Original My Space post date: November 24, 2008
So this Friday will be the busiest shopping day of the year. Black Friday, as those who have served in the retail industry know it. Can I ask a small favor of any one reading this blog? Please? The favor is - STAY OFF YOUR CELLPHONE WHILE CHECKING OUT IN LINE!!
This plea stems from an experience I had the other night at - of all places - Super K-Mart. I realize that my first mistake was going to Super K-Mart. But it was a last resort, as I had already scoured every toy aisle of Toys R Us, Target, and Wal-Mart within a 30 mile radius. I was looking for a Fisher Price Little Mommy Newborn Baby Doll to go with the Fisher Price Little Mommy Stroller that I bought for Keira for her first birthday. This doll fits perfectly in the stroller and is only $10 (I probably spent more than that on gas driving around looking for this thing but I digress...). Target and Wal-Mart had none. Toys R Us had four - but they were all African American or boys. (I'm sorry, judge if you want, but I was looking for a Caucasian, girl baby doll.) So, triumphant with my find, I went to the front of the store to check out. Disaster.
Now, I don't go to Super K-Mart often. Mostly because it's out of the way, but also because their customer service there isn't quite a pleasant experience. As usual, there were 30 people trying to check out and only 3 cashiers. You do the math. The line I picked put me behind a colorful cast of characters, but my favorite was the large, boisterous woman on her cell phone. As the tired, overworked cashier scanned her items, the Cell Phone Lady (CPL for short) proceeded to talk loudly enough for all of us to hear her business. Yelling to someone on the other end, she handed the cashier a stack of coupons. I sighed and picked up a magazine. This was going to be a long one.
The cashier scanned each coupon as slowly as she could. Beeeep! Blooop! Beeeep! Blooop! My head was ringing. Suddenly, "Uh, excuse me, ma'am? Hello, ma'am?" the cashier said, trying to get CPL's attention. No response. "Ma'am? This coupon is no good." CPL: "Hold on a second, I'm checking out at K-Mart, no, no, hold on...what?!" At this point, the lady in front of me turned around and said "I only came in here to get some eggs." I laughed. Again the cashier: "This coupon is $5 off of a $50 purchase and you're $0.25 short." CPL (back on her cell phone): "Ok, ok wait I don't understand, it says $5 off when you spend $50, and I spent $50!" I wanted to scream! You stupid TWIT! Put down the freaking cell phone and pay attention to what's going on!! CPL goes, "Well, just forget it then." I thought, oh, forget the coupon. NO - SHE MEANT, FORGET MY PURCHASE AT ALL - AND WALKED OUT! All while still on her cell phone.
Please - I beg you! - do not answer or continue a conversation while on a cell phone in line. Are you really that self-important that you need to be having that conversation at that very moment?? It's rude to the cashier, and rude to those waiting in line behind you. I mean, how long does it really take to check out? 2-3 minutes, tops? Your phone call can't wait that long? Your house better be burning to the ground or someone on the other end better be clinging to the last minutes of life! Those are the only acceptable reasons to be on the phone at that very moment. Just think of how much faster and how much more enjoyable this holiday season would be if everyone just waited to take that call.
Here's wishing you and yours a Happy Black Friday!
Monday, March 9, 2009
GOP - You've GOT to be kidding!
Original My Space post date: September 2, 2008
I visited one of my favorite internet sites tonight, www.celebrity-babies.com, a fun site that blogs about celebrity babies and features hip baby clothes and toys. I got hooked on it when I was pregnant and check it daily for new baby clothes sites and celebrity baby stories. Imagine my surprise when tonight's main headline was "Alaskan Governor/VP Candidate Sarah Palin's Child Expecting". WHAT...THE...HELL.
But it's true. Sarah Palin's 17-year old daughter Bristol is expecting her first child and she's 5 months pregnant. This announcement just makes my head spin. Sarah Palin pranced into the Presidential race, spewing her religious beliefs, hard-core family values, and sprinkling a little bit of her PRO-LIFE bullshit into every speech she makes. Not to mention her belief in teaching abstinence to our children as the only way to prevent pregnancy.
She is so delusional. Any mother of a teenager cannot think that their child is not having sex, or at least thinking about having sex. This is just ignorance. And any parent who thinks they can preach abstinence and not even mention birth control or condoms to their child needs to WAKE UP. Practice what you preach, right Momma Palin?
So then in doing a Google search on Bristol Palin, I see that there was an internet "rumor" that Sarah's newest baby, Trig, is actually Bristol's. This was the first I had heard of this. What is so funny to me is when Sarah Palin was announced as the GOP's VP candidate, I Googled her. One hit that I searched had a family picture of the Palin Family. In looking at this picture, I thought to myself, "That oldest daughter looks pregnant!" This website below shows Bristol in that picture, blown up to highlight her condition:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/30/121350/137/486/580223
This site also lists a number of reasons why it is possible that Trig is her child. One of these reasons is that Sarah Palin NEVER LOOKED PREGNANT. Not even to her closest co-workers. In a picture where she claims to be 7-months pregnant, she looks thin and trim as ever. This seems IMPOSSIBLE for a mother who has 4 previous pregnancies. As I first time mom, I didn't show at all until I was about 5 months. But after that, there was no mistaking I was pregnant.
Part of me really sympathizes with Bristol. An unplanned pregnancy is a scary thing, let alone that you're 17-years old and still in high school. I think the part that makes me so mad is that her mother is so devoted to the "Preach Abstinence" platform and it has seemingly back fired on her. But I applaud Bristol for having the baby.
I don't know who to vote for come November. To me, the choice is Obama/Biden, or write-in Hilary. I will never vote for any candidate that does not support Pro-Choice. Nor will I vote for a 73-year old Republican who puts Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from running our country.
I visited one of my favorite internet sites tonight, www.celebrity-babies.com, a fun site that blogs about celebrity babies and features hip baby clothes and toys. I got hooked on it when I was pregnant and check it daily for new baby clothes sites and celebrity baby stories. Imagine my surprise when tonight's main headline was "Alaskan Governor/VP Candidate Sarah Palin's Child Expecting". WHAT...THE...HELL.
But it's true. Sarah Palin's 17-year old daughter Bristol is expecting her first child and she's 5 months pregnant. This announcement just makes my head spin. Sarah Palin pranced into the Presidential race, spewing her religious beliefs, hard-core family values, and sprinkling a little bit of her PRO-LIFE bullshit into every speech she makes. Not to mention her belief in teaching abstinence to our children as the only way to prevent pregnancy.
She is so delusional. Any mother of a teenager cannot think that their child is not having sex, or at least thinking about having sex. This is just ignorance. And any parent who thinks they can preach abstinence and not even mention birth control or condoms to their child needs to WAKE UP. Practice what you preach, right Momma Palin?
So then in doing a Google search on Bristol Palin, I see that there was an internet "rumor" that Sarah's newest baby, Trig, is actually Bristol's. This was the first I had heard of this. What is so funny to me is when Sarah Palin was announced as the GOP's VP candidate, I Googled her. One hit that I searched had a family picture of the Palin Family. In looking at this picture, I thought to myself, "That oldest daughter looks pregnant!" This website below shows Bristol in that picture, blown up to highlight her condition:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/30/121350/137/486/580223
This site also lists a number of reasons why it is possible that Trig is her child. One of these reasons is that Sarah Palin NEVER LOOKED PREGNANT. Not even to her closest co-workers. In a picture where she claims to be 7-months pregnant, she looks thin and trim as ever. This seems IMPOSSIBLE for a mother who has 4 previous pregnancies. As I first time mom, I didn't show at all until I was about 5 months. But after that, there was no mistaking I was pregnant.
