Back to regular programming...

Well, I decided to go to Dayton last night to visit my friend and her husband. They always make me smile. So we went to dinner and we chatted about life and stuff. It was nice.

I was trashed. I could NOT stop laughing.

The waiter kept yelling at me for dropping my napkin on the floor, but he still gave me a free fried pickle. I really wanted one. Nobody else at the table would eat them and with the whole weight watchers thing, I probably shouldn't eat more than one. All considering I was drinking away all my other points and just got a salad for dinner. So we asked nicely and the waiter decided the funny drunk girl should have a free pickle. It was good.

So after a few random text messages (which i swore off in the last post), I went to sleep and apparently drank so much that I was even dehydrated in my dreams. I guess I was supposed to be pouring water into some poor little dog's bowl, but I was too thirsty and just ended up drinking 8 things of water instead. I woke up dying of thirst.

I drove back home to the dentist, where I found out he needs to replace two old fillings. That sucks, but other than that it went well. She thanked me for brushing well and making her life easy.

Then I met my Daytonian friend and a girl we went to HS with for lunch. Two-and-a-half hours later, we decided we should go home... but it was nice to catch up. I think it's a girls trip in the spring. WOOHOO. Either that, or they are going to come visit me in Minneapolis in the summer. We'll see.

So I am in a much less "Debby Downer" mood to quote the good dentite... and I thought I would let everyone know, as not to depress the world two days before the year of Happy.

On that note, I stopped by Half Price Books and bought a "14,000 things to be happy about" page-a-day calendar. I'm sure it's going to be cheesy and ridiculous, but it will be a daily reminder to keep up on the Year of Happy promises to myself.

That is all for today.

Ughhh...

If you hold your left arm in the air, caulk your head 11.25 degrees to the left, and then spin 13 times to the right, stop suddenly and do a backbend, the Bengals will get into the playoffs.

I think that is about what it takes.

Or was it all the planets have to align in a perfect B shape?

Can't remember... but UGHH! What a disappointment to watch them hand away their own playoff destiny!

Don't you practice those snaps?
Chad, did you eat so many greasy burgers that your hands are too slippery to hold on anymore?
Carson, who were you throwing to?
Housh, buddy, what was the uproar all about in the middle of the game....

Let's communicate a little this week, and hope the planets align. :(

It's a sad day in WhoDey land.

Holiday Tradition...

Well, I guess a holiday season shouldn't go by without a little discussion about "Holiday Traditions."

When we were little it was to set out some milk and cookies, leave some oats for Rudolph, make sure our tacky lights were all out front a-glow, and get ready for mass. In our house (mostly because of running out of time for my parents), we didn't have a tree done when we went to bed on Christmas Eve. That was Santa's job. We'd do midnight mass, where traditionally I would fall asleep on whoever was next to me, family or not. Then home in bed it was.

Around 6 AM or something ridiculous, our eager selves would wake up and wait impatiently at the top of the stairs for Dad (who was always at the bottom) to say "Okay, you can come down now." Then the three of us would fight to the bottom of the steps to find a tree decorated, and lit, with three piles beneath it - some with "Santa" paper and some with "Mom and Dad" paper. The stockings stuffed so much they couldn't hang any more and were down on the floor. Mind you, we were not wealthy growing up. We had probably more than our fair share of struggles, but Mom and Dad always made Christmas "happen" for us somehow, and I guess we didn't have super-high i-pod, Xbox-esque expectations. We had atari, and were happy with frogger, but no Nintedo, etc.

I will have to say, it was pretty magical to have it all "appear" on Christmas Morning - tree and all. I always wondered why mom and dad were so tired though!

There were a couple of things you knew before you started... a few family traditions.

• There was one wrapped present on Christmas Eve that we got to open.
• Santa always left the book of Life Savers in our stockings.
  
• I ALWAYS got Dad "soap on a rope," and he was always surprised.
  
• The one thing you wanted most was sure to be there - even if it was the popular toy that year and mom had to stand in line to get it.
  
• My stack was always bigger than my brother and sister's, but we always had the same number of gifts - because we, of course, counted every year.
  
• There were most likely Dr. Denton footed pajamas, until I was about 10. (Maybe that's why I can't wear socks in bed now.)
  
• There was always socks, usually underwear, and the day after Thanksgiving Day LazzieBears from Lazarus (Macy's) made their appearance.
  
• On occasion, my sister and I got the lovely 80s candy cane full of rainbow knee highs --- talk about SEXY!
• There was ALWAYS clothes - like leggins, back when leggins were acceptable in the 80s. They may have even been stirrup pants. NIIIIICE.
  
• And Mom's gift from dad always said "To PattyCakes" and she always got something even if dad said they shouldn't buy each other gifts.

Once we "stop believing," our family started opening gifts on Christmas Eve... making Christmas day the time for food and relatives. Then we all got to work together to put up the tree prior to Christmas Eve. Mom did the lights, Dad did the hooks, and we did the hanging and garland, of course. When we moved to our bigger house, we decided there was a need for two trees - one we cut ourselves with the colored lights and family traditional stuff, and a boxed tree with the fancy breakable stuff and white lights. Guess which one made it to the front window... cheers to tasteful decorations. Thanks M&D.

Here are some of the more recent traditions:

• Tree: a day or three before Christmas, go to buy one that is already bundled but "looks good" through the mesh, because no matter how hard we look for the perfect tree SOMEONE is going to make fun of it. It used to be Dad - who had something bad to say about our choice every year, now a messed up tree is just a part of the tradition. (Note, the first year we did the no-look thing, it was the most perfect, prettiest tree we've ever had.)
  
• PS Tree: both my mom and I are completely allergic to you, so please behave.
• A tree? MAYBE, two? three? four? Those times are over. I don't think we need one in the Family room, living room, my room, and the basement - I mean really!
• Outdoor lights: I forgot about those... maybe tonight. And only a few matching white ones, because I wouldn't want our house to look like some of the neighbors' houses.
  
