First comes love

I think everybody remembers that kids rhyme. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes whoever with a baby carriage. It seems like everyone at my job is singing that song right now. We have a least 3 woman that are at least 4 months pregnant. We're all pitching in to get them baby products for their baby shower. We've been looking at lilaguide.com for gift ideas. They have local guides, stores and services. Some of my coworkers are new parents and don't know where to go for certain things. We can look at the website and find suggestions as well as reviews for those places. That's because members are encouraged to add their own reviews to assist other moms with their day to day parenting activities.

Having kids is expensive. I don't mind helping my coworkers out with baby stuff when they're pregnant. Actually I think it's kinda fun to shop for the stuff.

The Steelers looked horrible yesterday

I only watched a little bit of the game yesterday and they looked horrible at times. They have to play a whole lot better in the playoffs if they want to last beyond one game. And we have to win one game to shut the Browns fans up. Really though, who cares what they think. They had the opportunity to make the playoffs but lost to Cincinnati. So much for the "soldiers".

I missed dress down day

Today is a jeans day at work and I missed it. I have on my regular slacks, a long sleeve shirt and dress shoes. I could have worn jeans and sneakers. Usually someone sends an email around reminding everyone when to wear jeans. We didn't get one last week so I forgot. It's not a big deal though so it's a business casual environment.

Putting the pressure on

My boyfriend and I haven't been dating very long but we've known each other and been friends for quite a while. We've talked about being together in the future and possibly getting married. One thing I'm looking into now is Wedding Planning. I know weddings can get expensive so I need to know what expect. I can go online and find local vendors, get free planning tools, an online registry and a lot more.

I already found some favors and decorations that I like, but I guess I need to slow down. We aren't even engaged yet! Notice that I said yet.

My ears broke out

My earrings broke my ears out. They're silver with a stone. I got them in Mexico when I was there on my cruise. They're really cute earrings but they break me out. I can only wear gold in my ears. I was hoping that they wouldn't bother me because they're so cute and I really wanted to wear them.

Oh well I guess I'll just have to admire them from my jewelry box.

The Patriots did it

As much as I hate the Patriots you have to tip your hat to them. They went 16-0 in the regular season holding off the Giants to win 38-35. It was an exciting game. The Giants played them tough and almost pulled it out in the end. But as usual, the Pats came up big when it counted.

I'm still rooting against them though.

Cars cost too much

My friends car needs to be fixed again. They have a Civic and now they need a Honda Radiator. I know they are good cars, but they are constantly fixing this car. They can get a lifetime warranty and it's unlimited. Most companies don't do that. They also have over 60,000 different radiators and condensers. They also use computers to help ensure that you get the right product for your car.

They need all the help they can get because they're spending a lot of money for their car. At least I know that if I need to get car parts, I can get them inexpensively and from a reputable company. I just hope I don't have as many problems with my car as they have with theirs.

I hate drama

And right now I have plenty of it. The guy I'm currently seeing just broke up with his girlfriend, who he was also living with. She's one of those crazy clingy women that just won't let go. They broke up over a month ago. Every other day she asks him if he wants to work it out which he always says no.

Last night, she found out that he was over my house so she banged on my door off and on all night long. I didn't get any sleep. Then this morning she was waiting for me to confront me on my way to work. But he was there and stepped in. There was a lot more that happened but that's basically the condensed version.

This is way more than I can handle. I've never had to deal with anything like this before.

Joke of the week

How To Handle a Traffic Stop...

A police officer pulls a guy over for speeding and has the following exchange:

Officer: May I see your driver's license?

Driver: I don't have one. I had it suspended when I got my 5th DUI.

Officer: May I see the registration for this vehicle?

Driver: It's not my car. I stole it.

Officer: This car is stolen?

Driver: That's right. But come to think of it, I think I saw the owner's card in the glove box when I was putting my gun in there.

Officer: There's a gun in the glove box?

Driver: Yes sir, that's where I put it after I shot the owner of this car and stuffed his body in the
trunk.

Officer: There's a BODY in the TRUNK?!?!

Driver: Yes sir.

Hearing this, the officer immediately called his captain. The car was quickly surrounded by police, and the captain approached the driver to handle the tense situation. The Captain slowly approached the driver...

Captain: Sir, can I see you license? Driver: Sure, here it is. It was valid.

Captain: Who's car is this?

Driver: It's mine, officer. Here's the registration card.

