Confession 1: I read Entertainment Weekly.
I know, I know. You are all silencing your gasps of sorrow and disdain. Experts say to clear your mind before bed. What better way to empty your head of all serious thought?
Confession 2: I am a huge fan of Stephen King. I even visited his home when I was in Bangor, Maine. My sister and I bond over cheesy made-for-TV movie marathons. I immediately connect with anyone who shares the same profound love as I for "Langoliers" or "The Stand."
In a "best of both worlds" scenario, Stephen King would write an article for EW. Coincidentally, he does.
His latest article had me giggling as he bashed the talking heads of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. As of late, there has been a debate about why Lindsay Lohan would receive more coverage than the Oil Leak in the Gulf. Good point.
Then, in a shocking turn of events (should have expected it from Stephen), Mr. King defended the coverage. Who would have thought the king of all things creepy is a softy?
He suggested that we don't follow celebrities because we are nosy and like to see the plight of the rich and famous and like to see them fail. We follow them because we sympathize. Because we really do want these people to succeed. Because we all know someone in our personal lives who has an addiction problem or an anger problem or is bad with finances.
Amazing Stephen King words it best, so I'll include an excerpt from his article published for the 8.6.10 issue, titled "Rush to Judgment."
"... I really believe that the majority of people - i.e., the ones without talk shows - are pulling for Lindsay Lohan, just as they did for Robert Downey Jr. No one wants to read another Health Ledger/River Phoenix/John Belushi story. Or about Rush Limbaugh OD-ing for that matter. Some of us may not like the guy's opinions (or trust his sincerity), but very few of us want to see him hauled out of a hotel room on a stretcher, covered by a sheet.
There's a perception that people buy the Enquirer or go to TMZ on the Web because they want to see the rich humbled (or jailed), the famous humiliated (or jailed), the beautiful turned fat and ugly by excess (or jailed). It's crap. The cynics may believe ordinary folks are spiteful and envious, but that's probably because they are judging others by themselves.
Rush, you need to revisit the Lindsay Lohan affair. Now that you're clean, maybe you even ought to reach out to her and give her the benefit of your own experience. We're all in this little boat of life together, and none of us are getting out of it alive. Is Lindsay Lohan's substance problem as serious as the spill in the Gulf? No. Is she a bit of a twit? Yes, but so was I at 24. So were most of us, probably including you...Man up and pass on what you've learned."
This article truly made me ponder - enlightened me a little to my own ever-curious mind. I hope you feel the same.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Learn to Share
Last night, an individual in my life retorted, "Your lack of ability to share astonishes me."
I was immediately hurt - a knife to my very soul! I, in an ironic twist of humility, have always taken pride in my generosity. Want to come to NYC but can't afford it? I'll find a way to arrange an "exchange of services." Want to have my cookies for a special event but don't have time to make them? I'll stay up late to bake them for you. "Would you like to donate $1?" Man, I'm a sucker for that one every time. Need a place to stay for a month? By golly, I've even done that!
So what was this gentleman referring to? Food.
Call me crazy, but when I order food at a restaurant or make my own, I have done so because I want to eat it. That's right. Me. I want to eat MY food. What is so wrong about that?
I almost always hit a point in a meal where I'm not too interested in finishing what is on my plate, at which time I will offer it up for grabs. Or if I have ordered a size larger or cooked more so that I can share or ordered "family style," I will gladly offer it up.
If you have your own food that you ordered because you wanted to eat it, with no pre-established sharing clause, then why are you trying to steal my food? I keep thinking of the Friends episode where Joey ends a relationship with a girl because she keeps taking food from his plate. I'm not that extreme for goodness sakes, but I love food a lot and I want every tender little morsel I ordered. What is so wrong with that?
I was immediately hurt - a knife to my very soul! I, in an ironic twist of humility, have always taken pride in my generosity. Want to come to NYC but can't afford it? I'll find a way to arrange an "exchange of services." Want to have my cookies for a special event but don't have time to make them? I'll stay up late to bake them for you. "Would you like to donate $1?" Man, I'm a sucker for that one every time. Need a place to stay for a month? By golly, I've even done that!
