Jamboree

Dating Heretofore

2010-11-17T12:04:00.000-08:00

So far, I have gone on two dates. Both in the past two weeks.

Weird, yes. Fun, mostly. Weird, again yes.

Let's dissect the first one.

Date one was the typical movie date and we saw the Social Network, which was my choice over his. He texted this, "I hear that new Matt Damon movie is good." Let's just remember kids that Matt Damon is not in a new Jason Bourne role at the moment. Instead, he is playing a psychic who can communicate with the other side. Hence the title, "Hereafter". Um, what? Not exactly the kind of date that gets a first kiss. That's the kind of date that has you squalling in the stall after the credits start rolling and you begin to have some existentialist meltdown where you realize that the whole date is meaningless since we are all spiraling out of control to our impending deaths. And then you end up thinking about your dead dog and there is no coming back from that mountain of melted mascara. Therefore, Social Network won. It had just the right about of adventure with just a few scenes of sex in a bathroom stall. Perfect first date movie. And then afterwards we went and got drinks. Which actually ended with us closing down a dive bar on a Monday night. ROUGH Tuesday morning, but totally worth the adorable hug at the end of the date. That's right. A hug. But it was a really sweet hug. But of course, it wasn't easy to get to that point. While getting ready I started to freak out, despite the roommate pep talk beforehand. She even laid my clothes out and everything. But still, it was so strange to be getting ready for a date with someone new. I was so out of my element, Donnie. But I managed to keep it together long enough to get in my car and make it to the end of the street where the gas station is. Since I was starting to freak out, I bought two packs of gum. Count them, two. Which I had already been devouring before he even got to the theatre. I sat in my car waiting, trying to look cool and like I wasn't waiting on someone of course, but almost shaking with nerves. I kept thinking to myself, "I could just leave. I could just leave right now and go put my pjs on."

But I knew that either it was him or the next waiter, someone was going to have to go through the joys of a first date with me. I assumed it would be like riding a bike. I used to date all of the time. I never got nervous and I always had fun, even if my date was an idiot who I decided was a waste of a new dress before the salads came out. I always made the best of it. But all of a sudden I find myself in a theatre with a guy that I barely knew and I can't stop worrying that I am swallowing too loudly. Seriously, I became phobic that every time I swallowed, it was abnormally loud and he thought that I had some weird issue with the back of my throat. I almost choked myself trying to hold back. And then there was the issue of where to put my hands. Do I put them close to him so he can hold my hand if he wants or is that too obvious. And how would I feel if he felt romantic while watching a scene of socially retarded Mark Zuckerberg on the big screen? Well by the end of second beer at the bar post-Social Experiment, I mean, Network, we were kind of cuddled up on the bar stools. And it wasn't bad. I remembered how to flirt after all. And somehow, in the middle of it, I forgot about everything else.

And that is how I got back in the game.

Mirages

2010-09-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

Through a recent gmail chat session with a girlfriend, I came across a new phenomenon. Well, it's not new so much as I am not sure there was a name for it. So I guess it is really just a newly named phenomenon to me.

I'm calling it "The Office Mirage".

This occurs when you are forced to spend the majority of your hours in a less-than-fun environment with someone of the opposite sex who is close to your age AKA: work.

At first, you are just happy to have someone to talk to about current, pop culture events. But then, inside jokes start forming. And you both begin to talk about your lives outside of work, and "Hey! I go to that bar all the time!" or maybe "Wow! I know that couple, too!" And from here, you begin to wonder what this person is like outside of these business-casual walls and that maybe it would be fun to find out. You even convince yourself that office relationships work out really well most of the time. All of this happens over time, of course, which leads to a false sense of "but I think that I really like him, as a person, and not just because he is there". This isn't true, but you don't know that yet. It will only become painfully obvious to you when you decide to push the envelope and go out together, outside of work, on a psuedo or real date. Because it is here, in the natural light, that you realize you tumbled into an Office Mirage and didn't even know it.

At this point of the truth slap you have to go ahead and push through it. You must rise above this weird, uncomfortable "why is time frozen" experience in a way that: A) doesn't make you appear interested in anything other than a professional relationship; and B) doesn't hurt his feelings and cause you to lose your water cooler companion. It's a tricky situation. Use great finesse or you will have a new boyfriend that you will have no sanctuary from or you will have someone who shoots daggers at you all day and poisons the old hens of your office into feeling sorry for him and not you. This usually results in an access loss to their homemade goodies in the break room. And you do NOT want to be shunned from those.

My advice? Avoid the office mirage by only allowing yourself to crush on people that you already know from a social environment. Or do not have to spend time with for 8 hours every day.

So now that you know what the Office Mirage is, you can substitute all kinds of things in place of "office". Like maybe a "Waiter Mirage" for all of those servers that you kind-of, sort-of know because they always get your order right and look cute wearing a Starbucks apron or the standard-issue uniform of a crisp white shirt and black dress pants. Which leads us to the obvious "Bartender Mirage". Because anybody who has that kind of power with alcohol is always more attractive than their everyday counterparts. But AHHHHH!!!! What some of them look like in the sober light of day!

Bad Mom

2010-09-01T08:10:00.001-07:00

I must also share this story....because I have finally come to terms with it.

During my initial reaction to the Shock and Awe campaign of the recent break up, I went out one weekend with a bunch of my single girlfriends. We stayed out all night and drank and danced and came back to Sailfish for a little R & R before a mimosa-fueled brunch scheduled for the following day. Or so I thought.

There was no R & R because as I was getting a bed together for a friend who lives less than 6 miles away, and another friend who did actually live out of town, I let Zuzu out in the backyard to do her thing. It wasn't five minutes before I thought to myself, "Something doesn't feel right. Why can't I hear the familiar jingle-jingle of her collar?" Lo and behold, my self-indulgence over the past 2 weeks had left her a bit peeved so she took off in search of a better care-taker. Because she is a dirty, dirty mutt, she went looking for a better owner in Mayport. Slap in my face.

I drove around for an hour at 4am before I realized one of three things is going to happen: 1) I am going to get a DUI; 2) I am going to find her smashed; 3) I am going to call her into the road and accidentally hit her myself. So I decided to leave the back door open, go back to bed, and hunt for her in the morning.

7:30am I rise and shine in a bit of a mini-hangover (mostly a shame hangover- the worst kind) and sneak out of my house amidst the bodies to go find my beloved dog. As I am driving around in my yoga clothes (Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I was going to start Bikram yoga that morning in a heated room with two friends who were equally as hungover- but that's for another post), I realize that I am a terrible, terrible mom. I actually lost a living creature. I would have cried, but my body was dehydrated and there was no moisture to spare.

But then....my cell phone rings. It's my vet. She is laughing and wants to know if I know where Zu is. I confess that I do not. She tells me that when the office opened that morning and the employees were walking in, a cab driver who was sitting in the parking lot opened up his cab door and Zuzu got out. She was dirty and looked embarrassed. She walked up to the vet staff and wouldn't meet their eyes. She had been frolicking on the beach and the cab driver saw her tag with the vet's name on it and picked her up.

My own dog did a walk of shame.*

I also have a couple of friends who insist that she was actually trying to put herself BACK up for adoption. Like she was thinking, "After 7 years, I just don't see this working out anymore. Its not you, its me. I'm gonna try and find love with another family."

Either way, I had to go into the vet's office, reeking of booze, in leggings. I tell you what though, I did make myself cry when I went in. I was afraid they wouldn't give her back to me and make me take a class in proper pet care so I pinched myself a million times on the back of the leg, in the tender spots of the thigh, until I finally forced the only water that was left in my body to come out my eyes and then I marched into the office. Thank God, they gave her back.

And now you know why I quit drinking for several weeks.

*This is where that old commercial's tag line comes into play..."I learned it from you, mom. I learned it from you."

(picture courtesy of http://www.zoouniversity.com/images/cartoons/walkoshame.jpg)

Major changes

2010-09-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

It has been two years.

Two flippin' years since my last post.

Don't look at me like that. I've been busy. Since I graduated, I worked as an evaluator of human trafficking victim services and as a health educator for a social service agency for seniors. I looooved working with the trafficking victims and really enjoyed working in this human rights field. However, my job as a "health educator" was actually a job as a social worker in disguise and I hated it. I tried to provide interventions to drug addicts over the age of 55 who were in the ED for an alcohol or drug-related incident. Yep. That was lovely. I only did that for a few months and found myself coming home and not even turning on the lights. My soul was being sucked dry and I was getting nowhere. Luckily, I was chosen for a competitive two-year epidemiology fellowship with the state in which I get paid and have good benefits. So I got to quit the crap job of sneaky social work and I have been loooooving my fellowship position. Sadly, it will be up in March 2011. So this fall, I am once again working on PhD applications and can hopefully begin a program next fall.

And that brings me to another big change. After 4 years together, and living together, and planning our lives together, JB dumped me. He spent the summer in Colombia and returned long enough to ditch me before moving to Chapel Hill to start his doctorate and his whole life over again- without me. Yep, he got into his dream school of Vanderbilt but instead chose mine. So now, if I get in too, we will both be at UNC trying to avoid each other next year. Fudge!!!

Currently, well over the past month, I have been picking my heart off of the floor bit by bit through yoga, long nights with girlfriends, and inappropriate dreams about Hayden Christiansen. Some women turn to bon-bons, which is just fine, but I turn to Canadian actors who are a bit aloof and slightly dark and brooding.

So stay tuned as I revert back to my life as a blogger. Who knows. Maybe something interesting will happen!

another reason I am a vegetarian

2008-09-10T09:44:00.001-07:00

For all of you out there who taunt me about my food preferences, maybe you should think twice. According to new research, I am just being green. And you, my carnivore friends, are killing the environment one patty at a time.

Check it out yourself at http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1839995,00.html?cnn=yes

Lovebug?

2008-09-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

The other day I was driving to the gym and I noticed a small VW Beetle convertible in the lane beside me. As I passed it, I noticed that the car was equipped with one of those small vases that attach to the dashboard of some Beetles for girls to put fake daisies in. However, there was a different kind of bouquet in this car. The woman had a vase full of Barbie doll heads on sticks. I'm not lying. I couldn't believe my eyes so I slowed down to let her catch up with me and sure enough, there they were, forced to nod at other drivers while being impaled on tiny timbers.

Creative, yet too dark even for me.

New, well, everything!

2008-08-11T07:59:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I graduated with my MPH degree and the last two weeks also saw me move into a giant rental home and quit my job. I am kind of freaking out, to say the least. So much so, in fact, that I have decided that in order to be the most well-rounded public health practitioner that I can be, I must gain clinical experience. And so, I will be applying for a Physician Assistant program next summer. In the mean time, you guessed it, I have signed up for more classes. I think that I may have an addiction to spending money on tuition and textbooks that are never opened. I am looking for a support group if anyone knows of one.

Something like, "I refuse to enter the real world and instead keep getting degrees".

If you find me one, I will volunteer to bring the first set of meeting doughnuts and coffee.

Breakdown of Bonnaroo 2008

2008-06-16T07:45:00.001-07:00

This past weekend was spent with old friends and good bands. It was great. And what follows is my personal account of those 4 days. Sure, there were ups and downs. Nevertheless, looking back, I would not want to change a thing.

