Love is a disease?

A conversation between two members of society in Anna Karenina:

"But by a marriage of convenience we mean marriage in which both parties
have already sown their wild oats. It's like scarlet fever. One has to go
through it."

"Then we must learn how to inoculate people against love as they are against
smallpox."

I've heard love compared to many things including pie, but never before to deadly diseases. While I agree that love makes life complicated, I'm not sure I'd be in support of irradicating it. It makes life more interesting and at times more fun.

Also, in the book, this discussion began when the were watching a woman who was a little too intimate with a man who wasn't her husband, and the belief was she was in love with him (which apparently she was). I guess back then being in love with someone else would be the only reason a woman would cheat on her husband. Now, since cheating is so prevalent, I think love is more likely to prevent cheating than encourage it.

About another character:

"Karenin was not jealous. Jealousy, in his opinion, was an insult
to one's wife, and one should have confidence in one's wife. "

Well that would explain why I don't act like a jealous bitch-I generally trusts my boyfriends. I'm pretty sure I've said to a bf that was paranoid about me hanging out with other guys, "don't you trust me?"

Random Facts

I stole this from Finn

Birth date: 09 March 1984
Location: Outside Philly PA
Height: 5'3"
Eye color: Brown
Hair color: Dark Brown
What does your name mean: Trouble? (I know a lot of Jackies and most of them are trouble)
High school graduation year: 2002
Favorite relatives: When my whole family gets together, it's pretty entertaining
Summer memory: Truck Pool
Favorite TV shows: Californication, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy
What's on your mousepad: Who uses mouse pads anymore?
In the car- ac or windows: Windows, unless there's people in the car and we're talking (or it's the dead of winter, when I use the heat)
Do you believe in yourself: Sure
Favorite game: Jeopardy, Monopoly
Favorite drink: Iced Tea
Alcoholic drink: Jack & Ginger, Chocolate Martini
Favorite food: Lasagna
Favorite colors: Black and Red
Favorite cigarettes: ummm...none?
Favorite sounds: Music
Favorite smell: My house while baking
Worst feeling in the World: F-ing up something important
Best feeling in the World: Orgasms? But camaraderie is a good one too
Favorite thing to do on a weekend: Sleep in and then just relax with the roomie
Favorite soundtrack: Rocky Horror Picture Show
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: On earth
First thought in the morning: UGGG
Do you get motion sickness: Sometimes- I definitely can't read in the car
Roller coasters- deadly or exciting: Exciting
How many rings before you answer the phone: Depends who's calling/how long it takes me to answer
Future son names: not Jason
Future daughter names: Samantha, Abigail
Are you a good friend: I like to think so
Chocolate or Vanilla cake: Chocolate
What do you drive: Olds Alero
Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: Yes
Thunderstorms cool or scary: Annoying
If you could meet one person in the World, who would it be: Bill Clinton
What is your zodiac sign: Pisces
What do you wear to bed: PJ's
Do you eat stems of broccoli: Not if I can avoid it
If you could have any occupation when you get older, what would it be: Trophy Wife
If you could dye your hair one color, what would it be: Why can't I?
If you could have a tattoo, what and where would it be: Something Phi Sigma Pi related in a place I could cover.
Favorite brand of gum: Orbit-I think it's made by Wrigley's
What is your favorite quote: "More is lost from indecision than wrong decision"
Have you ever been in love: Yea
What's on your walls in your room: Drawing by Beck, Temple banner, PSP Shingle, award and paddle
Is the glass half-empty or half-full: Depends what I'm drinking-if it's Champagne-half empty
Pick a song that describes yourself or that you can relate to: Crazy Bitch
Which do you prefer- Cool Ranch or Nacho Cheese Doritos: Usually Cool Ranch
Favorite flavor Snapple: Peach Iced Tea
Which one, Coke or Pepsi: Coke
Which kind of milk is your favorite: I don't really drink milk, but my parents always bought 2%.
If you were to kill someone, which method would you use?: Stoning seems like good punishment
Are you a righty, lefty, or ambidextrous: Righty
Do you type with your fingers on the right keys: Yep
When you meet a person of the opposite sex, you notice their: Body[I'm a human, I admit it!]
What kind of shoe would you be if you had an option: A red stiletto
What's under your bed: Nothing
What's the best number in the world: 17
What is your dream car: a Ferrari
Nickname: Jackie P.
Bacon Bits Or croutons: Croutons
Favorite Salad Dressing: It really depends on my mood
Do you drink: yea
What type of Shampoo/Conditioner: Garnier Fructis
Have you ever been skinny dipping: Yes
Do you make fun of people: Yep
Have you ever been convicted of a crime: No
One pillow or two: Two
Pets: Sprite the cat, and hermit crabs
Favorite Movies: History of the World Part I, Cruel Intentions, Rocky Horror Picture Show
Favorite type of music: not jazz
Hobbies: Reading, hanging out, watching tv
Word or Phrase you overuse: interesting
Toothpaste: Crest with Scope (Drew got me hooked on it years ago-damn him)
Piercing or tattoos: 6 piercings
Do you get along with your parents: For the most part
Favorite beer: St. Paulie Girl, Yuengling, Miller Lite
Favorite song at the moment: 12 Days of Christmas
Favorite subject in school: Science
Least favorite subject in school: English, Gym, Core Skills
Most humiliating moment: I don't know
Craziest or Silliest Person You Know: April
Favorite Holiday: 4th of July

