Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Word of the Week – Round 11!

Merriam Webster, thank you.

compurgator: one who under oath vouches for the character or conduct of an accused person

Examples:

As a compurgator, you do not have to believe in the innocence of the defendant, but you do have to feel confident speaking positively about that person's character.
"To clear himself, the defendant required corroboration from a prescribed number of compurgators or 'oath-helpers,' which varied according to the nature and severity of the accusation. Neither the defendant nor his compurgators were required to present any evidence to the court." -- From Bruce L. Benson and Paul R. Zimmerman's 2010 book Handbook on the Economics of Crime

Monday, April 25, 2011

Weekly Success Tip From Tim Connor

 

I know that this says weekly, but that is because I receive them from him weekly.  This is not to say that I will be posting them on here weekly.  I will share the ones that I like with you.  If you enjoy this tip, you may find subscription in formation at the bottom of this blog.

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No – 482 – Is anger healthy or destructive or both?

“The flocks fear the wolf, the crops the storm and the trees the wind.” Virgil

There are only two basic emotions – fear and love. All other emotions are degrees of these two. Let’s look at anger as an emotion that has its roots in fear.

Anger is an emotion that people express when they are: upset, frustrated, uncertain, anxious, hurt by another person or life in general or often just confused. Many people when expressing anger are really covering the deeper emotion of fear. In a relationship, when a person is angry, we have a choice of relating to their expressed emotion of anger or we can look behind the anger and attempt to discover what the person is afraid of that is being expressed as angry behavior. Most people find it difficult to see past the anger because it is so charged with negative words, feelings, emotions or actions.

Another way to look at anger is to see either its destructive quality in relationships and life or see its positives. Let’s take a brief look at both.

Anger can be an excellent way to eliminate stress, get hidden agendas out in the open, vent feelings of discouragement, pain, grief or just old-fashioned frustration. Suppressed negative feelings or anger can have both short and long term negative effects on a person’s emotional, as well as physical health. Most stress is related to withholding a variety of negative emotions. People often believe that they will avoid hurting the other person or avoid conflict by keeping these negative feelings beneath the surface. Over the long haul however, they can contribute to any number of emotional or physical ailments. Women are better at expressing anger than men. Women live, on the average, 10 years longer than men. I wonder if there is a relationship between these two issues?

This unexpressed anger can be the result of a variety of personal emotional traits: the need for approval, the need for love, insecurity, a fear of rejection, guilt, resentment – to mention just a few. There is a flip side to this issue, however, that we must discuss, and that is the impact of angry words spoken while in this fear state of mind.

Often people will say things that sting the other person when they were only trying to release these pent-up feelings. They say things that are really a reflection of their own internal unresolved issues rather than anger directed at the other person. Generally, most men are afraid of women’s anger and will do whatever necessary to protect themselves from it. This is unfortunate because angry women are not always angry at the man – but at some internal frustration. The same holds true for men.

The real culprit here is not the cause or source of the anger, but in its delivery. One other aspect of anger, or any emotion that we need to get into the open, is that when we are angry we are actually giving power over our own emotions to someone or something else, often to someone we don’t even like.

In His service, Tim

Tim Connor, CSP World renowned Speaker, Trainer and best selling author of over 80 titles. Box 397, Davidson, N.C. 28036 USA, 704-895-1230 (voice) tim@timconnor.com (email) - www.timconnor.com (Website)

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My long weekend!

So this past weekend was Good Friday/Easter weekend and therefore I had Friday off!  So we got out of bed early and went to Childress Vineyards to enjoy lunch at the bistro, both wine tastings currently being offered, and a tour of the winery.  It was a fantastic way to spend a rainy day off!

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Some of the Vineyards on your way in to the estate.

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Just a picture of the fountain at the entrance.

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IMG-20110422-00077    In one of the private rooms where the wine is kept in the oak barrels to age.

