Monday, January 30, 2006

You Know You're a Utahn If..

I’d like to think I was clever enough to come up with some of this, but I’m not……I’ve only lived it, as have you. I’d like to give proper credit to whomever captured these observations, but it would be a huge list and you’d be on it somewhere.

You might be a "Utahan" if.......
You keep your clothes in "Chester Drawers"
You don't pronounce T's in the middle of words. (Moun'n, Lay'n)
If there is a G at the end of a word you treat it as if it were silent.
You know what Fry Sauce is made of.
You go to the duck pond to feed the Seagulls.
Green Jell-o with cabbage mixed in doesn't seem strange.
You can pronounce Tooele.
The U is not just a letter - Neither is the Y.
You have actually eaten funeral potatoes.
You've gotten both heat and frost burns off your car's door handle in the same month.
You are not surprised to hear words like "Darn, Fetch, Flip", "Oh, My Heck" and "Shoot".
Your tulips get snowed on three times after they come up and twice more after they bloom.
The largest liquor store is the state government.
You can go skiing and play golf on the same day.
30% humidity is muggy and almost unbearable.
Somewhere in your family tree is a polygamist.
You know the difference between a 'Steak House' and a 'Stake House'.
You've broken down on the highway and somebody stops to help you
You can see the stars at night
You have a bumper sticker that says "Families are Forever."
You were an aunt or uncle before you were three.
Your spouse's mother was pregnant at your wedding.
You have more children than you can find biblical names for.
Your family considers a trip to McDonalds a night out.
You feel guilty when you watch Monday Night Football.
Your kids believe the deer hunt is a national holiday.
You drink Coke from a brown paper bag.
You consider a temple recommend a credit reference.
At least two of your salad bowls are at the homes of neighbors.
You wonder why fire truck drivers honk when you drive 35mph in the left lane on the freeway.
There is a similarity between a ward basketball game and the L.A. riots.
You think Jack Daniels is a country western singer.
You negotiate prices at a garage sale.
You can make Jell-O salad without the recipe.
You've heard about BYU football in a testimony meeting.
You have two gallons of ice cream in your freezer at all times.
Your father-in-law thinks Ronald Reagan was a liberal.
A member of your family wrote in Lavell Edwards for president in the last election.
Sandals are the best-selling shoes.
Hotel rooms all have the Book of Mormon.
You buy your wardrobe at the local grocery superstore.
You learn about the Mormon Church by taking history in elementary school.
You live in a state where Democrats always come in third place, unless a zoo animal is running. Then they come in fourth.
Schools stay open, even if two feet of snow falls overnight, but closes for the opening of hunting season.
People wear shorts and T-shirts if the temperature rises above 32 degrees.
People wear socks with their sandals
There’s a church on every corner, but they all teach the same thing.
There is also a 7-11 at every street corner
The most popular public transportation system is a ski lift.
In-state college football rivalries are bigger than the Super Bowl.
You don't have to breathe cigarette smoke until you walk outside a building.
Every driveway has a minivan and a pickup truck.
When you buy a new vehicle, cigarette lighters are optional equipment but ski racks are standard.
Every time a new family moves into your neighborhood, the local elementary school has to hire a new teacher.
Every time a new family moves into your neighborhood, your whole family has to go and meet them the next day, after you helped them unload their moving truck
Your paycheck has an additional 10 percent deduction.
More movies are filmed in your town than in Hollywood.
You've never had a Mormon missionary knock on your door, unless you are having them over for dinner that night.
You make a toast with red punch at your wedding reception.
You have more raw wheat stored than some Third World countries.
Your idea of a good time is playing Pictionary in the cultural hall.
Your idea of a wild party is a six pack of Pepsi and a PG-13 movie.
You and all your friends come to your mother for a haircut in her kitchen.
You measure Kool-Aid by parts per million.
You think "You're a 10 cow wife" is a compliment.
You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Utah.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

The Bane of My Commute


I-195
Originally uploaded by lloydsm2004.

I work in East Providence, RI. Its not very far from my house, other than it is on the other side of the Narragansett Bay from me.

That being said, my commute takes me through Providence everyday in order to catch I-195 into East Providence as it is the only route in Northern Rhode Island to take you from the West Bay to the East Bay (and vice versa).

The portion of my commute on 195 is 3 miles. However, it accounts for 90% of the time in my commute. Whoever thought it was okay to build a freeway with so many S-Curves and so many on and off ramps in such close proximity was NUTS. Do you hear me N-V-T-S NUTS!