Lows:
1. Ironically, the most overused phrase at Bonnaroo was, in fact, Bonnaroo. If I heard one more person scream that word into the air in the hopes of getting a response yell from a campsite 20 feet away, I was literally going to punch someone in their kidney. I get it. I am sober. I still remember where I am. You do not need to shriek “Bonna-f*n-Roo” at the top of your lungs to remind me of why I am standing in a 700 acre field in the middle of Tennessee.
2. I do not feel that it is fair to ask someone to pay for a shower. And so I took only one from a gallon water jug in the front of my tent. Which leads me to the next low…
3. Veet hair removal cream is toxic. Due to the fact that Brittany and I refused to live with any hair on our legs, we thought it would be great to use this product so that we would not have to attempt to shave. We were wrong. Very, very wrong. After leaving it on for the allotted 6 minutes, my legs began to burn. They continued to burn until today. Not only were my legs anything but silky smooth, they were coated from the knee down with tiny little blisters. Awesome.
4. Weird rashes sometimes appear out of nowhere apparently because that is what happened to me on day one. I got a rash on my back that lasted until, you guessed it, today. Brittany, my bed partner, also had a rash but she blames it on me. Thanks.
5. Ladies, please support your fun bags. I was so exhausted from seeing sagging ta-ta's all over the festival. I’m not saying that you need to where a Playtex Cross-Your-Heart bra each day in the sweltering heat, but if you are not going to go with an underwire support, for the love of God use something. Anything. No seriously, stop painting your chest and walking around like it is an elaborate bikini top. You are scaring the hippies.

Highs:
1. I was able to see Bridgette, Theresa, and Brittany for the first time in about a year. They are great and I already miss them.
2. The bands rocked. My top picks include: Rilo Kiley, Pearl Jam, the Avett Brothers, the Swell Season, Tegan and Sara, and B.B. King. The rest were just icing on the rock ‘n’ roll cake. Except for Kanye West who once again proved that he is a whiny diva who tries to bring everyone down and cannot be expected to own a watch. Nice try jackass. *I feel that I could have added more names to the list if I had been able to stay Sunday night too. I miss you Aimee Mann.*
3. The fans were all nice and polite. The bands were all very impressed with us and I was too. Good work people. You did us proud. Take note fellow festival-goers.
4. One of my fondest memories came during the Jack Johnson show in which case a band of marauding child hippies came strolling through the lawn area of the main stage carrying glow sticks and stoned words of wisdom. There is something about watching young posers frolic shirtless and in a Grace Slick free-spirited manner to the commercialized, packaged sounds of Jack Johnson. Hilarious. But I still appreciate their sentiment.
5. The random sentences that were overheard during the festival were phenomenal. A few include,
a) “Last night my fingers looked like tails.”
b) “We were so mad because we had saved our rolls for Kanye and we should have just eaten them for Lupe Fiasco. Damnit Kanye.”
c) “And then that girl started making out with my shoulder.”

As for next year?

I am in if you are.

Spain

2008-06-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

I loved my trip to Spain. I ate a ton of tapas, drank wine, and took siestas. It was gluttony at its best. I was also able to go to Portugal for a few days. I really like it there. The people were fantastic. I still don't speak Spanish or Portuguese, but I am a little bit closer.

And if anyone would be interested in going in with me on a Spanish-themed tapas bar in the Riverside/Avondale area, let me know. Make it work people!

Fantastic News about Tards

2008-06-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Wait. I'm not that insensitive. Read on.

My boss just let me know that when she was younger, she took ballet. And during one recital she wore a one-armed mint green leotard that had a taffeta-like substance flowing from the bottom and the song that she danced to was Desperado.

Wow.

Sheer magic.

Also, after I coaxed her, she attempted to find a picture of a similar get-up. She informs me that her tard was much paler. And that she was as well.

Spanglish

2008-05-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

How the heck am I going to make it over in Spain when I can't speak a lick of Spanish? JB sent me the phrases that I will need to use to get a cab to take me to his apartment but every time I try to say them, I sound like a fool. Blast my public school for making my Spanish class a joke! And blast my university for not requiring a foreign language! And double-blast to me for not seeing it as important at the time!

How do you say, "I am screwed" in Spanish?

2008-05-07T10:59:00.001-07:00

my friend, Cindy

2008-04-19T19:59:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I can manage to catch a class at my gym over here on the Westside. And almost always, it is with a lady named Cindy. She teaches everything from yoga to spin class. Cindy is crazy. Seriously. She is always saying inspirational things that just make everyone want to giggle like, "Be a butterfly" or "Ladies, don't forget your kegals here". Cindy is most likely a hippie. And usually I dig her free spirit and her ability to say ridiculously corny things with a straight face.

However, we may be in a fight.

Thursday night I was at the gym and I saw some ladies go into the private class area with their yoga mats so I got excited that I was finally there at the right time and ran out and got my mat to join them. When I saw Cindy approaching, hugging everyone in the gym as she walked up, I got really excited. The last time I had a yoga class with her she gave me a nickname and now every time she sees me she gives me a hug and calls me "Pigtails". But as the music started for the relaxation and meditation portion of the class, I realized that something was amidst. The screeching sound of, "Yo! Tell me what you want, what you really , really want...I'll tell you want I want, what I really, really, I wanna ahhh...I wanna ahhh...I wanna ahhh...I wanna ahhh...I wanna really, really, really wanna zigga zig ah" came blasting out the speakers. It was at this moment that I knew that I was in trouble.

For the next hour, I proceeded to do strange maneuvers all over the floor of that room to the obnoxious tones of Scary, Sporty, Baby, Ginger, and Posh Spice's voices echoing off of the wood floor. I don’t know what was more frightening- the positions that she was asking us to get into, or the fact that I was obeying her hellish commands. Oh wait, I know what the most horrifying part was. It was when I turned my head during our pelvic thrusts and saw several scared male faces outside of the unfortunately open door. My mortification was burning more than my glutes.

Where is my yoga? Has she lost her mind? Why isn’t anyone else concerned about this? And why does she still have a Spice Girls album??!!! I had so many questions racing around in my brain that when the class finished and she invited us all to stay for her yoga class, I was frozen. What the hell had I just done? Well, needless to say, I stayed for yoga. And it was just as weird as I remember with darkness, ridiculously strange music, and aromatherapy oil rub downs. Apparently Cindy has an endless supply of crazy up her sleeve for the patrons of Bailey’s gym. And oddly enough, I like it.

I think everyone can agree to this

2008-04-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

I found this today on CNN and it really spoke to me. Maybe you will like it, too.

Glenn Beck: America needs a 12-step program
By Glenn Beck
CNN

NEW YORK (CNN) -- My name is Glenn Beck, and I am a recovering alcoholic.

It took me a lot of years and a lot of pain to be able to say those words and really believe them. Along the way, I was arrogant, greedy and self-destructive.

But the worst part was that I didn't see any of it.

Even at the lowest, darkest points of my life, I still thought of myself as that successful guy who everyone loved. I was the life of the party, the guy who could do no wrong -- the guy who everyone else only wished they could be. At least that's what I thought.

Now I know better. People weren't looking at me with envy; they were looking at me with disgust as they watched me throw away everything I had worked so hard for.

I think America can relate.

Through hard work and unwavering principles, America took itself from a far-fetched idea to the greatest, most compassionate, most free country the world has ever known. But as our success has grown, so has our arrogance.

We've compromised our values, sold out our principles and used our freedoms to justify giving more power to the government. In the first century of America's life, its government was afraid of its citizens. Now, it's the other way around.

Maybe America should consider starting on the same kind of 12-step program that's helped millions of other addicts who couldn't see that they were slowly killing themselves. Here's my version of it, condensed to six steps since I know that Americans are way too lazy to stick around for all 12.

Step One: Admit we are not powerless.

Take a look at our Constitution. Not just a transcript; find an actual picture of it. The first three words, "We the People," are at least four times larger than the others. Do you think that was an accident? Of course not. Our framers chose those words, and made them that size, because they knew they were the answer to any problem we would ever face.

Step Two: Believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.

I think this one pretty much speaks for itself.

Step Three: Decide to take our power back.

A recent polls says 81 percent of Americans now say that our country is on the wrong track. If you're one of those people, who do you blame? The Bush administration? Congress? The media?

Here's a crazy idea: How about blaming ourselves?

If you don't like the fact that your city has led the country in poverty and homelessness for the last 10 years, then ELECT SOMEONE NEW. Stop voting for the same people from the same party every year.

Our power hasn't gone away (see Step One), it's just been masked by politicians who are tearing us apart for their own gain. We need to reclaim that power, and then we need to use it.

Step Four: Make a complete and fearless moral inventory.

Alcoholics aren't exactly big fans of introspection and self-examination, but this is one of the most important steps to recovery.

What are America's faults? What are our assets? By taking stock of both, we can start to work on maximizing our strengths and eliminating our weaknesses. It sounds simple, but when's the last time you really thought about what America does right? That brings me to Step Five.

Step Five: Admit our wrongs, and our rights.

We're constantly reminded about America's faults and flaws, but what about our achievements?

If you want to teach our kids about Vietnam, that's fine, but you better also teach them about World War II. And if you want to talk about our wars, you better also talk about our welfare. America is one of the most charitable countries in the history of the world, yet our mistakes are always glorified far more than our generosity. That needs to be reversed.

Step Six: Be ready to remove our defects.

Just like an alcoholic, we simply cannot go from sleeping on the street to perfection overnight. This is a big ship, and it takes a long time to turn it around.

But we have to start somewhere, and the best place is with the defects that almost all of us agree on. For example, does anyone really believe that being addicted to Saudi Arabia's oil is a good idea? What about China owning billions of our debt? Speaking of debt, what about the fact that we've saddled our children with $53 trillion in future Social Security and Medicare obligations?

But before we can address any problems, we have to first admit we have them. Many of us are in denial about just how divided we've become. We think that it's just the election or the war that's tearing us apart, but the truth is, it's much larger than that. We're every bit as arrogant, greedy and self-destructive as I was when I hit bottom.

Fortunately, it's not hopeless. It never is. If a program can work on a rodeo clown like me, it can definitely work for a country as great as ours. But until we're able to stand up and say, "Hello, my name is America and I have a problem," we'll never even have a chance.

this is my new favorite site

2008-04-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

Go here. Learn vocabulary words. Feed the world.

Orange Blossoms

2008-03-26T07:21:00.001-07:00

Second Topic: Never bring up religion or politics

But why? Aren't they both extremely important subjects, especially within our country supposedly founded by God and rebellion? Both topics can get someone madder than a hornet in about .5 seconds, but is that really such a bad thing? I believe that respect for another's opinion is a priority and I strive to give it when I'm in the middle of a heated debate. Although very hard, I think that it makes you more informed and maybe even better positioned to support your own view. In order to not make this question one that could hurt feelings, let's leave religion out and go straight for politics. To me, our generation has a duty to take up a stance on certain things and I believe politics is one of them. I'm not saying that you have to be blue, red, or even green. It shouldn't matter what party you are, I just think that you should care. Ralph Nader once said, "Turn on to politics, or politics will turn on you." I agree. We're old enough to vote so we should be old enough to know what we are voting for.

With this year's upcoming presidential election, do you think that our generation should pay attention to the politics or just get a recap from MTV's Rock the Vote?

P.S. This is getting extended to a few people outside the "twenty-something" group because their opinion is very important, too!

Female: I have no problem discussing politics, when I ask for someone's opinion. It's when I don't and it is thrown in my face that I have a problem with it. I like discussing with people who have hard facts to back up their statements and an open mind; people who are able to step back from their ideas of "liberal" and "conservative" and focus on what's actually important. People who can actually think for themselves and don't believe everything they read or hear just because it's classified under a certain political or religious category. There is nothing worse than "discussing" politics with people who get their "facts" from polarized media, friends, and family members.