• Gifts: Pick them out and wrap your own and put them under the tree. Act surprised.
• Santa: He comes to grandma's house too.
  
• Christmas morning: It's for the kids, then mass, then brunch --- not a time to sleep in.
• Sleep: Fall asleep after brunch on my sister's couch.
• Dinner and Family at our house: this takes on all forms, from my sister, her hubby, and her kids, my aunt, mom and I to the additions of my sister's in-laws, and my uncle's entire family (3 kids and their husbands/wives and kids). This means interesting holiday conversations... This year, I think we have them all.

So, I guess we'll see what fun this year holds. It's the day before Christmas eve, and I have yet to see the tree that was picked up. It's lying on the floor of the garage... I guess a little water, some lights and a few ornaments would do it good. So that's part of today's chores... along with making sure everyone has a gift and cleaning... I guess that means I should stop blogging. Have a great holiday with your own traditions everyone!

Falalalala - luh lalala...

Oh yea, and kick some Bronco butt this weekend boys... WHODEY???

Oh Santa...

How we love thee, let me count the ways...

1. Free presents. You pretend you care if we're naughty or nice, but somehow all the meanest little kids in my class ended up with cool shit - even if they ate glue, put boogers on people, spit in little girls hair, or were bratty little tattle tales. (And I can remember being a little naughty recently, and I think I've gotten some good stuff because of it, let alone in spite of it! A-hem.)
2. Fat and happy. In a world where anorexic is idealized, you provide an imaginary place where it's okay to smother your face in whole milk and cookies - at least one night a year.
3. You embrace little people, both young and old. Kids get free stuff and support, while height-challenged folks in the North pole are able to support themselves through your Elf Employment Program (EEP, for short. Um, I mean...)
4. Fear factor. No matter how many slimy kids like you, there's always a few who'd rather see the doctor for 42 shots then spend two seconds in your lap for a picture. Why? You're kinda creepy. Let's face it. It is for instilling this fear of strangers in a few un-knowing children that we again love you!
5. Ho, Ho, Ho. Somehow you get away with calling all the shady ass moms out there derogatory names, and they just let their kids repeat you. It's a fantastic thing. I seriously thought hard the other day where this may have come from, and so Wikipedia it is...

While all of the above are so very true, there is nothing worse than a bad fake. Santa needs to work on getting better "helper" look-alikes for all his various mall visits and such - or at least get them better costumes. Who knew you could mess up by such a wide margin?


This morning, the local YMCA had a "Santa" that looked remarkably like the Santa shown above. I'd rather not put my 8-month old nephew on your lap, sorry! We'll go downtown, to see the good one, even if I have to pay for the picture! I know that not many people want a bunch of snotty little brats sitting in their laps, but maybe we should make sure they don't have a record and their fake beard covers their real mustache, so the kids don't start asking questions! We love you Santa, but send us a decent fake for the pictures please!

PS... All I want for Christmas is a Bengals Superbowl win, and a ticket to the game would be nice too! Oh yea, and a real good man, preferably who also is fond of #1 above!

*</;-)

HO, HO, HO... Merry Christmas everyone!

19 days left PEOPLE...

It's INSANE how happy I will be in 2007. You all think I am kidding, but nope I'm not! It's all about whatever makes YOURS TRULY happy... except for food. I started WW this week. Meetings and all. Tonight was my first weigh-in. I lost 6.8 lbs. WOOHOO!

See, you don't even know me, until you know what happy me is like. Just wait. JUST WAIT.

:)

Nobody likes...

... a Double Dipper!

That is what I told the little girl I was babysitting tonight, when she tried to re-dip her carrot in the dressing. As soon as I said it, I decided it sounded good and I decided that "what nobody likes" could make a good blog topic. SO here goes the list BY ME (feel free to make additions):

Nobody likes...

• steelers (or pretty much anyone from Pittsburgh - and because I lived there, I can say that!)
• egg nog (ewww)
• bunions
• pork rinds (or at least they shouldn't)
• the buzz of the alarm clock
• double dippers, of course
• close talkers
• fat free cream cheese
• ugly shoes (unless you are a people watcher)
• the stress of dating
• blind dates
• being set-up
• creamed corn
• molester vans
• nose bleeds
• poison ivy
• keeping up with the Joneses
• being yelled at for not blogging in a week or so
• lulls
• stinky feet
• stinky other things
• ear aches
• self-absorbed, holier-than-thou snotfaces
• snot
• cold hands
• wet public bathroom floors
• empty toilet paper rolls
• sore winners
• sore losers
• kittens and rainbow backgrounds on Myspace
• long lines
• dirty hand shakes
• radishes
• Pittsburgh
• anyone who says, "sorry, but I got the last one."
• irrational and unsubstantiated arguers aka debates with people who don't "get" the facts
• finding stuff in your food
• greasy cheese burritos (ha...)
• spikes in weather - 70 degrees one day, 22 the next
• paying a lot for a little
• family-owned car company commercials
• infomercials for makeup and face products
• cold rain
• warm spots in the pool

what else?

WHO DEY!!!

I get to go sit in club seats tonight... and watch my boys whip up on those dirty old ex-browns. It should be fun.

:)

WHODEY?

PLAY

Oh, and click here to vote daily for the Bengals to help the hungry in Cincinnati. The winning team's foodstore foodbank gets free Chunky soup! It's a good cause and there is no instance where Steelers should EVER beat us again!

Change is good...

That is my new mantra!

...and that is all for now.

Ask nicely, and you shall receive...

A Microsoft Paint original portrait of yours truly, unsigned, but created by hands of the good doc. Please note the pearl earrings, v-neck shirt and perfect eyebrows. Curly hair had to be difficult to create in "paint." I am truly is awe of the subtle details and raw talent of our trusted adviser!