Part of me really sympathizes with Bristol. An unplanned pregnancy is a scary thing, let alone that you're 17-years old and still in high school. I think the part that makes me so mad is that her mother is so devoted to the "Preach Abstinence" platform and it has seemingly back fired on her. But I applaud Bristol for having the baby.
I don't know who to vote for come November. To me, the choice is Obama/Biden, or write-in Hilary. I will never vote for any candidate that does not support Pro-Choice. Nor will I vote for a 73-year old Republican who puts Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from running our country.
My Top 10 Downtowners
Original My Space post date: June 9, 2008
When I was on maternity leave earlier this year, one of the things I missed the most about work was the cast of characters that I encountered daily downtown. I'd like to take a moment to pay tribute to the top 10 colorful and unique individuals that make my boring work days oh-so interesting.
1. Ed the Shuttle Driver - Ed drives my Station Square shuttle and has probably been doing his job for the past 20 years. Everyday he wears a denim button down shirt with the "Station Square" logo embroidered on the front, and a red tie. I'm pretty sure he's a Nascar fan because he posts Nascar posters of cars with numbers all over them on the shuttle's interior walls. He doesn't know my name, but remembers me as the really pregnant girl who had a baby, so he always asks me "How's that little one doing?" He's charming.
2. The Man who Sits in the Ticket Booth at the Station Square Lot - I don't know his name, but I know he's somewhere between 50-70 years old. He wears glasses with lenses like pop bottles, has big ears, and has 4 or 5 teeth. He remembers me and I always say good morning to him as I pull through the gate. Nice man.
3. The Creepster who Works the Surface Lot by my Building - "Heeey Blondie! Want a pop?" I think this was the funniest thing this guy said to me. I was walking back to my office from a meeting and he asked if he could get me a pop from the machine. Why? I don't know. Maybe this was his way of making friends. I often pass him when I walk to work, and he always has to stop me to ask some obscure question. One time he thought I was married to one of my co-workers because we went to a lot of job meetings together. To which my co-worker responded "Ha! No way!" which equally offended me.
4. The Italian Lady who Owns Milano's Pizza with Her Sons - Milano's is the little pizzeria on Market Street by my building - the only pizza place in a 3 block radius that my office is allowed to order from (it's a whole other story for another time). The little Italian woman who owns the place with her two sons - one of which is named Michael - always has some story to tell us about some customer or one of her waitresses. Although it's hard to understand her broken English, I am glad to patronize their business and keep them around.
5. The Homeless Man with a Baby Stroller - It's just like it sounds. There is a homeless man on the Blvd. of the Allies that I see around 5:00 everyday who pushes all of his belongings around in a (fairly new) Graco baby stroller. And I wonder, Who gave him the stroller? Did he steal it? Was it a gift? A couple of times he has asked me for a quarter. Maybe he saved up all of his quarters and bought it. Maybe he thought it was a good investment? You intrigue me, Homeless Man with a Baby Stroller.
I'll quickly run down the next few:
6. The Cleaning Man in my Building who Eats McDonalds in the Building Conference Room Before he Starts Work
7. The Chatty Cougars on the Shuttle
8. The Metrosexual Guy in my Building who Always Tells Me He Likes My Shoes
9. The Cheerful CB Richard Ellis Engineer in my Building who Changes our Fluorescent Light Bulbs
10. The Rabbit that Lives Under the Bushes Outside of the Grand Concourse (although it's been about a year since I've seen this rabbit. I shudder to think what may have happened to it.)
So there you have it. The 10 most interesting people in my work "neighborhood" who make a regular day seem special. I really missed working downtown! I mean seriously, if you had all these interesting people to look forward to seeing everyday, wouldn't you love it too?
When I was on maternity leave earlier this year, one of the things I missed the most about work was the cast of characters that I encountered daily downtown. I'd like to take a moment to pay tribute to the top 10 colorful and unique individuals that make my boring work days oh-so interesting.
1. Ed the Shuttle Driver - Ed drives my Station Square shuttle and has probably been doing his job for the past 20 years. Everyday he wears a denim button down shirt with the "Station Square" logo embroidered on the front, and a red tie. I'm pretty sure he's a Nascar fan because he posts Nascar posters of cars with numbers all over them on the shuttle's interior walls. He doesn't know my name, but remembers me as the really pregnant girl who had a baby, so he always asks me "How's that little one doing?" He's charming.
2. The Man who Sits in the Ticket Booth at the Station Square Lot - I don't know his name, but I know he's somewhere between 50-70 years old. He wears glasses with lenses like pop bottles, has big ears, and has 4 or 5 teeth. He remembers me and I always say good morning to him as I pull through the gate. Nice man.
3. The Creepster who Works the Surface Lot by my Building - "Heeey Blondie! Want a pop?" I think this was the funniest thing this guy said to me. I was walking back to my office from a meeting and he asked if he could get me a pop from the machine. Why? I don't know. Maybe this was his way of making friends. I often pass him when I walk to work, and he always has to stop me to ask some obscure question. One time he thought I was married to one of my co-workers because we went to a lot of job meetings together. To which my co-worker responded "Ha! No way!" which equally offended me.
4. The Italian Lady who Owns Milano's Pizza with Her Sons - Milano's is the little pizzeria on Market Street by my building - the only pizza place in a 3 block radius that my office is allowed to order from (it's a whole other story for another time). The little Italian woman who owns the place with her two sons - one of which is named Michael - always has some story to tell us about some customer or one of her waitresses. Although it's hard to understand her broken English, I am glad to patronize their business and keep them around.
5. The Homeless Man with a Baby Stroller - It's just like it sounds. There is a homeless man on the Blvd. of the Allies that I see around 5:00 everyday who pushes all of his belongings around in a (fairly new) Graco baby stroller. And I wonder, Who gave him the stroller? Did he steal it? Was it a gift? A couple of times he has asked me for a quarter. Maybe he saved up all of his quarters and bought it. Maybe he thought it was a good investment? You intrigue me, Homeless Man with a Baby Stroller.
I'll quickly run down the next few:
6. The Cleaning Man in my Building who Eats McDonalds in the Building Conference Room Before he Starts Work
7. The Chatty Cougars on the Shuttle
8. The Metrosexual Guy in my Building who Always Tells Me He Likes My Shoes
9. The Cheerful CB Richard Ellis Engineer in my Building who Changes our Fluorescent Light Bulbs
10. The Rabbit that Lives Under the Bushes Outside of the Grand Concourse (although it's been about a year since I've seen this rabbit. I shudder to think what may have happened to it.)
So there you have it. The 10 most interesting people in my work "neighborhood" who make a regular day seem special. I really missed working downtown! I mean seriously, if you had all these interesting people to look forward to seeing everyday, wouldn't you love it too?
