non-stop for the next two hours. The best way to describe our instant connection is to tell you that it was just as if we were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years. I wasn’t “meeting” her; I was just in the same room as her for the first time. We met seven years ago. Later that evening we visited Ms. B. in her hotel room, so that she could meet Foxy as well, and again, the connection was instant.
Bubbly arrived the next day, while Foxy and I were eating lunch. She joined us at the lunch table, and again, there were no introductions, it was just a seamless entry into a comfortable conversation. Later that day, at the wedding, Bubbly and Ms. B. met for the first time as well. Strange that Ms. B. would invite girls she’d never met to her wedding? Not really, these are our greatest friends, separated only by the inconvenience of distance.
I’m happy to report that I had one of the most fantastic times ever this weekend. More on that later, but the bond with these girls is as real as any group of friends can have. Our uniqueness in the way we met only makes our friendship that much more special. It also made us the group to meet at the party. Everyone wanted to meet Ms. B’s internet friends; they were all fascinated by our story. They were also probably slightly shocked by the fact that we all knew more about them than they probably wanted us to know. We share EVERYTHING in our group posts.
I only hope we can meet up again sooner than another seven years. There are still two of the seven that I have yet to meet face to face. This does not make them any less special in my group of friends. I still value them as highly as any of my “real life” friends. Some of these girls know me better than any of my “day to day” friends. Some people have a group of friends from college…I have my internet friends.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
When I grow up...
I've been tagged by my buddy JennieBoo at O So Mo Love with a "Career Meme".
Here is how to play:If you had the opportunity to do a 1-year internship in a company or field completely unrelated to your current career or specialty, what would be your top 5 choices?
This is actually fairly easy for me, because there are several career paths I wanted to take, that just didn't work out for whatever reason. I'm still not really sure what I want to be when I grow up...but any of the following would be fun:
1. Dancer/choreographer. I've always wanted to be a dancer, and even now I find myself choreographing dance routines in my head when I hear certain songs.
2. Psychiatrist/counselor. I'm the friend everyone calls to tell their troubles to, so hey, maybe I could get paid to do what I already do for free!
3. Personal Stylist. I love shopping, I love clothes, I love to help people put outfits together...this would be the PERFECT job for me.
4. Interior decorator/designer. Same as above, but with homes...that could be so fun.
5. Writer. I'm still working on this one...I'll never give up on this one.
I'm supposed to tag five people, but I'm going to cheat a bit and just let you all answer as well if you choose to...either in comments, or on your own blogs. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Stories from the weekend in NYC still forthcoming. I haven't forgotten, just busy at work today...
Here is how to play:If you had the opportunity to do a 1-year internship in a company or field completely unrelated to your current career or specialty, what would be your top 5 choices?
This is actually fairly easy for me, because there are several career paths I wanted to take, that just didn't work out for whatever reason. I'm still not really sure what I want to be when I grow up...but any of the following would be fun:
1. Dancer/choreographer. I've always wanted to be a dancer, and even now I find myself choreographing dance routines in my head when I hear certain songs.
2. Psychiatrist/counselor. I'm the friend everyone calls to tell their troubles to, so hey, maybe I could get paid to do what I already do for free!
3. Personal Stylist. I love shopping, I love clothes, I love to help people put outfits together...this would be the PERFECT job for me.
4. Interior decorator/designer. Same as above, but with homes...that could be so fun.
5. Writer. I'm still working on this one...I'll never give up on this one.
I'm supposed to tag five people, but I'm going to cheat a bit and just let you all answer as well if you choose to...either in comments, or on your own blogs. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Stories from the weekend in NYC still forthcoming. I haven't forgotten, just busy at work today...
Monday, July 30, 2007
Fun Monday - Is it cold in here?
I'm back from my weekend trip to New York City and will have all kinds of goodies and tales to share, including an update on the situation with Lawboy (you know you want to know). Check back later in the week for that story and more.
In the meantime, the sun is out, I'm off work today, and mom's pool, and Harry Potter are calling my name.
So, I leave you with this week's Fun Monday. This week's fun Monday is being hosted by Amy W over at A Family Story. Her assignment:
We saw everyone's kitchen one week (just can't remember which week). Now I want to see INSIDE your refrigerator. And DO.NOT.CLEAN.IT.OUT. We want to see it in all its glory. However empty or full. And if you don't have a refrigerator? Show me your cooler, or whatever container you use to keep things nice and cool.
OOH, boy, my fridge is quite the mess after a weekend away...and I haven't quite figured out what article of food is stinking it up...that's a project for after the pool though...
In the meantime, here you go, my fridge fully exposed:
In the meantime, the sun is out, I'm off work today, and mom's pool, and Harry Potter are calling my name.
So, I leave you with this week's Fun Monday. This week's fun Monday is being hosted by Amy W over at A Family Story. Her assignment:
We saw everyone's kitchen one week (just can't remember which week). Now I want to see INSIDE your refrigerator. And DO.NOT.CLEAN.IT.OUT. We want to see it in all its glory. However empty or full. And if you don't have a refrigerator? Show me your cooler, or whatever container you use to keep things nice and cool.
OOH, boy, my fridge is quite the mess after a weekend away...and I haven't quite figured out what article of food is stinking it up...that's a project for after the pool though...
In the meantime, here you go, my fridge fully exposed:
The outside features some artwork from my cousin's daughter, along with postcards, pictures, a birthday card my parents gave me that I love (yep from March), and random bits of things that make me smile.
My fridge is NEVER organized, but always full of condiments, sauces, salsas and the like:
Did I mention I'm a big fan of condiments and sauces and things?
The freezer is always pretty much jam packed, I spend a lot more time AWAY from home than I do at home, so frozen foods last longer and are safer for me to buy...however, note the empty shelves on the door to the freezer...need to hit the grocery store for my "lunch" foods sometime soon.
Well, there you have it, not too exciting, but it is what it is!
Don't forget to visit Amy's page (link up-top) to check out the other Fun Monday entrants.
I'm off to the pool!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
In honor of my mini-vacation, which starts promptly at 5:31 PM tonight and ends at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, this is what I will be doing: |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Some more monkeying around
My Wordless Wednesday last week raised some questions about the monkey in the shot, and since that happens to be one of my favorite pictures ever, I thought I'd elaborate on it.
I LOVE THIS GUY!!
First of all, here's the picture again:
I LOVE THIS GUY!!
Now, to answer some of the questions:
I have no idea what kind of monkey this is...there were monkeys all over the resort where we stayed, but I didn't ask what kind they were...sorry.
The picture was taken at a resort in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, during a family vacation I took with my parents, my brother and some other family friends last year. This resort was really cool and had a "jungle" in the middle of it with all sort of fun animals roaming the grounds freely.
I did not take this particular photo, my dad did, but it is probably my favorite photo from that vacation, followed closely by the beach shot on my masthead up there (which I did take myself).
Here are some more monkey (and other animal) shots taken that week...Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
SERIOUSLY? - Lets talk about men...
Um...actually...we're going to be calling them BOYS until they prove themselves otherwise.
For those who don't know yet (and really, how could you not, I shout it from the rooftops most days), I'm single and damn comfortable and happy with my "singledom". However, as I've stated in here recently, after being single for the better part of four years (hmmm, quite possibly longer), I've decided to enter the dating world once again. I've figured what the heck, let's give this love thing a chance one more time. Besides, my life isn't nearly busy and crazy enough, I need to add some more drama and turbulance to it, so why not add men back into it...um, I mean boys...
So, it is with this mind set, and my newly slimmed down (and still slimming) and toned up (and still toning) body, and an attitude ready for adventure that I've begun smiling at complete strangers. And it is also with this new perspective that I decided to make a semi-move on someome that had been lingering in the background for several months now.