There are also freckles, which I do not really have, but the effort to put them in is quite impressive! It adds to the visual interest of the image, of course. ;)

Thanks Doc,
(you rock!)*

*The rhyme was for the dentist's sake.

Thanksgiving time is apparently good prep for the "Year of Happy!"

... and not in the way you'd think!

You'd think this would be the one time of year when we all are like, "ya, know life really ain't all that bad!" You'd think we'd sit around talking about the good times, or making new ones. Not us. NOPE.

While at Dewey's then the bar with my two friends, who will again remain nameless, we had the same conversation that we had two months ago. You know the converation where I decided I was tired of talking about work, and money, and career paths, and relationships, and living in the wrong city, and buying a house, and on and on. The conversation where I decided to make my move to get happier and where I would "challenge" my friends to do the same... ONLY THIS TIME, the conversation was slightly different. (I do, again, find the irony in the fact that we spent the night before Thanksgiving whining about stuff, but I'll let that pass --- for now. Oh an the people-watching on amatuer night is OOC. Gotta love that!)

Anyway, what has changed?

I have changed, well made some changes in work really. Changes that get me closer to "happy." Now that I have taken that initiative, and "have a good gig" or "am in a good place," my two friends say I am not allowed to complain about anything anymore. My stuff pales in comparison, supposedly.

Well you two, if you are listening, you should know... that's crap! :-P

(Well one of you really, and most likely the one who doesn't have the time to read this...) And, I personally think that because I have taken some initiative, it gives me the right to complain about the stuff that is out of my hands. And it's all relative, right?

Do what you need to do. Get Happy. Life's short, and all that junk.

You have 37 days to prepare still, and I am not going to let down.

My still to-do's in 2006...

• Clean out - work, home, closet, shoes...
  
• Simplify
• Prepare to sell a house, or preferably two...
• Revive fitness plan
• Get back to WW
  
• Figure out what my title is and postition consists of, really
  
• Appreciate what I have
• Make/Get Christmas gifts that I didn't get at Kohls this AM... (Yes, I was one of them out at 6AM - - - and be sure to ask me how to beat the system!)
• Get more sleep
• Take deep breaths
• Make more friends
• Hang out with my good old friends
  
• Fix the mailbox
• Be nicer
• Nag my friends to get happy
• Play more
• Watch the Bengals win out

And that may be all... I think. For now, at least.

Power lines...

So, a quick entertaining story...

Niece #1 was "dancing" for us after dinner at my sister's house tonight. Niece #2 was lounging on the couch watching and laughing at niece #1's "dancing" and acting totally looney. All of a sudden, out of nowhere... niece #2 looks at niece #1 and says, "Were you born near power lines?" Ha!

She just turned 5... so I couldn't help but lose it. Ahh the antics of youth. I can only wonder where she heard that, but it made me laugh!

Power lines... who'd a thunk it.

Ughhh...

4-5? REALLY?

I don't even want to talk about it, nor do I have any idea what to say about today's loss.

So, my official Bengals blog is:

"no comment."

Halloween photos... as promised...

Trick or Treat?

(Just click the "view slideshow" button on the link.)

And boys... tell me how sweet the Chad pumpkin is!?!?

My how time flies, when you don't have any time...

Hello everyone.

I am officially a slacker, and I am sorry! It's been a crazy few weeks, and a lot has happened. Let's catch up...

• I was a little burnt out and VERY tired.
• I applied for a new job.
• I played bingo and won 100 bucks. BONUS: It was in a firemen's hall.
• The Bengals lost.
  
• I got the new job.
• I accepted the new job.
  
• I resigned my current position.
• Within hours, rumors flew around work.
  
• My niece turned 5!
• I took Halloween off to carve pumpkins. They were sweet. (Pictures to come)
• I cooked and ate pumpkin seeds. They were good.
• I VOTED absentee!
• We went out to dinner for my sister's 35th and Mom's 60th birthdays.
• I flew to Boston for a conference.
• I attended the conference and learned stuff.
• I was given the opportunity to be reassigned in my current company.
• Within hours, rumors AGAIN flew around work.
• I did a lot of thinking.
  
• I had a shaving accident and am missing part of my fingernail.
  
• I kicked the bed accidentally in my hotel room and put a huge bruise and hole in my leg. It hurt, and was unrelated to each of the job opportunities, the conference and the shaving accident.
  
• The Bengals lost again! (I was in my Housh jersey making friends in the Marriott lobby.)
  
• I took that UNBELIEVABLE opportunity from my current employer. More rumors.
  
• I had to decline the other job, which sucked, because the goal was never to make anyone upset about anything.
  
• Election day: Ohio voted NO on 4, and YES on 5! THANKS to everyone who voted, and listened to my rants and raves. Bartenders everywhere will live longer healthier lives. Sorry to JJ and P&G, as Febreeze sales will most likely go down.
• I made a stop at H&M. (I love that place!)
• I flew home, after delay after delay.
• I took two days off, and here I am, at the end of the first of those two days!

So, that is the quick version. More to come, with pictures and details... but I thought I'd catch everyone up, and maybe pique some interest first! ;)

Hope everyone else is hanging in there!

OHIOANS: PLEASE VOTE "NO" on ISSUE 4...

Okay, so I don't often do this, especially when it comes to politics, but this whole Issue 4 thing pisses me off. It isn't because it's about tobacco either. It's because the public is totally being played.

Please read this, VOTE, and tell your friends. It's important info that no one else is telling you.


What is ISSUE 4?
It’s the tobacco company’s conniving at its finest. If you think that companies shouldn’t be rewarded for manipulating voters...

VOTE NO on Issue 4!

How it got on the ballot?
Tobacco Companies paid people to stand on street corners and get signatures on a petition. Ohioans signed petitions because they were told that they were signing a petition to get a Clean Indoor Air initiative put on the ballot. I personally know four people who signed it thinking they were going to help make Ohio smokefree. When they later learned what they really signed, they we outraged


What will it really do?

