Life's Twist and Turns and Other Things

I know I am a dreamer. I have always dreamed where my life would take me. And certain things I had believed would happen by a certain time would have to be. It seems like my dreams are just that and only that dreams. And it is hard to hear people tell you that life is hard and it doesn't turn out the way you want most of the time. It's hard to effectively put your dreams to bed, especially by the person you never thought would do it.

But I digress...

Been really busy this week. Lots of work at work and stuff after words.

Lent started with Ash Wednesday. It's the 40 days before Easter that many Christians, and as a Catholic Christian we honor. It is a time for retrospection of your life, and seeing if your spiritual life is in tune or needs a tune up. It's a time for reflection, prayer, fasting and improvement. I am starting a Bible study as part of my Lenten journey. (It's not all about giving up believe it or not, but adding.) We are discussing the last book of the Bible, the Book of revelation and the Book of Daniel, both are apocalyptic books, meaning:

"From a Greek word meaning "to reveal" or "to unveil." It refers to a type of literature that flourished in Judaism and early Christianity from roughly 200 B.C. to 200 A.D. This was a time of great persecution of the Jews and Christians.

This type of literature sees the end of history and the coming of the New Age, God's reign; God is in control. The Books of Daniel and Revelation are examples." - Disciplesnow.com

It has been under lots of scrutiny in the past few years due to the Left Behind book series that was written by a very fundamentalist minister who takes the Bible word for word without looking at the context of the history of when it was written and by whom. I have read the books and take them as a fictional account, for no one knows when or how the end of the world will come, only God does, and I'll let him worry about those things. I can only worry about myself and how I handle myself.

Sorry to be ignoring my Blogging duties...I promise to try to be better. :-)

It's Raining, It's Pouring, Sarah is Exhausted!

Whew! The past 2 days have been hectic. Work has been non-stop.

Little Sis #2 was in town over the weekend with her significant other. We had a great time seeing them. We can't wait until they are able to move closer as we miss them a lot.

I'm looking out the window by me desk at work and it is pouring rain. It has about 30 minutes to stop so I can get to my car without being soaked.

The search for a home continues. We live in an area that the housing market is HOT. And finding a home you want to move into and being able to secure a contract is not easy. But I'm not gonna rush into something I'm gonna regret...say a little prayer for us that we find something. :-)

Well, back to work. More to do..and not a lot of time.

More Congrats

Congrats to cousin AJ and wife Catrina who are now expecting TWINS. I suggest they get sleep now for they won't once not only one but TWO babies come. It is so exciting for them. You two will be in our thoughts.

We'll Miss Him

Last night infamous local sportscaster Chris Thomas died from his battle with cancer. He used to be the sports guy at the TV station that lived downstairs from the newspaper. He was entertaining to say the least and he never lost the moment to get his own opinion of others into the newscast. He had his own radio show, and that's where he really shined. I have to say I miss his style (or lack of it sometimes - he wore a giant sombrero on Fri. nights when he went through the high school football scores - a dancing football with a sombrero danced across the screen with the scores.) So many of today young sportscasters look and sound alike. They couldn't hold anything to Chris Thomas who not only knew the sports but loved sports and you could tell. I know he could be brash, and lots of people didn't like him, but that's part of him that I did.
Hope there's a horse race you watch up in heaven big guy!

Spong Monkeys?

Ever seen that newer Quizno's ad with those things that are singing that looks like potatoes with mouths? On today's Financial wire this story came out. To clear it all up, they are spong monkeys...