Captain: Could you slowly open the glove box so I can see if there's a gun in there?

Driver: Yes sir, but there's no gun in it.

Sure enough, there was nothing in the glove box.

Captain: Would you mind opening your trunk? I was told there was a body in it.

Driver: No problem.

The trunk is opened: no body.

Captain: I don't understand. The officer who stopped you said you told him you didn't have a license, stole the car, had a gun in the glovebox, and that there was a body in the trunk.

Driver: Yeah, and I'll bet he told you that I was speeding, too.

I needed that rest

I was home visiting family for the past 5 days. It was soooo relaxing. I didn't do anything special, just chill and hang with my mom. We did go to Atlantic City (we lost) for a day but that's about it. The weather was fairly nice during the weekend. The temperatures hovered in the low 60's except 1 day when it was in the mid 50's.

I was surprised that a bunch of people didn't come over and visit. We had some visitors but not as many as I expected. I thought some of my cousins would come over at least. But I did get to see the people that I really wanted to see so everything was cool.

Christmas gift ideas

In some respects I'm lucky when it comes to Christmas shopping. My immediate family is pretty small so I don't have a lot to buy. I give my brother money and my mom doesn't want anything this year. I get my niece a small gift or two and I'm done. A few coworker gifts and family grab bag gifts and that's about it. I spend a pittance compared to what my friends spend.

As I get older, I realize the importance of having investments. Especially with my school debacle this semester. So I've asked everyone to get me investments including silver dollars. I could ask for rare coins, but I just get dollar coins that will appreciate in the future. I referred my mom to Monaco Coin Dealers because you can rely ontheir established two-way buy-and-sell market for rare coins and precious metals products. And Monaco Rare Coin is actively involved in all aspects of the rare coin trade the wholesale market, the collector market, the international market and auctions.

So I get a great gift that I really enjoy and it helps my net worth in the long run. Now that's a present!

Super busy

Work is so busy today. We are short staffed by 2 people because of the holidays so we have to cover their work. One person has a job that only comes in once or twice a week. Of course it came in today. I'm going crazy trying to keep up. But on the bright side of things, hopefully the day will go fast.

Joke of the week

Wink, Wink, Nudge, Nudge...

A man with a winking problem is applying for a position as a sales representative for a large firm. The interviewer looks over his papers and says, "This is phenomenal. You've graduated from the best schools; your recommendations are wonderful, and your experience is unparalleled.

"Normally, we'd hire you without a second thought. However, a sales representative has a highly visible position, and we're afraid that your constant winking will scare off potential customers. I'm sorry....we can't hire you."

"But wait," he said. "If I take two aspirin, I'll stop winking!"

"Really? Great! Show me!"

So the applicant reaches into his jacket pocket and begins pulling out all sorts of condoms: red condoms, blue condoms, ribbed condoms, flavored condoms; finally, at the bottom, he finds a packet of aspirin. He tears it open, swallows the pills, and stops winking.

"Well," said the interviewer, "that's all well and good, but this is a respectable company, and we will not have our employees womanizing all over, the country!"

"Womanizing? What do you mean? I'm a happily married man!"

"Well then, how do you explain all these condoms?"

"Oh, that," he sighed. "Have you ever walked into a pharmacy, winking, and asked for aspirin?"

I am so glad school is over

School was extra super sucky this semester. It was one of the hardest semesters I ever had and I was only taking 2 classes. I had macroeconomics and analytical methods (basically pre-calculus). One of the difficult aspects was that I was taking classes on 2 separate campuses. If I went somewhere like capella university, I would be able to study in the comfort of my own home. Of course I would study business because it pertains to what I do.

One of the biggest challenges to working age people is making the time to go to class. After work you just want to go home and not come back out. By attending school online, you can do just that. Go home, get comfy and take classes. And since the school is accredited your degree will be accepted everywhere.

I'm glad school is over until next month. I wish I could take my classes online next semester. It's going to be cold outside.
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Delicious Stumble Fark

What?!?!? I don't even know what these sites are about. Well, actually I do. You use them to help drive more traffic to your site. I don't have time to submit each and every post or go to those sites and read what other people have submitted. I think that's the biggest reason I don't use the sites, I don't feel that I would give other people the traffic they deserve.

I'm annoyed watching the Travel Channel

They're doing a cruise special right now. They're focusing on an Alaskan cruise on the Royal Caribbean line. They're showing all of the amentities on the boat. So why am I annoyed? Because I went on a cruise this summer and it was nothing like this.