Case in point. I left work at 6 PM on Wednesday night. I thought, ahh...traffic should be lightening up. Oh no! To go three miles on I-195 took me an hour on Wednesday night. I finally reached 95 south at 7:05 PM.

I know everybody deals with horrible traffic these days, but this is the least enjoyable part of my job. Every afternoon I know I have to fight this traffic. There is an alternative, but since you have to cut through the city of Providence it rarely ever saves any time.

Que Sera Sera

So tell me about your commute times.


The #2 Fade:


I finally went and got my haircut and beard trimmed this week. It was about time. I don't go to any fancy Salons, I go to the Barbershop here in Beautiful downtown Oakland Beach. Sometime when I have a working digital camera I will upload some pictures of a tour of Oakland Beach.

But, I digress. Now I do normally go to Joe's Barber Shop in Oakland Beach but for this particular haircut, I went to the Supercuts in Seekonk, Mass. You see I was on my lunch break and figured I pop in for a quickie. Luckily no one was there.

I don't know if that was the lady's problem or what, but from the moment I sat down she definitely had attitude toward me and I had said nothing. I told her I wanted the #2 Fade and she went to work. About two snips into it she starting ripping my hair out with the clippers. I flinched a couple of times thinking she had just made a mistake. No she kept up with the torture. So I finally shouted out, "Ow!" She's like, "Oh, was I hurting you?"

"No, I just randomly shout ow for no reason. Yes you are ripping my hair out."

"Well this is what the clippers do."

"I've had many #2 fades before and I've never had my hair pulled out. You either stop ripping my hair or I'm getting up out of this seat and not paying. "

The rest of the haircut went okay. I did not give her a tip. I mean was I wrong not to tip her? I'm sure I was cursed out every which way when I left, but I mean...I think I was justified here.

Anyway, that is my haircut story.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Back to School


RIC
Originally uploaded by lloydsm2004.
Well back for another semester of graduate school at Rhode Island College ("RIC"). I had a great day spending money at the bookstore yesterday.

I am taking two classes and my textbooks came to $291 for two books! I almost had a heart attack. Now I've been very good about not putting things on my credit card, but at that price...I think deferred payment is okay for a couple of months.

This semester may be interesting, I'm nog sure what to expect. I'm taking Managerial Accounting, which I heard is very theoretical and I'm also taking a class on Taxation. The class on Taxation required that we buy Turbo Tax for business and its in a computer lab. I hope we don't spend the entire semester preparing tax returns.

Preparing tax returns is a normal day to day function of my job. It is incredibly boring and tedious and I've just learned that all of the auditors who look at my returns don't really care if I did it right, they just want to be able to justify my numbers. I'm telling you what is the good of an auditor if they are just going to accept whatever I put on paper?

It may be a challenging semester as well. This time of year is when I put in a lot of overtime because of high work loads. We'll see how well I'm functioning my March.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Guilty Pleasure

It is probably the single laziest thing I could ever imagine doing. But I do it and I do it well. Yes, I order and have my groceries delivered by Peapod. Before you snap to judgment because I live less than a mile from a brand new, immaculately clean, and spectacular Stop & Shop, just listen to me.

Where else can you have your groceries delivered on a cold, snowy, Monday morning at 6 AM?

I don't do all of my shopping at Peapod, but for weekly food items...you bet your butt I do! My reasoning is this...I can totally control my budget when I shop at Peapod. When I go to the grocery store I am constantly throwing things into my cart that I don't need and there is always a surprise when I get to the chekout line.

When I shop online I can: a) pull up my previous lists and just click "repeat." b) see a tally of my total at the right as I add items. c)go back through my shopping list and take I things that I really don't need, don't want, or should not be buying. d) not be tempted to even buy junk food.

Then there are the added bonuses to Peapod: You get the freshest fruits and vegetables, the best cuts of meat, and the freshest meat.

I can't think of a better way to shop for your groceries.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Enough Said


evolution
Originally uploaded by lloydsm2004.

I haven't taken recently to saying much about politics. I find the environment to be too abrasive lately. However, I do feel obliged to ring in on the debate occuring regarding the teaching of evolution in schools. It seems to me that legislators and even presidents don't understand what science is if they even have to have this discussion.

Maybe before they start throwing things into text books they should step back and re-evaluate their curriculum even earlier. Maybe they need to teach students what good science is and what critical thinking and reasoning skills can tell you about any scientific "theory." The short of it, any scientist who tries to sell you a bill of goods that there are scientific "laws." Or that a theory is proven probably also has some real nice ocean front property in Oklahoma.

