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December 10, 2009 In Uncategorized

It Takes A Village

I sometimes delay in getting posts up every single day, but it never means I have a lack of things to write about. I have pages and pages of random notes to self, newspaper articles, saved links in email folders and on and on. Some favorites in my stack of to write-abouts though, are the links friends and followers often send me. 
Here’s a link just in from a friend on how to become a good writer. (We were talking about this last week.) I’m liking #2. Then this one he sent just for a funny. Love it.
Thanks chocolate and fried green tomato buddy. Can’t wait for our shots of tequila. Keep ’em coming!
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December 9, 2009 In Uncategorized

You’re Creeping Me Out Sanny-Clause!

I don’t think it’d take long for any of us to dig up a hilarious kid flaming out with Santa photo. We all have them. Until you find yours, check out Sketchy Santas, a blog chucked full of good ones. I especially love this one. This poor little girl is running for her life as this particular Santa looks on thinking; Mwahh-ahh-ahh….I’ll get you my pretty!

The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without at least 90% of kids completely losing it and breaking out in tears dressed in their finest dresses and sweaters. Can you say photo op?
(I just had to scroll back to that one picture and can’t stop laughing…)
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December 8, 2009 In Uncategorized

My Kind Of Diet

I’m on more of a “live it” than a diet in life. It’s just a whole lot more fun. So I have to run a few more miles, so be it. Here’s a diet I’m a big fan of that I’ve just been reading about for all of you out there who think you can’t have it all! Eating 6 cookies a day as part of the deal? Oh yeah, sign me up. Just throw a salad and a run or two in your week along with a few apples and you’re healthy as all get-out.

Thanks Doc!
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December 5, 2009 In Uncategorized

Hmmm…

It took me months and months after writing here to ever start listing “I write” when people asked what I did or what my hobbies were. I’ve never taken a writing class or thought that I could be a writer. What I have always thought though, is that I have seen so many amazing things, met so many incredible people and had far to many eye-opening adventures in my 31 years not to find a way to share them somehow. Why not just start babbling and hope some super-experienced official writer doesn’t show up someday to rip me a new one about how I am a disgrace to “real” writers everywhere.

As of today- no one has come to rip me a new one yet.
Whew.
And so I babble…

One great lesson I’ve learned in fumbling through my words here is that no one really gives a hoot about me having a vocabulary that could reach the end of the earth or perfect punctuation. People want and like something they can actually relate to. I have had countless; “I can relate Di!” or “Me too!” It’s such a treat because not only does it make me feel like- great, I’m not some crazy freak after all who’s the only one who thinks/feels this, but other people think/feel it too! When I saw Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book; “What The Dog Saw” and this quote of his- I thought it was perfect to share on the subject of relatability:
“Good writing does not succeed or fail on the strength of its ability to persuade. It succeeds or fails on the strength of its ability to engage you, make you think, to give you a glimpse into someone else’s head.”
Some of the best gifts I’ve received in my life are those experiences and people who make me stop and think; think differently and openly. I hope by me struggling to find my strengths, security and voice in my life and in this crazy world, then sharing them here with you- I’ve been able to make you think differently and openly about your life too.
Here’s to things and people that make you stop and think.
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December 4, 2009 In Uncategorized

“Oh Dear, Did I Break Wind?”

We love you Aunt Bethany.

I can’t say I have ever been that person who watches movies over and over and over like some people, but this one? Oh yes. I have watched it twice in the past three days. (Channel flipping for background noise and I just can’t help myself.) I still laugh my a** off through the whole movie. Of course National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will probably play another 58 times before Santy comes, so don’t worry if you haven’t gotten your fix for the 2009 season yet. Just power on your TV and it will be there on just about every channel. I’d argue that this movie rivals all others on the funny. 

Here’s to fruitcakes, full shitters, and family madness. Happy Holidays!
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December 2, 2009 In Uncategorized

Seth And Amy Say It Best

I’m sitting in a coffee shop, which is often my office happily sipping a de-lish morning java and working away. I’m can’t help but watch and listen to this professionally dressed attractive woman babbling and pacing on her cell phone. (Clearly she thinks she’s either at a NASCAR race or surrounded by four of her own walls she’s so loud.) I could care less (actually, I love it) considering this is a prime example of why I’ll always have endless writing material. I’m all about people being able to do whatever the hell they want, when they want, however- as well-dressed and attractive this woman might be, she just looks like a complete obnoxious idiot. She is so “that guy.” As the other people around us are having friendly chats with pals and work meeting with other physically present humans, they are shooting her looks of death. You know- that “Shut up before I smack you lady! I’m trying to relax and talk to someone here!” 

