- You start to have your own room at the hotel (ie Room 101 is my room and I stay in there every week). You check to make sure the radio settings and alarm clock are on what you left them and are glad to see when they are!
- The hotel folks say “Welcome back Ms. Doe” or “You went to the gym early today, Ms Doe”. I look around when they say that looking for my mom!
- The hotel folks check you in before you can reach the counter.
- You start to think of the hotel folks as your friends!
- You recognize the folks that work at Subway and Cosi and the recognize you and know your order by heart.
- You start to wonder what they do with all of the half empty shampoo bottles at the hotel and think that it is such a waste or really gross that they are just refilling the bottles and restocking your room.
- You start checking out the security guards at the airport because you see them every week!
- You have a standard meal at the airport on Thurs and you get excited about it.
- You are excited when you spend more than 3 days in the city that you live in.
- You watch way to much SATC, Friends, and Big Brother All Stars because you have no life! (that was weak but figured that I needed to round out the Top 10)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
You know you have worked out of town too long when…
Monday, August 28, 2006
Growing Up in the 80s Has Never Been Better
My sister forwarded me this email today and it rang so true. Can you believe we did some of these things? I could add - reading Bernstein Bear books, high bangs, bad perms, Guns N Roses, The Heathers movie, colored jeans...
You Know You Grew Up In The 80's or Early 90's If:
1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and spokey-dokes or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)
12. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen..and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side. 17. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM" in Kindergarten. (She's Truly Outrageous.)
21. You remember reading Tales of a fourth grade nothing and all The Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?" 36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. Don't worry, be happy
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do..getting yelled at by younger hip members of the family)
46. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
47. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
48. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
49 You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & My Little Pony Tales
50. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
51. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"
53. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.
54. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
55. You just sang those words to yourself.
56. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
57. Homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better)
58. You remember when mullets were cool!
59. You had a mullet!
60. You still sing "We are the World"
61. You tight rolled your jeans.
62. You owned a bannana clip.
63. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
64. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
65 You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
66. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!
You Know You Grew Up In The 80's or Early 90's If:
1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and spokey-dokes or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)
12. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen..and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side. 17. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM" in Kindergarten. (She's Truly Outrageous.)
21. You remember reading Tales of a fourth grade nothing and all The Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?" 36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. Don't worry, be happy
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do..getting yelled at by younger hip members of the family)
46. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
47. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
48. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
49 You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & My Little Pony Tales
50. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
51. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"
53. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.
54. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
55. You just sang those words to yourself.
56. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
57. Homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better)
58. You remember when mullets were cool!
59. You had a mullet!
60. You still sing "We are the World"
61. You tight rolled your jeans.
62. You owned a bannana clip.
63. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
64. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
65 You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
66. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Devotions
Here are some verses that have been thought-provoking and comforted me lately. I wanted to share but also want them as a reference for myself later.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 says:
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (NIV)
This verse gives me hope. Whatever I am in the middle of now, I should be learning something even if it is going through a hard situation.
Proverbs 13:12 says:
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (NIV)
This verse also gives me hope. I can trust that something will happen but the waiting part can be hard. I can be tempted to take things into my own hands instead of waiting for the right timea. If I am patience, the reward I reap will be much better. When the timing is right, I will be better prepared for what is ahead.
I pulled the verses from an online bible - very helpful tool.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 says:
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (NIV)
This verse gives me hope. Whatever I am in the middle of now, I should be learning something even if it is going through a hard situation.
Proverbs 13:12 says:
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (NIV)
This verse also gives me hope. I can trust that something will happen but the waiting part can be hard. I can be tempted to take things into my own hands instead of waiting for the right timea. If I am patience, the reward I reap will be much better. When the timing is right, I will be better prepared for what is ahead.
I pulled the verses from an online bible - very helpful tool.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Cherish
The second time you hear bad news, your world isn't quite rocked in the same way. In a wierd way, you are prepared. You know the emotions that come with bad news and you have felt all the feelings before. You don't want to go back down that dark path of hurt, shock, pain.
