I have another funny car story:
My car failed an inspections test 2 weeks ago because the side mark lights weren't working. After changing the light bulbs without success, I figured that the problem must be electrical. I had an accident just months ago; certainly this problem was overlooked when the entire front end was fixed. So I took my car out to the service center in Lorton, VA, and this morning they called to tell me that everything works fine.
Most likely cause of the problem: I don't know how to turn the side mark lights on!! (Neither does my inspections mechanic; therefore, I don't feel so bad!)
After a flat tire with no holes in it last week and broken lights that actually work this week, I recommend you call me when you have car problems in the future!!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
'Tis the Season!
I kicked off the Christmas season last weekend with a trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. This premier horticulture experience left me spellbound! The company was fantastic and the atmosphere poignantly memorable.
My dad has a poinsettia that he's kept alive and blooming for 2 years - not even kidding you!!
This is my paradise... I love plants!
Deck the Halls with balls of holly!!!
Doesn't this look like a Christmas card photo?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Car Story #2
Oh, the woes of owning a car...
I got a flat tire this week. Luckily, a few years ago, a friend of mine took me on as a service project and showed me how to take care of such mishaps. But sometimes the best way to get something done is to let someone more knowledgable do it. The gold star of the century goes out to a friend who graciously gave his time in the November cold to help me!
To our dismay, we jacked up the car only to find out that the donut tire was flat too! Instantly, our 15 minute job turned into a project. It was late and dark so it would have to wait for the morning.
The tire shop opened at 7:30 AM. I learned that in order to find the leak or problem in a tire, they (tire shop people) throw the tire in a big tank of water and watch for bubbles (kinda old fashioned, huh?). Well, my tire had no bubbles, so the just repressurized it and sent me on my way free of charge.
That's the cheapest car fix I've ever had!
I got a flat tire this week. Luckily, a few years ago, a friend of mine took me on as a service project and showed me how to take care of such mishaps. But sometimes the best way to get something done is to let someone more knowledgable do it. The gold star of the century goes out to a friend who graciously gave his time in the November cold to help me!
To our dismay, we jacked up the car only to find out that the donut tire was flat too! Instantly, our 15 minute job turned into a project. It was late and dark so it would have to wait for the morning.
The tire shop opened at 7:30 AM. I learned that in order to find the leak or problem in a tire, they (tire shop people) throw the tire in a big tank of water and watch for bubbles (kinda old fashioned, huh?). Well, my tire had no bubbles, so the just repressurized it and sent me on my way free of charge.
That's the cheapest car fix I've ever had!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Car Story #1
Attention everyone who's been in my car over the past 2 years:
I CLEANED IT!!!!!
Inside and Out!
Full Detail!
The Works! (even the tires glisten in the sun)
I paid a pretty penny for it, but she sure is pretty again! It's still good ol' Rusty, but, boy o boy, she's struttin' her shiny stuff now!
Honestly, the reason you should all be rejoicing for this effort is because Saturday's excursion to the car wash was the first time Rusty's been cleaned since she's lived in the DC area!! YIKES!!!
Let me just take a moment now and offer my sincere and utmost apologies to those of you who did endure a ride or two in the untidy, cluttered, dirty, beloved nonetheless, Rusty!
I CLEANED IT!!!!!
Inside and Out!
Full Detail!
The Works! (even the tires glisten in the sun)
I paid a pretty penny for it, but she sure is pretty again! It's still good ol' Rusty, but, boy o boy, she's struttin' her shiny stuff now!
Honestly, the reason you should all be rejoicing for this effort is because Saturday's excursion to the car wash was the first time Rusty's been cleaned since she's lived in the DC area!! YIKES!!!
Let me just take a moment now and offer my sincere and utmost apologies to those of you who did endure a ride or two in the untidy, cluttered, dirty, beloved nonetheless, Rusty!
Monday, November 20, 2006
As long as I'm sharing hit on stories...
