Friday Follow-Up - the two week edition

Last week I was too busy braving the crowds and getting some killer bargains to do my "Friday Follow-Up". I apologize for this, but as we've discussed here, it was the shopping Olympics people! I train all year for this event, I'm not going to just sit at home and let it pass me by.


But, not to worry, we'll just go back in time and review all the stuff I missed.


We'll start with Saturday, November 17th. If you missed it, this is where I shared the story of my first kiss. Remember all the romance, the love, the perfectness of it all? You do? Well, then obviously you didn't read my post...there was none of that involved folks. Kissing didn't get any of those things for me until much later in my dating career. Qualcosa di Bello commented: "i wonder, as a mom to an 18 yr old & 19 yr. old ~ both beautiful girls...should i really be reading your stuff??" Worry not QDB, my stuff really is mild at best, at least until we get to the post college relationships. And the guys, for the most part? Harmless. Besides, if they're your daughter, from what I know of you so far, then they've been raised right and have a good head on their shoulders, so they'll be just fine!


Sunday, November 18th, I stuck with some silly "blogthings" quizzes and we found out I am 44% cynical, I am "Big Black Boots", "Wedge Sandals", and "Very Happy Being Single". I could have told you the last one without a quiz! The cynical thing? I guess that's accurate. But the big black boots and wedge sandals? Both a little too "bulky" for me, I like my shoes more slim and sexy...but, then, the quizzes weren't really about shoes, were they. haha. Oh, and Frigga, no wonder we get along so well, we're practically twins! Or not. haha


Fun Monday on November 19th was a fun one. Okay, they all are, that's why we call them Fun Mondays after all, right? Still, it was fun taking a trip down memory lane and sharing some of the family stories that are repeated time after time within our families. I had so much fun reading everyone else's tales. Tiggerlane said: "Too cute! And your mom - she is beautiful in those photos.Now I want to know the word for "ashtray!" - First off, mom thanks you. She really was a beautiful woman (still is), and I love old pictures of her. I'll share more in the future. And as Willowtree said in his comment (smart guy he is looking it up on the web) the Portuguese word for ashtray is "cinzeiro", I, in my four year old voice, used to call it "cinzello". Oh and WT...stubbing cigarettes out in mashed potatoes? GROSS.


Tuesday, the 20th, I answered some of the questions posed to me by you, my lovely readers. I picked the silly ones for this particular post and had so much fun answering them. I'm glad everyone agreed with my coffee, chocolate and Johnny Depp choices. I mean, really, how could you go wrong?


Wednesday, the 21st, I posted pony pictures for Wordless Wednesday. Frigga, no, I do not have a pony of my own, but boy, it would be fun, wouldn't it? The title was indeed a reference to the toys of our youth. I had "Megan and Sundance", and I still sing that song from the commercial every time I hear the words "My Little Pony"....if only our memories held IMPORTANT stuff this long. Julia said "I'm so glad you seem to have your camera at the ready, Karina. I miss a lot of shots that way". I never leave my house without my camera for that reason exactly Julia, because you never know what you're going to drive past, you know?


Thursday Thirteen on Thanksgiving Day was, not surprisingly, all about giving thanks. I want to thank everyone who commented on that particular post, because you all had such nice things to say, so a little moment of "link-love" here: Adelle, Mom on the Go, jayedee, damozel, Linda R. Moore, Nicholas, and Qualcosa di Bello who said "you are blessed for sure & you are a blessing as well...especially to all your readers :D" How sweet is she? I truly am blessed though, in so many ways.


As we all know, I crapped out on Follow-Up Friday last week, because I was shopping. In keeping with NaBloPoMo, I posted, but it was just a short "here's what I'm doing today" post, besides, I think everyone was in turkey comas that day, there wasn't much blog traffic on Friday in these parts.


Saturday I spent with my friend "The Traveler" who was visiting from Florida, so not much blogging was done that day either. I posted, it's NaBloPoMo, so I had to post, but...really, nothing to see here folks.


And Sunday wasn't any less busy this past weekend, so you all got a fun little youtube video to entertain you. Haven't seen it yet? Check it out.


And we're back to Fun Monday again. This week it was all about our unfinished projects. Of course, after posting mine, I remembered a MAJOR unfinished project in my house that I didn't share, but by then I was at work and couldn't take photos, and well...you don't really need to know about the wall in my living room that still needs some kind of crown molding or something to hide the quite obvious unfinished paint line against the ceiling, do you? Nope, didn't think so. Now, I know Susan was trying to make me feel better by telling me that my kitchen wallpaper was "vintagey" and all, but uh....didn't work. I still hate it. ;-)

Tuesday I answered some more of your questions to me. This time I went with some of the more introspective ones. Turns out Frances shares my "head under water" phobia, and although I shouldn't be happy about this, I kind of was giddy at the thought that someone else understood how I feel. I know it's irrational, but phobias are irrational fears after all, aren't they? It was also interesting to see how others could relate to the whole phobia thing in general. Unless you have a "TRUE" phobia, there is no way you can understand it though. That "panic" feeling is unlike anything else...so strange.

In my Wordless Wednesday this week I shared with you some drinks. These were drinks from dinner with "The Traveller" Saturday night. I had the Espresso Martini (oh yum) and she had some fruity concoction. The picture was taken with my new cell phone camera, and I'm impressed it turned out as decent as it did. Not bad. Lissa said: "I'm wondering is this what you're going to do when you finish NaNo and NaBlo."...Yeah, I didn't wait, I did that on Saturday. I'll celebrate again this weekend. ;-) Jannis recognized the place immediately by the glassware, saying: "before I saw the beverage napkin. I am a part time server at Applebees. ps I hope you had good service...." I actually had exceptional service Jannis. Our waitress was a real sweetie. In fact, in all my years of eating at Applebees, I've never had bad service at one.

On Wednesday I also shared my rejection story. Okay, technically I wasn't rejected, as I didn't really "put myself out there" to be rejected. Again, you were all so sweet with your comments...y'all make me feel so loved! Lissa said "Sounds to me like you're better off - I mean an ex-girlfriend stalking him?" This could in fact be true...but then again, not entirely his fault that he has a psycho ex, right? Frigga said "Oh, and as for being a *new* girlfriend, it could be that he's the one for you and you'll just have to wait until the timing is better." and Lisa said: "Damn - you waited this long and . . . well, maybe she'll be a temp, you should check back with him next year. :)" --- Good point ladies. After all, we've played the "once a year" game for 4 years now, what's another year? hahaha

By the way, I've decided that just in case this "new girlfriend" is really new, and in the option of it not working out (not that I'm wishing that on anyone, but hey, these things don't always work out, right?)...next time I have to send a complaint to the condo association (and it will happen as soon as we have a snowstorm, I'm sure), I'm going to send him a cc and include my phone number, you know, in case he needs to follow up with me or something...because he might have questions or something...WHAT? I'm just sayin'... ;-)

Yesterday, my Thursday Thirteen was a reflection back on the month of November. And what a month it has been.

So, this is it...NaBloPoMo - COMPLETED, and successfully accomplished. NaNoWriMo...not so much.

See you all in December!

Thursday Thirteen #32

With November coming to a close this week, I'm taking some time back to reflect on the month that was...a month of Thanksgiving, NaNoWriMo, NaBloPoMo, and so many other things. I give you Thirteen Thoughts about November 2007.

1. I'll start with the bad. The weather turned colder, and there was even some snow. Worse yet, it now gets dark around 4 PM. I am not a fan of the winter, and in fact,suffer from the "winter blues" every year around this time...the less sunlight I see, the less pleasant I become. November is the "introduction" into this dark time and I've already noticed a change in my mood.

2. However, November also means that crisp feeling of Autumn in the air, and the changing of leaves. I really enjoyed driving around this month with the beauty nature had to offer. I got some great photographs too.

3. November also means Thanksgiving. This year I enjoyed Thanksgiving more than I have in years. There was something special about it, though I can't pinpoint it. The family were all in good spirits, and there was more laughter than I can remember in recent Turkey Days.

4. This November was also a return to faith for one of my family members. My brother somehow agreed to attend a religious retreat. The same retreat I attended 15 years ago. A weekend that changed my life such a long time ago, and now it was his turn. My brother found something this past weekend that he'd lost a while back...I couldn't be happier for him.

5. With the change in temperature, I got to bring out my fall/winter wardrobe. This means BOOTS and sweaters. Two of my favorite things. As much as I love summer, I love my fall wardrobe.

6. My tan? The one I was so proud of this summer, from all that time spent at the pool? Almost gone. So sad.

7. Black Friday. Shopping Olympics for someone who is a shopaholic as I am. I got some fantastic deals, and didn't even get hurt (or hurt anyone) in the process.

8. I became an auntie. Sort of. My brother adopted his gorgeous puppy Diamond. She's the cutest girl ever, and I'm such a proud auntie.

9. Comcast still sucks. OH, you thought I was done with hating them? Not so much, I've just decided not to focus on it too much. Let's just say that I now have YET ANOTHER reason to hate them. This one involves Tivo and how they've decided to screw all their customers who have Tivo so that we'll get their dvr's instead. Long story short, their customer service is anything but, and as soon as Verizon Fios becomes available in my area, I'm jumping ship.

10. My condo fee did not go up. Good news, 'nuff said.

11. NaBloPoMo - What a fantastic thing this was. I posted every day, I met some fabulous new bloggers, and discovered some great new blogs, and I had a blast blog-hopping and celebrating with other participants. I didn't have nearly enough time this month to visit others as much as I wanted to, and for that I'm sorry, but it was still a wonderful month to be a part of the blogging community.

12. And then there's NaNoWriMo. I didn't so much "quit" as I just didn't focus all my energies on it. After the "crash", I lost my muse, my momentum, whatever you want to call it. I know I could have gotten it back if I had just "focused" but I got distracted by other things, and somehow it just didn't seem important enough to finish that novel in November. I'm still working on it, slowly, but surely, on my own time, but I've never been a fan of deadlines...I knew it wouldn't work...maybe next year. Maybe not. I don't know if I should be more disappointed or upset about this, but I'm really okay with it. It wasn't for me this time around.

13. And the strangest thing about this November? It was all about my past. I found some old journals and spent some time reminiscing about old boyfriends. I revisited old stories about childhood and even encountered some mementos from that time period with my cousin at Thanksgiving (it was all about the New Kids on the Block stuff, my friends), I reconnected with friends I hadn't seen in nearly a decade when my brother went on his retreat, and I even found out some scary stuff about a man I almost dated.

What a month it's been. I'm looking forward to finding out what December has in store, aren't you?

All the good ones are taken

OR Candid Karina gets shut down.


Let me set this up for you. My condo complex has two buildings. Building A where I live, and Building B across the way. Once a year we have a "Condo Meeting" to go over budget, condo fees, and any other issues owners want to discuss (and gripe and bitch and moan about, nonstop for two hours). There are four Board members and the representative from the Condo Management company who chair this meeting. I go to the meeting every year, find out whether or not my condo fee is increasing, listen to some of the bitching and moaning, make my ONE yearly complaint about the dink who lives upstairs from me, and parks next to me, who never moves his car in a snowstorm when the plow comes, therefore causing my parking space to never be plowed clean, and then I go home.


But at this meeting every year, I also have a bit of a flirtation going with one of the board members, Fred. Fred is good looking guy, funny, smart, and we hit it off at the first meeting I ever went to. Since then, every year, we tend to joke a bit with each other at the meeting, and flirt a bit, but that's it. He lives in building B, and I only ever see him once a year, at these meetings.


So, last night, he was there, and we did our flirtatious bit, and then I decided that this year I would stick around at the end of the meeting, and see if I couldn't find out what his situation is, because, I actually like this guy, he's a good guy. I know he's not married, and I know he has a daughter, but that's about all I know about him, besides the fact that we seem to hit it off and sort of "connect" on some level.


After the meeting, I walked over to him and he gave me a hug. A HUG.

Interesting, right?

So we chat for a bit, about the condo stuff, and then he shares with me the reason he no longer has a listed phone number (this came up when residents were asking for his number for complaints and stuff) and he reveals that his ex-girlfriend was stalking him, so he had to get a restraining order against her, and change his phone number (fun stuff). And I'm thinking "Okay, ex-girlfriend...heading in the right direction here".

AND then he drops it...he makes some comment about his new girlfriend.


DAMN IT.


All the good ones ARE taken.

Wordless Wednesday - Drinks anyone?

See more Wordless Wednesdays here.

You asked - Part 2 - The Inner Me Edition

Today I answer some more of your questions. I answered the first batch here and had so much fun answering all your silly questions. But you all had more than just silly questions, you had some pretty deep ones too. In today's post, I'm digging into what makes me...well...me.

Frigga asked:

"What are your thoughts on the lottery?"