This is the particular boy I want to talk to you all about today. We'll call him LawBoy. I have known LawBoy for almost 8 years now, he was a lawyer at a lawfirm where I was a paralegal in one of my past jobs, before coming to this job. When I started that job I had a boyfriend, and I can't remember if LawBoy had a girlfriend or not, but we became friends. He's a good guy, funny, smart and was a good person to bounce stuff (such as "Do you think this jerk is cheating on me?") off of. Because we worked together, there was never any intention on my part of "hooking up", it would have been weird, I sort of worked "for him" on certain cases, and I'm SO not into that whole "dating the boss" thing. He wasn't my boss, but he was my superior of sorts. Anyway, I'm getting off track here. Point is, we never dated, and never really showed an interest in doing so. We were friendly, in and outside of work, we hung out, but never in a romantic way. When I left that job, we stayed in touch, and have kept in touch off and on for the last 4 years. He had a pretty serious girlfriend when I left that job, and to be honest, I've never asked whether or not they've broken up. However, conversations have led me to believe that he is now single again. For the record, he has not asked my relationship status of late either.
So, now you have the background. Let's move to the present situation.
Within the last year or so, he started randomly text messaging me. Random notes, such as "what's up" or "what are you up to tonight?" or "How are things"...just random. At this point, we'd sort of lost touch a bit, weren't emailing at all, and hadn't had a telephone conversation in at least a full year. I thought the messages to be random, but hey, we've always been cool, so I didn't think much of it. I would text back with the same sort of messages. The random part of it would be that I'd get a message on a Saturday night, for example, that would say "What's up?" and I'd reply "not much, heading out, you?" and he'd reply "yeah, heading out too"...and then I'd not hear from him for another month or two. Random, right?
As I was not in the mindset to deal with men...uh, boys...I never really gave it much thought. Then, a few weeks ago, I sent him a random text message. Truth be told, I was bored silly one afternoon, and sent random text messages to just about everyone I know...he just happened to be one of them. I'm pretty sure my message was something along the lines of "What's up, stranger?". It was his reply which started off the whole next part of this story: "Not much, I would like to see you".
Now, I know I've been out of the dating scene for a while, and I also know that we are just friends, and friends can want to see each other...but hey, I sort of giggled a bit when I read that. Hmm...could there be a spark there, a bit of an interest? Mind you my friends had been telling me for months (every time I'd get a text message from him) that he was into me, so the fuel for my suspicion was there. Well, I decided to roll with it. Some messages back and forth and I suggested we do drinks some night. He agreed that it sounded fun...and then proceeded to fall off the face of the earth for another week or so.
A few more text messages later, and I decided that texting is a pain in the arse, and asked for his new e-mail address...figuring conversation and plans would go much smoother that way.
So, I send an e-mail, he reads it (I love read receipts) and proceeds to take 3 days to respond. And when he does respond, it is with a short few words, which really, he could have just texted me. By now, I'm getting annoyed, and being fully reminded why I don't date. But, I'm resillient, and still, this is a friend who I wouldn't mind catching up with, so I try ONE MORE TIME, and send another e-mail, this one more detailed, asking what he's been up to, how life is, how's work, etc. and tell him a bit about my summer, what's going on, etc. He reads it.
2 weeks later, no response yet. And I decide that whatever it was that made me giggle, is SO gone. I hate mind games.
And then I get a text message from him on Sunday "How're you doing? You out and about?"
SERIOUSLY?
For the record, I don't even really care anyway, I've lost interest...I'm too old and too happy being single to have to be the one doing the chasing. And no, I haven't replied to his text yet, I'm not really sure what the hell I'm supposed to say now. I'm really just curious on how it is that others will interpret this situation...call it a study in human behavior...which is what I'm pretty sure my venture into dating this go-round is going to completely turn into.
So...discuss...what's his deal ladies? (and gents, your input is certainly welcome as well)
For those who don't know yet (and really, how could you not, I shout it from the rooftops most days), I'm single and damn comfortable and happy with my "singledom". However, as I've stated in here recently, after being single for the better part of four years (hmmm, quite possibly longer), I've decided to enter the dating world once again. I've figured what the heck, let's give this love thing a chance one more time. Besides, my life isn't nearly busy and crazy enough, I need to add some more drama and turbulance to it, so why not add men back into it...um, I mean boys...
So, it is with this mind set, and my newly slimmed down (and still slimming) and toned up (and still toning) body, and an attitude ready for adventure that I've begun smiling at complete strangers. And it is also with this new perspective that I decided to make a semi-move on someome that had been lingering in the background for several months now.
This is the particular boy I want to talk to you all about today. We'll call him LawBoy. I have known LawBoy for almost 8 years now, he was a lawyer at a lawfirm where I was a paralegal in one of my past jobs, before coming to this job. When I started that job I had a boyfriend, and I can't remember if LawBoy had a girlfriend or not, but we became friends. He's a good guy, funny, smart and was a good person to bounce stuff (such as "Do you think this jerk is cheating on me?") off of. Because we worked together, there was never any intention on my part of "hooking up", it would have been weird, I sort of worked "for him" on certain cases, and I'm SO not into that whole "dating the boss" thing. He wasn't my boss, but he was my superior of sorts. Anyway, I'm getting off track here. Point is, we never dated, and never really showed an interest in doing so. We were friendly, in and outside of work, we hung out, but never in a romantic way. When I left that job, we stayed in touch, and have kept in touch off and on for the last 4 years. He had a pretty serious girlfriend when I left that job, and to be honest, I've never asked whether or not they've broken up. However, conversations have led me to believe that he is now single again. For the record, he has not asked my relationship status of late either.
So, now you have the background. Let's move to the present situation.
Within the last year or so, he started randomly text messaging me. Random notes, such as "what's up" or "what are you up to tonight?" or "How are things"...just random. At this point, we'd sort of lost touch a bit, weren't emailing at all, and hadn't had a telephone conversation in at least a full year. I thought the messages to be random, but hey, we've always been cool, so I didn't think much of it. I would text back with the same sort of messages. The random part of it would be that I'd get a message on a Saturday night, for example, that would say "What's up?" and I'd reply "not much, heading out, you?" and he'd reply "yeah, heading out too"...and then I'd not hear from him for another month or two. Random, right?
As I was not in the mindset to deal with men...uh, boys...I never really gave it much thought. Then, a few weeks ago, I sent him a random text message. Truth be told, I was bored silly one afternoon, and sent random text messages to just about everyone I know...he just happened to be one of them. I'm pretty sure my message was something along the lines of "What's up, stranger?". It was his reply which started off the whole next part of this story: "Not much, I would like to see you".
Now, I know I've been out of the dating scene for a while, and I also know that we are just friends, and friends can want to see each other...but hey, I sort of giggled a bit when I read that. Hmm...could there be a spark there, a bit of an interest? Mind you my friends had been telling me for months (every time I'd get a text message from him) that he was into me, so the fuel for my suspicion was there. Well, I decided to roll with it. Some messages back and forth and I suggested we do drinks some night. He agreed that it sounded fun...and then proceeded to fall off the face of the earth for another week or so.
A few more text messages later, and I decided that texting is a pain in the arse, and asked for his new e-mail address...figuring conversation and plans would go much smoother that way.
So, I send an e-mail, he reads it (I love read receipts) and proceeds to take 3 days to respond. And when he does respond, it is with a short few words, which really, he could have just texted me. By now, I'm getting annoyed, and being fully reminded why I don't date. But, I'm resillient, and still, this is a friend who I wouldn't mind catching up with, so I try ONE MORE TIME, and send another e-mail, this one more detailed, asking what he's been up to, how life is, how's work, etc. and tell him a bit about my summer, what's going on, etc. He reads it.
