Saturday, November 14, 2009

In Memoriam...

I'm in New Jersey for work. The days are long and sleep is very limited. I assumed I would have something to blog about while I was here, but never thought this is what I would be blogging about.

When I tell people what I do, their reactions are expected. Very exciting and everyone wants to do it. It sounds fabulous, but there isn't one thing glamorous about this job. I am thankful for the friends I have and get to see when I travel, I'm grateful to have traveled to as many places as I have, but I work my ass off while I'm on-site. Sometimes, if we're lucky, there's time to leave the hotel for a couple of hours, but usually there's hardly time to even talk to my family.  That's why today, I checked my phone and wasn't too surprised to see missed calls and text messages. I panicked to see urgent text messages from my good friend, Adri, and a voice mail. I didn't have time to think of all the possibilities as I immediately returned her call, but I wasn't prepared for the news she gave me.
"All of our family members are safe and okay, but one of our friends (on Facebook) died. Jason Cuttill was found dead in his car on his naval base."

I was, and still am, stunned, to say the least.

Jason is a friend from my childhood. I have such absolute fond memories of him. At one point in our friendship he was like an older brother to me and called me his lil sis. And he treated me just like it. It's these things that I hang on to now...trying to remember every memory of him. There are major ones and the smallest, but they all weigh heavy on my heart now.   

Jason was always a true man, even as a teenager. He looked out for his friends, genuinely cared about people, loved his family, and seemed to always be true to himself.  He was secure and confident. Good looking and had the best personality...and a pretty good mullet at one point, too. He had the biggest smile that won every girl's heart. He was one of those "what you see is what you get" guys, and everyone loved him for it. 


Thanks to Facebook, Jason and I reunited, as many people have. He was one person I was truly happy to reconnect with. As usual, we harassed and threatened each other just like we were 15 again. Our last communication was very recent. When I look back now at his FB page, which is flooded with sympathy and shock, I desperately looked for our last posts. Then, finally, I found it...it said "Jason commented on your status." It was one of his last posts....and on my own page. My heart is filled with sadness as I read through everyone's comments to him and his family, but I can't bring myself to comment on his page. I am overwhelmed with sadness, my heart hurts for MY OWN loss...I can't even begin to fathom how his family feels.  So, naturally, I turn to my blog to express my emotions.

It's like my public diary.

I learned something today though. I don't know how to put it into words...shocking, I'm sure. But I'm thankful that Jason and I reconnected. He touched my heart once again. I'm so thankful for our banter and our little heart to heart emails. The world really was a better place with him in it.

Peace, Jason. I love you and miss you already.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Peace, Love, and Grass


So I went to the health food store today for some inspiration for a healthy diet. I was talking to a guy who rambled about diet and starvation, to which I explained I have tried both. He rambled for so long, I started to realize I wasn't paying attention to anything he was saying.  All I could think about is if he was high. I really just wanted him to tell me what to buy.
Defeated, I came home and wondered if winter oreo's tasted the same as the regular ones, even though it says "same great taste" on the package.

In case you're wondering, they do taste the same.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Facebook Friends

I think it's time for a little Facebook etiquette check.  I'm noticing that more and more people have their parents, namely mothers, as "friends" on FB. That's cool, but for me, it makes me look bad. I don't think it's appropriate for my mother to "watch" everything that goes on between my friends and I.  I've also noticed people have their in-laws as friends. Brothers/sisters in laws are fine. But I think a line needs to be drawn when it comes to mother-in-laws. Do you really want your mother-in-law to read (or see pictures!) about the drunken weekend you had and thus, struggled to get up with her grandchildren in the morning? Do you want her to comment or "like" every single little thing you say about her son or grandkids?  I know it's awkward to "ignore" those people you don't want to be your FB friend, but let me tell you, once you start, it's not all that bad! It's a little liberating to check those people off your friend request list. Let them sit there for a few days if you need. One day you'll feel at ease and "ignore" them like they never even existed. And here's the best part. They don't know! They don't know that you've ignored them...and chances are, they'll forget they even requested you! When they ask you about it, just tell them you didn't see it....OR....you really rarely get on anymore. They will never know. 

I did it to my own mom. Twice. I didn't lie either, actually. I told my mom the truth. I talk to her 5 times a day and really, anything I put on FB, she will most likely already know about. So, see, there was no need to be FB friends. Done.

So, please, just say no. Just say no to those unwanted FB guests. I really hate having to censor myself when I think a mother or father could be "watching." 

~Facebook Big Brother...err...Sister

Ed Who???


This morning I was listening to the radio and the DJ's were discussing fashion. Now before I start to rant about her lack of knowledge, I should first say that most people here dress surprisingly well. I can't say enough how pleasantly surprised I was to see the labels worn by some of the women here. 

So this morning I was listening to these DJ's and the girl was talking about what's in for men's fashion right now. She said the military look is in and v-neck t-shirts (think Simon Cowell). She gave examples of Affliction and "Ed Harvey". The guys laughed and corrected her and she blamed it on her spelling and inability to pronounce anything. Okay, but we're not talking Christian Louboutin. Ed Hardy is clearly pronounceable.  There really is no excuse. There is also no excuse for recommending anyone wear these shirts anymore. They are not "in" anymore, okay people??  Especially not after Jon Gosselin has dedicated himself to being the unofficial Ed Hardy spokesman aaaand Christian Audigier has been seen yachting with this creep. Kind of throws credibility out the window.

I am disgusted. A radio personality who doesn't know how to pronounce Ed Hardy should not be giving fashion advice. Nor should a person who is suggesting it in the first place.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Skinny Bitch


Two years ago I read a book that changed my life. I quit eating meat immediately and was trudging toward no animal product whatsoever. I ate almost entirely organic and quit all soda and coffee. I drank water like...something that drinks a lot of water. And I felt awesome. I never felt sluggish and I had an incredible amount of energy.

Then I got pregnant with Olivia and decided it was probably not the right time to start omitting dairy from my diet, and what a great excuse to prolong veganism. So I did just that.

Well, Olivia is 9 months old and not only am I eating dairy still, but I am drinking soda, coffee and eating shit that makes me feel like just that. So as boring as this may be to you, the reader, I am vowing NOW to get my life with food back on track.

You are my accountability. Starting today, no more soda, less sugar...like way less, cookies are no longer lunch, and well, the dairy...that's just hard. I may just have to reduce instead of eliminate.

Rome wasn't built in a day.