I've been a fan of the reality television show, Survivor, since it first began. They are on their 18th season. You can say what ever you want about the show. Love it or hate it, I think you could admit that there are some very interesting social dynamics that go on when you put a group of people together and ask them to basically turn on one another. It's an bizarre concept that has been turned into a TV show for our entertainment. I watch it think how silly some of the people are for falling for their competitions lines of bullshit, and why they can't see the backstab coming.
But that's TV Land. Not the real world... Real world Survivor sucks. People's feelings get hurt. You stand a good chance to running into the people again. I used to joke about "Work Survivor" at my old job. We had a photo that was taken 5 of us celebrating a co-workers birthday. As the research grant drew to a close, one by one we all left. I 'won' that game of Survivor since I was the last one from the photo to find another job.
In a less funny situation when co-workers are 'forced' to decide who you're going to sell out and 'vote off the island'... it sucks. There is no way that it should be our responsibility. After two days of Work Survivor, I realize I'm not cut out for 'real' Survivor. I'm too much of a nice guy...
I posted this @ 2/26/2008 05:30:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
2/22/2008
I AM... I AM... I AM SUPER MAN
I'm not really a healthy person. I know this. I accept this. Most times I really don't care. Am I in the best shape? No. I've tried... i wouldn't even call the diets because it wasn't an attempt to lose weight or be healthier. It was more just to see if I could do it. I'm stubborn like that. Someone says I can't do something I have a hard time not wanting to try, just to prove them wrong.
I tried doing the no carb thing. I last a week. That's rough.
I gave up all soda for a month. That was easier than I thought. I didn't miss the soda so much as I did the carbonation. I missed the fizz.
But I've got something that I feel ok about giving up and not really worried about missing. I'm giving up super sizing.
When I worked at McDonald's, during college, there were still such a thing as a 16 oz small drink. In fact, most places had a standard set of sizes; 16, 21, and 32 ounces. If a fast food menu even still offers three sizes the smallest is hardly small. BK and McDonald's being the biggest offenders of it. Taco Bell isn't much better. All combos come with a 32 oz drink.
Now this isn't to say that I don't drink soda other than when I go out for fast food. Because I do. But I've typically subscribed to the theory that for some people, it's how much more than what you eat. I know this isn't across the board. I feel it is true for me. So I'm giving up super sizing.
Big deal? Well maybe... if you figure that extra patty or handful of fries or few ounces of soda add up to at least 100 calories and I'm not eating them. Well that's some quick math to show how many calories dropping.
Baby steps. And maybe once the weather gets warmer I'll start going out for walks/jogs again.
I posted this @ 2/19/2008 10:04:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
2/18/2008
EVERYTHING I HATE ABOUT YOU
Things I'm over and can officially go away now, in no particular order
-the word "vacay" -throwing up in your mouth a little bit -cold weather -writer's strike -"outside the box" -super delegates -body parts falling asleep -(Insert Flavor)-tini -the drawn out drama of Deal Or No Deal. Pick a case. Open it. World's fastest show EVER!
I posted this @ 2/18/2008 05:30:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
i'm lousy at cleaning. (i always skip the floors.) i'm lousy at plant maintenance. (everything i touch seems to die.) i'm terrible at not singing really loudly in the car. (but the song's so good!) my hair is usually more in the state of "coping" than "thriving." i bite my nails. i have weathered feet. sometimes i forget there's a litter box in this place. but. if that's not too annoying... i promise to love you with all of my heart every day and make sure you laugh every day and go to sleep safe every night. and i'll even overlook all those weird things you do or don't do. like, how you ... you know, i'm not even going to say it here. no, really. that's how much i love you. no matter how much you want me to tell you, i won't say what i was about to say. happy valentine's day.
I posted this @ 2/14/2008 07:10:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
FELL IN LOVE WITH A BOY
On this, the day for love and couples it may seen odd to talk about exes, but hear me out... I'm going somewhere with this.
I think that people can learn from most situations. Whether things turned out in your favor or not, we can learn something from it. Relationships are no different. Looking back at people that I've gone on a date with they've each helped me get to where I am now. From them I have a clearer idea of the type of guy I want to be with. I want someone who is honest, trustworthy, and sincerely kind. I like the strongly opinionated. I don't like the strongly oppressive. I like the creative type. Music-minded. Make me laugh, and I'll do my best to make you laugh too. I like the Thinkers. Speak your mind. Deep, get-lost-in eyes and a great smile go a long way. Combine that with an infectious laugh, and you've got a winning combo. Sure this just scratches the surface, but it helps paint the picture. It draws the outlines at least.
You could say that I wouldn't have to date someone to figure these things out. It does help to refine the overall idea. In their own way, good or bad, they helped me realize that I have an amazing man in my life. He's thoughtful, fun and funny, caring, strikingly handsome... he's the one that tucks me in with a good night call and the first person I think about when I get up in the morning. He's the one that is probably a little embarrassed right now reading this. Which... sorry babe. You know me. Sometimes I just gotta say what I gotta say.
I posted this @ 2/12/2008 06:53:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
TXT MSG BREAKUP
I know it's totally cheating to say I'm "writing" a blog entry when really all I'm doing is cutting and pasting a quote and link from another blog I read. But still. HILARIOUS... Go read it!
If you've ever had a wrong number (voice mail or text message) you'll appreciate the humor of this.
I decided to check my cell phone for some sort of clue as to who might be calling me at that late hour.
And here is what greeted me:
Fuk u hang da phone 4 yo huck az9 L!L J¿Y ¿K¿ L!L HYP3
What the hell?