I don’t give the lottery much thought, actually. I’m one of those people that says “Oh, I’d love to win the lottery”, but knows I never will, mostly because I don’t play. Haha. Seriously, though, I don’t play because I’m not a lucky person when it comes to gambling, or winning things. I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I’ve won anything based on luck. If it is a prize based on talent, knowledge, trivia, or accomplishing a specific task, then I have as good a chance (if not better depending on the challenge at hand) as most people. But if it is a prize based solely on luck of the draw, count me out. I’ll go to a casino with a group of 6 friends, for example, and I will bring my allotted $50 (I never spend more, it is not worth it). Within the hour, my $50 will be gone, and I’ll be benched, watching everyone else play. My friends, be who they may, will invariably come home having tripled their money, I’ll come home empty handed. I will walk in a store with two other people and we’ll each buy a scratch ticket…they’ll both win, I will not. I am one of the only people I know who’s been to Vegas, seriously enjoyed herself, and spent less than $10 actually gambling. And most of that was spent on the nickel slots while waiting for my free drinks. Seriously, I don’t win at things. Therefore, I don’t play. I might as well open my car window while I’m driving and fling the dollar bills out as I go. Same return. Once in a blue moon, if the lottery prize is large enough, I’ll give in and buy a ticket. I think I do this mostly so I can participate in the “what would I do with the money?” conversations. But I’m not a gambler, and thankfully, I don’t have an addictive personality, so I don’t feel the need to keep trying. Besides my personal feelings about myself gambling? My feelings are that if you can afford the tickets, and it makes you happy to fantasize you will win, then by all means, have at it. Somebody’s got to win it, right? I don’t have many thoughts on the political repercussions of the lottery. It’s just not something I’ve given much thought to.

She also asked: "Would you be more, or less, stressed out if cell phones didn't exist?

I’m not sure. I’d probably be more stressed, because as I mentioned in Fun Monday a few weeks ago, my cell phone has become a sort of security blanket for me. Being that I am single, and spend a large portion of my time alone, my cell phone gives me a certain sense of security. I’m never completely alone as long as my cell is with me. If I’m feeling unsafe, I call someone to keep them on the phone with me and keep me company until that feeling passes. If I’m lost, or the car breaks down, I call for help. If something interesting happens, I can have someone to share it with instantly on the other end of the line. If I’m feeling lonely, the cell phone, and whoever I call, can keep me company. If some freak is trying to talk to me, I can grab the phone and appear distracted, so they leave me alone…I’ve even been known to fake a conversation with my non-existent husband or boyfriend, to ward off unwanted attention. Therefore, for me, my cell phone offers a level of comfort. My cell does not stress me out. If I don’t want to be reached, I turn it off, or I don’t answer it. It’s easy. The only time cell phones may add stress to my life is when others are using theirs in ways that irk me. As in, when store clerks are too busy talking about their sex lives with their friends on their cell phones, and don’t notice that they’ve rung up my shoes twice, or when the idiot behind me in traffic is so into his conversation that he almost drives into me as I stop at a stop sign. Or by far, the biggest cell phone pet peeve, the inconsiderate jerks who insist on using their cell phones in a movie theatre. But for the most part, I ignore these idiots, and don’t let them get the best of me. And for me, the benefits of having a cell phone, far outweigh the negatives. The thought of losing my cell phone now that I’ve become accustomed to having one…oooh, yeah, my blood pressure just went up a bit…

Julia asked a fantastic question:

Have you ever suffered from anxiety? Or do you have a phobia?

I’ve never suffered from anxiety. Like most people, I’ve had moments of high anxiety, and even slight panic attacks, but never anything that would qualify as anxiety in the clinical sense. As far as phobias, however, I have two major ones, neither of which really fit into any actual “named phobias”. I have this unreasonable fear of “ledges”. It’s not exactly a fear of heights, because I can be in high places, and as long as there’s a fence, a window, a barrier of some sort, I’m okay. My fear is more a fear of falling over a high edge. It doesn’t even have to be that high either. If I sit on a wall, say a 6 foot wall, and someone makes a sudden movement, that panic feeling, quickening heart beat, breath catching, hands sweaty feeling, instantly overtakes me. And it’s not with just me either. I remember going to the grand canyon and I was having mild panic attacks watching others stand so close to the edge…the fear of them falling over was overwhelming. It's a strange phobia to suffer, because it's not limited to your typical "scary" locales, I can sufferit at any time, anywhere there is some sort of "edge" someone could lean over...scary. By the way, I wrote the answer to this question last week, and then I went to bed, and proceeed to have an extremely frightening dream about exactly this fear. I even wrote a poem about it for last week's "Writer's Island".

My other fear is harder to explain. It has to do with water, but it’s not exactly a fear of drowning. I can swim, be out in open water, in a pool or the ocean, in a boat, and I’m not afraid of water, I’m not afraid of drowning. My fear is very specific…I cannot in any way shape or form stick my head under water. This does not include running water, such as showers, but still water. Whether it be the ocean, a pool, or my bathtub, I cannot stick my head under water. I just can’t do it. There is no talking me into it. There is no holding my hand and telling me you are right there…there is NO Way. I panic immediately and hyperventilate. But the minute I lift my head up, I’m fine. I can float on my back with my ears in the water, no problem. I can even snorkel with goggles on and something to breathe out of (though that took some doing), but sticking my head under water and letting go of that control? CAN’T DO IT, WON’T DO IT. This stems from being thrown off an inner-tube when I was a child and getting stuck under it for a few moments (seconds really), but I just cannot do it. I don’t’ think I’m going to drown, I don’t think anything bad will happen, it is not rational, it just is.

And LilMouse(Jill) really made me think with her request: Tell me 5 fundamental things that make up your life/character, etc.

Wow. That’s quite a question. Fundamental, basic, essential, that’s a loaded question.

1. Easily the first one is family. I would not be anything if it were not for my family. Everything I have accomplished, everything I believe in, everything I am, has its roots in my family and my upbringing. I have the two most amazing parents a person could ask for. Life was not always perfect, and our relationships were not always as solid as they are today, but they have always had my brother and I, and our futures, at the forefront of everything they’ve done. Now that I’m an adult, my parents are my friends, my mother, without question, my best friend. My relationship with them, with my brother, and on a lesser level, with other members of my extended family, is at the root of my purpose for being.
2. My independence. I think something that really defines my character is my ability to be alone. Unlike most of my female friends I don’t mind being alone. In fact, I sort of thrive on it at times. It brings me a certain amount of strength to know that I CAN be alone, and be okay with that. It’s not just being alone in terms of not having a man in my life, it’s the ability to be alone in general. To live alone, to shop alone, to travel alone, but to not feel lonely. To make decisions about my future, such as buying my own place, alone. To figure out how to fasten a bracelet or zip up a dress without someone to help me. Bit things, little things, all signs of my independence, all make up an essential element of my character.
3. My relationship with people. On the flip side, another fundamental characteristic of mine is the ease in which I make friends. I will talk to anyone, young, old, male, female. I have made some amazing friends in the strangest of places, on a train for example. I think I can be highly approachable, so it makes it easy for folks to open up to me. Complete strangers will tell me their lifes woes, or their greatest successes, and I don’t mind either, I’ll listen, I’ll advise, I’ll celebrate with them. I truly feel that “people person” is a fantastic way to describe me, I love people, and am comfortable around them, love to study them, get to know them, be part of their lives.
4. My creativity. Whether it’s writing, taking pictures, or just putting together outfits, creativity is a huge part of who I am. I don’t do anything without trying to add some sort of creative flair to it, and I’m known by friends and family as the one who can add a little extra special “something” to a letter, an outfit, a gift.
5. My faith. I’m not a highly religious person, but I’m a supremely spiritual person. Without getting too deeply with my issues with organized religion, I’ll just tell you that for the most part, it doesn’t work for me. That said, I believe in God, and have a faith that travels with me no matter where I am. I see God in everything I lay my eyes on. I’m one of those people that can see the colors on the leaves of a tree and be amazed at God’s touch. Without my faith, I’m not really sure how I’d make it through life, and am thankful I don’t have to find out. I don’t preach, and very rarely do I even discuss my faith with others, unless the topic comes up, but I live it every day, and it shapes who I am in every way.


And there you have it. Thank you all for your very insightful questions. I still have about 10 more of your questions to answer...stay tuned, I'm working on those.

Fun Monday - Works In Progress

Fun Monday this week is being hosted by Blue Momma. She wants to see our boobs. No, really, she does. But she decided to play nice and give us a different assignment. Here it is:

I want you to show me your......projects. More to the point, I want to see your unfinished projects. I have so many that I really need some reassurance that I'm not the only one. Home improvement projects are what I have in mind, but it you don't have any of those show me any kind of project - needlework, cooking, scrap booking, etc. You can even show me your spouse if they qualify as a work in process.

So, I could take the easy way out, and not post anything and say "There you go, my work in progress"...but what fun would that be?

Therefore, trusty camera in hand I took a little trip around the house...I'm proud to tell you that I don't currently have a whole lot of "unfinished projects" per se. Well, at least I don't have a whole lot of visible ones...ahem.

But digging a little deeper I started in the kitchen:

This here in the corner? My Halloween decorations, which need to be carried up into my attic storage, where I will find my bins and bins of Christmas decorations, and bring those down...yeah...that will happen at some point soon, but the Halloween decorations? I've been meaning to put those away since November 1st...alas, there they still sit. Also in the kitchen we find this little doozie:



What is it you ask? Look closer...see that atrocious wallpaper behind the stove? I HATE that paper with a passion. When I moved in, there was a lot of wallpaper removal, wall painting, and even tile and hardwood floor laying...but I ran out of time and money. However, I told myself that one of the first things I would do, when I had some more money and time, would be to get some sort of back splash that was NOT wallpaper with tea kettles and whatever the hell that is on that wall...yet...almost 5 years later, and there it still is. I can't exactly call it a "work in progress" or an "unfinished" project, as I never started it...but I always meant to...sigh...



Next we move to the office, where we find this:

Those would be just SOME of the many pictures and picture frames I own, that I always "mean" to organize, but never quite get around to it. I've got a Christmas project in mind as well having to do with these...as of yet, all I have are piles and piles of things, with notes, ideas, and...more piles...

Still in the office, we find these:

Those would be my journals, which I recently found, and they represent my newest "unfinished project", right here on this very blog. My tales of "All The Boys I've Loved", which I've started to tell you about, but have lots and lots more to write...this is probably my funnest "unfinished project", because I'm thoroughly enjoying working on it.

Also in my office, in fact, this very second as I type this:

That would be my new cell phone, hooked up to the computer, with all my music, that I'm trying to transfer to the handy MP3 feature of the phone...I've been trying to do this for 3 days now...I think I have about 15 songs done so far...it shouldn't be this hard, but I can't decide on what songs to transfer over...and I'm doing this post, so I keep getting distracted...oh, and I'm doing laundry...hang on, the dryer just beeped...

Right, where were we? Still in the office then?

Those things in that corner? This would be my one unfinished project that would actually benefit me greatly to complete. That is my old printer, along with a brand spanking new Wireless Router, Laptop bag, and printer ink...and something else, I forget what now...all things I've been meaning to list for sale on Craigslist or ebay or something of the like, because I don't need them...and there they sit, collecting dust. Anyone need a used, sort of but not completely broken printer? How about a laptop bag? Router? Anyone?? ;-)

And last, but most certainly not least:

That, my friends is my "box" of unfinished projects. Poems, short stories, longer stories, and right in front, my novel from which I was drawing inspiration for NaNoWriMo...ah...NaNoWriMo...My truly unfinished project...I lost the wind from my sales with the "Great Novel Crash" incident, and never quite got it back. Barring some miraculous inspiration, I will NOT be completing NaNoWriMo this year...alas, I tried...

So, there you have it, my incompletes. Go see more at Blue Momma's and make sure to stop by Robinella's, because she's hosting next week.

A little Sunday humor

Busy busy with family stuff today...but I thought I'd share a little video I found on YouTube...this is really cute:




There are some pretty creative folks out there, aren't there?

Hope you're all having a great Holiday Weekend...see you tomorrow for Fun Monday!

So I lied...

Okay, not lied exactly, but I won't be getting to Friday Follow-up or even Saturday Follow-up this weekend. It's a busy weekend with all kinds of activity, so Follow-up will probably hold off until next Friday...I'll just do double duty.

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun with the family this year, and somehow, in keeping with what's been going on with my life lately, there was quite a bit of reminiscing going on. My cousin even dug out a box of old things from our teen years, inlcuding all her New Kids on the Block paraphenelia...that led to quite a few laughs, I'll tell you. There was also a book of "fashion designs" that my cousins and I drew and created...hours upon hours were spent drawing these fashions, and going through those was a riot. Boy, were we living in the 80's! I'll be scanning some of those to share in the future...but I left the book at my aunt's house, so need to go pick it up sometime this weekend.

Shopping yesterday was an adventure, but some of the deals I got made it well worth the efforts. We even managed to get prime parking spaces everywhere we went, so the shopping gods were with us overall. Unfortunately (or fortunately as it may be), Black Friday shopping with Shoppaholic and I, always consists of the two for me, one for you variety of shopping. I spent quite a bit of money, but only walked away with three Christmas gifts. At least I got some great deals on items that have been on my "must get" list for a while now.

Today I will be spending the day with my friend "The Traveler" who is in town for the holiday from Florida. We are heading up to a hockey game tonight at UNH, and it should be a great time.

Tomorrow will be about family again, part 2 of Thanksgiving, as mom likes to make her own turkey, with her signature stuffing, and we NEVER miss that.

