Market Street Bridge

This is the Market Street Bridge here in Chattanooga. I always knew that it raised. but had never actually seen it. The bridge has been closed for renovation and is set to reopen on August 4. I just thought it was cool.

Soapbox Warning

So, there is nothing I hate more that people who are two-faced, indifferent, or just plain fake. I am so blessed to have a few of them... OK, maybe blessed is not the appropriate word, but didn't you not the sarcasm!! Anyways, you know who I'm talking about: those people who NEVER call then either A. call when they need something or B. when you finally talk to them, they apologize for not calling (when you know they don't give a happy damn!!).

I have no use for these people at all. They are usually so caught up in themselves and really don't care about anyone or anything that does not get them exactly what they want. They really piss me off. I don't need your so-called "friendship" nor do I need any of the pitiful and lame excuses. Geez... get over yourself already. You're really not that great.

Bethany, Amber, and Barbie at the Big Chill

I knew it!!

Lindsay Lohan got arrested today for DUI and possession of cocaine. I had hoped for the best for her, but I guess my suspicions were dead on, huh?? It's all so sad.

So Tragic

What has happened to Britney?? I mean, I've never been a fan of hers or anything, but geez... Girl needs to get a clue. I've read all sorts of shit about her firing her manager, firing her publicist, feuding with her mom, and the list goes on. She is losing more of her credibility each and every day and the girl don't even seem to care!!!

People look up to her. Hell, my sister was one of her biggest fans when she first came out (we're talking posters, playing the music loudly, and dressing the part). There are all sorts of people who are needing a role model, and this is what they are getting. She used to be cute. She used to be able to work it. She used to have it, but somewhere she lost it and now looks like a trainwreck. And, it's not just Britney, it's pretty much all the young starlets: Paris, Lindsey (I know she went to rehab, but only time will tell), Hayden, etc. Externally they are fine, but they are living a self-destructive lifestyle.

We see pictures of them drinking, acting crazy, smoking (and not always cigarettes), and the kids of America are sitting there thinking that it's alright to go and do that stuff. Does Hollywood not have the same laws as Tennessee?? The things these kids do is completely wrong (and sometimes illegal) and it is shown over and over again in the gossip sites and the tabloid rags. I guess the legal drinking age in California is whenever you shoot your first movie, tv show, photo spread, etc. Oh, yeah, and drugs are legal too, but only if you're famous. Wait, that does not work. Look at Robert Downey Jr. Maybe it's legal as long as the cops don't see you.

OK, I'll get off my soapbox. It's not like I can really do anything about it. I have my opinions, and that's what they are. Take it or leave it. It won't hurt me at all.

Fireworks

So, I know the 4th of July is over and all, but I am so excited!!! We're going to be shooting off fireworks this weekend! Shane and I went riding last weekend and ended up in Jasper. We got a bunch of fireworks (ok, they are mostly the cheesy kiddy ones, but still!!) that have been sitting on our kitchen counter since then. We're heading up to Pikeville and will take them with us... Yeah!!

Ignorance is not an option!!

I am so sick of ignorant people... You know the kind, they want any hand outs they can get even thought they know jack shit about the product, but when you tell them they can't because they don't meet the criteria, they go off and blame it on other people (the main one I hear is the Mexicans). It really makes me sick that grown people will expect something, but when they are denied (based on the criteria, mind you), they blame it on someone or something that is completely unrelated. Geez... get over it. Don't call somewhere and ask for something before you know your facts. The saying may be "ignorance is bliss," but in reality, ignorance is stupid. Ignorance is what is wrong with this world. C'mon people, get educated, get a clue, and don't blame others when you don't know the shit yourself!!!!

Computer Symbolism

We all know those cute little computer symbols called "emoticons," where:

:) means a smile and

:( is a frown.

Sometimes these are represented by

:-)

:-(

Well, how about some "ASSICONS?"

Here goes:

(_!_) a regular ass

(__!__) a fat ass

(!) a tight ass

(_*_) a sore ass

{_!_} a swishy ass

(_o_) an ass that's been around

(_x_) kiss my ass

(_X_) leave my ass alone

(_zzz_) a tired ass

(_E=mc2_) a smart ass

(_$_) Money coming out of his ass

(_?_) Dumb Ass

I finally got my new

I finally got my new phone! this is officially the first text I am sending. I am such a dork!

