Nice Picture Junior!

So, there is a kid in RI who thought that this picture:

would be an appropriate way to express himself in his senior yearbook.
His school however, rejected the picture because of its "zero tollerance against weapons".

The kid's mom also agreed with Junior that this was his way of expressing what he was interested in at the time & had nothing to do with promoting violence. So, then mamma sued the school cus she was bummed that her little Knight wouldn't be seen in his Senior yearbook.
(all info taken from msnbc.com).

I don't know about you, but I think this case should go to the school cus that poor kid is gonna go to his 10 year reunion & think "Dear Lord! What was I thinking!"

Queasy Stomachs Beware!

TRUE STORY:
I was waiting for the 1 @ Columbus Circle on Saturday morning & I noticed a gentleman doing 'snot rockets' onto the subway tracks. Gross!
BUT!
The t-shirt he wore:
had a picture of a bacteria looking creature with a circle around it & line through it to cross-out the creature. above this, his t-shirt read "Bacteria Busters", as if he was saying "I represent Bacteria Busters".

I don't know about you, but after seeing this display of behavior I don't think this man should be allowed to wear the shirt.

Note: for those of you that don't know what a 'snot rocket' is...I will just say it has to do with blowing your nose with as much force as possible, without the tissue. This display of behavior is usually seen when watching the World Cup.

TIMMY NO!! Stop Spending Quality Time With Grandpa!

On average, I spend about an hour on the subway each day with my many trips to & fro throughout the city. I don't always have a book with me, so I end up reading the various signs that line the overhead advertising in the subway car. I have become quite aware of some of these signs & would like to share some with you...

One of my classic favorites that MANY of you New Yorkers will recognize is the Dr. Z dermatologist ad:
I have always loved the before & after make-over pictures & this one is a classic case.
before:
1) the gal obviously didn't shower before taking the picture.
2) she doesn't have on any make-up
3) she is not smiling
4) she looks like she just rolled outta bed
then! VOILA!
in her 'after' picture she is smiling, has taken a shower, put on some make-up, & obviously got a few hours of sleep the night before.
wow! what a shower, smile, & tube of lipstick can do for a gal!

Another new favorite of mine -- (oh how i wish i had a picture of it...it's WAY cuter than this picture)

let me describe it to you......
there is a lovely picture of a Grandfather reading a book to the cutest little 4 year old boy you ever saw! curly hair, wearing a sweater vest over a nicely pressed plaid shirt, khaki's, & the biggest smile of adoration for his Gramps.
& Grandpa looks like a happy feller too!
He's holding Jr. in on his lap with his arms around the boy while reading a classic story to the youngster.
ah...a lovely picture of quality time between Grandpa & Jr.
BUT WAIT!
there is a caption underneath it that reads:
"Even moments like this can cause influenza"
then the ad proceeds to tell you about influenza & how it is caused.
wow, I never thought a precious picture of Grandpa & Jr. could be so tainted with influenza! thank you MTA.

OH NO! I misplaced my leg!!!

This ad that is in the subway is quite bizarre...

Tell me something...how do you lose a prosthetic leg?

other odd things shows that people seem to lose on the subway or bus:

-tin cans that are already open

-king cobra's

-something that looks a heck of a lot like a UFO

-boomerang

-dentures

WHAT!?

The Little Things....

I'm in a bit of a reflective mood today...thinking about my life & where I've been, where I'm going. And I tell ya I wouldn't have it any other way.
I went to 3 colleges, but I got SO SO MUCH out of each one I went to. I cringe to think that if I had not transferred to my last college, that I would not have the friends in my life that I have from that last school...all of them also transfer students.
I have been in NYC & seen my ups & downs in regards to my career & where I've been, but I can see how I've learned something from each & every experience, good & bad.
I have also had relationships/friendships, good & bad. I have learned so much from each of those as well. Especially when being pulled in a direction I'm not necessarily comfortable with. But man oh man, the growth and strength I feel at the end of those 'trials' is quite rewarding.
I believe that God only gives us what we can handle & I'm grateful for the way He's helped me handle my life. Sure, it's not always been easy, but it's always been good.
I love the quote from The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe: "Of course he isn't safe... but... he's GOOD... He's the King."
Life has not always been safe or easy, but it's been good.
Look at the little things, step out of your comfort zone, & focus on THE One who is Good...and with that I believe that you will be directed towards life more rewarding then ever dreamed.

