Life is a journey, how many times have we heard that? Isn’t it a bumper sticker? While I get that, and I understand why people say that, I don’t know that I subscribe to it. Life is what you make of it, another cliché, that one I totally get and subscribe to. While we might not have control of what happens in life, we do have control of our reactions to the chaos that makes up this world.
I have had incredibly sad news for several weeks in a row, my heart aches for the ones involved, I don’t feel at liberty to say in a public forum. I am praying for the people where the chaos has invaded, where things are darkest at this point in their lives. I pray for peace most of all, understanding may not come, may never come, however, perhaps peace can pervade.
For the first time in many weeks, I have nothing to do this Friday, I am so excited! I get to just stay home in my pajamas and watch television, maybe clean, do laundry, however stay in my pajamas! I know you are thinking this is not very exciting, well; sometimes you have to have a little down time in order to regroup and come back stronger.
On a completely up note, the Irishman seems to be doing better, he has put on weight and he is back to his normal pale, not the deathly pale he has been sporting for a year. He has more energy and his mood is up, so I am very hopeful for this medication and the treatment he is getting.
My own health is spectacular; so far I have avoided getting any of the illnesses that people are bringing into my vicinity. I give credit to the vitamins and honey; yes I am going to stand by the local honey. No flu here, no colds, no sinus, nothing, yes I am bragging. I did wake up with a headache today; however I believe it is due to the fact that I did not have as much caffeine yesterday as I normally have. As soon as I got up and had a cup of coffee, headache gone, so there you have it.
I hope everyone has a great day, say prayers for people today, even people you don’t know, we all need them.
Tech Support Advise
So, yesterday, I was speaking with a co-worker, he has been here awhile, like me, in this particular department. He was saying that he used to be a really nice person, friendly, always ready to talk, then he came here. He said you know Angie this place has a way of just whittling away at you. I said, wow I know what you mean. I used to like talking on the phone after work, being semi social, but now, after being screamed at all day, cussed at, called vile names, I don’t want to talk to anyone.
I find that I have worse road rage, my patience level is almost non-existent, it is insane. I have a few hints for people calling in for tech support that would lighten the load for all people like me.
First of all, we are you internet service provider, not your computer repair person, we do not work on computers, we do not know how much memory it has, that is your job to know these things. My best suggestion to all people who are computer illiterate is to take a class. I once had a customer, a very nice lady who was 80, she was perfection. She followed directions; she was just zipping along on her computer. I commented on it, I told her, listen, I have customers half your age that don’t know as much as you. She said that she decided she didn’t want her grandchildren to know more than her so she took a computer class at the local senior center. I wish every customer was like her, or if you can’t take a class, don’t blame us when you haven’t done any maintenance on your computer and it implodes.
The thing is this is an expensive, complicated piece of machinery that you have brought into your home. It makes sense you should learn something about it, especially since you are doing banking on it, shopping, inputting credit card information. Remember, not only is this your window to the world, it is the world’s window into your life. Keep yourself informed, keep yourself safe, and if you do have to call tech support, we understand you are frustrated, we are here to help. We want to help you that is our job, however, we are human, we do deserve respect. Speak to us in a respectful, professional manner and we will move mountains for you. We will be honest with you and tell you when it is our issue, and when it is yours.
I really love my job, I enjoy helping people, I do not enjoy being called vile names simply because someone downloaded something they should not have and now their computer is just a big paperweight. Think before you click, Google is your best friend, if you are not sure about something, google.com and search it. Honestly, Google is our best friend as well, there are too many error codes for us to remember them all so yes we Google them.
If you own a Mac, they have classes for free in their stores, you can simply schedule one and attend, you will be amazed at what your machine can do. Things are always more fun when you know how to use them. Good luck and remember to get the anger and cussing out of your system before calling tech support.
Monday
Well, it’s Monday, and President’s day, a day set aside to honor, well really it was supposed to be George Washington, then someone decided Abraham Lincoln should be included. Why you ask, well it is because both of their birthdays are in February. Then the great Ronald Regan, his birthday is also in February, so it just kinda morphed into honoring all Presidents, former Presidents. Whether they deserve to be honored or not. Jimmy Carter comes to mind in the not column, worst President to date, former President. Our current one is giving him a run for his title though.
I sit here sipping my coffee, pondering on past Presidents of the United States of America, of course you all know by now Ronald Regan is my favorite. He was my first, the very first election I could vote it, I voted for him. It was his second term in office, I loved him, I still remember when he took the oath of President the first time, a breath of fresh air went through the country.