This was really just the start of my weekend.  Friday night I went with Matt and Shelbee to Fifty-1 and enjoyed some live music and two of my favorite people…

Saturday I got to have a great afternoon lunch followed by meeting some of Matt’s friends at a birthday party followed by catching up with two of my oldest NC friends with karaoke at Jackalope’s.  Is anybody else tired yet?  Can you say busy weekend?

Then Easter Sunday was spent at church, doing laundry and enjoying some of my delicious ham, mashed potatoes, peas, green beans & my favorite brown and serve rolls…  I fell asleep before I made dessert!

Hope everybody had a fantastic weekend!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Day Fifteen: your favorite quote

"Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth."  Pope John Paul II (Faith and Reason)

Friday, April 22, 2011

Day Fourteen: a quote about something you love

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face.  It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy.  ~Edward P. Morgan

Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book.  ~Author Unknown

There is a great deal of difference between an eager man who wants to read a book and a tired man who wants a book to read.  ~G.K. Chesterton

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.  ~P.J. O'Rourke

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Day Thirteen: a quote about cats

First off I would like to start off by saying that I love and hate cats.  I love Fiona.  She is an adorable, selfish, only loves me when I’m sick or drunk cat.  She lies on her back and sits up with her hand between her hind legs like Al Bundy…  Who couldn’t love this cat?  I pretty much hate Jasmine.  She is an annoying motorboat who will rub herself all over you until you give her exactly what you want…  Alright, on to the quotes…

There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat.  ~Tay Hohoff

A catless writer is almost inconceivable.  It's a perverse taste, really, since it would be easier to write with a herd of buffalo in the room than even one cat; they make nests in the notes and bite the end of the pen and walk on the typewriter keys.  ~Barbara Holland

The cat could very well be man's best friend but would never stoop to admitting it.  ~Doug Larson

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Movie Review – Arthur, Two Thumbs Up!

Arthur-Movie-Poster-2011I will be the first person to admit that I am not a fan of Russell Brand.  Correction.  I will be the first person to admit that until very very recently, I was not a fan of Russell Brand.  This movie changed all of that for me.

Jennifer Garner is as awkward and ridiculous as ever (it’s my blog, deal with it) but she is perfect for the role of psychotic rich girl after a childish man’s billions…

Helen Mirren is absolutely fantastic.  Funny, charming, loving, and ruthless all at the same time.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching her transform from this tough woman who threatens to bite Evander’s ear off to this living mother figure doing what it is she has to do help Arthur find true happiness.

Greta Gerwig and Russell Brand have absolutely amazing chemistry.

I truly don’t know if it is the fact that I walked into this movie with such low hopes that made me fall absolutely in love but I laughed, and cried, and am definitely looking forward to watching it again.  I suggest you get out there and see it.

*****

Day Twelve: a quote about friendship

New friends listen to what you say.  Old friends listen to what you don’t say. ~Unknown

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Day Eleven: a quote about love

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Word of the Week, Round 10!

This one actually comes to us from Merriam-Webster.com!  Can you believe it?  I changed it up!

primordial

\prye-MOR-dee-ul\

DEFINITION

adjective

1

a : first created or developed : primeval b : existing in or persisting from the beginning (as of a solar system or universe) c : earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ

2

: fundamental, primary

EXAMPLES

All life on Earth supposedly came from a primordial ooze in existence many millions of years ago.
"Indeed, and in spite of all our current observations, physical theories, computer models, and mathematical skill we must not forget that the primordial breath is inherently unknown to us." -- From Martin Beech's 2010 book The Large Hadron Collider

Monday, April 18, 2011

Weekend in Myrtle Beach

I have been really enjoying my quick getaway weekends lately.  I’ve done a lot the past couple months and find my weekends booked with excitement from now through Memorial Day.  This past weekend was no exception.

I took a trip to Myrtle and got a chance to enjoy some good food, great company, and some seriously cold water.  It rained a bit but that really didn’t put a damper on things at all.

Saturday after a trip to the grocery store, making breakfast and watching 300 (without falling asleep this time) we went for a long walk on the beach which was awesome until we had to turn around.  The wind was whipping behind us forcing my hair into my face making it almost impossible for me to see the entire way back!