Nestle vs. Swiss Miss

I have hot chocolate every morning at work, which is what led to this entry. Growing up my mom always made me Nestle Carnation Hot Chocolate and I loved it. I don't really go to grocery stores, so I've had to get what the dollar store/Target sells- Swiss Miss.

Based on the names, it would seem that both types are Swiss (Nestle is a Swiss company), so both should be good. But I've recently realized that I prefer the Nestle. Not just because of taste, but because the Swiss Miss must continually be stirred or it will separate and leave a pile of chocolate at the bottom of the cup. Once Nestle is mixed, it stays mixed.

I guess I have to decide if it's worth going to the grocery store and paying a little more for the superior beverage.

Random facts:

• Swiss Miss is made by ConAgra Foods, which also owns Chef Boyardee
• Nestle also owns a lot of different brands

Office Orgies

I heard on the news that a woman was fired for reported an orgy in one of the banquet room of a hilton. Click here for the story.

I've heard of office parties, but never office sex parties. This just seems like a terrible idea to me. Not just because the risk of getting caught. Even in private with all hot, single, and disease-free co-wokers, it seems like a bad idea. How do you look at them the next day? And there's bound to someone who gets all weird about it after. There might even be someone who falls in love with another person (some people fall in love after sex-I can't explain it).

Even dating/fucking just one co-worker can bad idea (doesn't anybody watch tv: House, Greys, probably 50 other shows). I've dated co-workers, but a) I know I could handle it (both the dating and the probable break-up) and b) I was fairly certian he could too. Luckily, I was correct. More on this topic later.

11 Months

Wow! I can't believe it's been a year since I've updated this. There's probably no one that still checks it, but oh well.

Here's the update on my life:

• I finally got hired as a full-time employee.
• April and I bought a house together. It's in Drexel Hill, not far from our parents. I thought it would suck to be so close to them, but it's actually worked out pretty well. It's convenient for grabbing stuff and for free dinner :)
• I went to Vegas for the first time (for Alumni Convention) and actually won some money-Thanks Finn!
• I went to Nashville (for Grand Chapter/Nat'l Convention) where I did karaoke with about 50 brothers or more-it was awesome! There was also this contest that I entered ;)
• April and I hosted our first party for Halloween-it was a lot of fun.

Apparently, not that much happened in year. Or at least not that much that was important.

2007 in Review

I stole this from Drew two years ago:

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
I drove a stick shift.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year?
Yes and yes

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, but someone close to me became a grandmother.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Fortunately, I don't think so.

