2010

Every year I hear people make New Year's resolutions and by about now they have broken them. I decided long ago to stop making them so I would not set myself up for failure. Instead I think of reasonable goals which I can accomplish and then it is a win-win situation. Sometimes even the easy accomplishments have their challenges involved though.

Goal #1: This year I have decided it is time to seriously get back in the employment game. This is not only something that I want to do but it also helps on the old visa bill. I realize Visa loves me but maybe they don't need to love me THAT much. I have been on this goal since August 09 and have discovered some things along the way.

1. Interviews are no longer a question and answer game. It is a "let's talk" and figure out if this is an interview or a secret meeting. Seriously, I went to on "meeting" where they couldn't tell me if it was an interview or not?!

2. Never count anything out. After several "interviews" and a company restructure Company A then asked if they could refer me to another company and a better job.

3. Things are not always as they appear. I thought one interview was a scam and surprise it wasn't as it turned out to be a screening for the aforementioned job.

Goal #2: Be more attentive.
Do you ever find yourself thinking of the oddest things while someone is talking to you? I have made up mental grocery lists, thought about what I am going to have for dinner, etc. Recently I have taken a workshop on job searching; which has turned out surprising better than expected with the exception of one student..and in a class of four you notice things. While I am proud of myself for not droning off..maybe I should be for my sanity..I can not help but notice that others should have set higher goal in life.

There is a woman in my class who has a goal of working in the cheese department..yes you heard me. At least she has a goal and possibly a flatulence problem she needs masked. She also has an annunciation problem with a specific word...SPECIFICALLY. Which she pronounces Pacifically. Normally I would let this one slide(yes I would) but she uses it at least four times when she talks, to the point where I am counting and trying to find ways to use it properly back. Maybe anger management should be a goal...ahh next year I don't want to get ahead of myself.

So I have been paying more attention and trying to multitask less and have actually discovered I am a better friend and I am more productive this way..now if I can only get my brain in board.

Goal #3: To come up with a goal #3.
I have tossed around several ideas like weight loss (through more exercise) or pay off debt but these seem like logical things as opposed to goals. So I will continue to search for this one as I am sure there are plenty of people who can come up with something for this slot, but don't get to ahead of yourselves as I rules for goals...

1. The goal must be achievable and available for long term. It is not a one year thing.
2. It has to be something to make me a better person. Vanity cannot be part of it.
3. You can suggest it but it doesn't mean I am going to do it.
4. Renovations are not included on my list..just my husbands.

So while I hunt for goal #3 I wish you success in your resolutions or goals what ever they may be for 2010 and beyond.

The defeat of man

This year for Christmas I decided to break down and buy the ever popular Wii game system for my husband...well partially at least. He got to open it, but we both get to enjoy it. I had visions of him opening it and being happy, rushing downstairs to set it up like any kid on Christmas morning would do and I was not disappointed. Before the champagne was uncorked, he had it set up and ready to go.

The system came with the Wii Sport game and in addition I also bought the new Super Mario brothers game in reminiscence of our former youth. So after breakfast the journey into world 1-level one of Mario began as we laughed at his little "it's a go". What I soon discovered was that not only was Mario a little man who enjoys begin killed when he is at the mercy of my remote but according to my husband he is a f#$%ing bastard as well as other obscenities not to be within 100 yards of a child's earshot. As he tries to make Mario jump by moving with the remote up and down and side to side, I have to bob and weave to avoid the remote colliding with the side of my head.

I bought this game in hopes of fun and laughter and instead the lord's name has been taken in vain several times that even the dog has left the room after being scared that he was the "son of a bitch". B. is more stressed out after 1/2 an hour of this game then he is after trying to remodel a kitchen with me constantly changing the plans. I guess he can't blame those grey hairs on me anymore.

But some good has come out of this, his backhand in tennis is getting stronger and when we play Mario together not only do I continue to die on a regular basis but now I have my husband who can save me after he kills all the bad guys. How heroic.

