Microwave Popcorn

I like microwave popcorn. I have a bag (unpopped) sitting on my desk right now. But when can you pop and eat popcorn at work? Is there really time for that during the day?

I could pop it in the morning, just before lunch when my tummy gets hungry. But then I could just wait an hour or so and have lunch... Wait! I could have it for lunch. But it's not so nutritious and maybe that would be a funny lunch... Then in the afternoon. But I don't get hungry in the afternoon until it's almost time to leave. Then it seems pointless to pop a whole bag of popcorn when I'll never be able to eat the whole thing.

I think the answer is that I stop questioning when or needing a reason why. The next time I am sitting at my desk hungry is when I will pop that bag of corn, and eat it, and offer some to anyone around so I don't seem like a popcorn hog. I'm really not, but it is good.

"There's Doughnuts in the Breakroom!"

In office life, this is one thing that can make a good day. Someone brought in doughnuts (cookies, brownies, etc. depending on your office). Today, someone brought in Krispy Kreme mini cake doughnuts. They are good. The only problem is, how many can you eat? I mean, how many is it proper to eat before you are greedy. Remember, they are not your doughnuts... they were brought in for the whole office.

I am reminded of the movie Office Space, and Milton did not get a piece of cake. They told him not to be greedy and he was worried about the cake to people ratio.

Driving to work

Every morning, like most Americans, I have a distance to drive in order to get to work. Most of this drive is on highways and is full of slow moving traffic. Some mornings there are accidents in the way, other mornings just too many people driving in their cars.

Why do we put ourselves through this every day? I just don’t know.

I am slowly becoming immune to the delays, I am gaining patience for the slow going, and planning far enough in advance to get places on time. I am also caring a little less regarding being “on-time.”

However, there is one part of my drive to work that is peaceful. It is the on ramp to the highway. You are wondering – what! Yes, the on-ramp is surrounded by trees. I can not see any other cars when I am driving on it, and it is so green lately with spring. Maybe living in a city is making me miss the woods of the Midwest, but when I drive through this little grove of trees, and all I can see is the one lane ahead of me (before I see the four lane highway packed with cars) I feel like I am driving down a country road in the Midwest. The only car on a peaceful tree lined road.

Maybe it’s silly that this makes me happy, but I like to find bright spots wherever they may hide. And this is one of them.

Bosses who Boss too much

Now how could that be? They are the boss. Well, sometimes they overstep the line and boss about things that aren't even worth their time of day. I think some people need too much control and therefore pick every little thing they can control and force the issue.

Has it ever helped "Suzie Loo" the boss to have a more efficient and effective team if she demands to be called "Mrs. Loo" or "Miss Loo." What about the approach of being called "Mrs. Suzie"-- does that garner her more respect? This all in place of letting her employees call her Suzie, or if she prefers, Susan.

I feel that this type of management only belittles the employees and unless you have an egotistical maniac of an employee, it does no good. Even then, no good. All you do is alienate your employees and make them feel like they are children in your eyes.

So for all the mangers reading my blog (and why are you doing that when you should be working?), pick your battles. Ask your employees to call you Joseph if you don't like the nickname Joey. However, please don't ask that they call you Mr. Joseph. It's just lame.

Somebody's got a case of the Mondays

So when did Monday become such a dreaded day? I know we have all had such a fun weekend and now it is over. Who said that the week is not fun.

I think we worry too much about having the perfect job, that we overlook the jobs we would like to do. Think what the world would be if everyone enjoyed their job. Think that the waitress would smile and wish you a good day. The cashier may say hello first and strike up a cheerful conversation while checking your groceries. Maybe everyone would smile a bit more.

I do wonder, however, if everyone had a job they enjoyed, then who would do all of the jobs. I think in that question I am projecting my distaste for some jobs onto everyone. For instance, I have no desire to clean, but someone may. I also have no desire to cook, but someone loves to.

If we all loved our jobs, would we get cases of the Fridays?

Stop and Smell the Roses

Sometimes, I think I allow myself to get a little too stressed out over things that are not so serious. By those things, I mean practically anything. The report that is due, the numbers that don't quite match, the approaching deadline. My biggest is people who blow off what is important to me so I have to wait until it fits in their timeline, and in the meantime I can do nothing with it. So there the item sits. Waiting to be completed, decided on, or whatever, but I can do nothing.

