Hug a Journalist Day

According to the entity that is the all-knowing Facebook, Sunday, Feb. 15, is Hug a Journalist Day. 5,390 people are participating so far (apparently it was just started by a journalist who needs a little pick-me-up in the midst of all the nation's bad news, but I like the idea). So whether you love 'em or hate 'em, find a journalist and hug them and love them and squeeze them into itty bitty pieces on Sunday.

*This journalist accepting real, virtual, and IOU hugs.*

Sleeping on the job

I really meant to update before now, but, well, I just didn't get to it. And I don't really have much to even update you on now, but I'm updating for updating's sake. We did buy a bed today. Well ... sorta. We didn't actually pay for it. And we didn't bring it home. But we found a couple on Craigslist who is moving to Florida for a job transfer, and they just bought the bed like a month ago but don't want to move it, and so they are selling it for less than we could get it on retail. So we wrote up a little contract, and we pick it up the day we move, when we have a vehicle to put it in. Cause I'm pretty sure I would not live very long if I had to carry it to our new place. We may eventually paint it black to match the rest of our dark bedroom furniture (which is actually dark brown, but black will be closer than pine). Notice drawers for much-needed storage...

Interview

OK, so my friend Nicole was interviewed by another blogger, and then offered to send questions to whoever wanted to participate. I'm always looking for new things to blog about, so here are the questions she sent me, and my answers.

1) What is the most difficult part about marriage and why?

I think it all comes down to communication. If it breaks down, you can almost guarantee a breakdown yourself. And you may think you're communicating, but you're not, or you could be sending the wrong messages when that's not what you intended at all. Communication isn't just verbal. Sometimes it's your body language or your actions. And when things do get rocky, you have to forgive/realize you're wrong and apologize, and that's not always easy. I like the theory of never going to bed angry. We don't always get there, but that's what we try for. There can also be little things that become big things, little pet peeves. And you have to find a balance between not letting it bother you and at least attempting to not do (or start doing) the things that bother (or would please) the other person. Oh, and compromise.

2) Please describe your favorite childhood memory.

This one's a toughie. I'm not sure exactly when childhood ends. And I don't know if i can quantify my favorite. But this is the first thing that came to mind, at least. When I was in the fourth grade, I had a really great teacher, Mr. Stanford. And sometimes he would stay to work the after-school program, which I frequently stayed in until my Mom could come get me from work. (This was the period in my life when I learned to and got really good at playing 4-square, and sometimes Mr. Stanford would play with us.) But whenever he was in after-school, I was like his little sidekick. And this is the point where I really started to develop my grammar naziness. Whenever kids would come up and ask him, "Can I go to the bathroom?" I would make them say, "Mr. Stanford, may I please use the restroom?" And he wouldn't let them go until they said it correctly. He's gotta be one of my hands-down favorite teachers ever. I still run into him occasionally when I'm home.

Also the year I got to help Santa put presents out for my sister was pretty awesome.

3) If you have children, what would be the best advice you could give them?

Listen to your parents. Respect them. (And not just because I am the parent. I just know from experience that when you do this, they become so much more than just parents.) Come home on time. And if you're late, call ahead. Love yourself. It's not all about having a boyfriend/girlfriend. Don't have sex before you're married. Don't do drugs. Always do your best in school but leave time for some fun too.

4) If you could instantly change one thing (physically, mentally, spiritually, etc) about yourself, what would it be?

Definitely my weight/body. I don't want to be a toothpick, but sometimes I just look in the mirror and really hate myself. Or sometimes I hate myself when I put my jeans on. Or when nothing looks right. Or, or, or... I really think that if I could change that (and I know I CAN), I would be so much happier. I'm fairly content with my personality and all that, but I think my life would be better if I felt better about my body. For instance, and most of you probably don't know this, but I would love to dance, whether that's learning in classes or just actually having fun at a wedding reception for once. But I am way, way too self conscious to do it.

5) What do you do when (you think) no one is looking?
Play on Facebook/blog at work. Nothing too exciting.

This month's to-do list

Feb. 1: Meet deadline to give Kari news briefs. (OK, so she's six hours ahead and will get them on Feb. 2. Close enough.)

Feb. 2: Pray the groundhog doesn't see his shadow so I can defrost soon. I already can't remember if he did or didn't. But I do know the groundhog bit the mayor.

Feb. 2-5: Survive another week at work. Barely made it.

Feb. 6: Take clothing donation to Dress for Success (you can donate interview-appropriate clothing and they give it to women who need it. They have locations all over the world).