2 weeks later, no response yet. And I decide that whatever it was that made me giggle, is SO gone. I hate mind games.
And then I get a text message from him on Sunday "How're you doing? You out and about?"
SERIOUSLY?
For the record, I don't even really care anyway, I've lost interest...I'm too old and too happy being single to have to be the one doing the chasing. And no, I haven't replied to his text yet, I'm not really sure what the hell I'm supposed to say now. I'm really just curious on how it is that others will interpret this situation...call it a study in human behavior...which is what I'm pretty sure my venture into dating this go-round is going to completely turn into.
So...discuss...what's his deal ladies? (and gents, your input is certainly welcome as well)
Monday, July 23, 2007
Fun Monday - What about your friends
Willowtree is hosting this week's Fun Monday. The challenge this week?
"Tell us about your best friend. Particularly things like: where you first met, how long you've been friends and why you think you are best friends".
The alternative directive, for those of us with no friends (I kid, I kid) is as follows:
"Who is the TV character that most makes you want to put your foot through the screen (it must be a character, not a person in reality TV). And why."
Well, if you know me, you now I'm all about my friends, and in fact, I had recently been thinking about introducing you all to my friends via a blog post or two...so I was ultra excited to get started on this particular Fun Monday challenge. BUT, if you know me, you also know that there is no way I was going to follow "the rules" and limit myself to just one friend! Since most of my friends don't read my blog (not because I haven't asked them to, but for whatever their lame reasons are), I don't really have to worry about offending anyone in particular by not picking them as my "best friend".
However, it's been a long time since I've limited myself to the idea of having one friend that is the best, above all others. I have a wonderful collective of friends in my life, both close and long distance, and they are all in my life because they are the BEST of the BEST. Each fit one or more particular aspect of my personality, and I wouldn't imagine living without them in my life.
That said, I still had to narrow down the field some, or we could all grow old reading about my friends. So, I've decided to focus on the three friends I spend the most time with currently. I have some other wonderful friends that whether due to location, or current life situation, I don't get to spend as much time with right now, and maybe I'll tell you all about them in the future. For now, my three amigas:
Disclaimer: they're all going to kill me for the photos accompanying this post, but since they don't read my blog...tough on them! I've also decided to protect the guilty, and am giving them all pseudonyms.
Meet "Double D" (she's so going to kill me). I met DD at work about 4 years ago. She started her new job exactly one week before I started mine. For the first year or so I worked "upstairs" and she worked "downstairs", so we would speak at lunch, and say our "good mornings" but we didn't really know each other all that well. Then the office began to have financial issues, and her department was downsized, and she was moved "upstairs" to share office space with me. Both of us will tell you that we were NOT thrilled about having to share an office. I had shared office space before, and was not happy about the fact that I was losing my large office, and having someone come in and cramp my style. And yet, sharing that office was probably the best thing that happened to the both of us. We quickly realized we were kindred spirits and became fast friends. DD is about 6 years younger than me, but has gone through enough in her life that she is "an old soul", something I've been called myself throughout my life. DD also has a wonderful relationship with her mother, as do I. DD and I learned we shared tastes in music, and could entertain ourselves with tales of our families, our relationships and our careers. And another thing DD and I share is our struggle with our ever present large "bosoms" if you will. At that time, we bonded over the constant ribbing we received from fellow co-workers about our breast size. I'll never forget the day DD had a bra delivered from Victoria's Secret to our office, and one of our co-workers put it on her head and said she could use it as a hat. Yep...we had a wild office at that time. Unfortunatelyl, the financial situation at work got progressively worse, and DD was laid off. Fortunately, our friendship survived that lay-off and we continued to hang out and build our friendship. She finally married her long time boyfriend last year, and I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids. We have been there for each other through some tough times, and we have had some great laughs. Not a day goes by that we don't speak via e-mail and telephone. I count DD as one of my closest and dearest friends, and know we have many more stories to tell and create in the future.
Next I'd like you to meet Shoppaholic.
I met Shoppaholic through a mutual friend of ours, who at the time was one of my best friends. I seldom speak to this friend anymore, for a multitude of reasons we've just grown apart, but we had a great friendship for several years, and from that wonderful friendship I met Shoppaholic. My memory is somewhat hazy as to how exactly the two of us began hanging out more independently of the rest of the group...but if I had to guess, I'd say it had something to do with shopping. There were some issues with the circle of friends at that time, and without going into the gory details, both Shoppaholic and I took a step back from the group and the drama, and I think that is what solidified our friendship. Then I bought my condo and she was one of the few who actually showed an interest in both seeing it, and spending time with me there. I was proud of my new home and wanted to share it with my friends, so those who couldn't be bothered to even come see it, were slowly weeded out. The group dynamic changed as well, due to the fact that some of us were beginning to feel older and less inclined to hit the club and party scene, while others were still living it up. I had a mortgage now, and needed to focus my finances a bit more. Through whatever series of events led to it, Shoppaholic and I became great friends, and learned of each other's shopping addictions. Then there was the summer she had pre-teen nieces staying with her, and I with my "little sister", we spend quite a bit of time together with "the kids" doing "kid" things. All I can tell you is thank God for our friendship, because there is nobody else in this world that can shop like we do, and we'd be very lost indeed without the other. She actually moved away for a few months, and I'm so glad she decided to move back. I mean, who do you know that can go shopping at 10AM and not come home until 10PM, and not buy anything in particular, but just enjoy prowling the shops and searching for bargains? We make shopping a sport, and consider the day after Thanksgiving the Olympics. This is what we do...we shop. But don't be misled, our friendship is not based on shopping alone. We have a strong bond, and deep discussions about life and love and all the things in between. We have both been there for each other through tough times, and have grand plans of growing old together, hopefully both getting married one day, and having kids around the same age, so we can have playdates. Shoppaholic is without doubt one of the best of the best, and I treasure her frienship dearly.
And finally, my greatest friend of all. She does get top billing, above all others, because she is the friend I have had the longest. In fact, I've known her my whole life, from the day I was born, and even through some growing pains, we've always been great friends. I am of course, speaking of my mother. Mom (she gets no pseudonym, because she does not need one, she is mom) is just about the greatest person I know, and I am so blessed that she is mine.
As far back as I can remember, I've considered mom to be a friend. We had our issues when I was a teenager, but then who doesn't at that time in their life? But we've always had a good relationship, and a great ability to talk about almost everything. More than once in my life I have found myself disappointed by friends turning out to be less than...less than compassionate, less than caring, less than honest...less than. But during those times, I always had Mom. Mom would go out to eat with me, to the movies, shopping, we'd spend hours talking about nothing, and she'd always hear me out when I needed a listening ear. Mom and I can laugh ourselves into hysterics for no particular reason, and we can allow each other to cry when the need arises. My house was always the one my friends wanted to be at, because mom was just so cool. In highschool all of my friends called my mother "mom", and one of my friends even ran away to come live with us. (Mom promptly called her parents and told them she was staying with us that night, and then she'd bring her straight home the next day). There is just something about my mother that attracts people of all ages. Even now, mom works with a few girls in their 20's and they just LOVE to hang out with mom. And now, as an adult, I've reached a new level in my friendship with my mom. I'm no longer her "little girl", I'm more her confidant, her buddy, her friend. Just recently we had a hilarious conversation which was our first venturing into the area of my sexual history. Mom was under the impression that my "first" had been someone she hated, and was elated to hear that was not the case. I love where we are in our relationship today, and can only see our friendship get stronger and more mature as time goes on. A greater friend cannot exist.
So, there you have it, a little diddy about my friends. I can't wait to go read about yours.
Don't forget to go visit Willowtree to find other Fun Monday participants!