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday weekend so far.

Opening Ceremonies

Today is known throughout the nation as Black Friday, but Shoppaholic and I like to call it "The Olympics". After all, the shopping we do every weekend all year long is basically our training, the Friday after Thanksgiving...the Olympics.

So, due to this all important day in a shopper's calendar...today there will be no Follow-Up Friday. My apologies to those of you waiting for responses to your comments. I will attempt to do a Follow-Up Saturday, but my friend "The Traveler" is home from Florida this weekend, and we're spending Saturday together...so, you may get a photo post from Thanksgiving instead.

Have a great shopping (or not) day everyone.

Thursday Thirteen #31

Well, it's Thanksgiving Day, so of course, today's Thursday Thirteen will be a list of just 13 of the many many things I am thankful for this year. (I apologize in advance for the way everything is pushed together, for some reason Blogger will NOT allow me to enter spaces between numbered entries today, I've tried 5 times now...I give up).

1. My family. I am blessed with the most wonderful family a girl could ask for. From my mother, who is without doubt my best friend, to my father, who is the gentlest and silliest dad out there. My little brother, who is growing up into an exceptional man, my grandfather, who I'm still blessed to have in my life. And my extended family as well, uncle and aunt, cousins, their kids, and Lil'K, my "little" sister.

2. My friends. I consider my friends to be part of my family as well, and I have through the years formed some very sisterly bonds with my girlfriends. Shopaholic, Double D, The Traveler, BFF especially, but so many others that bless me throughout the year with their friendship and company.

3. My internet connection. Seems like a strange thing to be thankful for, but through the internet I've made some incredible friendships. The sort of connections that only fellow users of the web can understand. From California, to New York, Texas to Virginia, and even folks across the pond, have become folks I consider friends, even if I may have never laid eyes on their face. I'm grateful for that.

4. My job. I may have my moments at The Firm, but overall, I'm lucky for the job I have. I have a boss that actually values my work, I get to use my brain daily, and I get a decent paycheck at the end of the week. And in the process, I'm actually doing work that matters, interacting with clients and helping them maneuver the difficult times in their lives. After some other jobs I've had, I'm really grateful to have landed where I am.

5. My home. Being able to buy my own place in my 20's was an amazingly satisfying feat. Being able to maintain it, pay for it, and enjoy it all these years is a blessing. I still get a sense of accomplishment and pride whenever I walk in my front door, and for that, I'm grateful.

6. My health. Obvious, and not much else needs to be said, I'm grateful to get up every morning and enjoy the day.

7. My Independence. I'm grateful every day that my mother did such a great job of instilling in me the belief that I could do anything I wanted to, and that I could do it alone. I've spent a large portion of my adult life on my own, and instead of that being a negative, it's always been a positive.

8. My faith. I couldn't make it through life without the faith I carry in my heart that there is a higher purpose, a higher being. I'm grateful for that.

9. My gadgets. A lesser thing, but still important, from my laptop, to my cell phone; my mp3 player , digital camera and tivo, technology and all these little gadgets that make everyday life so much easier and more entertaining...I'm grateful for those.

10. My maturity. When I was younger, I took life way too seriously, and let even the smallest things get to me. As I've matured, I've learned to let those little things slide, and not focus so much on all the details, but instead enjoy the larger picture. I spend a lot less time being stressed, cranky, and pissed off. It's a much better way to live life.

11. My muse. I love to write. I get sincere pleasure from forming thoughts with random words and making them coherent on paper (or screen), and I'm so grateful that I've been blessed with the ability to do so.

12. My love of learning. Kind of going along with the muse, but the fact that I love to learn new things, my thirst for knowledge, is a wonderful gift. I'm constantly trying new things, experimenting with new adventures, and that makes life so interesting.

13. My shoe collection. WHAT? Shoes make me happy okay?

Here's to hoping you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Wordless Wednesday - My Little Pony

See other Wordless Wednesdays here.

You Asked For It

Before NaBloPoMo began, I asked for some help from you, my dear readers. I wanted to be sure I wouldn't run out of blog fodder, so I gave you the chance to ask me anything you'd always wanted to know. I promised to answer all questions, and boy, did you give me some doozies.

Today I wanted to answer some of them, so without further ado, today I give some of the easier and even sillier questions:

Pam wanted to know all about the photo on the header up there...look up...yeah, that one. She said:

"So my question for you is, what is the background on that photo? Who? What? Where? When? Don't bother with Why? -- I mean, duh -- it's a beach. Why not?"

This is an easy one. The photo for my header was taken this past summer at Hampton Beach, in Hampton, New Hampshire. Some more photos from that day can be found here. Unfortunately there isn’t a rather exciting story to go with it. My friend Shopaholic and I made a trip out to the beach that day, for some walking around and relaxation. It was actually late in the day when we arrived at the beach, so we just strolled around, took a seat on some blankets and watched the ocean waves dance upon the shore. I took many pictures that day, just playing with the different settings of my digital camera, trying to capture the waves breaking, and the sea gulls swooping in for a kill. There were two little boys off to the side (you can see one of them, as well as Shopaholic in the above photos), in gleeful hysterics every time a wave would reach them. Fully clothed, as it was later and cooler out, they were soaked by the end of it all. I’ve always felt the sound of the ocean to be calming and can almost equate a trip to the beach, in the early evening hours, when it is quiet, and less crowded, with going to church. God is ever more present in those moments. Nature to me is a manifestation of God’s presence like few other things can be. The ocean, in all it’s awesomeness and infinite mystery, one of His greatest examples of his presence. Anyway, I’m not really sure what it is about the waves and feet, but I’ve seen this same type of photo on several blogs in my travels. It seems that when you are at the beach, with a pedicure, and a camera, you can’t help but take a picture of your toes. There’s something romantic about this pose. It’s a “look at me, lounging and relaxing” sort of thing…a bird’s eye view (or in this case, the photographer’s eye view) of what they see as they are sitting, taking it all in. I have a similar shot I took at the lake a few months ago. And I don’t even like my feet. I was one of those girls who wouldn’t wear open toed shoes for the LONGEST time (I now live in them all summer long). GO figure.

Frigga had a whole slew of great questions, among them, were a few not so serious ones, let's do those first:

If you were driving in your car, by yourself, with the windows rolled up, just rocking out to your music, and suddenly you were stung by a bee right in your jugular, what would you do?

UH…well, I don’t know. This might be one of those situations to which you don’t really know how you’d react until it actually happens. But I’m not one to freak out about bugs in general. I’m not a fan of spiders, but even they don’t freak me out as much as they used to, so I don’t think I’d panic. However, I’m not a fan of pain, and if I remember correctly, bee stings are quite unpleasant. I’m sure there would be a moment of “OH SHIT”, and perhaps even a quick turn of the wheel, or slam of the breaks, or something equally instant, but then I’d probably safely make my way over to the side of the road, and nurse my wounds with whatever I could find…either that, or suffer miserably until I could get home and nurse my wounds properly. OH, and I would no doubt grab my cell phone and call everyone I know to bitch about my misfortune.

So if you had a 3rd eye, where would you like it to be located?

Random much Frigga? Haha. I’m going to go with the back of my head, because who doesn’t want to know what’s going on when they turn their backs? The thing is, I’d want it to be hidden. Not only because then I wouldn’t look like a complete freak, but because then people wouldn’t know I had it there, so I could totally know stuff they didn’t know I know…you know?

From Sognatrice:

If you could only eat three foods for the rest of your life, which three would you choose?

I’m sure I’d be a miserable human being, that I can guarantee you, but okay, three food. I’m assuming by three foods you meant three items, as opposed to three “meals”, so that’s how I’ll answer.

1. chocolate, because don’t tell me I’d get sick of it, it is chocolate after all, I’ll choose too much over none at all any day;

2. eggs, because there are so many different ways to make eggs, that at least there would be some variety.

3. I guess if I say fruit, I’m being too general right? Fruit salad. Yeah, there you go, fruit salad. Then I’d get some vitamins, and proteins and things. And I could pick and choose which fruits to eat daily, so I wouldn’t get sick of any one fruit.

Who am I kidding? I wouldn’t survive a month.

Same question, but with beverages?

This one is much easier. I might miss certain things, but I could easily survive without much effort on even one beverage alone.

1. Water. Nice mountain fresh, spring water. I LOVE water. There is nothing like an ice cold glass of water.
2. Coffee. I could do without it, but if I have three choices, I’ll take my caffeine in the morning please. (does adding milk or creamer constitute two beverage? Because I’d rather not drink it black, but I could)
3. White wine. This one for social events.

I don’t drink juices or sodas or anything else really. When I’m thirsty, I drink water, when I’m socializing, I have a glass of wine or a martini, in the morning I drink coffee.

Along the same lines, from Jannis:

You are banished to a deserted island. What 1 food would you take with you? What drink?

Hmmm…well, let’s see, since I’m on a deserted island, I’m going to assume that I could find fruit, and a fresh water source (Hey, we’re being hypothetical, I’m giving myself some leeway), so…I’m going to go with chocolate, because oh man, I’d die without it. And hmm…drink…a nice white wine, because besides water, I don’t really drink much else (in terms of sodas and juices, etc.), and a nice glass of wine here and there would be nice to enjoy the ocean breeze with.

And from Min: (I liked Jannis' question, but I want to make it harder. If you were banished to a desert island and you could only take one of three things, what would it be:

1. A Bible

2. A case of tequila

3. Johnny Depp

These are my three choices? I thought it would be harder, but of the three choices, hands down, Johnny Depp. I wouldn’t need the bible to pray, especially surrounded by all that nature on a desert island…I could find God in so many other ways, and I’ve never been a fan of tequila. So, Johnny Depp!..yeah...

oh and what do you know of the reconstruction of the economy in post-revolutionary France?

UH, yeah…not so much. And I’m afraid I’m not really all that interested in looking it up. I didn't know this was going to be a history lesson Min. ;-)

And there you have it! There were lots of other questions asked, and I'll be posting answers to those in the next few days as well...stay tuned.

Fun Monday - Set adrift on Memory Bliss...

Karisma is our hostess for this week's Fun Monday. She wants us to take a trip down memory lane. Here's what she had to say:

"I want you to take a trip down memory lane, and keep right on going, right back to your childhood. And I want to hear "THAT STORY". You remember the one? Yes, you do! The one your parents, siblings, extended family or friends, would never let you forget, live down or get over!"

I seem to be doing that quite a bit of reflecting on my past lately, so you would think this assignment would be right up my alley...you would think so, but it wasn't. I even employed the help of my mother to try and find out if I had "That Story"...but there doesn't really seem to be one that we could come up with. I was begining to think that I was going to have to bow out of Fun Monday this week, when mom started telling me about the "little things" that I'm always reminded of. So, I don't have that ONE story, but I have a bunch of little ones...I'll give you those.

In the first I was about 4 years old. I come from a family of smokers, everyone in my family has smoked as long as I can remember. (I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that I hate smoking and won't touch the stuff...hmmm). Anyway, while sitting around with the family one day, my uncle took his cigarrette and shook the ashes out into an espresso cup. And I, in my little girl voice, pointed at the cup and said "Is this an ashtlay too?". The story is much cuter told in the Portuguese it was originally spoken in, with my mispronunciation of the word for ashtray. It is also one of those that anytime anyone in the family taps their ashes into anything that is NOT an ashtray, my family says, in that same voice, with the same mispronunciation "Is this an ashtlay too?" I wonder if now that my parents, and most of our extended family no longer smoke, that story will die out? hmmm

(That's me and mom)

The second story has me at about 5 years old. I was never a fan of naps, or of going to bed in general. This hasn't changed much, I still will do anything possible at night to put off the moment when I have to go to bed. I love to sleep, don't get me wrong, but I have a hard time "calling it a night"...I love to be awake more. Anyway, the story goes that when I'd be told as a child that it was time for bed, I'd fight it tooth and nail, and repeat endlessly "I'm not sleepy, I'm not sleepy", and I'd actually fall asleep saying those words. Then there were the times my mom would go lay down with me in the afternoons, to put me down for my nap. For years my grandmother would tell the tale of the time I walked out of the room, into the kitchen where my grandmother was on tiptoe, and whispered "Shhh...mommy's sleeping".

(Me, mom and grandma -and dad with his big mustache in the corner)

And that's it, that's all I've got. Not too exciting around these parts today, so I'm sending you back to Karisma's so you can check out other stories, which are sure to be a lot more fun!

And be sure to head over to Blue Momma's Fish Bowl for next week's assignment.

A few silly blogthings

It's been a productive Sunday, I ran some errands, went out to take some pictures, and hung out with Lil K' for a while. Now I'm catching up on some blog stuff, and plan on doing some writing tonight...so, here are some quizzes I took to entertain myself for a few minutes:

You Are 44% Cynical

Yes, you are cynical, but more than anything, you're a realist. You see what's screwed up in the world, but you also take time to remember what's right.

How Cynical Are You?

You Are Big Black Boots!

You can be best described as: attitude You've got lots of it - and you love to give it A guy has to be pretty gusty to hit on you But if he's your type, you'll warm up... a little

What Kind Of Women's Shoe Are You?