Male: In response to Amber's position, I have to agree, but make one condition. Beware of discussing religion and politics on Easter with Racist HRC's ("holy roller Christians"), they BITE. Especially, when they're potential in-laws. Best to plan a strategy before diving head first into a conversation striking at the core beliefs of this country (i.e., Separation Church and State, Right to Privacy, First Amendment).
So while it is our obligation as young Americans to take up the challenge to defend the human rights of all people, irrespective of their race, politics or religion, take caution before aggressively attacking the Stubborn Minority so intent to deracinate our individual freedom from the Constitution.

Female: The truth is...it’s all about the write-in candidate this year... MCGEYVER 08...he would do wonders for our economy...think about it.

Male: I always told to never bring up religion or politics in a bar . . . WHICH, I think is true. Booze, politics, and religion don't mix.
That being said . . . I think our generation, and young people in general, need to be informed - by whichever method fits their lifestyle. Whether MTV Rock the Vote, CNN, or the John Stewart Show - so long as they are informed, I think that's most important. Getting people to the voting booths is important . . . but I think it is equally as important for our generation and those younger than us, to not walk into election booths with blindfolds on. Making an informed decision is just as important as getting to the booths in the first place.

Male: I've never had a problem offending anyone or expressing my opinion. I don't really like hypocrites though. That being said everyone can be wrong and a great quote from Winston Churchill is that " I reserve the right to be smarter tomorrow than I am today."

Male: I like the quote from someone that goes something like this, "You are only as big as the smallest thing that angers you."
Why can you not talk about politics and religion? As long as all parties in the conversation stay respectful of each other, what's the problem?
The problem is that most people do not know why they feel a certain way. Ever hear the terminology, cradle-Catholic? Its hard to defend or discuss your faith when you are not sure what, why, or where your beliefs come from.
As for politics, same thing. I moved to NYC from FL 6 months ago. The NE always boasts about how educated they are compared to us Southerners. I call bull shit. I engage everyone on politics. I have heard some of the most idiotic, ridiculous, retarded and every other word that fits arguments. None based on fact or real events. Here is the key. They are based on EMOTION. Whenever anything is solely emotional, with little to no substance, people's feelings get hurt. That is why people say not to talk about politics and religion.

Male: I don't particularly like talking about those subjects, but not because there is a social construct saying I shouldn't. I avoid them because the country, at this point, is so polarized about religion and politics. There no longer is a middle. So, I avoid those discussions to prevent that horrible feeling of polarization. The above does not apply to close friends...that's different. Close friends give the illusion of rationality.:)
I can't think of any SOCIAL reason not to talk about them. Or anything else for that matter.I've just become jaded on religion and politics...and perhaps more angry?
Another one that fits into this category is "Don't talk about money?" Why not? It's at least as important as religion and politics. It fuels both!
I do not believe, however, that bullet point versions of anything -- politics, religion, law, etc. -- are effective. That's the hurdle the Internet generation has to overcome. Life is more complicated than blogs (jamber-jamberee notwithstanding), Wikipedia and bubble-headed bleach blondes reading Associated Press wire stories on the news. Ignoring complexities does not make them go away. It just makes for bad decision making.

My heart hurts

2008-03-14T06:23:00.000-07:00

I cannot understand this decision. How can we still support such brutality against homosexuals? Gay rights are the final frontier in a civil rights war that we still need to win for our brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. Is that so wrong that they can feel attraction and chemistry for another human being? They are not hurting anyone and are simply trying to love and be loved. I cannot believe that their homosexual relationships are going to somehow make my heterosexual relationship any less sincere. You can dislike it or think that it is religiously or morally wrong and I won't fight with you. That is your opinion and you are entitled to it 100%. However, when you start to deny another person their basic human rights or the rights that we afford our American and British citizens, then you are wrong. Some have argued that if this teen is sent back to Iran, then we cannot be sure that he would be persecuted or sentenced to death and therefore we do not owe him the ability to stay in the Netherlands or the United Kingdom. I do not believe this argument. When there is a chance that a refugee or asylum-seeker will face physical harm upon the return to their home country, there is a duty to protect.

I challenge Great Britain to change their decision.

Homophobia is an ugly creature that attacks our young and creates more generations of intolerance and hatred. Many lives are ruined in its wake.

Orange blossoms

2008-02-29T06:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I started my first investigation into the thoughts of my friends. Here are the responses, with hopefully more to come. It went a little something like this.

First topic: Internet dating sites

A few years ago I found this whole idea to be somewhat creepy and very impersonal. But then again, I was still in educational settings where I was able to see or meet new people my own age every semester and in every class. As I have begun to catch glimpses of life after college (yes, I will someday retire my professional student status), it has occurred to me that if you aren't attracted to anyone in your current group of friends, or anyone at your place of work, how are you going to meet people when you work 40+ hours a week and have grown tired of fending off passes by people who offer to buy you a shot? With our society being so career-oriented, for both sexes, where does the courtship fit in now? Maybe using Internet dating sites is more of a necessity thing. Free time is a thing of the past and somehow it now seems to imply laziness.

So my question to you is, what are your thoughts on Internet dating sites?

FEMALE: I still find them creepy and though I don't think all people who do it are desperate, I myself would feel desperate if I chose to put myself on the web to find a mate. And I feel that your friends know you best, better than you think they do, and they will have people around that match your same life-style, so that's always a possibility, or so I am still hoping. I mean it depends on their situation. We are pretty outgoing people, but for someone who is not, I can see how the internet might be more persuasive. Maybe in about 10 years... but hopefully not.

Male: Overall, they're great. Very efficient. However, I can't get past the fact that cyber sex was invented before cyber dating. Maybe our parents' generation had it wrong from the start.

Female: There was a time when I thought there was no worse a fate then resorting to internet dating sites. But the time factor is a very good point. Depending on your job and family status, it really gets harder and harder to find time just to get out of the house, much less expend the energy to put up with getting hit on by people you really don't want to talk to. If you can use the internet to weed out the people you have nothing in common with, you are saving time and energy. Let's face it- for most people, "the one" isn't going to just show up on your doorstep one day (and if they did, they would probably be delivering something, which means...well, whatever) so if you want to be in a relationship, you have to seek human interaction one way or another. Which means going out on the weekends, joining interest groups, or using the internet. If companionship is what a person wants, they are going to have to do whatever it takes. I don't think using the internet has the stigma that it once did. I think it can be a very efficient way to meet people you have common interests with. Just watch out for the crazies.

MALE: Very useful and beneficial . . . but if you are under the age of 40 - it shouldn't be anything less than a last resort. When you are in your 20's and 30's,the social opportunities are available to meet people. And by social opportunities, I don't even mean the bars or the occasional strip club :)If you are an out-going person, you can meet people anywhere. The elevator, the produce aisle at your grocery store, or the cute girl behind the counter at the near by starbucks. And for those people who are not out-going . . simply learn to say "hello," because most times, that's all it takes to get the conversation going. But back to my original point . . I think it is very beneficial for people in their 40's and above, who haven't been doing the dating or social "thing" in quite some time. For those who are recently divorced after 5, 10, or 15 years of marriage, I think it is an excellent stepping stone to getting back out there. Single mothers who cannot afford the time between work and raising kids - knock yourselves out. The sites can get your face out there, but sooner or later . . your social skills must carry you the rest of the way. You are not going to be able to learn how to relate to people or have a conversation with someone you find attractive while making eye contact through a chat room. Just as with anything in life, it takes practice.

MALE: Like most people, I was pretty skeptical about internet dating sites. But, I think much of the stigma has been diluted. E-communication has become a way of life for most people. There are a couple of cyber-friends that I have that I know only via Myspace or Facebook. I've only met them face to face a couple of times, yet I consider them to be very "real" friends. Social websites, email, and instant messaging have completely infiltrated our lives. We depend on them and we trust in them to assist us in communicating with the people already in our lives. That has paved the way for us to trust and depend dating sites to assist us in communicating with people not yet in our lives.
*Someone I know* met her husband via a dating site. They seem happy after a couple of years of marriage.
Does it really matter how you meet? All that should matter is what happens after you meet.

MALE: Internet dating sites? For me it seems to take some of the excitement
out of finding someone. I always get a little nervous when it comes to
making that first move. I feel those nerves are a good thing, although
I wish the sweats would not follow. It is always nice to see the others
face when you ask for the first time if the would like to go out just to
see if they are look saying yes and want to go or yes just so you would
leave them alone. The face tells you a lot. However I can totally
understand why people use the internet for dating. Keep in mind you
won't have that romantic story of how you first met all you will have is
I saw this hot picture on eharmany.

Oh yes

2008-02-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

I think that I am going to start posting questions on here for my friends to respond to. I would like to get their input on several twenty-something issues that I run into.

Until then, I bid you all adieu.

Update

2008-02-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

Because my officemate left early today and couldn't guilt me into doing actual work or homework, I just looked back on my young blog. Wow. So much has happened in a year. Right now, I am living in a rental home in Riverside. I live on the bottom floor of a 2 story brick home built in 1911. There are a bunch of built-ins and french doors and hardwood floors, it is really a great place to live. Except my neighbors. They are all pieces of garbage. The house actually has a tiny studio apartment in the back of it and this young couple lived back there until a couple of weeks ago. Evictions are probably not fun. But you know what else isn't fun? Listening to domestic disputes every day/night at un-Godly hours. They did provide entertainment, though.

Did I mention that I am thinking about buying a house? I know, I don't like Jacksonville that much. But with house prices the way they are and my rent as much as it is, it kind of makes sense. And when I graduate this summer, I am going to take a little time to decide if I want to go on for a doctorate or not and in the meantime, I will have a good network in Jax.

So if you come across anything in the 32205 zip code, let a sista know.

And I think that I am going to pay more attention to this blog again. It's nice to have a way to vent without taking it out on your dog or boyfriend. (Like I ever do that....Um, don't ask JB for examples. I like to keep my friends.)

birthdays

2008-02-20T12:56:00.000-08:00

Today I turn 26 and I am really excited about it.

But what has surprised me is the response that I am getting from my peers. Everyone is so quick to send me very sweet notes to let me know that they are thinking of me. It has completely made my day. The reason that I am so surprised is that in this past year, I have become so engrossed in my school work and actual work that I am really left out my friends. It hasn't been intentional, but I have been aware of it and should have done more to avoid it. So to know that there are no hard feelings and that they still remember me really means a lot. I hope that I won't be so surprised next year and that I rekindle my relationships in the upcoming months.

Here is my thoughts on this day...