"Tell us about your best friend. Particularly things like: where you first met, how long you've been friends and why you think you are best friends".
The alternative directive, for those of us with no friends (I kid, I kid) is as follows:
"Who is the TV character that most makes you want to put your foot through the screen (it must be a character, not a person in reality TV). And why."
Well, if you know me, you now I'm all about my friends, and in fact, I had recently been thinking about introducing you all to my friends via a blog post or two...so I was ultra excited to get started on this particular Fun Monday challenge. BUT, if you know me, you also know that there is no way I was going to follow "the rules" and limit myself to just one friend! Since most of my friends don't read my blog (not because I haven't asked them to, but for whatever their lame reasons are), I don't really have to worry about offending anyone in particular by not picking them as my "best friend".
However, it's been a long time since I've limited myself to the idea of having one friend that is the best, above all others. I have a wonderful collective of friends in my life, both close and long distance, and they are all in my life because they are the BEST of the BEST. Each fit one or more particular aspect of my personality, and I wouldn't imagine living without them in my life.
That said, I still had to narrow down the field some, or we could all grow old reading about my friends. So, I've decided to focus on the three friends I spend the most time with currently. I have some other wonderful friends that whether due to location, or current life situation, I don't get to spend as much time with right now, and maybe I'll tell you all about them in the future. For now, my three amigas:
Disclaimer: they're all going to kill me for the photos accompanying this post, but since they don't read my blog...tough on them! I've also decided to protect the guilty, and am giving them all pseudonyms.
Meet "Double D" (she's so going to kill me). I met DD at work about 4 years ago. She started her new job exactly one week before I started mine. For the first year or so I worked "upstairs" and she worked "downstairs", so we would speak at lunch, and say our "good mornings" but we didn't really know each other all that well. Then the office began to have financial issues, and her department was downsized, and she was moved "upstairs" to share office space with me. Both of us will tell you that we were NOT thrilled about having to share an office. I had shared office space before, and was not happy about the fact that I was losing my large office, and having someone come in and cramp my style. And yet, sharing that office was probably the best thing that happened to the both of us. We quickly realized we were kindred spirits and became fast friends. DD is about 6 years younger than me, but has gone through enough in her life that she is "an old soul", something I've been called myself throughout my life. DD also has a wonderful relationship with her mother, as do I. DD and I learned we shared tastes in music, and could entertain ourselves with tales of our families, our relationships and our careers. And another thing DD and I share is our struggle with our ever present large "bosoms" if you will. At that time, we bonded over the constant ribbing we received from fellow co-workers about our breast size. I'll never forget the day DD had a bra delivered from Victoria's Secret to our office, and one of our co-workers put it on her head and said she could use it as a hat. Yep...we had a wild office at that time. Unfortunatelyl, the financial situation at work got progressively worse, and DD was laid off. Fortunately, our friendship survived that lay-off and we continued to hang out and build our friendship. She finally married her long time boyfriend last year, and I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids. We have been there for each other through some tough times, and we have had some great laughs. Not a day goes by that we don't speak via e-mail and telephone. I count DD as one of my closest and dearest friends, and know we have many more stories to tell and create in the future.
Next I'd like you to meet Shoppaholic.
I met Shoppaholic through a mutual friend of ours, who at the time was one of my best friends. I seldom speak to this friend anymore, for a multitude of reasons we've just grown apart, but we had a great friendship for several years, and from that wonderful friendship I met Shoppaholic. My memory is somewhat hazy as to how exactly the two of us began hanging out more independently of the rest of the group...but if I had to guess, I'd say it had something to do with shopping. There were some issues with the circle of friends at that time, and without going into the gory details, both Shoppaholic and I took a step back from the group and the drama, and I think that is what solidified our friendship. Then I bought my condo and she was one of the few who actually showed an interest in both seeing it, and spending time with me there. I was proud of my new home and wanted to share it with my friends, so those who couldn't be bothered to even come see it, were slowly weeded out. The group dynamic changed as well, due to the fact that some of us were beginning to feel older and less inclined to hit the club and party scene, while others were still living it up. I had a mortgage now, and needed to focus my finances a bit more. Through whatever series of events led to it, Shoppaholic and I became great friends, and learned of each other's shopping addictions. Then there was the summer she had pre-teen nieces staying with her, and I with my "little sister", we spend quite a bit of time together with "the kids" doing "kid" things. All I can tell you is thank God for our friendship, because there is nobody else in this world that can shop like we do, and we'd be very lost indeed without the other. She actually moved away for a few months, and I'm so glad she decided to move back. I mean, who do you know that can go shopping at 10AM and not come home until 10PM, and not buy anything in particular, but just enjoy prowling the shops and searching for bargains? We make shopping a sport, and consider the day after Thanksgiving the Olympics. This is what we do...we shop. But don't be misled, our friendship is not based on shopping alone. We have a strong bond, and deep discussions about life and love and all the things in between. We have both been there for each other through tough times, and have grand plans of growing old together, hopefully both getting married one day, and having kids around the same age, so we can have playdates. Shoppaholic is without doubt one of the best of the best, and I treasure her frienship dearly.And finally, my greatest friend of all. She does get top billing, above all others, because she is the friend I have had the longest. In fact, I've known her my whole life, from the day I was born, and even through some growing pains, we've always been great friends. I am of course, speaking of my mother. Mom (she gets no pseudonym, because she does not need one, she is mom) is just about the greatest person I know, and I am so blessed that she is mine.
As far back as I can remember, I've considered mom to be a friend. We had our issues when I was a teenager, but then who doesn't at that time in their life? But we've always had a good relationship, and a great ability to talk about almost everything. More than once in my life I have found myself disappointed by friends turning out to be less than...less than compassionate, less than caring, less than honest...less than. But during those times, I always had Mom. Mom would go out to eat with me, to the movies, shopping, we'd spend hours talking about nothing, and she'd always hear me out when I needed a listening ear. Mom and I can laugh ourselves into hysterics for no particular reason, and we can allow each other to cry when the need arises. My house was always the one my friends wanted to be at, because mom was just so cool. In highschool all of my friends called my mother "mom", and one of my friends even ran away to come live with us. (Mom promptly called her parents and told them she was staying with us that night, and then she'd bring her straight home the next day). There is just something about my mother that attracts people of all ages. Even now, mom works with a few girls in their 20's and they just LOVE to hang out with mom. And now, as an adult, I've reached a new level in my friendship with my mom. I'm no longer her "little girl", I'm more her confidant, her buddy, her friend. Just recently we had a hilarious conversation which was our first venturing into the area of my sexual history. Mom was under the impression that my "first" had been someone she hated, and was elated to hear that was not the case. I love where we are in our relationship today, and can only see our friendship get stronger and more mature as time goes on. A greater friend cannot exist.
So, there you have it, a little diddy about my friends. I can't wait to go read about yours.
Don't forget to go visit Willowtree to find other Fun Monday participants!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Friday Find - Social Commentary
Found spray painted on a boarded up window at the LONGEST red light in the history of red lights, on the way to the mall (how dare they make me wait so long to get to the mall).
Or a close-up:
Happy Weekend Everyone!!!!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
What's going on at Candid K's
My Thursday Thirteen for this week is an exercise in sharing...uh..sort of.
If you are here for Wordless Wednesday, click here.
I've been tagged for a Moaning Meme. Curious?
Fun Monday was all about cars this week.
I got pulled over for speeding on Friday night...did I get a ticket?
I'm a shmoozer, are you?
Bored? Here are 13 Quizzes to pass the time.
Enjoy!!!
If you are here for Wordless Wednesday, click here.
I've been tagged for a Moaning Meme. Curious?
Fun Monday was all about cars this week.
I got pulled over for speeding on Friday night...did I get a ticket?
I'm a shmoozer, are you?