Call Center Confessions
Above is a link to a story about the "Headset Mafia." This is what they refer to customer service reps as. Is it just me, or is that a kind of catchy little title?? Anyways, it's a pretty interesting read for all you customer service types (and for those of you who call in to us). Luckily, my job is not as bad as the scenarios they show in the article, but we still get our share of crazy callers (and boy have we had some doozies!!!)

My mom called me yesterday at work to let me know that my youngest sister was in the hospital. She really did not know any details, but got me all worried. Jessica, my sister, is pregnant and due in January with the "first grandchild." Char and I went to see her yesterday evening, and they were still running tests. The baby is fine (Thank God!!), but they thought Jessie had kidney stones. She was on a liquid diet, but was in good spirits.

I left about 7:00 and headed for the house. Once again, the mail had run. I got a few packages (a Vcast music kit and a 1GB card). They were all just grand packages, but not the one I want. I'm getting all this stuff, but still have no phone to use it on. Shane was making fun of me and saying I should have made sure I had the phone first. Oh, well, there is always today!!!

Female Comebacks

Lucky for me, Shane did not really use any pick-up line, but I have heard my share (just like every other woman in the world!!). Here's a funny e-mail I had that should make your Monday just a little bit funnier!!

Man: Haven't I seen you someplace before?
Woman: Yes, that's why I don't go there anymore.

Man: Is this seat empty?
Woman: Yes, and this one will be if you sit down.

Man: Your place or mine?
Woman: Both. You go to yours, and I'll go to mine.

Man: So, what do you do for a living?
Woman: I'm a female impersonator.

Man: Hey baby, what's your sign?
Woman: Do not enter.

Man: How do you like your eggs in the morning?
Woman: Unfertilized

Man: Your body is like a temple.
Woman: Sorry, there are no services today.

Man: I would go to the end of the world for you.
Woman: But would you stay there?

Man: If I could see you naked, I'd die happy.
Woman: If I saw you naked, I'd probably die laughing.

Weekend Update

We got the mail yesterday and I had a few packages in it: the hot pink cover and the USB thing that will connect the memory card to the computer, but still not got the phone, I should have it more than likely on Monday!! I'm so excited!!

Yesterday, Shane and I went to dinner with my dad's family for Charlotte's birthday (one of the perks of divorce [as there aren't many].. twice the holidays, birthdays, and other days of note). After dinner, we were going to go to the drive-in, but instead decided to take a scenic drive.

We started in Trenton and worked our way to Alabama then kinda drove in circles. It was gorgeous... right around dusk. We went over a suspension bridge that was just awesome. We stopped on the bridge and got out. It was kind of scary being up there with nothing really under me but air and water, but it was awesome!!

Today we've just chilled... We played Family Feud on the playstation for a while (and I kicked Shane's butt!!!) then went to Backyard Burgers for dinner. It was a calm day (the calm before Monday!!).

Random Thought

Maybe I'll get my new phone this weekend!!!!! (Probably not, but hey--a girl's gotta have dreams, right?!?!)

TGIF!!

Yeah!! It's almost the weekend. Only like 56 more minutes!! I have no clue what will be going on yet. I think Shane wants to take me out tonight, but I'm not sure where. I know that tomorrow we are going to the drive in (Transformers and Live Free or Die Hard--Shane would be crushed if he did not go!!). Tomorrow will be a busy day!! I've got some small errands to run, I want to go shopping, Shane wants to look at trucks, and we have to go to my sister's birthday dinner with dad's family. Sunday we are helping my friend Stacia build a greenhouse then may stay for a cookout. Geez... so much to do.

Sometimes, I wish I could have a whole weekend just to do nothing. A few weeks ago, Shane and I had a Sunday of complete rest... we stayed in our jammies all day, put a blanket down in the living room where we sat and played games all day long. That was a perfect day. Not that I'm complaining or anything, I just wish I had a few more hours each day to chill and relax!!!

I love Fluxx!!!

So, my favorite card game of all time is Fluxx. It's this crazy game where all the players start with three cards and on their turn, they draw one and play one. The catch is you can change the rules at any time by laying down a new rule (like "Draw 4" or "Play 2"). To win, you have to reach a goal, but the glory of the game is the goals (like the rules) are always changing!! It's a trip!! Shane and I can sit around and play this game for hours and never get tired of it!!! Super fun stuff!!!

