Thought For The Day

The brave may not live long, but the cautious do not live at all.

I heard this on Survivor tonight ( I KNOW I watch too much tv but hey this thought was good) and it struck me because there are some things right now in my life that I'm being very cautious about. Surely it is better to live and perhaps lose than to never have lived at all.

Very deep for a reality tv show.

Dropping Hints

I never understand those people (women in particular) that don't want people to know when their birthdays are on the calendar. And what's up with those people that are content to just let a birthday pass them by? I am not one of those people. MY BIRTHDAY IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. I have never been ashamed to let people know when my birthday is or how old I am. Well, let me rephrase. I do not go around injecting my birthday (BY THE WAY...OCTOBER 7 IS MY BIRTHDAY) into random conversations. It usually only comes up in the fall when IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO MY BIRTHDAY.

Take today for instance, I was doing the subbing thing (see fake entry below) and a bunch of little kids started telling me when their birthdays were. So, being the good substitute teacher that I am, I told them THAT MY BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP.

Birthdays mean a lot of different things to different people. To me, my birthday means that I got another trip around the sun. I was blessed to have another year with my family and friends...though they might not have felt so blessed. That's a joke...they really did feel blessed. Also, I'm not one of those shallow people that think birthdays are only a time to get presents and have the focus completely on me. Well, okay...you got me there...I do enjoy my few minutes of fame at the restuarant when the entire waitstaff sing to me. Surely I'm not the only one...am I? Though I've never stooped so low as to pretend it was my birthday for free cake. That's just wrong...besides birthday cake doesn't taste the same it it isn't your birthday.

Anyway, I just thought a little post about MY UPCOMING BIRTHDAY was in order.

Living A Faux Life?

faux
adj : not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article; [syn: fake, false, imitation, simulated]
www.mydictionary.com

Sometimes I can't help but feel that my life is one big fake life...like the life I'm supposed to be living is out there somewhere and I'm here...in the fake one. Here is a great example:

I'm a substitute teacher. If that doesn't just scream fake. Actually, to set the record straight, I am a real teacher. I went to college for five years, took all the required state tests, studied my butt off and passed said tests, graduated, and have a piece of paper from the state of Texas that says I'm a teacher. But I'm missing a few main components. Mainly the classroom and students. Where I live, it's pretty much impossible to just graduate and get a job. So therefore, I'm a sub. I live day to day waiting for the phone to ring and let me know if I'll be working. Trust me, subbing isn't what I thought I'd be doing when I decided to go to college and become a teacher. So, tomorrow I'll go to a school and have a faux class and be the faux teacher.

I live at home with my parents. This is because without a job a person can't really afford to live out on her own. Hmm so I have a faux adult life. I live at home with my parents. In the same bedroom I had when I was an infant. This isn't exactly what I pictured my almost middle twenties to be like.

Like I said, sometimes I feel like there is some exciting life out there that I'm missing out on. My life isn't horrible by any stretch. I have more than most, but today I feel like it isn't enough. I want to be a real teacher. I want to live in my own real home.

I want to be real.

Useless Information

Here is some pretty much useless information about me.