Thanks for ruining a classic, Kid Rock
Original My Space post date: May 29, 2008
Just admit it. Every time you hear "Sweet Home Alabama" start to play (you know - that catchy guitar rift that starts out the song) you turn to your best friend or even that random standing next to you and shout "I love this song!" If we were at a fraternity party, all the sorostitutes would shout "WOOOO!" and the shirtless guys in cowboy hats would high five each other, beers sloshing out of their red plastic cups. (Ok, so in my head this is what happens. I have been to 2 fraternity houses in my entire life, and never saw one shirtless guy wearing a cowboy hat...but I digress...)Regardless of where you are when you hear it, the song just makes you smile. When Lynyrd tells you to "Turn it up!", you do. And seriously, who doesn't know the words? Everyone knows the chorus. I'll admit I'm a little jealous that the song isn't titled "Sweet Home Pennsylvania" (it works!) or that I'm not from Alabama. This song is as American as apple pie and Monica Lewinsky.Which is why it made my skin crawl to hear this new Kid Rock song, "All Summer Long". All I can think of is his greasy stringy hair, smoking a cigar, sitting on the hood of some beat up 80's car, wearing a wife beater. I hate his version, which is a composite of "Warewolves of London" and "Sweet Home Alabama". He pretty much managed to desecrate two unbelievably awesome songs at the same time. Kudos, Kid Rock. Classy, just like your taste in women. And Sirius, can you please not play this song 3 times an hour on all of your stations while I am at work? Yet another reason why XM is clearly the winner when it comes to music. Unfortunately, I think we'll have to hear this song allll summer looong...ha...
Just admit it. Every time you hear "Sweet Home Alabama" start to play (you know - that catchy guitar rift that starts out the song) you turn to your best friend or even that random standing next to you and shout "I love this song!" If we were at a fraternity party, all the sorostitutes would shout "WOOOO!" and the shirtless guys in cowboy hats would high five each other, beers sloshing out of their red plastic cups. (Ok, so in my head this is what happens. I have been to 2 fraternity houses in my entire life, and never saw one shirtless guy wearing a cowboy hat...but I digress...)Regardless of where you are when you hear it, the song just makes you smile. When Lynyrd tells you to "Turn it up!", you do. And seriously, who doesn't know the words? Everyone knows the chorus. I'll admit I'm a little jealous that the song isn't titled "Sweet Home Pennsylvania" (it works!) or that I'm not from Alabama. This song is as American as apple pie and Monica Lewinsky.Which is why it made my skin crawl to hear this new Kid Rock song, "All Summer Long". All I can think of is his greasy stringy hair, smoking a cigar, sitting on the hood of some beat up 80's car, wearing a wife beater. I hate his version, which is a composite of "Warewolves of London" and "Sweet Home Alabama". He pretty much managed to desecrate two unbelievably awesome songs at the same time. Kudos, Kid Rock. Classy, just like your taste in women. And Sirius, can you please not play this song 3 times an hour on all of your stations while I am at work? Yet another reason why XM is clearly the winner when it comes to music. Unfortunately, I think we'll have to hear this song allll summer looong...ha...
Miley Cyrus...Who Cares?
Original My Space post date: April 29, 2008
I swear if I have to hear about Miley Cyrus one more time this week I am going to scream. I was listening to three, THREE radio stations on the way into work this morning and all of them were discussing Miley Cyrus' Vanity Fair cover photo. Some calls to the stations included:
"It's too risque for a 15-year old!"
"Faith based family - yeah, right."
"What kind of example is she setting for my young daughter?"
And herein lies the problem as I see it. Miley Cyrus is an actress. A movie star. A hit recording artist. She is not your young daughter's baby sitter or older sister. Actresses in Hollywood create fictional characters. They "act" like someone they're not - it's their job and what they get paid for. Too many parents these days are looking for these actresses and pop stars to set examples for their young children. But really, it's not the actress' or the pop singer's responsibility. IT'S THE PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY.
So my first thought, "How many 10 year olds are reading Vanity Fair?" I'm 26 and I don't read Vanity Fair. But one caller claimed, "My daughter doesn't read it, but now she'll want me to buy it for her!" Um, if your daughter sees a commercial for the most beautiful pink doll house ever made, do you run out and buy it for her?? If you do, you're going to have a long road ahead of you. How about this? Tell your daughter NO. "No, you cannot have this magazine because it's for ADULTS."
My other thought is that IF my child would ask, "Mommy (or Daddy), why is Miley naked on that magazine cover?", my response would be, "She's an actress. She gets paid to act and be on magazine covers." Also, Miley Cyrus is a young girl herself. She isn't always going to make the right decisions like an adult would. (Britney, Jamie Lynn, Lindsay Lohan ring any bells?) It's hard for a young child's role model to be a role model themselves.
I'm not saying what she did was OK. She is a little too young to be on a national magazine cover wearing nothing but a sheet. But I am tired of hearing angry parents up in arms because this is going to "scar" their child. Try a little parenting - a little no or having a discussion with your child about it will do wonders.
And to the media outlets who keep talking and talking and TALKING about it, LET IT GO. You're the ones making it a bigger deal than it is. It almost makes me never want to read PerezHitlon.com or TMZ.com ever again! Almost...
I swear if I have to hear about Miley Cyrus one more time this week I am going to scream. I was listening to three, THREE radio stations on the way into work this morning and all of them were discussing Miley Cyrus' Vanity Fair cover photo. Some calls to the stations included:
"It's too risque for a 15-year old!"
"Faith based family - yeah, right."
"What kind of example is she setting for my young daughter?"
And herein lies the problem as I see it. Miley Cyrus is an actress. A movie star. A hit recording artist. She is not your young daughter's baby sitter or older sister. Actresses in Hollywood create fictional characters. They "act" like someone they're not - it's their job and what they get paid for. Too many parents these days are looking for these actresses and pop stars to set examples for their young children. But really, it's not the actress' or the pop singer's responsibility. IT'S THE PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY.
So my first thought, "How many 10 year olds are reading Vanity Fair?" I'm 26 and I don't read Vanity Fair. But one caller claimed, "My daughter doesn't read it, but now she'll want me to buy it for her!" Um, if your daughter sees a commercial for the most beautiful pink doll house ever made, do you run out and buy it for her?? If you do, you're going to have a long road ahead of you. How about this? Tell your daughter NO. "No, you cannot have this magazine because it's for ADULTS."
My other thought is that IF my child would ask, "Mommy (or Daddy), why is Miley naked on that magazine cover?", my response would be, "She's an actress. She gets paid to act and be on magazine covers." Also, Miley Cyrus is a young girl herself. She isn't always going to make the right decisions like an adult would. (Britney, Jamie Lynn, Lindsay Lohan ring any bells?) It's hard for a young child's role model to be a role model themselves.
I'm not saying what she did was OK. She is a little too young to be on a national magazine cover wearing nothing but a sheet. But I am tired of hearing angry parents up in arms because this is going to "scar" their child. Try a little parenting - a little no or having a discussion with your child about it will do wonders.
And to the media outlets who keep talking and talking and TALKING about it, LET IT GO. You're the ones making it a bigger deal than it is. It almost makes me never want to read PerezHitlon.com or TMZ.com ever again! Almost...
My Heath Ledger Blog
Original My Space post date: February 1, 2008
I have to admit it - I am a celebrity gossip junkie. I am a frequent visitor to TMZ.com and Perezhilton.com, not to mention obsessed with tabloids like US Weekly and OK! magazine. John knows that I need at least an hour each night to get my celebrity gossip fix via the internet. He makes fun of my obsession but that's ok with me - it's my one guilty pleasure in my busy daily routine.