Maybe it was the cruise line I went on (Carnival) but we didn't have half of this stuff on our ship. They have over 5 cruise stores, plus a bunch of activities. I went on a RC cruise before and loved it. The CC was ok but I wish I could have picked the ship and the line.

Joke of the week

I Need A Raise...

Presented before you are two letters between an employee and his boss.

The Employee:

Dear Bo$$, A$ all of u$ have red from the new$paper$, the $ingapore economy ha$ come out of the rece$$ion. In thi$ life, we all need $ome thing mo$t de$perately. I think you $hould be under$tanding of the need$ of u$ worker$ who have given $o much $upport including $weat and $ervice to your company. I am $ure you will gue$$ what I mean and re$pond $oon.

Your$ $incerely,

$teven $oh

Boss's reply:

Dear Steven,

I kNOw you have been working very hard. NOw a days, NOthing much has changed. You must have NOticed that our company is NOt doing NOticeably well as yet.

NOw the newspaper are saying the world's leading ecoNOmists are NOt sure if the United States may go into aNOther recession. After the NOvember presidential elections things may turn bad.

I have NOthing more to add NOw. You kNOw what I mean.

Yours truly,

NOrman NOn

Manager

I think I'm getting sick

I have what feels like an inner ear infection going on. My throat is sore and scratchy and I have a headache and I'm achy. This is soooo not good for me right now. I'm already in deep doo-doo at work and I can't afford to miss any time. I don't have any paid time off so if I miss a day, I don't get paid.

Connect with business cards and Facebook

Facebook is doing it's best to become the next myspace. Thousands of people have already signed up for their service and are posting to their hearts content. But what about offline? How do you go about connecting with people in real life. How about with 100 FREE ooprint biz cards? Would that help? You bet it would. Shipping is not included in the offer but the cards are free.

Personalize them with your name and email address. Then hand them out to friends, coworkers, or even that cutie on the bus.

Do you video blog?

I don't. To tell the truth, I don't even know how to use a video camera. Camera shy doesn't even begin to accurately describe me. More like camera loathing. I hate being photographed and especially video-taped. I never liked cameras from a early age. I don't know why. I always try to fade into the background.

Even here at work I do the same. If you get an award or a promotion, they take your picture and put it on an employee website. I let them take my picture for a group photo once. When I got my psuedo-promotion, I didn't take a picture for that.

And You-Tube, ha you will never catch me on there. Not at all. The thought of that gives me the heeby-jeebies.

What todays mail brings

We got this humongous envelope at work today. There's a winter scene on the label with your name, mail address and the words "Happy Holidays". When you open it up, it's a freaking calendar. No I'm not expecting a Christmas bonus and I knew it was something cheesy. But a freaking calendar? Are you kidding me?!?!?! What a waste. They could have kept that crap.

My widget is wonky

My Amazon widget is acting goofy. It's the exact same widget that I've had except I moved it to the top of the page instead of being at the bottom of the page. But now it takes forever to load. I leave it up because you might see something cool from Amazon like great ornaments for your tree or something.

I know when I go to other blogs and they take a long time to load, I leave the site. I hope people don't do that on my blog.

Steelers lose

Anthony Smith needs to keep his mouth shut. It's bad enough that we lost. But stupid Smith got burned for several plays. He's the one that opened his pie hole and "guaranteed" a victory against the Patriots. Tom Brady made him look like an idiot. The Pats are a good team and here you go running your mouth. What's worse than that? He didn't back it up with his play.

I bet he won't be talking before the next game.

Getting ready for the game

Tomorrow is a big game for the Steelers. We play the 12-0 Patriots. This game isn't getting all of the hype that some of the other games the Patriots have played because the Steelers have 3 losses. Our losses are to sucky teams like the Jets and Cardinals.

Since we have such crappy weather outside right now, I plan on staying home and watching the game. I wish I had a Human Touch HT 7450 Zero Gravity Massage Chair. I have poor posture and a massage chair would be heavenly. I could also set it on a heat feature or set it to foot massage. This is a description of the chair from the advertisement: "The experience combines the sensations of hands rapidly tapping on the back, gentle rolling, alternating strokes and relieving spinal pressure, and kneading to work out knots and ease soreness. The HT 7450 Zero Gravity Massage Chair calibrates the body frame of the individual sitting in it and adjusts according to that individual’s unique physique, so each massage in the HT 7450 is perfectly focused on the right areas of the body." Tell me that doesn't sound awesome.

