What's the matter here?

Before I get into the post for the day, I have a game for all of you who (wonderfully) read this blog. I have decided to begin each post with a fitting song title or lines from a song. You have to figure out who it is and/or what song it's from. I've done it for a lot of my posts, now I'm just going to do it for all of them since when I start writing something, I start singing a song that goes with the theme of the post. I thought it would be nice to share my craziness.

Now, onto my soapbox...

What the hell is wrong with people? Seriously, where in life do people go from sweet, innocent kids to horrible assholes? I'm not saying everyone is an asshole, but there are a lot of them out there and they know who they are.

My good friend Lynne had some terrible luck over the Memorial Day weekend. She, her husband, and daughter were in Tennessee visiting her dad and some friends. She got a call from her neighbor informing her that their cars had been vandalized Saturday night at around 9:30 or so. WTF? Since they were hours away and there wasn't much they could do, they stayed for the remainder of their trip, arriving home Sunday night. This is what they came home to:





Can you believe that crap? Seriously, what is wrong with people?

I'm not going to go into the entire story. But I saw Lynne last night and they may have caught the MIDDLE SCHOOL kids that have done this. Yes, I said middle school. I'm sorry, but when I was 10, 11, 12 I wasn't allowed out once it was dark without a parent. I don't care if that's ridiculous, but kids that young shouldn't be allowed out at 9:30 at night (obviously). And where are these kids' parents? I know this is just paint and no one was hurt, but it's an intense sense of violation when something you have is either damaged or taken from you, regardless of if it was a random act (this was) or not. That's how I felt when my identity was stolen. You just feel like nothing is yours and there are people lurking everywhere waiting to pounce. I still feel emotional about it and it's been almost 3 years. I can't even talk about it without starting to tremble and wanting to vomit. It's a crappy way to live.

So, where does this leave us? As a parent, it is all the more reason to be involved and engaged with my child. To let him know we love him and care about him. To know where he is at all times. As a person, it is all the more reason to pay attention to what people are doing around you. Know your neighbors and report things that are suspicious. And love the kids in your life. Maybe if these kids had more love and parents that actually gave a crap about what they were doing, this wouldn't have happened.

Onto more happy things: my parents are currently en route to my house! Yay! I have a girls-night planned for tomorrow night. Yay! It's Friday. Yay!

I just always have to end on a happy note.

Speechless

So, I think there is something wrong with me. Besides the obvious, of course. No, the current problem is that I don't really have a lot to say. Some people are surely on their knees thanking God at the moment.

Could it be? Could my talkativeness be subsiding? I have always been a very chatty person. All my report cards in school said that I was a great student, though I never shut up.

I don't know, I feel like I have a lot to say but then I just don't feel like saying it. Is that the height of laziness or what? There are things I try to make a point to remember to tell people but then I just don't.

Like right now, I'm pretty much grasping at the air for something to write about. I have been trying to write this post for like 20 minutes or something. I'm basically just posting this because I haven't posted anything in a few days. Oh well. Maybe I just don't have anything to say right now. My parents are coming for a visit tomorrow, so hopefully something exciting will happen for me to write about. Actually, come to think of it, I'm going out with the girls Saturday night to see Sex in the City. That will certainly spark some conversation.

Until then, enjoy the silence!

Honk if you love three-day weekends...

Three-day weekends rock.

This past Memorial Day weekend was so nice! The only way it would have been better is if a briefcase with $1 million was left on our doorstep. Sadly, this did not happen and I think I just depressed myself. Oh well.

After work on Friday, once we were all home, we headed up to Costco in Frederick. We have been waiting to purchase a flat-screen TV for years. I wasn't working when they first came on the scene. They were just way too expensive and I couldn't see buying one at all. But this year marked John's 10th year with his organization and he received a nice bonus. Because this is a bonus, you're supposed to have fun with it. You know, he earned it. We went to Costco because they have excellent prices and they also extend the manufacturer's warranty for another year. Plus, the membership we have with Costco allows us to earn cash back on our annual purchases. Basically, Costco rocks. But I digress.

The TV is awesome! Seriously, I've never been a big electronics person and even I'm impressed. And Keller loves it! He was pretty mesmerized as he watched Sesame Street for the first time. I have a great photo of it and will post it when I get home tonight.

Saturday we went to breakfast with Mary and Noah, then played at the park for a while. Keller took a 4-hour nap, which was nice for everyone! We then went to the Washingtonian to walk around and enjoy the beautiful weather. Saturday night I went to dinner to say goodbye to my good friend, Stephanie. She is off to Connecticut to become the owner of the Fleet Feet Sports, Hartford store. I am very excited for her, but will miss her terribly. She left yesterday and I miss her already.

