No, she didn't move to Moscow, but she did move to Chattablogs. You should check out her lovely new site here.
It's amazing how your life changes and you lose things and think your life will never be the same or never be worth living and then a few years later, on a Sunday afternoon, it just strikes you that you wouldn't go back if you could and you're greatful to God for changing your life so much.*
*FYI, I'm not talking about a man.
*Do not use a product called "Xtreme FX" on your hair. A three and a half hour salon visit may follow. (Don't worry, Mom: it wasn't my hair.)
*If you're a stylist, you should not have a mullet...male-mullet or fe-mullet. I know, I know: "business in the front, party in the back." Still, not cool.
*"New car scent" stinks.
*So does County Market.
*County Market sells pig tails, pig feet, pig neck and something called "pig maws."
*County Market also has signs by their cash registers saying, "Show your patronage. Buy a flag." I'm pretty sure they meant "patriotism."
*If you work at an oil changing place, don't bother asking us girls what kind of oil we want in our car. You're the professional. You tell us what kind we need.
*As I heard a father tell his son today, "there's nothing wrong with a little silence."
As of four p.m., I'll be on vacation. Since this was the first year I wasn't in school, this is the first summer that I haven't had a real summer vacation. I guess this is what it's like to be a grown up: no 3 month summer break, no month off in winter, no spring break. A mere two weeks of vacation (plus a few bank holidays here and there) are all I get. Not that I'm complaining...I mean I do get paid to go on vacation: a concept that was completely foreign to me back in my student/waitressing days. I just have to be much more selective about when I take off. I guess it makes me appreciate vacation more.
Anyway, 2 of my friends will be here tomorrow and we'll spend some time here in the lovely Monroe metroplex, then we're off to New Orleans for a few days.
Now, if I can make it through the rest of the day at work....
I got this e-mail at work yesterday and I'm wondering if it's real or just one of the many stories people make up and send out.
SubjectGovernment regarding purchase of UPS uniforms: BE ALERT!!!!
There has been a huge purchase, $32,000 worth, of United Parcel Service (UPS) uniforms on eBay over the last 30 days. This could represent a serious threat as bogus drivers can drop off anything to anyone with deadly consequences! If you have ANY questions when a UPS driver appears at your door, they should be able to furnish VALID I.D.. Additionally, if someone in a UPS uniform comes to make a drop off or pick up, make absolutely sure they are driving a UPS truck.
UPS doesn't make deliveries or pickups in anything except a company vehicle. If you have a problem, IMMEDIATELY call your local law enforcement agency right away! TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY! Tell everyone in your office, family, friends, etc. Make people aware so that we can prepare and/or avoid terrorist attacks on our people! Thank you for your time in reviewing this and PLEASE send to EVERYONE on your list, even if they are friend or foe. We should all be aware!
Kimberly Bush-Carr
Management Program Specialist
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Bureau Customs and Border Protection
Washington, DC 20229
What do you think? Hoax or not?...and who exactly is selling all these UPS uniforms on E-bay?
I finished Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets last night. I'm pleased that I decided to read the first 2 books, even though I saw the movies because, as usual, the books were much better. Plus, I found a typo in the book. Do you think that makes it more valuable?...a rare error edition. (Maybe I've just been around a baseball card junkie too long.) I couldn't wait to start The Prisoner of Azkaban. I read the first chapter last night even though I could barely hold my eyes open. Most people I've talked to say Azkaban is the best one of the five...we'll see.
What did you do when you were younger that you still won't tell your parents about even though you won't get in trouble for it? Come on. Everybody has something. I confessed to my parents a year or two ago that I got a paddling at school when I was in first grade. They always told us that if we got a paddling at school, we'd get one at home too. I guess technically, they still owe me. (Though I still maintain that it was I didn't deserve punishment at all.) It took me at least 15 years to tell them. Of course, they knew about most of the bad things I did, but there are a few that slipped through the cracks.
I've had this discussion with several people and it seems that most people have something very negligible that they refuse to tell their parents. I guess the fear of dissapointing your parents never goes away. I think that's a good thing.