Take my picture

Every once in awhile I go on different photographer sites I admire. I look through their array of photos and feel inspired by the beauty they have captured. The pure essence of the moment or the raw emotion in someones face. I feel a sense of awe for those that cannot only see the shot but capture the artistic side of it as well. If you are wondering what I mean take a look at this site: www.amphoto.com.

So out of curiosity I googled (surprised? not!) photographers in my area. Not only was I sadly disappointed by the sites I visited but shocked by the lack of talent and depth of perception these so called photographers have. I am sorry, but I have taken some pretty pictures but I would by no means call myself a photographer. I am beginning to think anyone who can point a camera and click a button is now calling themselves a photographer. Maybe if I buy a big expensive camera which I do not know how to use half the buttons, then I can call myself a photographer. This is like saying that if I read an accounting book then BAM I must be an accountant. I guess I should have given up those years in university and just opened a book.

Then there are the people out there who are making a living on being a photographer who started learning the art and developing it, but over time have lost the passion for it and now just take some pictures. The place I have seen this the most is in wedding photos and billboards. So if you are going to take a picture of the bride getting ready, the last thing she is going to want to see when looking through the pictures is all of the hair products lined up on the desk. The scary thing is that they were more in focus than the bride. Or how about having a 10 foot high picture of a hand that needs a serious waxing. eww. It is like no one has ever heard of Photoshop or waxing. I am still haunted by this image.

I have taken some pictures, for which I am proud to display in our home and I would like to be able to say they were that way when I took them. But after some photoshop work and some cropping, they look much better. Then there are the pictures I have taken; which took me quite a few takes to get right only because I was fearful of what my peers would say had I taken awful pictures. Something about working with a lot of designers can make you feel this way. Would I say I was a photographer? No...I am barely an intermediate picture taker.

So the next time you are planning on paying money for a picture or to hire a photographer for the big day think to yourself...is this person lucky with their shots or do they evoke an emotion in you? Because let's face it..you can get lucky anywhere but emotion usually comes at a price!

All photos are the property and sole ownership of jjs and shall not be used for any other purpose than this blog site.

A little Poem

'Twas two weeks before Christmas and all through the house,
Decorating had begun, despite my damn spouse.
The outside light were all hung and handled with care,
With only two trips to Walmart to fix and repair.

The pets were nestled all sung in OUR bed,
While we went off shopping, much to our dread.
With Ma and Pa on their way home from Florida you see,
Christmas wont be the same without Uncle C.


When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
Reno sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window hew flew like a flash,
Barking like crazy, his nose to the glass.

Out in the yard he saw tracks in the snow,
Who left them there? He liked to know.
When what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But the cat from next door, with a look of fear.

He gave out a howl and the cat ran away,
His job was complete now, it was time to play.
While back at the mall, the shoppers all came,
In droves by the dozens calling each one by name.

Now get back here Jimmy and try this on Jane,
With kids running everywhere we must be insane.
Grab the cards while you can and to the liquor store too,
Now off to the cashier and the lines to get threw.

When we looked at the parking lot, we wished we could fly
Brian let out a curse and shook his fist to the sky.
So off to our spot where all the "car stalkers" flew
With our last minute packages and happy we were threw.

The in a twinkling, I exclaimed with a glee,
Let's have an open house but we need a tree.
So off to the Carl's lot we went with a bound,
To find a tall skinny tree like no one else in town.

Carl was dressed all in plaid from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all covered in balsam and goop.
With a chainsaw he had flung on his back,
He was ready to perfect with one simple hack.

My eyes began to twinkle and I thought how dear
To have everyone home for once in five years.
So back to the house we started to go,
Just as dusk appeared and so did the snow.

Around the house I flew, while gritting my teeth,
Going like mad, I threw up the wreath.
Started the baking with no time to rest,
Planning the menu to serve all our guests.