Note to Self (part 2)...

Note to self...

Do not unplug the spaceheater at work while it is still on.
This could cause an electric shock.

Yes, I have to use a spaceheater at work...they like to keep the AC on year round.

And no, I did not get electricuted when unplugging it, just almost.

Note to self...

Note to self:

--Do NOT order the "special" at the mexican restaurant 'Spinach & Mushroom Burrito' when the E.Coli outbreak is happening.

Yes, it was the special last night at dinner with Joel.

A little vent...

I have come to realize that when living in a NYC apartment, you usually give up one thing to get another…compromise. You give up THE location to have more space or give up space to live in THE location.

I love my apartment. I love how easy it is to get places. (I am in Queens & it is closer for me to get to many places I go to than when I was on the Upper East Side in Manhattan!). I love that I have many friends that live right in the neighborhood & upstairs. I love that I have 2 grocery stores (& I mean REAL grocery stores) just minutes away. I love that I can see the sky clearly when I get outta the subway. I love that I live on a cute tree lined street. I love that I have the best Greek restaurant just 10 blocks from me. I love that I have a REAL kitchen, living room, bedroom, closet, & bathroom. I have given up “location, location, location” to live in a great apartment, in a great neighborhood, by myself (something that is quite rare in NYC unless you’re a rich rich man or wanna live in a box).

All of this said, I have to say…I would give it all up if I didn’t have to deal with the WACKO! that lives below me. I live on the first floor & the landlord’s sister lives down stairs, yes…in the basement. Our building is a ‘family business’. Although, I have been told by the landlord that his sister “is a leech” (you can probably all guess what that means…) & he does not really like to deal with her. But because he runs the building & it is owned by his father, I guess my landlord is willing to deal. Well, I am at the end of my rope with this lady. Let me tell ya a little bit about her…examples:

**When I was moving in she came into my apartment (uninvited) & said “I hope we’re not going to have any trouble” …uh, no! I’m not a drug dealer!
**she told my boyfriend (who she knows & has seen many times) that it was ‘not nice’ for him to sit outside on our little front lawn on a beautiful spring day we were having. (NOT NICE!? What!?)
**on New Years she told my friends upstairs that they were being too loud (just minutes after midnight! On NEW YEARS!)
**I was listening to my music in the middle of the day, at quite a reasonable level, & she came upstairs & asked me to turn it down. I was not having a dance party or anything, I was listening to music.
**when my mom & sister were visiting we were getting ready to leave my apartment & as we were walking around the apartment she banged on her ceiling, my floor…cus we were too loud. We were just walking.
**that same weekend my mom & sister were visiting we were coming home & she heard us coming home & came upstairs to see who was coming into ‘her’ building. (um, sometimes people have friends & family come over!).

The walls in my building from are quite thin & you can hear the people above or below you walking around, talking, watching tv, even flushing the toilet. I can often hear the people upstairs from me walking around or talking & I can hear the lady below me talking & watching her TV too...but this is what happens when you live your life, these are things people do. & you WILL hear these things in a thin wall building.

Last night was the worst...I just got back from a really great relaxing weekend in VT & came home to a hot apartment. So, I immediately turned on the fan in my room (a quiet rotating fan) to cool down. Since it was late, I was trying to be respectfully quiet as I dragged my bag into my room & unpacked...opening & closing dresser drawers, putting my bag away, etc. At about midnight I hear a knock at my door & hear the voice of the lady downstairs “Megan, it’s Vesna!” “CRAP!” I think..."what the heck does she want...I was totally quiet!!!"
I opened the door & she says “do you have a fan on or something?”
"Yes” I say.
“well, can you please turn it off or put a book under it or something? It sounds like a something is hammering & it is quite loud”
I give her a look of are you freaking serious? You’ve got to be kidding me!
& then politely complied “yes, sure, goodnight”

I close the door & I am furious!
A fan, A FAN!!!!! Is now too loud for her! What will it be next?!! Me breathing & taking a shower & cooking dinner & opening the fridge & LIVING MY LIFE!

