Words....... with Friends

If you've never heard of this IPhone or Droid game, you've been living under a rock in a cave during a hurricane.

If you've never played this game, you just have a lame phone.

I, friends, have a lame phone.

Well, actually, I like my phone quite a bit. Despite my like for my phone, I'm almost due for an upgrade..... and my battery isn't lasting like it should.

In preparing for my upcoming upgrade, I've seriously been pondering what to get. Should I just keep with the EnV style that I've loved for FOUR years now? Or, should I join the SmartPhone masses? The rest of my family has IPhones (if you read the linked post, yes, two years later my family still goes through phones like underwear). What to do, what to do? Phones and DayPlanners are very important decisions for me.

Then, the other night, I got a text from The Guy. (I probably should update ya'll on him.) He wanted to play WWF.

Only, I don't have an appropriate phone for WWF.

Crap.

Wait! Momma does!

So, I hijacked my mother's phone, downloaded the free version, and then was up until almost 12:30 am playing WWF with the man. We actually have two games going.

I then invited a coworker to start a game.

Only, these games aren't on MY phone. So, they're the slowest games known to man.

One thing, for sure, has been decided.

I NEED to get a phone that is compatible with this game.

IPhone or Droid?

What are your thoughts?

The downside of working in "Radio"

I love my job. I do.

It's fun. It's crazy. It's different. It's me.

However, there are downsides.

Insane hours. Egos. Low pay.

You get the idea.

However, there is one downside that hurts me to the core.....

Working in radio prevents me from ever being a Nielsen's Family.

I am what we like to call a Entertainment/Media Geek.

Always have been, always will be.

As a child, I could tell you exactly what times a show would break for commercial.

I would do my own form of editing on my answering machine so I could leave really cool outgoing messages (to the tune of "Everybody Dance Now", "Are You That Somebody?" and others).

By middle school, I knew what Sweeps were and looked forward to them with great gusto.

In high school, I was fortunate enough to job shadow the Stage Manager for the Beauty & The Beast production at MGM Studios. The SM gave me a Park Hopper ticket and told me if I ever got tired of watching the same show over and over, I could go ride rides, etc. Do you think I did? Heck no. I stayed there for almost 12 hours, fascinated.

In college, I sat through endless tech rehearsals, for dance and theatre.

Those are just a few examples.

Now, I'm in radio.

Like I said, a geek.

*I* find my job fun. *I* think radio is interesting.

However, despite the perception others' have of the business, it's actually very boring. The majority of people would be bored in about 30 minutes, because the minutia of what we do is only entertaining to geeks. Behind the fun, glitter, and glamour is gray walls and a bunch of people talking about TSL and clocks.

As geeks go, it has been a lifelong dream of mine to be a Nielsen Family.

That's when you either get a diary or a digital box to record your viewing habits. That's how they determine ratings and therefore advertising rates (and, therefore, whether a show ultimately stays on the air).

One time in college, I was getting surveys from Nielsen. They were looking for families. They didn't end up choosing us, but they did send me a tape to watch. It was a Pilot of a sitcom they were testing. I was so thrilled to watch that awful show and tell them not to air it.

However, now that I work in radio, I will NEVER get chosen to be a NF. I know too much. And, because some radio stations are also owned by companies that own TV stations, they can't allow it. Radio's version of Nielsen is called Arbitron, btw.

So, imagine my insane jealousy when my friend Lisa just FB messaged me that SHE is now a Nielsen Family.

As in, she just got a diary.

Her viewing habits will be documented and will matter.

Jealous.

I want to move to Texas and bunk with her family, just so I can participate.

Jealous.

I'll take "Thirty Below" thanks.........

I've mentioned in the past how I love my Sunday School class. I really, really do. We started meeting a little over a year ago and I just adore it.

We're titled "Thirty Below" and are technically a college and career class. However, the majority of the people in there are career..... mid-to-late twenties. To be perfectly honest, that's how I prefer it. I've been to "college and career" when it was mainly college............ it's kind of like Youth Group 202. There's a BIG difference between an 18 year old and a 28 year old.