E-Bay

You know what the worst part of buying something on E-Bay is??? After you pay for the item, you have to wait until they ship it to you. I paid for my phone and all the accessories last night, but won't have it all until next week. I'm still excited, but I am so full of anticipation. I cannot wait to get my new phone and make it my own. I have bought a black skin with cute little stars on it and a hot pink rubber case to put it in (They coordinate. Cool, huh??). I have chargers for the home, work, and the car, a 4GB memory card so I can put tons of songs on it (my computer is so slow cause of all the ones I've already downloaded!!!). It's gonna be cool, but I have to wait. I don't even know when I'm getting it all. I guess getting the mail will be like Christmas morning for a while, huh??

Well, it still beats paying retail!!!

The word for the day is 'fierce.'

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

Mark Twain

You Are 32% Bitchy

You're a pretty sweet person, and you're definitely not prone to bitchy outbursts. Sometimes, though, you can't help thinking mean thoughts about people. But at least you don't act on them!

How Bitchy Are You?

Oh Happy Day!!

I have been bidding on the LG EnV phone on E-Bay, but lost about 6 of them to higher bidders. Last night, an auction ended around 2:00am. I was not going to stay up til then to see if I won, so Shane and I checked it before we went to bed (and I upped my bid). I had him wake me up before he went to work. I checked E-Bay and... I won my phone!!! I'm so excited!!! Shane told me it was a good thing I did win it because I've already bought most of the accessories (including a HOT PINK skin for the phone!!). Anyways, it will be here at the beginning of next week. Yeah me!!!

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

-Berthold Auerbach

Yeah!! A new cell phone!!!

I'm getting a new cell phone!!! Yeah!!! I am so excited. I have been bidding on these things for like 3 days on E-bay!! It's an LG EnV and it has a flip out thing with a full keyboard!! It also has speakers on either side and a killer camera. I think that Shane is really starting to get fed up with me and my phone stuff. I've been ordering accessories and all. Oh, well. It's gonna be better than my Razr. Speaking of, I have a pink one to sell if anyone wants it!!!

A day off work...

I took today off from work. I love taking Mondays off!! It's like my own private holiday to rest, relax, and do whatever I want to do. Today is pretty much the same. I had a physical today then came home and had a wonderful sushi lunch. After lunch, I started cleaning. It's now almost 2:00 and I have over half the house done: Dylan's room, Shane and my room, the bathroom, and the hallway. OK, I have half the house done, but not half the work. I still have the kitchen and the living room to do, but I'm taking a break!!!

Last night Shane and I went to Sticky Fingers with my mom, her husband, my gran, and my sister. We had a pretty good time and some great food. Nothing too eventful happened at dinner, but I did break my favorite flip flops and had to do a little shuffle out of the resturant (which was very amusing, but thankfully I did not fall on my face or anything!!!). Afterwards, Shane and I went to Dunlap to pick up Dylan. He went swimming with Emily and Brian at a water park in McMinnville. We did not get home until around 11:30. Shane went to bed, Dylan was almost asleep, and I was wide awake (thanks to Starbucks!!!).

So, there's a little recap of my fabulous life!!

P.S. the "Houdini Hamsters" are still in captivity (thanks Allen for the great nickname for them!!)

Lotto Update

So, I took my winning tickets to the gas station yesterday to cash them in... My $60 ticket was not a winner. When the guy at the gas station said that, my heart sunk so low!!! I did win a few dollars thought, and bought 3 more of the deceptive ticket. I scratched the first one and, nothing. The second one I scratched I once again thought I won $60 until I looked closer. I lost on all three, and that really sucks. Oh, well. It was a gamble to begin with.

Hamster Update

We got back last night about 11:00pm. I checked the hamsters once we got everything inside, and... they are both still here!!! I was absolutely thrilled with that!! I tried SO hard not to think about that the whole time we were gone, but then Shane went and mentioned it about two minutes before we got home. I thought for sure he had jinxed the situation (he laughed when I told him), but low and behold, they were both there!!

I won the lottery! 76 dollars in all. 60 on one ticket! Yeah me!

Rats, Stars, and Sleeping in Cars

Yesterday evening, Shane, Dylan and me went to the Wilderness Outdoor Movie Center better known as the drive-in. I have been to drive-in theaters before, but really like this place. It's billed as the "World's Largest Drive-In" and really is great: cheap concessions (and they have funnel cake!!), immaculate bathrooms (and ladies... rarely do you ever wait in line!!!), it's close to home, beautiful scenery (and an amazing view of the stars), and there are two screens and for $5 you can see 2 movies!!! We've gone three weeks in a row and will be going again next week (and then, who know!!).