This time is different. Everyone is aware of what is going on. The procedure is simple, non-evasive, out-patient but to me it is no less scary. I would rather have things be normal and not "simple, non-evasive, and out-patient". But we are strong.
Challenges does help you cherish the priceless moments in life - holding your sister's hand to comfort her, hugging your parents to support them, deep conversations about otherwise taboo topics, really talking not just surface conversations. Challenges help you grow closer to your loved ones and it helps make those moments sharper in your memory and makes the importance of life become clearer. Simple things like breakfast for dinner are frozen in time. The look of suprise on your mom's face when you show up unexpectedly. It's all as clear as it just happend...and I never want to forget those moments.
This time is different. Everyone is aware of what is going on. The procedure is simple, non-evasive, out-patient but to me it is no less scary. I would rather have things be normal and not "simple, non-evasive, and out-patient". But we are strong.
Challenges does help you cherish the priceless moments in life - holding your sister's hand to comfort her, hugging your parents to support them, deep conversations about otherwise taboo topics, really talking not just surface conversations. Challenges help you grow closer to your loved ones and it helps make those moments sharper in your memory and makes the importance of life become clearer. Simple things like breakfast for dinner are frozen in time. The look of suprise on your mom's face when you show up unexpectedly. It's all as clear as it just happend...and I never want to forget those moments.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Random thoughts
I usually don't just put together a random group of topics in a post - I usually try to stick to one topic - but I got no inspiration lately. So here is what I do have...
Jessica Simpson's new album - it sucks. I heard a preview of the whole CD on Q100 today. They had an unofficial early copy. There may be 2 good songs on the whole CD that seem unique/new. The rest are all rip offs of all songs. I think almost every song has a sample from a song from the 80s (example "Public Affair" sounds like Moddona's "Holiday"). If you listen to the rest of the CD you will definitely recognize the tunes - too bad her songs are as good as the orginals. All but 2 songs use the same formula and run together. Maybe Jess should have worked on a marriage and she would have made better songs like "With You" and "Sweetest Sin".
My new favorie drinks: Mai Tai, Mojitos (I like raspberry or other flavored Mojitos)
Atlanta vs DC (I tried to put this in a table but my html skills must be rusty)
- In Atlanta, I eat at Moe's or Jersey Mike's once a week
- In DC, I eat at Cosi at least once week
- Both cities have a resaurant week
- Both cities have Screen on the Green
- People in Atlanta drive everyone
- People in DC, walk or ride the Metro and they walk around with an iPod and earphones EVERYWHERE
- DC airport has short lines
- Atlanta airport has LOOOOOOOOOOONG lines
Jessica Simpson's new album - it sucks. I heard a preview of the whole CD on Q100 today. They had an unofficial early copy. There may be 2 good songs on the whole CD that seem unique/new. The rest are all rip offs of all songs. I think almost every song has a sample from a song from the 80s (example "Public Affair" sounds like Moddona's "Holiday"). If you listen to the rest of the CD you will definitely recognize the tunes - too bad her songs are as good as the orginals. All but 2 songs use the same formula and run together. Maybe Jess should have worked on a marriage and she would have made better songs like "With You" and "Sweetest Sin".
My new favorie drinks: Mai Tai, Mojitos (I like raspberry or other flavored Mojitos)
Atlanta vs DC (I tried to put this in a table but my html skills must be rusty)
- In Atlanta, I eat at Moe's or Jersey Mike's once a week
- In DC, I eat at Cosi at least once week
- Both cities have a resaurant week
- Both cities have Screen on the Green
- People in Atlanta drive everyone
- People in DC, walk or ride the Metro and they walk around with an iPod and earphones EVERYWHERE
- DC airport has short lines
- Atlanta airport has LOOOOOOOOOOONG lines
The Phone is a Lost Artform
Folks don't really use the phone anymore to communicate. Now you may say, "wait a minute, I use my cell all the time." True, I use the phone when I am in the car and traveling from point A to point B to past the time away. But, when I am trying to make plans with friends, do I call them? No, I usually email them and then get irritated when they don't email me back. Could I pick up the phone and make plans? - Yes. But do I? No. As a back up to email, I text message. Believe it or not, talking is a lot better than email. Sometimes email misses or enhances the tone of an email. I may type something that someone interprets as me yelling at them when that was not my intention at all.