Today I turn 26 and I seem to be okay with it. Sure, ask me again in 6 months when I am furious at the 17 year old waiter for not carding me. But for now, it's pretty cool. I think that growing older suits me. There are a lot of "grown-up" things that seem pretty fantastic like owning a house, having money in the bank instead of the floorboard of your car, getting a car that doesn't break down, getting married, having kids, going on really cool vacations, and making your own plans and schedule.
A lot has happened in my life over the past year and it seems that there is a lot more ahead of me for this next one. Since turning 25... I have moved into a new neighborhood without the crutch of roommates and it has been wonderfully exciting and at times very lonely. I have said goodbye to a large group of friends who have moved on to new cities in search of jobs and adventures. I wish them all the best of luck but I also miss them terribly. I have continued my research position with the University of Florida, becoming more and more involved in the projects and programs that our institute facilitates. I have moved closer to the end of my masters program in public health while taking on many additional assignments within the college and with outside professors. I remain extremely overwhelmed and ridiculously busy but also satisfied with each accomplishment and proud of my level of responsibility. I have watched friends marry, become engaged, have babies, and also break up. I have personally fallen head-over-heels in love with a man who is also my best friend. I have had knock-down, drag-out fights with loved ones who have turned around to pick me up when I have fallen on my behind, which is sure to happen many more times in the next year.
I have learned a lot in the past 365 days. And as this next year begins, I welcome the decisions that will have to be made and the successes and failures that will ultimately happen. While I am 26, I will graduate, decide upon whether or not to move when my lease is up, look for different employment with my new degree, choose whether or not to go forward onto a PhD or wait and decide in another year, probably be forced to get a new car, and try and be a better person than I was able to be at 25. Getting older is a little hard on the ego, but it is totally worth it. I have more wrinkles and grayer hair, but my heart is full of one more year's worth of memories and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I hope that this little note finds you all happy and healthy and looking forward to your own year.

As for me,

I promise to make more time for fun with my friends during my 26th year and call those that are far away more. I promise to sit and listen to my grandma's stories every chance that I get. I promise to spend more time outside instead of on a computer. I promise to read more books that are NOT syllabus requirements. I promise to give more hugs to my family when we are together. I promise to send more letters and less emails. I promise to try to give more compliments and less harsh words. And I promise to enjoy this year more than last year and the next year more than this one!

The Blues

2008-02-10T07:21:00.000-08:00

Friday night JB and I decided to stay in so that he can fight his sinus infection and I rented Black Snake Moan because he wanted to hear the blues. Before bed we started talking about this guy Willie Green who plays at the Yearling Restaurant in Cross Creek. I had only heard of him through JB and his friends but he was adament that we had to go sometime and hear him perform. We talked logistics and realized that due to our insane semesters, it would be a awhile before we had the chance to drive down and see him. Fast forward to Saturday afternoon. JB is on the computer and happened to go to Willie Green's webpage that, seeing as how he is in his 70s and can't read, I doubt that he keeps up with too much. By chance, he is playing a couple of shows in St. Augustine that very night. Very strange. We had to go of course. We caught both shows and spoke with Mr. Green. What a nice man. It was a great time.

Sometimes the blues just come to you I suppose.

Spring Semester

2008-01-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

I'm beginning to wonder if my life will ever consist of counting the year in terms of anyting other than semesters. This is my last semester of classes and then I do an internship (don't ask where) this summer. Then next spring I will begin applying to PhD programs. Yippee. I guess I enjoy looking at the academic calander of my particular educational institution at the time in order to plan any sort of a vacation. Ah... the woes of the professional student.

That Time of Year

2007-12-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was full of fantastic holiday cheer. All of my Christmas presents came in and are wrapped under the tree. I threw a holiday open house/fundraiser that was a big success. We attended a dinner party at JB's professor's house in beautiful Riverside. And I even managed to squeeze in a church Christmas recital that was all the way in Ocala. But that isn't all of it. JB and I were put up in a swanky downtown St. Augustine hotel for work where we were fed unbelievable foods and drinks to be topped off with two gift exchanges and a winery tour.

The only thing that was missing this holiday season was a near miss with a crazy man and a gun. Oh wait. Scratch that. We did that too.

I cannot understand

2007-11-15T05:41:00.000-08:00

It saddens me deeply to see that all of the talk about ending the genocide in Darfur was, in fact, talk. Our government has not made any concrete efforts to actually help with the deteriorating situation. I pray this has nothing to do with the fact that these people are African farmers and therefore not as beneficial to us in an economic sense as our allies in the Middle East.

I beg of the the international community, please give the U.N. Hybrid force the 18 transport helicopters and 6 support light helicopters that they must have to effectively begin their mission. These people cannot, and should not, wait any longer.

For more on this story of disgrace, please go here.

Cambio!!

2007-11-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, recently 70 Cuban youth were arrested for wearing these plastic bracelets with the word "change" on them. For speaking out against their government in a non-violent and non-verbal way, they were arrested. And this is taking place less than 100 miles from your own soil. Join members of our own House of Representatives and Senate and join in the fight.

Feel like speaking your mind?

Need a bracelet?

Go to www,claudia4libertad.com to order your's now for only $2.00. She makes no profit and is simply covering shipping and the production cost.

Support Cuba's effort for CHANGE NOW!!!

My next book

2007-10-31T05:51:00.000-07:00

This is my next read when I get a chance to read anything besides journal articles. And thank God there is a book out there with these sentiments because I'm going crazy seeing teeny midriff and mini miniskirts. Mothers and fathers, stop it. I can't understand why you want to turn your daughters into sex objects at the ripe age of 8. Why not let them be children and explore their creative sides instead of dressing them up like Bratz dolls? I am ashamed of you. No wonder your child will grow up to look like a stripper by the age of 15. GIVE THEM BACK THEIR CHILDHOOD YOU MATRONLY PIMPS!!! Okay, I'm done. Thanks.

Best tattoo that I have seen in quite a while...

2007-10-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

You want proof about climate change?

2007-10-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

Here you go.

Ponderance

2007-09-20T07:38:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, well actually, quite often I think about how nice it would be to have a skill. I can't help but feel that life would be happier and have more meaning if I had some talent...at anything.

But I don't know if I would go so far as to say that I wish I was a part of traveling duo of Judds impersonators.

Of course, I have never seen them live.

Farm Aid 2007

2007-09-04T04:58:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I will be here..

Enjoying...

Willie Nelson
John Mellencamp
Neil Young
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds
Gregg Allman
The Allman Brothers Band
Counting Crows
Matisyahu
Guster
The Derek Trucks Band
Warren Haynes
Supersuckers
The Ditty Bops
Montgomery Gentry
Ray Price
Merle Haggard
Danielle Evin
Jesse Lenat
Jimmy Sturr
Pauline Reese
Billy Joe Shaver
Paula Nelson
40 Points

Jealous?

Calling all tupperware artists

2007-08-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

It is time to unite.

From the mouth of babes...

2007-08-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

Kids say the darndest things.

Nostalgia gone wrong

2007-07-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

As a young girl, I used to love the Corey's. They were great. I must have rented License to Drive at least 100 times.

And the film The Lost Boys? Very creepy. Sometimes I still do a little body shake when I'm eating noodles out of a Chinese take-out box. But after Hollywood extracted the last bit of cute, heart throb status out of them, they fell way, way, way off the radar screen (and the wagon). Maybe it was the many, many drugs that they both seemed to be doing everywhere. Or maybe it was Corey Feldman's strange mimicing of Michael Jackson down to the the jacket, gloves, and dance moves. Or maybe it was Corey Haim's weapons charge following his break up with Baywatch star Nicole Egbert and eventual weight gain and final weight loss. I just don't know. But these two guys were shunned from the limelight and while Haim spent his money on every drug he could find, Feldman seemed to field the blows a little better. He has cameoed in so many movies that I lost count and he's married to a girl who seems pretty normal. And now? They are back together again. Corey v. Corey. Mano e. Mano. A&E had given them a reality (doubtful) show in which Feldman attempts to us his "normal" life to lend Haim a hand up into show business. Good luck to you both. For as much as it pains me to say it, and honestly, it does, Haim is a trainwreck. And *gasp* not that great of an actor. I feel as though I just punched my inner child in the kidney by saying that. I mean, I really, really loved him. But now? He just needs to get his act together.

But I'll probably still watch the show if I catch it on. I'm terrible.

Eat a PB& J and save the world!!

2007-07-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Check out this site, grab two slices of bread, some peanut butter, and some jelly. Slap it all together and feel good about being green!

So sleepy

2007-07-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

If anyone knows why a helicopter circled my house last night for almost an hour with a spotlight on my yard, please let me know. I personally would like to slap the pilot.

Thank you.

What's up, what's up...what's up, what's up, what's up.

2007-07-20T05:37:00.000-07:00

I don't mean to sound like I am complaining about this, but I just turned in a final paper, a research paper, that I didn't write until Tuesday, the same day it was due. I have gotten my grade back today and found that only 1 point was deducted. Hhhmmm....my question is to whether or not she even read it. Not that I care that much, it's just that eventually I will be writing to be published and feedback would be extra helpful. Again, I'm not complaining. I will take the A. But I will also take it with a grain of salt.

Speaking of nothing that has anything to do with salt, last night at the gym I was "forced" to watch the new show about Victoria Beckham coming to the United States. Um, fantastic. When I was working in Ireland, the Posh/Becks duo were plastered on everything that I read or saw. They were 'it' and 'it' was beautiful. So now, I don't know why I am so surprised that I enjoyed watching her cheat on her driver's license test or compare herself to a blow-up doll. It almost made me stay at the gym longer to see the whole show. Almost.

Well dang. I just read that the reviews of her show were really awful and they are only airing the one episode. That sucks. Where is this press back-lashing over our own celebutantes? Paris and Nicole never received such ill-tempered words against their horribly dumb show "The Simple Life". It seems as though our televisions are only big enough for silly women from the states. Sorry Posh. I was rooting for you.

New Ad

2007-07-11T06:45:00.000-07:00

Wiseguy, eh?

2007-07-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

So after reading this insane news article I have begun to think of what I would say if I was interviewed after narrowly escaping death. The man in the article is so good that I can actually picture his Clint Eastwood snarl. Maybe I would go with, "Not today, Death." and scowl. Or maybe it would be more of a cliche'd, "I just want to thank God and my family for helping me through this tough time."

In all actuality, it would me something along the lines of, "I was like, oh my gosh! What is going on! I mean, really, who does that?!"

I HAVE to work on my vocabulary during interviews.

Please Disregard Previous Post

2007-06-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

I was being very rude and hateful when I wrote the previous post and I apologize. I became what I despise -judgemental. I was just feeling sorry for myself and it shouldn't happen again.

I am glad that I live down here and am very thankful for all of my wonderful Southern friends! And I am just as grateful for my phenomenal Northern ones, too!

venting

2007-06-21T05:44:00.001-07:00

I am so fed up with people saying things about people from the north and then turning to me and saying, "No offense to you. You aren't like that." F* you. I have never been treated as rudely as I have since I have been down here and thrust into the southern competition of which state is "more southern" and which state is a bunch of Yankees. Piss off. Who cares? If you want to make fun of those of us above the Mason-Dixon line, fine. But at least know what you are talking about. Don't just spout off the same shit that your mom said or your neighbor said. Come up with something original. I have had it. I really have. Especially with people who say, "Well you don't count because you are from the Midwest." What?! That doesn't even make sense. If you have a problem with people from New York and New Jersey, then say that. Do not say "people from up north" and then make a face of disgust. When I moved down here I expected people to be at least as considerate as the people from where I came from. That couldn't be farther from the truth. All I see down here is arrogance and ignorance. And mind you, that's not everyone. I have met some wonderful, beautiful people. But when I am in my own home or in the home of someone else and I am getting insulted with a side of "no offense", I can't help but feel my face grow hot as I bite my tongue so that I do not say, "Do not talk about my family, my kin, my friends, my state, or my area of the country in a manner that implies that you know anything about it. Because you don't."

Southern hospitality is dead, my friends. And that is a real shame.