• OVERRIDE any local Clean Indoor Air policy that was previously established via a legitimate vote. (Columbus is now a smokefree city because the voters wanted it that way. Why do I, as a Cincinnatian, have ANY right to help pass a constitutional amendment that will negate a Columbus local CIA policy? There are over 21 cities that have passed full smokefree policies that this will nullify. Similarly, if both 4 and 5 pass, 4 will override 5!
• Create a constitutional amendment that will ALLOW smoking in adult establishments.
• Make it virtually impossible for Ohioans to change their mind, as Issue 4 amends our Constitution.
• Allow restaurants to maintain smoking sections, where young children can still be affected by SHS.
• Confuse voters!
  

Who supports issue four?
According to smokelessohio.org (clever, eh?), Issue 4 is supported almost all by people afraid to lose money because of a ban. It's supported by those who could care less about the health of the 78.5% of Ohioans who choose to not smoke (Yes, that's 4 NON-smokers for every smoker in OHIO). A few of the supporters (mostly tobacco companies) are listed below:

• Cigar Association of America
• Lorillard Tobacco Company
• National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Inc.
• The Ohio Licensed Beverage Association
• Retail Tobacco Dealers Association
• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
• Swisher International (Tobacco Company)

How does Smokelessohio.org spin it? Here is what they say...

Q: Why are there two smoking bans on the ballot?

A: There is a strong consensus among Ohioans that some type of smoking ban is needed to protect people from unwanted exposure to tobacco smoke. But there are different opinions on how to do it. One is the more radical choice: a no-exceptions approach that bans smoking in all enclosed public spaces. That’s Issue 5. The alternative is Issue 4, which seeks to balance protection for public health with protection against overly intrusive government. Issue 4 is a fair and balanced approach that everyone can agree on.

OK, so is Issue 4 really the fair, balanced approach to smokefree laws? Not even close! It’s the tobacco companies working hard to manipulate the public even more. I support Issue 5, but that is just my choice. If you don’t want a full smoking ban, that is your choice... but then you should vote NO on both 4 and 5.

A “NO” vote on 4 shows the tobacco companies we aren't as dumb as they think we are,and lets them know we are tired of their lies and deceit.

For more information, and to make a truly educated choice - - - compare for yourself!

• Issue 5 support (www.smokefreeohio.org)
• Issue 4 support (www.smokelessohio.org)

Again, thanks for listening, and if you agree at all PLEASE tell someone (anyone) you know!

The final countdown

46 days... just a reminder!

Get doing what you need to do to be happy in 07.

Bengals... poor Bengals.

Our boys let us down this past weekend. They LET the Pats win. The Pats played well, but they didn't actually BEAT us. The Bengals gave it away. They gave them turnovers, 3 bizillion penalties for like 4 bizillon yards, and fieldgoals on the first two drives was unacceptable.

Yes, Dan, the Bengals offensive line sucked it up last week, too. But if CP needs to keep getting hit in order to learn how to NOT fumble, then let him get hit. We left the game before the final faux-pauxs, because i couldn't stand seeing him get hit that hard with 3 minutes left and us down 4 TDs.

Along with the Offensive line and CP's issues, there was the fact that every Patriot WR or RB could pull a "# 85," and do a list of Bengals who couldn't cover them, stop them, take them down, or block them.

We looked bad boys, but I have faith. I want to say "we needed that loss." It was what we had to do and learn from to get here:

Over for another year...

So, in case you didn't know... I am not very fond of "review time" at work. I dread it actually. And not just a little, but a lot. In fact, for the whole month or two prior to the review. Every September / October, I freak out when I see my two bosses go into a room together. I bite my nails incessantly. The week before, I can often be found whining and moaning. That day, I count the minutes 'til it starts, and I sit in there, begging to change the subject or for it all to be over. Fortunately, for this year, it is OVER.

Yesterday was my review. It went fine. Basically, I was told my self-evaluation was accurate.

So why do I hate it so much? I don't take compliments well. I never have. They make me feel all awkward, and somehow more self-conscious than when I started. Nor do I like to hear what I suck at, especially when they are totally subconscious things that you now need to freak out about and pay attention to. It also doesn't matter if it is 99% good and 1% bad or 99% bad and 1% good... you always focus on the "Work-Ons".

Ughh... Anyway, it's over. I got this year's raise. I guess life is good, for now... until next September/October, when I better have fixed all those "work-ons."

Like I could let this go without saying...

WHODEY? WHODEY THINK GONNA BEAT 'DEM BENGALS?

That's right... NOT the 2006 Superbowl "only-won-by-hurting-your-best player" Chumps. It was u.g.l.y., but we'll take it! NEXT? N.E.

Every week B105 does a Bengals song... Take a listen.

"Let's take it Away"

I'll be sure to share next weeks song too
and just in case you missed them,
here are Week One and Week Two!

Dream Big...

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes, 
cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, 
and don't let them know that they have one.
And when you walk, walk with pride, 
and don't show the hurt inside, 
because the pain sill soon be gone. 

And when you dream, dream big, as big as the ocean blue. 
Cause when you dream it might come true. 
When you dream, dream big
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud, 
cause it will carry all your cares away. 
And when you see, see the beauty 
all around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay. 
And when you pray, pray for strength
to help to carry on when the troubles come your way. 


And when you dream, dream big, as big as the ocean blue. 
Cause when you dream it might come true. 
When you dream, dream big


When you cry be sure to dry your eyes, 
cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, and
don't let them know that they have one.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
cause it will carry all your cares away. 
And when you see, see the beauty all
around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay. 
And when you pray, pray for strength to 
help to carry on when the troubles come your way. 


And when you dream, dream big, as big as the ocean blue. 
Cause when you dream it might come true. 
When you dream, dream big. (Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand)


98 days... Keep planning!

