The Art of Sucking at Chemistry

I just started my first chapter in Chemistry this week. I was crazy to take it, but I needed a science as a required course, and since I failed my Geography class (yeah who knew mountains and lakes could be so hard!) back when I was getting my associates, yet passed my Astronomy class, I’m still short in the science requirement section.

In high school I barely passed (C-) General Science and Biology, but asked enough annoying questions and stayed after for every class in Chemistry, getting an A-, I figured I should  take college Chemistry and have it not be an issue. HAHAHA I laugh now!

I’ve already realized I am sucking at it! And vaguely remember the same struggles I had back in high school appearing in my current textbook.

Anyway, so I’ve been stuck on the same dang homework problem for…10 minutes, and I’m answering it at a very slow pace, not even knowing if it is correct. I don’t think it should be this much work!! But it’s not a simple question, why, because I can’t tell a molecule, from an atom, from matter, to pure substance, to elements, to compounds.

And I still have 9 more questions to go! Normally I would just forget about question one, but I have a quiz too. And if I can’t figure it out before chapter two, it just all builds on itself and turns into a big snowball of crap I don’t understand chasing me down a mountain.

Dear Simon G.

I’ve noticed ads in glossy women’s magazines for Simon G. A jeweler of what seems mostly rings. I haven’t taken the time to investigate what Simon G. sells, nor do I care to. My reason is simple. The ads are ridiculous and sexists.

Every single ad put out by Simon G. is about why a woman should have a ring in relationship, to a man being a dick. The ads imply that a woman should get a large settlement after a divorce and go and by this overly filled diamond ring. The ads also imply that when a man cheats the woman should ask for said overly filled diamond ring. The ads also imply that a man can’t get a woman without an overly filled diamond ring. The ad implies a woman won’t cheat because it’s too overly filled with diamonds to take it off.

Overall the ads represent what a crock marriage or love is. Sure one can feel whatever way they want about love or marriage, theirs or someone else, but I find this over the top degrading to both men and women. Maybe women are sallow, maybe men are pigs. I really don’t know, but I do know that the ads are improperly placing a sexist issue to each tag, from each ring.

The Cringing at, and Anger Towards an Acronym

That’s correct, I can use those words all together. If you knew, you would understand.

I’ve fully emerged myself into a world which revolves around acronyms and I never once thought one in specific would cause me such tension, anger, frustration,  fear, and even a slight hatred. Of course I can’t reveal the acronym which causes me such pain, so you will have to go on guessing forever, but I will humor you nonetheless.

At first it came as a surprise that said acronym would cause whiplash stress in my neck muscles, maybe it is some form of PTSD (for all the medical people out there, don’t give me crap, I know what PTSD is and I’m only making a point), although I must learn to live with it, as this is how it will play out, although hopefully not every time.

My main concern for stress was focused on two AKA people, this is probably the least of my “ability to get along with concerns” at this time.

As of Monday I was only slightly bothered by said acronym, then as I stewed over it, the growth of anger worsened, by mid-week I was pleased that I was feeling better about said acronym and our new meeting. But then, as I had time to digest, sleep, and report on said acronym, I realized how upset and angry the situation had developed into within me. Just the thought of having to deal with said acronym makes me cringe.

I look back and don’t feel I could have done anything  differently, and I am finding it hard to know what to do at this point. It’s not a hopeless feeling, but a desire to breakdown, if nothing else than to try to release the ongoing stress of said acronym.

Whatever the outcome is….TTYL

The Man At My Table

At first I thought I was mistaken, a trick of the overly tired, drunk, fourteen hours of non stop contact wearing eyes.

He wavered a bit himself, a glass bottle clanked on his belt buckle.

I dare not move my head and look. Instead I stranded my eyes so far to the right it felt like one would snap the cord in back.

He started to move forward, his boots shuffling on my wood floor.

I wondered what he could be here for. Dare I ask?

He cleared his throat and I heard the sound of my dining room chair being dragged out.

My thoughts rushed and  flashed forward to me being tied up in the chair, him laughing away, smoking a cigarette, while he ran his hand over my cheek.

He cleared his throat again, and this time I couldn’t help but turn my head and look his way.

His eyes were chestnut dark, his hair was straggly and dirty, his licked his lips.

I stood up and walked slowly over to him, not know what else to do and having no reason to not wonder what this man was doing in my kitchen.

As I approached I noticed he was holographic and a beer bottle I’ve never seen before sat on the table.