Bored? Here are 13 Quizzes to pass the time.
Enjoy!!!
2. I’m feeling really proud of this latest “diet/exercise” kick I’m on, I’ve already dropped approximately 11 pounds (turns out my scale was on the fritz when I started, so I’m not really sure what my starting weight was), and am only 4 pounds away from my initial goal. I wanted to reach my initial goal by next weekend (the 27th) and it looks as if I will come pretty darn close. 3.From all of the swimming and water aerobics I’ve been doing, I actually have toned arms. I can flex and show off these great little bicep muscles that were so not visible before. Since watching Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2 I’ve wanted toned arms, and now I’m actually getting there…I love it! 4.For the record, my “maybe” crush I mentioned a few weeks back…changed my mind. 5. I have decided that I am ready to get back into the whole dating thing again (UGH), but that said, I have been reminded why I stopped dating in the first place. I hate the whole thing, and my “maybe” crush just reminded me by being all guns blazing interested until I stepped up and then he crawled into some hole never to be heard from again…MEN! 6. However, the coolest thing has been happening since I started shedding the extra weight and feeling better about myself; I’m totally getting flirted with by complete strangers on a pretty regular basis…I even warranted a “dang, girl” Friday night, when I wasn’t even trying to look cute! 7. I’m super excited about next weekend. I’m going to a wedding in NYC, the first in years that I’m not actually part of the wedding party, and I’ve bought this killer dress that I look awesome in, if I do say so myself. AND on Friday night of that weekend I get to go see Grease on Broadway. 8. I’m driving myself to NYC that weekend, and I need to hurry up and call a tire place to have my tires changed. I have an extra full set of tires that somehow came with my car, so I just need to actually change them, but I’ve been slacking on making the call. Oh, and I also need an oil change on my car. 9. I don’t think I’ve picked up a book yet this month, and this is highly unusual for a reader like me. BUT, I have every intention of picking up the final Harry Potter and reading it cover to cover as soon as possible. 10. I’ve been going through a lot of my older poetry and short stories, from high school and college, and am thinking of starting a second blog to share some of it… 11. I really want to buy a laptop computer, but don’t want to spend too much on it. Mostly I want it so I can surf blogs and read and respond to e-mails while I watch TV at night…any suggestions? 12. There are several movies out right now that I really want to go see: Harry Potter, Ocean’s 13, Hairspray, Transformers, Pirates 3 (which I don’t even think is in theatres anymore); but I can’t seem to see myself spending time inside a theatre when the weather is so nice out. 13. I have no major plans for this weekend, besides finding an outfit to wear to Grease, and accessories to go with my dress for the wedding, and relaxing by the pool, and I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend before next weekend’s crazyness ensues. |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Well, I have been tagged again, by my buddy JennieBoo at OSOMOLOVE. Somehow she knew I'd enjoy this "unusual" meme...hmm...am I so obvious in my cynicism about the world? I'll have to work on that!Actually, I really do try to live my life focusing on the positive and not stressing about the negative. I'm a firm believer that life is WAY too short to waste any of it being negative. But, like everyone, I have my bad days, and I have my pet peeves...stick around here long enough, and soon you'll know what really pushes my buttons. But I digress...back to the meme...
Here's the deal, The Freelance Cynic created this meme. He says:
"If you've ever listened to people talking on a bus you'll know that most of what they say is negative. They talk about things they hate, people that annoy them and boyfriends that let them down before they even think about mentioning the 'nice things.'
All of us do it. We find it natural, when with a friend, to moan.In fact a recent study has shown that the most effective form of human bonding is moaning and gossiping.Yet our blogs, the social tools of the 21st century, are populated by memes listing our 'favourites,' or our 'blessings,' or our 'funniest' moments. In our efforts to be readable we have denied others the one thing that makes us interesting - our whining, moaning, complaining selves.And so I am pleased to present the first ever Moaning Meme! The meme that will teach us all a bit more about each other and ourselves.It's time to spread some Personality... "
So, there you have it, a free ticket to be a downer! How could I EVER turn this down?
The Moaning Meme
5 people who will be annoyed you tagged them. (This one is tough, because I see a few of my intended Tagees have already been tagged...so let's see, I'm going with some of my favorite bloggers and commenters)
1. Frigga
2. Miss Frou Frou
3. Beckie
4. Julia
5. Literary Feline
(I tagged people who I thought would do the meme, but it is by no means limited to only them! Be part of something new - Spread some moans!)
4 things that should go into room 101 and be removed from the face of the earth.
Karina's note: I'm going to skip the obvious "serious" answers, and go with
more fun ones here.
1. Anyone who's ever appeared on "Flavor of Love" - how much of a disservice to the women's movement does that show do? ugh
2. Crocs or whatever those ugly ass shoes are called...I honestly think they are the ugliest things invented and can't believe grown adults wear them in public.
3. High interest rates on credit cards. Highway robbery, and I still don't get how some of these rates are even legal.
4. Rosie O'Donnell. I'm sorry, I just don't get it okay?
3 things people do that make you want to shake them violently.
1. Skinny girls who say "I can't go in the pool, I don't wear a bathing suit in public". Listen you stick, if my fat ass can get in a bathing suit, then yours certainly can.
2. People who've NEVER had to deal with a weight problem trying to tell me how to eat.
3. People who leave their shopping carts in the middle of the aisle in a supermarket, blocking the passage for anyone who walks by, and then stand there obvlivious to how ignorant they are.
2 things you find yourself moaning about.
1. Lack of time, there's never enough to do everything I want to do.
2. How much I just want to be able to eat pasta alfredo, or a steak and cheese sub.
1 thing the above answers tell you about yourself.
1. I'm hungry and should go out and get lunch now.
RULES:*Link to the original meme at FreelanceCynic.com so people know what it's all about!*Be as honest as possible, This is about letting people get to know the real you!*Try not to insult anyone - unless they really deserve it or are very, very ugly! *Post these rules at the end of every meme!Finally remember, cynical is sexy. At least that's what I'm hoping...
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Police officers, eyelashes and pretzels, oh my...
I need to confess something...the picture I posted on Friday, about my seats for the ball game wasn't exactly 100% accurate. In fact, it was about as far from the truth as our actual seats ended up being from home plate. But I didn't exactly lie on purpose. See, those seats WERE the seats my boss gave me the LAST time I went to a Red Sox game on his tickets. I took my mom with me both times, and that time, we couldn't believe our incredible seats. We were sitting right next to the dug out, and when I screamed Johnny Damon's name (that traitorous idiot), he actually looked into the stands and waved...seriously!
But I knew before going into the game this past Friday, that my seats were not going to be that good this time around. I was okay with this, because after all, they were free tickets. What I didn't know, however, was that I was holding two tickets to what could possibly be the WORST possible seats in the house. Seriously! From where we were, we had to lean forward in our seats to even see the baseball diamond. We had a perfect view of the pitchers warming up in the bull pen though! Ah well...that's what I get for bragging and teasing I guess! ;-)
Yep, that was our view...not bad huh? That said, mom and I had a wonderful time at the game.
But back to the title of this post, what the heck do police officers, eyelashes and pretzels have to do with a Red Sox game?
Well, not much, except all three were "mishaps" if you will, which happened that evening.