The purpose of science is not to "prove" anything. The purpose of science is to test a hypothesis by trying to find ways that things work and don't work. Evolution is constantly undergoing scrutiny even in the scientific world. With that being said, it seems that if you taught students rational, critical thinking then they could approach science and evolution from the standpoint of objective observers. Maybe one if we teach students the scientific method earlier they could find a way to show that evolution may not work the way we think it does.

Also, why do we have this idea that science, evolution, and religion are mutually exclusive? Do we still want to hold onto old philosophical ideas of G-d as the unmoved mover? Of a G-d who can't be involved in the day to day operation of the universe. There are so many unknown things about how the universe is, and there are so many complexities to life and the universe, I personally think it makes G-d that much more magnificient that he could hold such a delicate balance together.

That's just how I think about it.

Monday, January 16, 2006

I knew it!

February's National Geographic features an article on "love." The article describes the science behind the chemical reaction that sparks romance. You know what the conclusion was? That the cocktail of brain chemicals that sparks romance is totally different from the blend that fosters long-term attachment.

This is my favorite:

"In the Western world we have for centuries concocted poems and stories and plays about the cycles of love, the way it morphs and changes over time, the way passion grabs us by our flungback throats and then leaves us for something saner. If Dracula --the frail woman, the sensuality of submission--reflects how we understand the passion of early romance, the Flintstones reflects our experiences of long-term love: All is gravel and somewhat silly, the song so familiar you can't stop singing it, and when you do, the emptiness is almost unbearable."

--National Geographic, February 2006, page 35.

I love reading about love as something in a laboratory. Like it is an infection, because that means it has a cure and it also means its effects can be simulated. In essence love comes down to that most basic of human needs and what Richard Dawkins calls "The Selfish Gene." The sense of euphoria that you feel from love is no less the sense of excitement that your body generates because you have gained the right to pass on your DNA.

And my favorite quote from the whole article:

"A Good sex life can be as strong as Gorilla Glue, but who wants that stuff on your skin?"

So I recommend picking up the February 2006 issue of National Geographic.

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Happy Birthday to Me


Birthday Dinner
Originally uploaded by lloydsm2004.
Yes, it is that day once again. The day when I can kiss one more year goodbye and also reminisce about all the things that I set out to accomplish last year, but didn't.

My bud Frederick made dinner for me on Friday and even baked me a scrumptious 4 layer cake. It was very sweet. Afterwards he took me to XL in Providence and we had a time with the strippers. Yes, Puritan New England has a bar with strippers. Actually, Rhode Island tends to be a little looser than the rest of New England. I think it has to do with the fact that Roger Williams was kicked out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

So I drank too much, threw away a few too many dollar bills, and came home. I paid the price today and instead of going out tonight, I'm staying home and recuperating from my hangover, waiting for this gentleman to come and cook me my birthday dinner (I think I'll be cooking my own).

Generally I'm not too attracted to this type of man. But the stereotype is that I should be ga-ga over him. Personally, I prefer Joe six-pack over Joe's six pack abs. That's just my preference.

Well signing off for tonight. I'm going to go plop some alka seltzer in a glass and put an ice pack on my throbbing head.

I've been a bad blogger


Punishment
Originally uploaded by lloydsm2004.
and I need to be punished! No this is not my advertisement for another sick and sadistic boyfriend. This is my own judgement on myself that I haven't been keeping up with my blog. Do I have any excuses? No, not really.

Maybe too much idle time. I find that funny about myself, the more idle time I have the fewer things I actually do. Its the routine things of life, that I tend to like putting off...Like laundry! I hate doing laundry. Of all lifes tasks it is at the same time so important and yet so exceedingly tedious.

If I could afford to, I would send all of my shirts out to be laundered and would never touch a washing machine again.

Ah my diet. Doing pretty well. I've lost a few more pounds that I can tell because my pants are a whole lot looser than they were January 1. Which is a good thing.

Now I have to say something just to get this off my chest. I have a a friend who embarrasses the hell out of me. Everywhere we go and everytime a half way decent looking man walks past he glues his eyes on him and makes a fuss. He's loud and obnoxious about it too.

I mean its just beyond obscene and to the point I don't even like going out in public with him anymore. He's not a bad guy, but grow up! Don't give people any more excuses to ridicule and deride us, we have enough detractors already. That's just my two cents.

There, that's my rant for the week.

Sunday, January 08, 2006


I haven't really been able to think of anything to post over the past couple of days. Yesterday I spent painting the kitchen, which is mostly done. I took on a little bit bigger of a project than what I originally envisioned. But I think my design is going to look pretty good once its complete.

School doesn't start up for me until January 23rd. So its nice to have a quiet break when I don't necessarily have to do anything.