Wow.

I love my apartment & have the best of both worlds with location & amount of space, but compromised thin walls for all of it & now...this ‘leech’ has GOT to stop.

I should tell her that she needs to stop snoring cus I can hear her in her bed below me when I’m trying to get to sleep.

well, DUH!!!!!!!!!

As I read through articles on msnbc.com today, one of the headlines reads: "STUDY: Tired drivers are four times more likely to crash than rested motorists." OH! REALLY??? Why don't they also have a title that says something like: "When a baby's diaper is wet, you should change it." or "Too much McDonalds can make ya fat!" or "Heat makes people warm." I am constantly amazed at the money that is spent on 'studies'. What about the money that could be spent on helping others get food, clothes, & shelter? It's pretty easy to know that if you're overtired you shouldn't be driving, money does not need to be spent on that study. I could've told ya myself (& saved the research money) that if I'm tired it's not a good idea for me to drive, operate heavy machinery, or even balance my checkbook. It's just bizarre to me the money that is put into silly things. There are people without food, teachers being underpaid, & familys without homes & yet....we are spending our money to find out just how bad it is if you don't wash your hands after using the restroom. Well, DUH! Of COURSE you should wash your hands after you use the bathroom! Gross! How 'bout we use our money on a things a little bit more important? I don't really need to know what the ratio is of people who write in black vs. blue pens. (which, by the way...I use black).

Gonna be a Smoker...

As the chilly winter wind blows & temps are down...I've been noticing more & more how people handle themselves in the cold. (be warned: stereotypes do follow)... The short & cute & pretty girl with perfectly straight hair keeps her cute & trendy image in stilettos & perfectly pressed pants as she walks down the street with no hat or gloves...but she still looks stylish (& cold) ... The tall 'suit' walks down the street in nothing but his suit & perhaps carrying a black portfolio of some sort to go to meet his boys at the popular bar down the street where all the other 'suits' are...but he too still looks stylish (& cold) ... As these 2 types walk down the street in this chilly NYC winter you can see that, although they look great, they can't hide the fact that they are still cold & can't wait to get inside. The last type I have noticed (that seems to not be affected at all by this cold) is the smoker. They sit outside on a bench or in the courtyard outside their office or just resting against a building without a coat, hat, gloves, scarf...NADA! & they have no signs of being chilly. They calmly rest during this break time, often times with a cup 'o joe in hand, enjoying a chat with a friend (who usually is also a smoker), & seem to have no cares about the day or the 20mph wind that is briskly hitting their face. Why are they not affected by the cold??? Now, I was raised in the cold Chicago burbs & went to school in western MI (where in both places we KNOW the terms 'lake-effect' & 'wind chill factor'). Yet, I have not been able to master the calm & collected ease that smokers have on chilly days like these. Perhaps it's sheer determination for the chance to have a break for 15 minutes or the opportunity to catch up on gossip outside of the office....whatever the case, I admire the smoker's will & perseverance. I do not want to be so affected by this chilly weather anymore & I don't like having to worry if I have my coat, scarf, hat, gloves, boots, leggings, (& all other things we wear to keep warm) when I go outside to get lunch....it's just too much to remember. (seriously, how many times have you left a hat or glove behind?) So with this, I've decieded to take up smoking. I too will then have the thick blood & skin that all smokers seem to have. Sure, I may cut 20 years off my life, have a terrible cough, have yellow teeth & fingers, spend about $5 every couple days on a pack of smokes, & one day have to carry around my own personal oxygen....but!!!!!.....I will not be cold & be able to handle walking outside in the chill for 15 minutes (or longer!!!). Come on world...join me in supporting your local Marlboro Man & smoke with me! You may never have to wear a winter coat again!