Some of the class members are married, but most of us are single. So far, no romances have bloomed out of the class and we're all pretty ok with that.

Which is why we became slightly offended when the church tried to label us a "young singles' class" and started sending people to us using that title. Again, there are marrieds in the class, so it didn't fit. Plus, none of us are looking to go to Sunday School just so we can meet people in that way. We all have enough issues to discuss and work through without adding in the "single" pressure. (Admittedly, I'm probably the most concerned with the whole single thing......... anytime I bring it up, everyone else just laughs and tells me not to worry about being single. They are kind of like my blog readers in that way, lol.).

Then, the church started an actual singles' class (they used to have one, but everyone got married off or left). The description for the class specifically says "for people who are in this season of their life in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. 

So, when I started receiving emails from the group, I became offended. Um, hello, I'm not 30, yet. I still have almost 2 1/2 years. And, even then, they'll probably have to drag me out of my current class, kicking and screaming. Because, I really enjoy it. And, there are people older than me in that class. So, if they can go to it, then so can I. Hmmmph!

One of the girls in the class jokingly suggested that I send a cease and desist letter, claiming that I am exclusively with Thirty Below. Our leader jokingly said he was going to file charges for poaching.

I still receive emails from them. Mainly, I delete without reading, unless the topic seems interesting.

Is it snooping if they are the ones sending ME the emails?

Anyway, so a couple weeks ago (on a Monday) Fun Distraction invited me over to his place. His Singles' Sunday School Class was getting together and he wanted me to come.

"We're all just going to hang out. It will be fun!"

I was a little perplexed as to why he would ask me over to a function that was for a specific group of people, but I went with it.

That Friday, I headed over.

His sister answered the door for me and I walked into a room full of women and two males. Fun Distraction and a man who turned out to be the uncle of the girl whose wedding I'm in.

Now.......... before I say anymore......... I did have a good time. It was a really nice group of people.

That said........

I walked in and immediately felt sized up.

Some in the "oh, who is this nice girl he's bringing around" sisterly way.

Some in the "um.... who is she and why is he bringing her around" not-so-sisterly way.

One, who we shall call Green Shirt Girl made quick work of sitting next to me and asking my life story. Again, very nice and very friendly. However, also very "Who Are You."

It became very clear that GSG has a big thing for FD. Throughout the evening, she did little things to mark her territory, as it were.

As in, after he showed me around his house, I needed to use the restroom. He told me to use whichever one I wanted and to make myself at home. While heading towards the guest room, GSG started to follow me.......

Me - "Oh, do you need to use the restroom? I can use the one in FD's room."

GSG - "OH! No. I was just making sure the door to the bathroom was shut. FD doesn't like the door to be left open. He's afraid the dogs will get in there."

Me - "Um, ok. I'll make sure it's closed when I'm done."

That was just the tip of the iceburg, folks.

Like I said......... good time, nice people.

However, unless he has another "get-together" I probably will never see them, again, lol. Well, except for Kristen's uncle. I'll see him in June.

So, a few days later, I see FD and he's telling me how glad he was that I came, etc, etc, etc. Did I have a good time? We'll have to do it, again. Blah, blah, blah.

That's when I dropped the following.........

Me - "So, you know the girl..... Green Shirt Girl?"

FD - "Yeah?"

Me - "I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but she has a thing for you."

FD - "What? Why? She wasn't mean to you, was she?"

Me - "No she was perfectly nice and friendly......... and very clear in metophorically peeing all over your house."

FD - "We've just been friends a long time."

Me - "Oh, I'm sure you have. She just made it very clear that I was stepping in on her territory."

We went on to discuss this. He said the feelings weren't mutual, etc. I assured him that I did have a good time and everyone was great. However, he said something that brings back to my original point......

"We're just the last two of our old Singles' Class."

