In recognition of World AIDS Day, google has some good resources on how you can help.
I consider myself lucky I have never been through the heart-ache, sorrow, sadness that many others have because of AIDS; and I hope to continue this lucky streak. Be safe ya'll, always.
Ain't it funny how one person can do something and you think it's cute, and then someone else does the same thing and it's the most annoying thing in the world?
Of course it depends on the type of relationship you have with those people... but the complete dichotomy of reactions is fascinating to me.
Take for example one of my close girlfriends calling me a 'bitch'. I would laugh it off (you know, if I was too drunk to think of an appropriate come back). And yet some other, not so close, friend can say the same thing in the same way, and all that elicits from me is a side-ways stare (followed by an eye-roll).
That's usually my normal reaction when I decide to let things roll off my back. Just thought I'd share.
Wow.
It's been a long time since I've gone.. stayed out until 3 in the morning - the time I didn't realize until I woke up today and found that I had updated my facebook status at that time.
That was fun.. the realization part; and what else did I realize? I fell up some stairs at some point (leading to a ankle swollen). And while I'm no longer in my 'early twenties', I can still party like it's 1999. (That's still hip to say, right?)
"It's important not to take yourself too seriously; we are not finding cures for cancer. But even so, it is an applied art and important for people to feel good. It's something we all do, every day, after breakfast, we have to get dressed."
- Mary-Adair Macaire, CEO Pringle of Scotland
(source)
I'm definitely spoiled.
The familiar feeling of entitlement I felt when I was a kid crept up and smacked me in the head a couple of times these past few weeks.
When I was young, it was all about toys, ice cream, and video games. Now, it's all about brunches, happy hours, and parties. In the past few weeks, I've been to a dinner and a show, a 'ladies brunch', and a birthday party so fabulous that I still have bruises.
And when they're over, and I'm at home nursing a hangover, that spoiled little kid inside perks up and complains... "It's just not fair! I want to have more fun! Why do I have to go home?!"
I let that little brat have his say, then remind him of the type of fun he has at home. That usually shuts him up.
I love the beach. I love the sun. I love the skimpy swimsuits. I love the cute tan lines right above a hottie's booty.
I don't care for biking uphill, bugs, redneck tan lines, or the fake shit people project.
All in all, I'm having an amazing time in P-town. Now, if we can turn down some of the drama.
I really admired Michael Jackson. He inspired me to dance, which gave me a physical, creative outlet. So much so that I even participated in some dancing extracurricular activities in high school (dear god, please let no one have any evidence of that).
He was so prominent in my years growing up, here are some vivid memories that flashed through my mind when I heard of his passing...
Ah... good times. And not surprisingly, none of these memories are recent; cause even though I think his passing is tragic, the real Michael that I admired and aspired to be had long gone.
Sha'mon!
I really do hate house- and dog-sitting. More specifically, I hate the sacrifices I'm making.
With the dog walking/cleaning/feeding morning and night, I've given up much of my usual habits and hobbies.
For the past three weeks, I haven't had time to go window shopping after work; I've declined dinner and movie plans; I've left happy hours early.
Instead of doing all that, I'm picking up dog poo. But what bothered me the most was that I couldn't volunteer for the AIDS walk this year (after 6+ years).
From that, I've just realized that I love my freedom. Freedom from taking care of someone (or something) else; especially as regimented as a taking care of a dog. Being in a house so far from the city (and my entire wardrobe) just exacerbates the situation.
On the bright side, I've only two weeks left of this responsibility. Which leads into my birthday month. And it's Fleet Week.
Being here, in the middle of the suburbs house- and dog-sitting, there's a lot of time for me to reflect inward - there's not much to do when boiling water for ramen noodles. I've come to a few conclusions:
What's more surprising is that I'm not upset about having to do these 'chores'. Does this mean I'm grown up now? Hm.
With all this retrospecting, I'm more appreciative of the time I spend with my friends and, especially, my Boopy. Just look at how excited I am before we head to Adele's concert!
I hope I keep this optimism by the end of the month.
Have you heard of J&D's Baconnaise? It's a bacon-flavored spread! And did you know you can actually order on Amazon.com
I wonder what the chances are that it will actually taste like bacon and not bacon-like.
Vermont legislates gay marriage! Iowa courts decide against discrimination! Yay!
On the topic of 'gay marriage', I still think that all legal (state/federal) documents should change the word 'marriage' to 'civil union'.
But if the "religious people" want to keep their "religious word" (which naturally draws in peoples' religious beliefs), then I support Vermont's change - hopefully everyone will see it's a legal (and civil rights) issue, not a religious one.
