Dear Facebook whore,

Your time is up. Yup...up.
Go away.

I'm not even sure why I have a Facebook profile anymore, do you? No, seriously...do you know why I have a Facebook? It's an actual question...

I ran across this article today and just had to post it for all to see!!!!

These are the reasons...all 1 through 15...that I've entertained the thought of quitting the worldwide addiction known as Facebook.

15 Reasons To Quit Facebook.

I especially like the one about people posting unflattering pics of you (and then tagging you!)...I hate those...
'But, I DID just drink 7 vodka Redbulls, threw up in my best friend's lap, then fell asleep on the pitbull with vomit on my chin. I PROMISE that's not how I normally look!'

If any of my relatives saw some of these pics or notes, I'd have a lot of explaining to do to my dad...ugh...and NO ONE wants that.
'Seriously dad, I promise I didn't have sex with that guy in the Penney's dressing room-he was mistaken...it was Macy's.'

What about potential employers?!?
'Yes, I am willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead in this company...although I'm a little concerned with where you heard I'm good at giving head?'

The friend requests from people you NEVER talk to or used to hate in High School.
'Yeah, I guess 15 years is a good time to start up a new friendship between us. How about we become Facebook 'friends', then go right ahead and ignore each other? It'll look like we're friends because of our Facebook...when actually I can't remember your last name. Sound good? Good.'

Or the invitations! I got an invite to a wedding in Montana this week for a girl I haven't spoken to in 16 years! Not only that but...I didn't really talk to her in High School either!

One of my friends tries really hard to actually 'connect' with people when they request to be HER friend. They never respond to her messages after she's 'accepted'...pretty lame if you ask me.
'LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME! I HATE 7,568 FRIENDS!' ...even though I couldn't care less about them to even respond to their sincere message asking how I've been for the past 20 years...

Don't get me started on Twitter...
Your thoughts?

My Media Player, VIII

Massive Attack - Collected
Myspace.
A friend of mine told me about this band and, although one of their songs is the theme song to my favorite TV show (House), I didn't know the band! Listen to 'Teardrop', the song from House! 30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie
Website.
I've liked 30 Seconds for quite a while now, well...at least since I found out that the lead singer is Jared Leto-you know, this guy. He played Jordan Catalano on 'My So-Called Life' with Claire Danes? Also saw his hot bod in Fight Club and Alexander? Yeah, him....remember?
You know...that pic is so good, I think I've found new wallpaper. ;) Lady Antebellum - Lady Antebellum
Website.
Ok, you're probably just as shocked as I am about this submission and please forgive me for breaking out of the 'box' I've packaged myself in.
Yes, it's a country album. Yes, there's a bit of 'twang'. Yes, there's a reason I'm requesting you listen.
LA partnered with Brita, the water filtration company, to encourage people to drink filtered water and reduce bottled water waste-which is a great, great, great cause! I won't go into it here but, please read more. The campaign is called Filter For Good.
Not only that, but their single on this album, 'Run To You' has the underlying message of 'paying it forward'-something I feel we all lack.

Cut to the Chase....

I'm so clever with titles. :)
As many of you know, the banking giant, Chase, bought out Washington Mutual a while back.
Over the weekend, the acquisition was completed with the merging of the online system. So, while I hadn't had any issues with it yet, I found a major one today...and I feel the need to rant.
I expected the merge to be annoying so a few months ago, I switched my checking account to Navy Federal Credit Union because I've always heard that credit unions are more stable than banks for these reasons:

-Credit Unions generally don't get caught up in risky investments as banks or S&L's do. They look out for the interests of their members which is not usually the case with huge banks.

-Credit unions are owned by their members, while banks are owned by their shareholders. If you have an account, you're required to keep a small amount in a savings account, representing your share of ownership.

-You get to vote for the board of directors.

This doesn't mean that credit unions can't still 'go under', they can. But, it's much less likely from my understanding.

With that said, I admit that I still have a savings account through WaMu and my auto loan through Chase. Like I said, WaMu made the final switch to Chase this weekend, which means that my savings account is now a Chase account.