1. Cats or dogs? Dogs. No question.
2. Butterflies or birds? Butterflies. I hate most birds.
3. Horses or cows? Horses, though I think cows have pretty eyes.
4. Turtles or snakes? Turtles. I'm not scared of snakes, but they do make me somewhat uncomfortable.
5. Frogs or grasshoppers? This is a toss-up. I guess I'd go with grasshoppers.
6. Lions or tigers? Tigers.
7. Elephants or mice? Elephants. I hate rodents.
8. Porcupines or aardvarks? eh? I have absolutely no experience to base this on.
9. Unicorns or dragons? Unicorns.
10. Thought-provoking question of the week: You live in a rather dumpy apartment. A friend offers you a chance to be a roommate at a new place s/he is moving into, but they don't allow pets. You have a pet. Do you find your pet a new home and take the new place, or do you keep your pet and stay put? Keep the pet and stay put.
As you probably know, I work at a bank. Picture it: quiet, formal, under surveillance...your typical bank. So there I am, walking from my office to go sit at the front desk when all-of-the-sudden, my shoe catches on the mat on the floor and I find myself on my knees.
Remy wrote the other day about using your imagination as a way to prevent clumsiness, but let me tell you, there was no preventing this fall. I didn't even know I was falling until I was on the floor. Thankfully, it wasn't a full face-plant: I caught myself on the desk. I'm also thankful that there was only one customer in the bank at the time (and she wasn't my customer, which helped), but several on my co-workers saw it. In fact, if you want some more details ask Troy, he had a great view of the whole event.
In other news, now that I've broadcast my own idiocy, I'm going to pat myself on the back**: I didn't think I was going to meet my monthly goal at work this month since I'll be one week short (due to vacation next week), but I not only met my goal today, I've exceeded it...with time to spare.
**I don't usually like to blog about work, but I'm extremely happy about this.
christin is always cold
christin is here to save the day
christin is available for charter subject to its tour schedule
christin is looking forward to meeting all of you and assisting with your development needs
christin is er vorig jaar zelf ook geweest
christin is captured by the gangsters and abducted in a military airplane
christin is my hero
christin is beautiful
christin is singing in italian like a veteran mezzo
christin is the one who can actually skate
christin is in my top 10
christin is a trip and a half
christin is a massage parlor of the luxurious kind
So I went to the Dave Matthews Band concert Friday night. I haven't always been a DMB fan. In fact, I was an anti-Davite for quite a while. You see, I always end up being friends with Dave Matthews fanatics...I'm talking about people who never have and never will get tired of Dave, even if that was the only music they had. Well, after a long period of not listening to Dave, I finally learned to appreciate (and enjoy) him.
The ticket was a birthday present from Aaron & Amy (thanks!) so I've been looking forward to the concert since April. Though it was a 5 hour drive over to Dallas, it was well worth the trip. The concert was at the American Airlines Arena, which is quite a place. We were, um, pretty far away from the stage, but the concert was great nonetheless. I must say, this guy is awesome. (I strongly believe that there is no such thing as a mediocre violin: it's either fantastic or terrible and Boyd is fantastic.) Anyway, the concert was really fun. The only bad thing was the idiots that were sitting behind us talking continually. They spent the entire concert yelling "WATCHTOWER!" as loud as they could. Okay, so they wanted to hear Watchtower. That's cool. But sweet fancy Moses, they would not shutup. If I had a dollar for evey time they yelled it, I could have bought 10 beers (and that's saying something, since the beers were "concert priced"). Every other song, they would say "this is Watchtower," even though they had heard only 2 notes. Then, when they finally realized it wasn't Watchtower, they would repeat the name of whatever song he was playing 10 times. Even when Dave finally played Watchtower (the last song of the concert), they were still yelling, "WATCHTOWER!" I could have killed them.
The drive back was long, but mostly uneventful. We just drove to Nacogdoches, which was only 3 hours, rather than 5. I'm still worn out from the trip (even though we were really lazy on Saturday). Josh made me a CD of the songs from the concert, so now I can actually hear all those songs which the guys behind us swore were Watchtower.
1. Lemonade or Ice Cold Beer? coldbeer, without a doubt
2. Swimming pool or beach? beach (although I probably only prefer it because it's unusual for me to be at a beach and I have easy access to a swimming pool)
3. Long weekends here & there, or a 2-week vacation? long weekends...spread the wealth
4. Destination: Acapulco or Hawaii? I may never know
5. Destination: Mountains or Beach? beach
6. Hotel/motel/B&B; or camping? hotel...I'm a city girl
7. Carefully planned vacation, or play it by ear? carefully planned (I try to be spontaneous, but I'm not very good at it)
8. Sneakers or sandals? sandals
9. Air-conditioning or fans? since my A/C is broken, I'm reminded that the A/C is the only way to survive the Louisiana summer
10. Concerts in the park or baseball games? Rangers baseball a couple of weeks ago, Dave Matthews Band tonight....I'll let you know later
It's under construction. Who knows how it will end up? Your guess is as good as mine. (Thank-you Shannon for your help!)
