My Maniacal Mind

Updates on my future husband (devising my plan)

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:52:30 PST

Stay tuned for part 3. . . .

My future husband

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:48:09 PST

Raw and unedited. . .

Can somebody tell me.....

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:50:13 PST

How to properly and professionally tell someone to kiss your ass?

I would love to have an open forum discussion. Leave your comments below:

Adventures on MARTA

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 09:34:21 PST

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I've had a huge change in my life that has resulted in me using public transportation.

Before you freak out, the change was a positive one. In the spirit of humility, I decided to welcome all changes this big change brought fourth, and that includes riding MARTA or for those of you who aren't familiar with Atlanta or Outkast music, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

A typical day at the North Avenue Station

Well, riding the train has been no picnic. Don't get me wrong, I haven't been thrown up on, stabbed, mugged or assaulted yet........

And getting up early and relying on a schedule that has a reputation for being semi-unreliable is hell.

Let me regale you in a few stories that shall help non-Atlantans understand the trials and tribulations of our public transportation system.

January 3rd, 2012:
So I am waiting on the platform to go home and I coming off the train is a man in a wheel chair and two drag queens. It looks like the dude in the wheelchair is hauling ass to get off the train and away from the queens. Whelp....his efforts were in vain because a few feet later the quick and nimble queens overwhelmed the wheelchair bound man and proceeded to engage in fracas. Yes, they kicked his ass.

What is more puzzling perhaps, is the fact that nobody seemed to care or take action. Not pictured are the other passengers on the platform and none of then even seemed to bat an eye that a helpless man in a wheelchair was getting his ass bitch-slapped around by two drag queens. What has this world come to?

And I felt somewhat perplexed about my situation; should I have stepped in to possibly help this man and risked getting my own ass kicked by the drag queens, or should I have done what everyone else did and kept my nose and eyes to myself?

The jacked up part, ladies and gentlemen, is that shit like this happens all of the damned time on the MARTA. Public transportation is like an apartment complex; crazy stuff happens, but it gets real interesting during the summer...so just stay tuned for more craziness from the MARTA platform.

Stay Tuned...

~Addy-A

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:49:07 PST

I am trying to find the Christmas Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:04:35 PST

I may just find try he Christmas spirit after all!

I've been pretty sick the pass few weeks and thanks to a huge lack of insurance and no money I haven't been able to go tithe doctor. Luckily I have some type of lingering congestion so hopefully some rest, TLC, and Robitusssin will clear it up! Like Chris Rock says, "ain't no fussin with the tussin!l

I have been debating on whether or not I should decorate for Christmas this year. This decision has less to do with my current financial and physical situation than it does with a conversation I had with myself last year.

I started feeling the Yule-Time burn out December 2nd last year. The Christmas trees (I have 3 pink trees) had only been up for 3 days and I was ready for everything to come down an for my life to return to normal. Even the year before that, I felt more pleasure taking the trees down than I had putting them up. That I when I knew I needed to be realistic and truly evaluate whether or not to give myself a break this year. I love Christmas time and the last thing I ever want to do is burn myself out so I end up hating Christmas! How tragic would that be?

This year I heeded my own advice and had the conversation. I also reached out to my best friend and her mother who are avid Christmas decorators and got the advice I needed. If and only if I felt the desire would I decorate this year.

Have I had the energy? Hell no!
Have I felt the spirit? Hell no!
Have I purchased tons of expensive presents? Hell no!

But what happened was, I finally found a small burst of energy and put up one of my small trees instead of my late tree in my living room. It was a great compromise; I didnt allow myself to get consumed in the negative forces and still found for to celebrate Christmas and the NUMEROUS blessings god has bestowed upon me and I also did not force myself to decorate knowing I didn't have the mental and physical energy.

Look at my poor little Charlie Brown tree!

It's most Christmas, y'all!
-A very merry Christmassy Addy-A

Quickie

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:50:42 PST

Good manners never goes out of style!

Christmas time is here!

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:02:17 PST

Put my head on the Grinch's body and this will be my theme song.

I have not decorated.

I have not put up any of my 3 Christmas trees.

I have not cleaned my house.