Just Call Me Maggot.

When I was in college in Chicago, I went to visit a church in hopes of finding a 'home church' while at school. During the meet & greet moment of the service I introduced myself to a cute little old lady that was sitting next to me. (& how cute & little she was ... about 4'10" & wrapped all nice & warm in her Chicago winter clothes). I shook her hand & said "Hello, my name is Megan." "WHAT?!" she said. I repeated myself "Megan!" "Maggot?" she said. "NO, MEGAN!", I said louder. "Maggot?" she said again, this time seeming more confused. After that second time I thought "oh, why bother...she can't hear me." And so I didn't say anthing as she said "MAGGOT?!!" a third time. And after saying "Maggot" that third time...with a perplexed & curious face she just politely nodded & said "Oh, well, that's an interesting name!"...and I remained silent. So now, there is an 80 year old woman running around (well, maybe not running...) in Chicago thinking that there is a girl in this world who's parents named her Maggot. I imagine that she went to her gin rummy game the following evening & told all of her other lady friends about the girl with the "interesting" name that she met at church the night before. For years this story has been my funny story to share with folks of the ways people mess up my name. & believe me, there aren't many stories of that....Megan is a pretty simple name....or so I thought, until recently. Two more times in the past couple of weeks I have had similar misunderstandings happen. 1) I answered the phone for my boss at work & it was his father on the other line. After a minute or so of talking to his father, he says to me "And what is your name?" "Megan" I say. "Maggot?" (flashbacks race through my mind of that time in college.....) "Megan" I say again. "Uh, Oh, ok...well, nice speaking with you." I am certain this man thinks that I have "an interesting name" just like the old woman in Chicago. 2) Then just a few days after that I was calling to make an order for lunch. The gentleman on the other line asked for my name (as they do) & of course I say "Megan." "Maggot?" he says (nightmares are starting to happen by now...) "Yes" I say...just to make it easier for all of us. Until now, I never thought my name was that hard----it's plain & simple.....phonetically spelled....MEHG-IN. (not MAAYG-IN...as MANY New Yorkers & other east-coasters seem to say it.) But now, there are at least 3 people in this world thinking that there is a girl with a name that means: (as Webster's online defines it...) a soft-bodied legless grub that is the larva of a dipterous insect (as the housefly). However, I would like to point out that if my name is now to be Maggot (since Megan is SO confusing & hard to pronounce...note sarcasm...) that Webster's online also has this definition listed second: Maggot--a fantastic or eccentric idea. So, people of the world...call me Maggot all you want! my nightmares & flashbacks are comforted in the fact that Maggot is: a fantastic or eccentric idea. I don't wanna be like everyone else anyways...eccentric...OK! YES! Maggot it is!! that IS an 'interesting' name! :)

I should SUE!

People sue others over really weird things nowadays & win. (For example: the klutz who spilled hot McDonalds coffee on herself, sued McDonalds, & won about $2 million bucks! & how about the woman who had no self-control, ate lots of Pirate's Booty, gained weight, & sued Pirate's Booty for her weight gain. and how about the guy who sat on the toilet at Home Depot & got stuck to it?) So with these odd legal cases I have decided that I am going to sue the Marquis Theatre over my experience I had there last week. (I could use a few extra bucks!) I got some free tickets & went to see the show Woman in White with some friends &, as I always do, went to the restroom during intermission. Well, what an experience that was. The line was long, as always; it took longer than the allotted 15 minutes of time to get through the line & as a result I had to run back into the theatre to get to my seat on time (good thing I didn't fall or anything while running, otherwise we'd have another reason to sue); and (to top it all off!) the door on my stall didn't lock tight so a woman walked in on me. I guess I could sue the Marquis for embarassment, not being sensitive with my time, not providing enough stalls, & not having secure locks in the facilities. Are these all legit reasons to sue? Seriously though. I think that we all need to take more responsibility for ourselves & our actions. The woman who spilled the McD's coffee on herself was balancing the hot styrofoam cup between her knees while trying to put creamer in it as her grandson was driving. Why not just take another minute to not drive off & take care of the drink in the parking lot? Or why didn't she sue her grandson for the sudden stop that caused the coffee to spill? And to the Pirate Booty lady .... it is important to take responsibility over our bodies & eat a balanced diet. You can't have a diet on one item or brand, it's just not healthy. And toilet guy...don't EVER sit on a public toilet! That's just GROSS!!!! So I guess with these thoughts, perhaps I won't sue the Marquis Theatre for my embarassment & time crunch. I could've stood up immediately as intermission began & went to the restroom right away & also held the door (just in case) so nobody would walk in on me. Marquis Theatre...don't worry, this gal is not coming after you, you can save your $3 milllion. I did have an enjoyable evening laughing the night away at an entertaining show. Wait! Woman in White is supposed to be a drama! Andrew Lloyd Webber....I'm suing you for false advertisement!!! :)