The morning radio show I sometimes listen to is having a contest and the winner gets to choose between two prizes: either a $2,500 shopping spree to Walmart or a $2,500 shopping spree to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I have a tough time deciding which one I would choose. It would be an adventure to go to Beverly Hills, but $2,500 would only buy a couple of things (if that). $2,500 will go much further at Walmart, but you only have an hour to spend it, so that could pose a challenge. What would you choose?
"Close only counts in handgrenades and horseshoes"
"...and slowdancing!" (A.S.)
There aren't many things that scare me. I'm scared of heights (which wasn't a conscious decision, I just get all freaked out without meaning to) and I don't like rodents, but I'm not scared of them. I'm not one of those people who can't stay home alone or drive a long way by myself. In fact, I like being home alone sometimes and I like driving a long way alone. It just doesn't bother me...usually.
But last night, Emily was gone and I was getting ready for bed. I locked the door, set the alarm, and turned off all the lights. Then, I just got kind of spooked. I laid in bed telling myself that if anyone tried to break in, the alarm would go off and the cops would come. Then I started wondering: what if someone was in here before I turned the alarm on? So I got up and turned on all the lights and checked in all the closets and looked behind the shower curtain...no dice. After that I was fine.
I don't know why I get freaked out 1 out of 100 times I'm home alone. I'm glad I'm not like that all the time. I have to admit though, I get a good laugh out of it once I realize how silly I've been and think about what I would have done if there actually was someone in my shower...I have no weapons. Even if I did, I'm not much of a fighter. A frying pan or a 4 inch knife would be rough way to go. I could take care of business if I had to, but it would probably be quite a sight.
I can think of few things in life that are better than just hanging out with friends and talking. Whether it involves serious life-changing conversations or telling stories and laughing until you can hardly breathe, there is nothing I enjoy more. Not entirely related, but along the same friendship line...
I've been thinking lately about how much our friends and our communities define who we are. I've heard people make fun of southerners because we have the tendency to introduce someone like this: "This is Joe. He's Jane's cousin's brother-in-law's nephew." Of course it's a stretch to make that many connections (and I'm exaggerating a bit), but it gives you some point of reference for Joe. If you meet someone and don't know who they are in relation to anyone else, you're left to judge them by how they dress, how they speak, where they're from, etc. I think a personal reference tells much more about who a person is.
For example, I know 14 of the people on my blogroll face-to-face. While someone might read this page who doesn't know me, they could see my links and by learning about who I associate myself with, they can learn more about me. Likewise, in real life, you can learn an unbelievable amount about someone just by seeing who they are friends with.
Meeting someone without knowing anything about them is like taking a sentence out of context. Only when you know where they are coming from (if or where they go to church, what they do for a living, what they do for fun, and so on) can you truly understand that person. I think personal relationships are the best point of reference.
What is it about songs that were popular while I was in high school that make me so happy? I graduated HS in 1996 and whenever I hear a song that was popular from about 1993 to 1998, it really makes my day. I don't necessarily think the songs from those years are technically better than others (though I expect some arguments to the contrary) I think everyone has a certain attatchment to the music of their high school years.
I've been thinking about why that is, and here's what I've come up with so far: high schoolers are shallow (not exactly a news flash, I know). If there was a song that played on the radio a lot and all my friends liked it, I was much more likely to like it too, and now I like it because I heard it so much then. I think once people get past the high school mindset, they feel freer to voice dislike for certain songs or certain genres.
I guess one could argue that songs from one's high school years are more beloved because they remind us of our glory days of high school. That may be true for some but, while I had fun in high school, I don't consider them my glory days, and I sure don't want to go back to those days. Music is undoubtably a very powerful thing. I guess since high school is such a dramatic time in a person's life, the music has a more powerful presence.
Though I started thinking about the impact of pop music (and I'm using the term "pop" in a broad sense) a long time ago and thinking about what it is that makes highschoolers so shallow, I think this ties in with the discussion on authenticity going on here...I certainly had the tendency to be in to something because it was "cool" or because it was "uncool" (which was the cool thing with the grunge scene). I could be wrong, but I think mainstream music is almost entirely dependent on people who are concerned with the status quo.
Okay, this post has taken a turn I never intended for it to have, but all this is to ask, why do I love those songs so much?
