My random thoughts and perceptions on the world

2006-07-21T09:22:00.000-05:00

The Voice Within

I just think this is an uplifting song.

My Values

2006-03-11T17:03:00.000-05:00

Your Values Profile

Loyalty:

You value loyalty a fair amount.
You're loyal to your friends... to a point.
But if they cross you, you will reconsider your loyalties.
Staying true to others is important to you, but you also stay true to yourself.

Honesty:

You value honesty a fair amount.
You're honest when you can be, but you aren't a stickler for it.
If a little white lie will make a situation more comfortable, you'll go for it.
In the end, you mostly care about "situational integrity."

Generosity:

You value generosity highly.
So much so that you often put your own needs last.
There's nothing wrong with having a caring heart...
But you may want to rethink your "open wallet" policy.

Humility:

You value humility highly.
You have the self-confidence to be happy with who you are.
And you don't need to seek praise to make yourself feel better.
You're very modest, and you're keep the drama factor low.

Tolerance:

You value tolerance highly.
Not only do you enjoy the company of those very different from you...
You do all that you can to seek it out interesting and unique friends.
You think there are many truths in life, and you're open to many of them.

The Five Factor Values Test

I thought this was kinda funny

2006-02-28T10:56:00.000-05:00

I thought this was kinda funny, so I figured I'd post it.

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes...(You MUST read them out loud)

1) That's not right ....................... Sum Ting Wong
2) Are you harboring a fugitive?............. Hu Yu Hai Ding
3) See me ASAP................................ Kum Hia Nao
4) Stupid Man ........................... Dum Fuk
5) Small Horse ......................... Tai Ni Po Ni
6) Did you go to the beach? ............ Wai Yu So Tan
7) I bumped into a coffee table ........ Ai Bang Mai Fa Kin Ni
8) I think you need a face lift ........... Chin Tu Fat
9) It's very dark in here ................. Wao So Dim
10) I thought you were on a diet ........... Wai Yu Mun Ching
11) This is a tow away zone ................ No Pah King
12) Our meeting is scheduled for next week ... Wai Yu Kum Nao
13) Staying out of sight ................ Lei Ying Lo
14) He's cleaning his automobile .......... Wa Shing Ka
15) Your body odor is offensive ........... Yu Stin Ki Pu
16) Great .................................. Fa Kin Su Pah

In Memory

2006-01-31T09:55:00.000-05:00

In Memory...

MRS. CORETTA SCOTT KING

April 27, 1927 - Janurary 31, 2006

Bible Study

2005-12-12T10:24:00.000-05:00

Lately I have once again become increaslingly frustrated and utterly dismayed by the way in which some individuals try to use the bible to condem other individuals (especially those evil homosexuals!). Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion; my only request is that if you're going to follow the bible by the letter, then you need to follow the ENTIRE Bible by the letter.

With that being said, I have a few questions for all of my religious zealots out there.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not to Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states that he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that, even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there "degrees" of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev. 24:10-16)? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws (Lev. 20:14)?

For those of you who think that these are just outdated principles that shouldn't be followed, feel free to express this same sentiment the next time you hear one of our lovely right-wing whackos decrying that some group is going to burn in hell for being an abomination/sinners.

Exit to Eden

2005-12-09T09:07:00.000-05:00

Adventurous
55 Reserved, 69 Kinky

Sex is more than just physical. It is one of the ways to build an
emotional bond between two people. Sex gives adults the opportunity to
act like children again. You know trying new things can be fun although
there are still some things that scare you.

My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 91% on Reserved
You scored higher than 7% on Kinky

Link: The Monogamous Kinky Lovers' Test written by nikki1970 on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

These hazel Eyes...

2005-11-27T01:43:00.000-05:00

Your Eyes Should Be Hazel

Your eyes reflect: Intellect and sensuality

What's hidden behind your eyes: Subtle manipulation

What Color Should Your Eyes Be?

For all my Peeps in Hot-Lanta...

2005-11-11T09:13:00.000-05:00

I found this online and I couldn't help but post it....so true!

Homecoming

2005-11-07T12:35:00.000-05:00

So, This past weekend was homecoming here at good Ole CU. It was also my friend LBG's birthday. So, the whole crew came up from Hot-Lanta to celebrate the two momentous occasions. Even Yorkie-Poodle came up for his first visit to Tiger Town.

The weekend was actually really fun. We all went down to TD's when they got into town and had a few dirnks, and a celebratory shot at Midnight to ring in LBG's 29th birthday ;o)~. After hanging down there for a bit, we headed to TTT's while LBG and her date for the evening went to Backstreets. After enjoying the look of confusion and fear in Yorkie's eyes as the entire bar sang the tradition Clemson rendition of "You Never call me by my name", we headed out and they all wandered to a party as I headed home for the evening.

We met back up to hang out while the game was going on. It was a pretty laid back affair...I don't think I even drank anything. I more than made up for that, however, later that night. The plan was to have a Bonfire to celebrate LBG's birthday, and the gang had made enough PJ to bathe a whale. After many cups of Purple Jesus, some roasted marshmellows, and a weiner, I had the bright idea, "Let's play Never have I ever!" That's just a reciepe for trouble. Needless to say, i developed a whole new repect for Yorkie as not only "Freak Nasty-2006", but he made fun of people with me!

