Being nice is free (and can get you freebies!)

It's a posting-frenzy!

Just a story to share real quick.

Yesterday, I decided I was in need of some pink lemonade cake squares from a local bakery in honor of the season finale of LOST. Originally I was just going to get a couple of squares, but then decided to get a dozen and just eat on them for the next week (you know, a square with lunch, a square with dinner).

There was a lady waiting who was there before I was, and only 4 people working. One was on the phone, one was making some pastry stuff, another was in the back I presume frosting/decorating cakes, so that left one lady to handle customers. I was in no rush (it was early afternoon) and was just looking around while I waited for my turn. When I put my order in and she was filling the box, I was still looking around at the different varieties of cookies they had. I honestly didn't think anything of the situation at all.

When the lady had filled my box and she started walking towards the register, she came out from behind the counter and just handed me the box. And was like "enjoy."

I reached for my purse and was like "how much....?" She told me they were free because I had to wait. I aruged that waiting wasn't unreasonable and it was maybe 5 minutes from the time I walked into the store until I was standing there holding my box of cake squares.

She said again they were free because I had waited patiently. She then turned to go back behind the counter to help another woman that had come in and turned around and said "oh...and you didn't give me a hard time." I smiled and thanked her and left with me free box of deliciousness.

So, I got free cake squares because I wasn't an asshole. Good to know.

Five-fer Friday

Ok, just for shiggles, I have decided to do some day-of-the-week-themed blog posts. I will implement "Five-fer Fridays" which will include a random list of 5 things (and really, who doesn't love alliteration?). You will have to tune in each week to find out what that list is about.

Today's Five-fer Friday is "Things I want to do this summer"

1. Learn to knit--I have been wanting to learn to knit for awhile. I tried to buy a "teach yourself" kit thingy and absolutely could not figure out what they wanted me to do. And in the spirit of being honest, it was a kit for CHILDREN. And still...I'm like "wha?" I think it comes down to me being a visual learner so I need someone to show me what to do. There are a couple of yarn places I know of that offer classes, so this summer I'm signing up! And for the next year or so all gifts will be: a scarf (that I knitted myself, of course)! I don't care if my brother lives in south Florida and has no need for a scarf. He is getting a scarf for his birthday AND Christmas (which are 3 days apart).
2. Go berry picking--I don't even care what kind of berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, whatever! I haven't been berry picking since I was in high school (ie-the 1990's). Back when I was really young, there was a strawberry patch behind the local library branch near my parents house (which, years later was turned into a Walmart and then a SuperWalmart). I have memories about picking strawberries there. And what's nice about berry picking, you get to pick what berries you want (no...I only want FREAKISHLY LARGE strawberries, thanks). Plus, most places are ok with you sampling as you pick. Good times.
3. Get back into rock climbing--I went rock climbing for a bit waaay back in the day. I really enjoyed it and was able to do some really fun climbs (although they were supervised by professionals who know what they are doing and not just, you know, me in the great outdoors left to my own devices). While I am nowhere near ready to go on my own and climb, I wanted to at least get back into the sport and work on my technique at a nice, indoor rock wall. There is one in the next town over and they do offer a student discount. So I'll need to mosey on over and get back to climbing!
4. Bake weekly--I used to LOVE all things cooking. But, long story short, a situation caused me to loathe it about the time I started grad school. I didn't want to cook. Period. I am pretty good about cooking at home now, but I would really like to get back into baking regularly since my skills have gone a bit to the wayside. A few years back my parents got me a Kitchenaid stand mixer (unfortunately it's white and not a fun color...) as well as a set of nice mixing bowls in a range of sizes for a birthday. Currently I only use my Kitchenaid about 3-4 times per year. That needs to change! I will try to post pictures and recipes (as well as any sources for my recipes for those who tend to me a little militant about their copyrighted recipes....) of my successes. My first attempt is going to be Apple and Honey Muffins. If anyone has any recipes suggestions, let me know. Also, if anyone who knows me in person wants me to bake something so that I can bring them some, I'm game.
5. Thoroughly clean my apartment--I tend to be a hoarder. I will hold onto stuff for eons. It was so bad I actually had boxes (yes, plural, I would guess in the range of 6-7 large boxes) of crap that stayed nice and sealed in their boxes that just got moved from place to place. I have already begun the purging process somewhat over the past 2 years. But it's really not getting that much better. I have so much stuff that I think it's mating in my closet. For instance, a few weeks ago I was cleaning out a LARGE storage bin filled with various beauty products...including lotions that I have been holding onto since like 1997. Yeah. I'm sure I can throw away a half-used bottle of 11-yr old lotion. I currently have two large boxes filled with clothing and various useful things that I just don't need or want anymore (that I will be taking to Goodwill). So I'm at least started on the process. I just need to finish it by the end of the summer (Labor Day weekend).