*Internet banking (I'm not trying to promote my job, I just really like online banking)
*Do not call list
*Thinking of something that happend a long time ago and laughing about it out loud
*People who make me tapes/CDs
*Lean Cuisine (because I only have to cook for one and I don't really like leftovers)
*Sunscreen (for those of us who are pigment-impaired)
*Shaved ice
*Hitting your funnybone
*This.
*Canned dog food (I could gag just thinking about it)
*Sour milk (which I've consumed twice this month)
*Blue Pepsi
*The Googoo Dolls
*Spam (both junk e-amil and canned meat product)
My dog died today and I don't really know how to feel about it. On one hand, I don't feel terribly sad because she was 15(ish) and honestly, we expected her to go years ago. Of course, she was just a dog, so I would feel kind of silly being all sentimental about it. But I've never really had a pet die before, so I don't know what to think.
On the other hand, I am sad about it. I mean, she's been around since I was in early junior high. She was one of those dogs who knew the line between too energetic and too boring: she could be really fun or really sweet. She was as much a part of the family as a pet can be.
Seriously, I'm not looking for sympathy here, but I'm wondering what other people think about this: obviously, God made animals in such a way that people have some sort of relationship with them and affection for them, so how are we supposed to feel about animals?
Josiah linked this Snoop Dogg Shizzolator which translates any website into "Snoop." Go type in my blog or your blog or whatever. It's mo' funny.*
*May be offensive to some.
I've never been to New Orleans before, but I think I'm going for a few days at the end of the month. Do any of you who are familiar with N.O. have any suggestions on where I should go? (I'm pretty sure we'll be staying in the Bourbon Street area.)
...so I don't have to. Read this. (I suspect that the only people who will appreciate it like I did are those who are already convinced that grammar is important.)
If you've never checked out Topfive.com, you should check out these rejected state mottos. I especially like the one about Oklahoma being the Canada of Texas. I also recommend the top 15 names for Walmart Wine. Chef Boyardeaux has to be my favorite. Funny stuff.
Since I grew up in Texas in the 80's, I am partial to big hair. I'm not talking about Marge Simpson hair, or Dolly Parton Hair, but I have a place in my heart for the type of hair that a lot of Texas women have that's just a bigger version of everyone else's hair. I was in Dallas over the weekend and I was reminded of the difference between Texas women and the rest of the country: it's all in the hair. The combination of 95% humidity and lots of hairspray can do amazing things to a woman.
Since I've moved back from the big-hair stifling land of the northwest, where they brainwashed me into thinking that a woman doesn't have to fix her hair or wear lipstick or carry a purse, I've re-embraced my Texas roots. While I don't consider my current hair "big" (of course, I have my big-hair days), and I hardly ever use hairspray, I certainly have more of a Texas hairstyle than an Idaho hairstyle, and man, is it refreshing.
*Someone* wrote on my calendar that July 15th is "Big Hair Day". Southern girls, don't be embarrassed when the humidity makes your hair defy gravity. Embrace it! Enjoy it! If only for one day, pretend you're a Texan. It's more fun than you might think.**
**If you find yourself tempted to bleach your hair, you've taken the Texan thing too far.
Last night, some friends and I were discussing what we would do if we won the Powerball on Saturday. The jackpot is up to $200,000,000.00. Of course, after taxes you would probably end up with less than $100 million, but who's counting? As it's hard for me to comprehend any sum over a few million dollars, I'm not sure what I would do with the money other than buy a house and probably a fancy car for myself and everyone who is on my shortlist (spaces are limited)---but don't start kissing up just yet: according to the lottery website, chances of winning the full jackpot are 1 in 120,526,770...and of course, I haven't bought a ticket either, but I figure my chances are only slightly less than those who have. Wish me luck.
My brother brought me Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat Gazette, which features all of the different things we should be celebrating in the month of July. I've been told that I'll use any excuse to have a party (I have hosted an Unbirthday Party and I've attended both Groundhog Day celebrations and a Witangi Day Party), but even I was not aware that I could be celebrating all month. You know, they call the end of November through January 1 "The Holidays", but after you see this list, I think you'll agree that July is much more fun:
These are a few things we should be celebrating all month:
Anti-Bordom Month
National Bison Month
National Blueberries Month
National Hotdog Month
National Culinary Arts Month
National Cell Phone Courtesy Month
National Foreign Language Month
Air Conditionaing Appreciation Days
Of course, tommorrow is Independence Day and Saturday is my dad's bithday, but the real fun begins on Monday with the beginning of National Nude Recreation Week (sorry, no links). Interestingly, National Nude Recreation Week coincides with National Laundry Workers Week (maybe they have the week off?).