Ahhhhh.......... nail. on. the. head.

Whether he's playing dense or just is, that's exactly it.

Everyone else in the "old singles class" is now non-single. Which means homegirl feels it's her turn. And, she's chosen FD, as the last man standing, to make it so.

And, she certainly didn't want some chick she doesn't know messing up her flow.

ALL that to say..................

I really, really love my Sunday School class.

Blech...........

Raise your hand if you ate WAY too much yesterday and you still feel like you could explode.

*Raises hand*

Yeah, I threw all points out the window yesterday. On purpose. Just because it was Easter.

Today?

Today I'm so glad for my points and the fact that I'm eating healthy.

Despite any setbacks yesterday may bring me (because, I ate WAYYYYYY too much), I'm glad for it. Because, I have no intentions on feeling that stuffed again, for a long time. And, I got all my mac-n-cheese and coconut cake cravings out of my system.

How was your Easter?!

The One In Which I Go On A Shopping Spree.....

An Online Shopping Spree, at that.

The other night, I was bored.

I couldn't sleep.

I had just folded laundry and was thinking about my panty stash.

So, I did what any sane person does.......

I got online and started shopping.

Typically, this means putting a bunch of things in my shopping bag and then closing it out without actually buying anything.

Only, this time, I clicked buy.

...... 9 pairs of GapBody panties later (Thanks, Gina, for turning me on to these awesome undergarments).........

...... and, this Old Navy dress..............

The panties, I'm pretty confident about.

The dress? I'm praying it works. I don't typically go for ANY of this...... tube, ruffles, orange. However, something about this dress kept calling me. So, I answered.

Hopefully, there will be a really awesome picture of me wearing it.

If there's not, then you know it was a major fail.

When You Wish Upon A Star.....

After all the estrogen, the men of the family needed some Jack Sparrow therapy..........

This is our "tough" look. Clearly, the world should be scared.

Aren't they too cute for words??

Lydia took a nap and came back with a new outfit and a Minnie Mouse. (Another tip for moms with little ones......... Disney has GREAT baby care areas. My mom took her to the rocking chair room and she slept for about two hours).

Cousins.......

We decided to find another ride that everyone could ride. Buzz Lightyear was our choice.

She rules the world.......

Mommy and Bella taking on the enemies.....

"Hey Aunt Jessica..... can you stop taking pictures and help me fight the aliens?"

Prisoners with Zurg....

It was time for the fireworks. There is nothing like fireworks over Cinderella's Castle....

Then, we waited for the parade. The kids had never seen anything like the Main Street Electrical Parade.

Sharing her ice cream.........

Tired Princess.........

Worth it......

After a LONG day, we were just getting started. They still had a full week and a half left to their trip and we were only 30 hours in, lol.

Every little girl is a Princess.....

Continuing the "Too Much Awesome For One State" series.....

After seeing The Castle, Meeting the Princesses, and Riding our 1st Set of Rides, Bella had one more dream that needed to come true.

She wanted to turn into a Princess, herself.

We originally wanted to go to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. However, it was booked. Just a tip..... make a reservation.

Not wanting to crush her hopes and dreams, we improvised.

Daddy took his Princess on a shopping spree, lol. Girl got all decked out.

Then, we waved our wands for a magical transformation...........

Introducing Princess Bella!!!

No Princess is complete without a round of paparazzi......

Taking a picture with one of her loyal subject, lol.....

Once again, the boys were OVER the girly stuff. So, we split up, again.

Mickey's Philhar-Magic Show.......

On the carousal.........

We even indulged in a Ladies' Tea (ie, hot fudge and caramel sundaes), before meeting back up with the boys.

Sunday Questions

the q's.

1. what's something you've eaten and liked, but didn't think you would?

Hmmmmm....... I don't know. Usually I'm pretty right about what I think I'll like and what I don't.

I think the last thing was "Green Monster"...... this organic green goop drink. TG convinced me to try it and it was actually really good.

