Automatic Reactions

I'm noticing more and more that I often have automatic responses to situations that do not state how I really feel. Am I the only one who does this?

Example: My boyfriend and I were just playing MarioKart, he was losing. So he decided to quit racing, just put down his controller and complain that the course that I picked was too hard. So I said fine, I'll play alone, quit the race and selected one player. What does he do? Turns off the Wii. I know, right? How old are we? So, I walk away to read the paper online. If he want to pout and act like a 5 year old, he can, alone. 

About 20 mins. later, he appears in the dining room and says "I'm sorry I was a jerk about Mario." What do I say? "It's ok" WHAT?!?! I mean I could have said yes you were, thanks for apologizing, or thanks for admitting it, or any number of things that weren't "It's Ok". 

Because the fact of the matter is it's not ok, and I don't feel like it's ok, and I sure as hell don't want him thinking it's ok. (Which for the record, he said no it's not) But that's not the point. The point is, why am I going around telling people that their poor behavior is ok? 

At some point in my life, did I develop this, let people walk all over you, as long as they make an effort to realize that they're wrong mentality? Give them a don't go to jail card as long as they made an effort? I don't know if at some point, I decided everything was just ok. But it's not going to be ok anymore. I'm really going to have to make a conscious decision to think about the words that come out of my mouth.

You know, I notice this in other situations. Sometimes, it's even funny (in a did that just happen kind of way.) Like the times that you're in the grocery store and someone says I'm sorry, but I'm just going to get right in here and get in your way, stand right in front of you when you're looking for something. I mean it's ok because I said I was sorry first. Or when someone is like "you know I'm not racist or anything" but, and then makes some blatantly racist comment. It's like hey wait just one second here, you just said that you weren't racist, but as long as everyone know's that you're not, it's ok to slam people of other races. WHAT?!?! No, guess what? It's still not ok!

Or like the times that that someone is like I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be mean, or rude but ________ (insert comment of choice here) I had a neighbor do that to me just recently. I was pulling into the neighborhood and she came outside and said, "You know, I'm not trying to bitch, but you really need to slow down." Well clearly you are trying to bitch woman. Perhaps your bitchiness is warranted. Perhaps someone needed to bring it to my attention that I drive to fast. And the next time your dog wakes me up at 6am with his barking, I'll be sure to bring it to your attention. And I am trying to bitch. 

If you have something to say, and you feel strongly about it, then just say it. If you are comfortable enough in your own opinions, then you don't need to preface your remarks by saying hey I'm gonna hurt your feelings here, so just bear with me.

I'm not the only person I've seen demonstrate this type of behavior, saying everything is ok, when it's just not. When did we, as the public, decide it was not socially acceptable to spare other's feeling when they were the ones in the wrong? I don't get it, and from now on, I'm going to make an effort to eradicate this type of behavior and encourage other's to do it as well. 

LeBron Madness

The entire United States seems to be in a state of LeBron madness. I mean honestly people, what is the big deal? 

The way I see it, there is a guy who can play basketball, very well. He happens to be from Ohio. For a long time, he played for his hometown team, and now he's moving on. I highly doubt that he did this as a personal betrayal of his fans. As a matter of fact, I'm from Ohio, and so are many of my friends. I can think of about 12 of us who are good at what we do and no one was upset when we moved away.

I don't know much about basketball, but it seems to me that if it were my job, I'd go where I though I'd have the best opportunity to do my job well. You know, there is an oil leak in the Gulf that has been spewing oil for about 81 days now. Perhaps if people cared about half as much about issues like those as much as they care about where a guy plays basketball, there would be a solution. I have bigger problems than worrying about LeBron James. I think you do too. 

The ridiculousness continues

People of the Unites States have got to be living under a rock if it is still not apparent to them at there is a very serious issue of obesity affecting both children and adults. It's been a growing issues, and this present generation of children are the first in history who are expected to live shorter lives than their parents because of obesity related health problems. 

This issue may not have been so popular 5 years ago, but now you can't turn on the TV, open the newspaper, or see a billboard at least once a day that is encouraging awareness of the issue, or promoting people to participate in healthy activities, like reducing calories and exercising.  

So, how do restaurants respond? By developing brand new menu items that take the idea of a sandwich, or burger, and replacing the two pieces of bread with full size meals. Example:

The BRAND NEW Grilled Cheese Burger Melt. What is this, you may ask? It is a burger, lettuce and tomato, packed between TWO FULL grilled cheese 

sandwiches. I mean honestly, can a bite of that thing really even fit in someone's mouth?