Quit your cryin'!

Ok, so the White Sox won the world series. They have not won since 1917. Chicago has rarely seen the month of October in the baseball world. Now, the White Sox have won. I guess I can say I am happy for the city of Chicago as a whole. However, I am not the happiest for the Sox. I am a Cubs fan, that's how I was raised. If I were to root for the Sox...well, my grandfather would be turning in his grave.
I will say this, though, to the Yankees fans of New York City...quit your crying.
Yes, Steinbrenner has done quite a job making the Yankees who they are. Yes, they are a winning team (they have been to the World Series 39 times & have won 26 titles). But seriously, can't they be happy for the underdogs? I guess once you get used to being a winner, you don't take loosing all that easy. Now the cities of Chicago & Boston...well, we are used to loosing in Baseball. These two cities will be glowing in their World Series wins for perhaps another 100 years until they win again. Although I am a Cubs fan, I am happy for the Boston Red Sox & (I suppose) the White Sox. Perhaps this DOES mean that my Cubbies can win next year (they haven't won since 1908!). So to all you Yankees fans out there....WATCH OUT! Perhaps this means that the curse of the billy goat is over.

Even if I wanted to...

Even if I wanted to, I couldn't do it. OK...so here's something I've been thinking about lately-- useless insignificant inapt pointless senseless additional information (i'll call it UIIPSAI & obviosly use more words than necessary to stress my point). The NYC Transit seems to really like using this UIIPSAI process. Many times I have seen signs that just tell me something that is completely irrelevant. For example: I have seen signs that say "no transfers at this station" or "the E train runs express this weekend from Roosevelt Ave. to Queens Plaza" or (my personal favorite) "no tokens at this time". Why bother wasting all of that signage & ad space to tell me I can't do something even if I wanted to do it? Transfers: If I wanted to transfer at the station with the sign, I couldn't anyway...so why bother to tell me I can't. The E Train: the E always runs express on the weekends from Roosevelt to the Plaza...so why tell me it is still doing what it always does?? The tokens: I LOVE when I see this sign!! Tokens were pretty much retired from use within the subway system a few years ago. There is no place to even put a token if you had one & wanted to use it to pay your fare. This information telling me "no tokens at this time" is just silly & useless. This is like putting up a sign at Starbucks that says "we don't have inexpensive coffee right now". (nor will they ever, if I wanted to get cheap coffee there, I couldn't). Or a sign at a sushi place that says "we don't have burgers today". I think the philosophy that may go with this extra signage seems silly. The people that put the signs up in the Subway may think "we'll put up more information so we don't confuse people." Yes, there is something to be said for clear communication & that is SOOO important. However, on that road to strive for clear communication we can tend to over stress our point or give UIIPSAI that confuses the other party & may steer them in the wrong direction. Clear communication....yes VERY important. UIIPSAI....too too much & potentially causes further confusion. Consider yourselves warned-- Beware of UIIPSAI.