I logged on this morning because I pay my Chase auto account (on the 25th) from my WaMu savings account. It's not set up on auto-pay and it's a good thing it's not (based on the info I rec'd this morning) because I could have gone weeks without noticing that it wasn't paying.
I tried to make the payment transfer from Chase savings to Chase auto loan. Nada. I always get irritated when simple things take a lot longer than either anticipated or have in the past.
I had to make the call to Chase to see what was going on...it should be an easy fix, right? They should be able to just click a button and I can move on with my life... Not gonna happen...apparently.
So, the new rule is that I can't transfer from a savings account to a loan account with Chase. I'd have to open a checking account or use an external account.
My question? I was able to do it with WaMu all the time...why not now?
The answer-WaMu had different rules than Chase does. LAME!
WTF? After all the hype about how they'd try to make the merge seamless, you'd think that something this trivial could be part of that!
Fuck that! I'm not opening a Chase checking account. In fact, I'm closing my savings account altogether because the only reason I had it open was because part of my paycheck goes into it to make the car payment (I've just been putting off making it auto pay until the switchover to Chase, thinking it'd be smooth).
Now I have to set up an external account with my NFCU account (which could take days to 'verify'), transfer money from Chase savings to NFCU for the payment (which takes 4-5 business days) and then pay my car payment (which will take 2-3 days to show up).

We're here for you....my ass!

From those of us who live in freedom...

Don't forget to honor our troops, families and friends today by acknowledging the REAL reason for Memorial Day.

Dust storms don't hinder progress.

When I first started research for this post, I was in awe-complete amazement of the beauty that I found in the buildings and landmarks that grace the desert we refer to as the United Arab Estates.

In the past 20+ years Dubai has emerged as a state of great wealth due to some very financially savvy sheiks. Revenues from the discovery of oil was used to make the desert boom. A city was built in less than 3 decades that is considered a center of tourism and financial services, hoovering up cash and talent from around the world.

What I'm going to show you here is to what degree Dubai, one of seven emirates in the UAE, has blown up.

Dubai in 1990: Dubai 2007: Crazy, right?

Now take that construction whirlwind (random fact: Dubai is said to have up to 25% of all the world's cranes) and step it up a notch. Dubai is known for it's extreme 'firsts' in the world of architecture.

The world's first underwater hotel, Hydropolis: The world's tallest hotel, Rose Tower. The world's 3rd tallest hotel, The Burj al-Arab. It is considered the only ‘7 star’ hotel-the most luxurious hotel in the world. It stands on an artificial island in the sea. Speaking of islands: The World Islands off the coast of Dubai. 300 artificially created islands in the shape of the world. When finished, each island will have an estimated cost of $25-30 million. Picture shown is an image of what it should look like when completed. Ski Dubai, the world's largest indoor skiing facility...in the middle of a desert. Wow. Dubailand. Currently, the largest amusement park collection in the world is Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando , which is also the largest single-site employer in the United states with 58,000 employees. Dubailand will be twice the size. There are many, many others. Read on for more.

But, remember, with massive efforts to top the world's 'firsts' list, comes great hardship. Tune in next week for more...

a. Pill, b. Depo, c. IUD, d. None of the above.

I choose d. None of the above.
"Me? On the pill? No, I figure my boyfriend will take care of things." Sounds weird when the roles are reversed, right? But soon, women will be able to pawn off the contraceptive burdens onto their men! That's right...you read it here! Male contraception.

It has a nice ring, don't you think? It's about time that we were able to rely on our guys for more than just opening doors, lukewarm orgasms and twisting off caps from jars. Ok, you're right, touche'...I can give myself a lukewarm orgasm-I don't have to rely on a man. ;)

But...I digress. Dr. Yi-Qun Gu, MD, of the National Research Institute for Family Planning in Beijing, China, is among the researchers that are helping develop an injectable contraception for males. In this study, a guy is injected monthly with 500 mg of a formulation of testosterone undecanoate in tea seed oil for thirty months. So far, this contraception has found to be reversible and without serious short-term adverse effects on participants.

Currently, studies are being performed at 10 research locations throughout the world, including the University of Washington in Seattle. You can learn more about the study here.