2007-06-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Kind Green

2007-06-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I painted my bathroom Sherwin Williams' Kind Green. It was lovely after I regrouted the broken tile and patched the hole in the wall. I may be the only person in the world who, with the power of a single paintbrush, can break a mirror, put a hole in the sink basin, nick the tile floor, and put a hole in the wall. And yes, all of that is possible in a Sunday afternoon. It seems as though one of the ugly mirrors on the wall in my rented bathroom was just fastened to the wall and not glued to it as I had assumed after pulling my hardest to pry it off prior to painting. Not 5 minutes after I had changed from an extremely uncomfortable crouching position on the floor into another extremely uncomfortable crouching position on the floor a couple of feet away from the first, I hear a loud crash as mirror shards shoot out all around my feet and into my paint. The mirror came down first hitting the sink and then flipping to a corner hit the tile and another corner went into the wall. It hit right where I was just moments before. Whew. Close call. But now everything is fixed, minus the touch-up on the spackling, and it looks wonderful.

To bad I just found out that I'm moving in a couple of months!

PSA

2007-05-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Weird dream

2007-05-30T05:58:00.000-07:00

Some times I have extremely strange dreams. Last night I had one about a newborn kitten, a nature goddess, Jack Nicholson, and a black jeep. No idea. Don't ask.

But never have I had a nightmare that I actually woke up to.

Hats off to this guy for quick thinking and saving his kitty. Hell, I couldn't even save my dream kitty that Jack Nicholson so cruelly killed. Bastard.

Warped and Wonderful

2007-05-24T07:47:00.001-07:00

My office is obsessed with this video right now.

It is so fantastically strange.

Chew on this

2007-05-22T05:22:00.000-07:00

Last night as I was sitting down to enjoy my tasty dinner, I realized in mid-bite that I had just eaten my tongue. As I yelped in pain, I began to feel the blood. Then it hit me.

How can it be that after 25 years of chewing, I still haven't gotten it right?

Live and Let Die

2007-05-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

I took my car in yesterday to fix a leaky tire. It turned out very, very expensive.

Turns out the air conditioner is shot and will need to be entirely replaced. $1000+

The engine gaskets need replaced along with the engine coolant. $500+

Not to mention the damaged that occurred last summer when my subletting roommate hit my car into the house. $300+

Now for the $1800+ question.....fix? or replace?

High School Boys

2007-05-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on my abstract for my research at work. Sheesh. It is all taking so much time! But have no fear, when I am through the world will know more on the body dissatisfaction of adolescent males and how that affects their other health behaviors. Crucial stuff, isn't it?

Last weekend my roommates graduated from law school and I watched from the stands like a proud mom. I thought that I might feel a pang of jealousy as I watched my 1st year class walk across the stage to scattered applause but the pang never came. I guess this whole time that I've been telling people how over it I am, I actually have been. I am really excited about my graduate program and have just recently been asked to serve on the advisory committee for the university. Pretty neat stuff for the 'ole resume. And hopefully I'll be able to publish my research sometime within the year which will help if I choose to go on and eventually get my doctorate. Who bloody knows?

Mattison moved out a week ago and yesterday the new roommate moved in. She'll fit in nicely. I like her already. Plus her folks are a hoot. Always a plus.

As for now, my eyes are on this weekend and the camping trip some friends and I are going on. Should be exactly what we were all needing to kick off the summer!

The Waiting Game is STILL better than the Crying Game

2007-04-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

I hate waiting for any sort of test result.

But I will prevail. I just need to occupy my time with more random websites.

Here are a few that I have found today.

Rand McNally Road Trips

Fair Trade Website

Budget Travel Online

Emerging Pathogens Institute

Melting Popsicles Artwork

"Ask the White House" today!! with Special Envoy to Sudan!!

2007-04-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and family,
Please join me as I write in to Andrew Natsios of the U.S's Special Envoy for Sudan and ask him why the genocide in Darfur is allowed to continue. Questions will be answered today at 3pm Eastern.

Ask him about the latest U.N. report to be released in 48 hours concerning Sudanese military planes being painted white with the blue letter "UN" stenciled on the side which are carrying ammunition and weapons to the janjaweed to supply their airstrikes and burn-and-loot strategies on the villagers.

Ask him why in spite of Sudan's clear understanding of its obligation under United Nations Security Council resolution 1591 (2005), the Government of the Sudan has not submitted any requests for approval to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) to move weapons, ammunition or other military equipment into Darfur, thereby knowingly violating the provisions of the resolution.

Ask him about the new sanctions request, conflict resolution, and extended arms embargo that President Bush is supposed to ask the United Nations Security Council for today during his speech at the Holocaust Memorial.

Ask him why President Bush has not given the go-ahead to the financial sanctions that he has promised to impose upon several individuals and companies who are continually doing business with, and making money off of, the janjanweed and Sudanese government.

Ask him why the people of Darfur must wait for the 20,000 hybrid troops promised to them and the African Union army last August.

Tell him that we understand that President Bush is frustrated with trying to end this humanitarian crisis diplomatically and that his hands are tied in many areas.

Tell him we support him but that the country cannot sit idlely by as another Holocaust, Rwanda, or Bosnia takes place. We are in his corner, but we must take action. In a briefing of the Rwandan genocide years ago, President Bush wrote in the margins "Not on my Watch". Ask Mr. Natsios how it can be that it is still happening on the watch of our nation.

Ask him to help.

Help those that do not have a voice speak out against their oppressors.

"America's influence is not unlimited, but fortunately for the oppressed, America's influence is considerable, and we will use it confidently in freedom's cause…All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors." - George W. Bush, Inaugural Address, January 20, 2005

Follow the link below to address your concerns for the people of Darfur. They have a voice, but it belongs to you.

Welcome to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Bush administration officials and friends of the White House.

Today at 3 PM ET

Andrew S. Natsios

President Bush's Special Envoy for Sudan

Click here now!

Save Darfur! Watch a Movie!

2007-03-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

This is my event. Wish me luck.

And also, show up please.

March Calendar

2007-03-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

I am a little busy right now. Okay, a lot busy. Here is my monthly timeline of important dates that need attention.

March 10-14th- Hang out with Jessica while she is in town
- Bowling on Tuesday night following dinner at my house
March 14th- Finish consult powerpoint for project- must be at least 60 slides
March 15th- Institute Meeting
- Have research material ready for Dr. Bian
- Pick up Alfred's cake at 11am
March 17th- Jacksonville Beach Seafood Festival and St. Patty's Day
- Camp Jim
March 18th- Develop flyer for Day for Darfur
March 19th- Send flyer to Print Express along with personal invitations
- Okay fundraising ideas with Mr. Blue
March 20th- Contact Illinois folks to find out who needs a ride on Saturday
- Let St. Elmo folks know that I will be in town
March 22nd- Leave for Illinois from Orlando *only half day at work*
March 24th- Drive up to Chi-town with Erik and Cheech for reunion at Didge's
- Bring food, wine, and picture disk
March 27th- Leave Illinois and return to Jax
March 28th- Edit consult presentation
March 29th- Present consult presentation

*Work on April 14th Darfur screening
*Work on abstract for institute
*Join group for accreditation of MPH program

Remodeling

2007-03-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

As you can tell, I switched it up a little on the homefront. It was time. You likey? Me too.

I had a great weekend. It all started on Friday when our office took a two hour lunch at Buca Di Beppo for the hell of it. It was fun and fattening. Yay for company policied tiramasu. Once we all made it back to the office, I was given the afternoon off. Ex-squeeze me? Yes, you heard right. My job is better than your job (except for that small issue of health insurance 0r should I say lack-there-of).

I met up with JB and we went to dinner at P.F. Changs after months of attempting to get in and sit down in less than an hour. It was worth the wait and all of his cursing about the place. That night I spent a lovely evening pampering myself with the next day bringing the gym, the dog park with Zu, and cleaning house before a great tri-fold birthday bash at La Nopalera. Fun, fun times. I love to go out on top at flippy cup.

Sunday morning I worked the health fair with my coworkers out at the beach. It went really well. I found out that my cholesteral level is less than 150, my bood sugar is 96, and the new freckle above my eye is not skin cancer. The best part came before I left when I was able to chat with a homeless paranoid schizophrenic who tried her best to warn me about the government sponsored robots who are stealing children from Canada to work in canning factories without appropriate child labor regulations. Also, apparently in Michigan they do experiments on people in which they insert "manometers" into their eyes to control them. She's on a crusade to bring them down.

And so I say best of luck to you, full mustached lady of the streets.

5 X 5

2007-02-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

I am officially 25 years old. Yep. A quarter of a century. And you know what? It feels good.

Happy Birthday to me!

Fat Tuesday Jamboree

2007-02-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I will be a quarter of a century old. I'm not sure if that is utterly depressing or actually pretty nifty.

I'm gonna go with nifty. And this guy agrees with me.

See you at the 412 Mardi Gras.

Random Drive-By Catcalls

2007-02-08T11:51:00.000-08:00

Why is it that guys think that it is not only okay for them to 'holla' at girls from inside their cars, but that we would ever actually appreciate it?

Case in point:
Yesterday after work I took my dog for a walk around this pond that is behind my house. One side of the pond is behind houses and the other side is next to a lightly-trafficked road. As I rounded the edge of the pond to start back behind the houses, I notice that a PT Cruiser was coming up on my rear. As I began to get that nervous feeling that I assume all of us women get when we know that we solitary targets on a highway of perverts, I realized that the car would have to stop at a stop sign in the very spot that I was standing and Zu was peeing. Great. I began to ponder the etiquette of whether I should acknowledge the driver a few feet away from me or pretend not to notice.
I hadn't even reached a decision before my body began to cringe as I heard the proverbial creepy male voice that protrudes from any car that 'hollas' at any female who is in the nearby vicinity. Sure enough, I got a slow and deliberate "That's real nice....". No, actually sir, it is not. It is rude and annoying.

And as I shuddered and turned to give him my iciest of stares, I realized that he did not own a full set of teeth. For a moment, I was a little put-off that while I was looking my best from being at the office, this toothless wonder still thought it necessary to attempt to pick me up. To quote my girl Cher, "As if."

But that wasn't the end of it. As I rounded the pond to begin our backtrack away from this Road to Perdition, I could sense his beady eyes still on me. I was right. Before he accelerated away from the stop sign he managed to come up with one last piece of poetry. He ended our brief but noxious encounter with a high pitched "Whooo-ooooo".
It sounded as though one were describing a NASCAR race. The "whoo" was of the kind that would fit nicely in such a sentence combination as, "Dang son! That Dale Jr. is fa-ast. Shoot boy! Whooo-oooo." Because of this, I wouldn't have even thought that he was still addressing me if not for the fact that I glanced back to his car and sure enough, there was his gappy smile and very non-attractive face both staring at me and very effectly burning an unnecessary and unwanted memory into my mind. My poor dog learned the art of 'speed walking' right then and there.

As the aptly named 'Cruiser' drove away from the stop sign and my corner of the world, it struck me. He didn't even ask for my number. Men. I tell you what. Heartbreakers. All of them.

Sappy Display of Mush

2007-02-06T06:48:00.000-08:00

You know those days when you wake up and smile because for that moment in time everything seems right in the world? You know the ones. Sure, you haven't gotten everything completed for work or class, but regardless of all of that, you feel good. I love those mornings and was lucky enough to have one today.
WARNING!! THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET EVEN SAPPIER!!!
I think a lot of those feelings of sheer happiness stem from where I finally am with my life. I am studying something I love, living by water which the pisces in me loves, developing deep friendships with people that I love, and spending time with the man I love. Ah....for this second, this immediate spin of the earth, I cannot think of anything else that I need or anywhere else that I would rather be than right here. A big smile has creeped across my face just writing this note. I am a happy girl. A genuinely happy girl. And to those of you that have helped to make that happen, I am truly blessed to have you in my life.