I noticed him starting to move his mouth ready to say something to me…something unreal, something from another time, something of great history…

“Gotta bottle opener for my beer Miss? Damn horse ran off with all my stuff again,” he finally sputtered.

Maroon 5

The first time I saw Maroon 5 was as an opening act for Matchbox 20, high up in the nosebleed section of an arena. I feel in love, immediately, much like I did with Papa Roach at a Nickelback concert. Both were openers and frankly better than the main band I had actually paid to see.

Of course I am aware that either you hate Maroon 5 and Matchbox 20, or you love them both. There really is no in between line.

Songs About Jane (2002) was an amazing album, still is. Their acoustic and live albums are also amazing.

Although they kind of lost be when they released It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007) While I really felt the “California vibe” in the music I didn’t connect with the entire album like I had with Songs About Jane.

The other day, I was in my car, a rare thing it seems, and Misery came on the radio and immediately I knew it was Maroon 5. That says a lot about the attention a band can get with a distinct voice. From the single it sounds like Maroon 5 has crossed Songs About Jane with It Won’t Be Soon Before Long, which I hope helps put them back on top of the charts. It’s apparent they take their time making an album and hopefully when Hands All Over releases on 9.21 it will match the quality I loved so much back in 2002.

Flowers…My Favorite

Like any other chick, I love flowers. But I do have very few that are my favorite. And hydrangeas make it onto my short lists.

There are many reasons why hydrangeas are my number one choice.

First they are fairly resistant to bugs so you often don’t find yourself having to worry about finding them escaping and wondering around your house.

Secondly they don’t smell, as far as all the ones I have encountered, which is nice because I seem to sneeze from many other flowers.

Third, they look wonderful as a single stem in a vase, unlike other flowers that need “partners” in order to look nice on display.

In addition for those of you able to grow this flower, Bailey Nurseries just came out with Hydrangea Vanilla Strawberry.  Showcasing three different colors at one time (white, pink, red)!

My plan is to, soon, be able to finally grow hydrangeas! Whether this actually happens or not, we will see.

two troubling books you must read

As I set off on my new journey, I realized I’ve only had the opportunity to spend time with well of kids. And so that is where my understanding comes from. Even working with special needs preschoolers I didn’t come in direct contact with a world I didn’t know. But of course looking back now, like the child who arrived with crayons shoved in his ears to block out the screaming at home, was a red flag.

So I decided it was best to understand this whole other dimension with children that I was unfamiliar with, and Three Little Words, is probably a “nicer” version of what is going on for so many.

Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter is a remarkable story, written for YA, about her life in and out of foster care and with adoption. The underlining sections of the story is what makes your heart ache and resonates deep in your memory. It reads like a nightmare you can’t seem to wake up from because it’s laced with good and bad. But don’t be fooled, the three little words aren’t the ones you think. Her insight into the child welfare system is remarkably shocking and utterly annoying in truths. And her descriptions of parents coming to look for a child to adopt resembles something out of a slave trade history book.

For those wondering, no I haven’t read A Child Called “It” by Dave Pelzer, and don’t think I ever can stomach that much.

I finished Three Little Words in one day and had nightmares tied to it that same night.

I am currently scrambling to finish the last half of  The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook: What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love and Healing by Bruce D. Perry, before I have to start reading textbooks for class.

This book is amazingly detailed in physiological babel which at times I can understand and other times I simply can’t. I find it most funny that in all those ECE classes I took, they remained so repetitive yet never once did they dive into children at this level. Emotionally, mentally, physically, to a point I almost want to call out at the school for not doing a good enough job at preparing me. However, how could they when most people don’t see “these damaged” children or even know they are damaged and in need of help, help they are being misdiagnosed for.

These two books will really change your views on many things and help develop your understanding level of the life around you.

How to be Fabulous…I got this one SpyHedi (wait, does anyone even still know you?!)

Rule #1 So you want those fancy, expensive Christian Louboutin pumps…how about picking a pair of heels up at a store, then running over to the drugstore and purchase some flat red nail polish. And paint those new pumps to look just like Christian Louboutin heels!! Did you know he actually did this himself and that is what started the red bottoms??!! (Snagged his secretary’s nail polish as she was painting her fingers at the time.)

Rule #2 So you got a gift for someone, jewelry perhaps…How about you got it from Tiffany’s, okay so you didn’t, but you can pretend you did. Spray paint the jewelry box in Tiffany and Co. baby blue. She will be so excited to see a little blue box, she won’t even notice the difference.