But I probably should be happy I don't have the chair right now. I would be so relaxed that I would fall asleep. And this is one game that I don't want to miss.

Another date night canceled

Ok this is getting old really fast. Tonight he just couldn't get out. Right now we're nothing more than friends but I don't like being put on the back burner. It's a really complicated situation that I really can't get into. I'm not happy with the situation though.

Something has to change and I mean quick.

Joke of the week

I work at a company whose logo is the spartan man head...when my daughter was 8 she went to a doctor's appointment and needed a prescription filled. We went to the local CVS drug store and went to the pharmacy counter. They were quite busy. While standing in line my 8 yr old was directly in front of the waist to floor rack of condoms. She saw the trojan brand with the same spartan guy head and yelled, "hey mom dont you need these for work?"

Needless to say i turned a shade of red there is no color name for.

Compare and contrast

If you're looking for a credit card, it's in your best interest to compare features. Say you're just looking for a Average Credit Credit Cards, there is a search engine that breaks cards down by credit types. So people with average credit wouldn't look to get the same cards that people with bad credit would get.

Everyone from businesses to students to everyday consumers can use creditcardsearchengine.com to compare rates and rewards. You can also compare annual fees which can range from $0 to over $100 annually. Comparing can save you money in the long run and you might even get rewards which you can turn into gift cards. Now that's what I'm talking about, gifts for shopping.

I guess I'm not going out

I was supposed to go out to dinner with a friend of mine today. It's kind of a date but not really. It's more to "celebrate" the fact that he's moving out of town. I put celebrate in quotations because I am not happy at all about it and I damn sure don't want to celebrate.

Anyway it's snowing like crazy right now. There's already an inch or two on the ground and the snow is steadily coming down. I doubt if we go anywhere tonight.

Have you ever used HotelReservations.com?

I've finally convinced my friend to go somewhere other than The Bahamas in 2008. I say finally because we've gone there for 6 out of the past 8 years. It's not that I don't love it in The Bahamas because I do. I just want to experience a different vacation destination.

We're comparing prices on the internet and one of the reasons we're looking at making out Hotel Reservations with this company is because of their $100 guarantee. If they don't offer the lowest price on our vacation, they will give us that money as a bonus.

I don't think they realize they've just issued us a serious challenge. We are extreme bargain hunters. Our trips are generally less than $600 per person. We've got our minds set on getting that bonus money.

I do my own thing at work

My job is business casual. I usually wear dress slacks and a button up shirt. Sometimes I'll get really casual and wear a collared shirt. Today when I went to leave out of the house I noticed that it was snowing. I went back into the house and threw my sneakers on. I put my flats in my bag to change once I got to work. Pffft I never did change my shoes.

I did notice a few people look down at my feet but nobody said anything so I never changed. I won't press my luck by trying it again tomorrow though.

My friend John is funny

I'm watching the Steelers game and I just thought about something funny that John said. He's the one that's in Denver for a job interview and looking for an apartment. Anyway the Broncos played at Oakland today. He made the comment that he hadn't seen any die-hard Broncos fans. I said nobody was out because the team was away. Then he said "Yeah but, Steelers fans represent everyday. Even in the summer everybody is still rockin' their Steelers gear. The Steelers are like a religion here in Pittsburgh."

It's funny because it's true.

Giving gifts

My neighbor went out of town for the weekend. He will be moving permanently in about 3 weeks. I want to send him fruit gift baskets as his welcome home gift in his new city. There are two reasons for this. One because it's the Christmas season and they're appropriate. The second reason is just as a gift.

What's better than a gift basket? And there are special baskets that are just made for Men. I can get him a chocolate gift basket, a sweets gift basket or even a snack gift basket. The company ships FedEx so I know he will receive the basket very quickly. They also use air bags instead of those nasty popcorn package wrappers.

I know he will appreciate the gift. I wish I could give it to him now. Then I would order the chocolate lovers basket and help him eat it.

Changing weather

This weather sucks. It was warm and sunny this afternoon. Now this evening there's snow and ice. I was almost home when it started. When I was a block away I could feel myself sliding on the ice. I hate this weather. I can't wait until I'm done with school because I'm moving to a warm weather climate.