The 99¢ Menu

When on the subway recently I saw an ad that read: "Take your date somewhere that doesn't have a 99¢ menu." EB Games. My intitial thought when I read this was..."YES! of COURSE you don't take a date to a place that has a 99¢ menu! Isn't that a common known fact? You take them somewhere a bit nicer...even if (in suburbia) it is a TGI Friday's." However, when further reading this ad, I realized exactly what kind of company this was---EB Games is: an Electronics Boutique that offers a large selection of new, used & hard to find titles at great prices with fast processing & shipping. (info blurb taken from google.com) With this I came to my own conclusion that the ad was saying "take your date to a video game store instead of the place with the 99¢ menu." Then I thought...uh NO! you do NOT take your date to a video game store either!!! Gentleman, gentleman...I sure do hope that with the influence of the media ads like this that you do not think that it is OK to take your date to a place with a 99¢ menu or even a video game store. Even if you're broke...be creative! Pack a picnic, go somewhere to people watch & make stories up of the people you're seeing, go for a walk...there are many alternatives to spending money on a date. (shoot, I'm even a gal who will help pay for the bill...the man does not always have to get it). I will say yes...it is nice to be taken somewhere amazing & romantic & lovely...but it is not always necessary to spend lots of major bucks on a date. Along with this goes the simple gesture of chivalry .... it goes a LONG way...you can try to woo & wow with the lobster dinner on the sea, but if you don't have even a bit of chivalry, you don't have much. (I am fortunate to have gentlemen in my life exemplify this & it is a nice gesture). All of this said...be gentleman & put in a little thought to what you are offering your woman, otherwise you could be eating your 99¢ burger alone while playing Frogger.

For One LOW Price!!!

I was browsing through a FAO catalog that came through the mail at work & wanted to let you know about an AMAZING deal!!! For one low price of $25,000 your kid can have a slumber party with 15 of their closest friends at the FAO store! With this you get "Ice Cream, Piano Lessons/dancing (on the giant Dance-On piano), rides on a 3-D motion simulator, & hours of games & activities throughout the store!" And, while at lunch yesterday, I also read an article in U.S. News about the amazing deal parents are getting on bar/bat mitzvah's, Quinceanera's, & other 'coming of age' parties. Some parents are spending as much as the low price of $65,000!!! (please note sarcasm)OK, OK you have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! this is freaking RIDICULOUS!!! When I was a kid we NEVER spent that much money on my bday parties & we STILL had "ice cream, piano lessons & dancing, a 3-D similator, hours of games & activities" aka... LOTS of FUN!!! We bought ice cream from the store, played the piano in the living room, if we wanted to dance...we'd just turn on the radio, our '3-D simulator' was watching movies too close to the TV (or when we were young enough for him to carry us...by playing 'Superman' with Dad). & 'hours of games & activities' were accomplished with our imaginations & the occasional pin the tail on the donkey, truth or dare, chubby bunny, & prank calls.Why are parents spending SO much money on a stinking birthday party? Does part of it have to do with the guilt of not spending enough time with their kids cus they are working a MILLION hours a week to spend money on the aforementioned party & then they are making up for the lost time with the elaborate gifts & parties that they worked SO SO hard to pay for that will last all of 3- 6 hours? Do parents think that they can buy the affection & love of their kids? (uh...anyone heard of 'quality time'?)

For One LOW Price!!! (con't)

OK, yes I do realize that I am not yet a parent. & perhaps I will spoil my kids. But I'm pretty sure I'll spoil them with love, affection, adoration, praise, discipline, manners, respect, direction..."raise them up in the way they should go." My sister & I never had these elaborate parties, yet I know that my parents really loved me as I was growing up (& still do today!). I know this because they've told me with their actions & words. I never needed parties like that to know I was cared about growing up. Also...my sister & I were capable of using our imaginations to entertain ourselves. Give us a tape recorder & a few blank tapes & we were set for hours! I think that kids today are pretty darn spoiled & have so much stimulation with video games, TV, movies, iPods, gadget upon gadget upon gadget that they don't know how to entertain themselves & appreciate the small things. I am grateful for all I had (& didn't have) growing up. I am a stronger person & harder worker because of that. Parents please...if you can spend that kind of money...good for you! But remember it's the quality time that counts. You kids will remember the "I'm proud of you" & "I love you" comments along with the quality time MUCH more. I know I do...I can barely remember what I was given for my 18th birthday, but I DO know I was surrounded by love.