Feb. 7: Try to get rid of more stuff on Craigslist.

Feb. 8: Really, really try to go to church for once.

Feb. 9-13: Try to contain my excitement about getting the keys to our new apartment that weekend.

Feb. 14: Go to Lupa for Valentine's Day dinner. (Reservations already secured.)

Feb. 15: Get the keys to our new apartment!

Feb. 16-19: Pack. Minimally. The new place is only a block away, so I'm hoping a few trips back and forth will save on the packing effort somewhat.

Feb. 20: Move the big stuff.

Feb. 21: Wake up to my new view of the Empire State Building. Do a load of laundry in my OWN washer and dryer (actually, this may get moved to earlier in the week). Paint and clean old apartment. Close the door and leave for last time.

Feb. 22: Unpack. Take Advil for all the sore muscles I didn't know I had.

Feb. 23-26: Unpack. Do more laundry. Pack again. This time in a suitcase.

Feb. 28: Fly home for a weeklong visit.

Other random things:

• Buy a roller for paint

• Call to schedule Salvation Army pickup

• Buy new furniture for new apartment (couch, bed, etc.)

• Buy new queen-size mattress

• Find new alarm clock/stereo/CD player

• Leave Kari and Nicole a note on their birthdays

A little late

We finally took down our very dead wreath today from our front door, something we've been meaning to do for a few weeks now. We even took off a snowflake/ball cluster and intend to use it as an ornament in the future, so we can remember the wreath we were so excited about. Once it was down and in the trash:

Me (sadly): Goodbye Christmas.

Scott: Hello February.

25 random things...

There's a thing going around on Facebook where you're supposed to write 25 random things about yourself. It took me all day to do this. If you're on FB, you've seen this already probably, but if you're not, here you go. 

1. I wore sneakers to work today, even though it's against the rules.

2. I am still learning to call them sneakers instead of tennis shoes, which is the accepted term in the South.

3. I would rather eat chips and ranch dip than sweets.

4. My mom is one of my best friends.

5. I hate getting wet unless it's intentional. (aka, I almost always have an umbrella with me)

6. I'm not sure I ever want to have kids.

7. But if I do, it'd better be a cute little curly red-headed girl or I will toss it back.

8. I am nosy. I'm not sure if I'm a journalist because I'm nosy or the other way around.

9. I don't drink. I don't have anything against it (as long as you're not getting drunk), I just don't like how it tastes.

10. I've never gotten anything less than a B in a class, although I have failed a few tests in my time.

11. I've moved five times in less than five years, and I'm about to make it six moves in less than five years.

12. I'm allergic to bananas and aspartame.

13. I cannot stand to be micromanaged. But then again, I don't know many people who can.

14. I have a bad habit of chewing on my fingers. Yes, my fingers, not my fingernails.

15. My blog will be a year old on Feb. 25.

16. I much prefer Coke over Pepsi, but I'll drink it if that's all there is.

17. I can drive a stick shift, but it's been a long time.

18. I don't like coffee.

19. I don't have much of a Southern accent, even though I grew up in Georgia.

20. My bedtime is around 3 a.m.

21. I'm one of those people that needs 10 hours of sleep at night.

22. I have an innate ability for proper grammar and good spelling (although you'll never catch me claim I'm perfect).

23. When I do actually sit down to read a book, I'll read the whole thing in one or two sittings.

24. I hate scary movies. But if you can get lucky enough to convince me to watch one, it has to be in broad daylight.

25. If I didn't already have a German Shepherd, I'd want a Scottish Terrier or a Wire Fox Terrier.

Late-night TV

Have you seen that finallyfast.com commercial? If you haven't, it's basically a commercial for a website you can go to download something or other that will "check for viruses" and other stuff slowing down your computer, and then allegedly make your computer fast. Only, in the small print, the commercial says it's not for Macs, only PCs (which is fishy anyway if you know that Macs rarely get viruses). But there are four or five people shown on computers during the commercial, and AT LEAST TWO of them are on Macs! Uh, way to go, geniuses.

Also, I'm sitting here watching an interview, and methinks Blagojevich is certifiably crazy. And yes I can spell that without looking it up. Even more fun to fit in a headline.

I also want to know why a collection of 50 state quarters costs $29.99 (which of course is the sale price, down from $70!) when 50 quarters clearly only total $12.50. If you'd had the foresight to collect them over the last few years, you could've earned $12.50 instead of spending $29.99.