The air is stale now, strangling, making it difficult to take in deep breaths, our freedoms being hacked at one at a time. It is a sad state of affairs these days, the economy, the blatant socialism that is being forced upon us. The overall feeling of despair that has overtaken the whole country, it brings me great sadness.
The past several weeks I have heard bad news regarding two separate people I used to know. I won’t go into details here as I do not feel I have permission to do so. I am just deeply saddened by their losses; my prayers are with the two families.
Speaking of the word lose, I would like to give a quick lesson in how to use certain words: I hope to lose 10 pounds so my pants will be loose. See what I did there? I used the words appropriately. Definition of loose:
not rigidly fastened or securely attached
having worked partly free from attachments having relative freedom of movement
Definition of lose:
to miss from one’s possession or from a customary or supposed place
to suffer deprivation of: part with especially in an unforeseen or accidental manner
Definition of loss:
Destruction or ruin
the act of losing possession: deprivation
the harm or privation resulting from loss or separation
an instance of losing
There, now you all know, it has been driving me insane, seeing the misuse of the three words.
Ok, I’m done, I am sure I will be blasted for this, however I feel better.
Not a Made Up Holiday
I would like to clear up a few misconceptions regarding Valentines Day, first off it is not a made up holiday. It is a real holiday, celebrated as far back as the 5th century; we celebrate it to honor St Valentine. He gave his life in roughly 260 AD defying the Roman government by marrying Christian couples.
It is thought that Valentines and a pagan holiday became merged, which could be the case, as Christmas incorporates some pagan traditions as well. It was Pope Gelasius that declared February 14th St. Valentine’s Day, so I guess we can actually blame the Catholics for this holiday.
It is a holiday that is all about love, romantic love at that, written Valentines began appearing in Great Britain in the 1700’s, strangely enough, not by a greeting card company. So I guess you all can take that excuse out of your arsenal, interesting, excuses are beginning to dwindle.
I for one like Valentine’s Day, it seems like people are nicer, they smile a little bit more, say hello with a more friendly tone and just look nicer. Maybe we should all strive to be a little more romantic in our daily lives. Wait, no, I don’t think I could keep that up, I am not a romantic person by nature, this is just wrong!
Anyway, Valentine’s Day, not a made up holiday, celebrate with the one you love or the one that loves you.
Oh and in the interest of full disclosure, before writing this I had two Venti Starbucks, fully caffeinated treats, one diet coke and one coke float.
A Love Letter to Owasso High School
On Valentines Day I would like to write a love letter to my hometown, Owasso, Oklahoma. On Twitter and Facebook I learned about something extraordinary, the Owasso Rams Boys Basketball team started a twitter campaign to Dress Nathan Out.
Who is Nathan you ask, well, Nathan is a special needs student who attends Owasso High; he is the manager for the basketball team. The boys wanted him to have the chance to dress out, for non sports people this means he would get to put on the Owasso Rams uniform. For Nathan this would be a first, he has never gotten to wear the uniform he so proudly supports.
The team started a twitter campaign, the community joined in, then it went viral, Toby Keith started tweeting about it along with several other celebrities. I even started tweeting about it, the coach’s daughter brought all of the support to his attention and he called the opposing team and discussed it with them. Sand Springs has about as big a heart as Owasso and instantly agreed. The next hurdle was the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association. The only question they had was if he was eligible in all respects. He was. His grades were on track, he was physically able and all parties signed off on Nathan dressing out.
He not only dressed out, he dressed out in style, the Sand Springs team sent Nathan a gift of new shoes to wear with his uniform. Not only did he get to put the uniform on, he got to play, and play he did, he scored eight points in all, including two three-pointers, helping bring Owasso the win, 75-55.
Owasso has always had a big heart, now the world knows it, I am so proud to be from a community that fosters such camaraderie, such caring. When the youth of a community unite together to make one young man feel special you know the adults have done something really right. I have high hopes for the next generation of Owassoans, I fully expect to hear amazing things from these amazing young people.
So, today, on this day of love, I want to tell you all, the students of Owasso High School, I love you, I love your heart, your tenacity, your example, your overwhelming sense of giving and above all I love your ability to make things happen. You totally rock. Happy Valentines Day to you all.