1. What time did you get up this morning? I got up around 8:15
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? "40 Year Old Virgin" I'm convinced that this movie was made by males that are still in an adolescence phase of life.
4. What is your favorite TV show? This is a toughie as I like TV (as previously stated in other posts) but I think I would have to say The West Wing. I even like to watch the marathon on Monday nights on Bravo....every week.
5. What did you have for breakfast? Blueberry Bagel with Cinnamon Swirl cream cheese
6. What is your middle name? Lynn
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Is a medium rare steak actually considered a cuisine?
8. What foods do you dislike? canned green beans....ICK
9. Your favorite Potato chip? Munchos
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? anything Toby Keith
11. What kind of car do you drive? Ford
12. Favorite sandwich? Roast beef on a wheat bread with mayo, swiss, lettuce, salt and pepper
13. What characteristics do you despise? Dishonesty, shallowness
14. Favorite item of clothing? pink and grey yoga pants
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Scotland
16. What color is your bathroom? sage green
17. What is your favorite brand of clothing? Carolina Blue
18. Where would you want to retire to? uhm you know I've never thought about this question
19. Favorite time of day? early evening
20. Where were you born? Texas
21. Favorite sport to watch? Professional Football
24. What laundrydetergent do you use? I don't know. I'd have to turn on the light to find out and I'm not really in the mood to do that
25. Coke or Pepsi? definetely Coke, preferably Vanilla Coke
26. Are you a morning person or night owl? Morning in the sense that I can get up and get going without being too witchy to people, but I love to stay up late too
27. What size shoe do you wear? 7 1/2
28. Do you have any pets? yep, Sophie (toy poodle) and Morty and Dexter (tom cats)
29. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? I've lost 20 pounds...its not exactly new news but it is still exciting!
30. What did you want to be when you were little? now I know I said I disliked shallowness in a person but what can I say...I was an only child and little spoiled so when I was little I wanted to be married to a rich guy
31. Favorite Candy Bar? Reece's cup...especially those big ones they have now...yummy!
32. What is your best childhood memory? I have so many, but it would have to be when my entire family (aunts, grandparents, cousin) all went to Colorado for Christmas. We were supposed to stay in this huge house in the woods but the plumbing froze (imagine that) and we ended up at these tiny motel cabins in town. It was the best Christmas EVER!!!
33. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? Sonic car hop, waitress, bartender, Boys and girls club, stall cleaner, manager
34 What color underwear are you wearing? lime green with little pink flowers
35. Nicknames: Steff, Steffy, Doodlebug
36. Piercing? Ears
37. Eye color? hazel
38. Ever been to Africa? No
39. Ever been toilet papering? ummm isn't that like a requirement for passing high school?
40. Love someone so much it made you cry? Oh yes!
41. Been in a car accident? more like accidentS...three since I got my driver's license
42. Croutons or bacon bits? croutons
43. Favorite day of the week? Saturdays
45. Favorite flower? Hydrangia
46. Favorite ice cream? Coffee with nuts
47. Disney or Warner Brothers? Doesn't matter to me
48. Favorite fast food restaurant? Taco Bueno
49. What color is your bedroom carpet? tan
50. Failed your drivers test? nope.
52. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Walmart or a scrapbooking store
53. What do you do most often do when you are bored? I like to read romance novels
54. Bedtime? around 11pm
56. Last person you went to dinner with? Brynn and Debbie
57. Ford or Chevy? Ford
58. What are you listening to right now? the whirl from the tower on my computer
59. What is your favorite color? purple
60. Lake, Ocean or river? Is this one of those questions that tells me which way I like to have sex??? I'd probably say lake.
61. How many tattoos do you have? nope not a one
62. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? the chicken

Now for those (I'm being generous here!) few of you that actually read this entire list of useless stuff...thank you. And for those of you who didn't...well you're missing out on what color my panties are. :op

Unfaithful

Dear Blog,

Ummm. Well as you know, I've been unfaithful. Well not exactly unfaithful because I have no secret blogs on the side. I suppose we could say I've been unattentive lately. Everytime I stop by to see if comments were left I feel a little tug of guilt that I haven't written. Well, I'm here to tell you that I'm a changed woman. From now on (well tonight to be more exact) I will return to regular writings and posts. You are a good blog and I regret that I've left you alone so long in blog land.

Sincerely,
Your Author

Pooped

Ever had one of those days where you're going so much that you don't realize how tired you are until you sit still for a few minutes and practically fall asleep where you sit?

That was (well still is though after a few minutes of cat napping I'm feeling slightly refreshed) me today. I slept well last night. I even slept late this morning. But when I did get up it was to hit the ground running. I had a quick breakfast and then started helping my parents get things moved out of the way in their bedroom. They had a new mattress and bed frame delivered today. Anyway, I left that project about 20 minutes before I had to be at work so I could get dressed and my teeth brushed. I worked for a good majority of the day. Came home and was immediately sent out to pick up lunch. Came back and eat and then promptly started to fall asleep. I could barely keep my eyes open. You know it's bad when you don't even have the energy to move to the bedroom...you prefer to just sleep in the sitting position with your shoes on. Unfortunately, that didn't even last long. I had to pick up a new stove at 5pm with my father. Then of course I was a good daughter and said I'd run to Walmart and get the new sheets that go on the deep mattress that goes in my parents bedroom. Came home and helped clean up the old stove and then move it out and put the new one in. I'm just now starting to relax and there is still some laundry to get out of the dryer and a bed to make.

Come on...don't you feel the least bit sorry for me? Or perhaps my agenda today wore you out!

Water Logged

For those of you anxiously awaiting news of my weekend...your wait is over.