A few weeks ago I went to Salem, MA with my fam to celebrate Halloween. I've never really been a big fan of the pagan holiday, but this year we got all sorts of festive.
So the main party of the trip was the Halloween Ball at the historic Hawthorne Hotel. In her extreme excitement for the event, my mother had costumes planned and sent to my sister and I weeks in advanced. The three of us were witches. Original, huh?
So the main party of the trip was the Halloween Ball at the historic Hawthorne Hotel. In her extreme excitement for the event, my mother had costumes planned and sent to my sister and I weeks in advanced. The three of us were witches. Original, huh?
The ball was a blast. There were three floors of dancing, food, and mascarading. The costumes ranged from bizarre to unique to creative to eccentric, to all out freaky. Most of the fun came in people watching that night.
Near the end of the evening, my sister and brother in law and my date and I decided to sit down at a table. I situated myself on the furthest, least accessible spot to make room for everyone else. We were comfortably chatting for a few minutes when I heard, "Hey sweetheart, want to dance?" In mid-sentence of conversation with my date, I turned around to see if there was any girls behind me. Then I hear, "Yes you, with the pretty smile... do you want to dance?"
Oh gees. The last thing I wanted to do was dance with a stranger. With complete surprise on my face, I turned and saw my mother. Excitedly, she was shaking her head up and down saying, "yeah yeah yeah, do it, charlee, go! dance with him!" I'm thinking, "Mother?!?!?"
I looked at my date, who awkwardly assessed the situation a little bit too slowly. He didn't quite know what to do.
So before I knew it, I was dancing with one of the Blues Brothers to techno hip hop versions of Madonna an MJ. The conversation is what cracks me up. What's with these weird question that people ask with the intentions of getting to know you on a deeper level?
First question he poses:
"Are you inside out or outside in?"
Huh? Oh, I get it. "Inside out... motivated mostly from the inside out."
Second question:
Near the end of the evening, my sister and brother in law and my date and I decided to sit down at a table. I situated myself on the furthest, least accessible spot to make room for everyone else. We were comfortably chatting for a few minutes when I heard, "Hey sweetheart, want to dance?" In mid-sentence of conversation with my date, I turned around to see if there was any girls behind me. Then I hear, "Yes you, with the pretty smile... do you want to dance?"
Oh gees. The last thing I wanted to do was dance with a stranger. With complete surprise on my face, I turned and saw my mother. Excitedly, she was shaking her head up and down saying, "yeah yeah yeah, do it, charlee, go! dance with him!" I'm thinking, "Mother?!?!?"
I looked at my date, who awkwardly assessed the situation a little bit too slowly. He didn't quite know what to do.
So before I knew it, I was dancing with one of the Blues Brothers to techno hip hop versions of Madonna an MJ. The conversation is what cracks me up. What's with these weird question that people ask with the intentions of getting to know you on a deeper level?
First question he poses:
"Are you inside out or outside in?"
Huh? Oh, I get it. "Inside out... motivated mostly from the inside out."
Second question:
"Are we human being spiritual or spiritual being human?"
Ok, straight up weird! Given my understanding of our existance, this question made absolutely no sense to me at the time. The conversation just went down hill. After explaining the question to me a couple of times, I still didn't get it! Not until two days ago when I saw a bumpersticker did it make more sense. It read: We are spiritual beings having a human experience, not human beings having a spiritual experience.
My question is, would YOU hit on this?!?!?!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Holidating
Holidate: n.
1. a relationship between male and female friends wherein a mutual understanding to date each other for the holiday season is agreed upon.
While walking to work this morning, my mind drifted to a term that I like to think that I coined last year. Holidating. The first thing I wondered is if I really am the first to come up with it. After a quick google search I realized that nope, I'm not. I don't believe it's an official idea yet, but a few people, mainly bloggers-- one from Australia, caught on last year as well.