...
And, of course, this morning when I got to the office, I flipped open my phone and texted back, “…Grandma?”
One day at work, a coworker received a text message, not from a co-worker, with a similarly strange message stating "it ends tn". She didn't understand the meaning or recognize the sender. So why not just let it go as a fluke? Because, with something weird and seemingly suspenseful... we all wondered what would "end". Did they mean "tonight?" Did they sign off with their initials and fore go any punctuation?
We replied with "What if I don't want it to end?" but never got a response. I think it goes without saying that we sent similar nefarious and cryptic messages to her the rest of the day.
I posted this @ 2/12/2008 05:07:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
2/09/2008
TALK TALK TALK ABOUT IT, TALK AS IF YOU CARE
Is talking and communication so unusual? Are we that worried about what people will think that we only tell a select few what we are really thinking and feeling? Is it wrong to want to talk? I'm including myself in this line of questioning, but I pose it to all. In the past few days I've had three different conversations on what I'd call a deep level. The topic is moot, but the reaction after the conversation was usually one of, dare I say, surprise that there is anyone willing or able to listen. As though others couldn't be bothered to be a friend to someone and listen when they have something important to say.
Speaking for myself, I would say that there is usually apprehension when talking about something serious. As much as I like to be able to predict how someone is going to react, I can't. While I don't expect a bad reaction, there is always that possibility. Enough of one to make me feel like a scared kid again. Just when I think I'm adult enough to handle a situation.
I hate small talk. I've said this before, countless times. Anyone who meets me for the first time, might say I am aloof or shy, amongst other adjectives. When really it's just the opposite. I'm not really that shy, but I can't think of pointless conversation topics when really I want to know what's bothering you; what's made you happy today; what happened on the way home that made you laugh? Is that small talk? Maybe, my form of it...
There is some irony to all this talking, I suppose. This blog as possible evidence to the contrary, I find it easier for me to ask questions than to freely divulge information about myself. If you ask me something I am more than able to answer, but freely sharing usually makes me stumble. This goes back to my original questions. Are we worried what people will think? Sure!
We recently had a team-building meeting at work where we were asked to share something about ourselves that is unique. There is a similar question that comes up a lot in meeting people. "So tell me about yourself." Which I typically respond with, "well what do you want to know?" I hate this question. I immediately go into a mode of... do I share something unique, but that might be too unusual? Do I tell them basic things (which goes back to small talk that I loathe)? How much is too much to really share?
Of course I'm not going in to interviews answering such questions with, "I don't really care for green beans, because of some childhood trauma. I find stocky hirsute guys attractive, one in particular. I can play piano by ear. I'm double jointed, but it'll most likely mean I'll have arthritis pretty bad when I'm older. Did I mention that I like to cook, but hate to bake?"
Edited, tempered answers... I get it. But do you see what I mean about communication? There is a spectrum...
Talks too much ---> Talks but doesn't listen well ---> Doesn't say much or listen ---> Listens, but doesn't say much ---> Never says anything about themselves
I fully believe that we really are social creatures. Even those that say they are anti-social still want a certain amount of interaction if for no other reason than so they can communicate what they are thinking and feeling.
Talking seems so simple, yet so difficult sometimes...
I posted this @ 2/09/2008 10:32:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
2/07/2008
I AM SO SMART. S-M-R-T
This news flash came across the MSNBC site today. I could have (and might as well have) wrote this myself. The glaring errors are like excepts taking directly from my chat logs. I suppose I should not be surprised that they are predicting Obama as the winner of the Democratic nomination while CNN and FOXNews say Clinton.
For your proofreading pleasure...
BOSTON - Mitt Romney will suspend his presidential campaign, NBC News has learned.
His withdrawal effectively cedes the Republican nomination to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
In a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington Thursday, Romney talked of Democratic Candidates Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama retreating in Iraq and declaring defeat.
He then told the crowd he disagrees with McCain on a number of issues, but that he'd given the mater a lot of thougth and if he fought on all the way to the Republican convention, " I forestall the launch of a national campaign and frankly I'd be makign it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win. Frankly, in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror."
Romney added, "If this were only about me, I can go on. But its never been only about me. I entered this race... because I love America, and because I love America, in thsi time of war, i feel I now have to stand aside, for our party and for our country."
The former Massachusetts Republican governor has been seriously trailing McCain in the delegate count since Super Tuesday.
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., remains in the race but trails Romney in the delegate counts.
I posted this @ 2/07/2008 05:00:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
2/06/2008
HERE IT GOES AGAIN
So the stupidest thing (in my opinion) happened the other day and again today. This whole conversation harkens to the days of wondering if khakis was a color of pant or a kind of pant or both...
Twice I've been told that my khakis are not proper dress attire. My first response was one of mockery. I thought I was being joked with. How are khakis now proper dress attire. I was told that it was because they are cargo pants, not khakis. Now... Put aside whatever Project Runway fashionista side you might have. Is it really THAT big of a difference? They are khaki colored. They aren't jeans. My work environment is not suit and tie. Which is good because I don't wear ties. BUT... I also don't have the cash to go out and buy new khakis because of an extra pocket on my pants. That's bullshit...
I was told it was small thing put into the handbook. Ok. Fine. So it's there, but in the big scheme of it all if someone is going to send me home to change over that... WOW! Seriously, unclench. WTF?
I posted this @ 2/04/2008 05:47:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
I'm a 30-something student of human nature. A music-lovin', groove-shakin', laugh-inducin', dish-cookin', gossip-slingin', type of guy. This is my diary of sorts...