5. What countries did you visit?
None :(

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
A real job with benefits (which I should have by the end of the month), and my own place

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 12 - Beck's wedding

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Keeping my resolution

9. What was your biggest failure?
Still living with my parents and being not fun.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
This isn't serious but, I twisted my ankle badly, then I re-injured it while drunk a month later.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Lasik surgery and more recently, my red shoes.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
No clue

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The retard celebrities like the Spears girls

14. Where did most of your money go?
A lot went towards bills and student loans

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Beck's wedding

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
I don't think there is one

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or Sadder? Happier
b) Thinner or Fatter? I have no clue, probably about the same
c) Richer or Poorer? Richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Working

20. How did you spend Christmas?
I exchanged gifts with the stedmans and then my grandfather came over for our tradition of lasagna.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
No, but I did get a bf

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, October Road

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not hate, but dislike

24. What was the best book you read?
One of the Kathy Reichs books.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Guitar Hero

26. What did you want and get?
My bf

27. What did you want and not get?
A real job, my own apartment

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Ratatuille and Enchanted were good

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My friends made me a candle-lit dinner and a 3-tier cake that said "Happy Birthday Susan." I froze the top layer to eat this year.

30.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having my own place

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Causal--jeans and a cute shirt with a hoodie or sweater; Work--business casual

32. What kept you sane?
Sane? If anything, the girls

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't think I liked real people.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I don't care about politics.

35. Who did you miss?
Liz while she was in CA

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Dave - Technically, I met him in 2006, but i didn't get to know him until 2007.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Do want you want while you're young, because you can't go back.

Gift Cards are not Gifts

This is another article by Liz Pulliam Weston.

While I agree that unlike gifts, the cards do not require much thought and I wouldn't give them to my best friends, I do think they are gifts. I have gift cards from a few stores on my Christmas List. Maybe I don't have a problem with gift cards because I don't have a problem with giving cash (to certain people, for certain situations).

This a quote from her article:

While researching party themes for my daughter's upcoming celebration, I stumbled across a posting by a woman who proudly included the horrifying words "monetary gifts would be much appreciated" on her 3-year-old child's invitations. She went on to explain that "I wanted money as gifts for my daughter's savings and for us to buy bigger toys, like a big kitchen and a Barbie Jeep that she wanted, instead of guests giving her small toys."
It's official. Shame is dead.

I don't think there is anything wrong with that request. Her daughter would like the bigger gifts and she may not be able to afford them on her own. It is unfair for the little girl to suffer. Plus, the little toys can clutter up the house, and she's likely to get multiple of the same. While it may have been fun to have 50 Barbies, I'm glad that I had a kitchen set, a rocking/spring horse and other large items instead. I'm not really sure how asking for money is any different than asking for specific items especially items on a registry (then the receiver still knows exactly how much is spent).

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a large family/group of friends to all put in money and buy one large and more special/wanted/needed/useful gift. My friends and I often purchase expensive items for each other that we either wouldn't or couldn't get for ourselves.

So basically, my opinion is: for people very close to you, you should be able to find a gift; but for acquaintances cash and gift cards is acceptable.

10 Things You Should Never Buy Used

This article was also written by Liz Pulliam Weston. I agree more with this one then what shouldn't be bought new.

1) Laptops - If it's cheap enough (a couple hundred), I'd risk getting a used one. Although, I think I'm going to splurge and get myself a nice new RED one.

2) Car Seats - Never really thought about how they could have been in an accident.

3) Plasma TVs - I didn't even know you could get these used. I bet they're still crazy expensive, so getting a new one with a warranty would be a good idea.,

4) DVD Players - How cheap are you? You can find a new one for under 50 bucks. I think I spent $20 or $30 or mine five years ago and it still works.

5) Vacuum Cleaners - I didn't even know people sold them. But seriously, if some one is selling it, it probably sucks (actually it probably doesn't suck enough).

6) Camcorders - Don't really use these, but I wouldn't buy a used digital camera. Besides, can't you get a relatively cheap camcorder?

7) Shoes - Ewww

8) Mattresses - Ewww

9) Wet Suits - Ewww

10) Helmets - Ewww

I Don't Know, Leave a Message!

