A Few from my List of Reasons ...
Why I won’t be a stripper:
10. Not a fan of butt-floss (neither is my va-jay-jay)
37. prefer to live the “Class not Ass”
64. Half-naked, bloated, and bleeding once a month in front of strangers. (Do you get paid leave for “the time of the month?” If so change this to why I might be able to be a stripper.)
106. Don’t think I could find many work friends with the same goals.
127. No real reason to be proud of “Employee of the Month.”
152. Taking a shower would feel like work.
198. Take your kid to work day. No Bueno!
234. Cold dreary days are meant for clothed warmth.
Human = Regrets
The other day I was watching a ridiculously wasteful movie “The Big Kahuna” staring Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey. I know you’d think good right. Well, after 30 minutes of giving it a chance it turned into background noise, while I read the news. However, I did get a chance to listen to Phil, DeVitto’s character end with a moral of the story speech. He begins by telling a younger salesmen he doesn’t have individual character that is built with the things one regrets in life. The young salesmen responds, “but I have no regrets.” DeVito’s character replies that he does indeed, it is just that he isn’t mature enough to know that he regrets them yet, which is why he has no character.
This brought me back to a conversation I had on a plane ride from Lima to Cusco with a girl I met a week prior at midnight in a 80s caravan on Valentine’s Day in the Lima Airport parking lot. Through a quick intro we got to know our initial selves riding along the Pacific coast with neon crosses and hearts on the surrounding hills. On this plane ride we went from being surrounded by a larger group of people the week prior and not conversing much to a lot of one-on-one time. She asked me, “What do you regret in life?” Honestly, depending on my mood a million things to nothing could run through my head. I said, “I don’t know, I’d have to think on it for a sec.” She immediately responded, “I hate when people say ‘I have no regrets.’ Then, what have you been doing?’ I smiled because I was thinking the exact saying we hear all the time, “Never have regrets!”
I think the “Never have regrets” phrase comes from not dwelling on the past. With all I may regret, I do not dwell on the decision, yet see it as an opportunity to do better. Without regrets it could be concluded that you see no room for improvement, that in every situation you made the right decision, have no remorse for the wrong ones, or possibly didn’t take enough chances where as one ended horribly wrong. Own your regrets, own yourself.
Odd things to more meaningful things I regret…
1. When the Calc professor said, “Apparently, that theory was just to hard to prove. Since, all the other Professors said I was being too hard on you so it doesn’t need to be handed in…” roll of his arrogant eyes, “but just wondering did anyone think they got it?” Automatically, the mouthy people go off with the impossiblness of the problem. I took 2 hours figuring out that damn theory and watched myself crumble it up and throw it away. I still want to know if I got it. Regret.
2. Likewise, I regret not going into Engineering from time to time.
3. At a Halloween party before leaving I saw my ex-boyfriend, whom looked up at me with a large smile. Two weeks later he died in a car accident. I sometimes regret not postponing my exit to say, “Hi” Though, part of me thinks that last moment was better than a conversation.
4. Not sticking with acting and dance classes in my younger days.
5. Not being able to help some people that are close to me.
6. Various inappropriate actions towards myself and others… though minuet they are to numerous to name.
7. I regret not letting my daughter know at an earlier age it is ok to show, heck even have emotions. Though, I had to learn this one along with her.
8. I have had regrets about completely separating my roles in life in regard to motherhood.
9. I regret wearing/owning those horrid black Levi jeans.
10. Sugar being my main dietary supplement through middle school.
Stop pretending that telling your best friend she's a materialistic whore or making out with a married man when you were drunk is something that needed to happen to make you who you are today or that it never happened. We are human, we regret or lie about not.