I know what you guys are going to say...'what about the side effects? Health issues in correlation with taking testosterone (ultimately, a steroid)? So far...a little weight gain. Just jump on a treadmill 3 times a week, you'll be fine. :)

Have you guys ever wondered what's in the female versions of our birth control?
Progestin is in the 'pill'. Wanna hear some of the side effects?
Weight gain, nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, mood changes, and blood clots...not to mention the annoyance of having to remember actually 'taking' the pill.
The Depo shot?
Some side effects are headaches, dizziness, nervousness, some loss of scalp hair, some increase in body hair, loss of bone density and risk of osteoporosis, delayed fertility, decreased sex drive, weight gain, leg cramps, and bloating. Fun, huh?
The IUD?
This is probably the least annoying method and the most effective but the side effects can still be maddening: cramping, mood changes, acne, headaches, pelvic pain and nausea. And that's not to mention having to keep tabs on the 'string'. Sheesh!

So the next time you wonder why we're so bitchy, read these again then bring us ice cream.
Until then...ask your doctor how you can help take some of that burden from your girl without being a douche and offering the 'pull and pray' method.

Reference here.

You give me the ammo, I'll blog about it.

It seems that there's been a run on gun ammo in the state of Montana lately. While this doesn't surprise me, it still strikes me as funny. Montana, a conservative state (for the most part) with a tendency of right wing, gun-toting hunters, has seen an extravagant increase in the sales of guns & ammunition due to the fear of a 'potential' tightening of gun control laws by the Obama administration.
My question here is (as it was during the Clinton administration too)...Why?!?

I think these people don't really understand the meaning of 'gun control' and the need for it. Gun control is based on the 2nd Amendment that allows us the 'right to keep and bear arms' but, people forget that owning a gun does NOT guarantee freedom. Sure it keeps the conspiracy theorists among them in sound mind but let me ask you this... Does owning a gun REALLY keep you safe?

Timothy McVeigh didn't commit his crimes with a gun, yet he killed 168 people!
The Unibomber, Theodore Kaczynski, also killed several people without the use of a firearm...and he could have gotten one fairly easily by living in Montana:

Montana is a “will-issue” state for concealed weapons permits. Any law-abiding citizen who fills out the application and can show they've completed some form of firearm safety course can obtain a permit.

Side note: I owned a 9MM several years ago that I got a permit for in Montana and I didn't even have to take the firearm safety course. See? They'll give guns to anyone!!! ;)

With this said, I do admit that the total confiscation of firearms could lead to...issues.

“We are being asked what would be the stance of local law enforcement if the federal government calls for the confiscation of firearms,” Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman said. “That's a very real concern for people.”

But I see it as a concern for the community around someone who is disgruntled about losing their rights to use their firearm at will. What's wrong with a few more restrictions on the sales/ownership of firearms?
I say...just chill...in about 8 years we'll do something stupid like put another Republican in office and he'll give you back the extension to your manhood. Sheesh.

An upside to the nature of the influx of gun enthusiasts? It's creating jobs in the manufacturing facilities that make guns and ammo. What comes around, right?

Full story here.

I'm assuming I'll have comments on this one...bring it boys-I like a challenge. ;)

Live Long & Prosper

Dude! Go see this...if not because you like Star Trek but for Captain Kirk...seriously-you will NOT regret it...

My Media Player, VII

I realized yesterday that I never gave my readers a very important link! I know that you won't be running to the music store to buy any of the Media Player submissions that I post (or pirating them instantly...you know who you are!)-you probably want to check the music out FREE first, right?!

In that case, feel free to check out most all of my contributions on IMEEM before you trip over yourself getting to the door.
You have to sign up (just email/password stuff) and they will send you a confirmation email, click it.
At the top R hand corner, click 'skip and add friends' then 'skip to favorite artists' then 'complete signup', then 'no thanks, go to home'. I promise (PROMISE) that you won't get spam email from this (but...if you're worried, just use a junk email account-you know you have one!).

Now you're ready to stream my favs!!! For FREE!!! Check it out!