What a supportive response to an issue that is literally killing millions of Americans. Among them, plenty of children. Why not just throw in unlimited soda and ice cream sundaes and sell the whole deal for $5.00. That's about the only thing I can think of that will make it worst. It packs 1,500 calories, 79 grams of fat, 2090 mg of sodium, and 101 carbohydrates. By the way, if you were adhering to a 2,000 calorie diet and ate one of these bad boys- you would have 500 calories and 210 mg of sodium left in a day, and be over your fat allowance by 14 grams. That's just the burger/sandwich/enough food for three people, or whatever you want to call it. 

Bravo Friendly's! Bravo.  Thank you for your health conscious contribution to your fellow Americans.

Jake and Vienna- Who Really Cares?

Well, clearly it appears that I do. (But only for the purposes of the writing about the ridiculousness of the whole ordeal) And, I'm willing to bet that millions of American's really do care, or else Chris Harris wouldn't take time to drag this out on prime time TV. 

I just so happened to turn on the TV to see our favorite reality host- Chris Harris, sitting down with the not so lovely couple and was just shocked that this Vienna character seems to be absolutely incapable of shutting her mouth. And while we're on the subject of ridiculousness, will someone please clue in Mr. Harris that we, the American public, are completely capable of counting to one. So in subsequent episodes, he can stop with the dramatic pause and announcement of "This is the final rose for tonight." 

Anyways, lets take a quick look at how Ms. Vienna took time out of her evening to make women everywhere look absolutely crazy. I didn't watch this season, I don't know what happened, I don't know if people think that Jake picked the right girl. I can say however that when I first saw that it was Vienna, I was a little in shock. She just looks crazy. Jake must be out of this mind thinking that she was the one for him. 

This show doesn't have much of a track record. It's filmed in what 3 months? And there are 25 women competing for one man's attention and love- which, if you ask me, cannot be developed with true intentions in this amount of time. And it goes to show that in 14 seasons, there has been one marriage, and so far it's lasted less than a year. 

Add that to the fact that Vienna is willing to sell her breakup story to tabloids and magazines and the bachelor franchise itself in order to "set the record straight" who broke up with whom. WHO CARES? Then she turns around and says she hates LA, she hates fame, and she hates the cameras. Then why are you here anyway? Are you really that vain that you think we care who broke up with who? Or what you fight about? I watched 10 minutes of this interview and I wanted to claw my eyeballs out. This girl will NOT stop talking. On about interruption 

numbero 24 in 5 minutes, she asks who get sick of someone in only six months? News Flash Vienna: I've listened to you talk for 5 seconds and you're annoying me. She goes on the say, well actually I don't really know what she said, because I was just shocked she wouldn't let Jake get a word in edgewise. 

Many lessons to learn here Vienna, among them; No one cares about your relationship that was seemingly doomed from the start. If you ever want to have success in relationships, I suggest you learn how to shut up. Also, please stop doing interviews that make you look like some stereotypical crazy, crying, over dramatic, immature grown woman. As a result of people like you putting these images in the mainstream media, eligible bachelors everywhere are turning down my very lovely single girlfriends because they think they're going to have to deal with you. 

Finally, just go away. If you don't want to be in the spotlight, then I don't want to see you when I turn on the TV, or on the cover of EVERY magazine at the store. Next thing you know, you'll be turning up as the next bachelorette or on the cast of Dancing with the Stars. Lord help reality TV. 

Things i wish I'd never heard

Actual conversation taking place in my office:
New Guy 1: Yeah, I'm taking next week off to go get married, bite the bullet, I guess
Intern: Yeah, its about time, I guess.
New Guy 1: Yeah, I mean we've been together about three years, we've both left and come back and pushed every button we have and thoroughly pissed each other off, so I guess this is next.
Intern: Well I guess, yeah, good luck with that man.

**New Guy walks to my office**
New Guy 1: I'm taking off for the weekend, gonna hit the bottle and tomorrow go fishing and perhaps to the casino.
Me: Wow, its uh, 2:30 have fun though. Don't loose it all at the casino.
New Guy 1: Can't afford to lose more than $25, won't be able to get married next week.

**New Guy on phone with To be wife**
Well I though you'd like if i asked you about your day, i mean we are getting married arent we?