Irritated
So, a woman in New Zealand drank copious amounts of soda, smoked 30 cigarettes a day and died at a young age. Who else is shocked that this woman died? She had eight children, apparently one who was born without tooth enamel. People are blaming Coca-Cola for this woman’s untimely death. Seriously? This is where you are pointing a finger? Why not the woman’s 30 cigarette a day habit? Why not point the finger at the woman herself, she had an issue, she had eight children that she could not seem to care about, because if she did care she would not have been smoking like that, would have eaten sensible meals, would not have lived on soda alone.
I’m sorry but I don’t feel bad for this woman, I feel bad for the children left behind, I feel bad for the people who will now have to take them in and raise them. But the woman who died? No, I don’t feel bad for her.
Seriously people when will it stop? The blame game, it seems no one wants to take responsibility for their own actions. I have an addiction to chocolate, I know this, I own it, I do not blame Godiva. I am addicted to coffee, I do not blame Starbucks. I learn to curb my addictions, to put limits on myself, to take responsibility for my life.
We have bred a society of people who take no ownership of their issues, with the advent of Jerry Springer, Sally Jessy Raphael, Montel Williams and yes, even Oprah, people have learned they can blame others for their shortcomings. When will this end? That is the big question, these people that like to blame others for their own inadequacies are having children to which they will pass this belief.
It’s time to put an end to it, just stop, you have issues, embrace them, own them, then fix what doesn’t work. I have issues, I embrace them, I get rid of the ones that hold me back, others I brag about. I urge all of you out there that are playing the blame game to look in the mirror. The only one you have to blame for your problems is you. Fixing your life starts with you, if you are drinking 10 liters of Coke a day, knock it off, 30 cigarettes a day, stop it. Do what you need to do to correct the bad habits in your life. Especially if you have children, why would you want to take the chance that you are going to die young and leave your children parentless? You know these are health effecting things. Pure insanity.
Birthday Synopsis
Well, my birthday weekend is over, the month continues, in the immortal words of Tracy Lawrence, Time Marches On. I had the best birthday this year, not just due to the presents but due to the fact I got to have lunch with Jeffrey, Elizabeth and Alex. It was not only enjoyable but fun, I have really funny kids, they have the most amazing humor. So happy I was chosen to be their mom, the only missing element was Tessa.
Let’s see, I know you want to know what I got, so I shall go down the list in order of birth, from Jeffrey I got a Starbucks gift card, he told me he knows how much I love my “Friday” coffee treats. Very thoughtful!
From Elizabeth a new Coach purse, all three of my Coach purses have come from her; this one is the trademark brown, only with purple trim! It is so pretty! I immediately had to empty the old one and put everything in the new one!
Alex gave me the gift of pampering; he got me a gift certificate for a mani/pedi at a salon called the Beverly Hills Salon! I get to be a movie star! How cool is that? I can go in with my coffee treat, holding my purse and get the star treatment.
The Irishman, I know you are all wondering about him, well, he gave me the gift of communication. I got the new IPhone 5, at first I was like, my IPhone 4 works fine, but then we got to the Apple store and I fell in love with the white one. Then Siri talked to me! OMG I think I am in love with Siri! It was a very cool and thoughtful gift.
He and I had a combination of lunch and dinner, at the Londoner in Allen, it was nice, it was a really nice day.
Next year I don’t know if I want to acknowledge my birthday as it will be a huge one, a really huge one. I don’t even want to say the number, I don’t feel this number, I feel like I am maybe 25, however I know my body is going to start betraying me, that I will eventually just cave. I really don’t want to get osteoporosis, which really terrifies me. My grandmother had it and her spine curved, I know it caused her a lot of pain, she never complained about it, but I know it was not fun. I remember the doctors wanted her to wear a metal contraption that would help straighten her spine, but that was more painful than the actual curvature, so she quit wearing it.
On that note I will say goodbye and go eat my yogurt for the calcium!
Accent Thursday
I don’t listen to country music, I would just like to get that out there, well, for the most part, the other part of me thinks what girl doesn’t need a little Tim McGraw from time to time. I was raised on so many genres of music it is hard to explain why I am so loathe to admit listening to this one. I loved Johnny Cash, June Carter, Loretta Lynne and the Oak Ridge Boys when I was growing up. I always loved Alice Cooper, Kiss, ZZ Top and the Commodores, I know, very odd listening habits. As I grew older, disco invaded my life, we have stayed in close contact over they years, my constant companion. However, there are days I must cheat, today was one of those days, not my fault, I have plausible deniability.
I jumped in my car at lunch and when I turned the key over, the soothing tones of Tim McGraw filled the air, I was shocked, how did this happen. Somehow my car radio was set to a country station; I promise you this was not my doing. I did nothing to change the situation, I felt guilt, my old friend disco was waiting for me on 88.5, I still did nothing.