2. plastic surgery..yay or nay?

I would be all for it if it gets rid of the scar I have from when I was a baby.

Also, my girls would benefit from a lift, lol.

3. 2 things you love about spring are.....?

Pretty flowers. I do like the smell of the season............. I think each season holds a different scent in the air.

Otherwise, I'm usually a little distraught about spring because it means summer is coming. In Florida, summer lasts a really, really long time.

4. when's the last time you went on a picnic?

When Heidi and her family were down here. I need to post about that day, lol.

5. what's your favorite app?

I don't have an IPhone or the like, so I have no apps. However, I do appreciate the FB app and theTetris app on my mom's phone.

6. who does the grocery shopping in your house?

Mainly, my parents. However, being on WW, I've been doing a lot of my own grocery shopping.

7. would you rather take a spin class or zumba?

I love Zumba!!

8. how often do you go out to dinner?

Too often, I'm sure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stealing Sunday

1. Tell us who the last person that you took a shower with.

I am a solo showerer.

2. Tell us about your favorite tee-shirt. Extra points if you show a pic. (We know. What can you do with freakin' extra points?)

I have a super comfy Daisy Fuentes shirt. It's in a pretty dark blue.

Also, I have a St Jude shirt that I feel really cute in.

3. Has anyone ever hit on you even though they knew you were taken?

Well, it's pretty safe. I mean, I'm rarely taken, ever.

I've had guys hit on me even though THEY were taken.

4. Do you plan what to wear the next day?

I typically have an idea, but it's never set in stone.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Why?

I'm kind of sleepy. Thinking about taking a nap.

Also, I'm slightly frustrated over the turn of events this weekend (starting with Friday night and FD).

6. What's the closest thing to you that's black?

The end table.

7. Tell me about an interesting dream you remember having.

I had a few dreams this past week. I remembered them when I woke up, but I can't remember them now.

8. Did you or might you meet anybody new today?

I didn't. I shook a few people's hands at church that I didn't know, though.

9. If you could be doing anything right now (or perhaps after you finish this ridiculous meme) what would it be?

I don't know.

10. Can you think of a meme question that's never been asked?

Nope. They've pretty much all been covered, I think.

11. What comes to mind when I say China?

Dolls.

12. Are you overly emotional?

I am overly sentimental. I can be emotional.

13. If you could listen to just one rock album (CD, vinyl or mp3) which one would you pick?

Rock? Hmmmmmmm..........

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?

I bite into it with my lips.

15. Do you like your car?

I like it, but I'm about to give it up. I need a new car.

16. Do you like yourself?

Most of the time :)

17. Would you go out to eat with Charlie Sheen?

I totally would. I think it would be hysterical.

18. What was the last song that you listened to?

"Stronger" by Sara Evans. It was on the Country Countdown on my way home from church.

19. Are (or were) your parents strict?

My dad, yes. Excessively so.

My mom always had a pretty good balance.

20. Have you ever wondered what attending a wild orgy (if only to watch or...) would be like?

I imagine it would be like a bunch of people having sex together. I'm not really into that, lol.

21. I say cottage cheese. You say:

Gross.

22. Have you ever met a celebrity?

Yep. Lots of them.

23. What was the last movie that you watched at home?

I'm currently watching The Blind Side.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?

Nope

25. What countries have you visited?

Honduras and Canada

26. Have you ever made a phone call while you were drunk that you've regretted? If yes, do tell.

Nope. I've only been slightly more than tipsy (can't really even be considered drunk) once. I was way more logical than normal and, in fact, handed my phone to my friend so I wouldn't do anything I regretted.

27. Where were you going the last time that you were on a train?

I was in DC on the metro.

28. Bacon or sausage?

Microwaved Bacon and Sausage Patties (not link)

29. How long have you had a cell-phone?

Oh dear heavens..... since I was in 7th or 8th grade?

30. What other memes do you do regularly?

Just the two I do on Sundays.

