A Couple of Things…

Feb-Sunset1.   Living at the beach in Ventura where the temperature has been around 75-80 degrees the past couple of days, I’m okay with six more weeks of winter.  Thanks Punxsutawney Phil.  But I’d also be okay with some rain every now and then.


2. The Grammy Awards once again remind me why I don’t like popular music; however, once in a blue moon they get it right.  Case in point? BECK!!!


3.Beck  I wasn’t going to share my thoughts about Kanye West’s behavior when he tried to undermine Beck’s win…but I will share Shirley Manson’s:

Dear Kanye West

It is YOU who is so busy disrespecting artistry.
You disrespect your own remarkable talents and more importantly you disrespect the talent, hard work and tenacity of all artists when you go so rudely and savagely after such an accomplished and humble artist like BECK.
You make yourself look small and petty and spoilt.
In attempting to reduce the importance of one great talent over another, you make a mockery of all musicians and music from every genre, including your own.
Grow up and stop throwing your toys around.
You are making yourself look like a complete twat.

Ps.I am pretty certain Beyonce doesn’t need you fighting any battles on her account. Seems like she’s got everything covered perfectly well on her own.

Love her and I couldn’t agree more.  When I found this on Facebook it already had over 124,000 Likes and 29,000 shares, plus Rolling Stone, People and Variety Magazines were just a few of the media outlets carrying it.

It looks like Kanye as since recanted when he went on the Ryan Seacrest’s show a few days later,  “Beck is one of the nicest guys and one of the most respected musicians in the game,” said West. “When I said that thing about respect artistry, I think it came off the wrong way and that was a mis-wording on my part. … Obviously Beck is one of the most respected artists, and respects artistry.”

Well he got that right.  I don’t know how sincere he is though.


lonely4. I saw a post called “10 Things to Do When You’re Lonely”. I was wondering if “Slappin’ the salami,” “Cleaning your riffle,” or a little more dignified for a woman, some “Self love” made the list.
The author listed take a bath; take a walk; go to a movie; go to a yoga class; read; get coffee; go the the library; branch out; get a haircut; and the last help tip was “Become Your Own Best Friend.” Which the author says, ” If you’re not already, you should definitely consider becoming your own best friend. For one, life is a lot more fun when you enjoy your own company. Secondly, we tend to meet healthy friends and partners when we like ourselves first; and lastly, it alleviates a lot of feelings of loneliness if you like being with yourself.”

Oh PALEEZE, You know, “Become Your Own Best Friend” is a metaphor for “Tickle the Tulips.”


5. There was the oddest story about a woman who hasn’t smiled in 40 years because she didn’t want wrinkles on her face.  This was the quote from her in the article:  “Yes, I am vain and want to remain youthful. My strategy is more natural than Botox and more effective than any expensive beauty cream or facial.”

I’d much rather look at a wrinkly face with joy than a smooth face devoid of emotions.  But then, that’s just me.

Here’s a link to the story:  http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/beauty/woman-avoids-smiling-for-40-years-to-stop-wrinkles/ar-AA9gjgJ

No Smiles


6. I keep hearing  the term “hipster” and how certain people are referred to as a hipster. I believe I saw a few walking about Ventura. So I looked it up:

  • a person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially those regarded as being outside the cultural mainstream.

So now here’s my question of the day, “How many hipsters would it take to be considered a part of the cultural mainstream, hence negating them from being hipsters?”

Just thinking out loud here.


aquarium frog7.  I once had pet frog named Alfred in my aquarium with a bunch fish.  He was a little guy and I would race into my bedroom everyday after school to find him swimming through the water. I came home one day to find one of my kissing fish with a frog leg, Alfred’s leg, hanging out its mouth.

Kissing FishI was devastated!  I had no idea Kissing Gourami were carnivores.  Had someone bothered to read up on them we would have learned that they are actually omnivore and requires both algae-based foods as well as meaty foods…apparently like frogs.

 


8.  Facebook now allows you to designate someone you trust to be executor and manager of your account if something were to happen to you, like death.

This person CAN NOT log into your account, remove or change past posts, photos and other things you shared, Nor can they read messages you’ve sent to other friends or remove any of your friends.