Sunday, we went to the park with Mary, Steve, and Noah in the morning. We went to Black Hills park and I think we'll have Keller's birthday party there this year. Anyway, we brought Lola with her (in her Memorial Day collar, of course). Somehow, she became a show pony and at one point, half the kids at the park were crowded around her to see her and pet her. Um, she's a dog. A Black Lab at that. It's not like she just landed from Mars and has green fur and is a sight to see. Don't get me wrong, Lola is pretty darn cute. Maybe it was her collar.

Sunday afternoon, we had friends over for a cookout. That was fun. I love the chaos of having people over. Kids running around, music playing, all of us together. You can't beat it.

Monday, we went to the pool in the morning. We got a pass for the pool in a nearby community because ours community doesn't have a pool. While the water was freezing, it was still nice. And somehow I managed to get sunburn on one of my shoulders (the left one). Guess I missed with the sunblock spray. Monday afternoon, we went over to Allison and Phil's for another cookout. It was great to have all of us together (the Silberman, Gies, and Gill families!). I'm looking forward to this summer.

So, this brings me to the question: why can't we have three-day weekends every week? Really, are we really that productive on Fridays? Or Mondays, for that matter? Especially in the summer. I guess if we always had three-day weekends, we'd then get greedy and want four. Both Friday and Monday off. Then nothing would ever get done and the country would collapse. But I don't think people would really want four days. I think three is the perfect amount. Saturday you usually spend running errands and other things, so it's not like you're really relaxing. Sunday you relax, maybe stay up late, have a few drinks. Then Monday you rest up for the work week. This could definitely work. I say we give it a try. Maybe if everyone calls in sick every Friday, the higher-ups will just have to give us the day off anyway. Let's give it a try this week and see what happens!

You Be the Judge

I will admit it now: when it comes to farting, I am a 12-year old.

It's true. I am about as immature as one can get on this subject. I can toot with the best of them. There, I said it. Everybody toots, you know. It's part of life. Why not have a little fun with it?

Don't get me wrong, there are times when it's pretty gross. I don't mean I'm gross, I'm referring to some male family members who shall remain nameless. You know who you are.

Anyway, I was reading The Washington Post and stumbled across this. If you have ever seen Tim Russert, you know he's a fine, upstanding news commentator, specifically in the political arena. Play this video and tell me if you think Tim let one fly on national television. Play close attention to what he says because right after the maybe-fart, he flubs what he was saying. Because he just farted! You know, if you were on live TV and let one slip out, you'd lose your train of thought too.

Live by the code

I am a closet Beverly Hills, 90210 fan. Actually, I'm not really in the closet because most of my friends and family know. It's my most guilty pleasure.

I don't know what it is about the show that I love so much. When it first came out, I watched religiously. I was the same age as they were on the show. Well, I was the same age as the characters, the actors were all old. I guess because it was about high school and hi jinks, it struck a chord. And then, as the years went on, the story lines got pretty bad. Don't get me wrong, I still watched. But it was more like to see how insane it could get. And once Brenda left, it just wasn't the same. I was one of the few that actually liked Brenda. And I hated Donna Martin. I certainly didn't want to see her graduate. When I was in college, we all got together in someones room to watch every Wednesday night. It was awesome. I still remember when we watched Dylan's wife of all of 2 days get shot by her own father's hit men! Oh, the irony. Those bullets were meant for Dylan.

That was pretty much when I stopped watching. Not because Dylan left the show, I was just over it. If you can believe it. I'd see it every now and then. I think it was on before Party of Five. Yes, I loved that show too. Poor Bailey. Anyway, fast forward 10 years, I discover that 90210 is on SoapNet. This is while I'm pregnant with Keller and on bedrest for 12 weeks. I rediscovered my love for 90210. It was on twice a day and it became the highlight of my day. Before you judge, imagine spending everyday of your life in bed hoping whatever movement you do make doesn't throw you into premature labor and jeopardize the health of you and your baby. You'd take what you could get too. Anyway, they started at the beginning and ran all the way through to the end. It was like being reunited with an old friend. When my parents visited, we'd all sit on the bed together and watch, because there was no way I was missing it (the TV in the bedroom doesn't have TiVo). And, as much as they deny it, they love 90210 too. How can you not?

So, now, three years later, I am happy to say that I'm still a faithful viewer. I can't watch everyday, unfortunately. Stupid life obligations! I TiVo it and watch it when I can. And I know I'm not the only one with the 90210 love because they're making a new one! Oh, it's going to stink, but I'm going to watch. Here's a preview. I think there will be a couple of old cast members popping in here and there, too. I can't wait!

You know you're humming the theme song now.