They're "spong monkeys." Really. That's what they are.
They look like deformed hamsters or cardboard gremlins, and they've been singing "We Love the Subs!" in an odd ad campaign for Quiznos Sub that began Feb. 1, on Super Bowl Sunday. One has on a pirate hat, the other is wearing a bowler. They both have bulging blue eyes and weird toothy grins.
What the heck is a "spong monkey?" It's a strange creature from the United Kingdom that popped up on the Internet not too long ago and became a pop culture icon across the pond. The creative brain trusts at the Martin Advertising Agency in Richmond, Va., stumbled upon them and pitched them as "spokes-things" to the sub corporation.
"The agency thought they'd be perfect, and they presented us with the idea of putting them in a commercial," says Stacie Lange, vice president of public relations for Quiznos. "The creatures are just so zany and crazy and random. They really make people stop and pay attention."
The spong monkeys certainly snagged Quiznos" corporate attention. The company hired Martin for its new campaign and licensed the wacky critters. Martin says it's too early to tell how successful the ads have been in terms of sub sales, but the buzz has been loud.
"We've had a lot of customers writing and calling, mostly people just wondering what are these creatures?" Lange says. "Some think they're hamsters, other people think they're squirrels. Some people even think they're potatoes."
Spong monkeys may have nothing to do with sub sandwiches (but then polar bears have nothing to do with Coca Cola, either), and they may look a bit disgusting to some folks, but they're becoming stars.
"They've generated lots of water-cooler conversation, and that kind of talk value puts us on consumers" radar," Lange says.
Besides the "We Love Subs" spot, another one began running recently alerting customers that Quiznos will accept "any coupon for anything" for a $1 discount on their subs.
Quiznos hasn't officially ordered more monkey ads beyond this month, but if the buzz continues to grow, who knows how far these computer-generated spong monkeys can go? Stuffed toys? Cartoon series?

I'm Back, Kinda

I have been remiss about posting because 1. I work all weekend and 2. I had a bad bad headache yesterday and Sunday so I stayed home and rested with the thought of logging onto my computer not being a good one.

I actually spent most all of the weekend with my valantine. For us that's a lot of time since usually we are hanging out with friends or family. It was nice.

I have been really busy with work today since I was not here yesterday. But I have to admit I am still tired so I am not up to my normal perky and funny self. Hopefully soon!

My Ode to Fog

I love the fog.

Something about the way it makes everything so white/gray and in the evening how the lights shine through it. And if you have never lived by the water you can't appreciate how wonderfully thick, dense and damp sea fog can be. You know it's coming and when it does it is fast. On my drive home last night as I was driving West it looked like there was a storm coming in. The clouds looked heavy and and dark. But it wasn't a storm, it's sea fog. By the time I got home it was already rolling in to my apartment complex. And rolling is a good word to use. It seems to roll over the landscape, it is very fascinating.

I love being out on the beach on those foggy nights. I even love the dampness. In that fog your whole body is wet.

I can see why it has inspires people to write about it. (Here I am doing the same.)

Other Ways to Say "I Love You"

There's a great article in the Wall Street Journal today about the use of the phrase "I Love You," and the ways people express love minus the words. I found this very interesting. Here's a few excerpts:

We've become a society that places great importance on saying "I love you," and in many matters of life and death, no other words are as comforting. Many children now hear the phrase daily, and people say it generously to friends. "I love you" is cooed to newborns, and whispered to those who are dying.
Still, as we fixate on those words, we can forget that love is sometimes even more powerful when left unsaid. While we wait (or demand) to hear "I love you" from people in our lives, we may not notice their loving acts, says Corinne Wilburne Barker, a psychologist at California State University, Northridge. In her research, she calls this "an adoration of verbal expression," and it worries her.
People who are adept at expressing love verbally often feel superior to loved ones who aren't good at it, says Dr. Barker. A husband might show love in subtle ways - by filling his wife's car with gas, or taking her hand when crossing the street - but she's unhappy that he's reticent about declaring his love. "It can lead to estrangement," says Dr. Barker, who warns against belittling less-expressive partners.
Some people feel panicked by their inability to articulate affection. Jane Bluestein, who teaches parenting courses nationwide, encourages people to coax the words out of their mouths. One recent seminar attendee confided that she told her dog "I love you" before mustering the nerve to say it to her kids.

America's love talk can be traced to the 1960s. Before then, people struggled through world wars and Depressions; they were less focused on emotional needs. But since then, "all you need is love" has been touted as a comprehensive cure-all. Even President Bush peppers his speeches by encouraging people to visit shut-ins" homes and say "I love you," or to hug paroled prisoners and say, "I love you, brother."
Valentine's Day is now just one of 365 days for loving language; Hallmark Cards says sales of its nonholiday "love" cards rose 555 percent in the past three decades.


I have always believed it's not the words spoken that are the true indicator of a person's love for you but the actions. It is nice to hear, but a baby feels safe not by the words, but that they are kept warm, safe, fed, hugged. It's the significant other who offers to shop for the other when the other is exhausted, getting up and cooking a special breakfast for their family when it isn't expected or giving a child limits and sticking to their guns about them.