We'll start with my being pulled over for speeding on the way home from work, because I know you're dying to know all about the police involvement in my evening. I left work early on Friday so that I would have time to change and pick my mother up, and head to the game early enough to enjoy the crowds at Yawkee Way. I take the same back road home every night, and this road is known for speed traps, and yet, EVERYONE speeds on that road. And most people I know have gotten pulled over at least once for speeding there. I have been working at this job for 4 years now, and this was my first time getting nabbed. Here I was, minding my own business, driving probably around 45 in a 30-35 area (the posted speed changes a few times on that road), on my cell phone with my friend (yeah, yeah, I know, shame on me...and usually I use a headset, but was NOT using one on Friday), following the car in front of me at a reasonable distance, but keeping up with their speed...and suddenly I see the cop car hanging out of a little side street. By the time I saw him, there was no slowing down, I knew I was done for. There were no cars behind me, so the guy in front of me got lucky, me...not so much. I think I actually made eye contact with the cop as I drove by him, pretty much as in "yep, I know you've got me" and him as "you know you're getting pulled over, right?" Yeah...
So, I laugh and tell my friend "gotta go, I'm about to get pulled over". Sure enough, he pulls out, lights come on, I pull over. Sh!t.
He walks over to my car, and I hand him my license and registration.
"Good Afternoon, how are you today?" He says quite pleasantly for a man that's just rudely interrupted my drive home.
"Good thanks, how are you?" I say cheerily, hoping my sparkling personality will buy me out of this ticket I KNOW I deserve.
"You know why I pulled you over?" as if I'm going to tell you what I was doing wrong!
"Yes sir, and I apologize" but I'm also not going to deny it and piss you off.
"You just leaving work?" YES, now please ask me where I work!!
"Yep, right up the road"
"Where do you work" YES!!!! SCORE!!! see...my boss happens to be a big shot in the Town where I work, the town where I was pulled over. EVERYONE knows him, and he does a lot of good work for the town, and for the police, etc., therefore, they all like him. So I tell him.
"Oh, so you have a good lawyer then" he jokes
"Yep, and a good boss too", yep, I'm a kiss ass when the time calls for it. There's no shame in my game!
"Okay, just sit tight for a while". And he goes back to his cruiser to do whatever it is they do, run my plate, check my record, whatever. I'm okay with this because I have a pretty clean driving record, I've never gotten so much as a parking...wait, that's not true, I got ONE parking ticket a few weeks ago...but that's it, no other tickets, and definitely no moving violations. So, I'm sitting there hoping this guy won't be the one to soil my record. And here he comes, with just my license and registration in his hand...no other paperwork...this is good right?
"Okay, you won't need your lawyer this time, but slow down okay?"
"Absolutely, thank you very much" YES!!!
I didn't even get a warning! So, of course I made sure to drive the speed limit all the way to the town border, until I was out of his eyesight, and his jurisdiction. Whew...that was a close one!
And it was right about at the border that my eyelash turned against me. You ever have one of those eyelashes that are not just IN your eye, but also still attached to your eyelid? So that it requires some serious extrication to be able to see again? Yeah, I had one of those. So, for the second time on my drive home that night I had to pull over. It took me about 5 minutes to finally get my vision back and be on my way.
But mom and I did eventually make it to the game, and we had a fun time, despite the lousy seats and boring game (it wasn't one of the best I've seen, let's just leave it at that). We thoroughly enjoyed making fun of the girls in mini-skirts and high heels. I mean, seriously, who wear GOLD stilettos to a baseball game? And we enjoyed our beer and pretz...oh, right, the pretzel...see, despite our decision to be good and buy deli sandwiches instead of greasy pizza or sausage, mom had a craving for a pretzel. So, after much deliberation, she forked over $4 for a pretzel and we headed to our seats. Just as we were taking our seats, and getting ready to eat I promptly deposited said pretzel on the ground, beneath the seat in front of me. Obviously, you do not eat a pretzel off the ground at a sports complex...eww...so, there was mom, staring at me open mouthed...and there was pretzel, looking innocent and delicious, and out of reach...and there was me, laughing hysterical, but apologizing profusely. Yeah, I owe mom a pretzel, and she won't let me forget it.
Ah well, it was a good night, we had fun. OH, and for the record, I'm totally HOT again. I must be giving off new vibes now that I'm losing weight and feeling good about myself, because I was totally flirted with and checked out a few times that night. I even merited a once-over followed by a "dang!" Yep, I'm hot! (Ask mom, cuz I had to ask her to verify that it was actually directed at me because I'm not really used to getting that reaction anymore).
Monday, July 16, 2007
Fun Monday - Drive me Crazy
Tiggerlane, the Neophyte Blogger is hosting Fun Monday this week and here is what she wanted to see **I wanna see your CAR! It can be your current car, the first car you ever had, maybe your first new car with that new-car smell, a car you wrecked once, or even the dream car you would drive - given all the money in the world! Oh - and if you have a truck, SUV, lawnmower, whatever the local authorities allow you to drive, let's see it!**
Well, I couldn't find a picture of my current car, and although I can see it right now, parked right outside my office window, I think my co-workers might look at me weirdly if they see me taking pictures of my own car...so I snuck a quick one, but that's all you get! haha
That beautiful specimen is a 2000 Toyota Rav4, in a pearly white color. I love my car, even though it is a bit of a lemon...I've had SO MANY problems with this car, and put so much money into it in just the 4 years I've owned it, that people find it hard to believe I own a Toyota...Toyota's are supposed to be reliable, right? Yeah, not so much my car. However, I do love my car. It is a manual transmission, and I learned to drive stick with this car, before this one I had never even attempted to do so, so there's a certain sense of pride in owning a stick shift, and learning to drive one at 28. Yep, I'm talented like that!
I also dug around for pictures of my previous automobiles, but couldn't find any...and I know there must be pictures of at least my last car somewhere, but I'll be darned if I know where! Still, I've had such interesting relationships with all of my cars that I figured I'd just share my stories.
My first car was a 1979 Ford Granada in a burgundy reddish color. To say that car was a boat is a bit of an understatement. But man, was that ever the coolest car! I'm not sure I loved it then as much, but thinking back on it now, I wish I had that car still. For your reference, I looked up a photo of my car online: 
This was totally even the color of my car, it was a MONSTER, but man, did it run smooth! My friends called it "The Granola", and when I bought it, it came with an 8-track player, and a few old 8-tracks in the glove compartment. I had a new radio/cassette player put in, and the greatest mystery in radio wiring occured. Whenever I would drive over 70, my tape deck would speed up, and whatever was playing would turn into Alvin and the Chipmunks. I kid you not! I also recomment to parents of driving age teenagers everywhere that your teen's first car should totally be a Granada or another steel boat like it. I was rear ended a few times in this car, and while the cars that hit me would suffer noticeable damage, the Granola had nary a scratch. Man, I loved that car!
This was totally even the color of my car, it was a MONSTER, but man, did it run smooth! My friends called it "The Granola", and when I bought it, it came with an 8-track player, and a few old 8-tracks in the glove compartment. I had a new radio/cassette player put in, and the greatest mystery in radio wiring occured. Whenever I would drive over 70, my tape deck would speed up, and whatever was playing would turn into Alvin and the Chipmunks. I kid you not! I also recomment to parents of driving age teenagers everywhere that your teen's first car should totally be a Granada or another steel boat like it. I was rear ended a few times in this car, and while the cars that hit me would suffer noticeable damage, the Granola had nary a scratch. Man, I loved that car!BUT, I was a teenage girl, and I wanted a cooler car, so I sold/gave my Granada to my cousin (who I believe killed it promptly...am I remembering correctly Paula?), and bought myself a Chrysler LeBaron...I believe it was a 1989, but I'm not really sure on that. Ah, my LeBaron! I thought it was such a stylish car. It was black, with red pinstripes, and a two door, and so sporty looking (after the Granada, pretty much anything was sporty looking)...oh and it was a Turbo which meant it had power. That is until my transmission started leaking, and then I had an automatic that would roll back on hills like a stick shift does. I actually had to carry transmission fluid in my car at all times, so that I could refill it if it happened to have leaked to much during any particular stop. I kid you not! And then there was that weird "paint flaking off" thing that happened to all the Lebaron's...which left the entire top of my car looking pretty in primer's grey...yep, loved that car (not so much).