So what was this gentleman referring to? Food.
Call me crazy, but when I order food at a restaurant or make my own, I have done so because I want to eat it. That's right. Me. I want to eat MY food. What is so wrong about that?
I almost always hit a point in a meal where I'm not too interested in finishing what is on my plate, at which time I will offer it up for grabs. Or if I have ordered a size larger or cooked more so that I can share or ordered "family style," I will gladly offer it up.
If you have your own food that you ordered because you wanted to eat it, with no pre-established sharing clause, then why are you trying to steal my food? I keep thinking of the Friends episode where Joey ends a relationship with a girl because she keeps taking food from his plate. I'm not that extreme for goodness sakes, but I love food a lot and I want every tender little morsel I ordered. What is so wrong with that?
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
ENFJ
My co-worker had me take a personality test. He thought I'd be an ENTJ, which upon reading the description, I know I am quite clearly not.
What do you think? Is this me? I agree with some things, but others I'm not so sure about.
The Giver
As an ENFJ, you're primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
ENFJs are people-focused individuals. They live in the world of people possibilities. More so than any other type, they have excellent people skills. They understand and care about people, and have a special talent for bringing out the best in others. ENFJ's main interest in life is giving love, support, and a good time to other people. They are focused on understanding, supporting, and encouraging others. They make things happen for people, and get their best personal satisfaction from this.
Because ENFJ's people skills are so extraordinary, they have the ability to make people do exactly what they want them to do. They get under people's skins and get the reactions that they are seeking. ENFJ's motives are usually unselfish, but ENFJs who have developed less than ideally have been known to use their power over people to manipulate them.
ENFJ's are so externally focused that it's especially important for them to spend time alone. This can be difficult for some ENFJs, because they have the tendency to be hard on themselves and turn to dark thoughts when alone. Consequently, ENFJs might avoid being alone, and fill their lives with activities involving other people. ENFJs tend to define their life's direction and priorities according to other people's needs, and may not be aware of their own needs. It's natural to their personality type that they will tend to place other people's needs above their own, but they need to stay aware of their own needs so that they don't sacrifice themselves in their drive to help others.
ENFJ's tend to be more reserved about exposing themselves than other extraverted types. Although they may have strongly-felt beliefs, they're likely to refrain from expressing them if doing so would interfere with bringing out the best in others. Because their strongest interest lies in being a catalyst of change in other people, they're likely to interact with others on their own level, in a chameleon-like manner, rather than as individuals.
Which is not to say that the ENFJ does not have opinions. ENFJs have definite values and opinions which they're able to express clearly and succinctly. These beliefs will be expressed as long as they're not too personal. ENFJ is in many ways expressive and open, but is more focused on being responsive and supportive of others. When faced with a conflict between a strongly-held value and serving another person's need, they are highly likely to value the other person's needs.
The ENFJ may feel quite lonely even when surrounded by people. This feeling of aloneness may be exacerbated by the tendency to not reveal their true selves.
People love ENFJs. They are fun to be with, and truly understand and love people. They are typically very straight-forward and honest. Usually ENFJs exude a lot of self-confidence, and have a great amount of ability to do many different things. They are generally bright, full of potential, energetic and fast-paced. They are usually good at anything which captures their interest.
ENFJs like for things to be well-organized, and will work hard at maintaining structure and resolving ambiguity. They have a tendency to be fussy, especially with their home environments.
In the work place, ENFJs do well in positions where they deal with people. They are naturals for the social committee. Their uncanny ability to understand people and say just what needs to be said to make them happy makes them naturals for counseling. They enjoy being the center of attention, and do very well in situations where they can inspire and lead others, such as teaching.