Yeah...about that two-for-one post thing

Ok, so I started writing the second post, saved it with all intentions of working on it later.



Oops.



You see, I actually started working hard. But, with my current allergies/sinus infection combo (although this one is heavy on the allergies, light on the sinus infection) here is how my uber-productive afternoon went:



click click click click click (this is me using my mouse to analyze data, fyi)

sneeze, cough, blow nose

click click click click click

cough, blow nose

click click

blow nose

click click click click click

talk to boss, blow nose



You get the idea. I got TONS of work done (thus, no finishing of the second post), went through half a box of tissues and now my nose is a red scaby nightmare. Gotta love pollen!

Then, of course, the next day I found out all my hard work wasn't necessary. Meh.

Good vs. Evil

Today is two-for-one day on my blog. Yay! Granted, you might not care about either topic...but that's another story.

So Bonnie, my SUV love, is an Xterra. I love my Xterra. I had Xterradar and could spot, nay, sense an Xterra in my vicinity. I even developed a case of "the Vaux hands" whenever I saw an Xterra. ("The Vaux Hands" were named in honor of a friend's chihuahua who did this little paw thing when she (the dog) wanted something....I jokingly started doing that and it turned into somewhat of a habit...and I sometimes still do it today) Anywho. So, when I see other Xterras on the road or out and about, I feel an automatic kinship.

This morning as I was walking from my apartment to Bonnie, I noticed another Xterra parked outside....BUT....it was defiled with a front license plate with the Gator (University of FL) logo. You can't get much lower than that. Then on the back of this strange Xterra was another little Gator logo as well as a logo for a local college (hint: I'm not in FL now). Now, I guess I should back up and say that I am a Florida State fan. Absolutely. 100%. So, I am morally obligated to dislike Gator fans (although...I am also morally obligated to HATE Miami fans). So, I just thought it was a bit interesting that directly across from this Gator-tainted Xterra is my beautiful Xterra, with my FSU license plate and the Seminole head logo sticker.

It was like a mirror of good (FSU) vs. evil (UF).

This would be a time when a picture would be fun. But alas, still working on that "take a picture a day" thing (which, yeah...haven't taken 1 yet).

Oh, right...I should be working.

Yes. There is a computer chocked full of data that is calling my name. I am ignoring you, Yertle. That is the name of the computer. Seriously. All the lab's computers (about 7 or so...and that's not including personal computers) are named after Dr. Suess characters. My work computer happens to be Yertle (I used to work on Horton, but have since moved to Yertle).

But, I blog.

I am horrible at taking photos. Not that I take bad photos, I am bad at actually taking photos. For example, the out-of-town wedding I went to up in PA a couple weeks ago I brought 2 cameras. My digitcal camera as well as an old disposable black-and-white film camera. (I LOVE black-and-white photos). You wanna know how many pictures I took? Zero. Nada. Nothing.

Another for instance. Many, many years ago (....back in the dark ages, when no one had fun...) I spent 2 weeks in Europe. Visiting London, Paris and Amsterdam. Want to know how many photos I took the entire 2 weeks? Probably about 100. And really, I didn't take all of those. My camera was hijacked at a dinner one night and I got a random assortment of pictures taken by the dude that hijacked it. Thankfully, he saved the "down the pants" photos for another girl's hijacked camera.

I try to prepare myself for spur-of-the-moment pictures. I finally bought a digital camera (like...a year and a half ago as a birthday present to myself). Plus I finally got a cell phone with a built in camera like 3 months ago. So, generally I have my phone with me and could take a picture on that. But alas, no. But even when I do take photos...I am bad about getting them off the camera and onto a computer. Over a year ago I went to a Jim Gaffigan show with my brother (not to be confused with the Jim Gaffigan show with some friends or the Jim Gaffigan show with a friend and my brother....I love Jim Gaffigan). My brother periodically bugs me to email him the picture of us with Jim. I can't...because I have not transfered it onto my laptop. Sigh, I know.