Reid: "Kill the Messenger"
For those of you surprised or appalled at Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid’s private comments referring to Obama as “light-skinned” and having “no Negro dialect” during the 2008 Presidential campaign, Chris Rock said it best in his “Kill the Messenger” when referring to people being surprised about racist comments, “Really?!?” That’s about as surprising that Mark McGuire finally admitting to using steroids. I think it would be equally as insensitive as saying during the 1992 Presidential Campaign Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton had a chance at the Presidency because he was hygienically maintained and educated to speak audibly. Stupid generalization comment of a widely held belief about an area, but it is no where as direct as Bill’s no toothless, red-necked honky so he has a great chance in this race.
The fact of the matter is every white house official knows this to be true and probably the black leaders more than any. The fact of the matter is the American public unless completely ignorant knows it is true as well. When did it become an underground secret that Americans still judge each other based on race (and gender). Was anyone aware that we currently have our 1st non- 100% white male President? That would lead one intelligent individual to think that there must be some internal prejudice running around here.
I think it is ridiculous to ask Reid to resign. Were his comments inappropriate, yes. Are those Reid’s true feelings, yes, but guess what it is many other American’s feelings as well. So as some of you tell politicians to keep their mouths shut about various issues and others seem shocked at the obvious, I say why don’t we stop pretending our brother doesn’t have a drinking problem and talk about how to fix it. Recognizing it exists is the first step and we do not feel comfortable even doing that as of yet. As I watched another (white) comedy yesterday talk about his visit to Africa as feeling like he was always in “that neighborhood…you white folks know what I’m talking about.” We all know it’s there. A lot of people have those type of thoughts or feeling cross their minds no matter one's race or gender. Initial feelings cannot be regulated by rational thought. It is rationally working through those initial feelings that allows them to change and be understood and no longer exist.
Reid was just the surprise messenger of a much deeper discussion… “Kill the Messenger” or adhere to and fix the underlining message?
Local Vegas Music: 2 Turn Tables and a Microphone... Where's it at?
Iowa isn’t generally known for its music scene. Though, I did I have English professor say when he was over in Ireland a group of teenagers recognized where he was from due to Slipknot‘s IOWA album. I watched them open for many of bands in small venues working their way up and I’ve unknowingly until later went bowling with Cory Taylor because of friend associations. (And, I can promise you Mindrite is the next Iowa band that will be coming up.) However, they are working on it .The River Ampatheater has seen many newly loved Adult Alternative/pop bands and the DSM Music Collation has made the Art Park a music festival every 4th of July. Granted, there is some work to do.
Nonetheless, I’ve always had a love for music. My first concert was The Rolling Stones at 5 because my parents must have had something against babysitters. As I got older, due to my sister and one friend who was dating the drummer from Bloodhound Gang, ah, Spanky, from about 12-15 I was at most concerts and shows that rolled through Des Moines, most the time chilling back stage watching groupies walk off with various band members. My best friend and I had a deep love for Goldfinger back in the day, in which at 14 we sat around googly-eyed the VIP section of the club drinking with Goldfinger and the members of The Blur. (Ain’t nothing wrong with a little ska.) As I got older… as I turned into a mother, I found myself not being able to pursue these silly adventures. Sadly, I get a little disappointed if I don’t get to talk to the band after their set. Apparently, Dave doesn’t care to tell me how it went. However, I think part of the accessibility is getting them before they are big.
Which brings me to my question, what is the Las Vegas’ local live music scene? Due to the clubs on The Strip, I am aware there are many DJs out there spinning, which I love and enjoy, but is not my focus here. I am not looking for people who already “made it” at the The Joint. And, I am not really talking about the smooth jazz players and cozy couches right now. Where are the guys who still practice in their basement? Where are the boys and girls with a guitar in hand and a rockin’ roll band? Or rap? Or Alternative? Where is the cheap, good, live music? Where did The Killers have to break through?
After a long misdirected search, I knew someone must have already began the local looking… thank you yourlocalscene.com! And, the Las Vegas Weekly I finally got to today sang, "Ask and you shall receive." With that I add, I must venture to the Spring Valley area sometime to check out The Farm, which I will report on at a later date.
