Thursday, April 28, 2011

A Generation of Bloggers

Recently, I was told that I am among the "blogging generation".  The generation that believes the world desires to hear what they have to say.  It's not that I feel that the world wants to hear my opinions; Rather, they need to hear my opinions.

I consider myself an expert in life (afterall, I have had 23+ years of experience now).  I am a relationship guru, an expert in the flavored vodka field, and an avid reality-tv observer.  In essence, if I could dream up the perfect job, it would be doing something Chelsea Handler or Joel McHale does. Absolutely nothing.

Realistically, no I don't know everything (big surprise there).  However, I do enjoy reading about others who think they have it figured out because it makes me realize how far off the mark I really am.  I also like this blogging aspect because it gives me something else to do when I am tired of online shopping.
As the school year has come to an end I will have ample amount of time to blog. So, sorry "mystery-person-who-gave-me-this-tidbit-of-information-that-the-world-doesn't-care-what-I-have-to-say" ;) I plan to keep blogging because, deep down, I know you love hearing about what goes on in this tiny brain of mine.

Monday, April 18, 2011

My New Ob$e$$ion

As if I needed something else to fantasize about... I found something truly extraordinary. Couponing. That's right, cutting coupons is the new "thing" right now.

Couponing appeals to me for a plethora of reasons, and no one reason stands out above another; they are all equally as enticing. This new obsession spawned from a new television show (imagine that!) that follows the lives of dedicated couponing machines. They have this stuff down to a science. This is the first reason it is so appealing -- the numbers involved.
I am a freak of nature. Some of you may have numerous thoughts running through your mind when I say this, but I am referring to my weird obsession with doing math. I am always calculating something. Whether it's a discount in a retail store, the amount of debt I have accrued over my college career, or how much I will make on my next paycheck, I love counting. Couponing is my calling in this regard. I could methodically clip and save at the same time. My dream come true!

The second reason it draws me in deals with the fact that it gives me something to do with my free time. I am painfully aware of the amount of free time I have. Although the school work never ends, it inevitably gets put off anyway. Needless to say, there is only one week left and then I will be left with.... well, George. When did I stop having fun?
Couponing will also take my mind off of the fact that I am old. Not just a little old, but a lot old. I just created a Twitter (welcome to the 21st century). I wake up early. I go to bed early. I stopped drinking 4Loko's (at least for the time being).

Let's just hope this is all just a temporary growth stunt in my "fun" genes. A bad hoarding habit and an intense couponing obsession could lead to some serious trouble...

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Once again, I am doggedly writing another paper that is due in about 4 hours. I can't tell you why I choose to start everything so late, but I can tell you that it (more or less) always gets done. It's just so hard to write a paper when it's so nice outside (or when you're blogging). It's also hard to think about anything with visions of this hush-puppy running through my brain...

 I have to have this. All of my friends are getting new cars, shouldn't I indulge myself into an upgrade of the Silver Bullet? Why not.. With the rate I'm going (and another 5 years of school left), I guess a little more debt wouldn't hurt. Curiosity did kill the cat....

Hey, where's George!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

It's Not Rocket Science

Today I decided what I want to be when I grow up (whenever that may be). After years and years of schooling, I have finally realized my true calling is babysitting.

I have babysat in the past. Some were angels (thank you Kathy Kargo for creating such sweet little things) and some were Lucifer reincarnate (names here will remain unknown). For the money you make, it's worth it in the end. Not to mention I have had much babysitting experience as of lately.
I have a cat (if you were unaware) that requires constant attention. Well, not really but that's what he gets anyway. Last night, my utterly irresponsible roommate let him outside where he sat for who knows how long?! George is in indoor kitty, he doesn't frolick with the common-folk. Upon my return home, my neighbors (who graciously sat outside with George until someone came home) informed me that they tried to knock on the door to let wittle kitty back inside. But, I guess from her love shack of a room, my roommate somehow could not hear the knocking.

To make a long story short, George is safe and I didn't completely rip my roommate's head off. I came to the conclusion that I needed to do a better job of babysitting; not George, but my roommate instead. She is in constant need of direction. I don't think she knows how to go to class without being told to. How can I expect her to follow any kind of directions if I don't teach her myself?
Most people would know that indoor animals should not be left outside (or let outside period). However, this special roommate of mine needs reminders and someone to watch over her non-stop. This is where my experience with younger children comes into play. I figured that mentally, my roommate is on the same level, so all I have to do is treat her like a child and lay things out in a manner that she can understand.

In the end, it's not all her fault that she was born with a tiny brain. That's science, and we can't mess with that. I just need to be in babysitter-mode more often when she is around and maybe baby proof the house so she doesn't get hurt while I'm gone.
God help her in the free world.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Where Does The Time Go?

It's that time of the year again. Finals, research papers, heavy drinking.... oh wait I'm talking about the present, not the past. In reality, I can't believe my first year of graduate school is already over. I don't feel like I have been stressed enough (this could be due to the fact that I still have a few more weeks to anticipate this dreaded emotion). Where does the time go?!

The weather is also changing. This has to be my favorite part of living in Boone. As much fun as a late-March, early-April snow/hailstorm may be, I would much rather prefer the type of weather we had today. A nice 75 degree day was just what I needed to end a perfectly lazy weekend. After soaking up the sun for about 2 hours, I now resemble a giant lobster. But hey, I would take this any day over the alternative.

This tiny preview of summer got me really excited. No matter what kind of mood you are in, the sun always has a way of reaching down into your soul and warming you. Without school to stress over, the summer is going to be full of many adventures and travels. Nothing too extreme, but still something out of the ordinary for me.

It really pays to have friends living in different parts of the country. I am now able to visit Texas (and see NKOTB/BSB nonetheless) and New York (this pretty much is enough in and of itself). Other destination points include: Tennessee (this doesn't sound as fun-- but the reason for the trip is enough to keep me on my toes for the next few months), South Carolina for a few beach weekend get-a-ways (thank you aunt Debra), and basically anywhere else the wind will take me. I am a free bird people and I'm gonna fly!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Path Of Least Resistance

It is impossible to get anywhere in this town. When the sun comes out and the snow goes away for a few brief seconds, people are on the scene and crawling out of the woodworks. The traffic is also unbelievable for such a small little town. Who knew there could be this many Subarus on the open road?

This notion led me to believe that maneuvering around campus isn't as easy as it looks. It's actually like playing a modern day version of Frogger. I have to cross the street and hop over logs to get to my classes early in the morning (is this even fair that I have a 9 am class in grad school). Hopping over logs may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I do have to side-step a few obstacles to make sure I am seated and prepared for class by 9:05 (because I am never on time to begin with).
The fact that I have such difficulty merely crossing the road really got me thinking. What about bugs and other flying insects that have a certain destination they are trying to reach? You'll get where I'm going with this in a second.

Have you ever gone on long car trips to find that, upon reaching your destination, your windshield is covered with millions of splatters? News alert: these are millions of innocent insects you have massacred on your way. I wonder what goes through their tiny little brains.
I mean think about it.. The bugs are probably on their way to a friends house, maybe a dinner party, maybe picking up food for young ones at home.... whatever the case, the insects have a purpose for flying about. Imagine if a group of friends were flying over to go to another friends' party. Along the way a few comrades are lost to the automobile monsters.  When the other friends arrive at their destination, the host asks where are Bill and Susan? The remaining insects have to say, "We lost them on the way over". 

Does this scenario make sense? Do insects expect this type of thing to happen, or does it always come as a surprise when another insect falls victim to automobile abuse? Whatever the case may be, I am just grateful that I don't have wings and travel in packs where I may be hit by a car (most of the time).