I heard the news of Heath Ledger's death on the radio on my way home from work last Tuesday. "The latest on the Heath Ledger tragedy - right after Maroon 5..." the DJ said. Heath Ledger tragedy?! That wasn't something I expected to hear. Britney Spears or Amy Winehouse - either of those names would have been no surprise to any of us. But Heath Ledger? I quickly pulled up Perezhilton.com on my phone and saw the headline "The Latest Details on Heath Ledger's Death". Really, my heart dropped.
Right now you may be reading this and asking why I care so much about his death to devote an entire blog to him. You might be saying, sure it's sad and it's tragic, but that's Hollywood! And I'm bothered by it too. Why do I care so much? Why have I not been able to shake the image of Heath carrying his two year old daughter on his shoulders? And there you have it. I loved him as an actor and a public figure, but I was charmed even more by him as a father.
Any person who reads those gossip mags and websites like I do is familiar with the pictures published of Heath pushing a stroller, or playing with and feeding his little girl. He looks like a regular Joe, just a daddy and his daughter spending some quality time together. I can't help but relate to these images since I get such a euphoric feeling when I see my own daughter with my husband. And now my heart hurts for this little girl who will grow up without knowing her father. He too was just a dad, but happened to be a talented and famous actor. I hate that Hollywood and the pressures of his craft forced him to leave us the way he did. I want him to be able to walk the streets of Brooklyn with his daughter again, I want to rewind history and bring him back. He was a man, an actor, but most importantly a father, taken too soon.
Post-blog note: One of my favorite movies has always been A Knight's Tale. I cry everytime I watch the scene where Ulrich visits his blind father for the first time in 10 years. Rent it!
I have to admit it - I am a celebrity gossip junkie. I am a frequent visitor to TMZ.com and Perezhilton.com, not to mention obsessed with tabloids like US Weekly and OK! magazine. John knows that I need at least an hour each night to get my celebrity gossip fix via the internet. He makes fun of my obsession but that's ok with me - it's my one guilty pleasure in my busy daily routine.
I heard the news of Heath Ledger's death on the radio on my way home from work last Tuesday. "The latest on the Heath Ledger tragedy - right after Maroon 5..." the DJ said. Heath Ledger tragedy?! That wasn't something I expected to hear. Britney Spears or Amy Winehouse - either of those names would have been no surprise to any of us. But Heath Ledger? I quickly pulled up Perezhilton.com on my phone and saw the headline "The Latest Details on Heath Ledger's Death". Really, my heart dropped.
Right now you may be reading this and asking why I care so much about his death to devote an entire blog to him. You might be saying, sure it's sad and it's tragic, but that's Hollywood! And I'm bothered by it too. Why do I care so much? Why have I not been able to shake the image of Heath carrying his two year old daughter on his shoulders? And there you have it. I loved him as an actor and a public figure, but I was charmed even more by him as a father.
Any person who reads those gossip mags and websites like I do is familiar with the pictures published of Heath pushing a stroller, or playing with and feeding his little girl. He looks like a regular Joe, just a daddy and his daughter spending some quality time together. I can't help but relate to these images since I get such a euphoric feeling when I see my own daughter with my husband. And now my heart hurts for this little girl who will grow up without knowing her father. He too was just a dad, but happened to be a talented and famous actor. I hate that Hollywood and the pressures of his craft forced him to leave us the way he did. I want him to be able to walk the streets of Brooklyn with his daughter again, I want to rewind history and bring him back. He was a man, an actor, but most importantly a father, taken too soon.
Post-blog note: One of my favorite movies has always been A Knight's Tale. I cry everytime I watch the scene where Ulrich visits his blind father for the first time in 10 years. Rent it!
Welcome to the World! My Baby Blog
Original My Space post date: November 30, 2007
So it's 11:30 at night on a week night and I'm not in bed yet because I am patiently waiting up until 1 am, which is Keira's next scheduled feeding. Fun times! For anyone reading this blog who doesn't know, our little bundle of joy was born this past Sunday, November 25 at 11:14 am. She arrived after 8 hours of labor, which began on Saturday night as a HUGE surprise, since I wasn't due until December 5. I had been feeling fine in the days leading up to her birth, although I didn't go to work on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving due to a mysterious headache that wouldn't go away. But I had Thanksgiving dinner with my family and even did a little "Black Friday" shopping with my mom, which had to be cut short because of my extreme discomfort in walking for long periods of time. But there was surely no mistaking the contractions that in turn forced me to tell John, "We need to go to the hospital NOW, my contractions are 2-3 minutes apart." Except I insisted on jumping in the shower first which John really disapproved of, but of course I did it anyways.How annoying was the nurse at the front desk of the emergency room at Mercy Hospital, asking me what seemed like 10 million insurance questions (didn't we pre-register for a reason?!)? I certainly wasn't in the best of moods as I gritted my teeth and filled out all her dumb forms, signing most of them Lauren Campbell because I temporarily forgot that my last name had changed. Anyways, things moved pretty quickly from there, and I can't say it was extremely painful, just mostly uncomfortable and WOW an epidural is really the way to go. You're a FREAKING IDIOT if you don't get one. Like my one nurse said, no one ever won an award for the most pain tolerance in childbirth. Take the meds!John was seriously amazing; he was by my side the ENTIRE TIME until the very end. He saw everything, which is probably more than he would have liked to see! But childbirth truly is a miracle and I feel blessed that we had the opportunity to go through it together. Keira is a little angel and it melts my heart when I think about how much she depends on us to care for her every moment of the day. For now I am playing the role of full time mom and will go back to work in early February. I can tell it's going to be full of challenges (last night I got about 3 hours of sleep total) but I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing than caring for our baby.Thanks to everyone for their good wishes and comments. I hope everyone will get the chance to meet her soon!
So it's 11:30 at night on a week night and I'm not in bed yet because I am patiently waiting up until 1 am, which is Keira's next scheduled feeding. Fun times! For anyone reading this blog who doesn't know, our little bundle of joy was born this past Sunday, November 25 at 11:14 am. She arrived after 8 hours of labor, which began on Saturday night as a HUGE surprise, since I wasn't due until December 5. I had been feeling fine in the days leading up to her birth, although I didn't go to work on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving due to a mysterious headache that wouldn't go away. But I had Thanksgiving dinner with my family and even did a little "Black Friday" shopping with my mom, which had to be cut short because of my extreme discomfort in walking for long periods of time. But there was surely no mistaking the contractions that in turn forced me to tell John, "We need to go to the hospital NOW, my contractions are 2-3 minutes apart." Except I insisted on jumping in the shower first which John really disapproved of, but of course I did it anyways.How annoying was the nurse at the front desk of the emergency room at Mercy Hospital, asking me what seemed like 10 million insurance questions (didn't we pre-register for a reason?!)? I certainly wasn't in the best of moods as I gritted my teeth and filled out all her dumb forms, signing most of them Lauren Campbell because I temporarily forgot that my last name had changed. Anyways, things moved pretty quickly from there, and I can't say it was extremely painful, just mostly uncomfortable and WOW an epidural is really the way to go. You're a FREAKING IDIOT if you don't get one. Like my one nurse said, no one ever won an award for the most pain tolerance in childbirth. Take the meds!John was seriously amazing; he was by my side the ENTIRE TIME until the very end. He saw everything, which is probably more than he would have liked to see! But childbirth truly is a miracle and I feel blessed that we had the opportunity to go through it together. Keira is a little angel and it melts my heart when I think about how much she depends on us to care for her every moment of the day. For now I am playing the role of full time mom and will go back to work in early February. I can tell it's going to be full of challenges (last night I got about 3 hours of sleep total) but I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing than caring for our baby.Thanks to everyone for their good wishes and comments. I hope everyone will get the chance to meet her soon!