Thank you,
Jamber

Touching Story

2007-02-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

My roommate shared this story with me and due to the beauty of the human nature in it, I felt obliged to include it on this site. Please enjoy its warmth as much as I did.

In 1986, Mkele Mbembe was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University. On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Mbembe approached it very carefully. He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot, and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Mbembe worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments.

Mbembe stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled.

Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Mbembe never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.

Twenty years later, Mbembe was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mbembe and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Mbembe, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.

Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mbembe couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. Mbembe summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder.

The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Mbembe's legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.

Probably wasn't the same elephant.

Senility

2007-01-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

My folks called me Saturday to say that they accidentally sold our house.

I know, Iknow. It doesn't seem possible. But it is. Trust me. It seems as though a couple that is related to some of our friends of the family are moving into town to be closer to them. Very sweet. But somewhere along the way my do-gooder, two-shoe mother thought that our house seems just perfect for what they are looking for. Her and my father showed this couple out house and of course, they love it and ask for a price right then and there. Here is where my parents took a nose-dive into the area that I like to call, "WTF were you thinking??!!" It's not always a bad area to be in and sometimes it turns out that being there was a good thing. However, this area is always a gamble and when you are dealing with money...lots of money...this is not a friendly location. My mom looked at my dad for support, found no eye contact, and blurted out a number. Couple accepted. My folks are nauseous. They called me to fill me in but I basically went ballistic and had to call them back on Sunday when I calmed down. (Hush. I apologized.) This phone call is where they tell me that they made an offer on some land farther out in the country than where my house sits. Whew! Crisis averted. But you know...I couldn't help but be a little bit pissy that they had the audacity to say that our house wasn't good enough. Who the hell are they? Well no sooner had that thought had time to resonate in my mind before a phone call last night sent it all back into the WTF area. Turns out the offer they made on the other property wasn't accepted and they wanted our house anyway and still want it, can they have it? So now my folks are 1 hyperventilation away from being put into a home for those that can't handle their nerves. Who has to calm them down? Me. So it looks like whether we're ready or not, the new family home will be built within the year.

Lord have mercy.

on the campaign trail again

2007-01-23T11:59:00.000-08:00

Planning Ahead

2007-01-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

This year, I have it all figured out. Valentine's Day is already booked up for me and JB. Now I can sit back and enjoy the holiday for once! Last year's 80's Prom was totally bitchin'. It was, by far, the best Valentine's Day ever for me and many others. This year will hopefully be able to compete since it should be drama and stress-free. (As much as an over-hyped, over-merchandised, over-pressured holiday can be I suppose.)
After the hearts and roses comes Father Time and the passing of another year for me. But as far as I am concerned, JB can plan my birthday. I'm still basking in the glory of having a full night of romance booked one month early!

And That's How I (try to) Roll,

Jamber

Not MY Idol

2007-01-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

I do not like American Idol. The judges are sick, mean individuals. Not only are the contestants embarassed at the audition, but some are even laughed out again by huge audiences as their worst moments are relived through the magic of editing. That is twisted.

When will the nation figure out that it is NOT entertainment to watch 3 has-beens make fun of people's voices, appearances, and even lives while they desperate try for a chance to live out a Hollywood dream?

STELLL-AAAA!!!!

2007-01-17T06:48:00.000-08:00

Well it is official. The new addition that was brought to 412, not through stork mind you, but through the art of 'dumping', is fitting in nicely. In fact, the dog and cat situation is just peachy. Of course, every time I hear anyone call the cat by her name, I immediately think of Marlon Brando's liquor soaked scene of ill-repute. But then again, we can't always be reminded of ringing bells and wonderful lives when we hear a pet's name.

Meathead

2007-01-16T13:30:00.000-08:00

Well, it's NOT TrimSpa, baby, but I am seeing results. After coming back from my month-long leave of absence, I have been hitting the gym pretty hard. Between this past week and the sporadic work outs that I managed to fit in before the holidays, things are starting to happen. Nothing drastic, just a few subtlies that I am probably the only one aware of. I am finally beginning to understand that crazy cliche' that exercise will make you look and feel healthier. Hell, it might even be true. As long as I can fit into a bikini in the next couple of months, I'm happy. And to think, I am doing it the healthy way and not the D.J. Tanner crash diet way that ended up with her getting a gentle scolding from both Stephanie as well as Danny Tanner about the proper ways to lose weight. Wow. Life lessons can be rough, can't they Donna Jo? Jamber will always appreciate the importance of the shows within the ever-changing TGIF lineup of her youth.

Good Season to Become a Fan

2007-01-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

I am back in Jax, still smiling over the huge Gator victory over Ohio State. JB and I watched the game at our hotel bar in Mexico over tequila shots and Modelo lights. Utterly amazing. I don't know what was more exciting to watch- Chris Leak's flawless performance, or the look on JB's face as he realized Ohio State didn't have a chance to catch Florida. Both were priceless.

I feel like a bit of a cheat though since this has been the first season that I have cheered for UF and it happens to also be the first time in 10 years that they are National Champions. But hey, luck is a huge part of my life and who am I to tempt it? I have been surrounded by the orange and blue since August and have been proud to say that I work for the University of Florida since that same time so hopefully I can skip the judgments of sore losers! I am really excited for my Gator friends who have been true fans since I have moved down the the state. This season is for them.

Go Gators.

-Jamber

Exhausted...and still going

2007-01-04T06:43:00.000-08:00

In the past months, I have spent less than 3 days at a time back in Jacksonville. I drove down from Illinois last Tuesday and left for the Keys last Thursday. I got back from the Keys Tuesday night and am leaving for Mexico Saturday morning. I am tired and cranky. Isn't it sad that I look forward to starting the semester to get a little structure? I know. I thought so too. But its true. I can't wait to get a little bit of order in my life!

And now, I dance.

That's how I roll,

Jamber

To my Gator Friends

2006-12-25T10:02:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Time of Year

2006-12-20T07:52:00.000-08:00

Isn't this the truth?!

2006-12-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Eggnog Conspiracies

2006-12-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

I love food. I really do. I love to make it and I love to eat it. Therefore, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all time. But sadly, Thanksgiving has come and gone. Now it is time for Christmas food.

Christmas food is almost as good as Thankgiving food, plus there are gifts. I love to gorge myself into a food coma, awake with pangs of guilt, and then cover those pangs with white chocolate and eat them.

My family loves food too. I can barely wait for the heavenly, bottomless dishes that will be served at my aunt's house for Christmas Eve only to be followed by the medley of flavors during my home's Open House on Christmas day. Sometimes the freeloaders who stop by for board games will bring a little plate of happy. When this occurs, they are welcomed with open-arms.
Otherwise, they are simply my competition for CatchPhrase and at the food tables.

But alas, every year there is a Christmas food-like tradition that continues to elude me. The tradition is simply called 'Eggnog'. This God-awful, baby spit up colored, half-liquid half-food, smooth and chunky, spicy yet sweet concoction tricks me every time. Each year I tell myself, "Jamber, this is the year that you will develop your tolerance for Eggnog". And each year, I am shamed by my weak gag reflex to this stomach-cringing potion.

The milkshake advertising worlds of Jack In The Box, Steak-in-Shake, McDonalds and other fast food giants continue to use their stealthy image marketing to swindle me into trying Eggnog in frozen form. While food network gurus insist on drinking it straight with friends and family members at perfectly planned and portioned dinner parties. Sometimes they even go so far as to try and induce my participation through the promise of a cheap buzz. But at what cost? Am I so low that I would put eggs and alcohol together with the warmth of the holiday season in order to sugarcoat my love for fermentation? I think not my dear friends.

For the Christmas Birthday Boy's Sake! Eggnog was originally the combination of MILK, EGGS, and WINE!! Could there be a more disgusting mismatch of flavors than that?! Apparently so because the now common recipe for Eggnog is MILK, EGGS, and RUM!! George Washington had to add not only rum to his milk and eggs, but also sherry and and rye whiskey. Why not just omit the eggs and milk, G.? I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN GO ON!! If someone like me, a food fanatic, cannot appreciate anything that remotely resembles this drink, then there must not be any reason to continue to revel it as the holiday social brew for everyone to enjoy. We do not enjoy it.

So this holiday season, keep it under wraps Eggnog-lovers. I refuse to be duped again by you and your clever marketing armies this Christmas time.

World AIDS Day

2006-12-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

Some facts to ponder...

Currently ranked fourth behind heart disease, stroke, and respiratory infections, AIDS is set to become No. 3, say researchers in a new report in the Public Library of Science’s Medicine journal. It accounts for about 2.8 million deaths every year, but could near 120 million by 2030.
Fewer than half of South Africa's 15-year-olds will live to see their 60th birthday because of HIV/AIDS, according to a new report.
The South African Government has recently given power over the country's AIDS epidemic to Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ncguka and taken it away from Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang who has been claiming garlic, lemons, and the African potato are the most effective remedies and has been denouncing the use of any antiretroviral medicines.
In China, after years and years of ignoring the rise of AIDS cases, the Health Ministry reported days ago that over the first 10 months of this year the number of reported HIV and AIDS cases rose nearly 30 percent, to 183,733, from 144,089 at the end of last year. However, health experts say actual cases are likely to be four to five times the reported figure.
Two months before the end of 2006, China’s reported number of HIV/AIDS cases already is nearly 30 percent higher than for all of last year, with intravenous drug use as the biggest source of infection, the Health Ministry said Wednesday.
According to the United Nations, HIV infection is rising in every region of the world and most worryingly in countries like Uganda and Thailand, which had been heralded as success stories in the fight against AIDS.
Some 4.3 million people across the globe became infected with HIV this year, with a heavy concentration among young people, bringing the total number to an estimated 39.5 million.

Social Activism

2006-11-14T11:54:00.000-08:00

I can't stand it anymore. I am currently organizing a fundraiser for Darfur. You better be there. I'm not kidding.

Stay tuned for more information.

-Jamber

Lagging

2006-10-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

I see that it has been quite a while since my last post. My avid readers must be very dissappointed. I must apologize to all 3 of you. A lot has been going on! School has become quite tough this semester with Biostatistics wasting a huge chunk of my brain cells. Biological Foundations of Public Health sounds interesting, but is not. It is an online course taught by a complete and utter lunatic who is obsessed with genomics. The class that is keeping me sane is Essentials of Public Health but even this course is getting a bit out of hand. We have to turn in 30 pages of written work for our midterm. Not to mention I have another exam due the same day. This all falls on the beginning of next week which is normally still FL/GA recovery time. This year will mark the first World's Largest Cocktail Party that I will have to forsake since I have moved down here. Damn higher education.
JB and I just got back into town on Monday night from a great weekend in the mountains of North Carolina. The leaves were beautiful and the landlords crazy. But that will have to wait for the next blog since my boss has just entered the building and now I must look busy. Too busy to talk or even listen. Nose to the grindstone, hammering away at research. Whew! He bought that and walked past my office.....for now.....
That is known as foreshadowing. And if you think my boss isn't scary enough for foreshadowing, you haven't met him. That reminds me that I need to watch some scary Halloween movies. I love this holiday and I am basically going to have to miss it. Double dang.

Now I must leave you with some profound words that I heard this past weekend....
"On the freeway of love, there is no reverse."

And that's how I roll. Peace.