You are Wedge Sandals

Bohemian and sexy You're a free spirit - both in life and in fashion You have a style all your own, and it turns heads!

What Kind of Sandal Are You?

You Are Very Happy Being Single

You're not anti-relationship. You just don't need one to be content. You find plenty of happiness from your life as it is. And if you find someone you love, then that's just icing on an already decadent cake!

Are You Happy Being Single?

All the Boys - First Kiss

For this one we are going to go back...way back...back to SHUDDER...high school.


As much as I may have had "IT" while during and post college, I had not quite found IT in high school. In fact, I was quite the late bloomer and although I'd had my crushes and the like, when I entered high school, I'd never had a boyfriend. And as we all know, at that impressionable time in your life, life is not quite complete unless you can say you have a boyfriend.


Enter Ronnie. I can't be bothered to give this guy a nickname, because I don't remember enough about him to give him an appropriate one. Besides, it took enough energy to just remember his first name. Oh the funny way your mind blocks certain things from your memory. So, we'll just go with Ronnie, I'm pretty sure that was his name. I think. Uh...yeah...


Ronnie was a neighborhood boy, a few years older than I, who also went to my high school. But, while I was an honor student, in the upper level classes, somewhat of a cross between a geek and a nerd, he was none of those things. He was one of the "smokers". The long haired, ripped jeaned, D-average, smoking behind the school building variety. I'd like to tell you that he was cool in a James Dean kind of way, and I was attracted to his "rebel without a cause" alure. I'd like to, but then I'd be lying. To put it bluntly, he was just kind of a loser. But he was also one of the first boys to really show me any attention, and I think at that point (in my sophomore year)it was more important to have a boyfriend, then to have a "good" boyfriend. So I let him walk me home from the bus stop, and I let him call me his girlfriend, and walk me to class. For a short while, it was kind of cool. I had one of the bad boys as my boyfriend. Look at me, I'm a rebel. Yeah.


That was, until he kissed me.


Picture this: I've never been kissed, and as a young girl, I've got visions of romance, and skin tingling chemistry. He's going to kiss me, and I'm going to swoon with the romance of it all.


Let me set the scene for you. My backyard, behind the garage, away from any of the house windows. Leaning up against an abandoned car that has been parked there as long as I've lived in that house. He says "I want to kiss you". I, quite nervously, say "Okay". He leans in, I close my eyes, and ...



...holy shit I'm being swallowed whole. Suddenly he's all over me, hands everywhere, mouth wide open and I'm not sure whether I should push him off gently or knee him in the groin. Eventually the "kiss" or whatever you want to call what just happened, is over, and he's smiling at me like he just gave me the prize of a lifetime. This was my first introduction into the knowledge that men and women, boys and girls, are truly two different species. AND he tasted like cigarrettes - the first and last smoker I ever kissed.


Needless to say, after this event, I was in no hurry to indulge in kissing activities with him again. Within days, however, I had the perfect out. I was informed by another girl that she too was being told by Ronnie that she was his girlfriend. I informed her that he was all hers, and told him thanks, but no thanks. Another first. The first, but certainly not the last time I would be "cheated" on. Or more accurately, that I would, unbenknownst to me, be the other woman. Because she was his girlfriend before I was.


For obvious reasons, I don't reflect back on my first kiss very often, and in fact, had done a pretty good job of blocking the memory from my mind until I dug it out for your reading pleasure here. THIS is how much I give of myself to you, dear readers.


But wait, there's more. Because Ronnie and I had no classes in common, no friends in common, in fact, no interests in common, it wasn't too hard to remove him from my life. For the first few weeks, he attempted to convince me to give him another chance, stopping by my house, dropping by my classes, etc. But eventually, he moved on. Although he only lived about 10 houses away from me, I stopped seeing him around.


About a year or so later I was working at an internationally known burger joint. Minding my own business working the drive-through window, when I hear someone say my name. Ronnie is in the restaurant, and wants to talk to me. Thinking it would be harmless to catch up with an old boyfriend, I take my break, and sit with him for a few minutes. And I seal my fate. For the next few weeks everytime I was working, Ronnie would show up at the restaurant wanting to talk to me. In fact, friends and coworkers said he was there on days I wasn't working as well, asking if i was coming in. He wouldn't leave until I paid attention to him, and the one time I told him I didn't want him coming around anymore, I remember he didn't react well. My manager actually had to ask him to leave. It got to the point where my coworkers would warn me if he was coming, and I would hide out in the back room, while they told him I wasn't working that day. Eventually, I employed the aid of a group of guy friends from highschool (about 80% of our soccer team, in fact) to hang out at the restaurant until he showed up, and threaten to beat the crap out of him if he didn't leave me alone. Luckily for me, Ronnie hadn't risen to professional level stalkerism yet, and this threat was sufficient. I never did see him again.


I drive by his old house weekly, as it is on the way to my parents' home, and once in a while I wonder about him and how he turned out as an adult.


And after the whole "Mr. Vain" thing last week, I can't help but wonder what it was about me that attracted guys that I look back on now and cringe..."What was I thinking, and boy, did I dodge that bullet".


Is it any wonder I don't date now?

Follow-Up Friday - The one where I revisit my past

Well, this was a week of memories, good and bad. A lot of looking back, and looking in.


It started Saturday with some random Observations. I still want to be Samantha Brown in my next life. But now, I also want to be Heidi Klum. She was on Ellen this week, and while watching her on there I decided that she's be a good choice to come back as, as well. For starters, she is GORGEOUS...I mean, seriously...look at her. But then, she's also funny as hell. Seriously, funny in that "I'm not working hard at being funny, I'm just smart enough that I can be funny without really trying". And yeah, then there's that, she's smart too. And a savy business woman. She has a great career. Seems like a nice person. AND she's married to Seal. Seal! The guy sings to her regularly. And they have gorgeous kids. So yeah, if not Samantha Brown....Heidi Klum will work too.


On Sunday I showed you my new boots. I was surprised at the comments I received from those of you (Beckie, Laurie, Lisa) who said you wouldn't be able to walk in those heels. Really? I'm surprised because as far as my heels go...I almost didn't buy these boots because the heel wasn't high enough. Jannis commented on not being able to wear them because of "fat calves" (her words, not mine)...Jannis, these might actually work for you...they're slouchy boots, so not so tight around the calves. And I actually have some pretty muscular calves, so I have a hard time with fitting in some boots too...these were easy though. And Junebug commented that she has the opposite problem...her calves are too skinny. Well, again, these would be the perfect boots, because they're slouchy, so if they sag a bit...that's the style anyway. See, I'll solve all the world's shoe problems.


Fun Monday this week was a little game of Mother May I. After trying not to walk into walls, and dodging my shady neighbor, I managed some photos. Sauntering Soul said "I always tell myself that living in a small space prevents me from accumulating too much stuff. But that isn't true". Boy, do I hear you on that. I always wonder how I'd manage if I lived with anyone else...I'm out of closet space as it is. Jenni told a crazy story about a crazy neighbor of her own...What is it about these guys? I got a little bit of grief from a few of you for not getting a picture of my crazy neighbor. (Chrisb, Tiggerlane, Karmyn, Blue Momma, Pamela)...I'm very sorry ladies to have disappointed you. Truly, I am. But see...he's creepy. And taking a picture of him would have probably have led to some sort of conversation, or to him thinking I was interested (thus why I was photographing him) and even for the sake of blogging, I just couldn't take that risk. However, I blog for you, and I'm always aiming to give you what you ask for, so next time I see him outside smoking in his pj's, I promise to try and sneak a photo. Maybe...possibly...probably not.


What I will do for you all however, is tell you all my stories of loves past. See how I bare it all here for you? On Tuesday, I told you all about Cognac. Well, not all of it...part two of our relationship is yet to come. About my "fading light" next to Cognacs brighter one, Frigga said: "I really enjoy the company of that type of man, but I can understand the confidence issues that it brings". The thing is that normally, I really enjoy the company of that type of man too, and usually, with someone that confident, I only feel even more confident and determined, and challenged. I've never been able to figure out why it was different with Cognac. All I can figure is, it just wasn't meant to be between us obviously. Qualcosa di Bello said "in spite of how you felt/acted around him, your blog words exude a confidence right now. your attitude is terrific". Well, thank you, but I think it is perhaps BECAUSE of how I felt/acted around him, that I now exude this confidence. You live and you learn, you know?


In my Wordless Wednesday I shared with you a bottle of wine I discovered recently. Bitch, it is called. I bought this wine because I thought it was hillarious. I plan on buying some to give as gifts this Christmas to a select few friends who will get the joke. In terms of flavor? I'm actually not much of a red wine drinker, it's a world I'm easing myself into. This was a "Barossa Grenache" whatever that is...anyone know? Anyway, it's pretty decent. I can't tell you in "wine" language what it tastes like, because I'm really not well versed in it yet...I'm working on it.


Also on Wednesday, I posed a question of sorts about Censorship on the radio of Nickelback's song "Rockstar". I'm still annoyed everytime I hear it, not solely because of the parts that are censored, but because of the parts that are not. I'll be the first to tell you that I listen to music for entertainment, not for some sort of "life lesson", so to me, if a song appeals to me, I listen to it, if it doesn't, I change the station. Many times I've been in my car with "LilK" and a song will come on and I'll change the station because I feel it's inappropriate for her to listen to. Of course, I know she's listening to these songs when I'm not there, but hey, I can only control what she does when I am there. Besides, a lot of times, it's more because I'm embarrassed hearing or singing along with some of the lyrics with her in the car. But it's the self-censorship that Jennifer talked about, and I'm okay with that. We've all got to make our own decisions. My bigger issue is with censoring certain things, and not others. Particularly, censoring the word "drugs", but not the "we'll all stay skinny cuz we just won't eat" line. Now, let me clarify, I'm not advocating drug use, but my perception of this song is that neither is Nickelback (not in this song at least), just like they're not advocating annorexia, I really see the song as tongue in cheek. But, if the censors are so offended by the use of the word "drug", shouldn't they be equally offended by a line about annorexia? Anyway, I'm off on my tangent about this song again, because this really annoys me. So I'll stop here. Check out the post and the comments if you want to hear more about what everyone had to say...they all made some really good points.


My Thursday Thirteen got a bit buried this week, due to my second post that same day...and it's a shame too, because I shared with you some great eye candy of some of my picks for the sexiest men in television. So, have a looksie!

But, the post that overshadowed my TT couldn't wait for another day. If you missed it, you must read the story of a guy I knew in college, who has now been accused of rape. Seriously, I can hardly believe it myself, and am glad I have the blog as an outlet to share it with others, because I'm pretty sure my friends are sick of hearing me say "wow, I just can't believe it".

Before I learned of this story, I had been working on a post about my very first boyfriend/first kiss, so I'll have that for you perhaps sometime this weekend. I'm also working on answers to some of those questions I asked you all to ask of me...stay tuned for some of those next week.

Have a great weekend everyone, I'll be posting during the weekend per NaBloPoMo, and I'll be giving my NaNovel one last try before I decide whether or not the big "crash" really did throw my momentum off completely...I've had a hard time getting back into it, we'll see what happens this weekend.

All The Boys - The Bullet

Oh boy, oh boy, do I have a story to tell you all.

First of all, as you know, I’m not in the habit of using real names of people I know on this here blog, in order to protect the innocent and all that. Okay, mostly it’s because I find it real fun to give people nicknames, but whatever, either way, I don’t normally use real names. However, the particular story I am about to share with you has been widely publicized in local newspapers (as well as all over these here interwebs) so, privacy is not so much an issue for this individual. The rest of the names will remain changed and coded in keeping with my modis operandi. Secondly, can we discuss how as soon as I got over the initial shock of this situation, all I could think was "I can't wait to blog this?".

Right, okay. That said, let me tell you all a little tale about how Candid Karina dodged QUITE the bullet in college, and she didn’t even know it until yesterday afternoon. This is a story of intrigue, and shock. It is a story about a guy, that in my planning for my “All The Boys” posts, I’d never even thought about telling you about. Because he hadn’t really made that much of a mark on my history to be included in these tales. That is, until yesterday. See…

Yesterday afternoon I’m minding my own business, heating up my lunch, when I look over to the table in the conference room (where our microwave is) and laying there is a “Lawyer’s Weekly”. This is the weekly newspaper in which attorneys get their scoop on all the goings on in the law world. Statutes that have passed, cases that have been won and lost, and ALWAYS, some controversy surrounding some attorney or other are the headlines in this paper. I barely glance at the thing, because, really, I have no time to read the paper at work. But, my eyes caught something, and I almost passed out from shock. See, my dear friends, the headline big as life, on this particular issue was this:

“The Rise and Fall of Gary Zerola”. And the reason it caught my eye? Because I KNEW Gary Zerola. I didn’t just KNOW Gary Zerola…I knew him well. In fact, we almost dated. But I’ll give you more on that back story in a minute. Let’s go back to why I was immediately shocked and almost had a heart attack. The sub-headline said this: “A promising young lawyer finds himself behind bars on rape and assault charges”. You see what I’m saying? SHOCK.

