Morning Rant

I really want the sun to be up when I awake. Is that too much to ask?

And who scheduled daylight savings time this year? It's so off.

End Rant

Pukin' Punkin

I know you all probably received this via forwarded email in, oh... I don't know, 1999 (when the Internet was still new). But I still love it.

Happy Halloween!

Post-worthy

Three separate items - all are incredibly necessary to your day (and probably to your life - though I can't comfortably make that assertion).

1. "Down the hall":

We were talking about the overuse of quotes at work the other day and one of my coworkers forwarded this email to me (from her boss at her previous job). I have read it several times and it still makes me laugh out loud.

From: X
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 10:23 AM
To: - DL - Corporate Division
Subject: "Down the hall" breaks

All staff need to "go down the hall" on occasion. Please be very "co-operative" when a co-worker requests "coverage" in order to do so. Our division has 2 areas that require "immediate" attention by our staff. They are the "counter" and "phones". These 2 areas must at all times be "manned".

All staff will try to take their "down the hall" breaks when at all possible during their times off the phones & counter, but let's all be co-operative with each other when the need arises.

Thanks.

2. Parent of the year award:

I don't even remember how this topic came up - but April was telling me about a family she used to nanny for and their 6-year-old daughter who had a bed wetting problem. After trying many other approaches, the grandma finally purchased a sort of diaper that gives you an ELECTRICAL SHOCK when you pee. I mean, honestly. I can't get over how ridiculous (and terribly mean) that is. The little girl was so scared of getting shocked in the middle of the night that she couldn't fall asleep. Well done, parents.

3. A puppy in a onesie:


Okay, I'm generally against clothing animals - but I think this puppy is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Target now has an extensive line of pet clothing and accessories (including pieces by renowned designer, Isaac Mizrahi) and we might discuss the societal implications of consumerism for pets at a later date - but for now, how adorable!

Independent Shops and Etsy

April and Joel started a campaign to support independent and local shops - so I'm going to try that for a while. They have been exclusively shopping local since September 1st and plan to stick to it for 6 months (though they did make an exception last weekend for Chipotle and Dunkin' Donuts since we were in Chicago).

The economist in me was hesitant at first - doesn't specialization increase efficiency? - but I do realize, of course, that efficiency isn't everything. So with the exception of grocery shopping (which requires a shift in lifestyle much larger than I can commit to right now), I will not set foot in any corporate establishments - including Starbucks, Target and Blockbuster - from now until March.

Fortunately, I recently discovered the brilliance that is Etsy - 'Your place to buy & sell all things handmade.'(TM) Not only is it a wonderful concept but the website is well-built, allowing you to do things like shop by color and view items that were recently purchased. There is now an Etsy Favorites section in my sidebar.

Doesn't it just make you feel good to see all of these people who are creating instead of just consuming? The world needs more of that.

Zombie Dance

Back to So You Think You Can Dance, this is upon recommendation from the Abby-Girl - (it's also one of my favorite dances ever). The choreographer, Wade Robson, just won an Emmy for it. And Mia Michaels also won an Emmy this year - yay!

Practically Famous

http://www.overheardintheoffice.com/archives/005255.html

For those of you who are keeping track, this was overheard at a temp job I had last spring - a certain distributor of building materials, specifically for roofing.

Thank God I'm a Country Girl

Okay, so I'm not really a country girl. In fact, I start to feel out of place as soon as I get anywhere north of, say, Shoreview. But I understand the appeal of the small-town, slower-pace lifestyle and would love to move to the country - if only I could find a town with a progressive, free-thinking, socially conscious population. It's not because I believe that's the only acceptable way to approach life - there's value in differing beliefs and opinions - but it's just that I prefer to be around people who don't make me want to throw rocks at them when they speak.

Anyway, I've been a country music fan almost as long as I've been a music fan. And I think it's too bad that so many of us (especially in the city) avoid it. I appreciate the wholesome themes of true love, family, simplicity and faith in God.

So I share with you some of my favorite country music lyrics. (There are so many, it's hard to choose.)

I have wondered this world far and wide
I've been all around to the other side
But there's nothin' like comin' home
I wanna sit on my front porch and drink my lemonade
Cut my grass after church every Sunday
And go out on Saturday night
Live the simple life
Wake up in the morning to these fields of gold
And take a long walk down a gravel road
Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Simple Life

My grandma was a wise old soul
Took me by the hand not long ago
Said, "Son, what's your hurry, boy slow it down
Taste the wild honey, listen to the sound
Of the wind that's blowin' through the trees
Rivers flowin' to the sea
Yeah they're all headin' home just like you and me
Life's for livin' child, can't you see?"
Keith Urban, These Are the Days

'Cause it's the first long kiss on a second date
Momma's all worried when you get home late
And droppin' the ring in the spaghetti plate
'cause your hands are shakin' so much
And it's the way that she looks with the rice in her hair
Eatin' burnt supper the whole first year
And askin' for seconds to keep her from tearin' up
Yeah man, that's the good stuff
Kenny Chesney, The Good Stuff

There are also country music lyrics I hate, of course - songs about the U.S. of A. putting a boot in your ass, 'cause it's the American way. But I won't get into those, at least not in this post.

My Bedroom Door

I have recently been wanting to post several creations that are not my own - poems, quotes, art, tongue twisters and the like that I have been collecting over the years - so I've created a separate blog. Hopefully someone besides me can enjoy it.

My Bedroom Door

The name was inspired by the location of the original collection, which was my bedroom door. (I know, I'm creative like that.)

"Life is burritoful."

If I was feeling really creative, I might write a short ode to Chipotle, the maker of all burrito-y goodness.

As it is, I'll just post this link. You can calculate the nutrition information for your specific variety of burrito (or tacos, or whatever you might consume).

My Chipotle Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 Burrito

Calories 1174 Calories from Fat 420

Total Fat 47g
Saturated Fat 18g
Cholesterol 166mg
Sodium 2989mg
Total Carbohydrate 125g
Dietary Fiber 10.5g
Sugars 6g
Protein 61g
Vitamin A 109%
Vitamin C 39%
Calcium 52%
Iron 24%

Chipotle Nutrition
Results provided by: Chipotle Fan.com

And now we have another testament to Chipotle's brilliance - one burrito, one meal and (almost) one entire day's worth of calories. Yummm.

Best. Choreography. On TV.

So You Think You Can Dance is one of the two TV shows that I watch (the other is The Office).

Mia Michaels (choreographer of the first two pieces) is a goddess. Really. The second of her's here is the story of reuniting with her dad in heaven - just amazing.

The third piece is the best disco I've ever seen - so much fun (not sure who the choreographer is).