Boy is it entertaining to go in public. I could make a career out of just sitting in coffee shops studying people’s behavior from the hours of 9 and 10am. Talk about writing material. 
Anyway, the point to all this is to see if anyone out there has a clue as to what goes through “that guys” head as he/she is cluelessly disturbing the peace of the other 65 people in a public place. (I’m laughing) All I can think of is the Saturday Night Live Weekend Update; Really?!? With Seth and Amy.
Dear Well-Dressed Lady,
Really?!?
We all can hear every word you’re saying. We now know all of your business. Thanks. I was actually wondering which coworker of yours was pissing you off today and what time your next meeting is. (Yeah- not so much.) Well, I still have to say good for you for having the confidence to think you are so important you can be that disruptive to everyone else in a public place. Intrepid. I love it, I’m just not sure the others her quite appreciate it like I do- but go on with your bad-self. Just don’t be surprised if someone throws their grande skinny peppermint mocha in your face.
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December 1, 2009 In Uncategorized

Sassy Granola Bars

I saw these in a grocery store yesterday. I can’t say I have really been itching to take photos of many boxes of granola bars  in my life (I mean really- how many granola bars are that thrilling) but I thought this one was brilliant.

On the subject of fun; Please tell me- why aren’t more companies branding themselves like this? This is hilarious. I love it, and I hate apple granola bars- but I’d still buy them. Just because. 
The guy who thought this up deserves a raise. 
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November 30, 2009 In Uncategorized

Fun

This is post # 400 for me. 400! Holy moses! I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. 

Ever notice that most of the time adults look like they’re not having a bit fun? I mean- kids have it down pat. They run, they laugh, they play- all without a care in the world about what’s going on around them. Why are kids smarter than us adults? At what point is it so uncool for grown-ups to laugh out loud, run and play or joke with someone that we just stop or give up? 
I was fortunate enough over Thanksgiving weekend to spend time with fun people. I mean really fun, act like idiots, just don’t give a damn what anyone thinks- friends and family. Sitting with my grandparents who are almost 80 years young yesterday morning for breakfast, I was laughing out loud having a blast talking about absolutely nothing important, just loving the moment. All I could think of was, wouldn’t the world be even better with a few more people in it like my happy, smiley, loving, portly grandparents. They’re just doing their thing, not hurting a soul and completely not giving a damn about anything other than enjoying life. 
Genius.
How appropriate that I happened to spot this sign yesterday too.
Lets have some fun people. Act like kids. Or maybe I should say; If you are a fuddy-dutty and don’t want to have fun on a daily basis- please stay away; You’re cramping my giggling, everything is possible and oh you better bet your ass I am going to get it – style. You can go find Debbie Downer, She wants to hang out. I don’t.
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November 29, 2009 In Uncategorized

I’m So Glad I Suck At Reality

I’m going to be that annoying person and keep posting quotes, lines and other babble here from a book that I want to eat I’m so in love with right now; The 4-Hour Workweek. I typically underline words/lines I think are interesting or fantastic as I read. I’ve practically underlined this entire book. Here’s one for you today:

“Does your life have a purpose? Are you contributing anything useful to this world, or just shuffling papers, banging on a keyboard, and coming home to a drunken existence on the weekends?
Yeah, I know. 
Are you suddenly thinking; For the love of god are you really going to make me think about this?! If I do, I might want to make some big changes in my life and god knows shaking things up like that is just “unrealistic”, scary as hell and I might- gasp!- make people think I’m crazy…
Jesus. Thanks Di. 
Ahh…you’re welcome. Isn’t it great? Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just hanging out on this Blue Lollipop Road of life doing things like passing on words from other people so I constantly keep myself in check too. 
There’s another part in the book that the author Timothy Ferriss writes that his high school admissions counselor told him to be more “realistic” to which he concluded he was just not good at reality. Me either Tim! Wahoo for that! I guess neither of us would’ve learned to start contributing anything useful to the world if we’d ever been very realistic. Thank goodness we don’t listen very well to some people either.
Here’s to being unrealistic, asking questions and shaking things up.
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