black ties and baggies

I went to an awesum event this Saturday for First Coast SurfRider Foundation. The event was "Black Tie and Baggies". At first I thought Ziploc Baggies, but my surfer friends were kind enough to let me know that 'baggies' is slang for 'swim trunks' or 'board shorts'. I put my new surf jargon to practice at this awesum fundraising event.

inspired

Like Emily, I love reading my friend's blogs to find inspiration for my own posts. Recently, Kim posted about "Living Brave". I wrote a similar post about this a few months ago, and I declared 2008 The Year of Risk.

Um, yeah. I can't say that I've done much risk tasking so far this year.

I am very interested in going somewhere this summer with this company.

Do I have the money? Actually, yes. I recently got a tax return that would enable me to fund my trip.

But, as we know, this blog started as a way to get out of debt. This tax return could be a big help in paying off a credit card. Granted, I haven't used my credit cards since August. So, I could pay for this trip in cash, but it comes at the price of still being in debt.

I feel like I never take risks because I am always focused on doing the responsible thing...especially with money. Ugh. Dilemma.

I Heart These Blogs

If you're looking for a new link for your blog roll, try these babies on for size:

Levana - My entire life I wanted to be just like my big sister. Our relationship can basically be summed up with the lyrics to "Wind Beneath my Wings". This blog explains why.

Paris Daily Photo - Thought the phrase "Friendly Parisian" was an oxymoron? Think again. Eric is an adorable Parisian photographer who snaps a shot of his hometown each and every day. The cheapest way to see Paris through the eyes of a local.


Sara Brown Read the "About" section and you will be hooked.

All the blogs on my list to the right are AWESUM, but most are connected to each other. These are ones you might be less inclined to read, but I hope you'll give them a glance or two.

pet finder

Today I was hit with a high school memory. In an effort to claim the title of Biggest Nerd on Campus (most of which banked on my status as a band member), I was the PRESIDENT of Key Club. As president, part of my duty was to start the Key Club Pledge at each weekly meeting.

It goes a little something like this:

I pledge, on my honor, to uphold the Objects of Key Club International; to build my home, school and community; to serve my nation and God; and combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.

So, as I am trying to build my home, school and community...and serve my nation...and God (cause She rules)...I must THEREFORE combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions. I never really stopped to interpret those words, which, in retrospect, seem a bit harsh. But today, I had to remind myself to COMBAT the forces that were trying to undermine my efforts. Maybe it's going back to work after being on spring break, maybe it's my impending surf on the crimson wave, maybe it's the cloudy weather, but it seems like EVERYTHING annoyed me beyond belief today.

Since I'm only one ex-nerd and I can only combat a certain number of forces, I decided to make a list of my Top Five Pet Peeves. At least, for today.

1. Sending someone an email, and instead of getting a reply, opening your inbox to find three forwards from said someone. Especially when that someone is "my boss". What is that - a sick mind game? Re: don't try me.

2. People who crowd me in the checkout lane at Publix. Go ahead, grab the separator stick and smack it on the belt before I'm even done unloading. That's right, just try and bump my booty with your cart when I'm at the debit machine. Bring it on, supermarket bitches!!!

3. The sound of knuckles popping, cracking, snapping, etc. Those noises are strictly for my Rice Krispies and not your freaking phalanges.

4. When the listing on Digital Cable is wrong. I ALMOST MISSED the end of an America's Next Top Model Marathon because I thought it was Rock the Cradle. Sweet Jesus, I need my Tyra Mail!!

5. When no one comments on my posts. Where is the love, people? I need THE LOVE! SHOW ME SOME LOVE! Do I need to spell it 'LUV'? Because I'm not above that. Really. I promise.

Let's hope there are less forces to combat tomorrow. This totally goes against Emily's 21 Days of Happy Posts. Boo positivity!!

priorities

This is why I don't watch local news:

"Tonight at 11 - After a student plot to attack a 3rd grade teacher in Georgia was discovered, parents want to know what's being done to protect their children."

Yes. Apparently it's the children who need protection.

awesumness continues

I've never been the "Woo! Spring Break!" type of girl. Oddly enough, the desire to hear men yell "Show me your boobs!" while trying to relax on the beach never appealed to me. Body shots and belly piercings and dirty hotel rooms never found a way to my radar. In high school, I'd do volunteer trips with my church and fix peoples houses or work in a soup kitchen. In college, I worked to pay the bills. A myriad of drunken Spring Break memories is something I'm glad I don't own.

Now, as a teacher, I'm on the flip side of spring break. For the first time in my life, I could probably afford one of those Spring Break Debauchery excursions. I actually don't have to work during Spring Break because, um, they won't let me. Now, I'm the "Woo! Teacher Perk!" girl. Woo! Teacher Perk!

On most breaks from work, I find myself watching too much reality tv. And sleeping. I always say I'm going to paint my house and it never happens. I realize that this a desperate cry for help. In order to break this habit, I've been saying yes to whatever is presented to me this week. This theory worked extremely well last night.

I went to Art Walk for the first time. Art Walk is an awesum event hosted downtown the first Wednesday of every month, rain or shine. Local businesses shut down and serve as impromptu art galleries. The new main library, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Hemming Plaza were hosting spoken poets and jazz musicians. I also really liked the exhibits in the "old library", a 60s retro building being renovated into offices.

I met up with some friends from my travel group and wandered around for awhile. Another awesum thing about Art Walk is after parties. Two bars were offering free drinks to anyone attending AW. It was great to spend the evening getting to know new people and drinking a deliciously free martini.

The not-so-awesum part of the evening was having my car locked in the parking garage and also being stranded. Luckily, my travel buddies were awesum enough to stick it out with me and flag down a MOCA employee. This guy just happened to know the man who ran the parking garage and a three second phone call was all it took to bust me out. Sadly, though, my reality tv habits die hard. I got home a little after midnight, but you better believe I was up til 2 watching Top Chef.

Woo! Spring Break!

recipe: spring break awesumness

Pour four drag queens into large mixing bowl. Remove excess testosterone. Add equal parts silicone. Stir in the phrase, "You must be the straight people." Serve chilled in shot classes at a gay club. By a shirtless midget.



(no, sadly, that's not me in the above picture, but you get the idea!)