I've been the receptionist at work since Friday (the actual reception is on vacation). Yesterday, a woman from some magazine or publication called asking for information about the CIO and who works for him. I do not know the hierarchy of the entire organization. I also don't even know his direct reports especially because it has changed recently. I helped her as best as I could then transferred her to the CIO. He doesn't have an assistant, so we send all calls to his voicemail. Instead of leaving a message, she called back and asked about an assistant. I told her he didn't have one and offered to transfer her to the IT Manager. When his phone went to voicemail, she called me back and started asking the same questions that I already told her I didn't know. I assured her that Sean was in the office and if she left a message he would get back to her, but she wanted to know right now. I transferred her to HR since she was asking about employees. Once again she got a voicemail, and once again, she wouldn't just leave a message even though I assured her the person was in the office.

Then she said, "Well the president might know," so I tried transferring her to the CEO's assistant, who also thought it was an HR question. Finally, the woman asked for some one in customer service, which I really didn't think would be able to help her, but she stopped calling back.

Today she called back -from a blocked number. She asked similar questions and I tried transferring her to three people, which all went to voicemail (two of those people were here, but one was on vacation). The last voicemail mentioned our hotholine and the extension number. She asked about this number. When I explained to her that was the number to call for computer problems, she thanked me and (hopefully) finally gave up.

10 Things You Shouldn't Buy New

I read this article by Liz Pulliam Weston. I disagreed with 9 of the 10 items. Not because I thought those items necessarily shouldn't be bought used, but I really saw no reason not to/good reasons to buy them new. Basically, I don't think there is ever a good reason to NEVER buy something new if that's what you want. I a bigger fan of sales.

Here is the list (if you want to see her reasons and exceptions, read the article):
1) Books
2) DVDs and CDs
3) Little Kids' Toys
4) Jewelry
5) Sports Equipment
6) Timeshares
7) Cars
8) Software and Console games
9) Office Furniture
10) Hand Tools

Here are my comments:
1) Books - This is the only one I agree with. Books are ridiculously expensive, and I very rarely read a book more than once. I just go to the library, because I get to read my book for free and then it's not cluttering up my house later. This exception I can think of (which she did not mention) is children books. I will still read Dr. Seuss books (in English as well as other languages), and I'm sure you'd get your money's worth if the kid is reading them a lot (maybe that's why they're so god-awful expensive).

2) DVDs and CDs - I have no problem with buying these used. Actually, I hardly ever buy CDs and most of the DVDs are from Blockbuster when you can the 4 for $20 on "previously viewed" DVDs. However, you do run the risk of them being scratched. Good reasons to buy them new: You want them when as soon as they come out and/or you know you'll watch/listen multiple times and want to wear them out yourself.

3) Little Kids' Toys - This is one I actually think should be bought new. Kids are germ factories and do pretty gross things to their toys. I once used the toilet as a pool for my dolls. I would not to give my kids a toy that had been in some one's toilet.

4) Jewelry - Umm...why the hell would I want someone else's used jewelry? Weston suggests going to a porn shop. No, Jewelry is freakin' supposed to be shiny and new. The only used jewelry I want (and have) is passed down from relatives.

5) Sports Equipment - My initial reaction when I read this was "EWWWW!" But Weston did say that the exception would be shoes, gloves, stuff that molds to the body. But still, if you're going out to buy this equipment, why wouldn't you want new stuff?

6) Timeshares - I know nothing about theses, so I really don't have an opinion.

7) Cars - I have a used car, I haven't had too many problems with it, but my dad bought his car new. We (because my mom and I had to throw in our two cents) were able to get everything we wanted (dual heating controls, cd player, spoiler, etc). If you like to get a new/different car every couple years, then I would say leasing or buying a used would be the way to go. But if you're like my fam (my parents keep their cars for at least a decade, and I've had mine for almost 6 years), I see no reason not to buy a new car.

8) Software and Console games - Like the DVDs, you run the risk of the disks being messed up. More so with games because they are played so much. Also, last time I was looking at video games, the price for a new copy was $60 and the used was $55. Five bucks does not seem worth the risk. Also, Weston says that waiting a few months will reduce the cost the games and also will give other people time to find the problems. Well, if you wait and then purchase the games, this does not mean they're used. If they're still in their cellophane wrappers, they're new.

9) Office Furniture - This is something you're going to use ever day, why not get it new?

10) Hand Tools - Huh? Are these things really that expensive you can't just buy them new?