The 10th is Don't Step On a Bee Day
July 12th, we celebrate Cow Appreciation Day, which is nice because July is also National Baked Bean Month, and what goes better with baked beans than a nice juicy burger?
The 13th is Gruntled Workers Day (federal employees do not get this day off)
July 14th is National Town Crier's Day
July 16th is Michael Flatley's 45th birthday ("His legs move about as if independent from his body!")
July 20th, please be aware...it's Shark Awareness Day.
The 21st is a day I think we can all celebrate (unless you're a lactard): National Ice Cream Day.
The 24th is National Cousins Day...I know I'll be partying for this one, celebrating all the cousins I have but never see.
The 25th is the beginning of National Salad Week...which makes me wonder how the 28th got to be National Drive-Thru Day. Maybe we should have a McSalad.
What a fun-filled month. It's a good thing I have a vacation later this month, because all this partying is going to wear me out.
Okay, I've mentioned before that I find Walmart very frustrating. I've had a problem maintaining my grocery shopping composure on more than one occasion, but I have to admit that deep down, I love Walmart. There are two other grocery stores in a reasonable distance from my house, but I always opt for Walmart. Not only are they less expensive, they have pretty much anything I could possibly need.
I've been following a discussion (here, here, and here) about whether Walmart encourages or discourages community. The debate is interesting in that it makes you wonder what the true definition of community is. Does corporate America take away from the community by making retail service less personal? Of course "Walmart America" is the only America I've ever known, so I can't quite identify with the sense of loss of local retailers. I suspect I've just been brainwashed into appreciating Walmart and other chains like it. When I'm travelling, I am much more likely to stop at a Walmart where I already know my way around, than I am to stop at an unknown local store. When I'm out of town, I'm more likely to eat at McDonald's (which I don't really like) than at a local place...at least I know what I'm getting. What can I say? It's the American way.
Well, obviously a lot has been and could be said on this subject. Frankly, I feel like Walmart dominates the nation because they're good at what they do. One of the consequences of that is that the entire nation is starting to look the same. Is capitalism morphing into socialism? Perhaps, but if a city doesn't want itself to start looking like a cookie-cutter of the next city over, the city council has the right to keep big business out and preserve that small-town feeling.
Overall, I have to agree that Walmart does not encourage community. However, I must say that when I'm in the express lane behind someone who has 50 items and is trying to buy beer and cigarettes with food stamps, and the cashier turns on that flashing light because she's out of quaters, the people in line behind me and I have a sense of comaraderie...maybe it's not community so much as a sense of common suffering...sort of like when you're on an airplane and you hit some bad turbulence: you develop a bond (albeit short-lived) between the people next to you.
I am a creature of habit...I will keep shopping at Walmart...but I don't have to like it.
Shannon linked this paint game, which proves that paint companies name their paints after nothing in particular. Basically, the game is a waste of time, but in a fun sort of way.
It reminds me of some of my favorite nail polish colors: I'm Not Really a Waitress, Blind Date, and The Thrill of Brazil.
You know how hard it is to find a birthday card that is funny and appropriate for the person you need to give it to? Whenever I go to the Hallmark shop, I always end up spending way too much time there and I used to end up walking out emptyhanded or with a card I don't really like. Because of this recurring problem, I usually end up finding one card I like and I send it to everyone who needs a birthday card from their old friend Christin.
Well, I have another birthday card problem besides that of being unable to find more than one I like: I hate going to the post office to buy stamps. Therefore, I usually end up sending an e-card instead. Hallmark.com has the best of all available e-cards, and just as with paper cards, I've found one that I like in particular, so I send it to everyone. My friends must have figured out that I like it because I often receive it on my own birthday...and that's great. It always makes me laugh. So if you need to send you friend an e-card, this is the one to send.*
*I know, an e-card seems impersonal (since it's free)...I won't even take the time to go to the post office...but I usually include a phone call, too, so I think it all evens out.
Finally, after all this time and all the hype, I've started reading Harry Potter...no, not the new one. I'm starting at the very beginning (a very good place to start). I started reading it 2 nights ago and I'm already doing that thing where I say to myself, "one more chapter," then I read another chapter and say, "one more chapter," until I can't hold my eyes opened any more. I think that means I like it.