Get this Pregnant Girl a Drink!
Original My Space post date: November 5, 2007
The title of my blog says it all. Those of you who have already experienced the joys of pregnancy can totally relate. For those of you who haven't...imagine not having any alcohol for 10 months - almost an entire year! It's enough to drive a person insane. Maybe I'm part alcoholic because a nice glass of wine used to wind me down at the end of a work day. We get to pack what's called a "goody" bag for the hospital. It is supposed to contain items that will help you get through your labor, such as scented lotions, massage oils, lollipops etc. I plan on including a beer or wine cooler for post-partum to sneak when the nurses aren't looking.
Besides the incessant craving for alcohol, my pregnancy is going well. Only 4 more weeks until my due date (I'll be lucky if I go then; most first timers are late) and John and I just finished lamaze/childbirth class this past weekend. While some of the techniques we learned are totally ridiculous (full body meditation), there were a lot of helpful tips (for John especially) on how to get through the labor. I just want to get it all done and over with today! I am really on edge, knowing that the worst pain of my life will happen at some unknown date and time in the next 4 weeks!
John and I are so excited to meet Miss Keira Elizabeth Costello. There is this person who has grown with me for the past 9 months, and I don't even know what she looks like! Will she have lots of dark hair or none at all? Will she look like her dad or me? It's all very surreal. I'll keep everyone posted, but for now I remain as uncomfortable as ever...
The title of my blog says it all. Those of you who have already experienced the joys of pregnancy can totally relate. For those of you who haven't...imagine not having any alcohol for 10 months - almost an entire year! It's enough to drive a person insane. Maybe I'm part alcoholic because a nice glass of wine used to wind me down at the end of a work day. We get to pack what's called a "goody" bag for the hospital. It is supposed to contain items that will help you get through your labor, such as scented lotions, massage oils, lollipops etc. I plan on including a beer or wine cooler for post-partum to sneak when the nurses aren't looking.
Besides the incessant craving for alcohol, my pregnancy is going well. Only 4 more weeks until my due date (I'll be lucky if I go then; most first timers are late) and John and I just finished lamaze/childbirth class this past weekend. While some of the techniques we learned are totally ridiculous (full body meditation), there were a lot of helpful tips (for John especially) on how to get through the labor. I just want to get it all done and over with today! I am really on edge, knowing that the worst pain of my life will happen at some unknown date and time in the next 4 weeks!
John and I are so excited to meet Miss Keira Elizabeth Costello. There is this person who has grown with me for the past 9 months, and I don't even know what she looks like! Will she have lots of dark hair or none at all? Will she look like her dad or me? It's all very surreal. I'll keep everyone posted, but for now I remain as uncomfortable as ever...
America the RUDE!
Original My Space post date: October 6, 2007
Well, yes, I'm pretty pregnant. Eight months to be exact, and really feeling quite uncomfortable. Have you ever been to a pumpkin patch in 80 degree weather, with hundreds of running, yelling, misbehaving children around you, all while being 20 pounds heavier and 8 months pregnant? That was my day today, and I really don't ever recommend it. All of that aside, here is my rant.I never really believed the thought that Americans are the rudest people on the planet. Any time I have ever been to another country, I felt I went out of my way to be courteous and polite to any native foreigner I had encountered. I obviously have never experienced being a foreigner in America, but I can assure you I would never be discourteous to anyone visting here from out of the country. That said, I am changing my belief. AMERICANS ARE RUDE!I work in downtown Pittsburgh, and usually love it. I park at Station Square and ride a small shuttle bus into town everyday to and from my building. When it's nice, and I'm not wearing 3 inch heels, I will walk. But being in my current condition where my ankles swell at the drop of a hat, I am not wearing heels much anymore or walking a mile into downtown. The shuttle has very few seats and packs in twice as many people, therefore making most of the people stand. Okay, so here's where the story really begins.As I hobble from my car to the waiting shuttle, I see that there is standing room only. A few people glance annoyingly my way as I pull myself onto the shuttle. And that's about it. They look my way, then continue reading their book, or playing on their MP3/phone/PDA/fax machine or whatever it is. One of the guys who looks up is in his late 20's or early 30's, way too much cologne, pricey suit and tie, and an unnecessary amount of hair gel in his $75 haircut. I'm sure his balance is better than mine on a moving shuttle, but he remains seated. Hmmm, ok. Another person who looks up at me is clearly an Art Institute student. She's 20 years old or so, trying so hard to be different that she ends up just looking like every other student at AI. She's too busy trying to look bored to think about getting up for me. Ok. Maybe someone else? Next is the gaggle of women who I wouldn't call old, but I would say are older than 40. They are the kind of women who tell stories to each other, but loudly enough so that everyone on the shuttle knows that they are a divorced cougar living in a small apartment with their teenage daughter who won't talk to them or clean their room. They will look my way momentarily, but pretend to be too into their story to care that I have the balance of a lopsided watermelon. So I stand there, grasping for dear life to the metal bar that really doesn't help my balance at all. Purse on my shoulder, car keys and coffee mug in hand while trying not to fall into the shuttle driver's lap. Then he asks me to move back because I am blocking the right side window and he can't see out.I'm not whining. I stand there everytime and never say a word to anyone about wanting to sit down. And I don't want to sit because I am lazy. I am very dispropotionate right now and my balance is terrible, especially one handed and carrying a hot mug of coffee. I am just AMAZED at people's lack of courtesy or concern. Where has the chivalry gone?For now I will continue to ride the shuttle. I try to get there early enough so I am the one sitting and the sleazy business men and chatty cougars are the ones standing. I just ask that if you find yourself in a similar situation, that you relinquish your seat to the pregnant woman. No matter how bad your day was, hers was probably 10 times worse. And standing, moving, swaying with the shuttle or bus isn't making it any better. Even if she isn't pregnant, but it's an older woman or even gentleman, just let them sit down. It's sad that it has taken my pregnancy to see the lack of concern that most Americans have toward their fellow (wo)man. Let's work together to squash the idea that Americans are rude and impolite assholes.