Last night we saw Ratatouille and Oceans 13. We put a matress in the bed of the truck and the three of us piled in there for the movies. We had brought our dinner with us, so we just chilled. The movies were both really good (especially the first!!), but the greatest thing of the night was seeing hundreds of stars above me. That was beautiful!!

After the movie we headed up to Pikeville and got there around 3:00am. Shane and I got in the pool for a little bit and then we fell asleep in the back of the truck. I woke up around 10:00 and have just chilled all day. I am soooo tired!!!

Another thing... everytime Shane and I have gone to the drive-in, we lose a hamster. We have 2 now that crazy came back, but have not been home to check on them. I sure hope they are still there!!!

Thank God they did not name me Grace!!

On my lunch break, I was crossing Broad Street when a sewer grate came up out of nowhere and tripped me. I fell, landed on the palms of my hands and my knees got a little bunged up. All my friends and family know I am a klutz. Now, here's some more proof!! Geez... I'm a blonde and a klutz... that can't be good!!! :o)

Weirdness in the news...

Girl, 11, Charged With DUI After Chase
(from the end of the story, above is a link to it)
Duck declined to release the girl's blood alcohol level but said a blood test at the hospital showed it was higher than .02, the legal limit for minors...

OK, stop me if I am wrong... I thought that the legal age for alcohol consumption was 21. If that is the case, why is there a legal limit for minors???????

Duh!!

So, for the past few days, I have had an excerpt from the song "Another Day" from the musical Rent stuck in my head. Rent is one of my favorite musicals of all time, and has many great themes. Plus, it is set in modern times, so it is easier for everyone to relate to. If you can't see the musical, it is out on DVD, and this is one "musical to movie" transition that really works (unlike Les Mis... don't even get me started on that one!!!) Anyways, the song is "Another Day" and these are some excerpts of my favorite parts. It starts out with Roger and Mimi singing togather, but at the end everyone is singing.

MIMI
The heart may freeze or it can burn
The pain will ease if I can learn
There is no future
There is no past
I live this moment as my last
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today
---
There's only yes
Only tonight
We must let go
To know what's right
No other course
No other way
No day but today

MIMI & OTHERS
I can't control
My destiny
I trust my soul
My only goal is just
To be
There's only now
There's only here
Give in to love
Or live in fear
No other path
No other way
No day but today...
---"Another Day" from Rent

Check out these crazy hand "puppets"

Can you believe that these are painted hands?? Unbelievable!!!

Proof

So, I am completely blonde!! I was balancing my checkbook today and saw that there was an extra $430 in my account. I freaked and called my dad and sister, both who have account numbers near mine. It was when I was talking to my sister that I realized that the overage was from a deposit I made last week for the rent. I called my dad back to let him know. He just said, "Well, you are a blonde!!" So there you have it... proof of what we have known all along, I am a true blonde!! Here's the best part of it all though... I had the deposit and the check I wrote with the money all in my check register the whole time!!!!

Dopey, the greatest dwarf of all!!!

Right now mine is Pink by Aerosmith (Steven Tyler is still rockin' it). What's yours?

Do you remember that game “Telephone” that you used to play as a kid. It was the one where you and a whole bunch of people sat in a circle and one person whispered a secret into their neighbor’s ear, and so on until “How Now Brown Cow” became “I want a banana milkshake” about 15 people down the way. I don’t know why, but being in my family is kind of like a game of “Telephone” where you can say one thing totally in jest and then the next day it blows up in your face like the 3rd World War. That happened to my sister, but luckily she was able to straighten everything up. There is peace in the family again (well at least some!!).

How I spent my 4th of July

So, Shane and I went to my Aunt Robin and Uncle Andy’s house yesterday for a 4th of July/Charlotte’s birthday cookout. Also there were my Gran, Charlotte, and her friend Kristen and Kristen’s fiancé. Great food, great company… what more could a girl ask for?? We played a game called Apples to Apples after dinner which (while strange) was actually quite fun. If you have not heard of it, I highly recommend checking it out. Even Shane liked it, and he is not a huge fan of word games or anything.

After the dinner, Shane and I went and sang karaoke (our Wednesday night tradition) and (get this) played cards at the bar. It’s another game I would definitely recommend, Fluxx. The game has no set rules. You kind of just change them as you go, and when we play, usually lunacy follows!!