When all was said and done, I think it was a good weekend. I left out most of the raunchy parts, so if you want to know that, you'll have to ask! ;o)

ADDENDUM:

LBG got D-I-C-K this weekend as well! :o)

A Reminder that One Person Can Make a Difference ...

2005-10-25T22:05:00.000-05:00

In Memory of Rosa Parks

February 4, 1913 - October 24, 2005
A True American Hero

Deep Thoughts for 2005

2005-10-13T10:22:00.000-05:00

10. Life is sexually transmitted.

9. Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

8. Men have 2 emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him
without an erection, make him a sandwich!

7. Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a
person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

6. Some people are like a Slinky....not really good for
anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one
tumble down the stairs.

5. Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in
hospitals dying of nothing.

4. All of us could take a lesson from the weather.
It pays no attention to criticism.

3. Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a
substantial tax cut saves you 30 cents?

2. In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now
the world is weird, and people take Prozac to make it normal.

And NOW . . . THE NUMBER ONE thought for 2005:

We know exactly where one cow with mad-cow-disease is located among the millions and millions of cows in America, But.... we haven't got a clue as to where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are located. Maybe we should put the Dept. of Agriculture in charge of immigration

What Political Ideal do I have.

2005-10-13T08:03:00.000-05:00

You are a
Social Liberal
(71% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(18% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Socialist

Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid Free Online Dating
Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Twenty-Something

2005-10-11T09:45:00.000-05:00

They call it the "Quarter-life Crisis." It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are a lot of things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you do not realize is that they are realizing that too and are not really cold or catty or mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.

You look at your job. It is not even close to what you thought you would be doing or maybe you are looking for one and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and are scared. You miss the comforts of college, of groups, of socializing with the same people on a constant basis. But then you realize that maybe they weren't so great after all.

You are beginning to understand yourself and what you want and do not want. Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging a bit more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and add things to your list of what is acceptable and what is not. You are insecure and then secure. You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past for dear life but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.

You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you or you lay in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough to get to now better. You love someone but maybe love someone else too and cannot figure out why you are doing this because you are not a bad person. One night stands and random hook ups start to look cheap and getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic.

You go through the same emotions and questions over and over and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans and money and the future and making a life for yourself and while winning the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender!

What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out.

Send this to your twenty-something friends...maybe it will help someone feel like they are not alone in there state of confusion.

Freeze Tag

2005-10-10T07:35:00.000-05:00

Since everyone else has done this already, I guess it's my turn.

10 years ago: October 10, 1995
It was my freshman year at Clemson. I was living in Calhoun Courts (because I got it like that...lol) with the wanna be frat boy, the unwed father, and the "the redneck". The redneck soon left and transferred to tech. He said it was because he wanted to go closer to home....we all knew it was because me and about 15 of my friends got in his face for hanging a 10 foot by 4 foot confederate flag in our bedroom while I was out.

5 years ago: October 10, 2000
I was still at Clemson, after changing to my third, and final, major and taking a year off from school. I was an RA in Thornhill Village (aka, Da Gehtto). I was living with one of my best friends Josh and had been dating Jamie for two years by now. I was looking at law schools and trying to decide if I was going to try and go right after graduation, or wait.

1 year ago: October 10, 2004
I am (just guess) still living in Clemson. After graduation, I was asked if I wanted to take a position in my old department. Considering I had been sitting around the house sending out resumes for 6 months, I said yes. I figured it'd be a good way to make some money (and save) for law school. I am still waiting for the "saving" part of that to kick in.

Yesterday:
I was a lazy lump all day yesterday. It was sunday, so it mostly involved me sitting around the apartment doing so semblance of house work. I did have a good weekend with friends, so it gave me a chance to rest up.

5 snacks I enjoy:
Donuts with powered sugar
Peaches
sweet strawberries
Funyons
anything chocolate (and not that white chocolate crap)

5 songs I know all the words to:
I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)
Free Your Mind (En Vouge)
Chariot (Brian degraw...I know I spelled it wrong, so what)
Tigerrag (The song that shakes the southlan)
Fantasy (Mariah Carey and ODB)

5 things I would do with a million dollars:
Pay off all my bills
Give some to my mom and siblings
buy a house
go to law school
go visit Josh and Joao in London

5 things I would never wear:
A Trucker cap
A "wife-beater"
A Polo shirt with the collar turned up (C'mom sheeple...be original)
Anything from Banana Republic
Ripped jeans

5 bad habits:
Biting my nails
Having too many opinions (and giving them)
Going out too much
stayin up too late
being nosey

5 favorite toys:
My Laptop
my gamecube
my boomerang (although i never use it anymore)
the box of transformers in my closet (ahhh...childhood)
does booze count?

Now tagging 5 people and they are...
There is no one left for me to tag...so, if you're reading this, and haven't been tagged...now you have.