I have not purchased presents.

I have not given a damn.

Ow well....hopefully I will get into the Christmas spirit soon.

Quickie

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:19:43 PST

Dear Kia Autmomtive,

I hate your hamster commercials. I hate the entire campaign. Let me briefly tell you why.

Number one I find the ads racist. I understand white-brow upper management correlate urban with cool, however, not everything urban is cool. You are attempting to use generic hamsters to represent youth culture. Based on their dialect, style and appearance it is safe to say they are Black, Hispanic or Latin inner-city youth. How racist! As a blird (black nerd) I'm highly offended that you group all minority culture into one sub group. Screw you!

Number 2 I think a hamster is a poor choice of animal. I am assuming you think that everyone in America finds hamsters cute and cuddly. That would be true if hamsters didn't closely resemble rats and if the rats in your commercials didn't resemble over-weight thugs with fur.

I really hate when they dance; their lower fat pouch (or Panus) rolls around in circles and it makes me physically ill to look at it.

I hate that they wear timbs; inner-city youth no longer wear Timberland boots (which also proves how out of touch you are). You would have gotten more street cred if they wore Nike Air Force Ones.

Because of your ads I will never buy a Kia. Like, ever!

I'm off to finish my final exams. See, as a marketing, PR, and advertising student I make a mochery of crappy advertisements like yours.

Sincerely a very Scholastic,

Addy-A

I've been interviewed!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:35:26 PST

If you've checked out my Twitter, you are aware that I'm a huge supporter of my friend Elisa's memoir, The Golden Sky.

She was awesome enough to interview me a few days ago; not only did she read my answers, she actually posted them on her website! WOW!

Check out my interview!!!

Television Shows I Used to Hate but now I Love pt. 3

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:36:14 PST

This is my third and possible final entry in this series discussing television shows I truly used to hate but now after giving them a chance I now love.

Check out parts 1 and 2 of this series.

For my final edition I have chosen the show that exemplifies how I go from hate to love affair with certain shows.

I used to hate Storage Wars!

I remember when the previews came on for it a year or so ago and I immediately thought, "just what we need, another stupid-assed reality show! And who gives a crap about storage units? geesh!"

What's changed? My mom asked me a few months ago had I ever watched it. I told her hell no and gave her the 15 reasons why I had never watched it.

She said, "Adj, I really think you'd like it. I know you and I think this is right up your alley. Trust me, you will become obsessed with the characters and waiting to see how much money they will win or lose."

I can't tell you what made me eventually stop to watch it; whether it was my mom forcing me to when I was at her house or whether I did it on my own fruition, but I did and now I'm obsessed!!!

My mom was right about the characters. I get so caught up in them! I love Darryl and Brandon Sheets; I need to learn the essence of shit-talking from them! Brandi and Jarrod's relationship reminds me of why you should never marry your business partner! They are so real; how she bickers at him and how he ignores her is very reminiscent of some personal relationships I observe.

I love, love, love Barry Weiss! I want to be like Barry when I grow up; an old rich-bitch with money to blow! I swear, I think Barry has lost like 30K since the show has started.

Barry Weiss: Coolest Cat on TV!

I hate to use the word "hate" it has such a negative connotation and I believe it blocks blessings. I must say, however, that I STRONGLY DISLIKE Dave Hester.

That dude seriously makes my skin crawl. I understand having to come from rags to riches and working your ass off to be where you are in life, but come the heck on, dude! Nobody should be that smug! I swear, he makes punk-bitch-assed P. Diddy look like a school girl.

Every time he yells "Yuuuupppp!" a little piece of my soul diess.

So that's it. My mom was right. I'm in love with this show. I wish Netflix would upload season 2 in the instant queue! I'm dying here!

Happy TV!

~Addy-A

Turrrkkeeeyyyyyy

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:33:30 PST

I'm thankful for everything in life, good or bad simply because I'm alive to experience it.

I'm thankful that I've been surrounded by my family this year. Thank you all.

I'm thankful for old, new, and lost friendships.

Honestly, I'm just thankful.

Humbled be thy name...