31. Who is the craziest meme host?

??????

32. Who invented chop sticks?

??????

33. Who are you going to be with tonight?

My family, most likely.

34. Are you too forgiving?

I don't you can ever be too forgiving.

35. When was the last time that you were in love?

Eh, I'm working on getting out of it, lol.

36. Tell us about your best friend.

Heidi and my friends from high school. I talk about them quite frequently on here.

37. What was the stupidest thing you learned in high school?

I don't know.

38. What was the last thing that you cried about?

I cried about AMC and OLTL being cancelled. Actually, it was while I was writing my post about it and was remembering all the times my mom and I had watching it.

I told you I was sentimental.

39. What was the last question you asked?

I asked about lunch.

40. Favorite thing to do this time of the year?

Go to concerts.

41. If you had to get a (or another) tattoo, what would it be?

I'd get something light on my wrist.

42. How would your best friend describe you?

I don't know......

43. Have you ever seen all three Twilight films?

Yep, sure have.

44. Ever walked into a glass door?

No, lol.

45. Favorite color on that person that you are attracted to?

Blue

46. Have you ever slapped someone?

Yep. It was in jest, but ended up actually hitting hard. Whoops.

47. What hair style (for you) would you like to see return?

I like the one I have now.

48. What was the last CD you bought?

Colbie Caillat's.

49. Do looks matter to you?

Yes. In honesty, we all let them matter.

50. Could you ever forgive a liar?

Yes, I can forgive. I would have trouble trusting, though.

51. What's the hardest bill to pay every month?

All bills are hard. It stinks to have to shell out money.

52. Do you like your life right now?

Yep. I'd like it to progress, though.

53. Do you sleep with the TV on?

No. I used to, but now I need it dark and quiet.

54. Can you handle the truth?

Yes. I may not like it, but I can handle it.

55. Do you have good vision?

Yes.

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?

No. There are more than 3 people who I haven't gotten along with throughout my life, but the people from the past I'm fine with now.

57. How often do you talk on the phone?

A lot.

58. What celeb would you like to come home to?

George Clooney.

59. What are you wearing?

Green shirt and jean capris.

60. What is your favorite wild animal?

Kangeroos

61. Where was your facebook picture taken?

At Universal Studios.

62. Can you waltz?

Yes.

63. Do you have a job?

Yes.

64. What was the most recent thing you stole?

A handful of jellybeans from a coworkers desk.

65. Have you ever crawled through a window?

Yes. A car window.

What to do, what to do............

Hello, friends.

Just so you know....... I'm still sad about the cancellation of AMC and OLTL. Even though I endured mocking from my coworkers, this morning..... still sad.

However, I need your help.

For once, I have too many options of things to do, tonight.

1) Go to a work event with Mama M. It is a bit of a haul out there, but there would be music and dinner.

2) One of you fly down and come with me to a Country Music Festival that's happening this weekend.

3) Go to Fun Distraction's house. He's apparently having a get-together and has invited me.

4) Find someone to go see a movie with me.

5) Sit in my PJs on the couch and catch up on my recorded programs.

Any thoughts?

Since I typically work or veg on Friday nights, the prospect of having other things to do is just mind-boggling.

Thanks for your input and have a nice weekend :)

A True End of an Era....

Today, they announced the cancellation of All My Children and One Life To Live.

To say I am devastated is an understatement.

Go ahead. Make fun. Think I'm crazy.

I'm seriously sad about this.

See, I literally grew up watching AMC (and sometimes OLTL). When I was a tiny girl, I'd wake up from my naps and my mom would be watching AMC. I'd curl up on the couch and watch with her, while I lazily woke up.

Once I was old enough to go to school, my mom opened up a daycare. Soaps became our weekend tradition. While I helped her do laundry, we'd watch the tape of the week's shows. On a VCR. When the tape got too old and used, we'd pick up new tapes and save the old ones for a rainy day.

