personal

by

Yesterday I served as a judge for some local entrepreneurship awards, which was led by a relatively prominent member of the community. I’ve been mingling with those types quite a bit lately, and I can’t help but wonder sometimes how they got to where they’re at. I’m sure they must be smart and accomplished, but their speaking/leadership skills leave me baffled. I’m not one to self-promote, but it’s kind of sad that I was one of the most articulate and thoughtfully confident participants in the session…especially since I was also among the youngest.

Makes me feel like I could take over the world though, if I really wanted to!

by

It’s the Small Things

I just want to take a moment to rejoice at the condition of my hair and my eyelashes these days. For years, both were in such bad shape, mostly due to over-processing and the abuse of clip-in extensions and falsies during my Bad Kitty days. Those were a ton of fun, but they really did take such a toll, especially after crashing with them still in… no bueno. Literally, my hair was clean ripped off in some places (I just played them off as choppy layers…)

Anyway, I took a break on the extensions. Wore false lashes less frequently. Of course, going out on the town less certainly helped with these efforts. I also started using Agadir Argan Oil spray on my hair (basically Moroccan oil) and swiped lotion on my lashes at night before bed (weird, I know.) But it has made SUCH a difference! Even other people have been complimenting the condition of my hair, compared to the old days. I’m at a point where I can say I’m happy with both my lashes and my hair – longer, fuller, notably healthier… and I still get to highlight 🙂

Lately, I don’t even feel the need for extensions or falsies (except maybe for a truly special occasion that involves lots of pictures.) I recently purchased Revitalash (basically non-prescription Latisse) to encourage lash growth, and it seems to be helping as well.

I sound so high maintenance haha… but my hair has always been so fine and scrawny, it’s nice to have some life in it!!

by

Christians & DOMA

I never understand how the Religious Right feels they can just legislate what comes down to FREE WILL. Christians like to overlook the free will aspect of things, and just restrict, restrict, restrict.

But if they’re gonna legislate personal behaviors, may as well start advocating for Constitutional amendments banning fast food and the like, to restrict gluttony. And premarital sex too.

… Oh wait, they won’t… because they’ve all done it!!

For the sake of argument, let’s just say it’s true that homosexuality is an abomination. I am a Christian, but I’m also an American. There is some overlap, sure… but their mission statements, in some ways, are completely opposite and they are different roles. My religion is personal. I’m accountable for myself. My role as a patriot and a citizen is a responsibility. A responsibility to protect those not within my own umbrella of beliefs.

We are not a theocracy!

by

So weary…

It has been such a crazy week. First, my dad came over the weekend and was sick/miserable the whole time with what ended up being strep throat. Then Chuck’s mom called Sunday night and said they were heading down to visit Monday-Thursday. I have two events after work Wednesday/Thursday, then another friend coming into town Friday night, for the weekend. I also am hosting a wives’ event on Saturday afternoon.

Work has been insane too, because the Wilmington “metropolitan statistical area” lost Brunswick County in the last census… so all hell has broken loose. The work in to figuring out why has largely fallen on my shoulders – so suddenly, I’m an economics/urban planning subject matter expert!

I’m exaggerating slightly, but it is definitely hijacking my days, so my regular work isn’t getting done quite as efficiently as I’d like. At least I am learning a lot…and getting some exposure to higher-ups in the process.

Somewhere thrown in there, I also need to write a letter to officials in Colorado about my mom’s legal/mental health situation, and get it in the mail before her court date… which is rapidly approaching. No time, no time, no time! (I guess maybe I should have done that instead of writing this blog entry? Lol!)

Anyways. Stretched thin much?? Sunday night should be relaxing 🙂

by

On a lighter note…

I think I’m allergic to alcohol. I’ve been drinking since college – and of course I never feel well after excessive imbibing – but lately I’m getting all sorts of reactions to even small amounts of it (I’m talking anything more than 1 glass of wine, or pretty much any amount of liquor.)