I think at times like these, I do need to stop and smell the roses. It is springtime, and beautiful. My flowers are blooming-- all the flowers are blooming. Well, except my orchid. How do you keep those alive? Do they ever bloom again? I can't figure out what I need to do with it, the leaves are still green but there are no buds and no new growth that I can see...

I think I got off topic a bit. But I guess this blog is my thoughts. I never promised a clear consistant stream of thought.

The color of a car

Today, on my way into work, I got thinking about people and the color of their car. I routinely watch people when we are all stuck in traffic and I can look into their window and see what they are doing. Today, however, I got looking at the color of their cars. What does the color of your car say about you?

My guess is that we use our cars and more particularly the color of them to define who we are. Now what is that guy with a green car trying to say to everyone about himself? I don't know. I've never owned a green car. Well then, the grey, the black, the blue, the white or the dark red? I can say that I picked blue (or dark blue pearl to be specific) because the car I wanted came in that, light blue, or white unless I wanted to order one rather than buy off the lot. I thought the Dark Blue Pearl was the least grandmotherly of the colors.

My point today, and yes I am getting there quickly, is that everyone is making (or like me trying not to make) a statement about themselves in the color of car they pick. But today I passed a guy in a yellow car. Two days ago, I saw a guy in a lime (yes, brilliant vibrant lime) green car. Often I see metallic orange, pea green, and the list could go on. What statements are these people trying to make?

Harlequin Romance

Yes, that's really the topic-- I really thought about harlequin romance today. Now before you judge me, I can honestly say I have never read a harlequin romance novel. I thought of it today because the morning radio show that I listen to on my drive to work in the morning was having a contest. They had a bunch of guys come in and attempt to be the next "Fabio"/ cover of a harlequin romance novel with Kris (one of the morning D.J.'s).

This got me thinking (and after I voted on which guy I thought should win as the contest is judged by listeners and the photos taken are on-line at www.hot995.com). Who was the person that came up with harlequin romance novels in the first place? These bodice ripping, lust filled stories have to have a background of how they came to be. So I looked.

Harlequin is a book publisher with its head office in Toronto Canada. They are a division of Torstar Corporation a Canadian Media Corporation. Quoted from their site, "The series business, the foundation of Harlequin's success, offers women a range of romantic reads from traditional pure romance to suspense and inspirational romance."

Maybe I need to go and get one of these to read...

Today, I whine...

Everyone should be allowed to whine from time to time (I think I take extra liberties on my time to time but maybe that’s another discussion for someone else’s blog). Today, I want to express my views on a guy who hit my car today. Yes, hit my car. Now I wasn’t driving, Ryan was. Driving through a Home Depot parking lot when an elderly man backed out of his space without looking, backed into my car, and didn’t realize what was stopping him so he kept going backward while Ryan honked the horn to get the guy to stop backing up.

Not to sound ageist, racist, or generally mean to other people, but the man was elderly and didn’t speak very good English. He did not want to deal with insurance, but he did say he would pay for the damages. So he was nice, but not very good at driving. I believe that we should all be retested for our licenses every few years rather than pass once and just keep on renewing. I propose that every 4, 8, 10 years (just a reasonable amount of time), mandatory retaking of the test. I know this is an added cost. We should pay for it too. It is a privilege, not a right, to drive a car, and I think we all need to be more respectful of that as well as be more respectful of those around us.

Finally, if you back up in a parking lot and something stops you... just stop your car and find out what. Maybe next time it’ll be a person instead of my car.

America's Wang

Yes, that is what it is... The Washington Monument. A symbol of power for the United States, paying tribute to our first president, and standing erect as can be.

Today this monument reopens to the public with enhanced security measures in place since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Once again, we Americans -- all people as a matter of fact -- can come to Washington DC, get in line, get a ticket, then use that ticket to take a ride in an elevator to the top of the Washington Monument. They also have a museum and shop, in case the ride is so good you must have a souvineer to remind you forever of your experience.

So, in short, America's Wang is still erect, but now protected for all to enjoy again.

The Nations Moral Dilemma

Here I go, getting into the nation's problems... I promise, I don't mean to be all that serious but this is weighing on my thoughts lately.