Let me know Las Vegas where should I go to see the local talent? Where do you go?
CES 2010, IOWAs Oranges, and Cookies
Things on my mind...
2010 International CES (Technology Tradeshow)
The place to be in Vegas this week!
The thing about Sci-fi is in a few years it is no longer fiction as Star Trek brought us cell phones, film maker’s like Lucas have pushed the production of home theatre 3D televisions. If you can envision it, it can be seen.
Things of interest…
- HP looking to head out Apple’s I-tablet coming out later this month with a Slate PC
Cookies
I am attempting to make some tasty vegan cookies. If you have an interest in trying them out… stay tuned.
IOWA (Orange Bowl)
- Yes, I did awake with a smile on my face due to IOWA’s 24-14 victory over Georgia Tech at the Orange Bowl yesterday.
- Am I the only person that is confused at why the Hawkeyes only get love from the fans?
- Does everyone but us forget that we were undefeated playing without key players until we lost Stanzi due to an injury? And, that up against Big Ten and Rose Bowl winner Ohio State we played with a Freshman quarter back and still gave them a run for their money.
- Still think we should have been at the Rose Bowl and would have won, but I’ll take the Oranges.
- At last, the IOWA and the Big Ten showed the BCS and commentary specialists throughout these weeks’ bowl games we are to be taken seriously. We’ll see if they heard us next season.
- IOWA fans definitely showed up to McMullan’s as the place was packed in Black and Gold.
- Go Hawks!
Little Lady's Golf Game
The Mr. and I took the little lady to Coyote Springs “The Chase” golf course this weekend for her first taste of golf beyond putt-putt and slinging balls into the forest on my parents’ front lawn. I remember my first golfing experience I was probably 12 or so and my favorite part was the same as hers. Driving a golf cart. Now, to many of us this is a meaningless part of the golfing experience, but to a child who eyes a steering wheel every time they enter the car, it is an odd validation they can drive. She’s steered a four-wheeler and my dad’s truck, both without my consent, but my parent’s live in no-man’s land and she was sitting on my dad‘s lap. However, this is different she got her own few minutes of sitting her bum in the actual seat, putting her own foot on the pedal, and directing the wheel to where she seemed fit. Then as I drove, like the Duke’s of Hazard, as she was putting her club away she would tell me to go so she could have the jumping in small adrenaline moment. Hence, the lady had great fun golfing on a course for the first time due to the mobility factor... oh and the fact she plays better than her mom.
(On a side note: Hope to see you IOWA fans at McMullan’s to see the Hawks win tonight!)
Happy Entrance to 2010! (LV NYE Statistics)
As most of you return back to work, I hope you had a lovely entrance to 2010! What did you do? Call me old, call me particular (or snobby), call me a bore, call me what you want, but I stayed in and enjoyed the New Year with the Mr.. Unless I am sitting in a VIP booth without drunkards knocking my drinks around, attempting to converse, getting sick in front of me, or simply blocking my ability to be mobile, I am not a huge fan of crowded chaos. Additionally, I did not start thinking about what to do until the last minute. Hence, some of my points may be in validation to how the plans ended up. Nonetheless, I enjoyed myself! Hope you did too!
Las Vegas statistics:
300,000+ in Strip and Down Town attendance guessed-a-mated by many
7 minutes of Strip fireworks at $500k (Not as cheap as Tiger) reported by Las Vegas Sun 12-31-09
82 + DUI arrests up from 73 last year as reported by the Nevada Highway Patrol
0 manslaughter
Celebrity attendance: Black-Eyed Peas, Eva Longoria, Holly Madison, John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, Nicole Richie, Paul Oakenfold, 50 Cent, plus more
Countries attendance: Equal to or greater than the Geneva Convention
½ million plus individuals aiming to participate in National Hangover Day
AND… One Happy Mayor
I haven’t made any New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight, be more awesome, or sail the Atlantic as of yet. (In relation to weight, an FYI for those following, I found my 5 lb weight gaining culprit: fries and dark rum (too many/much). I went from eating out once a month to once or twice a week and being vegan-esk this means fries are my only food choice in many restaurants. No comment on the rum. Almost all lost though, thanks for the concern... I digress.) Sometime this week, I will sit down with the little lady and we will come up with 5 goals this year, in which I will relay before 2011.