After that, I decided to finance my first car, so that I could get what I thought would be a "quality" car. But I bought a Pontiac Grand Am, so boy was I in for a surprise. Those of you who have owned a Grand Am know exactly what I'm talking about. But I did love that car. I had it for 6 years, and although it turned into a money pit toward the end, it was a beautiful car. It was white, and slick, and it drove like a dream. It was slightly possessed, however, and earned the name of "Casper, the friendly car" pretty much during my first week of owning it. I was driving one night when out of nowhere the automatic locks began to lock and unlock by themselves. Things of this nature would happen constantly, the radio would shut off on its own, the wipers would turn on on their own, and every time I'd honk the horn, the fuse would blow, and I'd lose my wipers and my horn. I actually carried spare fuses with me in the car at all times, so that if I did need to use the horn, I could. SERIOUSLY! But still, I can honestly say that the Grand Am was my favorite car to date. But when my friendly mechanic told me "I'm not fixing your car anymore, it's time to get a new one", I figured Casper was ready to retire. All the way to the dealership, where I was trading it in, I begged it not to die on me. I miss that car!
And now I have Casper Jr., the Rav. We won't discuss all the things that have already gone wrong with this one, we'll just say that hopefully it'll be good to me for a few years more.
Maybe by then I'll have saved enough for my dream car:
Yeah, right...
To see all the Fun Monday Participants, head on over to Tiggerlane's!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Take me out to the ball game...
Okay, that's not really me...but that's about where my seats should be tonight at the Red Sox game...aren't you jealous? Well, I'm off to the game!
Happy Friday everybody!!
You schmooze...you win!
My new friend Frigga at AnyApples has nominated me for this award! I'm completely flattered, super excited, and just a little bit verklempt..."Talk amongst yourselves"....
Okay, where was I? Ah yes, the award..."As it goes, schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.” Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship."
This award is especially meaningful to me coming from Frigga, because pretty much from the first blog entry I read of hers, I knew we'd be buddies. We're still in the "getting to know you" stage of our friendship, but I can just tell the blogosphere has probably succeeded in finding me a new friend. Anyway, enough with the mushy stuff...onto the nominations!
I'm not really sure how many people I'm supposed to nominate, and I'm semi-new to the world of blogging, so that I don't have all that many regular blogs I visit and comment on regularly...so I decided to go with lucky number THREE...here they are:
JennieBoo at OSOMOLOVE is one of my new SheWhoBLogs buddies. I just love this girl, she's a bright spot in the blogosphere, and never fails to comment on my blog entries, always with something sweet, informative, constructive, or just plain nice. And I know she does this with not just me, but all of her blog friends, therefore, she definitely deserves the SCHMOOZER Award! ;-)
Frances over at Blog Jem definitely earns this award as well. After all, it was through her power of Schmoozing that the SheWhoBlogs group was even created. She also always makes sure to pop over and comment to let you know she's reading and enjoying your blog.
Sognatrice at Bleeding Espresso gets my next one. One of my favorite things about her blog is how she keeps the conversations going in the comments section, always replying to comments, and even using the comments as topics for future entries. I'm still working on the art of replying to all comments, but she's mastered it, and that shows her true power as a Schmoozer.
Now, put your own schmoozing power to work, and go visit these ladies and tell them how great they are! Get out there and mingle!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
I am swamped at work this week, and should really be working hard right now, but my brain is fried, the a/c in my office is broken, therefore it is 80.8 degrees and rising...so I've taken some breaks this week and discovered some fun "Quizzes"...enjoy:
2.
3. 
Mingle2 - Free Online Dating Interestingly enough, before last week's TT, with the Sexy Music Videos, my blog was rated G...hmmm Mingle2 - Online Dating OUCH...maybe I should cut back some!7. This next one because I was actually having a conversation with a friend yesterday about what color I should paint my toe nails next:
8.
9.
10.
11. This one comes as no surprise (for the record, mine are real):
12. And just to keep the boob thing going (think this will earn me an NC-17 rating?)
And Finally: 13.
This last one was dead on...too funny! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Take a stroll
If you're here for Wordless Wednesday, you can find that post here.
Otherwise, please take a stroll, I've got lots to share...
Last week's Wordless Wednesday fell on the Fourth of July, but I celebrated by sharing a moment or two of the serenity of the ocean...here.
My Thursday 13 from last week as well will provide you with 13 music videos to make your heart beat faster, check out 13 Sexy Music Videos here.
I was "tagged" to share 8 Random Facts about myself, and I also decided to Face My Pockets.
Fun Monday had me sharing my favorite places to Lounge...
And check out some pictures from a recent evening trip to the beach.
Enjoy your stroll...
Otherwise, please take a stroll, I've got lots to share...
Last week's Wordless Wednesday fell on the Fourth of July, but I celebrated by sharing a moment or two of the serenity of the ocean...here.
My Thursday 13 from last week as well will provide you with 13 music videos to make your heart beat faster, check out 13 Sexy Music Videos here.
I was "tagged" to share 8 Random Facts about myself, and I also decided to Face My Pockets.
Fun Monday had me sharing my favorite places to Lounge...
And check out some pictures from a recent evening trip to the beach.
Enjoy your stroll...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Picture Perfect
A recent trip to the beach at dusk provided me with an opportunity to take some incredible photographs. I'm new to the world of digital photography, my camera a present this past Christmas, but I've always had a love of photography and am really enjoying the freedom to experience a new art form.
I am by no means an experienced photographer, and yet, the beauty of the world needs no expert eye to be captured.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Everything but the kitchen sink
One of my fellow "She Who Bloggers", recently shared a fun project she had participated in at her blog Postcards From the Clouds. The idea, from faceyourpockets.com is to empty out your pockets and scan the items, along with a portion of your face, and then to also include a description of the items.
I thought this sounded kind of fun, so I decided to join in, however, as most women will tell you, they don't really put pockets on about 90% of women's clothing (jeans and coats being the only exception pretty much), and as it is summer and I'm not wearing much of either, I decided to empty the pockets in my purse. Disclaimer: I carry a huge purse, so I did not scan all the items in my purse, I chose to only scan the things in actual "Pockets" within my purse.
The items are as follows:
-purple business card holder
-purple pen
-bottle of Victoria's Secret "endless love" perfume
-lipstick
-lipgloss
-chapstick
-sample size "India Gardenia" perfume from The Body Shop
-sample size "Cool Water" perfume (are we sensing a perfume addiction here?
-betty boop tin which holds advil etc.
-trident splash gum
-eyeglass cleaner towellette
-my rio mp3player
-my cell phone (I'm badly in need of a new one)
-eye drops (I have very dry eyes)
-a ticket stub to "High School Musical" a recent performance I attended with my little sister (tickets given to me by my boss).
And that's about it...we won't even discuss how much more crap is in my purse not in "pockets"...can you find my face?
I thought this sounded kind of fun, so I decided to join in, however, as most women will tell you, they don't really put pockets on about 90% of women's clothing (jeans and coats being the only exception pretty much), and as it is summer and I'm not wearing much of either, I decided to empty the pockets in my purse. Disclaimer: I carry a huge purse, so I did not scan all the items in my purse, I chose to only scan the things in actual "Pockets" within my purse.
The items are as follows:
-purple business card holder
-purple pen
-bottle of Victoria's Secret "endless love" perfume
-lipstick
-lipgloss
-chapstick
-sample size "India Gardenia" perfume from The Body Shop
-sample size "Cool Water" perfume (are we sensing a perfume addiction here?
-betty boop tin which holds advil etc.