Excitement in the Parking Lot

The other day, around 9:45 am, one of my co-workers walked by my desk and said, "psst excitement in the parking lot." I wasn't really expecting much, because these people that I work with have stared at snow and contemplated if we would get out early. I grew out of that behavior in middle school.

Anyway, when I got to the window that overlooks the parking lot, there really was some excitement. There was an SUV on fire! While we were gawking, the flames and smoke kept growing and eventually both tires blew. We saw an "Auto Glass Repair" truck hanging around for awhile, but eventually I think the driver realized that this car was going to need a little more than glass to fix it.

Then we saw a woman (from the building next door) come out with a set a keys and walk toward the car. We thought it was her car that was in flames, but her car was actually parked right it front of the flaming car. A cop took her keys and moved her car to a safer area.

Even though there is a firehouse about a block away, it took the firemen awhile to arrive because they are volunteers, so they don't stay at the firehouse. It took them a couple tries and a few minutes to put the fire out. If the fire was out, the excitement was over, so we all went back to work.

Who would pay one-hunded fifty dollars for a mouse??

I get emails from Dell, and the other day I got one advertising a mouse for $149. Here is the description taken from www.Dell.com:

Overview
Explore your new media universe with a state-of-the-art mouse that’s effortless to use—on your desk or in the air. On your desk, advanced laser technology gives you precise tracking and instant response. In the air, innovative Freespace™ motion sensing transforms hand motions into natural, responsive cursor controls. Sit back and listen to music, browse photos, or surf the Web—from your desk or across the room. The MX Air™ mouse is the perfect complement to your PC-based entertainment experience.

Highlights

• Laser performance: On your desk, enjoy laser-precise tracking and instant response
• Freespace motion sensing: In the air, use MX Air™ to browse and play your favorite media. The sensor transforms hand motions into natural, responsive cursor controls. Adjust volume by waving to the right or left; skip tracks with a flip of the wrist
• Scroll panel: Experience hyper-fast scrolling at the touch of a finger—on your desk or in the air
• Gesture controls: Control playback and volume with hand motions. Adjust volume by waving to the right or left; skip tracks with a flip of the wrist
• Li-ion battery: Recharges faster, lasts longer
  2.4 GHz wireless: An operating range of 30 feet lets you navigate media from anywhere in the room

It sounds kinda cool, but certainly not for $150 (although it is on sale for $126.65 right now). Plus I would never use all those features. Actually, when I'm using a laptop (which is all I use at home), I just stick with the touch pad that's on the machine.

About this "laser-precise tracking and instant response ," I think an optical mouse is pretty damn precise. Actually I've never had a a problem with the accuracy or response time of ball mice. The only problem I have with them is that you have to clean the ball all the time. There is one "special" feature that when I use a mouse, i really like to have. That is the wheel because it makes scrolling so much easier. I'd be perfectly (and am) satisfied with a two-button optical mouse with wheel that costs about $15.00.

As I was looking for the information on the $149 mouse to write this blog, I came across a few others that are close to $100, and they weren't even wireless. Apparently, they're great for gamers.

Bad Timing

You probably don't know this, but I technically work for a promotion agency. I say "technically" because I haven't actually done any work for them in over a year; infact, it might be two. The reasons for this are because I have a real job, the work has been over an hour away, and at the ass-crack of dawn. Translation: it wasn't worth it.


This week, I got three opportunities by email. All three were within 30 minutes from my house, $14-15/hr and only 10-3. This is what I'd consider worth it. Unfortunately, I could not accept any of the jobs. The first two were during the week, and third one (which was on a Saturday) was only for dog-lovers. Not that I have a problem with dogs, but I don't like them enough to try and feed ones I don't know for five hours. GRRRR!

Vacation

–noun
1. a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday: Schoolchildren are on vacation now.
2. a part of the year, regularly set aside, when normal activities of law courts, legislatures, etc., are suspended.
3. freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.

I remember when the 3rd definition was reality. Now, it seems that there is no such thing as "freedom from work." When I went to Wildwood last month, 4 of the 7 people there brought laptops. This wasn't so we could watch DVDs or anything like that. It was to do some sort of work. Luckily, I did not have to deal with that. Ahh, the beauty of only being a temporary employee.