Southern Pride

2005-09-15T07:12:00.000-05:00

So yeah....it's been a while since I have put anything on this blog...mainly because I haven't felt "bloggy" lately. Sure, I could have regailed stories of weekends past where i spent a little too much time partying and having fun. Yes, I could have gone on tyrates about our "president" and the rest of government for their handling of the hurricaine, supreme court, Karl Rove, or countless other assanine things. Yes, I could have vented frustrations about my life in general like I have in the past. But, none of those (as profound as they are, and as much as I have vocalized my opinion about them) caused me to enter blog-land.

But, something that happened this week has. Working in higher-ed, I understand the importance of diversity and of making sure that the people who represent your university (students, faculty, staff, administration, etc...) all reflect, understand, or at least accept this idea. Well, and administrator of a local school whose name I won't mention (Greenville Tech) showed, at least to me, just how important the idea of diversity was to her.

Greenville Tech, like many other schools in the southeast and around the nation, has been making arrangments with victims of Katrina who were enrolled in Louisianna schools (or students enrolled here who were/are residents of LA). People displaced by the hurrincaine are being housed in a temp. shelter inside the the local Expo Center in Greenville. Well, it turns out that during two-separate staff meetings, the University's Associate V.P. for Student Services made the statement that.....and I want to make sure I get this right...."the school's aid for the mostly black hurricane victims staying at the Palmetto Expo Center would include sending yellow buses to pick up the 'yard apes'...".

Just overlooking the fact that Greenville Tech's student population is 28% black (a higher percentage than the city itself), this woman, whose name I will not mention (Renee Holcombe) was the person in charge of STUDENT SERVICES! I wonder what kind of service the minority students at Greenville Tech actually get.

Once the story came out, the reaction was imidiate and the offical resigned the next day (she wasn't relieved of her duties, she resigned...which means she'll just move on to another school and carry her twisted views with her without anyone having any idea). The reall kicker is, in his attempt to show that this was an "isolated" incident and that it is not the way Greenville Tech thinks; the President of the college, who will also remain nameless (Tom Barton), made the statement that "...the school does not have any minority vice presidents, but has "been in the market for one" for a year or more..."They're very difficult to find," he said...

Maybe he can go pick one up at Kosco.

If you want to read the latest news article on the whole thing, go here:
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050915/NEWS04/509150321

What religion are you?

2005-08-25T20:49:00.000-05:00

You scored as Buddhism. Your beliefs most closely resemble those of Buddhism. Do more research on Buddhism and possibly consider becoming Buddhist, if you are not already.

In Buddhism, there are Four Noble Truths: (1) Life is suffering. (2) All suffering is caused by ignorance of the nature of reality and the craving, attachment, and grasping that result from such ignorance. (3) Suffering can be ended by overcoming ignorance and attachment. (4) The path to the suppression of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path, which consists of right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right-mindedness, and right contemplation. These eight are usually divided into three categories that base the Buddhist faith: morality, wisdom, and samadhi, or concentration. In Buddhism, there is no hierarchy, nor caste system; the Buddha taught that one's spiritual worth is not based on birth.

Buddhism

63%

agnosticism

63%

Islam

58%

Paganism

54%

Satanism

54%

Judaism

50%

Christianity

50%

atheism

50%

Hinduism

46%

Which religion is the right one for you? (new version)
created with QuizFarm.com

What Harry Potter Character are you?

2005-08-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

You scored as Remus Lupin. You are a wise and caring wizard and a good, loyal friend to boot. However sometimes in an effort to be liked by others you can let things slide by, which ordinarily you would protest about.

Remus Lupin

85%

Albus Dumbledore

80%

Draco Malfoy

80%

Ron Weasley

80%

Hermione Granger

80%

Harry Potter

70%

Sirius Black

70%

Ginny Weasley

65%

Severus Snape

50%

Lord Voldemort

35%

Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...?
created with QuizFarm.com

When the children come home...

2005-06-22T20:59:00.000-05:00

My child is coming home! Ok...so I he's not actually my child, but I'm claimed him as such. I met Brian many moons ago while he was still doing hi undergrad here with me. He was young and new to college, so I took him under my wing and showed him the ways of the world (no comments from the peanut gallery). Well...the time came, and like all good chicks, he flew the coop.

Now, he's in Tennesee and I am here, and we don't get to see each other very often; so you can imagine my surpise when I get a call out of the blue that he wanted to come up the weekend of the 4th for a visit!

He better remember to bring me a birthday present.

...On Father's Day

2005-06-19T13:53:00.000-05:00

Father's day is a time for me to reflect...not on fathers, but on some mothers. My mom raised me as a single mother. I kept in touch with my father when I was young (on his schedule), and now that I am older I frankly don't have much desire to be in touch with him. Don't misunderstand me...I am not bitter. I have a large, loving family on my mother's side. Lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, etc... I have always had people there to support me and to knock me on my ass when I needed it. I just am not that close to the man...and now that I am a man myself, it's not as easy as just accepting someone in my life on the level of "father" who has never lived up to the name.

With that being said, my mother has served as father as well all of my life...and I think I turned out pretty good because of it. It is because of this, that on Father's day I pay this homage to her.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in m eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
Thy try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Phenomenal Woman
Maya Angelou

I can't think of a title for this one....