Rule #3 Act like you got it all, flaunt like you got it all. You can do this by shopping at Ross, Homegoods, TJMax, etc. But once you get back to the car, you switch out the bags with those fancy nice bags you have saved someplace in your house (and put into the car before you left for the stores), the ones from Victoria’s Secret, Dillards, etc and dump your new purchases into the fancy bags. When you arrive home you’ll be walking into your house with high-class bags. (Use the plastic bags from the stores, the ones you shoved into your purse, to pick up dog poop.)

Rule #4 Don’t be afraid to sign up for crap on the internet, shopping crap that is, membership shopping crap. Set up a separate email address to control and organize your life. Check out     Gilt.com    ideeli.com    RueLaLa.com

Rule #5 Purchase flowers that last. Simple and easy. When you buy the beautiful roses they last for a week…tops. But potted plants for inside and outside last months.

Rule #5  Hit up your library for those glossy magazines. Most local libraries carry magazines like InStyle, Self, Travel and Leisure, Glamour, and Architectural Digest. Save yourself the $5 you would’ve spent and still feel rich as you flip through the pages. Or you can often times find older copies at antique stores.

Nothing Like a Good Cry

Last night I watched in The Last Song. (Don’t worry, I still watched the explosive night on Big Brother unfold, and Hot in Cleveland)

As an avid, finish any of his books in two days reader, of  Nicholas Sparks, I was of course expecting to cry during this movie. (Not to worry, I won’t give away any of the movie.)

Since I read The Last Song when it first hit shelves I’ve forgotten some parts, but did notice differences between the movie and the book, go off what I remember, although I don’t think they were important story line parts to really say it messed up the movie. Although some sentences/lines I remembered as soon as they came out of the actors mouths. I noticed that Mr. Sparks wrote the screenplay for this movie, and I’m unsure if he has written them for all his other ones.

Like all of his books turned into movies, the setting was amazing! This one was supposed to be in North Carolina per the book,  it was filmed in and around Savannah, Georgia. Reminding me why, yet again, I need to get some vacation time down there.

Now the acting wasn’t Oscar worthy, Kelly Preston was her typical character, Greg Kinnear his typical ho-hum character, and Miley Cyrus, well Mr. Sparks wrote the book with her in mind for the movie, so one would assume she did a good enough job.

And as one can assume from the title of this post, yes I cried, no surprise there. Thanks again Mr. Sparks, for making me look like a blubbering idiot.

Totally Cool…90′s Movies

As I continue to watch 80′s movies off my list, 90′s movies have started popping into my head. And although 90′s movies aren’t the “carefree” type of the 80′s, some were still totally cool.

Instead of starting with the best 90′s movies. I’m going to start by listing the worst 90′s movies.

#1 Four Weddings and a Funeral. My father took me to a fancy old school movie theater to see this. I remember I spent 90% of the movie counting ceiling tiles.

#2 Restoration. Now I LOVE Meg Ryan and I will watch just about any movie with her in it! Which is why my father took me to see this one. I think she was in it for all of 4 minutes. The movie, was simply, boringly awful.

#3 Sense and Sensibility. My father rented this one for me. I think I taught myself how to cross-stitch during this movie. Or started planning my suicide. Not sure which one.

Okay so, although my father is related to the three worst movies I saw in the 90′s, he actually took me to see one movie which started the acting bug inside me. (it’s not gone completely yet, but that’s another story) The movie was The Professional. I dearly wanted to play Natalie Portman’s role.

Now, there are some movies from the 90′s that weren’t too well liked by critics, but that I loved! And somehow got me into the things I love now.

• A Far off Place (got me interesting in Africa)
• The Client (got me interesting in the south, law, and justice)
• Camp Nowhere (hell, this movie was just cool!)

My favorite 90′s movies that I can watch over and over and over again:

• Baby Boom
• What About Bob
• The Quick and the Dead
• Twister
• EDTv
• Home Alone
• Bad Boys

Now I must mention that the 90′s was when Meg Ryan put out like one or two movies a year. She was everywhere! Her best roles were in When A Man Loves A Woman and Courage Under Fire. If you think she is typecast, those two movies prove she isn’t. I can’t watch those and not cry!

The best written movies of the 90′s were:

• Silence of the Lambs
• 12 Monkeys
• Scream
• The Shawsank Redemption

If you are looking to just watch a few short minutes of a film I’d suggest Crazy People. Just for the ad-campaigns in the movie, but the movie itself sucked.