Lena

Piranha pug! 

(Because this is just too cute not to post)

Red Cup Stupidity

Have you heard what terrible thing Starbucks has done now (besides overcharge for it's coffee that no one will stop buying - myself included)? According to a man who has nothing better to do then create anti-Starbucks campaigns, the bean-processors have taken Christ out of Christmas, and Christmas away from their consumers in the way of a new holiday cup design. What's so offensive about the cup you ask? The new, sleek and simply designed seasonal cup is a plain red cranberry color that sports their green and white logo. Hmm. Offensive? Anti-Christmas? Excuse me, but isn't red, green and white all colors associated with Christmas? Or is that just the Italian flag? I think after this post I will make a video about all the countries Starbuck's is excluding by only supporting a 3 color design on their cups, no? I digress in the name of stupidity examples (hopefully I haven't given anyone any bad ideas) but come on!

The idiot video maker raising the ruckus believes that excluding the words Merry Christmas from the cup is Starbuck's way of being anti-Christian, and anti-Christmas. Ironically though, Starbuck's most well-known, best selling seasonal blend of coffee is called, CHRISTMAS blend. Dude, find a new hobby and fight for a real cause, like wounded veterans and the poor after care they receive once they've returned home. The fact is, your "movement" isn't even an effort to boycott Starbucks, but rather aggravate the help by "tricking" them into saying Merry Christmas by telling them that's your name (which they then write on the cup you've ordered). I'm pretty sure they'd write any name you give them on your cup provided you pay for it.  And speaking of names, I've purposely left out the video-maker's name and information in efforts to not regale him to any higher standard of internet fame then what he has already obtained. 

The fact is Christmas, the holidays, the non-holidays - whatever you observe or don't, is and always will be, what you make of them and what you carry in your heart. Christmas and God are not found in a design of a cup and if you think they are, I feel sorry for you. Christmas and (any) religion or religious based holiday are not a floor plan confined to a church, a particular saying, or even a seasonal greeting. Long story short, believe in what you believe in, celebrate it, and enjoy your coffee in whatever damn cup it comes in.

PS) In doing minimal internet research, I don't see where Starbuck's ever printed "Merry Christmas" on their cups, versus having seasonal wishes and snowmen galore adorn the beverage holders. 

Best Friends

Friendship is giving up your veggie burger because it's the last one, knowing that I don't like black bean burgers (the alternative lunch option). YAY! I feel loved.

Colors

It's been unseasonably warm this week and I've taken full advantage of it. Here are two of my favorite Fall pics (so far). 

20 Questions

Ok, so it's more like 50 questions. Don't judge me. 

1. What color is your toothbrush? 
White and purple. Or purple and white depending on how you look at it.

2. Name one person who made you smile today? 
Eric 

3. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? 
Driving

4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? 
Pretending to work.

5. What is your favorite candy bar? 
York Peppermint Patty (ok, so it's not technically a BAR!)

6. Have you ever been to a strip club? 
Yes.

7. What is the last thing you said aloud? 
Why aren't you on Sametime?

8. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? 
Actually, it's Wedding Cake flavored Gelato.

9. What was the last thing you had to drink? 
Coffee! 

10. Do you like your wallet? 
Yes, but I like it better when it's full.

11. What was the last thing you ate? 
Yogurt.

12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? 
Only if jewelry counts.

13. The last sporting event you watched? 
NIU Huskies game. Ok, like five minutes of it.

14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? 
Butter, butter and more butter.

15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to? 
Eric (strikes again)

16. Ever go camping? 
Yes. Finally.

17. Do you take vitamins daily? 
Yes. When I remember.

18. Do you go to church every Sunday? 
No.

19. Do you have a tan? 
Slightly.

20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? 
Ohhh...that's tough. Can I have Chinese food on my pizza so I never have to choose?

21. Do you drink your soda with a straw? 
Only if it's a fountain drink.

22. What did your last text message say? 
"New Big Bang tonight!"

23. What are you doing tomorrow? 
Working. And starting the weekend.

24. Look to your left, what do you see? 
Pictures of me and a baby.

25. What color is your watch? 
Ain't got one. Well, I do have one, I just don't wear it. It's silver, ok?

26. What do you think of when you hear Australia? 
G'day mate!

27. What is your birthstone? 
Ruby.

28. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? 
Drive through.