Quickie

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:37:26 PST

So. . . the Goodwill in my neighborhood has a bin full of gently-used bath and body works products. Yes, gently-used meaning somebody bought something, sprayed, squirted, or lotioned up with it twice, and decided to donate it.

With me being on a new-found budget (God bless being unemployed) I went for a dive. Its a pretty sweet deal; 3 full-sized items in a zip lock bag for $3.99. I went for the Vanilla wood scent; I have never smelled it before and I figured for the price I couldn't go wrong. Ow joy!

Here's the issue with this situation-- you cannot smell the item before you buy it. Because it's zip-locked and taped closed, the Goodwill employees frown upon you opening the bags and spraying for scent all willy-nilly.

Today I broke out my new found scents. After 30-minutes the fragrance was enticing. After 2 hours the scent left a lot to be desired. After 4 hours I'm about to strangle.

Lesson: Never buy gently-used Bath and Body Works fragrances from the Goodwill UNLESS you are previously familiar with the scent.

PEEEEEUUWWWEEEEEEE

I can't stand the way I smell! 11/17/2011

My Monk-like Phobias (cuz its a jungle out there!)

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:53:18 PST

I'm telling you, Monk wasn't crazy; he had the world well figured out!

I've been in hospitals more the past year and a half than I have ever been in my entire life! Between my mom's cancer, my sister having another kid, my close friend having another kid, and my dad getting shot in the ass at work (yup, true story) I've been in the hospital 9 times this year! Ow, and that doesn't count my own illnesses.... *Shrug*

Today was another hospital visit for moms; it wasn't bad, she just had another post-breast cancer reconstructive surgery. Every damned time I go to the hospital I'm reminded of how bad my germaphobia is! I wish I could wear a bubble suit when I go so I can just keep my cooties to myself.

Today however, I decided to make a game of it! While I was sitting in the surgery waiting room at 6:49 AM, I decided to list all of my phobias!

Making the list was pretty easy; I had lots of inspiration!

Everyone around me seemed to lack manners and basic common sense in subjects like; covering their mouths when the sneezed or coughed, not yelling into their cell phones, not picking their noses (adults), passing stinky gas, passing loud gas, passing stinky-loud gas (wait, that one was my fault), belching, asking stupid questions, discarding half-drinken coffee cups, and so on, and so fourth.

Okay, so hearing the noises and smelling the odors and just taking in everything around me helped me realize some of my biggest fears.

I'm afraid of:

Snakes
Germs
Rats
Children over the age of 7 (don't ask)
Spit puddles and the act of spitting
Snot
Worms (they're like, little snakes)
Cottage cheese
Ghouls, Hobgoblins, and or Zombies
Crust (not just bread crust, but ALL crusts of ALL kinds)
Orange peels
Oranges
The brown spots on bananas
Amusement park characters (as in the people dressed up as Mickey Mouse or Minnie and whatnot)
Escalators
Confined areas
Confined areas with germy people
Open areas
Open areas with stupid people lingering about
Metal detectors
Toe nail clippings (I gave my niece a stern lecture about this topic last weekend)
Golden Retrievers (another 'don't ask')
Dreadlocks
White-boy fros
Hydrangeas
Police stations (for obvious reasons)
Buttermilk
Squeaky shoes
Yeast
Toothpicks

I'm leaving out a lot....but I think you're starting to get the picture. I've also concluded most of my phobias are linked to things children do or like, and this is probably a big reason why I do not have children.....yet.

This has been a wonderful trip down the road of self-analysis, and I thank you for taking this trip with me!

Take care and stay safe, y'all!

~A phobic Addy-A

Greetings from Lay-off land (day 3)

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:18:45 PST

Things I did today:

Wake up early
Watched TV
Sent resumes to friends who have "connections"
Contacted recruiters
Cooked breakfast
Attempted to take a nap (part 1)
Folded Laundry
Went to Doctor
Visited Sister at her job
Drove around
Went "Goodwilling"
Did phone interview
Drove Home
Ate a late lunch
Watch General Hospital
Started Homework (attempt 1)
Talked to friend on instant message
Washed dishes
Attempted to take nap (part 2)
Resumed homework (attempt 2)
Sent out mass text message
Scraped up loose change
Ordered pizza
Attempted to take nap (part 3)
Ate pizza
Took a long bath
Resumed homework (part 3)
Watched Pawn Stars
Ate more Pizza
Submitted homework assignment (final attempt)
Turned off light
Pulled covers over head
Went to sleep

You want to take a bet to see how long I can go before I die of boredom?