I spoke not a word but continued my work
Decorating and cleaning like I was berserk.
I finished my tasks and sank in the chair
I still had to shower and tame my wild hair.

But with a glass full of wine, I looked all around
Our house was full of love for which I was proud.
Twinkling lights and the house ready for show,
With contented animals, my heart was aglow.

I got up from my seat and gave out a sigh,
The house looked like Christmas and now I know why,
It is the spirit of the season that we do what me might,
So Merry Christmas to all, but let's party tonight!

Deck the Crazies

Every year the decorations for Christmas seem to come out earlier and earlier. It seems wrong that "deck the halls" is playing while I am picking out a pumpkin for Halloween. I realize stores are feeling the pinch this year with sales down (not that you would know it from driving past the mall on Saturday) but come on.

I drove past an apartment building last week only to see three Christmas trees up in the windows and lit! That must be where all the Christmas crazies live I thought..but they are everywhere. I think people should stick to the unwritten rules of Christmas decorating.

Rule 1: Stores are allowed to decorate for Christmas by November 1st but are not allowed to play merry Christmas music until after November 11. By the time Christmas comes I don't care where the hell frosty goes or if it was upon a midnight clear.

Rule 2: You can shop for Christmas whenever you want but do not even think about Christmas decorating until after November 11th. After this you are allowed to think, plan or what ever you crazies can come up with but you are not allowed to DO anything until the last week of November and then on DEC 1st and only DEC 1st can you turn on the light and deck the halls to your merry contentment.

I think that is pretty simple..two rules~

I remember in the good ole days when I used to get off the school bus on Dec 1st and run in the house to see which ornament my mother had hung up. More often than not it was this gold danglely ball that she always stuck in the direct path of my father. It wasn't Christmas unless I saw that tacky ball swing. Scary thing is I saw those balls last year at a design store and they were call "vintage"...ahh how we find nice names for expensive tacky!

I have a friend (you know who you are) who likes to have a Tacky Little Christmas with all of the decorations and novelties right down to the reindeer socks and pajama top with a snowman on it (that she wears in public). Everywhere you go in her house there is a little "something" waiting to surprise you and she thoroughly gets delighted in wearing and placing these "decorations" around her house...she doesn't even do it JUST to piss me off. I guess though if it hadn't been for my mother I am not so sure I would have any Christmas spirit in me at all. As none of the men in my life want to even acknowledge the "over commercialized" holiday. It is amazing how love will make you climb on top of a slanted roof, slide down next to the icicles only to put up lights for four weeks. One year we went away before Christmas and didn't come back until two days before so I couldn't be bothered to put up any decorations. I have never seen people so horrified at my lack of Christmas spirit.

It is not that I lack Christmas spirit it is just the opposite, but this doesn't mean I have to show to the public that I can out do them. I went to Florida one year and they start decorating in November..grrr..but boy do they go crazy. I think this is where all the Christmas crazies go to retire. One man decorated his front yard with cotton batten and then strung lights up and down it so it would look like twinkling snow..to take it one step further he gave you 3D glasses to see the lights in option 1) Angels 2) Snowflakes..and he was one of the more mild decorators. Some streets are all done up, and would hate to be the person who decides not decorate as much that year..you probably get your house bombed with candy canes and coal!

Instead, I like the more simplified version of Christmas. I do like white lights on the front of the house with a floral arrangement on the front step. I like the smell of a fresh tree and the twinkling of the crystal snowflakes and shiny bulbs on it. I like spending time with friends and families and the parties that go along with the season. I laugh when everyone complains they have eaten too much and and will diet in the new year. I enjoy finding just the right gift and card for everyone and like to wrap gifts up instead of throwing them in a bag. I must admit I am sad to take it all down as the house looks so bare afterwards and as the snow flies and hibernation begins I do think back to days of Christmas past....but my memories start at DEC 1st!

For the love of...SHOES!