They CAN pin a post on your page, respond to new friend requests and update your profile picture and cover photo.

I’ve done it. You should consider if…if you’re on Facebook.


9. There are some secrets I’d rather not know.


10. From my Favorite Quotes File:  “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.  But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers
I would just like to add, “Play should be the work of a lifetime.”

Play hard my friends!

Thanks for your time

A Couple of Things…

Sammy1.  This is what I come home to.  I love my puppy dog.  We’re thinking she’s about 13 or 14 years old.  I’ve had her 12 years and they thought she was a couple years old when I picked her up from the pound. Samantha “Boom Boom” Baumgardner.

This by the way is also what I leave everyday.  It’s like she’s saying, “You’re coming back, right?”


2.  I understand that the 9-1-1 emergency call system is a public service.  I also understand the “rights to public records” but honestly, the media playing 9-1-1 tapes seems like an invasion of privacy.  Some of these calls are at the person’s most vulnerable moments and they’ve become entertainment for the masses.


City of Ventura Bike to Work3.  Bike to Work Day is coming up!  I had to post the news on the City’s official website.  It’s a great way to exercise; it’s a fantastic way to start the day; and it helps the environment!    (click to enlarge photo)

So ride your freakin’ bike to work on May 15th!!!


4.  I wrote a blog a few weeks back called, “Being a Victim Sucks“, and how some people will play the victim.  One aspect of being a victim is not wanting to take responsibility, but the other aspect, and I’m warning you this could be harsh, is to just make the other person wrong, Wrong, WRONG.

I’ve seen it. I’ve done it.  It’s a completely bullshit thing to do.


5.  If you don’t take a stand against bad behavior you are tacitly agreeing it is okay.

Just sayin’.


Where it's at6. The first song we ever sang together while listening to the radio was “Where it’s At” by Beck. Syd would sing “Where’s it’s At” and I would come in with “I got two turntables and a microphone.” This was around 1997 or 1998 when the song was all over the radio, so Sydney had to be only three or four years old.

True story

Most parents go with “The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round” Not this Mom!


7. Let me just say right off the bat, it must have been horrifying being attacked by a bear.  That being said…

I confess that this news story of a woman in Florida being attacked by a bear made me kind of chuckle.  She had walked into her garage where she found up to five bears rummaging through her trash.  One of them picked her up and removed her and placed her in her driveway.

The bear obviously could have killed and eaten her.  But he didn’t.  It’s truly unfortunate that he has huge claws and sharp teeth because they did damage to her while removing her from harm’s way so they could continue their business.
(full story)


Body Types
8. I conceded a few years ago that I do in fact have an hour-glass figure, but for most of my life my own attention just went to the bottom half of my body and I always felt awkward about that.  I had “birthin’ hips” and they were what determined every single outfit I’ve ever worn.


crafty
9. I like it!


10. I was killing time in Trader Joe’s the other day (a dangerous thing to do), and I found peanut butter that had only peanuts and salt listed on the label. I had read about it before and thought perhaps it was just an urban legend, but it’s true! And though I have to refrigerate the jar after stirring up the PB, I’m digging it!


 Shoot Bubble Deluxe11.  So I was sitting there minding my own business (playing “Shoot Bubble Deluxe” on my phone) during a weekly work meeting one morning, when the subject of Monkey Butt came up.  That got my attention because I had never heard the term.  One of the guys was complaining he didn’t want to exercise that afternoon (crossfit) because he had developed a rash from the gravel on the ground at the top of his, um….crack.   The guys insisted it was a real thing so when I got the chance, I Googled it.

What came up was this:  “Relieve the friction of monkey butt and painful butt rash…”  http://www.antimonkeybutt.com.   They even have a Facebook page.

How funny is that?  I guess if you pay enough attention, you never stop learning.
(I thought it nicer to share a photo of Shoot Bubble Deluxe than an actual case of monkey butt.  You’re welcome.)


From my favorite quotes file: “A word to the wise ain’t necessary – it’s the stupid ones that need the advice.”  –  Bill Cosby

Thanks for listening.