Well, yes, I'm pretty pregnant. Eight months to be exact, and really feeling quite uncomfortable. Have you ever been to a pumpkin patch in 80 degree weather, with hundreds of running, yelling, misbehaving children around you, all while being 20 pounds heavier and 8 months pregnant? That was my day today, and I really don't ever recommend it. All of that aside, here is my rant.I never really believed the thought that Americans are the rudest people on the planet. Any time I have ever been to another country, I felt I went out of my way to be courteous and polite to any native foreigner I had encountered. I obviously have never experienced being a foreigner in America, but I can assure you I would never be discourteous to anyone visting here from out of the country. That said, I am changing my belief. AMERICANS ARE RUDE!I work in downtown Pittsburgh, and usually love it. I park at Station Square and ride a small shuttle bus into town everyday to and from my building. When it's nice, and I'm not wearing 3 inch heels, I will walk. But being in my current condition where my ankles swell at the drop of a hat, I am not wearing heels much anymore or walking a mile into downtown. The shuttle has very few seats and packs in twice as many people, therefore making most of the people stand. Okay, so here's where the story really begins.As I hobble from my car to the waiting shuttle, I see that there is standing room only. A few people glance annoyingly my way as I pull myself onto the shuttle. And that's about it. They look my way, then continue reading their book, or playing on their MP3/phone/PDA/fax machine or whatever it is. One of the guys who looks up is in his late 20's or early 30's, way too much cologne, pricey suit and tie, and an unnecessary amount of hair gel in his $75 haircut. I'm sure his balance is better than mine on a moving shuttle, but he remains seated. Hmmm, ok. Another person who looks up at me is clearly an Art Institute student. She's 20 years old or so, trying so hard to be different that she ends up just looking like every other student at AI. She's too busy trying to look bored to think about getting up for me. Ok. Maybe someone else? Next is the gaggle of women who I wouldn't call old, but I would say are older than 40. They are the kind of women who tell stories to each other, but loudly enough so that everyone on the shuttle knows that they are a divorced cougar living in a small apartment with their teenage daughter who won't talk to them or clean their room. They will look my way momentarily, but pretend to be too into their story to care that I have the balance of a lopsided watermelon. So I stand there, grasping for dear life to the metal bar that really doesn't help my balance at all. Purse on my shoulder, car keys and coffee mug in hand while trying not to fall into the shuttle driver's lap. Then he asks me to move back because I am blocking the right side window and he can't see out.I'm not whining. I stand there everytime and never say a word to anyone about wanting to sit down. And I don't want to sit because I am lazy. I am very dispropotionate right now and my balance is terrible, especially one handed and carrying a hot mug of coffee. I am just AMAZED at people's lack of courtesy or concern. Where has the chivalry gone?For now I will continue to ride the shuttle. I try to get there early enough so I am the one sitting and the sleazy business men and chatty cougars are the ones standing. I just ask that if you find yourself in a similar situation, that you relinquish your seat to the pregnant woman. No matter how bad your day was, hers was probably 10 times worse. And standing, moving, swaying with the shuttle or bus isn't making it any better. Even if she isn't pregnant, but it's an older woman or even gentleman, just let them sit down. It's sad that it has taken my pregnancy to see the lack of concern that most Americans have toward their fellow (wo)man. Let's work together to squash the idea that Americans are rude and impolite assholes.
Important Life Lessons (Ramblings from a Pregnant Lady)
Original My Space post date: September 6, 2007
I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine today who really got me thinking about the importance of family, friends, work, life, etc. and how you rank them personally. Everybody is different, because everybody has different goals in life. And occasionally (peharps unexpectantly like for me), those goals will change and those rankings will change.
I can't think of anything more important in my life right now besides family. It's pretty obvious why. I just got married, and we're expecting a baby girl this December. But I have come to realize that family is the glue that holds my life together. My parents have been there to support me through everything I have ever attempted - swimming, soccer, college, buying a house, marriage, parenthood. No matter what, I can always turn to them at the end of the day and tell them what happened, how things went, why I was sad, and so on. Family will always be there. Period.
And now I am beginning to see that it isn't crucial that I follow the exact career path that I had laid out for myself when I finished college. In fact, if my career gets put on hold for a couple of years while we begin to raise our own family, it really deosn't matter at all. There will always be jobs. There will always be that chance to find a new job out there. I told my friend that it would be absolutely wonderful if we made $100,000 a year and our child was born into that kind of wealth. But you can raise a child on a median salary and he or she will still be happy and healthy. As long as you are there for your child, providing love and support for her or him will always count more than money.
Friends fall in the same catagory. They will always be there to support you, no matter what happens. You can always fall back on friends. They will be there for you longer than your current job, so why turn your back on them?
I guess all I am saying is I have come to realize the importance of these significant parts of my life and feel that family and friends will always triumph over work and money. I guess I can also blame the pregnancy for this recent epiphany!
I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine today who really got me thinking about the importance of family, friends, work, life, etc. and how you rank them personally. Everybody is different, because everybody has different goals in life. And occasionally (peharps unexpectantly like for me), those goals will change and those rankings will change.
I can't think of anything more important in my life right now besides family. It's pretty obvious why. I just got married, and we're expecting a baby girl this December. But I have come to realize that family is the glue that holds my life together. My parents have been there to support me through everything I have ever attempted - swimming, soccer, college, buying a house, marriage, parenthood. No matter what, I can always turn to them at the end of the day and tell them what happened, how things went, why I was sad, and so on. Family will always be there. Period.
And now I am beginning to see that it isn't crucial that I follow the exact career path that I had laid out for myself when I finished college. In fact, if my career gets put on hold for a couple of years while we begin to raise our own family, it really deosn't matter at all. There will always be jobs. There will always be that chance to find a new job out there. I told my friend that it would be absolutely wonderful if we made $100,000 a year and our child was born into that kind of wealth. But you can raise a child on a median salary and he or she will still be happy and healthy. As long as you are there for your child, providing love and support for her or him will always count more than money.
Friends fall in the same catagory. They will always be there to support you, no matter what happens. You can always fall back on friends. They will be there for you longer than your current job, so why turn your back on them?
I guess all I am saying is I have come to realize the importance of these significant parts of my life and feel that family and friends will always triumph over work and money. I guess I can also blame the pregnancy for this recent epiphany!
The Harry Truth
Original My Space post date: July 20, 2007
As you may have heard, the newest Harry Potter book (officially) arrives on shelves tomorrow. Actually midnight tonight it you want to be precise about it. I have read news stories that people have already lined up in malls and bookstores across the country to ensure that come midnight, they are the proud owner of a copy of JK Rowling's story of Harry's last adventure. Kudos to them for commiting to something with such enthusiasim.It was about 2 years ago that I waited in line at the Robinson Wal-Mart, a few minutes short of midnight, awaiting the arrival of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Secretly I drove to the Wal-Mart, ready to join the throng of Harry fans like myself. When I got there, not surprisingly, there was a line running from the front of the store, winding to and fro, all the way to the back in the frozen foods. Was I really up for this? A palette filled with the books sat at the entrance, with a giant bow on top, and a nervous looking manager guarding the stack. A Harry Potter cake was being divyed up among customers who wanted a piece. Adult men roamed the store in wizard robes and hats, carrying wands. It was quite a celebration.I drug myself to the back of the line and stood there, not having any idea how this book purchasing transaction was going to go down. A countdown soon began, as though we were ushering in a new year and simply not the arrival of a book. The line moved quickly. I mean, VERY quickly. I was literally walking the whole way up the line, no STOP, move, STOP, move was going on here. As people received copies of the book, some cheered triumphantly. Some annoyed looking parents simply walked to the registers, breathing a sigh of relief that when their child awoke in the morning, he of she would have the latest and greatest story in the Harry Potter series. I neared the pile of books and grabbed the first one my hand came upon. But after a quick look at the cover, I noticed a small tear in the paper sleeve. That simply wouldn't do! So I grabbed another book, but saw a black smudge on the back cover. What was going on here? I needed an UNBLEMISHED, practically perfect copy of The Half Blood Prince! On my third try, I was successful. A beautiful copy, unscratched and perfect. I walked to the register to pay and noticed that behind me there was something to be seen. That something was the end of the line, maybe 40 total copies of the book sold, and an entire palette still of the book. The excitement of the coutdown gone, wizards and witches home for the night, their newest acqusition nestled with them in bed.I felt ridiculous. I could have come tomorrow morning at 10 am, and still had my treasured copy of The Prince. As the next week went on, I spotted many copies of the book at Sam's Club, Borders, Target, all on "sale" and stocked to the brim. The frenzy that the media had created ("Get them early, they're going to sell out quick quick quick!") seemed so silly. And I was reminded of this today as I read news articles about the fans lining the bookstore sidewalks.Needless to say, I WON'T be at Wal-Mart tonight at midnight, or tommow, or even the next day. (Actually, tomorrow I will hopefully be going to see the movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.) Sometime next week, I will walk into some purveyor of books and purchase the coveted reading. Until then, I will go on with my life, hoping I don't hear details of the story. I want to enjoy my reading of the last and final chapter in this wonderful series , like a delicious steak dinner. Not to be rushed, but enjoyed and savored. I just hope the story lives up to all the hype.