29. What is your favorite number? 
7

30. Who's the last person you talked to on the phone? 
Eric (Again? Really?)

31. Any plans today? 
Up in the air, but first I must complete the work day. 

32. How many states have you lived in? 
2

33. Biggest annoyance right now? 
Germs.

34. Last song listened to? 
"Another Day" (from the soundtrack to Rent)

35. Can you say the alphabet backwards? 
Not without engaging way more brain power than I want to in order to do so.

36. Do you have a maid service clean your house? 
Me, myself and I.

37. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? 
I have lots of favorites, but I don't wear them often. Black and white converse, any of my heels, my Brooks...just depends on my mood.

38. Are you jealous of anyone? 
Not that I am aware of.  

39. Is anyone jealous of you? 
Probably. I mean, I'm just here living another day in paradise after all.

40. Do you love anyone? 
Pretty sure.

41. Do any of your friends have children? 
Lots.

42. What do you usually do during the day? 
Work. Pretend to work. Workout. Why must all things include work?

43. Do you hate anyone that you know right now? 
There are people I do not make an effort to interact with. 

44. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? 
I use aloha, hola, good morning or, "bon-journ-no" more often...

45. What color is your car? 
Dirty. 

46. Do you like cats? 
I do. I miss my "kids".

47. Are you thinking about someone right now? 
Well now that you asked...

48. Have you ever been to Six Flags? 
Way too much.

49. How did you get your worst scar? 
Sister. Enough said. 

50. Do you have a favorite flower?
Anything colorful, but Stargazer lilies and Gerbera daisies rank tops.

Positives

I've started my "Three things I'm thankful for today..." posts via social media for the month of November. It's a nice way to give thanks to the universe for sending me positive people, things, experiences - you name it. And while I know it can seem overly perky and annoying to some, trust me, there are days where it's very hard to think about anything positive. We all have those days. But that's exactly why the "project" is awesome, it forces you to appreciate what you have, no matter how small it seems. So, what am I thankful for today?

- A half-priced massage!
- An answer to my vision issues (no worries, I just stare at a computer screen far too much)
- Warm November weather 

What are you thankful for today? 

QOTM

The Question of the Month is hosted by Michael G D'Agostino from the blog A Life Examined. The first Monday of each month I'll be answering a question posed by Michael. Here is this month's question:

“Are you an introvert or an extrovert?”

I used to think I was an extrovert. A huge extrovert. I mean, I can talk to anyone ranging from the next person in a grocery line or a complete stranger out at an event. I do lots of things on my own like participate in races, volunteer, travel, etc. I get out there. I do things. I meet people. I'm friendly.

Yep, I've always thought of myself as outgoing. But the older I get, the more people I encounter, and the more I learn about extrovert vs introvert, maybe I'm really somewhere in the middle. And what is the definition of extrovert and introvert anyways? Some say extrovert/introverts aren't about the "doing" or being "friendly" versus  being shy and isolated, it's about how you get your "battery recharged". Basically, does being around other people charge you up and excite you, or drain you? Because if that's the true definition, then I'm both. I'm actually an Ambivert. (Yes, that's a real thing.)

In like minded activities such as hanging out with friends, seeing a band, or attending a race event, it's easy to talk to people and get charged up by the shared excitement over a common interest. But in the day to day, I tend to find people very draining. Complaining. Negative. And sadly, I can very easily fall into that mode. You know the one. "People suck, I'd rather be alone" kind of mood. But the fact is, not all of them (people) suck. And when I feel like this, I try to find some down time to recoil from society and recharge. Maybe I volunteer, maybe I read. Maybe I just need to sit in front of a TV and veg out.

So, to answer the question? I'm an ambivert. I enjoy the qualities of both the introvert and extrovert. I can be highly social, friendly, and super out going, but, at the end of the day, I also enjoy my solitude in something like a morning cup of coffee or reading. Finding a balance between the two (extrovert/introvert) can be hard at times, and heaven help you if momma is out of balance - it can be down right draining. Thankfully, the imbalance doesn't last long and I'm up and ready to be social again in no time. Or maybe I'll go finish that book I'm reading.