I won’t delve into all the details of the story here, but if you’re curious to read it, you can click here, or here, or here (this one comes with comments from readers)…or just google his name as I did. Unfortunately the "Lawyers Weekly" article is not available to the general public (you have to be a subscriber to the newspaper to see it), but I can email it to you if you're really all that interested in reading. But the gist of it is this, he’s accused of drugging, not one, not two, but three different girls, at three different times, and raping them. All girls 18 or 19 years old. And the reason it is such a news item is because at 36, he had quite a bright future ahead of him, prior to these accusations. He is quite a well known and successful lawyer in the Boston area. He’s also made quite a name for himself in some media circles, even making People Magazine’s list of Most Eligible Bachelors about 6 years ago, and was a finalist to be the original "Bachelor". And now this? It would be sad, if it wasn’t so scary.

Now for my personal side of the story. I met Gary when I was in college and he was in law school. Even though he was in law school, he would hang out in the undergrad lounge quite a bit, for whatever reason. And while hanging out there, he would flirt shamelessly with the undergrad girls. I was one of those girls. He was quite a charmer at first, and really a good looking guy, so I’ll admit that at first, I was quite taken with him. I mean, here was this law student, paying all this attention to me. What bright eyed, innocent college girl wouldn’t be charmed? But, Gary was about as cocky as they come. Really, he was quite full of himself. In fact, my friend BFF and I called him Mr. Vain, and would sing the song (by Culture Beat) which was out at the time, every time we’d see him walking around. The irony of the lyrics of that song now...quite chilling. He had this air of superiority about him that was a complete turn-off. Another one of my friends, Evil, a male friend, despised him for this, and in fact told me several times that he would lose all respect for me if I ever dated Gary. (He was also quite jealous of any guy who ever talked to me, even though he himself never made a move, but that’s another story for another time).

But Gary did ask me out. Several times. And I turned him down. Several times. He was just too cocky for me, and I wasn’t having it. He would say things like “You’ll go out with me, you’ll see”, which in turn would only convince me further that I would not. Eventually Gary moved on to another undergrad, and I didn’t see him as much after that. And I’d really completely forgotten about him until about 6 years ago, when BFF called me and said “You are never going to believe who is in People’s Most Eligible Bachelors this year…Mr. Vain”. WHAT? We had quite the laugh about it, saying that the only reason he was an eligible bachelor was because he was an insufferable bastard and no woman would want to put up with him. Then my friend Evil called, annoyed that “that bastard” was in People magazine. “That pompous ass walks around the city like he owns it, and he thinks he’s some movie star”. No love lost between Evil and Mr. Vain. After this mild interruption into my post-college life, I again never thought of him again. Until yesterday.

What can I tell you? I’m shocked, because one never expects to hear that somebody they knew is accused of rape and assault. Seriously, I can’t quite wrap my brain around it. Do I think he’s guilty? I have no idea. I haven’t seen him in at least ten years, so it would be really inappropriate for me to make any judgments here. I find it pretty damning evidence that there are three women with the exact same accusations, but then, that’s what trials, and investigations, and whatnot are for, right? I’m not, however, surprised that he would skip town while on probation to attend a football game in Miami, or that he would use the bible as a prop in court. If he hasn’t changed, or worse, if he’s allowed his success to get even further to his head, he’d think he was above the law. He always had a superiority complex, and I always thought he felt like the world owed him something. I mean, the guy hired a PR firm out of law school to…to what? To pimp himself out? It’s all very strange.

When I emailed a copy of the newspaper article to BFF, she emailed me back immediately saying “Thank God you never agreed to dating him”. When I told my mom the story (she remembered me talking about him in college), she said “Maybe you could have saved him if you’d gone out with him”. My mom, the eternal optimist (UPDATED to clarify...mom was joking). I can't wait to talk to Evil and get his reaction. I for one, think I dodged a bullet. Don’t you?

All The Boys - Teaser

I hate to do a teaser post (okay, no I don't), but there's a developing story here that you just MUST come back for. I'll try to get it up today, but I'm at work, and don't know if I'll get the time. Plus, I'm having a real hard time wrapping my brain around it, and composing a coherent post for you all.

But here's the teaser...come back to read about the bullet I dodged in college, that I just found out about. The guy I hadn't planned on telling you about...but now MUST.

Thursday Thirteen is below this post.

Thursday Thirteen #30

Eye Candy Time!!! I've previously given you my opinion of the 13 Sexiest Men in Music, and the 13 Sexiest Men in Movies. This week, I give you my picks for 13 of the Sexiest Men in Television.

I'll tell you right now, this one was much tougher to narrow down to 13 for me. I watch quite a bit of television, and hotties abound on the small screen. So, I might just call this Part 1, and focus on the guys on the shows I actually watch. Also, no reality t.v. here..strictly scripted television shows for this one. In no particular order:

1. Wentworth Miller - Michael Scoffield - Prison Break:

I actually found him a lot sexier in previous seasons, but he's still on my list of hotties.

2. Milo Ventimiglia - Peter - Heroes:

I first realized he was hot when he appeared in Fergie's Big Girls Don't Cry video, and this season? Whooo Peter's a hottie!

3. David Andrews - Kensei/Adam - Heroes

Holy crap, where did this guy come from? HOT!

And one more Heroes guy...there's an abundance really on that show:

4. Jimmy Jean-Louis - The Haitian - Heroes:

He's kind of the smooth, silent, sexy type.

5. David Boreanaz - Seely Booth - Bones:

Ah Angel, how I missed you so. What makes him even sexier, in my eyes, is that he's funny too. I love how quirky his character is, miles away from the gloom and doom of Angel.

6. Taye Diggs - Sam Bennett - Grey's Anatomy:

Really, I would watch pretty much any television show if Taye Diggs is in it. And after last night's episode? Sigh...

7. Will Yun Lee - Jae Huang - Bionic Woman:



There's just something very sexy about this man. I think it's the chiseled cheek bones.


8. Justin Chambers - Alex Karev - Grey's Anatomy:

Forget McDreamy (I really don't like him) or McSteamy...I'll take McAlex please! I just love him.

Although,

9. Eric Dane - McSteamy - Grey's Anatomy:

Yeah...I wouldn't exactly kick him out of bed...

10. David Conrad - Jim Gordon - Ghost Whisperer

I'm not entirely sure if it's the actor I find sexy, or just the character he plays...I mean, man, that's the kind of husband I want...the stuff he does for his Ghost Whispering wife! Sheesh!

11. Scott Elrod - Cash - Men in Trees:



Marin's all hung up on Jack and she's got THIS GUY walking around naked in her house...uh, hello??

12. Donnie Wahlberg - Horst Cali - The Kill Point:

I'm sort of cheating a little bit on this one, because the Kill Point was a miniseries on Spike TV, that may or may not come back...so technically Donnie is not currently ON tv...but...it's Donnie...I had to get him on ONE of these lists, because I have a special place in my heart for him.

13. Skeet Ulrich - Jake Green - Jericho:



Whatever...I always thought he was cute, and now he's all grown up, and kind of sexy. So sue me.

So, as before, these are just my opinion, and just from the shows I watch regularly. Give me yours...who did I miss?

Banner for TT created with an image I pilfered off Men's Health Magazine

Seriously? - To censor or not to censor

That, is the question I pose to you today, my friends.

Wordless Wednesday is below this post, by the way.

But, moving on...When I listen to my car radio, I flip radio stations around a lot, so I never even know what station I'm listening to, until something catches my attention. Well, driving in this morning one of my currently favorite songs came on the radio. "Rockstar" by Nickelback. If you are unfamiliar with the song, here's the "uncensored" version of the video here:




So, here's the thing. Listening to it on the radio this morning, the word "drugs" or "drug" were edited out of the song. So was the word "asshole" but okay, I get that one. But I'm curious about the choice to edit the word drugs/drug out, when the context of the song first of all makes it obvious what it is that they're talking about, and second, isn't so much glorifying the drugs as it is making fun of the whole "Rockstar" image. Or maybe I'm wrong in my perception of the song. I know the first time I hear it, I loved it for it's implied irony, but I can see how it could be taken literally as well. Still, when did the word "drugs" become an obscene word that needed to be "bleeped" out, in a song that contains lyrics such as "we'll all stay skinny cuz we just won't eat" and "join the mile high club at thirty seven thousand feet". Never mind that the words "gonna pop my pills from a pez dispenser" were left intact. Where do we draw the line? This from the same radio station that plays "U + Ur Hand" by Pink. I'm just saying.

It's not that I'm advocating drug use, or songs that promote it (although, I'm still not sure that's what this song is doing), but I'm just curious why the choice was made to censor those particular words in this particular song. I've actually heard this song censored on other radio stations as well, one of which also plays songs such as Pink's or other even more explicit lyrics. But when the lyrics are sexual in nature, for some reason, the censorship doesn't seem as important. In fact, I've heard conversations by the D.J.s on both these radio stations that are a whole lot more offensive than the lyrics to the Nickelback song. So, why this choice to censor?

I'm just curious to hear from others if you've noticed the same thing with this, or any other songs on your local radio stations? I'm pretty sure MTV also censors the video, but since I can't remember the last time I actually saw a music video on MTV, don't quote me on that. But the images? Such as the one of the girl in the bathtub? NOT censored.

So, take a look at the lyrics below, in red are the words omitted from the censored version, and then, let me know what you think. I will be back to check comments throughout the day, because I want in on this discussion, so come back and see what people have to say if you're curious:

"Rockstar"
I'm through with standing in line
To clubs we'll never get in
It's like the bottom of the ninth
And I'm never gonna win
This life hasn't turned out
Quite the way I want it to be
(Tell me what you want)
I want a brand new house
On an episode of Cribs
And a bathroom I can play baseball in
And a king size tub big enough
For ten plus me
(So what you need?)
I'll need a credit card that's got no limit
And a big black jet with a bedroom in it
Gonna join the mile high club
At thirty-seven thousand feet
(Been there, done that)
I want a new tour bus full of old guitars
My own star on Hollywood Boulevard
Somewhere between Cher andJames Dean is fine for me
(So how you gonna do it?)
I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name
[Chorus:]
'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
And live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
With her bleach blond hair
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
I wanna be great like Elvis without the tassels
Hire eight body guards that love to beat up assholes
Sign a couple autographs
So I can eat my meals for free
(I'll have the quesadilla, on the house)
I'm gonna dress my ass
With the latest fashion
Get a front door key to the Playboy mansion
Gonna date a centerfold that loves to
Blow my money for me
(So how you gonna do it?)
I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name
[Chorus]
And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary and today's who's who
They'll get you anything with that evil smile
Everybody's got a drug dealer on speed dial
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
I'm gonna sing those songs
That offend the censors (Karina's Note - Ironic?)
Gonna pop my pills from a pez dispenser
I'll get washed-up singers writing all my songs
Lip sync em every night so I don't get 'em wrong
[Chorus]
And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary and today's who's who
They'll get you anything with that evil smile
Everybody's got a drug dealer on speed dial
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

Discuss.

Wordless Wednesday - Wine with Attitude

See more Wordless Wednesdays here.

All the Boys - More on Cognac

I had all these plans to go home last night and do some serious writing. I was going to work on my NaNovel, and I was going to compose my Tuesday post, where I would tell you a little more about Cognac. The thing is, my memory really sucks. It always has, I have a really hard time with dates, and time frames. I remember the most minute details and occurences, but I don't remember specific times and dates, I think I have a hard time because there's always so much going on in my mind that things get jumbled in there. But I'm digressing. Because of my sucky memory, I couldn't figure out exactly when it was that Cognac and I first started dating, so I came home to look for a picture of him I have, knowing that I'd written the dates of our relationship on the back of it (I told you, I remember minute details, and I remembered where this photo was, and that the dates were on the back of it, even though I haven't seen the photo in probably 4 years). What I didn't remember, however, was that in that box where the photo was, where I keep things like birthday cards from special people, Christmas cards, photos of certain exes, emails from others, those sorts of things, that I just can't quite part with yet, well, in that box I also found my journals. I found at least 10 of them. From as far back as elementary school, all the way through 2002. And among those journals were the ones I kept during my relationship with Cognac. Starting, in fact, with the week after I met Cognac.

So, I plopped myself down on my couch and set to reading. Two hours later, and I'd read the entire contents of my relationship with Cognac, beginning to end. I laughed, I remembered things I'd forgotten, I'm happy to say I didn't cry, but there were bittersweet moments in it all. What I didn't do, however, was write. I haven't touched my NaNovel since Sunday night. I'm still WAY behind on word count, but I'm hitting a bit of writer's block with it. I stare at the screen and can't find words to fill it. So I decided to stop trying and get back to Cognac.

I first introduced you to Cognac in this post, where I told you all about how we met. I'll give you a moment to go back and read that story now if you haven't yet, if you're so inclined. Go a head...I'll wait...

Okay, done? Well then, let's continue then, shall we?

Just a little visual aid for you all. As I mentioned before, when I was dating Cognac, I would often be told he looked like Tyson Beckford...the model in the above photo. He sort of did. He might have actually been better looking than him, but then, I was biased.