Fat chance, eh?
In the meantime, read this hilarious story about a woman who calls 911 over the lack of shrimp in her fried rice!
Hm.. shrimp, Leviticus, gays, and we've come full circle. Good night everyone!
Where are you? And why are you so hard to attain?
I just can't stop myself. With Uniqlo's amazing surprises: the collaboration with Opening Ceremony, denim sales, colorful undies, and now they sell packaged tanks in XS; I had promised myself not to spend any more money on clothes after my Burberry suit. That's now out the window.
Seriously, check out this neon yellow check shirt; if I didn't get it, I could never forgive myself. Heh.
And Top Man is opening in a few weeks! I can't wait!
Ah well -- what good are promises if you can't break them, right?
The weather today was nice and temperate. Thought I'd share this photo with y'all.
It reminds me of warmer weather and makes me anticipate the arrival of Spring. Yay!
I'm referring to the holiday sale season. I have GOT to stop shopping.
After three trips to Woodbury Commons and multiple trips through New York City's Fifth Ave and Soho, I've probably bought five times as much stuff for myself than all the presents I bought for others combined! I guess someone has to keep the economy going. Hah!
But seriously, even though I'm being facetious, my heart goes out to everyone who's suffering from the recession. From all the bad news of deteriorating funds and suicidal billionaires to the families losing credit and their jobs.
Keep your head up guys. There's a silver lining there somewhere.
Ah.. another holiday season.
At years' end, I always take some time to reflect on what happened. And needless to say, it has been a crazy year.
With all that's happened in the world; with the recession, still being in two wars, equal rights set backs. Sigh.
Of course, hope is ever present: moving in with Boopy, a new job opportunity, friends, crazy brunches, Obama, Housewives of Atlanta, amazing sales. Ahh...
The best thing to do in this situation is to acknowledge the bad, and cherish the good; that's what I intend to do. I'm letting those crazy things just wash over me while I let my safety beacon of happiness carry me through. I find that I work best that way - it even helps to propel me to do more good.
And I plan to do more good in the new year. So as this year comes to a close, I want to extend my beacon of happiness to ya'll by wishing you a wondrous holiday season and best wishes for the new year! Oh, and do some good, too.
There's so much to give thanks for this year. New job, new apartment, new president. (Woot woot!)
So I'm giving thanks. I might even dress my turkey up in stars and stripes.
Hope you all have as much to be thankful for and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I recently discovered Adele when she performed on SNL; a show where I consistently find myself cringing when it comes to the musical guest; most of the time because their live performances are atrocious.
So when I was watching the SNL with Josh Brolin (aka the hunky teen in The Goonies) and that Alaskan moose-hunter, I cursed myself for watching it live and unable to fast-forward through.
So I watched it. And then I peed my pants. Seriously. That's how good she was, LIVE!
Immediately, I ran to the interwebs to find her album, 19
And now I have a problem: I can't stop listening to it. I'm stuck in a perpetual Adele loop: the more I listen, the more I want to listen. Especially that stupid, awesome song, Best for Last.
And worse, now I'm starting to sing along without realizing it! Not quite loud enough for the person next to me on the subway to hear, but maybe enough to make them scoot a bit further from me. I guess that's not so bad.
I think I need help. And by "help" I mean a singing partner.
Three weeks into my new job and I still love it.
Ok. I've been told I'm still in that 'honeymoon' phase; but if it continues the same way, I can see many many happy days.
So far, I've been given a MacbookPro, been to two training session, and all is well.
Of course, I'm still missing my 'colorful' band of misfits, especially their colorful language; though the tall, vegan I work with now is quite colorful in his own right... like all he eats is horny goat weed. Hah!
As an aside, I'm falling in love again with NPR's On the Media. Everyone who watches the news or reads a newspaper needs to listen to this program; especially during all the election news coverage - it's not only important to be informed about the news, but also know which news informs.
Like that last sentence? That's an antimetabole! And I learned it listening to On the Media! Whee!
That totally doesn't explain why Britney won best video of the year for "Pieces of Me". Seriously, what kind of standard are they measuring music videos now? It looks like it was shot in a two day period in the back of some lot without a real choreographer (probably because they made fun of Britney's weave; or something). The song's ok.
But what was hilarious was watching Russell Brand make fun of the Jonas Brothers' virginity, and then have THAT be a "top story" on CNN Headline newsthe next day! Complete with teen sex experts! What kind of standard are they measuring "top" news stories now?!
And don't get me started on Sarah Palin.
With all the craziness in the world, I think I get a free pass for wearing white jeans and shoes on September 2nd, right?