Emerson Hart - Cigarettes and Gasoline
Website.
I ran across this guy in my search for artists this week and he sort of reminds me of the country band, Emerson Drive (even more cool that they have similar names). Even though I don't like country, I like ED specifically because of a song on their first album called 'Fall Into Me'. Emerson Hart is not considered 'country' (in case you were worried) but check out the song 'If You're Gonna Leave'...it's a good sound. Dropping Daylight - Brace Yourself
Website.
I was looking for a band with a similar sound to Thriving Ivory (one of my new favorites) and heard the title song on this album...not only do I love the tunes but the words were exactly what I needed at that precise moment (plus who doesn't like lyrics that say 'go fuck yourself, I'm breaking out'?). I promise there's more to it than that though...it hit home for me.
Check out the full lyrics here! One Less Reason - A Lifetime Burning
Myspace.
This is similar to the above artist but with more of a 'garage' feel.

At least we're not at risk for another baby boom this way...

Trojan stock rises 182 points!

Now that I have your attention...that's not actually true but, I'm hoping to buy some stock so I'm trying to create buzz. And, those of you who know me wouldn't be surprised that this is what I chose. ;) And...NO, not because I sink my life savings into them...shame on you! I'm a huge advocate, that's all.

But, what is true (at least according to USA Today), is that condom sales rose 5% in the last quarter of 2008!

Well, of course! Even more so nowadays do people want to prevent the risk of an unwanted pregnancy (unless, of course, you are a certain single, crazy California woman who uses children to fill her emotional voids).
It's much cheaper buy a 12$ box of condoms once a week than spending the 340,000$ from birth to college (not including college expenses). Ok, and some (lame people) might even admit that a box of condoms a week is a bit liberal...but I pretend that those people don't exist.

Yes, people that's 11232$ for 18 years vs. upwards of 340,000$-I can even do that math.

Plus...no one has any money!!! What else can they do?

Random fact: There are more birthdays in the fall than any other time of year. Why? Because during the winter, how else do you keep warm?
Fact: I'm an October baby.

Now...moral of this post?
Suit up & remember, practice makes perfect. ;)

Recession puts people in the mood.

It's ok to ask 'wtf?' here...

Some days are like this...

At least I have a job, right?

I told you I'd actually post a blog of substance today so here goes...

Yesterday I 'expressed interest' in a position that will soon be open at my place of employment. I haven't gone into detail much about what I do or my employer so maybe I'll give you a rough detail about it:
I work for a manufacturing company that builds custom wine cellars, saunas and steam baths (yeah, I know, steam baths?). We sell/build/install every detail of our products (ie: murals, tables, racking, cooling systems, glasses, buckets/ladles, rocks, etc.). We do NOT sell wine though and ARE NOT connected to the winery with the same name...so, don't ask. ;) We've installed cellars for quite a few famous people too!

Well, right now our cooling department is blowing up (in a good way) and we actually build our own systems, do installations, repairs, etc. The manager of that department (the Sales and Service Manager) is taking a different position in the company so...I gave it some thought and took the chance.
Now, I don't have the exact experience they are looking for (but...neither did he when he started) but, since I've proven my 'worth' over the past several years, I'm being considered. And...they know I can do it.

The issue here is that my boss (and owner) whom I talked to about it, wants me to expand elsewhere into the other part of the company that they are pushing right now (which, actually, would be more my 'style') and could possibly lead to a sales/marketing/traveling position. There's a guy who already does it but they want him to have help. I'm leary about this because I don't want them to think it's ok to push me into an administrative assistant position (which would be a step down from what I'm doing right now) so...I have to make sure (when the time comes) that I'm being considered his equal and not his bitch (meaning...make your own fscking travel arrangements!).

My dilemma? There's always a lot of talk...but rarely...action. I know I've seen the Cooling department and even the Signature department (the one my boss was referring to) expand in the past year beyond what was expected but...should I be willing to wait? Again? Especially knowing that it would indefinitely be 'on hold' til the economy picked back up. I say this because...there has also been 'talk' of me getting an office for my current job (accounting) for a while but...nothing. Ok so...most of this is rhetorical and I don't know that answers would help but...again, this is my blog. :P
It could turn into nothing but...I'm excited to have let them know that I'm ready for something...more.

Anyway...as for substance-you be the judge...

How am I?