2007 - The Year of Happy!

Ok folks, this is my warning... BE PREPARED!

104 days until 2007 - The official "Year of Happy"

It may also be the "Year of the Rooster," the "Year of the Fire Dog," or some sites say the "Year of the Corporate Blog," but to us it shall from this point forward be the official
"Year of Happy."

"What the heck is Tina talking about?" you ask. Well, while hanging with a few friends (that shall remain nameless) after the Bengals Game yesterday, I decided I was tired of the lack of "happy" in our lives.

The last few times I have been out with friends, or talking with friends at work, on the phone, or at the bar - we have been complaining about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. It is usually one of the following

"I can't find a guy/girl I like..."

"I wish I could just move to New York, Chicago, San Diego..."

"I need to get a new job..."

"I want to buy a house..."

"I don't make enough money..."

"I want my diet to work..."

"I want this..."

"I need that..."

"I wish this..."

& SOMEDAY this, someday that, someday when I...

Well, how about NOW this, NOW that, and NOW when I...? Can't make all the decisions to work toward happiness today? That is okay! You have 104 days, and counting! If you can start now - jump right in, but this is an ALL OUT CHALLENGE to each and every one of my friends. We need to be happy and not just say we are happy... totally, legitimately be happy!

You may think this is a load of crap, but I am being completely serious. Take the next 104 days to think about it. Maybe it's as simple as telling yourself that you are going to start reading again. Maybe it's about going out more. Maybe it's about priorities, but if it will make you happy plan for it, and DO IT in 2007!

I want this to be your pledge card! If you are in. Comment in the blog. I want my friends happy... so take the challenge! Good Luck Folks...

I am in.
I have 104 days to figure out what will change for '07. I am sure I need each and every one!

How can 2007 be anything BUT the "Year of Happy," when 2006 will end with the Bengals kicking the Steelers up and down the field?

Things I learned from Def Leppard and Journey...

1. Journey's "fake" lead singer didn't even look like he was born back when they first started touring. Something about that seems "wrong."

2. He also had REALLY bad rocker moves... I mean REALLY bad! And, he wasn't even Steve Perry's replacement. He was the BACK-UP for his replacement. If you are going to pay to see people in concert, they should, in fact, be those people.

3. I am not a rocker. My boss is a rocker. See below.


4. Anyone can play the "air guitar," even if they don't know how to play a real one.


5. A large contingency of lesbians in Columbus find Journey and Def Leppard to be fine entertainment for a Sunday night.

6. Journey is eons better than Def Leppard. (Duh people.)

7. Pictures of drunk coworkers are always funny.

8. Iron Maiden vests are totally HOTT!

9. People still buy band t-shirts and paraphanalia. The lines are forever long. Who knew? I mean who could pass up those band-branded bedazzled thongs! (Please note: the majority of the audience members should never be wearing or seen in a thong.)

10. Journey took the idea of "Hold(ing) onto that feeling" too far by trying to come up with new music these days.

11. One-armed drummers are very impressive!

12. People watching at hair-band concerts is good freaking stuff!

The end.

My nephew is too cute!

He thought Piglet was the tastiest, funniest thing ever! Check him out.

Laughing Nick

Vegas it is...

Well, apparently the natives (aka Mr. Morris) are restless, so I need to write something. In honor of Mr. Morris and his recent trip to my Mecca, I will right a top ten of the best things about Vegas.

1. Gambling - I can put money down on everything from War to Poker to BJ to the Bengals winning the AFC. Gotta love that.

2. What happens in Vegas, STAYS in Vegas - And the fact that the entire city has this mentality.

3. 24-hour days - Nowhere else really believes that there are 24 hours in a day and we need to use all of them.

4. Being the chip leader at the end of round one in the poker tourney at the Sahara - Men hate losing to a girl.

5. Cheap gambling - You can spend 1 dollar on stuff, rather than 15 or 20 at the boats, so when you are having a bad day, you can still afford to have fun.

6. Free drinks - Again, 24 hours a day.

7. Men - The city is full of them, and they are usually drunk, carrying cash and being stupid.

8. 21-and-over - Kids, get out of here. They are at the pool, and standing in front of the Mirage for the volcano Eruption or the Pirate fight. Other than that, we are GOOD TO GO.

9. The weather - Hello, hot and dry - and you can lay out and tan during the day as your "sleep" time

10. "Escort Collector Cards" - The dudes and chicks on the street, who tend to all be of latino decent, that pass out the trading cards for all the escorts in the city. It's all about the "Slap, slap, here's a card" to get you attention. My friend collected them to see how many different cards he could get. (If you have been there, you know EXACTLY what I mean.)

DAMN, now I want to go back - - - mostly because of 1-9 though.

Boom, Boom, Boom! (Let's go back to my room...)

WEBN, year XXX as they PROUDLY displayed in fireworks on the bridge... sickos.

Well, I got 4 passes to watch the fireworks from the top of my building. It was really a good time! Next year, we will remember to get the seats right by the ledge, so all the tall people in front of me don't block my view - shortness sucks! And, we'll wait until all the traffic is gone to try and leave.

I decided since Donnie was nice enough to invite me to Indy, I'd be nice enough to invite them to the roof with me. We played cards, and Donnie's buddy Ben kept winning which probably explains the grin on his face. He is a bossy "president," and I still say waterfalls aren't fair when you are the only one drinking vodka, and you are last!


Anyway... Here are Keri and I again (this time with curly hair...)


And here are some fireworks...

And here is the best picture from last night, taken, of course, by yours truly!


Sweet!!!

Perfect in the PreSeason

For the guys or girls who actually care about the game...

So the RCA Dome was interesting... 1. Because it was a dome; 2. Because they made me throw away my good luck Bengals beads before we went in, which SUCKED; and 3. Because it's a whole new ballgame watching on someone else's turf. (Ha, ha. That is actually funny because they are one of the only teams left with astroturf.)