Friends of mine went to see "The Producers" last night. I was invited to go, but opted out. I'm sorry to those of you who like him, but I cannot see another movie with Will Ferrell in it. I just don't find his type of humor funny. Quite frankly, I find it annoying. Aren't there any other good actors out there that they can put in some of these movies? I know everybody has their likes and dislikes, it just seems he is in everything these days.

I was very excited about the new season of Battlestar Galactica that started on Friday night. This season looks to be good. The sophomore season was a little slow, but I think it was a lot of story building and that's how it had to be, Friday nights episode seemed like it is leading to a good climatic ending. I can't wait!

That's all from the homefront in Warwick. Back to you.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Holiday Pictures


Steve_Ray
Originally uploaded by lloydsm2004.
Don't you just love pictures from the Holidays? Why do people send me pictures of me? I don't want to see pictures of me, I can see me in the mirror every single day.

In case you are wondering what I look like that is me on top. The other person in the picture is my good friend Ray, who now lives in Florida.

And I just want to say. If I ever find the SOB who thinks its okay to start football games at 8PM ET, I'm going to force them into a sleep deprivation chamber to that they know what it feels like. Two nights in a row now, up until after midnight watching exciting football games. No offense to the West Coast folks, but we need our sleep too!

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

VICTORY!


nittanylions
Originally uploaded by lloydsm2004.
That about says it all. What a tough battle on both sides. This game gave me renewed respect for FSU - they are a tough opponent.

Thanks, Joe! Go Big Ten!

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Quote of the Day:

Hosea 11:1

"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. "

Probably the only bible verse you'll ever see me put up on this site. In spite of its use in the Book of Matthew, this is a great reflection on the love God has for his people.

And here is another one for you:

Non-haiku


I am so busy

Trying to make a good first impression

That I end up making

No impression

Whatsoever

Go Penn State!


nittanylions
Originally uploaded by lloydsm2004.

Heading over to watch the Orange Bowl at a friend's house tonight. Probably my only friend who really enjoys college football. Nothing better on a cold, snowy, blustery night than a bowl of chili, a beer, and Penn State Football.

I'm possibly going to get tickets to go to a couple of Penn State games in the Fall. College football games are so much fun to attend. I often thought it would be fun just to show up and root for random football teams around New England.

As you may know, there is almost no football tradition in New England. Imagine going and rooting for the University of Maine, the University of New Hampshire, or even Harvard U. Woo!

Of course the only thing that matters in football is the Utah-BYU game. All else pales in comparison to that rivalry. Guess who won this year?

Song of the day, In honor of the snow and all the potholes that I drove through on the way to work today:

"Pavement Cracks" by Annie Lennox.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Monday Night...

Do you ever have one of those weekends where you think, where did all the time go? It seems the longer the weekend, the less you are able to accomplish during that weekend. At least, that is how it is for me.

I was not very Martha this weekend (and that is not a bad thing. I am rarely ever very Martha because I normally can't stand the crap she does). Probably the polar opposite. Other than giving my house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom, I didn't accomplish one iota of the things I was supposed to do. I quickly slapped up a smudgeon of paint, but didn't even finish one wall because I just got distracted.

The good thing about winters here is there are many weekends that you can do indoor activities such as painting. Gus and I played a lot this weekend and now he's curled up at my feet snoring away. He's so sweet when he sleeps!

The New Year's plans...yeah, well I discovered as I get older I don't like taking the same risks I used to... case in point...it was snowing (lightly snowing) on Saturday and the roads were wet. Ed and I started heading up for Boston around 10 PM, about 1/2 way there the snow was starting to stick. I told Ed I didn't want to be driving home from Boston at 2 or 3 in the morning on possibly snow packed or slick roads. So we turned around, I went home, watched 1/2 hour of New Year's Eve with Carson Daly, saw the ball drop, then went to bed.

You know what? That was my idea of a perfect New Year's Eve. No stress, no hangovers, no idiotic drunken maneuvers...

Sometimes people wonder about my love of spending time alone. Just comfortable with myself and doing stuff on my own. Always have been. I'm not a loner by any means, but I always occupy my own time. Do you ever meet people who you just think are perfect being single? Well that person is me. Oh sure sometimes I think it would be nice to be a relationship, but it's not a desire that overwhelms my life or pursuits. I don't actively go out and whine about not having a boyfriend. If it happens, it happens. If not, well I still find ways to enjoy life.

That's about it for this Monday night. I'm wishing everybody reading this a joyeous, happy, and blessed New Year!

Song of the day: "Let The River Run" by Carly Simon.