After a nap and another movie (in which I did fall asleep…  something about The Hunt for Red October maybe?) we went to the Comedy Cabana to enjoy some live comedians and some alcohol.

Mike Merryfield

 comedy cabana

Sunday was just as eventful with a trip to the beach, boogie boarding, sun burn, alcohol and then a trip to Broadway at the Beach which included a wine tasting and walking around novelty shops poking fun at t-shirts… and as promised, here are some photos!

 Beach 2 Beach Matt 2Matt and his handsomeness. Matt 3 MattMatt again (obviously) Matt's footMatt’s not bigger than mine foot sunburn

Aaaand the aftermath of not enough sunscreen.

Day Ten: a well-known quote

Here’s my philosophy on this one, if I have heard it, it has to be well known.

“Small men think they are small; great men never know they are great.”

I know it’s short, but I like it, and it’s true.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Day Nine: a quote from someone you know personally

“As far as demanding those around me to be intelligent it works out most of the time.  If you are a ding dong I just don’t bother with you.  If you are a ding dong and keep hanging around eventually I will hurt your feelings.  I don’t expect others to do all of the things I do.  I just expect them to do what they say they are going to do without making excuses or being apathetic in their approach.  You can be a ding dong but find a way to contribute.  I am ok with people who contribute in a meaningful way ding dong or not.  I am not ok with ding dongs who push their stupidity on me or those I am responsible for.  This is where my evil side lives.” - NTK

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Day Eight: a stupid quote

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life."
- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign.

"It is wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago"
- Dan Quayle, former U.S. Vice-President

Friday, April 15, 2011

Day Seven: a quote you disagree with

 

“This is the first, wildest, and wisest thing I know, that the soul exists, and that it is built entirely out of attention.”  ~ Mary Oliver

Maybe I am reading this wrong.  And even as I sit here and read it again I suppose now that she could be referring to ones attention to their own soul.  But when read that it’s built out of attention of others, I disagree completely.  Maybe a better way to say it would have been “entirely out of ones own attention.”

Thoughts?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Day Six: a quote from a song

I think it’s pretty clear here that I’ve decided for most of these topics that one quote isn’t even close to enough so here are SEVERAL quotes from some songs that I love currently that really have nothing to do with anything except for the fact that I find them catchy.'

If you don’t like it, write your own damn blog.

And yes, I know that 90% of these lyrics can be heard on this blog.

“Tomorrow I’ll wake up, do some P90X.  Find a really nice girl, have some really nice sex.  And she’s gonna scream out this is great.” ~Bruno Mars, Lazy Song

“Yeah I'm sorry, I can't afford a Ferrari,
But that don't mean i can't get you there.
I guess he's an xbox and I'm more atari,
But the way you play your game ain't fair.
I pity the fool that falls in love with you”  ~Cee-Lo Green F*ck You

“you got designer shades,
just to hide your face and
you wear them around like
you're cooler than me.
and you never say hey,
or remember my name.
its probably cuz,
you think you're cooler than me” ~Mike Posner, Cooler Than Me

“Pretty pretty please, don’t you ever ever feel
like you’re less than f*ckin perfect
Pretty pretty please, if you ever ever feel like you’re nothing
You’re f*ckin perfect to me….

Exchange ourselves, and we do it all the time
Why do we do that? Why do I do that?”  ~Pink, F*ckin Perfect

Sooo…. maybe I am a bit stuck on myself lately?  :)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Day Five: a short quote

Well, that’s descriptive!…  A short quote…  Alright…  Here you go!  (That was easy)

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

And on that note, RIP Jordan Boyd Traylor, Dec 28, 2008 – the way I learned that life is entirely too short to stay mad at someone…

Have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Word of the Week, Round 9!

Carleton College…

adduce \uh-duce\ (verb)

1. To offer as an example, reason or proof in discussion or analysis

Example sentence:

Having adduced to the scientific community numerous instances of her work having been plagiarized, Jan was appalled when her claims were dismissed as petty rivalry between lab mates.