ENFJs do not like dealing with impersonal reasoning. They don't understand or appreciate its merit, and will be unhappy in situations where they're forced to deal with logic and facts without any connection to a human element. Living in the world of people possibilities, they enjoy their plans more than their achievements. They get excited about possibilities for the future, but may become easily bored and restless with the present.
ENFJs have a special gift with people, and are basically happy people when they can use that gift to help others. They get their best satisfaction from serving others. Their genuine interest in Humankind and their exceptional intuitive awareness of people makes them able to draw out even the most reserved individuals.
ENFJs have a strong need for close, intimate relationships, and will put forth a lot of effort in creating and maintaining these relationships. They're very loyal and trustworthy once involved in a relationship.
An ENFJ who has not developed their Feeling side may have difficulty making good decisions, and may rely heavily on other people in decision-making processes. If they have not developed their Intuition, they may not be able to see possibilities, and will judge things too quickly based on established value systems or social rules, without really understanding the current situation. An ENFJ who has not found their place in the world is likely to be extremely sensitive to criticism, and to have the tendency to worry excessively and feel guilty. They are also likely to be very manipulative and controling with others.
In general, ENFJs are charming, warm, gracious, creative and diverse individuals with richly developed insights into what makes other people tick. This special ability to see growth potential in others combined with a genuine drive to help people makes the ENFJ a truly valued individual. As giving and caring as the ENFJ is, they need to remember to value their own needs as well as the needs of others.
Jungian functional preference ordering:
Dominant: Extraverted Feeling
Auxiliary: Introverted Intuition
Tertiary: Extraverted Sensing
Inferior: Introverted Thinking
What do you think? Is this me? I agree with some things, but others I'm not so sure about.
The Giver
As an ENFJ, you're primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
ENFJs are people-focused individuals. They live in the world of people possibilities. More so than any other type, they have excellent people skills. They understand and care about people, and have a special talent for bringing out the best in others. ENFJ's main interest in life is giving love, support, and a good time to other people. They are focused on understanding, supporting, and encouraging others. They make things happen for people, and get their best personal satisfaction from this.
Because ENFJ's people skills are so extraordinary, they have the ability to make people do exactly what they want them to do. They get under people's skins and get the reactions that they are seeking. ENFJ's motives are usually unselfish, but ENFJs who have developed less than ideally have been known to use their power over people to manipulate them.
ENFJ's are so externally focused that it's especially important for them to spend time alone. This can be difficult for some ENFJs, because they have the tendency to be hard on themselves and turn to dark thoughts when alone. Consequently, ENFJs might avoid being alone, and fill their lives with activities involving other people. ENFJs tend to define their life's direction and priorities according to other people's needs, and may not be aware of their own needs. It's natural to their personality type that they will tend to place other people's needs above their own, but they need to stay aware of their own needs so that they don't sacrifice themselves in their drive to help others.
ENFJ's tend to be more reserved about exposing themselves than other extraverted types. Although they may have strongly-felt beliefs, they're likely to refrain from expressing them if doing so would interfere with bringing out the best in others. Because their strongest interest lies in being a catalyst of change in other people, they're likely to interact with others on their own level, in a chameleon-like manner, rather than as individuals.
Which is not to say that the ENFJ does not have opinions. ENFJs have definite values and opinions which they're able to express clearly and succinctly. These beliefs will be expressed as long as they're not too personal. ENFJ is in many ways expressive and open, but is more focused on being responsive and supportive of others. When faced with a conflict between a strongly-held value and serving another person's need, they are highly likely to value the other person's needs.
The ENFJ may feel quite lonely even when surrounded by people. This feeling of aloneness may be exacerbated by the tendency to not reveal their true selves.
People love ENFJs. They are fun to be with, and truly understand and love people. They are typically very straight-forward and honest. Usually ENFJs exude a lot of self-confidence, and have a great amount of ability to do many different things. They are generally bright, full of potential, energetic and fast-paced. They are usually good at anything which captures their interest.