Much Love to 2009 and Welcoming 2010!
What was your Personal List for 2009?
At last year’s New Year dinner with my family, my mom handed out small scrapbooks to write in 10 things each of us wanted to accomplish in 2009. As you finish off a year of lists of top songs, movies, books, moments and of people who died and made accomplishments, my mom wanted us to make our own for the year to come. I did not write down 10 deciding 5 was more reasonable for myself. My list for 2009 was as follows…
1. Go to Peru and climb Manchu Picchu (Accomplished and much rewarded)
2. Start Law School (After a discussion and understanding I have no desire to practice law, but possibly use it in two areas of career/life advancement. I decided the word “possibly” was not a strong enough push to spend over 100k on schooling quite yet. Not accomplished, but explored.)
3. Be closer to the Mr. (Accomplished as I am in Vegas.)
4. Learn conversational Spanish. (The Mr. just found his Rosetta Stone. I guess I have 3 days left to finish this one!)
5. Get my daughters photo album caught-up. (Accomplished)
My mom went in asking us to put a variety of things from as little as desired to as big. Obviously, the photo album was the least difficult and simply task-orientated, but it was years in the putting off category with the complete turn over to digital photos. Most of the year, I thought I would end up crossing out number 3 to accomplish number 2 or simply because it was not in my story, but the unknown internal reason I wrote it down seemed to resonate. And, the only reason number 1 was accomplished was a 3AM credit card purchase of a few thousand dollars, in which I gave myself the “there is no turning back now” moment.
(Did you accomplish something major you set out to do in 2009?)
Though, putting something in writing isn’t as motivating as already paying for it in my book, seeing the words and/or pictures of something you’ve been mentally eyeing is a great push. I remember reading about an approach to weight loss years ago. The author suggested putting a “X” on your refrigerator just to remind you every time you go to it you have a goal for yourself don’t ruin it. This scrapbook approach is quite similar. As my family knows, I am notorious for telling people, “Either stop talking about it or change it because I don‘t want to hear about it.” (Yeah, I am not too sympathetic.)
Therefore, if you want something in 2010, go get it, write it down if needed, put it on your mirror, frig, dashboard, put it in your words and actions. Everything you have and don’t is because you decide to let it be or not because of your fearlessness or fears because of your laziness or productivity because of your believe in yourself or not…
Now what should my 2010 scrapbook resume read?
Holiday Week Review
My week... learned and ventured…
- I am 30 years to young and 100 lbs to skinny to get any laughter out of the comedy show at the Rivera.
- Hot Sake tastes decent, cold sake still tastes like stinky feet.
- I-apps can be awfully addicting.
- I should not drink a bottle of wine when meeting new individuals and playing games. Too competitive for new people to understand my intensity is real, but momentary.
- Did the Las Vegas Review Journal seriously have a graphic of the City Center's website and point out the links as a story? Even better question, the page before, did they seriously enlarge those crap-ass pictures taken on a iPhone of clubs? What is... "Why the printed newspaper will die, Alex."
- My first Christmas without my family revealed I am going to have to start making my own Holiday traditions.
- Inglorious Bastards gets two thumbs up and a few head turns due to gruesomeness.
- The Pigeons will not leave the roof. (As I hear them now lying in my bed.)
- Sometime within the last 2 ½ weeks, I gained 5 lbs. due to food or drinks or my lack of mobility. “Lose It” app was downloaded in order to find the culprit..
- One of the young girls in St. Elizabeth Seton’s chorus completely moved me and if she deems I believe could have a wonderful singing career.
