This was my day...

Joe Fox: It wasn't... personal.

Kathleen Kelly: What is that supposed to mean? I am so sick of that. All that means is that it wasn't personal to you. But it was personal to me. It's personal to a lot of people. And what's so wrong with being personal, anyway? 

Joe Fox: Uh, nothing. 

Kathleen Kelly: Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal. 

This was my day... only Joe Fox was a group of men, none of whom turned out to be charming... and I was Kathleen Kelly wondering if I said the right things. Why is it that when women are opinionated, strong, and focused they immediately feel bad and wonder if they were rude? Men never wonder this. Maybe it's just me? Oh the joys of the workplace...

Bloggers are people too

I love my little corner of the blogosphere. In fact, I love most all of the blogosphere (just not the haters, mockers, and bullies... of which I know none, although sadly my cousin now does). This week, one of my favorite bloggers, C. Jane, started following me (and her 2000 other Facebook friends) on Pintrest. I know it's only Wednesday, but that made my week! Then, as if that wasn't happy-making enough, she wrote on my FB status (that I mentioned her in)! 

The bloggers I follow feel like my neighbors. The kind who are friendly and enjoy living next door, but don't actually have dinner together or go to movies. These bloggers are my Internet neighbors in my corner of the blogosphere. It makes the world feel small, safe, and happy. 


I remember the first time I met a blogger, it was the brilliantly talented Jasmine Star. I met her when she was photographing a good friend's wedding and she was SO sweet and exactly as I had hoped she would be! A few years later, I e-mailed with Joanna when I asked if she wanted to meet my mom and I for lunch while we were visiting NYC. She too was quite lovely. Recently, Olivia at Everyday Musings, started a FB page and I commented on it and she responded. That too was fun. Then I twittered Nina about pausing her blog and she wrote back a lovely response (she also sent me a Christmas card a couple years ago, which was very fun). And now, the interaction with C. Jane.


Love all of this social media bonding!


(and let's not forget that I re-connected with the lovely Kacie, who I knew as a little kid, through the blog world too!). 

Bachelor via twitter

Sick day haters

I have a problem where people in my life make me feel very guilty for taking sick days. I am often told I take too many sick days or should take vitamins or need to work on my attendance... and yet, these same people often admit that I have an excellent work ethic, get things done quickly, and always do my best. Can the two opinions actually exist? 

My counselor is always reminding me to realize and accept that it's "their problem, not mine," but I am not very good at that. I seek approval and support in my actions and decisions. This is why I've never truly rebelled. I have too much guilt and seek to people please like it's second hand nature. True rebellion would be to claim a sick day and go on a road trip or to Disneyland or to San Diego. I can honestly tell you I've never done this. Never. Okay... I took part in senior ditch day eight years ago, but that's it. 

So, to you people who make me feel bad for my numerous sick days, GET OVER IT. Leave me alone, or better yet, bring me some soup, a magazine, a get well text or some other way to say you believe me. If you don't think I am normally a liar, then why can't you let me stay inside in peace and believe me? Until I can learn to say"that's your problem," you need to learn to respect my decisions. 

Please and thank you. 

(photo from pintrest). 

January: week three

This week has been so busy that it felt like a five day week and not a four day week! But it was a good one all the same. I got together with great friends, spent time with my sister, have a cold, and got good (and big) news at work. This weekend I am feeling under the weather, so I plan to watch loads of TV and stay cozy. 


There was a lot of work news that is too boring political complicated to really share. BUT, the exciting part is that I also received news I got a title addition and a raise. I'm not saying this to brag, but just to say that I learned a good lesson in the process. I learned you really do have to be your own advocate. It took months of prayer, nerves, advice, and research to get the balls courage to ask my boss for the new title and more money. I wrote my first proposal and everything. It was a great growing experience (and reward) to discover that it's okay to take risks and respect yourself enough to ask for what you feel you deserve. Of course, I had to be sure I had done my homework, worked hard, and could defend my request before I could claim it was deserved. I was thankful to get the good news, but I was more proud of myself for being brave, prepared, and so "corporate". 


So that's the update from my corner of the world. Happy Friday!

Dear women of TV

Dear women of The (current) Bachelor,
     I am speechless. I am embarrassed. I am sad. You ladies women are being ridiculous. You are being snide, rude, hurtful, and making a spectacle of women every where. I defend this show, and my obsession with it, every week and I am proud to do so, but this season - especially tonight - is leaving me with nothing to defend. 
     For example, in tonight's episode, you were horrible to Shawntel. You judged a woman based on nothing. Called her bad names, embarrassed her, and were cold. No one deserves to be treated that way, especially when she has done nothing to deserve it. Also, on the group date, you all skied down fake snow in BIKINIS in public. Seriously? 
     I am disgusted. I don't think any of you should be on the show. I think you might be my least favorite group of women on a season so far. 
     Also, Ben, I think you should have kept Shawntel for at least one more week. The fact that you two enjoyed one another's company outside of the show is probably a good sign for a long relationship. 
Love, Carrie


Tonight added to a topic I've been thinking about all weekend... Last night we all watched the Golden Globes. Today, we all (me included) judge the outfits the women wore. We judged their hair, their make up, and the outfits they bravely chose to wear to a place surrounded by every media type in the country and much of the world. No one woke up this morning to discuss how bad Brad Pitt's hair looked, they woke up to bash Sarah Michelle Gellar's dress. 


Award season is praising the movie Bridesmaids, which I have not seen, but they praise it because it "proves women are as funny as men." They (the critics and happy viewers) say women have proven that they too can make fart jokes and have crude humor. But why do we want this? This is not the kind of "equality" I support. Why should anyone make successful movies about farting and crude jokes and lewd behavior? I wish we were better than that. 


And now tonight, while watching The Bachelor and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (which I plan to watch later), I am seeing proof that we are going backward as a society and in our view of women. And we, women, need to step up. We need to respect one another, praise one another, encourage one another, and support one another. We need to stop behaving badly for ratings. Stop sexually exploiting yourself by wearing bikinis in the fake snow and cleavage baring dresses. Stop kissing men on the first date. Stop talking shit about other women behind their backs or to their face. Stop. Stop. Stop.


Educate yourself. Mentor a younger woman. Be classy. Say kind words. Wear a turtle neck. Respect yourself. 


Please. 

2012 Golden Globes Moments

Worst host: I really can't stand Ricky Gervais 


Movie I need to see: The Artist, because it will win the Oscar for Best Picture. 


Best dressed: I wasn't obsessed with any of the looks or dresses because I hate red lips, shinny faces, fishtail dresses and leg slits in dresses. But, my favorite was Jessica Alba.

Second runners up: Stacey, Claire, Deborah, Angelina

Biggest fashion disappointments: Lea and Reese (both of whom I always love)

Cutest couple: duet between Felicity Huffman and William H Macy, Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Channing Tatum

Best acceptance speech: Michelle Williams and Claire Danes (because they both mentioned family as the most important)

Funniest moments: George Clooney presenting Moneyball by mocking Brad Pitt's cane (love their bro-mance), Jesse Tyler Ferguson's "whatever" sign as his costar was listed as a nominee for best actor in a comedy show.

Missed opportunity: George should have walked Meryl her glasses up to her, how great would that moment have been?


Best host: George Clooney. Doesn't it always seem like it's his party? I love that about him. 


Did you notice: Angie stood up for Meryl's win, Leo always looks like he's genuinely paying attention, Meryl shouted out to Viola, the sweet mother daughter pride between Andie Macdowel and her Miss Golden Globes daughter. 

Overall, I thought the show was okay, but let's hope the Oscars are better. 


(most photos from People).