2005-06-13T23:59:00.000-05:00

Don't nobody want no broken heart
And don't nobody want no two time losers
Ain't nobody gonna love you like you are
If you take whatever he brings your way
You see the thing of it
Is we deserve respect
But we can't demand respect without change
There comes a time when we must go our own way

"Let it Flow", Toni Braxton

Never listen to the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack when you have a personal decision to make. It will fuck you up!

...You know her P&%$Y taste like Lyesol!

2005-06-10T10:29:00.000-05:00

Let the whirlwind tour begin! I took 2 days off of work this week so I could take my act on the road. First stop, Thursday night in Atlanta, GA to see Margaret Cho in concert. She was great as always. She always makes me laugh every time I see her. It serves as a good relief from my currently "semi-charmed kinda life". (you ever notice there is a song title out there to describe your every mood in life?? Think about it and try it out).

J and I went, we had great seats, close enough to be able to peek backstage, but not so close that I got neck strain from having to look up at her on stage. This was her "Assassins" tour...much more politically oriented than her previous ones (I love political humor....being a card-carrying member of the Liberal Agenda committee).

So, after laughing my bootie off at Margaret on the stage and at the people in the audience (man, I should take my act on the road because I worked the crowd around me), it was back to the car to jet up to Clemson, SC. Got back to Clemson around 11:00, fed the fish and the cats, and headed downtown to the bar to support my girl Rhi Rhi at her DJ gig. She's DJing the Thursday Night Dance Party at TD's, a local hangout in Clemson (if you're every in town, check it out....great place and great people).

I love hanging out with my TD's crew. They are a great group and I always have fun with them. My girl JJ was working the back bar, so I had to divide my time running between there and the DJ perch (which sucked because I think I ran off most of my alcohol). After multiple beers, shots, and spins of the turntable, it was time to call it a night.

So, after doing my obligatory reflective jaunt around campus (I usually do that when I have a lot to think about....it really helps to clear my mind and think things through....God I love this campus!), I headed home.

So, now it's Friday, and later this evening I am supposed to meet up with Eddie, Jr. and JoJo if we can get our schedules meshed. Then, I have to make the decision if I want to add a junket to Columbia to my itinerary for the weekend. I may be all driven out this weekend, but my family is expecting me. Decisions, decisions.

OK.....as much as I love running my mouth, I'm hungry and I need to go make lunch. Maybe I'll go see Star Wars again this afternoon to pass the time? If you're around, come join us. We'll throw popcorn at the storm troopers and hiss whenever Amadalya makes some sappy "dickmatized" comment about Vader.

Smooches!

...Let there be LIGHT!

2005-06-06T16:11:00.000-05:00

Let’s set the stage…. It’s a very dimly lit nightclub. You are on the dance floor, and the blinding flashes of bright light make it even more difficult to see more than 6 inches in front of your own face. You begin dancing with a stranger you meet on the floor. You make strained conversation over the loud thumping of the music, and are actually having a good time. You dance for hours and don’t even notice. The night begins to wind down, and before you know it, the lights are turned up and last call is announced. Finally, the chance you have been waiting for all night….you get to see the mystery heart throb that you have spent the evening tripping the light fantastic with. You look over and find….sheer and utter horror.

The moral of the story is that you can have a fantastic time in the dark, but once the lights come on things may not be as wonderful as you thought.

I’ve spent a lot of time dancing in the dark with people who I thought were genuine, caring, and had a genuine interest in me as a person….Next time I have to remember to always carry my flashlight.

Sometimes the hardest part of life is knowing when it’s time to leave the dance floor and find a new club.

smooches

I don't know nothing bout birthin no babies...

2005-06-01T08:21:00.000-05:00

According to a quiz someone I know has on their blog, I am a manipulative whore who would cut your mother and make you cry so that i could make myself feel better about my life. Hide your children and guard your valuables.

What are they thinking!

2005-05-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Has it happened that all of Hollywood has become so lazy that it is impossible to come up with an original movie idea, rather than totally screwing up the great stories I grew up with? Let's just look at the recent string of atrocities. The butchered How the Grinch Stole Christmas, desecrated the Cat in the Hat, and I am sure William Shakespeare was rolling over in his grave at the sight of Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo. Now, it has happened again.

Last night, I was innocently watching my Sunday night shows, and I see a trailer for the remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. WHAT THE FUCK! I knew this movie was coming, I had been hearing the buzz about it for a while. At first, I almost went into cardiac arrest when the rumor was that Marilyn Manson may be playing Willie Wonka, but luckily that didn't pan out. Now, we have Johnny Depp. Hmmmm. Don't get me wrong, I have liked most of the movies that I have seen Johnny Depp in, but he is not right for this role AT ALL.

In the trailer, he has this grimace on his face the entire time he is on screen that looks like he is trying to eat his neck. Is the idea to frighten children? Also, the fact that the movie is being directed by Tim "weird mofo" Burton. This story is not meant to be dark and morbid (which is him MO), it's meant to be strange but funny. Make the people laugh from the absurdity, not cringe from low lighting and pale make-up!