So over the last month, I have been trying to do better about calling folks. Instead of just emailing to see how someone is doing, I try to call them. Instead of just emailing to make plans, I try to call. I also am trying not to wait for people to call people. I realized last month that if you looked at my phone, most of the calls were received calls and not dialed calls. So in light of the phone being replaced by email and text message, I am making an effort to communicate better and reach out to my friends.
So over the last month, I have been trying to do better about calling folks. Instead of just emailing to see how someone is doing, I try to call them. Instead of just emailing to make plans, I try to call. I also am trying not to wait for people to call people. I realized last month that if you looked at my phone, most of the calls were received calls and not dialed calls. So in light of the phone being replaced by email and text message, I am making an effort to communicate better and reach out to my friends.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
The Case for Faith
I am currently reading "The Case for Faith" by Lee Strobel. Lee Strobel is a journalist and his goal in writing the book is to investiage the toughest objections to Christianity. There are 8 chapters that each dive into common objections. The book is very academic - Lee Stobel presents the objections to a different world reknown expert in the area in question and the two have a dialog. I like it because I am an academic person and I like to know facts and have facts that back up atheory. Anyone that has questions about Christianity or wants to learn more, then this is the book for you. It is a great door opener, discussion starter. It's a book that challenges your thinking and makes you want to learn more.
I was reading Ch 5 today and I think the statements that rang true to me were:
"How a person lives and how he treats his neighbor is very important" came his reply.
"But it is not more important than what he believes, because the way he lives is reflective of what he believes..." (pg 156)
"Beacause we are moral human beings, we want to see equity. But when we reduce equity to issues of who behaved in what way during a given span of time, we miss the whole concept of equity..." (pg 158)
"The Bible says, 'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.' Think about that - that's an amazing promise." (pg 165)
I think these are all great things to think about, chew on, contemplate, learn more about, research. That's why I love this book!
I was reading Ch 5 today and I think the statements that rang true to me were:
"How a person lives and how he treats his neighbor is very important" came his reply.
"But it is not more important than what he believes, because the way he lives is reflective of what he believes..." (pg 156)
"Beacause we are moral human beings, we want to see equity. But when we reduce equity to issues of who behaved in what way during a given span of time, we miss the whole concept of equity..." (pg 158)
"The Bible says, 'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.' Think about that - that's an amazing promise." (pg 165)
I think these are all great things to think about, chew on, contemplate, learn more about, research. That's why I love this book!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
What's Worse?
What's worse? - Knowing that tomorrow brings disaster or not knowing that it brings disaster and dealing with it? I guess this is similar to asking - would you rather know you are dying so you have time to say good-bye or would you rather dye suddenly without having time to spend time with your loved ones, visiting all the places you wanted to see, making up with those you have not forgiven. We don't get to choose the scenario - it just happens and we deal with it, we live through it.
Tomorrow, a doctor's appt could either cause a cry of joy or a cry of sadness. I think it is harder to anticipate the appt rather than having it thrust upon and you deal with the bad news as it come s. I think the unknown is hard. I guess in either case there is unknown - the waiting until you know. In either case, I think you just have to have the hope and say the prayers because you never know what tomorrow may bring or the day after that or the day after that...
Tomorrow, a doctor's appt could either cause a cry of joy or a cry of sadness. I think it is harder to anticipate the appt rather than having it thrust upon and you deal with the bad news as it come s. I think the unknown is hard. I guess in either case there is unknown - the waiting until you know. In either case, I think you just have to have the hope and say the prayers because you never know what tomorrow may bring or the day after that or the day after that...
Friday, August 04, 2006
You Ate the Food. You Drank the Wine.
If you think you have gone on a bad date and need to feel better, just check out this story about a girl who went on a date and then was basically harrassed to pay for her half of the date after she decided not to go out with him again. It is too funny! It is expecially funny if you can hear the audio.