So the reasoning behind this idea is that during the months of November and December, and even into January (and a February extension is plausable), singledom becomes particularly dreadful at times. For example, let's talk about company Christmas parties. A friend and I are already brainstorming who her date can be this year. It's a big deal. Given that most co-workers only know you from work, the person who goes to such an event with you is a reflection of yourself and your personal life. You don't want to show up with a dud. And besides that, these parties, with the open bar, can create awkward situations for the non-drinker. In order to increase your level of enjoyment and pleasure of enduring your co-worker's awkwardness, you neet to bring someone with whom you can make light of your tipsy boss.
Other reasons for holidates are:
--The Nutcracker. Need I say more, ladies?
--Christmas shopping. Company is always fun.
--Christmas lights gazing. Driving around to see the twinkles... (sigh)
--Christmas decorating. Gingerbread houses, trees, window icicles, stockings... oh so much fun!
--Thanksgiving... If you're not going home, why not have someone a little bit (qualified- based on the fact that you aren't necessarily bf/gf) special to spend it with?
--New Year's Eve. Self explanatory.
ok, back to my walk to work this morning...
I decided this morning that I don't buy it this year. My attempt at holidating only caused trouble last year, and I do not intend to waffle with it again this year. Afterall, dating of all sorts renders expectations. Holidating, even with its mutual understanding, can potentially set up for a sticky situation somewhere along the line, and it only distracts the two of you from finding an authentic relationship. I'm learning that definitions of friendship with my guy friends are becoming more and more difficult to understand and maintain, so I'm not picking one to be my holidate this year. Why go through the trouble of defining a holidate when it requires yet another DTR... something I've done too many times lately!
So what's my solution for the '06 holidays ? I'm mostly dating myself for the next couple of months. Narcisistic? Probably. However, let me explain... Recently, I've really enjoyed investing in me. I do things I enjoy. I serve my friends. I get involved in many activities. I keep myself quite content with working toward my goals and becoming my best self. I don't need to be with somoene just because it's the holidays.
That being said, I'm not eliminating the possibilities and am more than happy to go to someone's Christmas party; I'm just eliminating the neediness for a significant other that seems to be intertwined with all the hustle and bustle of the season.
1. a relationship between male and female friends wherein a mutual understanding to date each other for the holiday season is agreed upon.
While walking to work this morning, my mind drifted to a term that I like to think that I coined last year. Holidating. The first thing I wondered is if I really am the first to come up with it. After a quick google search I realized that nope, I'm not. I don't believe it's an official idea yet, but a few people, mainly bloggers-- one from Australia, caught on last year as well.
So the reasoning behind this idea is that during the months of November and December, and even into January (and a February extension is plausable), singledom becomes particularly dreadful at times. For example, let's talk about company Christmas parties. A friend and I are already brainstorming who her date can be this year. It's a big deal. Given that most co-workers only know you from work, the person who goes to such an event with you is a reflection of yourself and your personal life. You don't want to show up with a dud. And besides that, these parties, with the open bar, can create awkward situations for the non-drinker. In order to increase your level of enjoyment and pleasure of enduring your co-worker's awkwardness, you neet to bring someone with whom you can make light of your tipsy boss.
Other reasons for holidates are:
--The Nutcracker. Need I say more, ladies?
--Christmas shopping. Company is always fun.
--Christmas lights gazing. Driving around to see the twinkles... (sigh)
--Christmas decorating. Gingerbread houses, trees, window icicles, stockings... oh so much fun!
--Thanksgiving... If you're not going home, why not have someone a little bit (qualified- based on the fact that you aren't necessarily bf/gf) special to spend it with?
--New Year's Eve. Self explanatory.
ok, back to my walk to work this morning...