So yes, telling those you love you love them is important, but don't forget your actions everyday are just as important.

Closer

I am listening to Josh Groban's new CD Closer. I am a huge fan of the young baritone and I am looking forward to him stretching his talents more with more and more difficult songs. He sings songs in English (only 5 of 13 for those who don't want to listen to foreign-worded songs), French, Spanish and of course Italian, which he sang on his first CD. The song Raise Me Up has received much of the promotion on the CD but it isn't the best song...listen to Il Postino (with violin accompaniment by the gifted Josh Bell) or Per Te. Lovely. I do see that some of the lyrics are somewhat fluffy but I let that go because of the wonderful accompaniment and the clarity of his voice. I know many people dismiss him as being Classical-lite, and so it may be...but I have no reservations that he is a talented man and there is a place for his music too. I have other purely classical music CD's and I listen to those too...but when I am in the correct mood, this is one that makes a soar with his lovely voice.

Whew! Busy!

Busy day today. Looks like the rest of the week is shaping up to be similar. At least hubby and I got a chance to relax last night. Had a nice (easy) dinner, a bottle of wine, a little TV and off to a GREAT night of sleep. I know I got more than 8 hours, it has been a little while since I have gotten that much and it felt lovely.

I want to send out a BIG congrats to my cousin Dave and his new bride Kim who have found out that they are expecting at the beginning of September. I am so happy for you two!

Also, a small request. Say a little prayer for my Grandmother who is in the hospital. She had fluid in her lungs and we are waiting to hear the cause. Hopefully she will be home soon.

Return of the King!

What a GREAT movie. Yes it was long...my butt I think almost fell asleep...but, I liked it a lot. I know I will have to see it on DVD again to take it all it. I have to admit I never read the books, so I was/am confused on a few points, especially at the end. But it wasn't enough for it to take away from my experiece.

Some favorite parts:

1. Smeagol - Gollum (when they are going back and forth from the water to him). How truely split he became. And although he was computer generated...you couldn't tell.
2. Sam - I LOVED Sam. I cheered for him all along and was angry when he was "sent" away...and hurt for him when his "Mr. Frodo" was leaving him. Sean Austin was great, I see him differently as an actor now.
3. "No man can kill me!" - The Witch King ---"I am no man!" - Eowyn.
4. Liv Tyler - I think she is beautiful woman as Arwen. I can't believe someone as lovely as her can be a daughter of Steven Tyler!
5. The army of the dead...that just was cool.

There are other parts but that's just a small part. What a trilogy! I'm not into fantasy usually, but I liked this one.

Windblown and Tired

Just got home from my second job. I moonlight as a jewelers wife, which means I sell jewelry too. We opened a location at a local large fleamarket to try to help make some extra money. So that means Saturday and some Sunday's for me (including tomorrow) I am out hawking the finest jewels in Pinellas County for the best prices!) But I do have to admit it is tiring. Up early, there for a good amount of time and then back to work at the type and gripe factory for the week. And the house shopping too, can't forget that. But I am not gonna complain too much. I guess I would rather do this now when I am a still a young thing and can...before any bambino's make their appearance. But it is hard work.

Tonight we go to see Return of the King finally. I am excited. Hubby is making us cappuchino's to help perk us up for the evening. Last night I finally saw Seabiscuit. What a beautifully filmed film. It was lovely to watch. It was pretty good too the movie. But I will have to say to get the full benefit one MUST read the book, it is an awesome book. But I enjoyed it none-the-less.

Well, off to have a drinky and later to the movies. Ta!

#@*&%(& Stop!

There's a great article in the Tampa Tribune today about the overuse of cursing (or cussin' if you were from the south). It was right on. It is about a gentleman who wrote a book back in 2000 called
Cuss Control: The Complete Guide to Curbing Your Cursing.

Author Jim O'Connor said:
"Swearing is so widespread now that it's contributing to the breakdown of civility and the dumbing down of America.'' I am inclined to agree.

How hard is it to use the same select word again and again to describe how you are feeling or what is wrong etc? It isn't. It is much harder to describe those things with real words that can evoke a message that is just as strong or even stronger, thus the dumbing down part.

Also,
"When you look past the bad language to what is being said, it's often mean-spirited and disrespectful,'' he said. ``It's the coarse, negative tone and the anger that's just as disturbing.