And don't even get me started on the upcoming Nicole Kidman/Will Ferrell disaster called Bewitched! Judging from Nicole and Will's past endeavors, this one should be called straight to video.

Come Clean

2005-04-20T18:50:00.000-05:00

I have to admit to something. I catch some grief from the few friends who read this blog because I don’t write in it as often as I should. Well, there is a reason for that. This is my “edited” blog, and I figured it was time to put it out on the table. Sometimes there are things that I discuss in my “real” blog that my not be as sugary sweet as the things I put in this one. Sometimes it may be issues about individuals, sometimes it may be confronting demons within me.

As to the question of why--well, its part fear and part concern. I very rarely open myself up 100% to people. There have been times in the past that I have and it has come back to bite me in the ass. It’s very rare that people get past the initial wise-cracking, strong willed, advice-giving façade that I present for them to see. That’s my only defense, and I feel that I need it. Sometimes I feel like a slug in a room full of big men with combat boots. Getting squished is inevitable, but it’s just a matter of how long I can hold it off.

The part that is concern comes mainly when I use my blog to vent about interactions with others. Most of the time, it’s about the positive things…the fun times. But, sometimes, it’s my opportunity to vent about people/situations that may have rubbed me the wrong way. We all have issues that arise with friends that aren’t worth the conflict of a confrontation, but if you keep them bottled up all the time they can erupt at times that have no relation whatsoever. Does that make sense?

So, now, I ask…..do I stop my secret blog and just let everything hang free in this one; taking whatever conflict that may arise with it. Or, do I continue with my veil of secrecy and maintain yet one more wall to keep people out?

Any suggestions?

Get in where you fit In

2005-04-11T10:29:00.000-05:00

So, this past weekend I went to the wedding of a good friend of mine. It was a beautiful wedding, and I was very happy to be there..but at the same time, I felt bad. I felt that I had not invested as much into my friendship with "Eeyore" (it's her favorite character) as I should have. I mean, she and I were good friends during college, we sung on the chorus together, hung out at one another's apartments, got drunk together, etc... However, once she left SC to go to TX for her master's, our contact with one another became limited. We would send random, sporadic emails to one another, but they were always pretty much fluff...no real substance or conversation (most of the time). We had each other's phone numbers, but I think we may have talked on the phone once or twice in the three years since she 's been gone. I had always considered us friends but not extremely close friends.

Apparently I was wrong. She invited me to the rehersal dinner (which was only family, the wedding party, and a handful of her and then fiancee's close friends). At the rehersal dinner, when she arrived and saw me, she was so happy, and told me she "couldn't have imagined having this day without me there". I'll admit, when she said that I just gave it lip service--thinking she's probably telling everyone that. Then, I had her father and the groom's mother (neither of whom had ever met me before) tell me that she had said the same thing; and how they had heard so much about me and had been looking forward to meeting me. I felt flattered, emotional and like a prick all at the same time. Here I had let what was a very good, productive and enoyable friendhip lapse into limbo because I thought "we weren't that close anymore", when she's still holding me in the same regards that we were when she left. I was the only person from our old group of friends who was at the wedding.

That experience with her made me think a lot about friendships, and whether what I consider "friendships" really are? Could I be guilty of doing the reverse of what I had done to Eeyore? Could I be investing the energy I should be putting towards people like her into people who are/have become/always have been merely acquaintances? Is it normal to question your relationships with people, and if so, how often is too often? Is there a point where you have to tell yourself that "if we were truly good friends, i would not have to question their motives....I would not have to wonder if I am welcome....I wouldn't have to wonder if i am being excluded...and shouldn't I be able to talk about anything with them?

I have had a lot of people come in and out of my life these 27 years. My college years, however, are the years that I met people i knew i would grow old being friends with. Some of those people are no longer in my life, but most of them are. I just hope that I am investing my emotional capital in the right places. I guess this will require more soul searching and some chocolate....yes, chocolate is good for the brain cells.

Sloth's Rules on life: Vol.1--Youth and All it's Glory

2005-03-31T16:18:00.000-05:00

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers.

This includes age, weight and height.

Let the doctors worry about them.

That is why you pay "them!"

2. Keep only cheerful friends.

The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning.

Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.

Never let the brain idle.

"An idle mind is the devil's workshop."

And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

.5. Laugh often ... long and loud.

Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen.

Endure, grieve, and move on.

The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.

Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love ..

whether it's ... family, pets, keepsakes,

music, plants, hobbies, whatever.

Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health.

If it is good, preserve it.

If it is unstable, improve it.

If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.

Take a trip to the mall ... even to the next county .

to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them .

at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments

that take our breath away.

Curbside Profit with a Sloth in his pocket

2005-03-07T11:43:00.000-05:00

OK......most people won't get the humor behind that title, but those in "the group" will. I just put that title there to be assy because I knew it would make K and LBG cut me dirty looks...lol. Good thing I am so lovable, otherwise they'd probably beat the hell out of me. :)

Had a pretty uneventful weekend, outside of sharing stories of past sexual conquest with my friend "Jwanna" (names changed to protect the not so innocent) and trying to track down my friend A after her 7-hour drinking binge. I swear, I drunk is almost as hard to catch as a crackhead. You turn your head for 30-seconds and they disappear. they're like smoke! Luckily, all ended well and she arrived safe and sound in her bed.