When I met Cognac, I was in the midst of a self-discovery of sorts. I was fresh out of college, going to clubs on weekends with my girls, and had this on again off again thing with a guy who was away in the army. He was presently away on base, therefore, we were in the "off again" stage of things. When Cognac entered my life, I was pretty sure he wouldn't be around very long. After all, as I mentioned in my earlier post about him, he was gorgeous. Too gorgeous for little old me. I have always had self-esteem issues, and even when I was at the peak of my popularity with men, I was still unsure of my impact. Therefore, when this vision of a man showed an interest in me, I was pretty sure it wouldn't last. From my journal, word for word: "I'm having a hard time digesting this because he is BEAUTIFUL. Damn, I can't even begin to describe him. From those eyes, to that smile...he is FINE...(I'm afraid) he won't have a damn thing to do with me". And yet, he kept calling me. And the more we talked, the more I liked him, and the more I realized he was really into me. From the start Cognac made me feel beautiful, sexy, special. Cognac was cocky, secure in himself, and he was extremely mature for a 22 year old. While I was still living at home with my parents, and in fact, with them being as strict as they were, I still had a curfew at 22 (maybe we'll eloborate on that in a future post), he lived on his own, worked and went to school, and had serious plans for his future. He was intelligent, sweet, and the kind of man a young girl could totally fall for. And he wanted me. I fell fast, and I fell hard. But Cognac returned the love, he was very much in love with me as well, and he wasn't afraid to show it, to say it, to admit it.

Before Cognac, I thought I'd been in love once before, but that relationship was unhealthy, and hardly reciprocal. Again from my journal, when reflecting on the fact that I was falling in love with Cognac and comparing it to my prior relationship: "I don't know if what I felt with "Slick" really was love, but if it was, it was the wrong kind of love". when I started falling for Cognac, however, it was mutual, it was my first true love.

Cognac had the ability to make me feel like a million bucks. He could look at me with that look in his eyes, and I knew I was the most beautiful girl in the room to him. He was the first boyfriend I brought home to my family, the first to spend Thanksgiving with my family, the first man I ever dated that my mother trully liked. In fact, I used to joke that sometimes I thought she liked him more than me (not true). He was a charmer, everyone loved him, my family, my friends, my coworkers, complete strangers.

And yet, somewhere along the way, he stopped charming me.

As I mentioned above, Cognac was driven, determined to make something of himself. He used to tell me he'd be a millionaire by the time he was 30. In order to achieve this goal, he was always getting involved in money making schemes. The problem was he worked a bit to hard. He became a workaholic, and toward the end of our relationship, we'd go weeks without seeing each other. He just wouldn't make the time for me, and I was obviously not happy about it. But there was more.

There was something else, something that even to this day I can't fully explain. With Cognac, I lost a part of me. I was with a confident and gorgeous man, who thought I was beautiful and intelligent. But with him, I was a low resolution version of myself. I don't really know how else to explain it. He didn't do it on purpose, but it's as if his light shone so bright that by comparison, it dimmed mine. I've always been bubbly, talkative, confident, and sure of myself. But with him, I was insecure, quiet, and unhappy. Even my friends would later tell me that I'd disappeared a bit while I was with him. Again from the journal, later on, after our break-up, when reflecting back on a conversation with Cognac: "He's right, I'm never goofy or hyper around him, I'm too serious...I want to be carefree, fun...I'm self-conscious with Cognac...I can't do that anymore".

We broke up less than a year after we started dating. Cognac would continue to call me long after the break-up, and we would in fact re-connect and try again years later. But I'll tell you all about Take-Two another time.

From our first time around, however, I gained much. As much as I dimmed while with him, the fact that someone as confident (cocky) and good looking as him had been so much into me, boosted my confidence by leaps and bounds. When we broke up, I had gained so much confidence around men. I'd gotten his attention, I could do anything. I also learned how to be loved. As stated, I'd been in an unhealthy (at best) relationship prior to Cognac, and he provided me with something I'd never had before, a relationship that was reciprocal. At least for a while.

Once Cognac and I broke up, I went through a phase of short term, fun, and kind of surreal relationships. Oh, the stories I have. As I read through my journals, I laugh at the names and stories I'd completely forgotten. And yes, I'll share...another time.

Ya'll come back now you hear?

Fun Monday - Mother May I?

Fun Monday this week is being hosted by Hootin' Anni. She's all about games this week, so here's the assignment:

Start at your computer and take 30 GIANT STEPS - IN ANY direction. You may have to make a few turns and pivots so you won't run into any walls or such...don't want any injuries today! WARNING: Avoid any obstacles in the way- if there's a door...open it & continue, if there is a wall...pivot AROUND it. You may end up outdoors! Or perhaps if a small apartment....down the hallway....who knows?!! :::thinking::: "Oh gawd, if there's a pool at the end of your thirty steps, I sure as H E double L hope you can swim!!!!"After the 30 giant steps, Stop!TAKE A PHOTO AND/OR NOTE WHAT YOU'RE SEEING!!Then, take 15 baby steps back.After the 15 baby steps, Stop!TAKE A PHOTO AND/OR NOTE WHAT YOU'RE SEEINGLOOK in any direction -to your right, left, up [more than likely, not down ---that'd be your feet!!]. What you see is what we get!!Stop!It's all about your first glance after the giant/baby steps!!! [You will have two photos/stories for us- the 30 giant steps then, the 15 baby steps going back]Don't forget---ask "Mother may I"!!
So, here's my disclaimer...I live in a condo complex...with lots of neighbors. Because I live in a condo complex...with lots of neighbors, taking 30 giant steps outside and stopping to take pictures, then taking 15 baby steps and repeating the same...without being seen by at least one of my neighbors is unlikely. And when I attempted to sneak some pictures today, I found my crazy neighbor who has a crush on me, standing outside in his pajamas smoking a cigarrette...I ran inside as quickly as possible, and decided to go with plan b.

But, my condo is 850 square feet. Don't feel badly for me, I love my condo, it's my home, and I'm perfectly happy in my little 850 square feet. Also, whoever designed this place was a master at space planning, because most of my rooms are larger than average. Therefore, it's not the size that counts, right? But, why am I telling you all this? Because taking 30 giant steps had me basically walking in circles around my apartment. I should have gotten it on video, it would have been a truly Fun Monday for all of you then. I started on my couch, where my laptop computer resides pretty much everyday, unless I have company. I took a right, then another right into my hallway, a left into my bedroom, looped around the bed, back out of the bedroom, down the hall, into my office, and wound up here:


One of two maps I have hanging on the wall of my office. This one, of the world. A slight turn to my right, and I have this:
A map of the U.S. Also visible, a graduation cap from high school, along with my picture receiving my diploma. And that mess in the corner...the beginnings of my desk.
This desk:
Now that you've had a bit of a tour of my office, let's take 15 babysteps back:
Afraid there's not much to see here. This is the view from the door of my office, into my hallway. Hey, I have a carbon monoxide detector. Since there's really nothing to see here I decided to show you the view down...my new boots:

(I posted a better picture of my boots here yesterday, if you're interested).

And there you have it. Make sure to go to Hootin' Anni's to check out other participants, and Karisma is hosting next week...head on over to sign up and see what she has in store for us.

Sunday Shoes

Busy busy today. Had lunch with my parents, my cousin M&M, her boyfriend and daughter, and my uncle and aunt at the local Portuguese function hall. A lunch to raise money for the youth group that is trying to travel to Australia sometime next year to visit the Pope at some youth conference. It was nice to get together with the whole family, we don't do that nearly enough. Plus it was for a good cause.

Am working on trying to get my NaNoWriMo novel caught up, since last week was a major set back for me in terms of word count.

Also working on some other minor projects I've got to get on, so it's busy busy over here.

Therefore, today, I give you a peak into my shoe closet...my brand new boots:

You know you're jealous!

Observations

In my next life, I want to be Samantha Brown.

I discovered (okay, actually Tivo discovered) Samantha Brown: Passport to Europe a few years ago. Since then I have watched every episode of that show. This year, I found out about Passport ot Latin America. As someone who was bit by the travel bug several years ago, I eat up travel shoes like they're sustenance. I love to see faraway places, hear about unique cuisines, and dream about places one I day I'll travel to. In my opinion Samanth Brown has one of the greatest jobs ever. Her job is to travel the world, experience the local cuisines, the local tourist attractions, and the behind the scenes stuff that only someone with connections can get to. I watch every episode, and at the end of every episode I repeat the above. In my next life, I want to be Samantha Brown. I'm just saying.

I've recently told you that I got a new cell phone, a Fusic by LG. I love this phone. It has all sorts of features, from being an MP3 player, FM transmitter, to having GPS, to a camera, to all sorts of things. I love gadgets, so I love my phone. But I picked this phone, plain and simple, because out of the phones I could get with the features I wanted, this one was free. Sweet, right? I'd never even heard of this phone until I got it, but since then, I've found out that several people have the same phone, including our fearless SheWhoBlogs leader, Frances. But, you know you've really arrived when your cell phone is on Ugly Betty. This week, Betty's nephew Justin was following the big wedding on television via his cell phone. His phone? The Fusic. Yeah, I'm cool like that. hahaha

Let's talk about turn signals...blinkers as we call them here in New England. The other extinct species. Folks, here's my public service announcement. When car manufacturers made your car, whether you're driving a lexus or a hooptie, they installed these quirky things they call turn signals. It's really a genius invention. When you are planning on taking a turn, you flick a little wand, and the lights flash on and off. This way, drivers on the road with you, know that you are going to be taking a turn. Simple? Very. In fact, they even put that little wand right on the steering wheel, so you don't even have to reach for it...it's RIGHT THERE. Using this little switch, you alert other drivers as to why exactly it is that you are coming to a dead stop in the middle of a perfectly good street. You leave no questions as to why you suddenly slammed on your breaks and just stopped. Why must such a simple thing seem so complicated? DOES NOONE use blinkers around here? Good grief. Yesterday on my way to work I got caught behind no less than FOUR drivers who just didn't realize what those little wands on their steering wheels were for. I'm just here to educate people...it's called a turn signal...use it.

That's all. I'm done. I've got a novel to write. Have a good weekend everyone.

Follow-Up Friday - What a week

Well, I know last week I said I was thinking of maybe not doing follow-up Friday anymore, but the truth is, I like how it ties my week up all nice in a bow, so I'm going to keep doing it...It just may mutate a bit.

Anyway, onto the recap of the week. Since we're in the middle of NaBloPoMo and I'm actually posting on weekends now, let's start with Saturday. On Saturday I posted some pictures of an amazing sunset I was lucky enough to capture on my way home from work on Friday. Thank you everyone for your kind comments on my photos, but really, I just took the pictures, the sunset was the real artwork. If you missed them, please click on the link above and check them out, I promise you, you won't regret, it was certainly the most beautiful sunset I've seen in ages.

Sunday I posted my results to the "Classic Movie Quiz". Curious? Check it out, what movie are you?

Fun Monday this week was all about Holiday Traditions. I had lots of fun traipsing around checking out everyone's traditions, and also digging back into my childhood memories for this one. In my comments, I was surprised to learn that a lot of you also do the "One gift at a time" thing. It's definitely one of my favorite things about Christmas, because it becomes more about seeing everyone's reactions then about what you receive, and that is so special.

Tuesday I teased you all with promises of stories of my past loves. In response to my question about whether I had missed my chance at love, because I felt I've already met, and broken up with, my soulmate, Sognatrice posted this quote in the comments section: "People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave." This is from Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" and I couldn't agree more.

I also couldn't agree more. I know I commented on wondering whether I'd used up all my "loves" but honestly, I don't really believe that. And as far as soulmates go, the above quote pretty much mirrors what I have always believed. I'll introduce you all to The Soulmate in a future post, but when I do, you will see just how much he fits the description above. The person who tears down your walls and smacks you awake. But could I have stayed with him forever? Probably not...obviously not, or we'd still be together. A long time ago I watched the movie "How to Make an American Quilt". In it, one of the characters talks about how she met her soulmate one afternoon in France. She never even learned his name, and he was married to someone else, but she knew he was her soulmate. For some reason, that completely resonated with me, and I've always remembered it. It's the thought that you can meet your soulmate, but that does not necessarily mean you'll end up with him. But that isn't exactly a terrible thing either, it just is. The quote Sognatrice posted, seemed to restate exactly that.

In my Wordless Wednesday I introduced you to my brother's new puppy Diamond. I'm so in love with this little pup. I was over there last night and she was just all cute, and cuddly, and giving me kisses. She's a gem. There will lots more stories and pictures to come, I'm a proud auntie after all.

Then there came the big NaNoWriMo meltdown. But, I've already addressed this in my Thursday Thirteen, so I'm just going to again say Thank You to everyone who offered help, suggestions, support, or just commiserated with me. Thank you! Due to the meltdown, I am now WAY behind on my word count for the novel, but I've recovered what I thought I'd lost, so I'm okay with that. I'll just spend some serious time this weekend, and check back with me on Monday, I'm hoping to report a higher wordcount. Also, I've been asked if I'd be sharing excerpts, and I will be. I was actually getting ready to share some stuff right before the big "crash", so stay tuned, I'll have something up next week.

TGIF! Happy travels throughout the blogospere!