Thank you sir for giving me so much insight to how your mind works. Good thing the per plate cost to your reception is $7.00 because it doesnt really sound like you're into this marriage thing anyway. I'm so glad that this is not my life. :)

My Favorite Things- Earth Day Edition

Alright people I know I'm a little late for the Earth Day blog edition, but I was thinking of some of my favorite things earlier, and it just so happened that two of them are super environmentally friendly and I'd though I'd share, so you too can do you're part for the environment.

The first product is the Kleen Kanteen. The kanteen is one of my favorite products because not only is it good for you (less plastics consumption) we've all heard about the BPA's in plastic bottles, its also good for the environment. And, its lightweight. Also, its great because if you just carry it around, take it to work or the gym, it easy to get your daily recommended water intake for the day. If you purchase the 27 ounce size, that's 2.3 per day! As far as I know, the Kleen Kanteen is only available online, but well worth the shipping and handling.

Next on the list is My Chico Bag. The Chico bag is super fantastic because I am a person who tries to use less plastic bags at the grocery, drugstore etc, and it seems that I have a reusable bag from almost ever establishment in town, but once I use them, I take them in the house to unload my goods, and the bag rarely make it back to my car. Now with the Chico bag, it stays in my purse, because not only is in a bag, its also its own holder. So, you're at the store, you get it out, unfold it, take it home, unpack, refold and place back in your purse. Genius. Mine is Pink fyi! :) Also, unlike the Kleen Kanteen, you can purchase the Chico bag in stores, like Whole Foods and Earth Fare.

Third, and not one of my favorite products, but a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint, the compact florescent light bulb. These bulbs use up to 75% less energy and can last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Although the bulbs are initially more expensive, they will save money on you're electric bill. Also, if you buy the multi pack at Sam's Club or BJ's, the initial price isn't that much higher than regular light bulbs.

Noisey, Rude Neighbors

I'm relatively easy to get along with, I'm relatively easy to live with or near, but I don't know what has gotten into the water in my apartment building because I've never seen a group or more loud or more rude neighbors in my almost two years in this building. And its the same people, and it just recently that their behavior has changed. We have a family that lives on the bottom floor, back corner, and it just so happens that their garage is on the side of the building, right next to ours. Our driveways are combined, and next to their garage is a set of parking spots, followed by a wooded area. Great place to let your kids play in the afternoon, weekends, out of the beaten path, only really accessed by our two apartments.



Great place to let your kids play, (you're 4 and 6 year olds) if you're supervising them. If you're paying attention to what they're doing, and where they're running around to, and paying attention to who else may be trying to go about their daily activities. Lets take last Saturday for example, I had several errands to run so i get ready for the day and proceed down to my car. The kids are out playing, the parents are sitting in lawn chairs in the garage and all of the kids toys are behind my car. SO, I start moving them so that I can leave. The four year old asks what I'm doing, and the rest of them just stare at me. I get in my car, hoping that the parents will tell their child to go in the garage or just stay put, as to not run behind my car, but since they just stare at me, I tell him to stay where he is until I leave. RUDE.



So, this week, the neighbors have decided that since we very rarely use our garage spot, they will instead. Excuse me, do you pay for that spot? Do you not have ample parking spots on the other side of your garage. I may not always park behind my garage, but when I come home past 10pm its usually the only spot open, unless its, oh say filled with your car! RUDE.



The final straw, and don't even get me started on their ST Bernard Puppy, who is not a puppy at all weighing in at 50 lbs, soon to be 250 when full grown. News Flash: You live in an apartment with four people, another dog and at least one cat. Anyhow, the final straw, I'm on my way to work Saturday night, and said neighbors are on their way home from the pool. Children are on one side of the parking lot, adults on the other. Child hears my car and about one car length in front of it, runs across to his parents, but stops about midway across. I slam on brakes, mom throws her hands up in the air at me, (please!) and then proceeds to yell at child and give me a dirty look and I drive by. RUDE.

Last night, our other neighbors, for the fourth night in a row have decided at 2 am, 3 am, 10pm or whenever, its slow jam time. And by slow jam i mean really old slow rap songs like boys to men ballads and whatnot, at ridiculous volumes that shake my floor and make me feel like I'm live in the front row. One time, two times this happens, occasionally, I'll ignore it, get annoyed, but ignore it. It happens every day, totally different story. When I knocked on their door last night to ask them to keep it down, they did not answer, probably couldn't hear me. We'll see what they have to say about the note I left them today.