My friend "Buster" got enganged this weekend. I am really happy for her, but at the same time I am sad. "Buster" is a great girl, sweet as can be...but I truly think she is settling for the first guy who asked her because of outside pressure. She's a school teacher, she's my age (so she'll be 28 this year).....so everyone around her at work is married (most with kids). No one wants to be the 30 year-old unmarried shcool teacher. I've only met the guy once, and I wasn't very impressed. I also have it on good authority from "Jwanna" that he is a prick. Uggghh...can't things ever be easy?

Can you write blogs in disappearing ink?

2005-03-03T17:56:00.000-05:00

That's the question I repeatedly ask myself. Blogs that were there seem to disappear before my very eyes! I think it's magic. Piper, Phobe, Paige? Are you there??

An Imitation of Life

2005-03-03T12:19:00.000-05:00

The title is from one of my favorite movies of all time (the 1959 adaptation of the novel). If you ever have the opportunity to watch it...DO! You won't be disappointed, and if you are...then you're just cold-hearted :o). I have started watching it again (this makes about the 80th time or so) since one of the stars, Sandra Dee, recently passed away.

OK, now that I have said that, I'll get to the purpose of my entry today. I had a talk with my friend K a litle over a week ago now, and she and I had a very interesting discussion. Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not open up my problems to other people. It's a somewhat arrogant stance to take, but I just feel that I can handle my issues on my own...even though I work to help my friends sort through their's. I already know that this is a double standard, but it makes sense if you understand my past.

I have had to deal with a lot of things in my short 27 1/2 years on this earth. More than any one of my friends or family members knows about. It's not because i don't trust them with the information...but it's mainly because for me to unload my problems on thjem feels like I am being a burdon to them...which is the LAST thing I will ever be. I'm the kind of person who will pull the plug on the life support system myself before I make anyone else have to make the decision.

But, anyway...back to my discussion with K. She somehow managed to work out some of my issues. This was a feat that warrents applause. I tried my damnedest to change the subject and sidetrack her...but she stuck to task. We talked for a bit, and you know...it felt good to be able to vocalize some of what was bothering me to someone who was willing to listen. Now, did it help to sort through the problem....no, but I didn't expect it to and I don't think she did either. I think we were both content in the breakthrough itself.

I have accepted the fact that sometimes the therapist needs a therapist of their own. Who knows...maybe someday I will let someone know 100% of me. Maybe not (I've tried before and been burned...ya know). I guess for the time being I will keep up the charade and leave the road less traveled just that...less traveled.

Troubles of the world

2005-02-12T17:24:00.000-05:00

Sometimes...You just have one of those weeks that causes you to say "WHO THE FUCK DID I PISS OFF IN HEAVEN FOR ALL OF THIS TO BE HAPPENING". I have had one of those weeks. This is my second attempt to write about my week, since the first time I wrote (which was a lot) my computer crashed like Courtney Love after a bender. I am having major relationship issues, major friend issues that the people involved can't seem to pick up on (I guess being perceptive is a learned trait and not inherent), and I am having health issues.

But...I guess if life was easy, it wouldn't be worth living.

Exactly how much black clothing do I have?

2004-12-30T20:47:00.000-05:00

So...yeah. It's been a long time since I have posted any new blogs...but that's because I have been in mouring. Mourning for sanity, mourning for the environment, mouring for democracy, mourning for common sense, and mourning for the world as a whole. Bush managed to squeak out another one....not sure exactly how, why, or what this means for the 49% of the US populous who can seem to see beyond the smoke screen (a little aside: I believe that after watching Fox News for a day and hearing the BIASED information that Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity try to pass off as fact, I am entitled to do a little Bush-Bashing here).

There really isn't much for me to say about it. Nothing will change the way things are, especially with the Ohio recount being over. The most we can do is hunker down and weather the storm that is coming, and apologize to the children of tomorrow for the country they are gong to be inheriting.

P.S. BUY JON STEWART'S BOOK!

He busted that mutha wide open!

2004-10-01T22:23:00.000-05:00

6-MORE WEEKS....6-MORE WEEKS!

I don't know how many people watched the first Presidential debate...but EVERYONE in America needed to. Kerry knocked it out of the ballpark! Iwon't rehash the massacre here, but I will say this....considering that "Iraq, Iraq, Iraq" was Bush's main selling point, and he got butchered on it...I think the next two debates will be just as Pro-Kerry. Because no matter how much he has screwed up foreign affairs, Bush has done even worse domestically.

KERRY/EDWARDS 2004!

Save the environment...plant a Bush back in Texas!

2004-09-24T09:19:00.000-05:00

I swear...if this year's election is stolen like the last one, I'm moving to Canada. It amazes me that things that this administration has gotten away with! Clinton smokes pot when he's young and has sex with the fat intern and it's front page news for over half of his presidency; Bush snorts coke, is a drunk, is running the country while on EXTREMELY POWERFUL anti-depressants, has slutty daughters (hey, if Rush Limbaugh and the like can make fun of how Chealsea looked, then I can call them slutty), has a wife accused of selling pot in college, has a VP who supported apartheid, using the war in Iraq to feather his own nest via Hallaburton, took us into war with a bold faced lie, and has proven the fact that "once a bully, always a bully" and we hear NOTHING! What is wrong with this picture?