The thought first occurred to me at a wedding I attended back in December. I was nasally congested after the reception to the point that my friend asked if I was getting sick. I replied, “No, I just get stuffy when I drink.” She wondered aloud if I was allergic to booze, but I laughed it off. I didn’t drink that much, and I’m always a little stuffy…

As the months passed, I noticed that no matter how little I drank, I dealt with congestion, headaches, and almost on-the-dot stomach irritation. The next day always felt like a post-heavy-drinking kind of hangover, but I hardly ever have more than 2-3 drinks over a six hour period, and it’s usually more like 1-2… Not enough to create those kinds of symptoms.

Then this past weekend, I had a friend in town, so I “went wild” and had a glass of wine at dinner and a half a vodka tonic at the bar. At home, I was stuffy, achey, and my stomach twinged with discomfort. I Googled “alcohol allergy” and saw that nasal congestion is one of the primary symptoms of such allergies. Almost everything else I felt was on the list too. At least I don’t get the hives!

Anyway, it’s not the end of the world, because my truly fun drinking days are mostly over. But I don’t mind having a couple glasses of wine now and then, and maybe even getting a little tipsy. I guess I will just have to choose my battles!

by

I am in LOVE with my new fragrant stuff from Bath and Body Works (who would have guessed)! I got two new 3-wick candles (in Garden Freesia and Eucalyptus Mint), matching plug-ins, a room spray, and a car thingie (no idea what it’s called.) Everything smells great, appears to have some longevity, and was a thousand times cheaper than Yankee. 

My house smells great, and anyone who knows me understands how important that is to me 😉 I just may have to go buy some more! One for each room! 

Ok, calming down now…

by

I know this is going to sound reallyweird, but do you ever get annoyed with yourself and want to suppress/change your personality? There’s this girl I know who everyone likes hands down, but there’s really not much to her (that she shows, anyway.) She’s “boring”, but so sweet and completely non-controversial, so everyone just automatically thinks what a nice person she is. She has this universal appeal. I know I am fascinated by her and want to be just like her… but I am most definitely not.

Sometimes I wish I’d stay more mysterious and unassuming. Keep more to myself and just be nice to people. Suppress any urge to express or take the lead – stay under the radar. Hold back on sharing so many updates (i.e., Facebook.) Cut back on doing things that attract attention – increase anonymity. Discuss things (and people!) less. Give people less reason to formulate opinions about my life and decisions, by keeping them my business instead of everyone else’s.

Blah, blah, blah.

Sometimes, the more I share, the more exposed I feel. To good things, and to bad things – if that makes any sense. I almost get self-conscious when people know too much about me… as I blog away about it here, ha.

Just a random, silly thought on a boring, windy afternoon!

by

The Shopping Bug Lurks

I have this sudden urge to go replace all my make-up, for no reason other than I’m bored with what I have, and I keep seeing new things I want to try. I’m waiting for the same urge to come with clothes – since the arrival of spring tends to do that to me. I must stay strong. I’ve been doing so well!

Bad news bears…

by

I can’t decide…

…if I want to go to my high school reunion in DC or not (ugh, has it really been 10 years?!) High school wasn’t the happiest time for me, so a part of me really doesn’t want to revisit anything about it.

On the other hand, there is another part of me that is curious and perhaps seeking some sort of redemption from those days. I’m not sure redemption is the right word… but I’m just a different person now. Perhaps I can assume all my classmates are, too? I can’t pretend I didn’t learn anything during those years – academically, socially, and personally.

Could give me something to do at least! And there is a handful of girls I wouldn’t mind seeing again.

by

What a dreary day today! I stayed in bed with the Bean till 11:15 this morning, because a) I can, and b) what else is there to do? I must say though – it was kind of nice, and Annie sure enjoyed it. I got a few fleeting and choppy moments over Gmail with Chuck while I ate breakfast. I can’t decide if those choppy moments are worth it, or if I’d just rather wait to hear from him when we can actually have an uninterrupted conversation.

It’s supposed to rain all day, so I may try to work out and clean. Or, maybe I’ll just continue to do nothing 🙂 There’s a women’s social at Chuck’s old Captain’s house tonight that I plan on showing up to, if it’s not too gross.

Tomorrow is supposed to be 62 and sunny (YES!) so I’m thinking I will take Annie to the beach in the afternoon. Gotta get her annual beach trip in before the tourists come! 🙂 She’s so funny at the beach!