As you may have heard, the newest Harry Potter book (officially) arrives on shelves tomorrow. Actually midnight tonight it you want to be precise about it. I have read news stories that people have already lined up in malls and bookstores across the country to ensure that come midnight, they are the proud owner of a copy of JK Rowling's story of Harry's last adventure. Kudos to them for commiting to something with such enthusiasim.It was about 2 years ago that I waited in line at the Robinson Wal-Mart, a few minutes short of midnight, awaiting the arrival of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Secretly I drove to the Wal-Mart, ready to join the throng of Harry fans like myself. When I got there, not surprisingly, there was a line running from the front of the store, winding to and fro, all the way to the back in the frozen foods. Was I really up for this? A palette filled with the books sat at the entrance, with a giant bow on top, and a nervous looking manager guarding the stack. A Harry Potter cake was being divyed up among customers who wanted a piece. Adult men roamed the store in wizard robes and hats, carrying wands. It was quite a celebration.I drug myself to the back of the line and stood there, not having any idea how this book purchasing transaction was going to go down. A countdown soon began, as though we were ushering in a new year and simply not the arrival of a book. The line moved quickly. I mean, VERY quickly. I was literally walking the whole way up the line, no STOP, move, STOP, move was going on here. As people received copies of the book, some cheered triumphantly. Some annoyed looking parents simply walked to the registers, breathing a sigh of relief that when their child awoke in the morning, he of she would have the latest and greatest story in the Harry Potter series. I neared the pile of books and grabbed the first one my hand came upon. But after a quick look at the cover, I noticed a small tear in the paper sleeve. That simply wouldn't do! So I grabbed another book, but saw a black smudge on the back cover. What was going on here? I needed an UNBLEMISHED, practically perfect copy of The Half Blood Prince! On my third try, I was successful. A beautiful copy, unscratched and perfect. I walked to the register to pay and noticed that behind me there was something to be seen. That something was the end of the line, maybe 40 total copies of the book sold, and an entire palette still of the book. The excitement of the coutdown gone, wizards and witches home for the night, their newest acqusition nestled with them in bed.I felt ridiculous. I could have come tomorrow morning at 10 am, and still had my treasured copy of The Prince. As the next week went on, I spotted many copies of the book at Sam's Club, Borders, Target, all on "sale" and stocked to the brim. The frenzy that the media had created ("Get them early, they're going to sell out quick quick quick!") seemed so silly. And I was reminded of this today as I read news articles about the fans lining the bookstore sidewalks.Needless to say, I WON'T be at Wal-Mart tonight at midnight, or tommow, or even the next day. (Actually, tomorrow I will hopefully be going to see the movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.) Sometime next week, I will walk into some purveyor of books and purchase the coveted reading. Until then, I will go on with my life, hoping I don't hear details of the story. I want to enjoy my reading of the last and final chapter in this wonderful series , like a delicious steak dinner. Not to be rushed, but enjoyed and savored. I just hope the story lives up to all the hype.
We're taking the plunge!
Original My Space post date: December 25, 2006
John surprised me this past Saturday night with the biggest gift I've ever received...asking me to marry him! It was one year ago on December 23, 2005 that we met in that wonderful country bar (now only charred building remains), the Crazy Horse. He had told me that we were gonig to celebrate by going out to dinner, somewhere fancy and I had to dress up. All week I tried to get hints of where we were going but it didn't work; he kept his secret. Unbeknownst to me, John had told my mom, dad, brother, and sister, as well as all of his family that he had bought the ring and as going to propose. He asked me at home, before we went out, telling me that "you're not fully dressed and something is missing", at which point he got down on his knee and pulled out the ring. I'm such a baby, I immediately started crying and of course, said yes. And by the way, we had dinner at Monterey Bay after that. It was fabulous.The ring is gorgeous and I couldn't have asked for anything better! Now on to the wedding planning...I have no idea about any of it! Any tips or suggestions would be great! And oh, yeah, we have to set a date!!
John surprised me this past Saturday night with the biggest gift I've ever received...asking me to marry him! It was one year ago on December 23, 2005 that we met in that wonderful country bar (now only charred building remains), the Crazy Horse. He had told me that we were gonig to celebrate by going out to dinner, somewhere fancy and I had to dress up. All week I tried to get hints of where we were going but it didn't work; he kept his secret. Unbeknownst to me, John had told my mom, dad, brother, and sister, as well as all of his family that he had bought the ring and as going to propose. He asked me at home, before we went out, telling me that "you're not fully dressed and something is missing", at which point he got down on his knee and pulled out the ring. I'm such a baby, I immediately started crying and of course, said yes. And by the way, we had dinner at Monterey Bay after that. It was fabulous.The ring is gorgeous and I couldn't have asked for anything better! Now on to the wedding planning...I have no idea about any of it! Any tips or suggestions would be great! And oh, yeah, we have to set a date!!
I'm a Synesthete!
Original My Space post date: November 2, 2006
Ever since I can remember, I have seen my numbers and letters as colors. "Whaaat?" you're probably saying. Yes, it's true. My head is swimming with colorful numbers and letters, and they come together when I am spelling, or adding or subtracting. I never thought anything of it; so much so that I never told anyone about it in my life – until this past year.
I revealed to my boyfriend that I had this affliction and to my surprise, he told me it wasn't normal. "That's weird!" he told me. "Like what do you mean?" I said, "Well, in my head and on paper, the number one is blue, two is red, three is blue, four is yellow, five is blue, six is orange, seven is yellow, eight is green, nine is red…and so on." He looked at me as though an alien had just grown out of my face. After I told him, he would occasionally tease me about it and we laughed at it, until the day he found out that it is a real condition that many people suffer from.
He was reading an old issue of Scientific American (insert laugh here) at work, and there was an article about "synethesia". Synethesia is described as a condition where two senses are intertwined, thus leaving the person able to see numbers and letter as colors, or hear shapes as sounds or even see days of the week as having a personality. It is usually genetic and at one time was thought to be caused by mind enhancing drugs such as acid, or caused by a stroke. Many people who have synethesia use their experiences in their creative process. I guess that explains my career choice!