I don't recall looking forward to a weekend more than I was looking forward to this weekend. I finally managed to get out of town (later than actually planned...isn't that how all great trips start out?) and arrived at my first destination Thursday night. I spent that night with some friends that graciously took pity on the fact that I'm poor and lent out their couch free of charge. And by the way...it's a comfortable couch! Anyway, Friday morning I got up and went shopping. Now for those of you who just don't get shopping I can't take the time to explain the importance of a little retail therapy. Nothing was bothering me so I guess this would just be considered a way to expend nervous energy. I was so ready! Everyone met up and loaded up. It amazes even me that I needed three bags for a three day trip. But finally everything was loaded up in the trailer and off we went.

For those of you who have never been on a road trip, you should be ashamed and start planning one as soon as possible. Road trips are a blast. Usually that wears off after the first 20 miles when you're just wanting to know "Are we there yet?". And you usually start to rethink the joy of road trips about the time the driver says "It's just over the next hill." Well, there were a lot of hills! Just picture in your mind...two people sick at their tummies, three people crowded on one bench seat, two people who have to pee so bad every bush is looking better and better, and the one person that just likes to talk. Five hours is looking pretty much like a non-blast. But that's what makes road trips a blast!! That's some twisted logic.

Finally, after a much needed potty and food break, we're finally in the town. Except we're not where the map says we should be. Ladies, you can understand the fact that we're not lost...we're just taking the scenic route. Anyway, after several twists and turns we arrive. We checked into the resort and unpacked. One would think that we'd had enough of being in the car, but nope. We got back in the van (minus the trailer) and went into the heart of downtown San Antonio. We eat dinner at a place that wasn't that great and then headed for the River Walk. The atmosphere and music flowing along the Market Street and River Walk was enough to make up for the bad Mexican food. I won't go into too many details because not everyone thinks flatulence is funny, but trust me...the Mexican food was bad. And speaking of atmosphere, we stopped in at the Marriott and walked right into a hairstylist convention. To each his or her own I guess. Think of every opposite you can....black/white, old/young, gay/straight, sober/drunk...all wrapped up into one couple. Now that's atmosphere!!!

San Antonio was fun. I hadn't been in a while so it was neat to be down there and on the river. But the real fun started bright and not so early Saturday morning. After a breakfast of champions (sprinkle doughnut and peanut butter cookies washed down by a flat Mountain Dew) I jumped into the river and proceeded to almost drown myself in some rapids. I do not recommend going down river without your required floating apparatus. When I did finally manage to come up, I was on the opposite side of the river from my resort and had a scratched up knee. Thankfully, my trusty friend S was calling encouragement as I swam across the current to the other side where I managed to pull myself out of the water. Not bad for only 10am in the morning.

The water park was great. We didn't have to wait too terribly long on any ride so that made it better. I think my favorite ride was a contraption called the Master Blaster. I was pretty iffy on this whole up hill water coaster thingy. I mean, what happens if you get stuck? And what is up with all the nets covering the thing...is it likely that I might come out of my seat and the nets are there to protect me from flying off the ride? And just so you know...there is no "I've waited in this long line but now that I'm finally at the get on point I'd like to exit now" door. Your only way off the top of the swaying tower is down...well up and then down. And as a few people pointed out, I have a tendency to scream make this stop as the ride is in motion. I probably screamed something to that effect and bless his heart, Daniel, just held my feet tighter. So, after just a few heart pounding minutes on the ride it comes to an end and I'm left saying anyone want to do that again!

This was a great mini vacation. I got to meet some new people and remember why I'm glad I live 140 miles away from some other people (J World people....a select few of you reading this know what that means!). But overall, I'm ready to go again. If I can figure out how to add pictures to this thing, I'll try to get a few of my favorites posted.

Oh darn...responsibility and every day life are calling my name. Better go....

A Country With A Short Memory

***This should have been posted Sunday, but life happened. ***

This is a country with a short memory - the next tragedy erases the other and we don't seem to look back unless we are prompted.
Quote from BaggyDraggs

With the focus on the devastating aftermath of Katrina, did America stop and remember the terror and devastation that came after 9/11? Sadly, I hate to admit that I was pretty wrapped up in my own self Sunday. I was coming home from a relaxing weekend and only stopped to think about 9/11 after someone mentioned it in conversation. I had heard a woman at water aerobics talking about a patriotic musical at her school, and I briefly wondered if our church choir would do anything related to remembrance.