Thursday Thirteen #29

The last 48 hours have been a bit of a an emotional roller coaster ride for me. If you saw my "NaNoWriMo Meltdown" post yesterday, then you can imagine why. I actually had an entirely different Thursday Thirteen planned for today, but then something incredible happened...I SAVED IT. I saved my novel. I've recovered my work in progress. After all was said and done, I only lost about an hour's worth of work...about 1000 words or so. It cost me a night of sleep, and countless hours trying to recover my lost file, but how sweet it is...they're safe, my characters are safe and tucked away in their beds, waiting for me to wake them up and put them back to work. If you're wondering how I saved them, I did some serious online searching (hours and hours) and finally found a program that was able to recover an earlier version of my file, which I had saved over with the corrupt file. I couldn't afford to buy the software, so using only their free demo version I was able to locate it and so, I still have to retype everything because I didn't buy it, but at least the work is not forever lost, I have access to it.

Anyway, all this leads me to this week's TT topic. I've learned a few things in the last 48 hours, here are 13 of them:

1. I learned - NEVER, EVER to save your blood, sweat and tears on a removable USB drive alone. Have a backup...in fact, have two or three or four. ALWAYS.

2. I learned - When you suffer a document crash of momentous porportions, it is imperative that you try all avenues before you quit trying to recover it, because, hey, something might just work.

3. I learned - However, that it is also important to be able to keep a perspective on it, and to step away from it, so you don't drive yourself insane. On this note, I must tell you, I managed to make it through the day without having a complete meltdown, and in fact, was even able to laugh about it...sort of. In that, laugh so you don't cry sort of way.

4. I learned - that you really can find EVERYTHING on the internet. Seriously, there is information on just about anything you could possibly need. It took some digging, but I was able to find the information I needed to recover my document. I also found a great crock-pot rib recipe which I'm planning on making this week. I'm just saying, you can find anything.

5. I learned - that my fellow SheWhoBloggers are fast becoming incredible friends that I can count on in my moments of panic. As it was quite late when the 'crash' happened last night, I sent a quick "I'm freaking out" post to our yahoo group, knowing some of them are also doing NaNoWriMo and would therefore sympathize, and went to bed (not to sleep, however, but instead to toss and turn all night long trying to figure out a solution). Throughout the day, I received all sorts of support from them. Thank you ladies, specifically, but not exclusively, thanks to: Frances, Sognatrice, Joy T and Qualcosa Di Bello. I knew as I was writing that post to the group last night that I was just looking for encouragement and support from fellow writers. Your words were just what I needed.

6. I learned - that bloggers are some of the most generous and amazing and encouraging people in the world. The comments I received to my post about the "crisis" were equally amazing and encouraging and mind blowing. I have no words to express the gratitude I feel for each of you who offered either advice, words of encouragement, or both. So, to Beckie, Lissa, Frigga, Julia, Lil Mouse(Jill) and Robin, THANK YOU. Really, thank you. If you have a moment, please check out the comments to this post so you can see just how amazing these bloggers are.

7. I learned - that the generosity, goodness, and overall awesomness of bloggers does not stop at the bloggers alone, but extends to their families as well. I will admit that I actually got a bit misty eyed when I read Lil Mouse(Jill)'s comment. Her husband Matthew offered to try and fix my problem for me. A complete stranger, who doesn't know me from adam, offered to spend his time to try and fix my problem. Seriously, how amazing is that? Jill, please tell your husband I said THANK YOU so very much. I really do appreciate his offer, and would probably have taken him up on it if I hadn't been able to fix it.

8. I learned - that my mother takes my writing quite seriously. I've always known that she thinks I'm a great writer, and supports my love of words, but when I told her of my loss, she was genuinely upset for me in a way that only somebody who supports my dream could be. That feels really great.

9. I learned - that when I tell people I'm working on a novel, they believe me and don't question it. It's made me realize that this isn't just a pipe dream, but something that I really should dedicate my time to, because others seem to think it's pretty great that I'm doing it, so I should be proud that I am and stop treating it as a "hobby". It is a passion, and one that could eventually even become a profession, and it is okay for me to believe that.

10. I learned - that not even a complete loss would have kept me from finishing the NaNoWriMo challenge. I'm commited to it, and I will work night and day to complete the challenge. Before I knew whether or not I'd be able to recover the novel, I had already decided I was going to start at square one, and just keep plugging away.

11. I learned - that I am absolutely and completely commited to my characters in this novel. They have haunted me for over a decade, since I first created and then abandoned them, and now that I have reawakened them, they live larger than life. I wake up thinking of them, and go to bed thinking of them. And when I thought I lost them yesterday, they wouldn't let me give up on them. I spent the day thinking of where to take them next, and know now that I will not rest until I've given them their voices.

12. I learned - that I am a writer. In recent years I haven't written much, and began to wonder if writing was still as much a part of me as it used to be. With this blog, and NaNoWriMo, I've started to realize that I do still love to write. But it was today, while trying to fix this whole mess that I realized what a huge part of me my writing is. I felt as if I'd lost a piece of me with this work. I was devastated, and heart broken. What a strange thing to feel such loss for mere words.

13. I learned - that I am blessed. Blessed with the ability to write words that mean something to me, and hopefully one day to others. Blessed with enough computer savy to dig around and fix this issue on my own. Blessed with family and friends who will listen to my panic, and offer their support. Blessed with an extended group of friends on the internet who do the same. Blessed with an outlet, on this blog to vent, freak out, and then, celebrate, and give thanks for my blessings. Blessed.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Now, let's get back to the writing, shall we?

Wordless Wednesday - NaNoWriMo Meltdown

My real Wordless Wednesday post is below this one, but the words "Wordless Wednesday" couldn't be more apropriate for the way I'm feeling today. I'm wordless at the calamity that befell me last night.

To sum it up, my NaNoWriMo Novel was moving right along. I was a bit behind where I should have been word count wise, but not so far behind that a serious writing session or two this week wouldn't have caught me up. In fact, after a session about an hour and a half long last night, I was reaching 6,500 words, and feeling pretty good about what I had so far.

Now, I'm no fool, so as I write, I save constantly. And because I've been trying to sneak some writing in during my lunch hour at work, my novel is contained on a protable USB drive thingy (yeah, I'm technical). Or it was. Because I have no idea what the hell happened last night, but as I hit save for the last time in the evening, I received an error message, and before I could even do anything, my Novel in Progress went all wonky, and I was left with something that looks a bit like this:

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UM, yeah...I then spent the next hour trying to recover my work, to no avail. I went to bed WAY too late last night and I have NOTHING to show for it. Today I am exhausted, devastaded and completely discouraged. I had some really good stuff written, and I'm not sure I can bring it back. I'm not sure I can recreate it...and I'm not sure I have the motivation to start all over again with NaNoWriMo...

So, here's where I ask for your help. If you have any idea what I can even call those wingding characters that replaced my novel, or any clues as to how I can try to recover what I lost, I'll take ALL help. Leave me a comment, send me an email, I'll be forever grateful. And if there is no help to come, then help motivate me not to quit, because I'm right about ready to throw in the towel, I'm so upset, but really, I'm no quitter...but...oh, I just can't focus enough to start over again. I feel like I murdered my characters just as they were beginning to bloom. Bringing them back from the dead is a task I'm not sure I can handle alone.

I'll fess up that I cried a little for them last night. And whether due to the devastation, or to the lack of sleep (or perhaps a combination of both), my nerves are fried today, and I'm in no mood for Whisper Wednesday...and yet, there they are, the Nazi and MIA, sitting and whispering, and chatting, and raising my blood pressure and oh, if I don't snap today it'll be a true testament to my self-control.

Okay, I now need to go concentrate on work and step away from the NaNoWriMo that never was...

Wordless Wednesday #23 - I'm an auntie (sort of)

Click here for more Wordless Wednesdays.

To all the boys I've loved before - The Intro

I've been promising stories of my past romantic escapades for a little while now, and I thought, what better time to share some of these tales than during the month of November, when I've got to come up with a new post everyday? So, as I consider whether or not I will start dating again, after a long break from that world, I can’t help but reflect on past relationships and experiences. Although I haven’t dated in quite a while, and feel completely out of touch with whatever dating is supposed to be nowadays, I have to admit that when I was younger, I dated a lot. I have stories and memories to fill books. At one point in my life not only did I have “it”, but I was overflowing with the confidence of how much of “it” I had. Getting a man’s attention, turning heads, collecting telephone numbers, and even having men profess their undying devotion to me, was something that just came sort of easily to me. Man, I had IT. I don’t know that I ever realized how good I had it, until now, when I most certainly no longer even have an idea of what “IT” is. Austin Powers called it his mojo, but whatever you want to call it, I want “it” back.

Now, before I go any further, I feel I should follow the above statement with a disclaimer or two. First of all, I was never cocky about “it”, I just had fun, never realizing how easy it was for me. Secondly, I flirted, dated, and experienced a lot, but for the record, I did not sleep around a lot. Not that there’s anything wrong with doing that, I just didn’t, and feel I should tell you that. Just so we’re clear. I’m professing my innocence here. I was a good girl. No, really, I was. So much so that sometimes I wonder if I shouldn’t have been a little wilder while I could have been. Ah well, hindsight and all that.

Anyway, as I traipse down memory lane, I know there are stories I really should tell you all about, because they’re too good to keep to myself. Those of you who enjoyed the “text-flirting with Lawboy” fiasco…well, then you’ll love some of my other stories. And really, why do I blog if not to amuse you?

But really, this is just something that for some reason, I feel I need to document. My loves, my losses. I sort of wish I’d been blogging all along, I’d love to be able to look back and see how I really felt during these times. I have some journal entries, and I have poetry, which awakens some of those feelings, but mostly, I have memories. I feel I’ve had some great love affairs. The kind they write about and turn into movies. Obviously, as I’m single, they weren’t movies with necessarily happy endings, but neither was the greatest love story of all time…Romeo and Juliet didn’t ride off into the sunset did they? I’m not claiming to have “the greatest love story of all time” here, but I’ve had some doozies.

Sometimes, when I think of the relationships I’ve had, and discuss with friends the ones they have, or have not had, I wonder if I’ve filled my quota? Have I met all of my great loves already? They say everyone has a soulmate, but I honestly believe I’ve already met mine, and it didn’t work out, so is that it for me? Did I love too much too soon, and use up all the resources set out for me? Or is there more? Most women I know have only had one great love. Did I get more than my share, and am I therefore no longer allowed any more? I’d like to think not. I’d like to think that there is one more, to top all others, out there for me. The one that will make me question all the rest. On that, only time will tell. But of my past loves? I have only fond memories, learned lessons, and bittersweet smiles reserved for them.

And I have blogging. So stay tuned, I’ll be sharing some of those stories in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, I leave you with the lyrics below. Replace the genders where appropriate, and the song couldn’t be more fitting.

To All the Girls I've Loved Before
by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson



To all the girls I've loved before
Who traveled in and out my door
I'm glad they came along
I dedicate this song
To all the girls I've loved before

To all the girls I once caressed
And may I say I've held the best
For helping me to grow
I owe a lot I know
To all the girls I've loved before

The winds of change are always blowing
And every time I try to stay
The winds of change continue blowing
And they just carry me away

To all the girls who shared my life
Who now are someone else's wives
I'm glad they came along
I dedicate this song
To all the girls I've loved before

To all the girls who cared for me
Who filled my nights with ecstasy
They live within my heart
I'll always be a part
Of all the girls I've loved before

Fun Monday - Holiday Traditions

Fun Monday this week is being hosted by Deb, The Humble Housewife. Here's what she asked us to share this time around:

I want to hear about or see a holiday tradition, recipe or event. It can be any holiday you like or that is special to your family. With Thanksgiving and the Winter holidays coming up, those would be especially apt, but anything that is special for your family is fine. If you have pictures - it's a bonus! Whether it's your Mom's famous stuffing recipe, going caroling on Christmas Eve, Diwali dances, or even the inevitability of Great Aunt Polly having one too many brandies and knocking over the Christmas tree - I want to hear about it!!!

I've got to admit that thinking about this assignment actually kind of bummed me out a bit. The reason for this is that holiday traditions were grand in my family for a very long time, but in recent years, they've mostly all fallen by the wayside. Instead of focusing on that, however, I'll just go back in time a bit and share with you some of the family traditions that were.

Christmas was always THE HOLIDAY for my family. After my grandparents were able to bring their three children and their families over to the U.S. from Portugal, Christmas was a huge family affair. Every year on Christmas Eve we would gather at my mom's parents' house for dinner. The group would normally consist of my parents, brother and I, my grandparents, my uncle and aunt, and two cousins, and my other aunt and two cousins. Then, every year, there would be an assortment of friends, boyfriends, some years in the beginning my father's mother as well (when she still lived with us), and other random relatives now and then. My grandmother had a mini Christmas tree upstairs in her house, and at some point, it became tradition that we would buy little gifts (tiny, cheap things) and hand those out before dinner. Then we would have dinner, which would usually consist of lots of conversation, lots of alcohol, and quite a bit of singing and even some dancing to Christmas carols and such. We would always wait until midnight (at some point, we began attending midnight mass as well) and then, after midnight (or upon returning from mass) Santa Claus (my uncle dressed as such) would show up to hand out gifts. My poor uncle would spend hours in that get-up, handing gifts out to the kids (us), mostly for the benefit of my brother, who at the time was still young enough to believe, but also, for the sake of tradition...Santa had to be there:

(This is Santa with my brother, who was probably 6 or 7 at this time?)