The reason I'm writing about this now is because one of my co-workers went on vacation this week and told me if I had any questions, I could just email him because he'd be checking emails.

Oh, I remember the days before wireless Internet and cell phones (or at least before nationwide coverage), when people could really escape from their everyday lives for a short period of time.

Speaking of the days before technology...I just saw a K-Mart commercial for "notebooks." My first thought was "Oh, K-Mart has laptops?" Apparently, people (I'm guessing school kids) still use paper bond together by a twisted wire.

[We] Had three TV channels you got up to change

No video games and no satellite

All we had were friends and they were outside, playin’ outside

It was a different life

When we were boys and girls

Not just a different time

It was a different world

~Bucky Covington

I Miss Back When. ~Tim McGraw

Don't get me wrong, I'm addicted to technology too. I can't live my "normal" life without my computer, cell phone, etc, but a little vacation every now and then is nice.

Don't See 1408

1408 is supposed to be a horror movie. If you ask me, it was just a piece of crap. I didn't find it all that horrifying, and the plot was stupid. I just kept waiting for it to be over so I could find out what happened. Well, the ending left me with even more questions.

Basically, you couldn't tell what was a hallucination and what actually happened.

I hadn't seen the previews for the movie, but a friend told me it was horror film that took place in room 1408 of a hotel. I thought it was going to be like Vacancy, which I didn't see, but it looked good. That was about a couple who turned on the TV in their hotel room and realized that the horror film had taken place in that room and they were about to be the next victims.

For Drew

Apparently, someone (other than me) has noticed that it's been awhile since I've had a post. Ordinarily, if someone threatened to "de-link" me, I would be pissed. So why is Drew different? Because he's the only person that has room to make that threat. Meaning: He actually posts in his blog. He keeps me entertained, so I figure I should return the favor.

Since I know he's a Phillies phan...

10,000 Loses/10,000 Marbles:
Last week, to commemorate the Phil's upcoming 10,000th loss, Preston and Steve of WMMR dropped 10,000 marbles down the Art Museum Steps.

Curse of Billy Penn:
For those of you that don't know, the theory goes like this: There was a gentleman's agreement that no building would stand taller than the tip of William Penn's hat (on top of City Hall). This agreement was honored until 1984 (the year after the last championship), when One Liberty Place was built. None of the four major Philly sports teams has won a championship since. They have however, lost 7 championship games, which happens to be the same number of buildings that are taller than the statue.

Comcast is trying to break this curse. Their new building will be the tallest in the city (975 feet) and on top of it, they are affixing a 25 foot statue of Billy Penn.

X-Files in Music

I also wrote this on 05-09-2007.


Last week, while watching The X-Files, Dan mentioned the song that has the lyrics, “watching X-Files with no lights on.” That made me think of the Bloodhound Gang song Bad Touch, which has the lyrics, “and do it doggy-style, so we can both watch X-Files.”

Then this week I watched the episode entitled “Eve,” where the girls named Eve 1, 2, 3, etc. I immediately thought the episode was about Eve 6, but then I figured that was because of the bad Eve6.

When I got home I decided to do some “research.” I discovered that the band was, in fact, named after that episode. I also found this website that lists a bunch of references to the show in lyrics.

Purchasing alcohol in PA

I wrote this on 05-09-2007, but never posted it:


Growing up in PA, the only time I ever saw alcohol was in my house or on an occasional trip to the state store with my parents. Going to southern states it’s odd, but convenient to be able to buy beer in Wawa and supermarkets, but also convenient. From what I understand, in VA, you can purchase beer from a Wawa (which by the way has stacks of cases) until midnight.

Within the past year or so, a giant liquor store opened up on Baltimore Pike. Not only does it have a large selection, it’s open until 10pm and also on Sundays. This is great if you want liquor, but if you want beer, then you have to find some place else to go. This is especially annoying if you want both.

Saturday (after spending all day and it being Cinco de Mayo), I needed to drink, and wanted beer. I had figured that I could just drink the beer that my friends and I bought last week and left in their dorm, so I didn’t bother buying any earlier in the day. I didn’t find out until later when I was at dinner that we wouldn’t be able to party there because of quiet hours due to finals.