Terri Schiavo. Yep. I'm going to weigh in. But not on the moral issue of whether her feeding tube should be in or not. Not on the medical issue of if it does for 15 more years will she recover. No, instead I want to look at the circus that this issue has become. What I feel is a family issue (meaning personal and to be kept within family members and close friends, not the entirety of a religion and all the neighbors as well as congress, the federal and state court system, etc, etc, etc...) is being posted all over the media. I don't like being seen before I've showered in the morning, but every morning on the news I see the same pictures of Terri Schiavo where they compare a photo of her before the mishap and that video of her watching someone wave a balloon in front of her. But you know what, I'll leave all that alone too.

Instead, I want to create some thinking of the other people this event is affecting. Yep, I said it; more people are affected than Terri's husband, mother, father, and brother. First what about everyone else who has loved ones at the hospice she is being cared for at? They have to wait until security allows them in past the crowds of protesters and media. What about those people at the hospice whose family choose to visit less to avoid the hassle of getting in. Also, I read an article about a grade school that is located near the hospice. They have moved classes elsewhere as it is difficult for the parents and school busses to get around the protesters lining the streets.

So to sum up, many people who are not involved in this issue and possibly do not want to be involved have been disrupted so that this family can host their disagreements in a public forum.

Can you really post on a blog every day?

People do. It seems like writing in your diary (or "journal" if you are worried about the 12 year old girl stigmatism). Do I have things happening every day that I can write about? Yes. That I want on the internet? Maybe. Or, maybe not. I could write about my job, my hobbies, and so on... make this a log of my life. But if I do that, the log just may it would float down the river . Not too interesting. And then just maybe I don't want to share.

Instead of making a log, I like posting random musings on everyday things... like my thoughts on people who use cell phones while driving or while walking through the grocery store. Also, my thoughts on those hands free headset/ earpieces. Some people look like a telephone operator or a pilot with their huge headset and microphone. Others have the little ear bud and wire... Simpler, but are they talking on the phone or to themselves? It's hard to tell.

Wow. Apparently I could do a whole posting on that topic. Maybe I worry too much, but what if I talk about lemonade flavored Gatorade versus lemon flavored XS Sport Drink? I thought about it because of a blog I read (http://enormouz.blogspot.com). But if I say the wrong thing will I upset the author of that blog? (probably not, he's not easily offended... go ahead, read his blog, really, even comment if the mood strikes you)

This (although a long post) leads back to my previous post about blogs in general. What are the social rules of them? If you know, please inform me if I'm breaking them. If there aren't any, maybe we should write some.

The wonders of a simple blog

Talking with my mother last night, we began discussing blogs. What makes a blog interesting to read? You read about the popular ones in the paper. One woman was asked to turn her life story (which she kept torrid details in) into a book. A man has begun a blog to post people's secrets on. What makes these interesting to us as humans? My first reaction is sensationalism. We love to voyer into other peoples lives (I'm not any better, I love to read the secrets at postsecret.blogspot.com). I wonder, though, if it is that at all. Or are we all just happier knowing that we are not the only one. Happier sharing in someone elses experiences because we realize that the image portrayed on the television or in the magazines, although not like us, is not like everyone else. Instead, we are like everyone else. We have lives that we live. We have friends, enemies, relationships that sometimes go sour. We just need to be reminded that we are all right, really.

The color Green?

March 17 comes as every day of the year does... Except this day is given the color green. Green for the color of Shamrocks, and green for the spring to come. Green for Ireland, and for a ton of other symbolic things that I really know little about. I have never done much celebrating of this holiday, and I have done even less research.

So short and sweet is my happy holiday post. It's St. Patrick's Day... A Catholic holiday or a time to drink green beer. However you choose to celebrate, enjoy. (and if you choose the green beer, have an extra pint for me!)

It only takes one person. . .

Often we hear that it only takes one person -- one vote -- one voice -- to make a difference. I like this thought. My opinion does count, as long as I believe it does and I use my voice to make it heard. My vote counts in every election (well maybe not these last two presidential ones, but that's not the topic today).

However, that one person can do a pretty good job of screwing things up as well. Not in the voting or vocalizing arena. One person can create such a negative image that it is pretty much irreversable. One mistake can cause a lot of harm.