I decided this morning that I don't buy it this year. My attempt at holidating only caused trouble last year, and I do not intend to waffle with it again this year. Afterall, dating of all sorts renders expectations. Holidating, even with its mutual understanding, can potentially set up for a sticky situation somewhere along the line, and it only distracts the two of you from finding an authentic relationship. I'm learning that definitions of friendship with my guy friends are becoming more and more difficult to understand and maintain, so I'm not picking one to be my holidate this year. Why go through the trouble of defining a holidate when it requires yet another DTR... something I've done too many times lately!
So what's my solution for the '06 holidays ? I'm mostly dating myself for the next couple of months. Narcisistic? Probably. However, let me explain... Recently, I've really enjoyed investing in me. I do things I enjoy. I serve my friends. I get involved in many activities. I keep myself quite content with working toward my goals and becoming my best self. I don't need to be with somoene just because it's the holidays.
That being said, I'm not eliminating the possibilities and am more than happy to go to someone's Christmas party; I'm just eliminating the neediness for a significant other that seems to be intertwined with all the hustle and bustle of the season.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Now that wasn't so bad!
It's incredible how quickly time flies when you're under pressure. I was on the radio today in Texas. I spent most of the morning analyzing a recent Lancet study that gives outrageous recommendations on sexual behavior. They even call for decriminalize prostitution claiming that doing so will likely make it easier for them to negotiate safe sex. Bizarre, huh? I meticulously critiqued the study to prep for a radio show interview at 1:15 (see "help me out").
At 1:15, my phone rings. False alarm... it was the home office.
At 1:18 the Ron Thulin Show rang in.
I was on live radio!
It was such a blur! It went so fast, I don't really even remember the discussion, but I recall being articulate and on message!
It wasn't so bad afterall!
At 1:15, my phone rings. False alarm... it was the home office.
At 1:18 the Ron Thulin Show rang in.
I was on live radio!
It was such a blur! It went so fast, I don't really even remember the discussion, but I recall being articulate and on message!
It wasn't so bad afterall!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
help me out
ok, if you were in my shoes, and you were asked to go on a live radio show tomorrow to talk about a very technical article in the Lancet about worldwide sexual behavior, er, rather behaviour :), for 15 minutes live, would you do it?
My boss said it was up to me, and that being said, it's easy for me to just say no... but this is a challenge and an opportunity to prove myself. It's also an opportunity to be in WAY over my head. It's friendly media and not in debate format, but 15 minutes is a long time to talk about the a study that shows western countries are more promiscuous than developing countries, but developing countries have more STDs. I think if i had an economics background, this would be a piece of cake, or if it was about being a 20 something virgin, that's another thing. Or even if it were about the latest report from Congressman Sauder's office about abstinence... i can do all of those... this one... scary!!!!!!!!
eerr.. wait... uh...
hahaha! I just got off the phone and i'm doing it.... YIKES!!!
My boss said it was up to me, and that being said, it's easy for me to just say no... but this is a challenge and an opportunity to prove myself. It's also an opportunity to be in WAY over my head. It's friendly media and not in debate format, but 15 minutes is a long time to talk about the a study that shows western countries are more promiscuous than developing countries, but developing countries have more STDs. I think if i had an economics background, this would be a piece of cake, or if it was about being a 20 something virgin, that's another thing. Or even if it were about the latest report from Congressman Sauder's office about abstinence... i can do all of those... this one... scary!!!!!!!!
eerr.. wait... uh...
hahaha! I just got off the phone and i'm doing it.... YIKES!!!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Famous for a Day
At about 4:30 on Tuesday afternoon I received a call at work from NBC's Today Show. They needed a 20 something single virgin from the DC area and wondered if I knew one of those who could comment on a USA Today article about abstinence programs for 20-29 year olds.
hmm... do I know one of those?!?!? Try, I hang out with, like, 5 congregations of assumed abstinent folks in the DC area. I kindly took the call like a press secretary would. Then, after a half hour of trying to get some brave soul to come out on national television as a virgin on Halloween, I found myself roped in.
Before I knew it, I was prepped by my boss and roommates (thanks girls), changed into my new black suit, picked up by a car, driven to the studio, wired with a microphone, and interviewed by Kevin Corke, an NBC correspondent.