Day Four: a quote that makes you laugh

Some of these will show my… interesting sense of humor, but hopefully some others will put a smile on your face!

I have six locks on my door all in a row.  When I go out, I lock every other one.  I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.  ~Elayne Boosler

An expert is a man who tells you a simple thing in a confused way in such a fashion as to make you think the confusion is your own fault.  ~William Castle

I learned law so well, the day I graduated I sued the college, won the case, and got my tuition back.  ~Fred Allen

Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.  ~Colin Sautar

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” ~Robert McCloskey

“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.” ~Oscar Wilde

“Love is like a booger.  You keep picking at it until you get it, then wonder what to do with it.’  ~Unknown

"Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss." ~Douglas Adams

Monday, April 11, 2011

Day Three: a quote from your favorite book

My favorite book to this day is still The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier.  I still don’t know why.  It does not by any means fit my standard type of book be it the romance, the inspirational or the “young adult” fiction (aka Twilight, Host, Harry Potter…)  But I love it.  This one may be a bit more for the men than the ladies but a good read nonetheless…

“You see, Carter, people are two things: greedy and cruel. So we have a perfect set up here. The greed part--a kid pays a buck for a chance to win a hundred. Plus fifty boxes of chocolates. The cruel part--watching two guys hitting each other, maybe hurting each other, while they're safe in the bleachers. That's why it works, Carter, because we're all bastards. ” - Archie, pg. 241. Robert Cormier, The Chocolate War

chocolate war

 Robert Cormier

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Day Two: a quote from your favorite writer

So for those of you who have never heard of Emily Giffin, she is absolutely amazing.  Next month she has her first novel going to the big screen “Something Borrowed” with Kate Hudson!  I absolutely adore her and have since I sat in the Charlotte Douglas airport almost two years ago waiting for a flight to Tx to take me to Cozumel.  I decided that we had a long weekend of relaxation ahead of us and that it had been far too long since I had picked up a book.  And so I found “Love The One You’re With”.  For those of you who know where I was in my life in 2009 and where I am now…  I think this next one will make sense for you.

"Maybe that's what it all comes down to. Love, not as a surge of passion, but as a choice to commit to something, someone, no matter what obstacles or temptations stand in the way. And maybe making that choice, again and again, day in and day out, year after year, says more about love than never having a choice to make at all." ~Emily Giffin (Love the One You’re WIth)

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Saturday, April 9, 2011

Day One: a quote that describes you

So, for those of you who don’t know me too well, let me just briefly touch on the fact that I have been striving… no, struggling to not only find myself, but to define myself.  To accomplish something more than being a hot mess who wears her heart on her sleeve and strives for success in everything she touches.

For those of you who do know me well. you know that I may have re invented myself, but I have failed at my objectives.

Here are several quotes that have brought me back to where it is that I am reaching for.  I hope you enjoy.

Knowledge of the self is the mother of all knowledge. So it is incumbent on me to know my self, to know it completely, to know its minutiae, its characteristics, its subtleties, and its very atoms.  ~Khalil Gibran

The body is a house of many windows: there we all sit, showing ourselves and crying on the passers-by to come and love us.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson

I think this one best illustrates where I have been up until very recently but I thought that it was still very important in describing me given that I am subject back to these ways if I let the first quote slip for any number of seconds.

People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself.  But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates.  ~Thomas Szasz, "Personal Conduct," The Second Sin, 1973

This.  This is my goal.  To create this beautiful God fearing woman who knows herself well enough that the second quote becomes obsolete based on who I am in myself and in my faith.

15 Day Quote Challenge

Yes, you know I have run out of horrible ideas for the blog on my own when you see a new challenge.  And while I like to think that I did okay in March, it is definitely time for another one.  I can’t promise they will all be stimulating, but I can promise that with the help of the publishing tool on windows live writer, there will be a blog published every day for the next 15 days including this one!

Here’s the list, enjoy!