ENFJs like for things to be well-organized, and will work hard at maintaining structure and resolving ambiguity. They have a tendency to be fussy, especially with their home environments.
In the work place, ENFJs do well in positions where they deal with people. They are naturals for the social committee. Their uncanny ability to understand people and say just what needs to be said to make them happy makes them naturals for counseling. They enjoy being the center of attention, and do very well in situations where they can inspire and lead others, such as teaching.
ENFJs do not like dealing with impersonal reasoning. They don't understand or appreciate its merit, and will be unhappy in situations where they're forced to deal with logic and facts without any connection to a human element. Living in the world of people possibilities, they enjoy their plans more than their achievements. They get excited about possibilities for the future, but may become easily bored and restless with the present.
ENFJs have a special gift with people, and are basically happy people when they can use that gift to help others. They get their best satisfaction from serving others. Their genuine interest in Humankind and their exceptional intuitive awareness of people makes them able to draw out even the most reserved individuals.
ENFJs have a strong need for close, intimate relationships, and will put forth a lot of effort in creating and maintaining these relationships. They're very loyal and trustworthy once involved in a relationship.
An ENFJ who has not developed their Feeling side may have difficulty making good decisions, and may rely heavily on other people in decision-making processes. If they have not developed their Intuition, they may not be able to see possibilities, and will judge things too quickly based on established value systems or social rules, without really understanding the current situation. An ENFJ who has not found their place in the world is likely to be extremely sensitive to criticism, and to have the tendency to worry excessively and feel guilty. They are also likely to be very manipulative and controling with others.
In general, ENFJs are charming, warm, gracious, creative and diverse individuals with richly developed insights into what makes other people tick. This special ability to see growth potential in others combined with a genuine drive to help people makes the ENFJ a truly valued individual. As giving and caring as the ENFJ is, they need to remember to value their own needs as well as the needs of others.
Jungian functional preference ordering:
Dominant: Extraverted Feeling
Auxiliary: Introverted Intuition
Tertiary: Extraverted Sensing
Inferior: Introverted Thinking
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Refurgitation
My luck with all things grotesque continues.
I'm not the only one who wakes up all blurry-eyed and incoherent, right?
I'm not the only one who was barbarously and abruptly jerked out of incoherency by stepping in a pile of vomited hairball am I? Oh? I am?
My darling little poofy kitty only has this problem three or four times per year, which is not bad considering she is a fuzzbucket. And not bad considering I've never stepped in it before. And not bad considering there are usually not three piles and I usually am not late to work because of clean-up and I usually don't VIM*...
Sick. Sick. SICK!
*Vomit in mouth
I'm not the only one who wakes up all blurry-eyed and incoherent, right?
I'm not the only one who was barbarously and abruptly jerked out of incoherency by stepping in a pile of vomited hairball am I? Oh? I am?
My darling little poofy kitty only has this problem three or four times per year, which is not bad considering she is a fuzzbucket. And not bad considering I've never stepped in it before. And not bad considering there are usually not three piles and I usually am not late to work because of clean-up and I usually don't VIM*...
Sick. Sick. SICK!
*Vomit in mouth
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sneeze
What happens if you take a big bite of oatmeal and then immediately have a sneeze attack?
Let me tell you from personal experience a few moments ago...make sure you cover your mouth...
Let me tell you from personal experience a few moments ago...make sure you cover your mouth...
Friday, July 30, 2010
Measurements
I about had a heart attack last night.
I was being measured for my costumes for "Damn Yankees." When I've been measured before, I've had to get down to my skivvies. This wonderful lady, however, supports our modesty and measured us over our clothes.
Especially after all I've been through with nutrition and fitness as of late, I was worried the addition of clothing to my measurements would make those numbers a little bulkier than my mind would prefer.
I hear, "Waist, 36."
I scream (I really should learn to control myself), "WHAT?!?! My waist is 36 inches?!?"
The costumer looked rather startled at my reaction and said, "Yep, you want me to check again?"