Anyways, I have read more about synthesia since then. Click this link to read more about it on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia. I don't think that I have it to the most extreme degree, where some people are so bad that it inhibits their daily lives, and can't read a book without the colors blaring in their faces. I do however see it most when I am doing math, especially math problems in my head. I read that this is most likely the cause for my poor, pathetic math skills (including the only class I ever failed in my entire life – high school Trig!!). I also learned that music artist Pharrell shares this condition with me. I actually think it's quite cool to be able to diagnose this condition which I thought was nothing at all! But my boyfriend still thinks I'm weird.
Ever since I can remember, I have seen my numbers and letters as colors. "Whaaat?" you're probably saying. Yes, it's true. My head is swimming with colorful numbers and letters, and they come together when I am spelling, or adding or subtracting. I never thought anything of it; so much so that I never told anyone about it in my life – until this past year.
I revealed to my boyfriend that I had this affliction and to my surprise, he told me it wasn't normal. "That's weird!" he told me. "Like what do you mean?" I said, "Well, in my head and on paper, the number one is blue, two is red, three is blue, four is yellow, five is blue, six is orange, seven is yellow, eight is green, nine is red…and so on." He looked at me as though an alien had just grown out of my face. After I told him, he would occasionally tease me about it and we laughed at it, until the day he found out that it is a real condition that many people suffer from.
He was reading an old issue of Scientific American (insert laugh here) at work, and there was an article about "synethesia". Synethesia is described as a condition where two senses are intertwined, thus leaving the person able to see numbers and letter as colors, or hear shapes as sounds or even see days of the week as having a personality. It is usually genetic and at one time was thought to be caused by mind enhancing drugs such as acid, or caused by a stroke. Many people who have synethesia use their experiences in their creative process. I guess that explains my career choice!
Anyways, I have read more about synthesia since then. Click this link to read more about it on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia. I don't think that I have it to the most extreme degree, where some people are so bad that it inhibits their daily lives, and can't read a book without the colors blaring in their faces. I do however see it most when I am doing math, especially math problems in my head. I read that this is most likely the cause for my poor, pathetic math skills (including the only class I ever failed in my entire life – high school Trig!!). I also learned that music artist Pharrell shares this condition with me. I actually think it's quite cool to be able to diagnose this condition which I thought was nothing at all! But my boyfriend still thinks I'm weird.
Why does Nicolas Cage suck?
Original My Space post date: October 4, 2006
To my friends I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but if I've said it once, I've said it a million times: Nicolas Cage is the worst actor of all time. I would like to take this opportunity to explain my intense hatred for this terrible, terrible actor.
I think the first time I realized how much I hated Mr. Cage was after I saw him in Con Air. His sad, poor delivery of what should be "action-infused" lines was bland and unemotional. He has the emotion of a pencil drawn stick figure while attempting to fight off terroists on a doomed airplane flight. Come on Nic, pretend you're fighting for your life here! Act like your career depends on it, even though no matter what, you're still the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and Uncle Frank will get you work no matter how bad of an actor you are...
I am angry at the throngs of people who think he is one of the greatest action actors of all time. This is my favorite - Hollywood Salutes Nicolas Cage: An American Cinamatheque Tribute. Wow, really? We take up an entire night of television to honor Nicolas and all the great work he's done? Surely there are other actors that deserve this more than he does. Can we go as far as to say that he ranks at the top of all-time greats, along with actors such as Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholas...just to name a few?
Sometime after watching Con Air, I watched a movie that Nicolas had made 10 years prior, Raising Arizona. Why this man's career didn't end at the premiere of this movie is beyond me. I can't even use the same excuse for Nicolas that I use for Brad Pitt, that he's good looking and it doesn't matter how bad of an actor he is, because he's so not good looking. His large forehead due to his receding hairline is mainly prominent when you look at him these days, and his thinning hair makes me wonder if his marriage to a 20-year old is his last ditch effort to say "Hey, I'm hip, I'm young!" (Tom Cruise anyone?)
Since the day I watched Con Air, I have made a fairly successful attempt to NOT watch any Nicolas Cage movies. Unfortunately, the hype of the movie Gone in Sixty Seconds was too much for me to ignore, so I saw it. It was a great movie, and we all fell in love with Angelina Jolie for the first time, but I despised the scenes with Nicolas. Again, bland, unemotional line delivery slowed the pace of this action filled adventure.
And, against my better judgement, I saw the movie The Family Man. It looked so cute and wholesome, who couldn't love Nicolas Cage changing baby's diaper? Me. Even worse than Nicolas Cage in an action movie is Nicolas Cage in a comedy / drama because there aren't all the explosions and chase scenes to make you forget how bad Nic is at delivering his lines.
So there, my friends, are a few reasons why I won't see another Nicolas Cage movie in my life. I don't expect everyone (if anyone) to agree with me, and I actually know a few people who can call him their FAVORITE (gasp!) actor. I won't even give the satisfaction of calling him an actor.
To my friends I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but if I've said it once, I've said it a million times: Nicolas Cage is the worst actor of all time. I would like to take this opportunity to explain my intense hatred for this terrible, terrible actor.
I think the first time I realized how much I hated Mr. Cage was after I saw him in Con Air. His sad, poor delivery of what should be "action-infused" lines was bland and unemotional. He has the emotion of a pencil drawn stick figure while attempting to fight off terroists on a doomed airplane flight. Come on Nic, pretend you're fighting for your life here! Act like your career depends on it, even though no matter what, you're still the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and Uncle Frank will get you work no matter how bad of an actor you are...
I am angry at the throngs of people who think he is one of the greatest action actors of all time. This is my favorite - Hollywood Salutes Nicolas Cage: An American Cinamatheque Tribute. Wow, really? We take up an entire night of television to honor Nicolas and all the great work he's done? Surely there are other actors that deserve this more than he does. Can we go as far as to say that he ranks at the top of all-time greats, along with actors such as Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholas...just to name a few?
Sometime after watching Con Air, I watched a movie that Nicolas had made 10 years prior, Raising Arizona. Why this man's career didn't end at the premiere of this movie is beyond me. I can't even use the same excuse for Nicolas that I use for Brad Pitt, that he's good looking and it doesn't matter how bad of an actor he is, because he's so not good looking. His large forehead due to his receding hairline is mainly prominent when you look at him these days, and his thinning hair makes me wonder if his marriage to a 20-year old is his last ditch effort to say "Hey, I'm hip, I'm young!" (Tom Cruise anyone?)
Since the day I watched Con Air, I have made a fairly successful attempt to NOT watch any Nicolas Cage movies. Unfortunately, the hype of the movie Gone in Sixty Seconds was too much for me to ignore, so I saw it. It was a great movie, and we all fell in love with Angelina Jolie for the first time, but I despised the scenes with Nicolas. Again, bland, unemotional line delivery slowed the pace of this action filled adventure.
And, against my better judgement, I saw the movie The Family Man. It looked so cute and wholesome, who couldn't love Nicolas Cage changing baby's diaper? Me. Even worse than Nicolas Cage in an action movie is Nicolas Cage in a comedy / drama because there aren't all the explosions and chase scenes to make you forget how bad Nic is at delivering his lines.
So there, my friends, are a few reasons why I won't see another Nicolas Cage movie in my life. I don't expect everyone (if anyone) to agree with me, and I actually know a few people who can call him their FAVORITE (gasp!) actor. I won't even give the satisfaction of calling him an actor.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