I know I haven't posted anything of substance in a while so I'll apologize if I'm leaving my readers hanging. Maybe this will explain my mood lately: So, the moral to this story is...LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE ABOUT IT ALREADY! I'll come back around soon, I promise. ;) Ok...TOMORROW! Watch for a post tomorrow! :P

My Media Player VI

I usually don't like female music artists much but the first 2 albums are by bands with female leads that I've liked for years...what do you think?

The Veronicas - Hook Me Up
Website.
They have a distinct 'pop' sound...works well for me when I'm working out. :D Saving Jane - Supergirl
Website.
I have to admit that I haven't actually heard this new album yet but I LOVE the first 2 (Girl Next Door & One Girl Revolution) so I assume this one is awesome too. :) Silversun Pickups - Swoon
Website.
This is the newest album for SP and, truthfully, I think I like the last one (Carnavas) better. The newer album has several instrumental songs, which is cool-I think it's just 'different', which is why I'm having trouble with it. But, seriously...check out Carnavas! ...I have to say though-whoever designs their album covers-AWESOME!

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

I realize that I may not have shared this rare gem with the world (the 'world' being my 5 readers). NPH rulz!!!!!!!!

Gift Certificates up to 70% off!

We've all been feeling the economic credit crunch lately so I thought I'd post something a couple friends told me about recently that might help ease the social suffering that might be resulting.

Even though we are all hoarding our money, we still like to go out once in a while, right?

Here's a way to do that and still be frugal!

Restaurant.com

Look for restaurant gift certificates up to 70% off! For example, there are 10$ certs for only 3$!!!!!

Check it out!
(Be aware of the 'minimums' and alcohol restrictions though.)

Today's 'WTH' moment...already.

A woman I work with told me about this today and I just have to say "wth"?!

A Salem, OR man was arrested Tuesday for putting an electric dog collar on each of his four children and shocking them.

Todd Marcum, 41, said he did it "because he thought it was funny," Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada said.
Marcum told police that he would chase the 3-year-old boy around with the collar, making him cry at the thought of being shocked. Okada said that because of the boy's behavior, it is likely that the children were shocked more than once.
Marcum was taken into custody on four charges of first-degree criminal mistreatment. He is in the Marion County jail.
"Regardless of what your kids are like, it's sure not going to cure any behavioral problems," he said. "Bottom line is, what he did was dead wrong."

And now for a little SF opinion...

Cruelty to kids, to me, is the WORST offense someone can make. Kids, generally, can't defend themselves or are afraid to because of the consequences they are feared to suffer.
Anyone, like this guy, who mistreats them should have their kids taken away (at the VERY least). Jail-time is tempting as is castration (so he can't bring any more innocents into the world to abuse) but...I know the jails are full and the other is well...controversial.

Read the whole story here.

My Media Player V

So, maybe you can tell by now that much of my musical inspirations come from the TV show 'One Tree Hill'-it's the only TV 'drama' that I regularly watch...and probably because of the music (but mostly for Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty).
Ok...the actresses are alright too...

But...anyway, this week's Media Player submissions aren't exceptions to the rule and the first 2 albums I'm suggesting you check out are because of this show...

Carolina Liar - Coming to Terms
Website. Matthew Perryman Jones - Swallow the Sea
Myspace. Seether - Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces
Website.
My brother has had a lot of influence on me when it comes to music (except Green Day, I hate Green Day)...I remember him blasting a Seether CD in the truck one day (several years back) and I was hooked. And...for fun, I'll quiz you here: the 4th song on the album is titled 'FMLYHM'-what does it stand for? Kinda hardcore... ;)

How far is too far?

I came across an article today as I'm researching another blog I intend to write that made me ponder my title question.

A court in Dubai found a 27 year old Lebanese woman at fault when she found herself in a traffic collision resulting in the loss of her unborn child. (As a side note, I've found that Dubai is notorious for fatal road accidents because of their lack of traffic enforcement).

The stunner in the story is, though, the verdict is that she has to pay 5,450.00 (in American dollars) in 'blood money' to the unborn baby's next of kin.

What? Wouldn't the next of kin be ... her? Possibly the woman's husband? Or another of her children (if she has any)? So...she has to pay her husband or kid for the loss of her baby...?

And we thought we had stupid laws.

See the full story here.