The Gossip.

My office gets People magazine delivered every week. This is fun because it gives me an opportunity to catch up on the latest celebrity gossip & it is a nice brainless activity to split up the day a bit. I think that my favorite thing about these types of magazines, however, is the 'sources'. I've noticed that in almost every article the information cited is from 'a source', 'a relative', 'a friend', 'an onlooker'. So this makes me think...how accurate, really, is this information? Not very. Yet, as interested Americans we dive into these gossip magazines & live vicariously through the stars. Their fancy cars, gifts, party life, & turmoils...all to make us feel better about our own problems. With the help of these publications we can forget that we may be having problems at work, with family, or just life in general. Through these articles we can avoid getting into deeper conversations about ourselves & merely say "did you hear about Jen & Vince?... Brad & Angelina?...did you know that Bennifer2 did get married?" Yes, I am guilty of making comments like this too, but COME ON PEOPLE!!! (you, people...not People) lets try & be genuinely interested in one another & see what is going on in each other's lives. Community, interaction, support, love, meaningful conversation... these are all essential ingredients to help us get through life. It makes us stronger & it's a lot more healthy than talking gossip about someone we don't even know (well, any gossip for that matter is not good either-- whether we do or do not know the person). So, tell me about yourself! What were your parents like? Where did you grow up? What are your dreams, desires, passions, secrets? Tell me some of your hobbies, things you do for fun. And I will tell you mine. I don't want the 'onlooker, source, friend' to tell you that I was "seen eating soul food with friends at Sylvia's in Harlem last night".

Where are the humans?

I am looking for human beings. Has anyone seen them? When I make a phone call I usually get voicemail. When I check-out at the grocery store, buy a Metro Card, or buy a movie ticket...I can do it myself without a cashier. If I lived in the suburbs & had a car...the old school days of someone getting your gas & washing your windows for you are gone (that is, unless you live in Jersey). When I call customer service, I get the automated voice on the other end prompting me through a series of choices. I like people, I like human interaction. I don't always want to have to do things online. I like to speak to the voice on the other end telling me that "it will all be taken care of." Would it be possible to go back to having a human answer the phone rather than Ms. Automated Lady? Or the simple service of the nice cashier at the store. Along with this goes the fact that we need each other. We need the support, ears, hearts, hugs of the community around us. Hugging has even been used as a 'presciption' for some in recovery from surgery or for depression. (I read this online somewhere...don't have a footnote). I am SO SO grateful to have my network of friends & family .... they are my support group & I am happy for that. Maybe I could get one of them to work at the grocery store so I could chat to someone when I check out....! :)

I am a nerd.

Not long ago, in a time not so far away... society told us that you were a 'nerd' if you had a computer & knew how to use it. Now, it's the other way around...you are a 'nerd' if you don't own a computer &/or don't know how to use one. Technology is such a significant part of our lives these days that when I often tell people that I don't own a computer they give me the "WHA?!! HOW?! OH MY GOSH!" response. I suppose I am living in 1982-- I do not own a computer, I do not have cable, I do not have an iPod, I do not have long distance on my phone, I do not have central air, I do not have a dishwasher, I do not have a digital camera, I do not have a fax machine at home, I still pay my bills with a checkbook & stamps...I do have a cell phone & DVD player though! (but my cell only makes calls & does text messaging...I can't surf the web or take pictures from my phone ...& my DVD player...just plays DVD's, nothing fancy) I suppose I am venting all of this to say that is why I have not blogged in quite some time. I was in L.A. the first week of July, then I was at a temp job with no computer access (WHAT!), then I was off work another week with no computer access....& now here I am at my new temp job with computer access....bloggin'. I missed you all & hope to be back here more frequently...if not...I might have to pick up the phone or send you some 'snail mail'. WHAT! WHAT WOULD THAT BE LIKE!?!?? Phone calls & letters in the mail to update you on my life instead of email, text, & blogs!? that's crazy talk.