Freaky Friday

2006-09-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

Wish I was still a Flintstone kid

2006-09-27T07:00:00.001-07:00

I have a job.
I am in grad school.
I have a boyfriend.
I have 2 roommates.
I have a dog.

I have no life.

Between work and school, my days and most nights are completely booked. And my weekends have been relegated to weddings and engagement parties. So the question remains. Who am I anymore? I think I used to be a lot of fun. I was quick to hang out, always ready for adventure, spontaneous and reckless. Now? I'll have to check my schedule.
Two weekends ago JB went to IL with me to meet my parents. Oddly enough, things could not have gone better. We went to a Cards game in the new stadium with my family, spend the next day in my 'downtown' shops, and had a family dinner that night with my Grandma, cousins, aunt, etc. while JB cheered on his beloved Gators. The next day we all went to a historic fair before hitting the road. Perfect.
This past weekend I flew back to IL for my college best friend's wedding. Not perfect. Things were awkward and my college girlfriends and I caught sideways glances from her highschool bridemaids all night. No one danced, no one hung out with us, we got drunk. I was glad to come home.
This week, I am trying to catch up on homework and jobwork. This weekend will be my first weekend in Jax in about a month. I am truly looking forward to it! I am praying that after this weekend, I will begin to resemble myself a little bit.

Just a little. That's all I'm asking!

2006-09-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

kiss kiss bang bang

I constantly check my phone because I swear I can hear it vibrate!

2006-09-07T06:04:00.000-07:00

Work, Class, Work, Class....and so begins my semester. Research is going well at work. I finally have the hang of what we are all about which is probably a relief to my boss and co-workers. *My officemate is crunching her damn cereal again and if she gets Goldfish crackers after her Cheerios again like the last 2 days, I'm going to snap* So work is going really well and the people are a lot of fun. I've been in the office the past week so I'm getting a little antsy but it's not terrible. *I swear to all that is holy, if she doesn't start shutting her mouth when she chews, I'm going to shut it for her. Permanently* Classes are going to be challenging but I am optimistic. My online course instructer is certifiably crazy. Honestly. Her last name is Battie. But I have promised myself to push onward and upward and in less than 2 years, that MPH degree will be mine. Mine dammit! Okay, deep breath. Whew.....and in-2-3 and out-2-3. There. Much better. I'm so glad that I do not feel stressed out in the slightest bit right now. Cause if I did, Whoa Nelly! would I be a mess! *Do it. I dare you. Shake up those Cheerios to get the perfect random grouping to put into your mouth. It's not like I can hear it or anything* This weekend I will have the house to myself so I can go crazy. I plan to clean the house, do some gardening, and get a headstart on my homework. I'm nuts I tell you! Completely dangerous. Be careful when I'm around. Now look, I understand that this blog hasn't been the best. But my mind can only do so much against the incessant *crunch* *crunch* *crunch* of teeth slapping against the outer shell of dry cereal. So BACK OFF!!

Sorry bout that. I'll talk to you more later, okay? I really do need to get some work done today. If I don't end this now, we both know I'll be at this all day and we can't have that, can we. I mean, Momma has to get paid kids. So just hold out until next time and I promise to rock your world with my wit. Sound good? Okay thanks. -Jamber

P.S. Take that George Ryan, you pathetic turd.

GatorNation

2006-08-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

So busy!! Ahhhhh!

I got the job and I've been here a week now. Although the office staff has had a complete turnover since I've been there, I'm still really excited. And even though the lady who hired me was fired my first day, I refuse to be discouraged. Sure, it will be hard to continue to smile if another person quits or leaves to go over to Mayo, but until then, I will remain in high spirits.
I will be in the office part of the time and doing field research at Sandalwood High School part of the time. This week we started recruiting the students for the study and I must say, high school seniors bow to my powers of persuasion. I would love to not have to be at the school at 7am, therefore forcing me to be up at 5:30 but I am done at around 1:00pm and still get paid for a full 8 hours so that helps me drag my comotose body out of bed. Can't beat that really. Especially now that classes are starting again.
I am officially working for the University of Florida and am getting my GatorNation link as we speak. I feel like I'm selling out my undergrad school but due to distance, I can't really represent them right now anyway. And UF is offering some amazing opportunities. If my MPH works out well, I'll probably end up there anyway for a doctorate. So hopefully I am not a complete sellout. Hopefully.

At least now I can finally pick a SEC team to cheer for.

The one that pays me.

Classes begin Monday. We'll see how working full-time and being in school full-time is going to work out. Cross your fingers.

Interview Orgy

2006-08-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

I had an interview yesterday with a research institute affiliated with a Florida University other than the school I attend. Pretty great fellowship opportunity where I will be assisting in actual research in promoting healthy lifestyles of young adults and teens by eliminating their high-risk behaviors. I would be able to apply all of the health education theories that I have learned and actually meet the researchers who invented them. Also, they present their findings at national conferences where, because of my communication background, I would be able to go and present. Amazing. They are really flexible with hours because of school too. Damn. I really, really want this job. I was interviewed by 4 people at the same time. Started out kind of nervously but ended with all of them telling me how much they want me to join their team. I am waiting for the doctor in charge of research to give the go-ahead. He's in charge of personel and unfortunately, he wasn't one of the 4 that I won over. But they are giving me their vote and hopefully he will take that into consideration. If not, I know where his office is and will stalk him until he gives me a job or has a restraining order put out on me.

Seriously, I want this job.

Polyester Bacon

2006-08-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

Definition of irony.

Bummed

2006-08-09T15:19:00.000-07:00

I'm a little blaise today. No reason. Just sorta feeling a little blue. Maybe it's because of the escalating violence in the middle east. Or maybe it's because we still haven't helped in Khartoum after it has been a year since we admitted there was a genocide going on. Or maybe it is something closer to home like the fact that Samuel L. Jackson is in a movie titled "Snakes on Planes". Or maybe it is even closer to that and springs from the fact that I am shamelessly pale and live less than 4 blocks from a beach. Whatever it is, I'm down in the dumps. I hope a hard yoga workout later will do the trick to lift my spirits.

Work Week Grindage

2006-08-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, the title is a nod to Pauly Shore. Yes, I love the Weasel and I don't care what anyone else says. So there. And now for a breakdown....of my weekend. It all started last Wednesday when JB and I left for Gainesville for a long weekend of weddings, canoeing, meeting the parents, and birthday parties. He was the best man in his college roommate's wedding so I was able to crash everything from the rehearsal, to the groom-to-be's air mattress, to the rehearsal dinner, to the wedding, to the reception. I was there for all of it. Which actually turned out to be a lot of fun and free of awkwardness. Very nice families. The wedding was small but beautiful and took place in the bride's backyard. The itiniary looked like this: outrageously good rehearsal dinner that found me in a food coma, canoeing on the Sante Fe River (well, I sat and JB and Garrett did the paddling), JB's parents being good sports about having to eat dinner at Sonny's with a vegetarian, wedding, reception, wine and Baraka, floating down the Ichetucknee River, Trombone Charlie's jazz club, Ty's birthday party, and a picnic in the park. Ahh... It was a wonderful weekend and I am a little bummed to be back in Jax and back to the grind. Classes don't start for another 2 weeks and I am ready for a job. Looks like I'm hitting the resume trail this week. I guess wish me luck!

Mmmmm....Salsa

2006-07-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

So the Big Lebowski party ended tragically. My last memory involves my face in the toilet, 6 people in the bathroom observing my stomach splatter-painting the back of the porcelain, and Erin's husband Tony patting/hitting my head. My official last thought was "Mmmm....salsa."

White Russians

2006-07-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight Emily's friend from work is throwing a party. But not just any party. A Big Lebowski themed party. It should be spectacular. And even though I'll only know about 6 people there when I actually arrive, I imagine our wondrous matching bowling attire will tell the other guests that we are forces to be reckoned with. Watch out Dude, these 3 ladies are out for blood...and white russians of course.

*Drunken pictures to follow.

2006-07-24T12:12:00.001-07:00

spider

2006-07-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

jgarcia

tea-d off

2006-07-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

Last week during a postponement of the quiz that I am now procrastinating on finishing for tonight's class, I was at World Market. Big mistake. But of all the unnecessary purchases made that day, one has proven to be a great buy. I managed to snag some Jerry Garcia tea. What's that? The long deceased frontman of the wondrous band The Grateful Dead is marketing tea? Well, not quite. The tea is like an In Honor sort of thing and each kind of tea features a piece of his orginal artwork on the front of the container and a little quip about him. Proceeds from the tea also go to an organization that provides an artistic outlet for homeless children that J. Garcia contributed to. But besides all of that? It is mighty fine stuff. I have cherry vanilla and it takes so yummy that I'm on my fourth cup right now. Go buy some.

Now, a weekend update...

Friday night was dinner with JB and Randi followed by drinks from my favorite bartender, Craig. Then JB, Randi, and I hit up the 8 til Late for some wine and champagne to be drank during a late screening of Anchorman in which your's truly was the only one awake. I ended up polishing up everyone else's glasses and then we all hit the hay. Saturday found JB and I catching a late breakfast and heading to St. Augustine. We bar-hopped and found a great wine store that is operated by our new best friend, Hank Williams. After buying a bottle of his blush and promising to come back in, we began to hit up any and every bar that was recommended before landing at Harry's for dinner. The day was going so smoothly that I should have known something was about to go horribly, horribly wrong. While I went to take a sip of my whiskey, JB took the glass out of my hand and said something about a bug being in my drink. After a closer look, he discovered it was no ordinary bug. It was a dead spider. But not just a dead spider. A spider with a little bundle of eggs. How nasty is that? But it gets worse. There were actually TWO bundles of teeny baby spiders. So my drink contained thousands of spiders. So glad I had already drank some of it. Don't judge me! The spider were way under ice cubes. It wasn't like I could see them floating on top. I mean, come on, how often do YOU check your glass for spiders and eggs? Thought so. But even after that, we managed to have a great night. Couldn't find a place to spend the night though. We literally went to 20 hotels. At one point, out of sheer desperation, we grabbed an amazingly spotless mattress that one hotel was throwing away and threw it in the back of his truck to sleep on the beach but alas, could not find any beach access. We finally found a fleabag hotel at around 3am. Sunday we bummed around St. Augie and went swimming before watching the storm come in. Once we got back to Jax Beach, we were told that we were all going to watch Superman on the IMAX in, you guessed it, St. Augustine. Randi, JB, and I had a great time though. And here I am on Monday, reliving the weekend and not doing anything remotely productive. Hope my quiz is done before class. Better make some more tea. Extra sugar.

GET IN MY BELLY!!!

2006-07-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

This post sums up my infatuation with food nicely. It has no reasoning behind it other than as a strange homage to a new-found recipe. So the other night JB brought over some Redfish that he'd caught the weekend before and some field peas from his grandma. We decided to bake the fish in a crust made from macadamia nuts and cashews. First we smashed the nuts in a big ziplock bag (well, a couple of bags since we broke through the first one). Then we added fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and a little bit of seasoning salt. Then we took the fillets and dipped them in a mixture of half-and-half and egg. After shaking off the excess liquid, we dropped the fillets in the bag of nuts and coated it as well as we could before lying them in a greased baking dish. After the fillets were all coated, we took the remains of the bag and pressed them down on top of the fish. We baked them at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. We then checked on them and ended up giving them more time to get them as white and flakey as we like them. In the meantime we boiled the peas. We also made a blue cheese salad consisting of chopped onion, tomatoes, and avocadoes with capers, blue cheese crumbles, and a balsamic vinegarette dressing. By the time we had everything on the table, we were feeling pretty good about our kitchen skills. But then we tried it all. I'm not much on bragging, but Damn Jamber! That food was delicious!! Seriously, it was so good that we were still talking about it last night and I am still thinking about it today! If only there were left overs...