I can understand that for the families effected by 9/11 every day probably brings memories and hopefully a little more closure. I just think it would truly be a tragedy for America to forget what happened that day. While I agree with others that large public displays of remembrance or mourning might be over the top, I would hope that people could still look inside and remember what 9/11 represented.

Personally, September 11 reminds me to not take for granted security and safety. It helps me remember that freedom comes with a high price and encourages me to be grateful for those people that sacrifice daily for that freedom. A sense of pride blooms within my heart as I remember how people banded together and for a brief time looked to God for strength and guidance. I'm more willing to help my neighbors and be more tolerant of those that are different from me. 9/11 also reminds me of what America can accomplish when we pull together as a nation.

While people are still focusing on the devastation that came with Katrina, I hope that they were also able to look back at 9/11 and remember that Americans can pull through terrible times of crisis. I sincerely hope this has prompted you to take a look back and reflect upon what 9/11 meant to you.

Takin' A Break

I'm taking a break from all things remotely resembing responsiblity. I'm leaving my job, quitting running the errands for those family members that are older than me....you know basically everyday responsibilty. I'm going on a mini vacation and boy am I ever ready for it! Tomorrow (okay I'm officially doing the responsible thing tomorrow but when I get off work) I'm going to a northern Texas city where I'll meet up with some college friends. Then Friday, we're heading south to a fun little German themed water park. It'll be a weekend of doing things that are fun. Perhaps I should throw in that this is with people I went to church with so those of you thinking I'm going to wind up on some College Grads Go Wild DVD you can rest assured it won't be that kind of fun. Not that I really know what that kind of fun is like...do I really seem like that kind of chick?

Anyway, everyone deserves to get a way for a while and just do what you want to do. I'm looking forward to the break to get away from all the normal humdrum activities that constitute my life. Hopefully, since we'll be in the sun and water I'll get that last summer tan. I had one that has started to fade (I'm indoors more...which sucks) so I've been "doctorin'" it with one of those glowing lotions that has the tanner in it. So far the only things that have really picked up the glow are my cuticules when I don't remember to wash my hands immediately after applying the stuff.

So to those of you out there getting in that last minute summer vacation....have fun!!! And for those of you who have already returned to your pre-summer color....wish me lots of fun!!!!

My Way of Political Thinking

I've been having some really interesting back and forth comments with others on another blogspot about politics. A few questions were raised as to what it was that I agreed with when it came to my political affiliation. Well, for those of you who have been asking here they are. Please remember that I did not claim to be a politically savvy person either.

I come from a family that votes mainly Republican. I don't really agree that because my parents vote Republican that I necessarily have to vote Republican. But I do believe that the values that my parents have (and have taught me) follow a more traditional and conservative line. Therefore, while I understand I do not have to vote with a certain party like my parents, I do tend to vote for the same people. Someone much wiser than me with regard to politics and current events pointed out that Repulican and Democrat are pretty broad terms when describing one's beliefs.

Upon reflection, I believe that Philip is correct about people getting caught up in a name game. I am a conservative. I have conservative values and beliefs. I do not believe in a woman's right to choose...abortion is murder. Now while I do believe that it is wrong, I can respect a woman that has had to make that choice. It is easy for me to say that I'd never have an abortion under any circumstance, but until I'm faced with that situation I can't say with complete certainty what I would do. Also, I do not believe that homosexuals should be allowed to marry. I am not by any means a "gay basher", but I do believe that lifestyle is a sin and wrong. These are just a few examples of my deep traditional conservative beliefs. Now, some out there would label me a liberal Republican because there are several issue where I agree that "my party" is still in the dark about....gun control and education just to name a couple.

Since this lively debate has started I've looked hard at what I believe and why I lend my support to a person. I walk the middle of the political spectrum mostly. I have some core elements that I will not waver on, but there are several things that I might be swayed about. I want to be an informed American...not just a voter every fourth year. I've only voted twice in my whole life, but when I did, I made my choice based on who did I agree with more. I do not agree with everything Bush does or says. I liked some of Kerry's ideas. Who said that you must be one or the other? I half jokingly made a remark about switching political parties. I'm not saying that I'm fixing to drop my membership to the Young Republicans and become a card carrying Democrat. I'm just saying that I'm keeping an open mind.

Also, one other point I'd like to address. Someone asked me if I afforded the last president the same latitude that I was asking him to give the current president. I'd just like to say that I give the President of the United States the respect that goes with the office...regardless of what political party he plays for.

For those few of you out there that are actually keeping up with this, I hope this answers a few questions. As always, I appreciate the respectful comments.