-trident splash gum
-eyeglass cleaner towellette
-my rio mp3player
-my cell phone (I'm badly in need of a new one)
-eye drops (I have very dry eyes)
-a ticket stub to "High School Musical" a recent performance I attended with my little sister (tickets given to me by my boss).
And that's about it...we won't even discuss how much more crap is in my purse not in "pockets"...can you find my face?
I've been tagged - 8 Random Facts
I've been tagged by Jennieboo at OSOMOLOVE. Here are the rules of the game:
Participants:
1. Make a list of 8 random things about yourself and/or your life on your own blog.
2. Tag 8 other bloggers leaving a comment on their blog with a link to your post.
This was a lot tougher for me than I thought it would be...you would think for someone who loves to talke about myself as much as I do, I could come up with 8 random facts quite easily right? Yeah...not so much...okay, here goes:
1. I collect Betty Boop "stuff", but have done so since WAY before Betty Boop was "cool" and you could find her stuff everywhere.
2. I have also acquired a collection of "Angel" stuff, even though I've never actually attempted to, people just keep giving me things with Angels on them, and I now have a pretty nice collection going.
3. I also have a large collection of stuffed monkeys...for some reason, for a while when I was in high school and college, people (mostly guys) kept giving me stuffed monkeys as gifts...cute Valentine's ones, funny birthday ones...just random monkeys...I still have them all.
4. I've mentioned I was born in Angola, Africa, but what you might not know (except for you Paula, I know you know), is that I was born during a civil war, and there were actual bombs falling and "curfews" set, and shooting "zones" all around us when I was born, and my parents are pretty damn lucky they weren't killed in some of the situations they found themselves in.
5. I have been single for...gulp...almost 5 years now, and by single I mean, I may have MAYBE gone on a total of 6 dates in that time...I mean TRULY single. I took a self-imposed dating "hiatus" after my last break, and then life got busy, and then life got good, and the "hiatus" stretched into an almost cancellation of sorts.
6. I have decided recently that I might just be ready to start dating again...and I might even MAYBE have a crush of sorts, but no, I'm not ready to elaborate on that just yet.
7. I have been a bridesmaid 5 times, but have been invited to be a bridesmaid 7 times, two of the weddings didn't happen (one of them I backed out of before it fell through). I am an expert at wedding planning, bridezillas, what not to do, and how to control temperamental Maids of Honor now, and am also pretty sure that I'll be eloping when my time comes! haha
8. I am going to a wedding at the end of this month, and it will be the first wedding in over 3 years I go to as a GUEST and I cannot wait to enjoy myself without the responsibilities of being a member of the wedding party. And I get to wear a dress I picked out myself (which I bought this weekend and just LOVE).
Well, there you have it. Now, about tagging 8 bloggers...I don't want to re-tag those who've already been tagged, so instead I issue you a challenge...if you are reading this and haven't already done it, YOU ARE TAGGED. And if you have already done it but feel like doing it again...go for it!
Participants:
1. Make a list of 8 random things about yourself and/or your life on your own blog.
2. Tag 8 other bloggers leaving a comment on their blog with a link to your post.
This was a lot tougher for me than I thought it would be...you would think for someone who loves to talke about myself as much as I do, I could come up with 8 random facts quite easily right? Yeah...not so much...okay, here goes:
1. I collect Betty Boop "stuff", but have done so since WAY before Betty Boop was "cool" and you could find her stuff everywhere.
2. I have also acquired a collection of "Angel" stuff, even though I've never actually attempted to, people just keep giving me things with Angels on them, and I now have a pretty nice collection going.
3. I also have a large collection of stuffed monkeys...for some reason, for a while when I was in high school and college, people (mostly guys) kept giving me stuffed monkeys as gifts...cute Valentine's ones, funny birthday ones...just random monkeys...I still have them all.
4. I've mentioned I was born in Angola, Africa, but what you might not know (except for you Paula, I know you know), is that I was born during a civil war, and there were actual bombs falling and "curfews" set, and shooting "zones" all around us when I was born, and my parents are pretty damn lucky they weren't killed in some of the situations they found themselves in.
5. I have been single for...gulp...almost 5 years now, and by single I mean, I may have MAYBE gone on a total of 6 dates in that time...I mean TRULY single. I took a self-imposed dating "hiatus" after my last break, and then life got busy, and then life got good, and the "hiatus" stretched into an almost cancellation of sorts.
6. I have decided recently that I might just be ready to start dating again...and I might even MAYBE have a crush of sorts, but no, I'm not ready to elaborate on that just yet.
7. I have been a bridesmaid 5 times, but have been invited to be a bridesmaid 7 times, two of the weddings didn't happen (one of them I backed out of before it fell through). I am an expert at wedding planning, bridezillas, what not to do, and how to control temperamental Maids of Honor now, and am also pretty sure that I'll be eloping when my time comes! haha
8. I am going to a wedding at the end of this month, and it will be the first wedding in over 3 years I go to as a GUEST and I cannot wait to enjoy myself without the responsibilities of being a member of the wedding party. And I get to wear a dress I picked out myself (which I bought this weekend and just LOVE).
Well, there you have it. Now, about tagging 8 bloggers...I don't want to re-tag those who've already been tagged, so instead I issue you a challenge...if you are reading this and haven't already done it, YOU ARE TAGGED. And if you have already done it but feel like doing it again...go for it!
Fun Monday - Loungin'
Fun Monday this week is being hosted by Deb over at the "Melon Patch". This week Deb has set our mission as follows:
This is where I park my behind most evenings after work, reading, watching television, talking on the phone, and even falling asleep.
Here's one of the chairs:
There you have it, my lounge spots!
This is my request. Show your favorite place to relax. It can be a chair, corner, ledge, or limb. :) Get out those cameras and take pics or just write how you feel when you are in your "zone".
I am so happy to participate in this week's Fun Monday and share my favorite "lounge" spots. The first is my couch.
This may sound like a pretty common answer, but you have to understand how long it took me to get this couch! When I bought my condo 4 1/2 years ago, I couldn't really afford a whole lot of furniture, so most of my furniture was either bought at second hand stores (I found some amazing furniture this way), Walmart, or was handed down by my family. My "couch" for the first 2 1/2, maybe even 3 years that I lived here was an old, ratty, love seat. It was uncomfortable at best, downright painful to sit on at worst. It was always covered with some form of slipcover, most of which didn't fit right, and looked HORRENDOUS...It was either that, or the matching chair, which I still own, and still sits under a slip-cover, but is now only used when there are too many people at my house for the couch (which is rarely). This couch was the first major piece of furniture I bought myself, and I'm very proud of it. It is beautiful in my eyes, is made of that great micro-suede material that you can spill tomato soup on and it washes off (trust me, I've actually done this), and is ultra comfortable. AND of course, there is the chaise lounge portion of it that I just love. Here's a close-up.
This is where I park my behind most evenings after work, reading, watching television, talking on the phone, and even falling asleep.
My current other favorite lounge spot is one of the three floaty chair/bed/thingys in my parents' new pool. I spent the entire weekend loungin' in their pool (I also did a ton of water aerobics while there), and there is nothing like laying on one of these floaties and just spacing out...words cannot describe the feeling, so I won't even try...
Here's the pool:
Here's one of the chairs:
And this "shell" thing, is ridiculously comfortable, I almost fell asleep in it today:
There is also one of those mattress/bed things, but I didn't get a picture of that one. I spend most of my time on this pink thing anyway...
And then, of course, there is my bed...I don't so much "lounge" as I sleep, but this bed, which I purchased before I even bought my condo, is so incredibly comfortable all these years later, that I still find myself saying "I love this bed" when I lay in it every night...aaahhhhh....
There you have it, my lounge spots!
This was fun! Happy Monday everyone!
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