Then it happened, I began to sing along, the absolute horror, then it happened, the very reason I do not listen to country music. When I stopped the car and went inside my destination, I heard the accent come out of my mouth. When I listen to country music my Southern accent is more pronounced. It’s as if someone else takes over and controls my vocal cords, I am helpless to stop it. As helpless as I am to stop my Oklahoma accent whenever I cross the border that takes me home.
I don’t even know how it happens, I don’t know anyone else who experiences this phenomenon, if you do, please tell me. I worked hard at not having an accent and for the most part I succeed, except when I want to have one, but there are times, the most unfortunate times when it comes out. And I am paralyzed, not with fear but with disbelief, where did it come from.
That is the question of the day, where do these accents come from? My parents didn’t have one, my grandmother, well; she had a southern one, and very southern sayings that to this day I repeat. Did I obtain it when I lived in Georgia? No, I had it before then, who can really know for sure where it came from. I think I was born with it, what I would really like to know is where the California Valley girl came from. She is shocking, and yes I have always had that accent, even in school, before it was immortalized by the movie staring the brilliant Nicholas Cage.
Back to me and country music, I am completely enamored by Nashville right now; perhaps that is where the accent is coming from. The show comes on Wednesday nights, I watch Thursday mornings, my accent seems to appear on Thursdays. My longing to listen to Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Tracy Lawrence and Toby Keith emerge then as well.
I do believe I have solved the mystery of my accent heavy Thursdays.
Theories and Such
I have Starbucks today; I also had them add an extra shot in my coffee treat, welcome to my Friday. I actually had time to go to my favorite Starbucks on the corner of Park and Custer, love them. Tomorrow I am going to pick up the pictures from Tessa’s Fairy photo session, I am so excited! This place was just wonderful, their website is http://enchanted-fairies.com check them out when you get a chance. All of the employees treated Tess like she was a fairy princess, I highly recommend them.
Tonight I am going to the DMA (Dallas Museum of Art) with friends, every Thursday the month of February they are having a free jazz concert. So, I suggested going this Thursday as an outing for the Ladies that Lunch. Not everyone can go as it is a weeknight; however there are several of us willing to brave the night and I know we are going to have a blast.
I am really enjoying being on the radio, I know I talk about it often, but it is the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a long time. I love talking, I love saying whatever is on my mind, granted we have the shows planned out and for the most part tend to stick on topic. Easy to do in a 15 minute show, I wonder what will happen when we go longer. I know eventually that we will I can totally see this going to an hour long live show, taking calls, fielding questions. Can you imagine? Me, live, talking to people! The thought is absolutely heady.
Can I be honest here for a moment? I am so happy that football season is over, I am not a sports girl, never have been, never will be. I have a theory about women who watch sports, or profess to watch them. Yes, I said profess, I know I have a couple of female friends who do not fit in with my theory, but the majority do. Hence the theory, people form theories for a reason, and I have a keen eye for this sort of thing.
I have theories about a lot of things in life, some I share willingly, some not so much, this is one theory I tend to not spout in public. Mainly because women who are doing this for one of the reasons I believe they are have no desired to be called out. The other side of the theory, well if those women are not admitting who they are, they don’t want me calling attention to what I believe. Wow, how much more cryptic could I be?
I will sign off for now, you will probably hear from me Saturday, the day before my birthday, but probably not.
Early Present
So, I had something strange happen yesterday, when I collected the mail I had a surprise delivery. The magazine Guideposts was sitting in my mailbox, why is this strange you ask. Well, I didn’t order a subscription to Guideposts, I know you are still wondering the significance of this happening, I’ll explain.
When my mom was alive she would give me a subscription to Guideposts for Christmas every year. I loved it; I loved all of the uplifting stories, real stories of real people experiencing miracles, small and large. Stories of God’s constant presence, stories that would make me laugh, cry and just feel good. Since my mom passed away I have not received the magazine.
My birthday is Sunday, I feel like I have been given a gift from my mom. I don’t know how this ended up in my mailbox, I am going to go with divine intervention, it has my name on it, my correct address, not a place I lived when my mom was alive, so I know it was not something lingering in their system. I am going to consider it an early Birthday present; perhaps God is sending it in place of my snow.
A strange, wonderful present, I am not going to analyze it, which is my habit, I am just going to enjoy my present from my mom.
Angie World 