Uh...heck yes!
"Ohhhh.....that was 26, my mistake."
I about died.
I was being measured for my costumes for "Damn Yankees." When I've been measured before, I've had to get down to my skivvies. This wonderful lady, however, supports our modesty and measured us over our clothes.
Especially after all I've been through with nutrition and fitness as of late, I was worried the addition of clothing to my measurements would make those numbers a little bulkier than my mind would prefer.
I hear, "Waist, 36."
I scream (I really should learn to control myself), "WHAT?!?! My waist is 36 inches?!?"
The costumer looked rather startled at my reaction and said, "Yep, you want me to check again?"
Uh...heck yes!
"Ohhhh.....that was 26, my mistake."
I about died.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Furball
Due to an inordinate amount of fur around the house (and me being a neat freak), I decided to bust out the brush and have at it with my shedful little kitty.
1. She loved it
2. I think we created another creature with all the fur...kinda like Gizmo
3. Check out my slammin' outfit...
1. She loved it
2. I think we created another creature with all the fur...kinda like Gizmo
3. Check out my slammin' outfit...
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sheer Energy Legs!
I am immature. Or at least I was this week on a trip to one of my most beloved restaurants.
Maybe it didn't help that I was with my lil sis, who was visiting from Ohio.
Maybe it didn't help that we had a couple of other friends with us with whom we have non-stop giggle-fests.
Regardless...we couldn't stop ourselves.
We saw this man.
He was wearing cargo pants and tennis shoes.
Then...he wasn't...and we saw...pantyhose.
I know he is probably wearing these for circulation difficulties and I am the most meany mcmeanerface person in the whole world by getting a kick out of his kicks, but....c'mon! You'd be more than slightly amused too!
Maybe it didn't help that I was with my lil sis, who was visiting from Ohio.
Maybe it didn't help that we had a couple of other friends with us with whom we have non-stop giggle-fests.
Regardless...we couldn't stop ourselves.
We saw this man.
He was wearing cargo pants and tennis shoes.
Then...he wasn't...and we saw...pantyhose.
I know he is probably wearing these for circulation difficulties and I am the most meany mcmeanerface person in the whole world by getting a kick out of his kicks, but....c'mon! You'd be more than slightly amused too!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Bad Romance
I gathered together with friends of yore last night while my sissy was in town from Ohio. We were giggling, as girls do, about funny stories from years ago.
We recalled one in particular that instigated quite the prolonged giggle-fest.
One Valentine's Day a very sweet boy scraped my windshield for me. Cute.
He left Hershey's Kisses in the shape of a heart on said windshield. Very Cute.
Upon which windshield he placed a photo that had some kind of precious animal. Very Very Cute.
Examination revealed photo of a llama...being kissed by a human. Odd. Potentially funny.
Close examination revealed the photo was of this very sweet boy kissing the llama. Disturbing. Definitely funny. Surely not the kind of funny intended.
Removal of this bad romance photo uncovered a note. Possible explanation and chance for redemption.
Note states, "I need this photo back."
?!?
We recalled one in particular that instigated quite the prolonged giggle-fest.
One Valentine's Day a very sweet boy scraped my windshield for me. Cute.
He left Hershey's Kisses in the shape of a heart on said windshield. Very Cute.
Upon which windshield he placed a photo that had some kind of precious animal. Very Very Cute.
Examination revealed photo of a llama...being kissed by a human. Odd. Potentially funny.
Close examination revealed the photo was of this very sweet boy kissing the llama. Disturbing. Definitely funny. Surely not the kind of funny intended.
Removal of this bad romance photo uncovered a note. Possible explanation and chance for redemption.
Note states, "I need this photo back."
?!?
Trash
I have this compulsive need to wad up my trash before I dispose of it.
You know, you have a receipt and you can't just toss it, you have to wad or rip.
What is that about?
You know, you have a receipt and you can't just toss it, you have to wad or rip.
What is that about?
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