Think about that. Both sides of the argument. One person can make a difference -- positively or negatively. I will. Expecially before I do something that may have an effect on other people.

Just my thought for today, and yes there is a long story behind it. If you really need to know, ask me and I might just share it.

Secrets

I was driving into work today and the radio show I listen to was talking about this new blog, "postsecret.blogspot.com" It is a bunch of secrets that some guy collected and has posted. They are all anonomous. Some people have shared simple secrets, like they don't wash their hands after peeing. Others shared dark secrets like cutting their neighbors cocaine and almost killing the neighbor, or having an affair, or feeling guilty about a friend's suicide.

So, naturally, I looked up the blog when I got to work. It is interesting. And frightening. What a work of art, other people's anonomous secrets. How many people share the same secret? The little white cards could have been written by anyone. But frightening, because we enjoy other people's secrets so much. The radio show had listeners call in, anonomously, and share secrets. One guy shared that he has been having an affair with a prostitute for 6 months. He pays about $400 a week for her. I want to judge him, but I know I shouldn't.

This blog also makes me wonder what secrets do I have that I have told noone? I know there are some, but I couldn't come up with one that I would write on the card and mail in. Not a one.

Random Questions

So I am getting into this blog thing. . . meaning I took some time today to complete my profile (that is if it can ever be complete with me being a constantly changing person-- but I digress). I get to the "Random Question." What is this? A random question? For me? I wonder if it is a test that I can get graded on (a nerdy part of me loves to get good grades). Or do I find out who else got the same question and I get to read their answers without being graded against them?

No, I just get to answer it and other people can learn about me based on my answer.

So I give it a try. The question is "The first time you had your shoes taken off were you suprised to find your toes still there?" What? My toes still there? Of course they were there. Wait, the first time my shoes were taken off-- How old was I... did I even know I had toes? Too complicated, and what type of impression will people get of me if I give a drawn out answer on a profile question.

I request a new question. "Why is the color blue rasberry flavored?" Now that's a good question. I really don't know the answer. Nope, better get a new question. This one borders on being graded.

"Create a tagline for a new line of plastic bedsheets." I do not want to touch this one. . .

"The love potion you made tastes terrible. How will you drink it?" Well, I don't plan on drinking it. Why would I want an artificial love potion love? How do I know if it's me or the potion? What happens when the potion wears out? I just don't want to go there. Love me for me, or don't love me at all.

So no "Random Question" for me. Sorry. I hope no one is dissapointed, and that everyone gets to know me without it.

In the New Year

For New Years Eve did you plan a night out, a party, a quite evening with family. . . I planned an evening with my husband. Whatever you or I do, it is done in celebration of one more year past and in celebration of a new year-- a blank slate.

The next thing we do for New Years is make a resolution. You may resolve to stop smoking, to loose weight, to clean out a closet, or to organize the sock drawer. Whatever the resolution, it is announced to friends and family, then there is the attempt to keep it for the next twelve months. It's usually a good thing we don't have good memories. . .

I wanted to resolve to loose weight, stay in shape, eat better, etc. I realize, however, that I'll most likely keep one of those resolutions for a month at best, but more likely a week.

So this year, my resolution is to think of myself less and others more.

I received an e-mail on New Years Eve from a good friend who I have not seen in years. She reflected on the current tsunami tragedy, the state of affairs in Afghanistan and Iraq. She mentioned friends that she had not keep up with, and now that tragedy has struck she is looking to find that they are okay. With this sentiment, she looked under her Christmas tree at the gifts she had received this year. She thought of how necessary they were, and decided to "trim the holiday fat." In this spirit she asked her friends and family that when the notion of giving a gift occurs to them, to send her an e-mail or a card. Then take the gift money and donation it to a worthwile cause. Her request is that her friends and family think of others outside that immediate circle of loved ones.

Thanks to her inability to sleep on New Years Eve and to her e-mail of that time, I resolve to think of the world around me and not just my friends, family, and the immediate area around me. I resolve to work on doing what I can to better others and by doing so better myself.

I hope everyone who reads this stops to think about their resolution. What did you resolve to do this year?

Starting a Blog

Well, my mother has done it. I am starting a blog. I (sadly) do not have anything to post currently, but come back. I am sure in time I will get around to the fun. . .