Our family has always given gifts to everyone, so adults gift to adults, kids gift to kids, adults gift to kids...you get the point...there is never a shortage of gifts, and the biggest tradition is that we open gifts ONE at a time, so that everyone can see what you are getting...therefore the actual gift opening is a process that takes hours, and is the favorite part for most of us. We enjoy watching others open their gifts sometimes more than we do opening our own.

In those times, Christmas Eve would open up into Christmas morning, and we'd be up all night first opening, and then playing with our many gifts. With bags loaded with our presents we'd stumble our way home in the wee hours of the morning. We'd sleep until noon, and return to grandma's sometime Christmas afternoon for leftovers.


It was a time for family, laughter, conversation, music, love and gift giving. I have only fond memories of my Christmases growing up.


When my grandmother died about 6 years ago, everything changed. Still, we've managed to hold on to the most treasured bits of our traditions.



(Mom's Christmas Tree)


We now gather at my mother's house. Most years, my uncle and aunt and cousin M&M with her family will join us. We've been lucky some years to have my cousin PM and her family, who now live across the country, join us as well.

(My cousin M&M's Daughter Brainiac, and my cousin PM's son, Handsome)


We also tend to have random misfits who join us each year, my brother's friends, Lil' K, other relatives, friends, etc. We still have a late dinner, and still wait until midnight to open gifts. We still open the gifts one by one, paying close attention to what each of us unwraps. We still have laughter, and love, and family. Christmas is still one of my favorite holidays...it's just less so than it used to be.


Perhaps when I have a family of my own, it'll once again become a tradition heavy holiday. But for now, my friends are also my family, and since buying my condo 4 years ago, I've created a new tradition of my own. Every year I have my own "Christmas Party" with my girlfriends. We potluck it, we exchange gifts (Yankee Swap style), and we talk, and drink, and laugh into the night. This has become one of my favorite traditions for the holiday.


(My Christmas tree the first few years in my place)

(My Christmas tree last year)

Thanksgiving is another holiday for which my family still gathers, but again, as with Christmas, some of the magic was lost with my grandmother's passing. It was much like a preparation for Christmas, with the dinner, and the singing, and the talking, all at Grandma's house. It is now held at my uncle and aunt's house, and we still do the dinner, and the talking, and have added game playing into the mix. Every year we now play some sort of board game, with my cousin M&M, Brainiac, and whoever happens to be around. I enjoy Thanksgiving very much, even though it is a much more lowkey holiday for us than it is for most.


The Fourth of July has also become a huge family tradition holiday for us. Not the holiday you normally think of when you think of family, is it? Yet, every year, my parent's host a major cook-out, and not only does the entire family show up, so do most of our friends and family. It is much of a free for all, so my friends, my brother's friends, my parents' friends, and even friends of friends, tend to make it a point to stop by. The Fourth has quickly become one of my favorite holidays.


As far as traditions go, my family is running low on them right now, but the ones we do have, we thoroughly enjoy and appreciate.


I can't wait to read all about your family traditions. Please be sure to visit Deb for the full list of participants!

Happy Monday everyone!!

Classic Movie Quiz

While bloghopping yesterday I came across this quizz on my friend Frigga's blog. Since I've never met a personality quizz I could resist (really, I'm a sucker for these things), I went ahead and took it, answering all 45 questions. My result:

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Hmmm...interesting! If you take the test, come back an tell me what movie you are.

When God Paints a Picture

After a long day at work yesterday, following an exceptionally long week, I couldn't wait to get home. Driving home hoping not to hit too much traffic, I looked up and saw this:


Needless to say, suddenly getting home quickly became less important. I had to sto somewhere and take some pictures. Finding a place to take clear shots of the sky in the middle of the city here though, is not easy. And the sun was setting quickly, I knew I didn't have much time.

Just a few seconds later, and we were reduced to this:

I got back in my car, and started heading home. While at a red light, I looked to my left and took one last shot out the car window:

God was painting last night. I think he created another masterpiece.

Follow-Up Friday - With Photos

I'm not sure I'm going to keep doing Follow-Up Fridays. Not because they haven't been great (because I've really enjoyed doing them and catching up on comments, etc.) but because it feels like a cop-out during NaBloPoMo to use a day to just post a follow-up on other days' posts. (did that make sense out here as much as it did in my head?)

Anyway, I'm going to make a real effort to reply to comments in the actual post they are left, and see how that works. I'm more likely to get a real conversation going if I reply on the same day you leave a comment anyway, aren't I? I'm also looking into e-mailing commenters with specific questions directly to answer their questions, as some bloggers have been doing with my comments, and I've found I really appreciate that effort and the "personal" response.

But I'm saying all this on the second day of NaBloPoMo and NaNoWriMo, so don't hold me to it! hahaha...

That said, this week you still get a Follow-Up Friday.

So, without further ado...

Monday was a FUN one indeed. I got to host Fun Monday, and I had SO MUCH FUN visiting everyone (and I do mean everyone, I visited you all) who participated. In response to my own entry, almost everyone wanted to know about this:




The lip balm holder on my keychain. Yep, I love it too. This was actually something my mom got as a freebie recently for doing a "Heart Walk" and she gave it to me (I believe she got two, and gave me one). It is my new favorite thing, because being as addicted as I am to chapstick, how much do I love having one right on my keys?? LOTS that's how much. I have no idea what I'll do if it ever breaks, because I have no idea where I could find another one. Maybe I should start researching now.


There were also quite a few comments about how light I travel, or how clean my purse must be. UH...okay, confession time, I DO NOT travel light, EVER and my purse is NOT clean...uh, pretty much EVER. But we were talking about security blankets and things we just NEVER leave the house without...we weren't talking about "all that other junk you carry in your purse, and move from purse to purse, but don't need, don't use, don't even look at and can't even remember is in there", right? Right. So, uh...yeah...


OH, one more thing...thanks for the compliments on my new cell phone, I do love it...but I have to add that it also has three other faceplates that I can change, so the phone can also be green and white (a really cool lime green color), black and white (which looks really sleek) and blue and white (as in a patriotic looking blue). And yes, I do change it according to my outfits...I'm quirky like that.


And as to whether I actually use all the "bells and whistles"...I intend to. I've only had the phone a few weeks, so I'm still learning how to use some of it, and I need to buy a bigger memory card for it, but I do plan on using the MP3 Player portion of it, as well as the GPS (I just have to sign up for the plan that comes with GPS, which I have not yet done). I love gadgets!


On Tuesday I asked for your help in asking me questions, so I can work on answering them throughout the month...some fodder to get me through NaBloPoMo. You did NOT disappoint. There are some great questions there, and I do plan on answering them all...I can't wait to dig into some of them...boy are you all a creative bunch! I'm still taking questions too...ask away!


My Wordless Wednesday was a collection of photos taken of little "critters" around my house Saturday night. I had my little "Halloween" party then, and even though it wasn't much of a party, I went a little nuts buying decorations. I love Halloween, and don't really get to celebrate it now that I'm an adult and don't have kids of my own, so I really enjoyed dressing up the house. Here are some more pictures from that night:

Some of the goodies on the table (if you look closely, in the left hand corner you can see my phone, with the black faceplate on).

Some Witch's Brew and a little Vampire wine.
What's Witch's Brew you ask? Well, here's how I made mine:

1 cup lemon aid
¼ cup orange juice
Juice of half a lime or 1 tablespoon of concentrated lime juice.
2 cups apple juice or non alcoholic apple cider
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon non alcoholic rum flavour
Combine all ingredients. If they like it hot just heat it up and use a cinnamon sticks to stir it with. If they would prefer a punch, chill it and add orange slices.
For adults: add rum.
(I quadrupled the recipe to have enough for everyone at the party, and as far as how much rum to add...I put in about a cup...give or take). I did not heat it up, I used the orange slices. It was yummy and tasted like home made apple pie.

I think I've mentioned before that because I am single, my parties are usually "girls' nights"...I figure if I don't have a significant other, then I don't want my friends cuddling up with their significant others at my parties either. HEY, it's my party, I get to decide! ;-) Anyway, here are the girls:

From left to right we have: New Mom with her daughter Strawberry (she had a little hat too, but it was hot in my apartment that night), Double D, Fred, Shoppaholic, Me (and yes, those are ears I'm wearing), Kitty, Candid Momma (that's my mommy, who stopped by for a little while), and my cousin M&M (who was the only one who came in costume, as a piratess). Yes, there is a mirror on the table in front of us, the party started off as a jewelry party, and then moved onto the gabbing and drinking fun.

Here's a close-up of Strawberry. How cute is she?

Moving on:

Yesterday I just kind of rambled on a bit in my Thursday Thirteen about why I'm doing both NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo...but your comments were both funny and encouraging. THanks! And yes, I will be posting excerps of my novel as I go along...although I think I'll post them at my other blog Creative Karina...but I'll let you all know when I do.

So, that's the week wrap-up...onto other things...

Thursday Thirteen #28

WELL, here it is...November 1st. The first day of this month means the first day of National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) AND National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). And I signed up for both. What was I thinking, you ask? Well, I'll tell you. Here are 13 reasons I decided to do both NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo:

1. I'm out of my freakin' mind. No seriously, I have to be crazy to commit not only to posting every single day in November, but then adding writing a 50,000 word novel to the mix, right? (and we've already, in previous posts, discussed my full time job, my social life, my house which needs to be cleaned and maintained, my friends, my family...uh, yeah, you get it).

2. It was a challenge similar to NaBloPoMo that started me off on this blog. I'd created it prior to that challenge, but I posted sporadically at best. Then, one day, I was reading another blog (wilwheaton.net if you're interested) and he mentioned the 30 posts in 30 days challenge that another blogger friend of his was doing. I decided to join in. And I did it. And then I was addicted. When I heard about NaBloPoMo this year, I knew I'd have to jump in.

3. In the past several months I've met the most incredible people through blogging. It has opened up a whole new world for me, which allows me to express myself, and connects me to other people who need to write in order to survive. I figure through NaBloPoMo I'll get to meet even more, and they'll get to meet me. On that vein, I've asked readers to ask me questions that they want answered during the month, and boy, they've come up with some GREAT questions that I can't wait to answer. I'm still taking questions...have one? Leave it in comments.

4. My fellow SheWhoBloggers are all (well most) jumping in on one or the other bandwagon (or for the truly certifiable ones like me, on both bandwagons). I don't like to think of myself as a follower, but if my friends were doing it, I wanted to be part of the fun too.

5. I wanted to do NaNoWriMo last year, but was too chicken to try it. Plus I didn't really know anyone else who was doing it, so I didn't have the motivation to try. This year, I have blog buddies to do it with...wether it's a "misery loves company" thing, or a "solidarity" thing...it made it easier to sign up this time around.

6. For the past few years I've felt as if I could no longer call myself a writer. I got so caught up in day to day life that I would go months without writing anything creative. Blogging has changed that for me, but I still don't dedicate enough time to my fiction writing. I figured NaNoWriMo would force me to set that time aside at least for this month.

7. Plus, if I actually manage to complete the challenge, I'll have written a novel and then I can feel really great about calling myself a writer.

8. The weather turns colder in November, and I tend to nest a bit. I love coming home after work, pouring myself a glass of wine, and sitting inside where it's warm and cozy. Writing is just a nice addition to that "nesting feeling".

9. I tend to live my life in an "all or nothing" kind of way. What I mean by that is I'll go through stages that I'll call self-indulgent. These are times when I'm allowing myself to just sit back and let life sort of happen around me, while I just watch, I participate, but I don't necessarily jump in with great conviction. I choose mostly to be a spectator, enjoying what I see. But then, I have those other times. The times when I decide to jump in head first and get active. At those times, I'm on fire with ideas and activities and goals and aspirations....this is one of those times.

10. I love pushing myself to do things that seem impossible. I've always thrived on doing the impossible, or the improbable, or just doing what others think is can't be done. I get a rush out of being the one who can do those things. Doing NaNoWriMo, NaBloPoMo and keeping up with the rest of my life seems pretty out there...I've been told I won't be able to do it, and there's a part of me that thinks I probably won't be able to do it. But of course, that just means that I will push myself to do it every step of the way.

11. My novel for NaNoWriMo is growing from something I wrote almost a decade ago and then set aside, never to touch it again. These characters have been dancing around in my head for all that time, asking to be let out, to be given a chance to show me who they are and what they can do. I have a vague memory of who they are, but they are like distant friends that I never really got to know. I can't wait to get acquainted with them in depth.

12. When I started this blog, I had several ideas as to where I wanted it to go, the things I wanted to say, the stories I wanted to share. Because there was noone reading my blog at that time, I started joining memes (such as this one) and doing other things, in order to meet other bloggers and find my place in the blogosphere. I'm hoping with NaBloPoMo I can get back to writing some more of the stuff I had intended to write in the beginning. Although, I'll keep doing TT's, because I really enjoy them.

13. Did I mention I'm certifiably insane? Seriously...what he hell was I thinking?










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