I think a person's shoes says a lot about their style or lack there of. I have suffered many a day with blisters just because the shoe looked good with the outfit. The older I have gotten the more I have learned there are still very pretty shoes which ARE comfortable and then I leave the "half hour shoes" for their special occasions.

Stiletto heels were discovered in a tomb of tebas in Old Egypt dated from 1000 BC (yes I googled it) and we have never looked back. There is something about the way a heel and pointy toe makes your leg look. Speaking from the owner of cankles(calves that merge into ankles without separation), if I don't have a heel on I have just added 20lbs to my ankles. The epitome of shoes, in my opinion, are Manolo Blahniks. He took a stiletto and made them art...mind you this art starts at about $400 but you could hang it on your wall and it is cheaper than a Monet!

I still will not forget the day Leanne(her name has not been changed as the shame shall continue) asked me "Jimmy Who?". I have watched the TV show "What not to Wear" where they have to convince women to try on a pair of heels and once they do they are sold forever. Now if they could only do an intervention on teenagers who think that clomping around in a heel looks good. I guess they should look in a mirror before walking out as they look like they are about to teeter over at any moment or they are playing dress up in their mother's closet. Mind you I have never tried to push them over but it could become a new sport.

While heels are my favorite I do give props to flats and sneakers unless you are wearing sneakers with your skirt(I don't care if it is comfortable...JAN)but do have a problem with crocs. Granted I do own a pair, given to me by my Uncle as a joke and I use them to take the dog out to pee in the backyard. In my opinion they are no more comfortable than my slippers so I am not sure what the fascination is with them besides an ugly sense of fashion. There are much cuter sneakers out there which are just as comfortable.

I must admit my sometimes inappropriate foot ware has caused a huge sigh of frustration from my husband when he suggests going for a walk along the waterfront after having dinner. Which causes me to sheepishly look down at my feet and gauge whether or not I will be able to walk the duration without ending in hobbling pain or to suck it up and apologize to my feet later. I have also aerated many a lawn while getting pictures taken I have sunken about 2-4"; but this has not down trodden my outlook every time I put on a new pair of heels. There is just something about strutting around like a peacock in my new pair of shoes that makes my day turn brighter.

Some of my favorites..note purple one has aeration marks:)

Survey Me

There are lots of different surveys out there. Every time you open a magazine it is asking you to take a quiz or survey to figure out if you and your mate are compatible, what your IQ is, what type of personality you have, etc. I have to admit I have filled out more of these than I care to admit. Which in my mind is surprising as I already know that my husband and I are compatible, I am a little OCD (quiet Sam) and I don't think anyone needs to know if I love hugs or kisses more.

Recently, I have been on the job hunt and have done surveys to tell me if I have taken the correct career path (I have) and then a couple of IQ ones which tell me I am smart....like I didn't know this one...no, I have not taken one to tell me if I am self-absorbed....I don't need a survey for that!

Today I was asked by a potential employer to take a survey based upon my management style and was a little surprised how a simple survey was correct. There is more, but I will save you the full detail and just provide the summary.
"Summary:

You are very thoughtful about what is right and fair for the people with whom you interact. Your communication style is highly persuasive and articulate. You are inclined to show an unselfish concern for the welfare of others which, when recognized, offers you a sense of accomplishment. At times you place ideals before practical considerations. You show strong devotion to the principles in which you believe. A great deal of action and variety in your environment appeals to you."

I guess I am not so self-absorbed after all...maybe I do need to take a survey:) I wish there were other surveys out there that could tell me other things like: what I want for dinner, where have all the good TV shows gone, is the design of the bathroom going to cause my husband to tear his hair out...you know..useful stuff. I do not need to know which Simpson's character I am most like, what my body type is or how long I will live.

So I guess, Like others I will have to wait for life's little surprises instead of awaiting the next survey to tell me how wonderful I truly am....after all that's what parents are for! Love you mom and dad:)