Hmmm....I guess really all this blog says is that I am a fatass at heart. I love to eat. And that, my friends, is why I give so much credit to anorexic people. They have more will power than I shall ever have! Hats off to the Nicole Ritchie's of the world for I am more of a Rachel Ray and very happy to be so!

Rattle, Rattle, Thunder-Clattle...

2006-07-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

Well, it's happened again. My car is getting towed as we speak to another auto shop. If I had money to buy a new one, I would be lighting that sucker aflame. However, I have just enough to pay for whatever is ailing her now. Whether it is (hopefully) battery related or is, in fact, the alternator or starter, we'll find out soon and hence, grab ankles yet again. I would much rather have spent the two grand thrown at that pile in the past month on booze and weekend trips. But alas, at least I'm not back at AAMCO.

Beachside Tire and Auto Service, have mercy.

2006-07-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

wedding

2006-07-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

Wedding

Unnecessary Update

2006-07-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

I need to be on top of my blogging game a little bit more. This is getting pathetic. Last weekend was JB and my trip to High Springs/Gainesville/Alachua/Cedar Key. It was go, go , go the entire weekend but I think I did pretty good. Friday night we rolled into town to stay at his best friend Rudy's house. That night was a 25th bowling birthday party for his friend Jim. Parents and many friends were there. But I bowled a strike with that crowd. A few drinks in Gainesville followed. Saturday we left with Rudy for his house in Cedar Key. We met up with their friend Jason for a boating expedition that ended with a sunset and Otis Redding. Can't beat that. Sunday found JB and Rudy showing me Genni Springs. Absolutely gorgeous. We played some volleyball with some of their old high school pals and then said our goodbyes. JB and I went over to the hospital to see/meet his dad. I think it went pretty good. Last week I worked on my last paper for Theory of Health Education, my online class. Thursday night JB and I went to a cooking class in Ponte Vedra. Sooo much fun! And sooo delicious! Even met Sam, the publisher for FolioWeekly. Good times. Friday found me heading back to Illinois for the hundreth time this summer. My old friend BJ got married and I couldn't risk missing out on the high school reunion such an event would bring. Good call Jamber. It was a riot. The only thing I didn't like is that he married a girl named Amber so the ceremony and programs really freaked me out. However, in true Blaine style, the end of the wedding had me trying to keep from wetting my pants. The ceremony was all prim and proper with Tyler Walls singing great country songs during the lighitng of the candles and such but at the end, oh the sweet end. While BJ and Amber walked down the aisle to form the recieving line, they played "Nothing's Gonna Stop us Now" from the hit 80's movie Mannequin. I half expected to see a younger version of Kim Cattrall in some Vogue-esque hat skipping down the aisle after them to jump onto the back of Andrew McCarthy's motorcycle. But instead I had to settle for a great reception with old friend. My girlfriend Monica is preggers with her fourth. Did you catch that? FOURTH!! And is already talking about her fifth. At least she is breeding good looking kids. Now that I am back I'm realizing that I don't have any major travel plans for a while. I get to hang out with friends for the next few weekends! Sounds fun. Today I think I'll take my reading for tonight's class out to the beach. I live 4 blocks from the beach and I have the most pititful tan. It's sad really.

My Fourth

2006-07-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

This weekend was quite a bit of crazy mixed with a pinch of hazy. My plane landed in Jax from Vegas on Sunday night and I proceeded to get changed and head over to the Lemon Bar with Em, Randi, Garrett, and Justin. Once we got there, in an attempt to catch me up, Justin and I start taking shots. I then run into Will's UofT crew. I hadn't seen some of these guys for almost a year and forgot how handsy they can be so I was immeadiately trying to dodge groping and the lifting up of my dress. Gotta love those pervs. Couldn't stay over there long though, hadn't seen Mike, Craig, and the rest of that crew. Started drinking more whiskey and shots with them and soon the car is headed to the Ritz to meet Em's cousin Charlie and his Georgia Southern boys. Talk about nuts. Within 5 minutes of seeing Charlie, Karen, him, and I are limbo-ing with a pool stick while inviting strangers to partake. Bouncer shut that down real fast. By now the shots are kicking in and so are the 7 that Justin took prior to coming out. We realize that we need to head out and retire at my place. The next day I awoke to about 6 strange men all passed out in my living room. Charlie's crew was crashing and inviting more over by the second. Soon my house was full of beer, boys, and random dogs. Ah...life at the beach. Justin and I hit up the beach with his housemates and some lovely ladies and do a few laps in the 'wading pool' at their house. Showers were a must after all of this. Came back to Justin's house refreshed and ready to tackle the night...or so I thought. The dance party was in full swing and managed to continue in a strong way at the Atlantic. There was dirty dancing going on everywhere. Not a soul whose hips were not grinding up on someone else. Very hot. But somehow in the mix of it all, I had begun to sober up and could see how the evening was going to go South really fast. I grabbed Justin, called Randi for a ride, and hit up the T-Bell line. When I got home and was about to go to bed, there was a knocking at my back door and some random guys come through my bedroom carrying Natty Light. They salute me and walk right on into my living room where commotion was beginning. I just shut my door and peaced out. I still don't know who they were. But alas, the next morning there was minimal breakage and nothing missing so all's fair I suppose. Justin was feeling a little under the weather but managed to plan a great trip to St. Augustine for dinner and fireworks. Amazing. We had a wonderful time. Got back into Jax around 11pm and he went to work yesterday morning. Yuck. Last night I talked him into coming downtown with me to meet Randi and Emily for the end of the Art Walk at London Bridge Pub so we could listen to Conrad Oberg. That kid is so talented it makes me sick with envy. Great night though. Now I have 1 and 1/2 more days before heading to High Springs for the weekend. Very excited to go camping, boating, fishing, and scalloping. This fourth of July was so much fun and is somehow still going. Gotta love the never-ending summer holidays.

P.S. I saw Wayne Newton in Vegas. I know, I know....I thought he was dead too. But he isn't and he puts on one hell of a show. I'm in love with the Newt.

How I feel at the moment...

2006-06-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Ever been completely screwed and realize that there is nothing you can do about it? Thanks AAMCO. I can't wait to write you out another check for $423 on top of the $1,100 that I gave you less than a week ago to fix the same damn thing. Thanks for your stellar workmanship.

Pricks.

Good Run of Bad Luck

2006-06-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Last week my roommate asked me to go to baseball game with her firm. There was free kegs so obviously, I went. Turns out this girl from her office that she was so excited for me to meet is this psychopathic ex-girlfriend of my ex-boyfriend who used to bitch me out for dating him first or something equally as crazy. Needless to say, things got awkward. So then the next day I flew home for a weekend in Illinois for my sister's graduation party. Actually went really well- kegs, margarita machine, karaoke...whole nine. My dad and I busted out some Seger. Memories. Anyway, I am supposed to leave STL yesterday at 5:30, switch planes in ATL, and make it into JAX by 10pm. However, due to weather, my plane was delayed and so Delta put me on an American flight for 7:30 that would put me in JAX at 11pm. Okay, good enough. After a randomly assigned airport screening of my person and personal belongings, I ventured down to my gate. BUT THEN......the 7:30 flight became 8:30 and when our plane got in at 8:00, there was no flight attendant so we literally waited another 2 hours, with our plane in sight mind you, to wait for this broad to get off of another plane and high-tail it down to us. We left STL at 10:30 and got into JAX at 1:30am. I got to my car at 2:30am. On the way home...in the rain....my car broke down after the $1,100 repair job less than 4 days prior and I was forced to drive home going no more than 20mph. I made it in my door at 3:30am. I was supposed to have my car at the body shop at 8am but since it is broken (again) I had to nix that idea and take it back to the now very shady mechanic of AAMCO. I also had to turn in a take-home midterm tonight for class which I completed in the airport last night/this morning. I could seriously snap at any moment. It's times like these a girl could really go for some flowers....so thanks JB!

Soccer Moms

2006-06-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

Why yes, it has been a while since my last post (in case anyone has been keeping track). I've been busy but am still jobless. Classes are going well except that I found out the director of my program resigned on Monday and she is also the professor of my online course. This could be major. But aside from that, let's see....my roommate rearended my car last week while it was politely parked in the driveway. The hit caused my car to roll, though in park, about 10 ft and through a friend's fooseball table, 2 bikes, a table, and my laundry room door. It was quite the site. So Monday I'm supposed to take it in to get the body work repaired but yesterday she started acting really strange. I took her in today to get the transmission worked on. That's gonna cost me my first born child I think. But on the upside, Gary the mechanic called his buddy Adam over at Enterprise (who is gorgeous) and now I'm sporting a minivan. Then Monday I guess I'll take my car in to have the door repaired. Shite. This car is totally not worth all of this trouble. Maybe I'll make an offer on the minivan.
I'm going to Illinois this weekend for my sister's graduation party. Should be interesting since my parents got her kegs and a margarita machine. Yikes. Sunday will be tough. At least I'll have the trusty van to come home too. Well, I better go. I have to drop little Timmy off at his piano lesson.
And that's how I roll,
Jamber

Red, red Wine

2006-06-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

My weekends are becoming something of a regular brouhaha.* Not that I am complaining. I am just becoming less and less productive during the week because of it. I am constantly waiting for the magical TGIF sounds of my neighbors. Since most of my friends now live within a 6 block radius of me, I have yet to be lacking in the things to do and people to see department. Yesterday after work, my roommate and I lounged around at my buddies' pool, went on a double date, and helped support a friend with his new bartending gig. Because one of the guys is obsessed with getting me to enjoy red wine, I had a couple of glasses. And so, I didn't get home until this morning. And today is only Wednesday. However, in an attempt to curb this feeling of a lack of accomplishment, I have made a list of things that I am going to get done today. Well, a list that I will attempt to do before I go out downtown for the Art Walk anyway. Sheesh. I have to keep some things to do for tomorrow while I'm waiting for everyone to get off of work!

That does it. I need to start looking for a new job. And a new set of straight-edge friends.

But not until after this weekend.

*meaning an overexcited and noisy response, a commotion, hubbub or uproar*

Cruisers

2006-05-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

This past weekend can only be summed up with the word 'insane'. It was so great and completely crazy that I don't even know where to start. I just don't have enough patience to write it all down so I'll give highlights: tiki bars, pools, dance parties, reggae music at the Conch House, the Ritz, furious make-outs in my front yard, Jack Daniels in mason jars, a drunken trip to Cruisers and a sucker incident that left me on the D.L., and Mike's $75 cab ride from St. Augustine to Jax Bch. Whew.

Maybe the Tootsie Pop to the head by Quincy at Cruisers (mixed with lots and lots of liquor) sent me into quite a state of confusion during my detox yesterday. Because last night I had a dream that I was in N.Y. and ran into Tom Cruise and we were chit-chatting because I wanted to see how crazy he really is. In my dream, he was nutzo. And he kept picking up the stray cat and petting it and saying things like, "It's just so sad that when things don't act or look a certain way to people, they just get thrown away." And I was trying not to laugh and kept asking him stupid questions about the baby but he just wanted to talk about the damn cat. In conclusion, Tom is gay.

Why I'm Better Than You

2006-05-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

This will be in my backyard as of Friday afternoon. Be nice to me and you might find yourself invited over for a cocktail or two.