I never imagined that I would be famous for a day because I am a virgin. Of course, he asked a million questions and only gave me about 12 seconds in sound bites. He didn't make me look radical or crazy like the media so often tries to do with abstinence so I'm quite satisfied with the segment. Check it out at NBC's Today Show: Abstinence is Not Just for Teens
It all happened so fast, but here's a few of the questions I was asked:
- What is Abstinence?
I simply said it's a lifestyle choice. It's a decision I make. It is the only 100% effective way to eliminate risk of STDs and unwanted pregnancies. I consider it an investment in myself and my future.
- The media makes a joke out this. We have the 40 Year Old Virgin, Sex in the City, etc. Do you get made fun of?
No, I don't usually get made fun of. People make jokes but I never take it personally.
- Isn't there a lot of pressure in your relationships?
I have made my decision already. I know my lines and I'm not going to cross them.
- Is it realistic for the government to fund abstinence programs that target 20-29 year olds?
Yes, you'd be surprised how many people in our peer group are virgins or are refraining from sex. The government should provide people with the best information. Abstinence is about healthy relationships and healthy choices. Again, it is 100% effective. It safeguards physical,mental, and emotional wellbeing, prevents heartbreak, and empowers self esteem. What 20-29 year old wouldn't want that?
- Now you believe (false assumption) that abstinence isn't for everyone, right?
No, I disagree. Abstinence is for everyone. We cannot discriminate against anyone because of previous choices they've made or because they belong to a certain demographic that puts them at high risk. Anyone can choose today to refrain.
That's all I can remember now. As a result, a flurry of media calls have come into my office including the NY Times. I'll definitely post info on any further moments of fame that come my way.
hmm... do I know one of those?!?!? Try, I hang out with, like, 5 congregations of assumed abstinent folks in the DC area. I kindly took the call like a press secretary would. Then, after a half hour of trying to get some brave soul to come out on national television as a virgin on Halloween, I found myself roped in.
Before I knew it, I was prepped by my boss and roommates (thanks girls), changed into my new black suit, picked up by a car, driven to the studio, wired with a microphone, and interviewed by Kevin Corke, an NBC correspondent.
I never imagined that I would be famous for a day because I am a virgin. Of course, he asked a million questions and only gave me about 12 seconds in sound bites. He didn't make me look radical or crazy like the media so often tries to do with abstinence so I'm quite satisfied with the segment. Check it out at NBC's Today Show: Abstinence is Not Just for Teens
It all happened so fast, but here's a few of the questions I was asked:
- What is Abstinence?
I simply said it's a lifestyle choice. It's a decision I make. It is the only 100% effective way to eliminate risk of STDs and unwanted pregnancies. I consider it an investment in myself and my future.
- The media makes a joke out this. We have the 40 Year Old Virgin, Sex in the City, etc. Do you get made fun of?
No, I don't usually get made fun of. People make jokes but I never take it personally.
- Isn't there a lot of pressure in your relationships?
I have made my decision already. I know my lines and I'm not going to cross them.
- Is it realistic for the government to fund abstinence programs that target 20-29 year olds?
Yes, you'd be surprised how many people in our peer group are virgins or are refraining from sex. The government should provide people with the best information. Abstinence is about healthy relationships and healthy choices. Again, it is 100% effective. It safeguards physical,mental, and emotional wellbeing, prevents heartbreak, and empowers self esteem. What 20-29 year old wouldn't want that?
- Now you believe (false assumption) that abstinence isn't for everyone, right?
No, I disagree. Abstinence is for everyone. We cannot discriminate against anyone because of previous choices they've made or because they belong to a certain demographic that puts them at high risk. Anyone can choose today to refrain.
That's all I can remember now. As a result, a flurry of media calls have come into my office including the NY Times. I'll definitely post info on any further moments of fame that come my way.
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