Decent seats (where you could see everything) and good company (see below) made for good times. However, the lack of time by 1st stringers is disappointing - even though it was the last PreSeason game and was to-be-expected. I was highly impressed by our depth, even being able to toss in a couple of those "lesser-known Johnsons" in the second half. (Really, I just like saying lesser-known-Johnsons.) Our new back-up running back Quincy Wilson looked pretty good, even though it was against a 3rd string Dee. He shows real promise.

I also got my new "Whosyourmama" jersey, which is super sweet. Now when someone asks, "Whose got the Housh?," I can say, "I do." (Ok, I am lame... but check it out!)


Since the girls cared less about what I wrote above, this may be "more interesting" stuff...

I decided it was a good idea to fill a waterbottle halfway with the Goose and drink it ALL between the car and the stadium - which was all of two blocks. Apparently when noone else is doing it with me, it isn't the greatest idea - especially as an opposing team's fan. You are trashed and they aren't. Here are picture of the people I was with. OBVIOUSLY, they aren't trashed. Suckers.

From R to L, Keri, Donnie and Tommy - who, as QB lead his team to a league win and won offensive player of the year for the Odessa, TX Roughneckers IFL team. He never really likes smiling for the camera - the punkass. But QBs have hot arms and... and... everything else though, so it's okay.

Good times were had by all! The END - until game ONE next week! Whodey?

So excited I may burst...

Bengals in Indy, with ME on the sidelines... WOOHOO! Sorry folks, but Keri and Donnie are my favorites for getting me a ticket and bringing a hot boy to the game with us! I will start taking bribes from anyone who wants to be my favortie from here on out. That is all.

I hope there is much to report on Saturday after the big game. Ciao

A little commentary on life...

Those ridiculously awful foster so-called "parents" that killed that little boy need to be tortured in an even worse way than little Marcus. Wrap them in a blanket tape it shut throw them in a closet in 105 degree weather and in about three days set it on fire. THEN throw them in jail. And not a cable TV, workout room, friendly kind of jail. Throw them in solitary confinement kind of torturous jail, and let them rest there in the heat like little Marcus until the day they die. Unbelievable and totally out of the realm of my understanding. The poor kid had more pain and torture than any human let alone a three year old deserved to know in their short lifetime. It makes me sick. The foster system is broke. The legal system is broke, because these people deserve worse than Marcus got! Like my boss, I agree I want to be a foster mom, so that I know for sure that at least one little kid is saved from this happening to them.

71 hours 'til Palmer time....

Ahhh, yes. Carson Palmer. Could I be looking more forward to Monday's game? Probably not. So there are two days every year I take off religiously to spend with the fam. One is the day my Brother died (which is also my dad's birthday) and the other is the day my dad passed away. We do the family thing, hit mass and head to the cemetery, etc.

Well Monday is three years for my dad, and so I am off (except for an 8:30 Client meeting). Which means I have all day to hang out and prepare for the big game. I am "rather" excited. Just enough time to prepare for the insane cheers and yells for Carson's first TD pass of 2006 and for the gasps and boos that will be associated with his first sack. Monday will tell us a lot... and I, for one, and PUMPED! You should be too, or at least you can pretend for my sake! :)

It's been a long week. Two trips to Cbus, a couple late night and even more early mornings, add those to bad allergies and a sinus infection with headache... you have Tina tonight, so I think it's bedtime!

Ciao folks. If only to appease me, be sure to practice your "Who Deys."

So cute that I had to share

Check out how cute my pics are!

Tina's pics

Oh to be young and dumb...

So, I was simply doing my civic/religious duty, (and thought it was a good way to enjoy cards and not actually SPEND money) when I volunteered to deal Poker and/or blackjack at the SMS festival.

Life was going well, because I was drinking free beer and no one wanted to play poker, so no one was at my table and I could hold a "catch-up" conversation with an old grade school friend... when a group of yungins came along.

So I changed my table to blackjack for the 6 of them. It was all going along swimmingly, when they decided they loved me and I was the best dealer ever... and one nice little drinking-age boy looked at me and said "Do you have a younger sister...?" WAIT... WAIT... "I have a friend that looks just like you."

So the bitter 2-8 year old looked at the little bastard and said "So what are you trying to say...? I mean how old do you think I am!" and went off on the innocent little guy who was just trying to be nice.

He, in fact was 2-3, and had every right to see if I had a younger sister, because I am obviously too distinguished to be 2-3, right? So, maybe my freak-out was unnecessary.. BUT I am sensitive lately, right?

SO, just a few simple lessons to boys & men-like creatures everywhere... one from last night, and a couple more I have been meaning to get off my chest...

1. The "right" way to go about this conversation would be as follows (a much safer approach):
"You look really familiar, do you have brothers or sisters?"
When I say, "yes, both older..."
He says "I just must have seen you around then" or "Actually, I think you look a lot like one of my good friends."

2. One of my pet peeves, as it is with many women I know, is being told "You look really cute today," because it insinuates, no it actually MEANS, "you normally don't look near as cute as you do today and you should really try harder on a regular basis."

3. If you say you are going to do something, do it. If you are NOT going to do it, don't say you will. Think FRIENDS, when Chandler says "This has been great. I'll call you and we can do it again sometime!" It can be as little as calling or sending an e-mail or anything else you actually committ to by saying "I am going to..." followed by the act you never actually intend to follow through on. The minute you don't do it, you become a liar. And when you do it ALL THE TIME, you are a compulsive liar. Ever heard the phrase "underpromise and overdeliver."?

4. Don't be douchebags.

5. Tell the truth and don't cheat.

That is all for today.

Who Dey tonight?

And, oh yea...

Can I get a WHO DEY?