"Using the `f word' used to be a sign of ignorance and lowlifes, but now even presidential candidates do it,'' he said, referring to Sen. John Kerry, who used it in a Rolling Stone interview.

"There are so many other words that he could have used, such as `bungled' or `fouled- up,' to more effectively describe how he felt about President Bush's policy in Iraq,'' O'Connor said. ``Using the `f word' is just lazy language when there are so many words that are more effective to make a point.''

Amen brother! I understand there is a time and a place for everything, some people have forgot that. Dropping that kind of language anywhere and everywhere thus passing it on to their children and other people's children who may not approve of it. I also know that curse words slip out here and there, I do it. It's the people who can't figure out how to use a regular word to describe situations I have the problem with. Instead of "F-ing awesome!" try just awesome! Awesome by itself is a special word, it means "Inspiring awe." I know it is hard to break the habit, but it's worth it. Our children's literary, social and verbal futures are at stake.

You can read the entire story here.

Oh Boy!

You KNEW this had to happen. The judge should throw her out on her ass.

Birthday Week!

We are in the midst of Birthday week here in the Business News department. Three of my co-workers have or are turning a year older this week. So that means 3 cards (which luckily I obtained already because Publix doesn't seem to change their cards that often so I went somewhere else to avoid the embarrassment of getting the same card for folks as the year before (I have already done that by the way.)

Yesterday it was a marble cake with white frosting, today a chocolate with choc. frosting cake and tomorrow...who knows...whatever looks yummy. Maybe cheesecake? mmm..cheesecake!

Note to boss: need to hire people in the following months (Jan./March, April, May or Oct. to help spread the cake around.)

So happy birthday to Ted, Katrina and Mark!

Dr. Suess and Your Computer

My mom sent this to me today and I thought it was really funny. I know when your computer is down it definitely isn't funny, but at least you can try to grin and bear it. :-)

Dr. Seuss Explains Why Computers Sometimes Crash! (Read this aloud - it's GREAT!)

If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port, and the bus is interrupted at a very last resort, and the access of the memory makes your floppy disk abort, then the socket packet pocket has an error to report.

If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash, and the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash, and your data is corrupted cause the index doesn't hash, then your situation's hopeless and your system's gonna crash!

If the label on the cable on the table at your house, says the network is connected to the button on your mouse, but your packets want to tunnel to another protocol, that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall, and your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss, so your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse; then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang, 'cuz sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang!

When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy in the disk, and the macro code instructions is causing unnecessary risk, then you'll have to flash the memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM, and then quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your Mom!

( WELL! That certainly clears things up for ME! )

Boobs Everywhere...

All I hear and read about is Janet Jackson's boob-baring experience last night. I am hoping this will die down soon because it is getting a little excessive.

Whew..I am torn about this whole thing. First I know that the Super Bowl is an event when there are lots of families are watching. But really...is the Super Bowl and/or football really that family friendly any more?

If you go to a game, the chances of seeing skin (people flashing) and men who shouldn't take their shirts off who do, hearing questionable language and drinking huge amounts of beer is the norm. Also, when you are at home, you are bombarded with ads about beer and other ads that most often are denigrated to women. And we haven't even gotten to the game or the players yet.

More frequently the players, who are grossly over-paid, aren't good examples for families. They are fathering multiple children with multiple women, breaking the law but being allowed to continue playing, being foul-mouthed in public and in general not being good ambassadors for the team or the city and these are the guys your kids idealize.) Then there is the game itself. It is rough. From the hard hits which can be really violent at times (and how many times they show those really hard hits again and again) to fighting, coaches and players cursing and the camera catching them mouthing those words and the more and more scantily-clad cheerleaders. This is family friendly?

I am sad that something like this ends up on TV. That a women of her stature feels she needs to do something like this to get more publicity. What happened to being an artist and who got attention for her music and moves rather than how little she wears and how out there her performance can be? This is what little girls see and no wonder they feel they have to be perfect looking and that they have to center themselves around getting men to like them rather than concentrating on being the best that they can be as a person first.

Any ways...off my high horse...there are just too many boobs out there.

Need to take a trip..

I stole this from The Side Salad Blog. I have visited 35% of the 50 states...not too hot...seems I need to head West.



create your own visited states map
or write about it on the open travel guide