Does no one notice that the Bush administration has not created a single new net job.....NONE! The were giving themsleves big pats on the back during the RNC saying "companies are hiring"..." we created 250,000 jobs this month"...well, that's some freeze-dried bullshit! It doesn't matter if companies are hiring if (1) higher paid positions are being eliminated and replaced with lower-paying ones, (2) if the number of jobs created is still less than the number that has been lost since he took office. Look at it this way, they are touting the accomplishment of creating 250,000 new jobs in a month. To put that into perspective...when Clinton was in office (all 8 years of his term), he had ONE MONTH that he did not have at least 250,000 new jobs created. For all you non-math majors, that means that for the 95 other months he was in office, he had the same "great accomplishment" (or better) that the Bush administration had ONCE! YIPPY, sign me up to vote for him today because that man knows what he's doing.

I think what scares me more than anything is to hear the rantings of BRAINWASHED republicans who spout off the same undefendable psuedo-factoids as if they were carried down the moutain by Charlton Heston (who would have to carry them down on his back now that he has to keep both hands free to carry his formerly banned assault weapon that he needs in case 200 people break into his home at the same time and he needs to be able to shoot them all within a minute). I wish people would GROW UP, stop regurgetating your parents politics, open your eyes, and make an educated decision of who should be running this country. But, then, i know it's not as important a decision as who should win American Idol or The Apprentice.

My last soap box issue (I promise), is marriage. The only thing I have to say about that is, if it was such a "sacred institution" as the right would have us believe, then why (1) Is it easier to get a divorce than it is a marriage liscense, (2) are the majority of the people who are defending the FMA on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th marriage, (3) and finally, if it was so sacred, we wouldn't have "The Bachelor", The Bachelorett", "Who wants to Marry my Dad", "Who want's the marry a Little Person". etc.... GIVE ME A FRIGGIN BREAK!

A FEW FACTS TO PONDER:

(1) JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T SUPPORT THE WAR DOESN'T MEAN YOU DON'T SUPPORT THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE DOING THEIR JOBS BY FIGHTING IT.
(2) JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT MAKE YOU ANTI -AMERICAN, JUST ANTI BUSH!
(3) GOD DOES NOT HAVE A POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION...CHECK YOUR BIBLE, THERE ISN'T A SINGLE ELEPHANT AT THE MANGER (ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A DONKEY...HMMMMM)
(4) IF IT WASN'T FOR FRANCE, WE WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE A COUNTRY (LOOK IT UP...THEY WERE OUR ONLY ALLIES DURING THE REVOULTION AGAINST THE UK)

so sayeth the shepard, so sayeth the flock.

I Can't Complain

2004-09-20T22:40:00.000-05:00

So, I have been in somewhat of a depressed and sappy mood lately. There is a song by one of my favorite artist, Patti LaBelle, that has just summed it up completely. It has a special meaning to me because it was sung at a relative's funeral...so I can't help but get a little depressed when I hear it, but at the same time it's an uplifting song. Check out the lyrics below. I promise, it'll touch you (not as much as actually hearing her sing it with that certain emotion that only she can put into a song, but it will still touch you).

"I Can't Complain"

Sometimes, I can't help thinking,
just what my life is for,
I try to do very best that I can,
yet I know I can do more.

This life i lead is not one without its pain,
That doesn't mean i shouldn't smile, nothing there to gain.

I can't complain,
I know the sun shines through the rain,
It still survives,
I can't complain,
everyday is a new begining,
in this journey of my life,
Journey of my life.

I've done just as i've desired
Lived on wire without a net
Been so many places
I've seen so many faces
Beautiful friends i will never forget.

Sometimes I look above and think i wanna give it up
Then I remember all the lives that i have touched

I can't complain,
I know the sun shines through the rain,
It still survives,
I can't complain,
everyday is a new begining,
in this journey of my life,
Journey of my life.

So many yesterdays have come and gone their way.
Love leads me striaght and clear into the light of day.

I can't complain,
I know the sun shines through the rain,
It still survives,
I can't complain,
everyday is a new begining,
in this journey of my life,
Journey of my life.

I'm not the only one who's learned to try again,
And through it all I've got my family and friends,
So I can't complain...

(told ya)

OMG, I ate Carla!

2004-07-27T20:40:00.000-05:00

So, I am officially becoming one of those people I detest. A carb counter. I am not exatcly sure why I am putting myself through Hell on wheat toast to conform to some image that society has set, but I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm not like some huge Zepplin that decendes from on high just long enough to engulf another peice of cake, but I am not small either. I guess I am lucky in that I have a good bit of muscle mass to go along with the "chunkiness". Just love that word, don't you! (BTW, if you said yes, then you are one of the people who should stop reading this right now).