Real Tears

Ok, so I won't lie. I cried all the way to work this morning thinking I should be in Anderson township searching for the little 3 year old autistic boy who went missing, rather than going to work.

real tears

Then after not wanting to be at work, and yesterday being a cranky day... today continued that way, until I went overboard and was angry, mean and inappropriate during a meeting. When I got called out on it. I cried.

real tears

Fifteen years ago, I as the girl who "lived life to the fullest and had no regrets" and I was damn proud of it. And now, I, and most of the people I know, aren't happy with not just something, not just a couple things, but MOST of the very important things in our lives. Why is that? Why do we let ourselves do this and feel this way and become these people we don't want to be? And why can't we find a way out? And why can't we just stop habits we don't like and start one we want to start?

Why do I, more than anything in the world, hate review time at work? I am good at what I do - really good, actually. Since when do my people skills suck? Why am I more nervous about any negative stuff or "improve ons" more than I am content with my successes? It's unhealthy. I need a shrink. No offense doc, but the couch and stuff might actually all be necessary at this point. The virtual venue may no longer be working.. ya think?

10 hours and 35 minutes 'til kickoff!!!

But who(DEY) is counting?

Obviously I AM! I can't believe it is football season already. In a previous blog I have discussed how insane it is that our parents were right about time passing too quickly as you got older. So I won't do it again, but I swear it's still like February 2004.

OK, so you will find it interesting to learn that I am planning on being handy this week! p-hahahaha. I am buying a new mailbox and pole, and then I am going to put it in. Ours is standing by approximately one splinter and the mailbox part of it is broken too - our poor mailman. AND I want to put a curtain up on the window in my room, which I think involves screws and drilling or something. We'll see. I may be better off calling "landlord" over for the drilling. :) jk

This coming weekend is the infamous St. Mary festival... prepare for the drunken-ness, and I am sure a few good blogs on "I can't believe they wore that" which in Hyde Park will probably be about Crocs, "I won/lost at poker," and all the other tales that will come from the evenings! (You shoud all come!)

And, just in case anyone wasn't counting - 7 days til MM is old like everyone else.

That is all.

Let's talk randomly...

The Bengals...
WHODEY! First pre-season game is this weekend. Everyone get pumped! Football is one of the greatest things ever, and it's on the horizon.

Today's SmartBrief QOTD...
A great many people think that polysyllables are a sign of intelligence.
- - Barbara Walters, American journalist

Tina's NOTE to the QOTD...
I agree. Large words rock.

Birthday Fun...
The birthday weekend went really well, and I can't think of how my day itself could have gone better. A Monday morning without a 9 AM may have helped, but it will do.

This Monday...
I am off work.. WOOHOO. Football game on Sunday night and a massage on Monday AM. Gotta love gift certificates.

England...
So, my mom is in England and I guarantee she is freaking out right about now. My take? Well I would MUCH rather fly under a high alert than under the slipping security that I had on my way to DC two weeks back.

Boston...
Speaking of travelling, I am heading to Boston in November for a week-long conference. I need someone to hang out with while I am there... so who wants to come?

The Reds...
So Ryan Freel is the Reds' MVP this year. He is amazing. How can a utility player make insane plays like he does in every position on the filed, steal 4 b-zillion bases and bat over 300? He is pretty amazing. And I love the support the Reds got this week. The packed houses were so nice to watch and to be a part of.

Work...
Is what it is - long, busy and tiring.

This coming weekend...
Lame, apparently. Since everyone seems to have plans already! boooooo...

OK, That is all for now. (Does it make you all happy?) ;)

Queen of all things bitter...

That is me. Mmm hmmm.

There was a point in life that I was an optimist to a fault. I am pretty sure that time has passed. Apparently, I am not the only one. I just got off the phone with my friend who is 6 days older than me. She is also bitter, and I tried to make her feel better about turning the big 2-8, but I don't think it worked...

There are worse things than being 28, unwed, and living at home... like being in a shitty marriage with kids keeping you together, like being... well, no I think that about covers it - unless you want to say being 29, 30, 31, etc. and in the same situation.

Good times... good times.

And yes, the irony of this post, right above the last post doesn't fail to amuse me.

Not really sure what to write today

... so since I am in a good mood, I think I will start my list of things that make me happy. My friend had this list one time, and I saw it and always wanted to do one. I'm not sure why I never did, but here goes - in no particular order:

• Laughing
• Big hugs
  
• The smell of a campfire
• A smore off the fire
• A good stretch
• The warmth you feel in the first few seconds in a really hot car
• Good friends
• A long talk with someone you don't get to talk to often
• People-watching
• A hammock
• Clear water
• Having "free time" with nothing to do
• Remembering something that makes you laugh outloud hours, days, or years after it happened
• Scuba Diving
• An unexpected compliment
• Popping bubblewrap
• Taking a walk in the rain
• Laying on a blanket in the park
• Puppies
• White tulips
• My niece Emily
• My niece Anna
• My nephew Niko
• Jetskiing
• Boats
• Cute shoes that are ALSO comfortable
• The first bite of a really good dessert
• Cheesecake
• Deep tissue massages
• Making someone else laugh
• Being able to "say the right thing" or be there for a friend
• Cuddling
• First kisses
• Butterflies (stomach)
• Bengals games (when they get the W)
• Catching a good play
• Falling asleep by the pool
• A good tan
• The GTP
• My Godson and his bro
• Talking about the "old days"
• Coaching basketball
• Getting my back scratched
• Remember the SMS of Ohio Tourney (We won. I got a broken cheekbone.)
• Beating Scroungers (The one team we never seem to pull together to win on Friday nights)
• Funny people
• Coming up with good strategy that leads to good creative (nerd, I know)
• Waking up early and realizing you can sleep in
• Falling asleep in the soft part of a shoulder
• Cuddling up for a movie
• Being appreciated for no real reason
• Being a good friend
• Getting a P.I.T.A. project out the door
• Celabratory drinks
• Just "hanging out" with someone you care about
• My car
  
• A good hair day
• When someone says I "smell good"
• Taking a priceless photograph
• Travelling
• The chiro
• Finding money in an old coat or old jeans
• Crossing stuff off the "To Do" list
• My Super Mario Brothers ringtone
• Frogger (which we've discussed before)
• Smiling babies
• Babies in the first few month of life (cuddly and helpless)
• Being the "Baby Whisperer"
• Finding a "good buy"
• Target - just in general
• Meeting new people
• A long walk
• A good couch nap
• My new Swatch watch
• March Madness
• Fantasy Football
• Hot tubs
• Saunas
• Snowskiing

I'm too tired to continue tonight, but it will be continued... until then.