Also, a t-shirt company Cafe Press has even made a shirt that says "You ate the food. You drank the wine." I might have to get one of those.
Also, a t-shirt company Cafe Press has even made a shirt that says "You ate the food. You drank the wine." I might have to get one of those.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Questions to Ask on a Date
Again, my topic comes from an online article that I read about dating. Obviously being single and how to become a couple is a hot topic on the internet and on this blog. This time the article was by Ayren Jackson-Cannady on "5 Questions to Ask on a Date". I don't necesarily agree with the authors 5 questions - at least not for the first date, maybe for date #3-5. I think a good back-up plan is to have at least 3 topics to discuss (Thanks to Amanda for this idea since she brought it up the other night at dinner). You want to have these 3 topics in case there is some dead air in the conversation. So aside from topics/stories you can prepare beforehand, here are the 5 questions that I propose you ask....
1. What did you do this week/weekend? - This can help uncover a wealth of info. If on Sunday, he says he went to church or missed church for whatever reason, that is a good sign. You can also find out what his interests are by figuring out where he has spent his time - did he work in the garden, go to a fun dinner, play a sport, exercise, work late, hang out with friends, etc.
2. How long have you lived in X city? - This can also turn into a lengthy convo about the history of where he/she has lived and what cities. It also can turn into a travel convo which leads to my next question...
3. Where would you like to go on a dream/exotic/fun vacation? - Hopefully both of you are adventurous and say something other than going to the big city for a sporting event. This can also lead to a convo about fun places you have been.
4. What would you do if you won the lotto? (again thanks to Amanda b/c I know she has brought this one up before) - Similar to question 3 but could lead to some interesting convo about value of money, fun trips, life dreams, etc...also can piggyback on the new TV Show "Windfall" and how it has affected this group of people who won the lottery and the choices they have made.
5. What's your favorite band/tv show/movie/sport to watch or play/insert topic here? - This is always a good fallback question becaue hopefully you guys will have something in common or at least lead to a good story.
Also, if you are on a group date with friends you always need the SATC "save me/things are okay" signals ready. I think the more "conversation-like" these questions can be, the better. Your date may not even catch the drift of your signals if you are smart about it. This week my prepared signals were "Has anyone seen Superman?" - that meant the date was going well and the converse was "Has anyone seen the Break-up?" - that meant that I was ready to ditch the guy after dinner. These are inconspicous questions that could come up naturally in the conversation and your date would have no clue. I will have to think of some new questions for the next date now that my secret is out!
1. What did you do this week/weekend? - This can help uncover a wealth of info. If on Sunday, he says he went to church or missed church for whatever reason, that is a good sign. You can also find out what his interests are by figuring out where he has spent his time - did he work in the garden, go to a fun dinner, play a sport, exercise, work late, hang out with friends, etc.
2. How long have you lived in X city? - This can also turn into a lengthy convo about the history of where he/she has lived and what cities. It also can turn into a travel convo which leads to my next question...
3. Where would you like to go on a dream/exotic/fun vacation? - Hopefully both of you are adventurous and say something other than going to the big city for a sporting event. This can also lead to a convo about fun places you have been.
4. What would you do if you won the lotto? (again thanks to Amanda b/c I know she has brought this one up before) - Similar to question 3 but could lead to some interesting convo about value of money, fun trips, life dreams, etc...also can piggyback on the new TV Show "Windfall" and how it has affected this group of people who won the lottery and the choices they have made.
5. What's your favorite band/tv show/movie/sport to watch or play/insert topic here? - This is always a good fallback question becaue hopefully you guys will have something in common or at least lead to a good story.
Also, if you are on a group date with friends you always need the SATC "save me/things are okay" signals ready. I think the more "conversation-like" these questions can be, the better. Your date may not even catch the drift of your signals if you are smart about it. This week my prepared signals were "Has anyone seen Superman?" - that meant the date was going well and the converse was "Has anyone seen the Break-up?" - that meant that I was ready to ditch the guy after dinner. These are inconspicous questions that could come up naturally in the conversation and your date would have no clue. I will have to think of some new questions for the next date now that my secret is out!
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