I headed home and stopped at a beer distributor near the mall, but that (like all the others I knew of) closed at 9 (at this point it was after 9:30). I figured my best shot at finding somewhere (other than a bar ‘cause I didn’t feel like getting raped in the ass) was to drive down Baltimore Pike town Clifton. As soon as I crossed from Springfield into Clifton Heights, I saw the bright orange BEER lights and pulled into the parking lot. Just as I was pulling in I noticed the lights turn off and checked my clock. It said, 10:02 (forgetting that it’s 3 minutes fast, I rushed into the store anyway). Not only did they let me, the Miller Lite I wanted was right in front (and a little cheaper than I had paid last week). Even more impressive was the fact that they sell limes. The only other time I’ve ever seen limes sold at the same place as alcohol was somewhere in the south.

So, if you’re looking for something alcoholic to drink before 10, there is a beer store and a liquor store within in 2 minutes of each other along Baltimore Pike.

Now that I’m over 21 and have a job where I can afford to buy alcohol, it’s getting annoying to have to go to two different stores to buy beer and liquor. We need to change this stupid PA law.

Craptacular Morning

This is about yesterday (Thurs).

Here’s how my morning was supposed to go: wake up to Preston & Steve, re-straighten my hair, get dressed, pick up a friend from a dealership and drop him off at his house, come to work on time or just a few minutes late.

Here’s what actually happened.

Last night I showered and blow-dried my hair. I was then going to straighten my hair, but the fucking straighner wouldn’t turn on. This had happened once before and I thought I had to buy a new one, but then it started working again. Apparently it, is, in fact, time to buy a new one. I now must decide if I want to keep buying an inexpensive one ($30), that works really well, but needs to be replaced about once a year or risk getting an expensive one that still might die after a year.

I didn’t feel like going to CVS at 1:30 AM and I didn’t think I’d have time in the morning either. Luckily, Whit is still in school and would be awake around the time I’d need to straighten my hair so I her a message on AIM. I hadn’t heard from her around 7:10, and started to wonder if she was not going to check her computer before school. Well, I decided to try mine again and this time it turned on. I figured it might go off again, so I just started with the top layer of hair (instead of the bottom like usual). Well, as I was doing this Whit told me to come get hers. Good thing I did because mine died again. Hers worked great and my morning was back on track.

I got to the dealership around 7:30 and my friend was in line waiting for the place to open. As I was waiting, I had a chance to put on my make-up. He came out just as I was finishing. The traffic was not too bad because it was still pretty early. As I’m pulling into his driveway, he starts feeling around his pockets and says, “Oh Shit.” Yep, no house keys. He left them in his glove compartment. I had to drive all the way back to the dealership and then all the way back to his house, this time with more traffic and school zones.

As I’m driving to work, some moron starts to pull out perpendicular to me. I had to swerve into the other lane to keep from slamming into her.

Then I finally got to my exit and it was completely backed up. At the exit I use, you can either go right or left. I go left because it’s quicker. There is technically only one lane, but most people usually just ride the shoulder because it’s so large. I could not do this today because of the 15 trucks (ok, it was more like three, but still a pain in the ass) that were to left side of the lane).

So I finally got to work and had to deal with that drama. The worst part about this whole fucking thing is that it’s not even Friday yet. This has been the longest fucking week ever.

Beer

I discovered two things last night both involving beer:

1) Bonging beer is awesome.

2) Impairment really does begin with the first drink.

Explanations:

1) I was always afraid to try bonging a beer before because I didn't think I could do, and I'd end up wasting a beer by spilling it all over me. Well, last night since I was just with two good friends, I decided to try it. I could do it and it was awesome. I've never been able to chug beer and the only way I'd get drunk fast was flip cup. The best part was how fast it hit me. Which brings me to my next point...

2) So yes, I've always believed that impairment begins with the first drink and I won't drive after drinking, but I've never actually experienced it...until playing Guitar Hero. Not surprising, I wasn't very good at the game at first, but after bonging a beer, I was terrible. Now, after playing it for hours, I think I'm addicted.