There's one GOOD thing about trends... The bad ones go away at some point. As long as they don't come back, we're okay.

Ok, so someone must tell me, why do fashion or other trend mistakes that were "unfortunate" the first time around, tend to come back? Or why can't people just let them go once the time has come and passed for that trend?

It's not the 80s. It's not even the 90s. Heck, it's not even the first half of the 00s anymore. So why are there girls walking around with leggings under jean skirts again? Why do men insist on continuing to wear jean shorts? Should I be looking for pegged (aka "French-rolled") guess jeans with slip-on Eastlands with the rolled-up shoestrings? Is someone going to be wearing overalls with one side hanging down this summer? Bodysuits coming back too? Unless you are at camp, on a soccer or softball teams where it's the uniform of choice or below the age of 10 - tie dying is OUT.

And, why have people started to wear gardening shoes in public? I don't care if "Crocs" are comfy - so are gym shoes. Crocs don't match your outfit, or any outfit for that matter. If you aren't in elementary school, then take 'em off. And why do guys think it's okay to wear these? I mean come on. Would you cut your lawn in these? And your feet HAVE to get sweaty, and the shoes HAVE to stink. Get rid of 'em, I say, Get rid of them.
So, what are some other fashion don'ts that need not be seen in 2006. Shall I start a list? Oh yes, I shall...

1. Tucked in shirts without a belt - Are you showing off your belt loops? A belt buckle would be much nicer. Just make sure it matches your shoes.
   
2. Loafers without socks - Are you on a boat in Dock shoes? Then, I MAY excuse it.
3. Fancy clothes at a Reds game - If it is hot, wear shorts not velvet pants. And if it's a skirt, it better be khaki or jean and matched with a tee or a tank. Strapless shirts are a no-no.
   
4. Not wearing a coat when it's cold - OK, black tie event? I get it. But at a Bengals game in Dec., you should DRESS APPROPRIATELY.
5. Sandals with socks - Enough said.
6. Stomachs at work - They should be covered, simple as that. Unless you are a model at a photo shoot.
7. Black nail polish - It isn't 7th grade anymore.
8. Anything that "magnifies rollage" - Know your size, and wear it.
9. Bras that fit - I am the first to say boobs popping out everywhere isn't a good idea; however, I will also say bras suck and losing weight or gaining weight in the boobs first SUCKS for yo-yo-ers.
   
<>
And last, but not least - - -


10. Age-appropriations - Most trends are for 40-50 and below, and I am being generous. If you are wearing a jean mini skirt at 55, with a backless belly shirt with cleavage... I may have to smack you. There is a reason some trends are timeless. Find some of them. Try Banana and the Gap or even Macy's, and go from there.
    

That is all, for now. Next fashion less begins at 10.

This tiredness is OOC.

People always say that you can't catch up on sleep. That is BS... unless they are actually saying that you are always too darn busy to get the opportunity to spend enough time in bed to get enough sleep to actually be able to catch up. I can see that being true. My arse is TIRED, and to top it all off, I broke my tooth last night and have to wake up with the dentist tomorrow. I hate the dentist. Don't we all? My favorite is when I get to come back to work numb and drooling. Oh yea, good times. GOOOOOOOOD times.

I am going to bed now... so I can "try" to catch up. My crankiness is getting to me. At least I took my BP, and it is back down to a reasonable level. No 27 year-old heart attacks yet!

yaaaawn.
nite folks.

QOTD

Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."
--Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Price recipient

Ahh yes...

Home Again, Home Again...

Ah yes, to crawl under my allergy free sheets, on top of my own dust free mattress, and drop my head onto my feather-free pillow. Like heaven, I say, heaven.

So the highlights of my trip included:

• Learning all about the tobacco issues in countries such as Japan, Switzerland, Africa, and India.
  
• Watching the Tobacco Academy Awards. Good times.
  
• Did I mention it was hot? REALLLLLLY hot & humid? (Who knew DC was built on a swamp? I didn't.)
  
• Sessions... Oh, they've got sessions. They've got session every day.
• Accidentally dumping my water bottle into my camera an turning it into a paperweight.
• Two delayed flights - one to and one fro'.
  

Oh wait, I said "highlights." Well then, I should start over:

• Really good eats
• Tourism - I saw it all! 16.5 miles of walking in two days. (For me that's a ton.)
  
• Playing quarters with coworkers and Clients
• Hanging out in the suite with three bathrooms
  
• Getting the nickname "Soygirl" during the quarters game
• Telling my coworkers and Clients to drink, and it being okay
  
• Watching my boss drink a "40" of 8-Ball out of a paper bag
• Watching my distinguished 40-ish male boss do a roundoff in the hallway of the hotel
• Watching my distinguished 40-ish male boss proceed to do two more roundoffs out on the street - all inclusive with the funniest follow-through stuck-landing performance I have ever seen
• NOT BEING AT MY DESK
• I saw a police SUVs wreck with a real SUV, where it flipped and the people got cut out of the car like a sardine can. (Everyone was okay, we think.) But there were firemen, lots of picture-worthy firemen. Too bad my camera was broken. 6 ambulances, 3 fire trucks and 6 cop cars...

I guess I am bad luck lately. geez.

Anyway... It was good times, but now it's back to the grind. I need a vacation. fo real shizzle.