- Sunday after Christmas is apparently a sledding Holiday in some cultures.
- I like things clean. Nothing new. Just reminding.
- Enough with the 30s in the morning!
- As the Mr. revealed half of winning Scrabble is picking the right tiles… otherwise he would have not been so victorious this week....
- Albert Einstein wrote an essay, “On Science and Religion.” excited to dive into this one.
- I survived a week straight 24/7 hanging out with the Mr. without killing each other. So proud.
Hope everyone had a Great Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanza!
Weekend Review: Avatar, Blind Side, and Delta
Avatar:
Avatar came out this weekend along with half the city to watch it. The story follows former Jarhead, Jake Sully, into a scientifically produced manifestation of himself into a native creature of the land Pandora, in order to relocate the natives’ home, allowing the humans to cultivate the land’s resources. The story presents the dichotomy in the interpretation of wealth between internal oneness of nature and material accumulation of goods. The story parallels obvious modern day connections while still being a movie for all ages. I sat in front of a 4 year old who quietly watched for almost 3 hours along with the numerous adults revealing the films mass appeal. Writer, producer, and director James Cameron waited years to pull off this 3D vision with much success. I would undoubtedly recommend taking a trip to the theater for this one!
Aliante: IMAX Theater (Nice Theater! Love that you don’t have to wait in line, but can pay for the tickets on a machine if you choose. FYI if the movie has just come out arrive early. We don’t need to be making negotiations for seats a minute before it starts!)
Blind Side:
Blind Side is a film based off a book by Michael Lewis about the football star Michael Oher’s journey from a kinless, poverty-stricken teenager to adopted, wealthy star college football recruit. The positive family-orientated story is appropriate for the all. Though, it gives a little bit of a after school special feel at times and ran a little long in a few spots, the story's validity made it quite appealing. Sandra Bullock does a great job as a no nonsense southern business woman, mother, and wife. And, Quinton Aaron’s character depiction of Oher is remarkably identical to a school mate of mine, whom you couldn’t help to love and simultaneously feel hope and sympathy towards. Nice feel good movie for all!
Santa Fe: No complaints
Delta:
Oh, flying a once enjoyable experience has become an American cultural standard for horrid customer service. My daughter took her first lone flight Saturday back to Iowa to spend her break with her father, his family, and some of mine. I arrived approximately an hour and a half early because we had to wait for special services in order to properly achieve the underage lone flier status. Some of this time was taken by finding a parking spot, understandable. However, the remainder of the time was spent in a non-moving line. As time crept closer to departure, I went to a random baggage agent, whom I was told couldn’t help me originally, to explain I had been waiting for an hour and needed to get on the flight. She looked doubtful I’d make it and with the words, “May be there is another flight…” I felt my dreaded need to change from happy me and began my ridiculously unneeded fight to get my daughter on the flight, which caused my already nervous daughter to become glossy-eyed.
I have spent a decent amount of time traveling in the last 2 years, in which I would say 2/3 of the time I have experienced no problems. Nonetheless, it is due to the fact I use self-check-in and NEVER check bags. Even if I leave the country, I find away to get it all on without a problem. Nonetheless, any moment I have found myself needing any assistance whatsoever it becomes a battle, unneeded battle. For most of the problems have to do with the airline's, not just Delta, lack of organization.
As my unneeded fight to get my daughter on the flight was underway, low and behold after the agent earlier told me this lady couldn’t help me, and after this lady began her response to my problem with, “my computer cannot do ticketing just bag check-ins,” she was handing me my security pass and my daughter her ticket. I don’t blame her in anyway for lying to me, for it has happened before, which is why I knew the fight was worthwhile. I am just sick of the kindergarten like procedures airlines have making every airport trip I come into to be filled with at least 4 separate irate customers up in arms. Bad business. Period. Nonetheless, my extra 100$ fee for one-way underage assistance got her there safe for that I can be thankful.