All in all, it was a fun 4th of July holiday.

The Bitch is Back...

Crazy Bitch came back the other night. Shane and I caught her and have now placed her back in the cage. I figured out how she got out, and it's a trip. She was climbing up the area between the wall and the water bottle, getting on the water bottle then getting out. Geez... hamsters are smart!!!

Happy 4th of July

Hey Everyone!! Happy 4th of July!! I found these cartoons and just had to share them (especially the last one for all you working people out there!!!). Anyways, have a safe and happy Independence Day!! Don't do anything stupid, you know like blow your ear off with a firework or drive drunk or anything. Not that any of you would, but I'm just saying...

4th of July

So, my dad and I were talking last night about the 4th of July holiday. I am off work tomorrow for the holiday. Tomorrow... Wednesday... I don't like it at all. I wish that we could just work today then take either this past Monday or this coming Friday off work. Why did our founding fathers declare independence on the 4th of July. Why not on the first Monday of the month of July??? That would make it a whole lot easier. I mean, we go to work Monday and Tuesday, take Wednesday off, then go back for Thursday and Friday. It's such a tease of a holiday. I'm not dissing the 4th because I think it really is a grand holiday. I'm just not too happy with the timing of it all!! You can't go on a vacation or even just rejoice in the fact that you get a three day weekend. I know that I'm not the only one in the world that thinks that!!! Anyways, it's just something that was going through my head last night and I thought I would share.

Ghetto Spelling Words

GHETTO SPELLIN' WORDS:
Leroy is a 20 year-old 5th grader. This is Leroy's homework assignment. He must use each vocabulary word in a sentence.

1. Hotel - I gave my girlfriend crabs, and the ho tel everybody.

2. Dictate - My girlfriend say my dictate good.

3. Rectum - I had two Cadillac's, but my bitch rectum both.

4. Disappointment - My parole officer tol' me if I miss disappointment they gonna send me back to the joint.

5. Penis - I went to the doctors and he handed me a cup and said penis.

6. Israel - Tito try to sell me a Rolex. I say, "Man, it look fake." He say, "Bullshit, that watch israel."

7. Undermine - There's a fine lookin' ho living in the apartment undermine.

8. Fortify - I axed this ho on da street, "How much?" she say "fortify."

Please, don't push the button...

Put The Big Red Button on your site

"We're innocent in every way like apple pie and Chevrolet"

Motley Crue

My new addiction

So, I have a new addiction (and Shane thinks it's absolutely crazy)... free stuff. I mean, how much better can it get. You sign up for something and they send it to you for FREE!!! And who says you can't get anything for free nowadays!!! I just got my second issue of Spin magazine, which I had only glanced at before, but now that I actually read it, I can see that it is a great magazine. I also got Shane a 4-wheeler magazine for free, as well as many samples of everything from shampoos and conditioners to lotion to food samples to well, who knows what will come in the mail tomorrow!!! I have a few sites that I check everyday religiously:

Slick Deals (just click "Forums" then "Freebies")
Arlana's Corner (click on "New Freebies" for a current listing)
Free Stuff Crazy (the main page has new freebies listed in a daily format)

It's highly addictive, but hey--it's fun!! I almost feel like a kid on Christmas morning when I open the mailbox. OK, maybe that's taking it a little far, but it is cool when you open the mailbox and instead of the regular bills, there is a trial size bottle of lotion in it. I don't know. I'm wierd, but it's fun to me (then again, I am a little wierd!!!)

Sonic the Hedgehog!!!

Donkey Kong!!

Way too long since last time!!

It's crazy just how much time can get lost and in so little time. In April, I said I would continue writing, but now it's July 2 and I am finally getting around to it. Geez!! Not too much new has been happening, but we have some new family to speak of: fish and hamsters.

It all started with 2 hamsters, Carlito and Crazy Bitch. Carlito escaped when Shane and I went to the drive in for a movie, so we got Fuzzy. We went to the drive in again last Saturday, and Crazy Bitch got out. There is a mouse in my house, and I am freaking out trying to find it!!!

Shane's sister gave us an aquarium, so we got a few fish. now we have like 14 fish and a plecostamos and a snail. It's very cool, but I'm scared we may find baby fish soon!!!

Other than that, not much new has gone on. I'm busy at work and then in my spare time, I surf the web for free stuff and e-bay goodies!!!