15 day quote challenge

Day One: a quote that describes you
Day Two: a quote from your favorite writer
Day Three: a quote from your favorite book
Day Four: a quote that makes you laugh
Day Five: a short quote
Day Six: a quote from a song
Day Seven: a quote you disagree with
Day Eight: a stupid quote
Day Nine: a quote from someone you know personally
Day Ten: a well-known quote
Day Eleven: a quote about love
Day Twelve: a quote about friendship
Day Thirteen: a quote about cats
Day Fourteen: a quote about something you love
Day Fifteen: your favorite quote

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Several Topics, One Random Blog

Okay, so for years my preferred genre of music has always been country.  But thanks to my Aunt and my recent trip to NY, I have been getting into the pop genre probably more than ever before.  I literally pulled in to a property yesterday with the windows down and the sun roof open blaring Cee-Lo Green’s F**k You.  Cutest song ever.  I have also managed to cause some controversy on my facebook page by using Rihanna’s lyrics as status updates.  “Want you to make me feel like I’m the only girl in the world.” and “Sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me!”  So yeah…

Has anybody seen my motivation?  I really seem to have misplaced it.  I am finally down to under 30 e-mails in my work inbox but have a growing pile of “stuff” around my desk that does not seem to be going away on its own!  Help?!

Picnic menu!  As some of you know, I’m having a picnic tonight and I have finally finished the menu.  So here it is!

Appetizer: Bruschetta.

Diced Roma tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil served on toasted french baguette.

Main course: Chicken & Steak Kabobs.

Chicken and Steak Kabobs with zucchini, yellow and red bell peppers, and onion with a side of garlic and olive oil potato wedges.

Dessert: Cheesecake.

Raspberry swirled NY Style Cheesecake.  The only thing I am not making myself.  Thank you Lowe’s Foods.

To Drink: Hard Cider

Wood Chuck Amber Cider.  This is a new attempt.  My confidence was shaken slightly last night when the grocery store clerk told me that he was a much bigger fan of Hornsby’s, but we shall see!

Lots going on this weekend and a trip to Myrtle Beach next weekend.  I’m sure you will hear from me before then but be on the look out for pictures when I get back!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Word of the Week, Round 8!

Carleton College-

circumspect \SER-kum-spekt\ (adjective)

1. careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent

Example Sentence:

Jillian is a very circumspect person, so she did some serious thinking before she agreed to the job.

Monday, April 4, 2011

My Children Will Do It Differently

I feel like there are two types of parents.  The kind that truly want to see their children do better than they could have ever accomplished, and actually provide them with the necessary tools to do so; and then the type of parents who have severe jealousy towards their children's successes.

I’m just going to lay it out there – those of you who are jealous of your children?  You’ve been going about this whole parenting thing all wrong.  Without the growth of your children, our society ceases to grow as a whole.  If your child is expected to do things the same exact way that you did things because that is how your parents parents did thing…  Where is the progress?  If your child’s education isn’t important because you did just fine without a college degree…  What message is that sending to your child?

Everything that I do now is all in preparation for raising the family that I hope to have some day.  My working 50 hours on top of pursuing my undergraduate so that I can get my masters in accounting to work another 60+ hour a week job?  That is for those children that I don’t have yet.  The house and the life insurance policy and the savings?  For the children that I don’t have yet.

What are you investing in the future of your legacy?

Our job as adults is to feed into the children around us.  To nurture them with love, praise, and constructive criticism.  The goal of having children should not be to have an extra set of hands, or so that you can force them into the opportunities that you never got to pursue.  Get out there now and pursue the dreams that you have so that your children may have their own dreams.

And even if you had children before you were able to pursue those dreams?  Do NOT take it out on your children.  It is not their fault.  You were blessed with a miracle, and it is your job to let them know that they are just that.  Help them realize their dreams, and be there for them.  You will have plenty of time to create new dreams for yourself once you have taught them how to be the awesome person that they are capable of.

Yes, I know that I don’t have children.  No, I don’t really care about how hard it may be and how I “don’t understand”.  That’s the beauty of having my own blog!  Tough noogies.  Think about it.  Now get to cracking!