I have always had issues with my weight/personal appearance. Everyone remembers the funny fat kid in the group....who may not have been as attractive as everyone else, but he/she made them all laugh and feel good. Yeah, that was me...and on behalf of all of us, Suck it! It was no fun being that kid. And it's even less fun in the appearance obessessed culture in which we live in.

So, I will eat my whole wheat pasta, and drink my water, and suffer silently. But, the next skinny bitch that walks by is getting a fist in the top of their head.

Fantasia-Tastic

2004-07-07T20:50:00.000-05:00

I am upset. Let me tell you why. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have taken to listening to a radio station out of Atlanta. I think their morning show is funny and they usually play decent music. Well, this station tied into my American Idol fanaticism by following the competition very closely, especially Diana, the contestant from Snellville, GA. Well, as all Idol fans know, Diana lost and Fantasia Barrino won (true, I was actually rooting for LaToya London, but Fantasia was my second choice, and she really needed it more than anyone else there).

Well, Fantasia released her single, as all Idol winners do (which was a pretty good single, 3 songs for $4, not bad). Well...instead of playing Fantasia's single, like they should be, they are playing Diana's version! Correct me if I am wrong, didn't she lose?

Now, I am not one to play the race card often, but this smells of a little bigotry to me. Lets look at the facts.

1) Kelly Clarkson wins the first idol, and the Atlantean (Tamyra Gray) gets the boot. Does the station keep talking to Tamayra after she is kicked off and then proceed to try and boost her career, no...they jump ship and swing to kelly (the white artist).

2) Ruben Studdard (black artist) wins the second Idol, yet I barley heard any of Ruben's songs on their station, yet I hear Clay Aiken (the loser) almost everyday for months.

3) Fantasia wins...and you know the story here.

You make your own decisions.

Give me a "P". give me an "R", give me a.....a big fat grass stain on my butt.

2004-07-05T22:53:00.000-05:00

So....it's been a little while since I have posted any new blogs. I have had writers block. I would start one, then halfway through, I would think it was stupid and erase it. So, lets catch you up to what's been going on.

I went to Pride in Atlana with some friends about 2 weeks ago now. It was fun. I always enjoy spending time with my Atlanta friends, since I don't see them much. It was an interesting weekend, to say the least. Had a lot of funny experiences, a few disturbing ones....can't wait to do it again! ;O)

Bumper Stickers make me wanna Pee

2004-06-25T10:19:00.000-05:00

So, I saw the funniest bumper sticker the other day while I was driving. It said "Save the environment, plant a Bush back in Texas". True, it is not a knee slapper or a pants wetter by any means, but it just was funny considering what had happened earlier that day. Now, you may be asking yourself, "But what happened that day? Oh, elighten us mortals with your infinite wisdom!" OK, ok...you forced it out of me. Now you may rise from your knees.

A good friend of mine in Atlanta sent out a forwarded email to a group of us. I opened it to read because he tends to send stuff that will either make me giggle, cringe, or say "hmmmmmmm". This particular email was a politically based one about being a republican. I sent a little response back to be playful, and apparently I wasn't the only one. Had more people truly cared, it could have turned into quite the lively debate.

You know what...I just realized that story was much funnier in my head when the little men with the high pitched voices where whispering it....so just forget everything I said...except for saving the environment. Smooches!

PH.D stands for what again?

2004-06-22T15:02:00.000-05:00

OK....for those of you not engrossed in the hallowed halls of academia, let me lay a little wisdom down upon you (now would be the time to grab your stone slabs and chisels children). It appears, the more education one aquires in their life, the more common sense they loose in the process. Maybe the human mind is indead like a cup. You can only fill it so much before it begins to, in fact, spill. This causing a big ole mess, and inevitably, someone will slip and bust a hip.

Case in point. I was recently privey to a story of a faculty member at my university who, in her infite wisdom, sent an email to computer support to tell them that her email wasn't working. Thank God that little pony express guy that lives in your computer was able to run that message over to us. These are the kinds of people that caused there to be a need for warning labels.

Oh, but it does not end there...I can further defend my case. In my building, we have two departments who both use one workroom ( a reciepe for disaster, I agree, but also a source of countless hours of aggrevation, so it's all worthwhile). Now, in order to prevent the grubby little students (as a recent graduate, I can honestly say that is the best way to describe them) from plundering the offcie supplies as they walk down the hall, we ask all of the faculty and staff to please shut the door after they use the room. First, we simply verbalkly asked them. This seemed to not seep in. They gave us the same look a 5 year old gives you when you try to explain to them exactly where the water in the toilet goes and why it's not a good thing for keys to go there was well.

Second attempt, we sent a mass email to everyone reminding them to keep the door shut, in addition to posting a neon green sign over the light switch which says "Shut off the lights and close the door". That worked for about a week. Then, mysteriously, the door started leaving itself open and the light left itself on (this must have been the case since none of these PhD possessing people would admit to being the culprit).

In a final feeble attempt to get them to shut the door, we made a HUGE, neon orange arrow which points to a newly enlarged Neon green sign asking them to shut off the liughts and close the door. That worked for about 2 weeks.

My next step involves electricity, a sponge, and a lot of duct tape.