I say this because eventually, when I quit being lazy and take the time I want to include pictures in my blog. Because...pictures are super fun! Fun! Fun! Fun!

I think I shall make a May 21st resolution to take a photo every day. Worst case scenario, I delete it (or throw prints away if it is from an antiquated film camera). Best case scenario uh...I take more pictures.

Then I'll have to make another day resolution to get those photos on my computer so I can share them with the universe.

Pain at the pump

Ok, we all know gas prices are high. And we all know when you have and SUV you:

1) have a larger gas tank than your typical car
2) have crappier gas mileage than your typical car

Don't get me wrong, I completely ADORE my SUV (her name is Bonnie) and I wouldn't trade her in for some little hybrid at all.

You see, I have been sneakily getting around feeling the crunch at the pump, or at least fooling myself from really feeling the crunch at the pump.

I generally need to get gas ever 2 weeks. And generally when I get gas, I still have about 1/4 of a tank left (which, is a general anal-retentive habit I have now since I actually ran out of gas once...which...sucks). So I'm generally only putting in between 15-17 gallons (instead of like 22).

I was always able to say that I had never spent more than $60 on a "tank" of gas. That is, until I was driving back from a wedding up in PA and went over the $60 mark by $0.35. But that was ok...because, that's barely over...doesn't really count, just a technicality!

Until...

It was my first fill up since coming back from the wedding (which...was like 2 weeks ago....) and I had actually gotten below 1/4 tank AND the gas light had came on (which, internally I was like "EEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!!!" due to the aforementioned running out of gas ON THE HIGHWAY I might add) So I stop at my usual fill-up place near my apartment....and I'm pumping away...it's nice and sunny and breezy outside. I'm just enjoying being outside. Finally the gas pump shuts off--alright! we're full and ready to roll!--and I happen to look at the cost when I go to get my receipt.

$71.65

I let out an audible groan.

That one hurt. My bank account. And if the guy on the other side of the pump with his stupid little sentra would have uttered a word...I probably would have punched him. Is pump rage a valid defense?

Crime and Surfing

I like to read. My favorite author is Agatha Christie.

I have owned her autobiography for years. I think I actually had it pre-grad school. It just sat on my bookshelf (specifically on my "all-Agatha Christie" shelf--which, is stuffed to capacity and will need to start a second shelf...which means...another bookcase), never being read. I finally decided to read it, and I am rather enjoying it.

I feel it reads like a blog (I guess, many autobiographies read somewhat like a flowing, rambling spewing of ones thoughts). Her life just seems so interesting. I don't know if it's due to the times she grew up in (right now it's in the 1920's) or what. And it is interesting knowing how she even got onto writing crime novels.

In my mind, Agatha Christie only exists as her older self (circa pictures of her between the 1950s-60's). So, with that in mind, it just tickles me to know that she surfed! SHE SURFED! Back when women wore those crazy long bathing suits. SURFED! And she rather enjoyed it.

It just makes me giggle.

It also made me google....

So there is a website for all-things Agatha Christie (at www.agathachristie.com). There is an open letter on there from her (only) grandchild. Anywho, I was looking through the various links on that page, and there was something about how to get old prints of her books (specifically, first additions which could be as old as the 1920's). So in my mind I was like "OOOOOOOHHHH!" See, I have a couple of wants in regards to Agatha Christie:

1) I want to own every book she wrote in hardback (I have this deep-rooted love of hardback books with a mild disdain for owning paperback books. Also, I want them to be more on the beat-up end...like I don't want them to all look the same (as is this case with this one book club set) and I don't want them to look new (as is the case with said book club set) One day I will provide a picture of my current collection of books).
2) I want to own either a first edition OR an autographed copy of either The Mysterious Affairs at Styles (her first book) or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (my favorite book).

So I did see a couple of copies of first editions of The Mysterious Affairs at Styles. They were only in the range of, oh, $25,000. Which, HOLY CRAP! and which, ME WANT! Granted, I don't have $25,000. I don't make that much in a year right now. Does anyone have $25,000 they want to give me and/or have a first addition of either of those two books they'd like to give me. And hey, I'm not picky...it doesn't need to be in that great of a condition either. Anyone? Bueller?