Space Invaders

This goes perfectly with the feelings you probably got from my first post today. ;)

Because it's my blog-that's why!

I realize that recently I've thrown a lot of 'serious' issues at my blog readers but please stay with me! ...crazy girl questions below...

A few months ago, I broached the subject of bene-friends and the logistics of such. I did so because it hits a bit close to home regarding a situation I'm in...well, I guess it's not really a situation but more like the normal 'bene-friend' arrangement.
The arrangement goes like this: if neither of us are in relationships, we have sex. Easy enough explanation, right?

The conundrum I'm having though, is that there's a relationship I'm working on outside of this (for the past few months) and am not sure where one begins and the other one ends. ...I know, it doesn't make a lot of sense yet but ... wait.

For the record (because I know some of you have questions)-I haven't been having sex with my 'bene-friend' since I met the 'new guy' (nor do I want to). Happy? :P

A side note (that tangles things a bit) is that my bene-friend is an ex-boyfriend (who hasn't dated or been with anyone but me in 2 years). And, as I said in a previous blog, this is an acceptable bene-friend arrangement if both parties are on the same page about things. Ours being, that neither of us have actually wanted more from the relationship since we split 2 years ago.
But another problem is...I've been able to be the most 'needy' in my life with this ex. And...I'm not a needy person but am wondering if I should be more so? Independence is one thing but...what about when I just need to say:
'I'm tired of being alone. I'm sick of sleeping alone. And why can't I be needy sometimes? What's wrong with that?'
By 'needy' with him, I don't mean calling him, wanting things from him, etc, etc...I mean...emotionally. Although I know he's not the only guy in my life that I feel won't judge me, he's the closest.

Let me try to make more sense. Examples!

He comes over late last night because he's in the area and slightly drunkish (this is how it normally goes...fyi). I'm not going to turn him away because I wouldn't do that to ANY of my friends (I'd rather they be safe with me).
We talk for a while (ok...we talk til about 1:30 a.m. because I actually haven't seen him in 3 months).
I ask him this: 'What about me keeps you coming back around?'
Because, in the overall realm of things-this answer could be the key to the disappearance of my single days!
He says, 'You don't need me.'
(then he told me I should move into his apartment building in Seattle, even offering to let me bring my 'boyfriend' by to play Rock Band anytime I wanted)

But wait...now I'm confused. I don't need him?!? Apparently, I do, right? Otherwise, I wouldn't have let this 'arrangement' go on for so long? Otherwise, I wouldn't spill my emotional guts to him every time he's within 15 feet! Otherwise, I'd be able to sleep while he was there! Or otherwise, I'd have said 'Nah, don't come over to my house. How about we go to a movie this weekend or something?'

My question: Why do I feel bad? Me and the new guy haven't had the 'conversation' yet... Am I doing something wrong by even letting this 'bene-friend' stay knowing our history? Knowing that he'll try to crawl into bed with me at 2:30 a.m.? (which he did) Giving him information about me and my life that I should be divulging to a new relationship if I really want it to work?

But why am I so scared of new relationships??? Isn't that what I want? If it were, why do I still have so many past relationships in my life? What about connections? How do I know if they are real or not?

And the 10 million dollar question...how do I know if I'm a commitment-phobe or not?

I really don't want to be!!! But I'm worried that maybe I'm damaging new relationships without even knowing what I'm doing!

Oh and ... by 'emotionally spilling my guts', I mean...I asked him all these questions. Who does that? And what guy sits through it? (knowing full well he's not getting laid) And STILL comes back???

His response, 'You meet tons of guys SF. You don't need to worry about being alone for long. You just haven't met the 'right' guy yet. Talk to the new guy...be proactive about it. It's me who's afraid of commitment, remember?'

And he's right...unfortunately, he knows me that well.

I replied, 'I'm sick of meeting guys. I want to meet just one guy. I don't need the fairy tale, I just want the best-friend/he will always be there for me/sex whenever I want/tell me about your mundane day-thing.'
(seriously...how does he get to be the one that I can be so 'me' with?)

Then I left him on the couch and went to bed. (yes...I went bed alone)

Ok...now that I've been extremely open with you all, I'm going to post something funny and stop THINKING!! (it's overrated)