In middle school a wondrous thing happened............ Disney World announced ABC Super Soap Weekend. My mom and I went EVERY single year (including the last year in 2008, which I blogged about here and here). It became something we planned for, strategized for, and thoroughly enjoyed. When Brian Frons (btw, I do NOT like this man..... I think he's a horrible head of a TV network) announced the demise, I actually wrote him a letter of protest.

In high school, I added General Hospital (which is still safe, so far) to my routine. Every afternoon, I'd rush home from cheerleading practice to watch my shows. When an ABC Newsbreak interrupted, I'd become furious.... no matter what the news.

In college, I started taking it to the road. I'd go to different fan events around the country. Some of my most cherished friends.......... friends that were there for me during some really hard times..... are my "soap friends." Also, because of my school schedule, I was able to watch more often. I remember one Christmas my mom and I decided to make most of our presents. We spent weeks putting together these homemade gifts and watched our soaps while we did it.

Now that I have a job, I am one of the culprits, really. I don't watch like I used to and only watch a handful of episodes a month. Just too busy.

But, I always came back. There are some weekends where my mom, step-sister, and I will just veg and catch up on our shows. Like a good friend who is always there when you need them, soaps were just there.

Not to mention..... one of my biggest dreams has always been to work on a soap opera. I've always had the utmost respect for the people that produce those shows and want to be a part of it.

I'm just sad about it.

You can bet that I'll be watching between now and the end.

 

The Happiest Place On Earth

Yes, I'm almost two months behind in my recap about my cousin's visit. She even told me the other day, "You need to update your blog. I'm waiting to read your recap of our trip!"

On their first full day in Florida (Saturday, Feb 19), we had BIG plans.........

That's right. Disney World.

But, really, did you have any doubts?

Bella, upon being told that they'd crossed the state line and were officially in Florida, exclaimed, "YAY! We're in Florida!!! WHERE'S THE CASTLE?!?!?!?!?!"

..... and continued to ask that at every given opportunity. We figured it was best to get to it.

On the ferry to the Magic Kingdom................. when we said we were riding a ferry, Noah grumbled, "Why do we have to take something about Tinkerbell?"

Thus begins the picture-taking marathon. We took a lot of the same pictures/poses that we took 3 years ago when she came be herself. This was the first of MANY.........

Our first stop was City Hall where we could properly adorn them with their 1st Visit pins.

Poor Bella was dying to see the Castle, so we were quick to make her dream come true.

Nothing like witnessing a little girl see Cinderella's Castle for the very first time......

My mom and I made sure to get them in the very best spots for picture taking :)

We headed to Adventureland, first. Immediately, we saw that the Princesses were available to meet. So, the boys and the girls split up. The boys decided to do Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Robinson, and the other rides in the land, while we went to see royalty.

Best friends, waiting to meet the princesses.

Bella was in awe when we turned the corner and saw them. Lydia was more reserved. L LOVES completely costumed characters (Mickey, Elmo, etc), but is scared of "human characters" (where they have real faces and can talk with her).

Aurora

Having an intense conversation with Cinderella.....

Explaining to Belle that they have the same name.....

Outside, Ariel and Prince Eric were meeting guests. Ariel is currently Bella's FAVORITE. She was speechless (which is extremely rare) the whole time we were waiting for them, lol.

Jeff decided to help with Lydia duty, lol.

Her favorites...........

After meeting the Princesses and seeing the castle, Heidi asked Bella, "Is it everything you dreamed?" and Bella replied, "It's way more."

We met back up with the boys and decided to ride some rides. I wish I had the scan of us all on Splash Mountain..... not only did we take up an entire log, but our picture is priceless. Noah loved it.......... and, while Bella and Anthony ultimately did, too, they were also a little freaked out, lol. They were HYSTERICAL during Thunder Mountain. Heidi was holding onto Bella and she was like, "Mom, let me GO!!!"

We rode Haunted Mansion and grabbed some lunch. After that, it was time to put the cherry on top of Bella's dream..................

To be continued