Enjoy your Tuesday, Y'all!

~Love a gamefully unemployed and slightly bitter
Addy-A

"Adrianism" of the day: Word

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:44:05 PST

I was chatting with a friend about working in the restaurant business and I said, “yeah but you can make stupid money”

Her eyes crossed.

“Ow” she said, “I thought you would have the potential to make great money! I guess I was wrong.”

And that’s when it hit me; I probably should start using terminology relevant to the 21^st century.

I meant stupid as a term meaning, great, plentiful, and unimaginable. Then I had to think yeah, people have used the term “stupid” in like 25 years!

I now realize why it’s hard to converse with people; I have my own set of idioms that just aren’t used in the modern world. My mentor calls them "Adrianisms."

Adrianisms; words that have probably been excluded from the English language for years that I bring back in attempts to start new trends or sound cooler than I actually am.

For example, one of my favorite Adrianisms is" word."

Word can be used in a variety of situations! Word can be used to end a conversation, argument, or as a salutation:

Suzie: "Talk to you later, Adrian. "

Me: "Word"

Becky: "Go to HELL!"

Ricky: "WORD!"

Letter to his classmates: John, “To all of you I say farewell. Word-Out”

Word can also be used for affirmation:

Beth: "Is this dress okay with you?"

John: "Word"

Word can be used as a term of endearment:

Meagan: "I love you, Roger"

Roger: "Word."

Word can be used in agreement:

Carrie: “Wasn’t that a bitchin’ stunt?”

Michelle: “Word!!!!”

And so on, and so fourth. What other ways do you use the term WORD?

Stay tuned next week when we discuss the term “Stupid.”

Good weekend and happy verbiage!

~Addy-A

This week’s “Old-School Lingo” is brought to you by the letters W-O-R-D

Greetings from lay-off land!

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:37:57 PST

This morning ended my 7-year tenure with my employer. Such a shame; getting laid off before the holidays isn't much fun.

More details to come later but for now, enjoy a tune.

I know YOU are, but what am I?

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:17:24 PST

A conversation with my sister last week prompted some serious-assed self analysis.

This is how I feel right now

My sister asks me, "Who are you?"

Dude like seriously, who the HELL can honestly answer that question.

See what prompted this conversation is this wretched economy and the average person's fight to stay ahead. I wish I could be lazy and just accept when bad crap happens to me, but it's just not in my DNA. I'm a fighter by nature, a hard worker who fights to the death just to survive.

I've been sending out pitch letters and resumes lately without much success so I had my very critical, "everything my little sister does sucks" sister review my work for some well, ~~humiliation~~ critique. She noticed something that is problematic:

"You're trying to sell yourself to somebody; convince somebody to take an interest in you but YOU are not defining who YOU are." she tells me.

Silence.

Who am I? Good question, Big sis

Well, I think to myself, I'm a goofball, comedian (I use that term loosely), quirky, socially-awkward, sweaty, early pubescent, giving, nurturing, easily-excitable, often demanding, piss-poor philanthropist.

"Remember, when you sell yourself to people you need to sell your skills and those skills helps determine who you are." she advises.

Do I have any skills?

Thinking....thinking.....well,

No! None. Zilch, zero, nada. Nothing.

I mean come on; at least Pedro could build a cake and Napoleon could draw Ligers, and Deb had her lanyards and Glamour Shots! I have nothing.

I think a bit longer......

More silence.

Pondering her question reminded me of something that is in the back of my head and has been there for years: I'm just not that special. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this to evoke sympathy, I'm just very honest and honestly, I don't have many skills or attributes that sets me apart.

I think that's why my blog is named "Quasi-retarded, Semi-Domesticated"

"Well, you better figure it out soon!" - says my sister. "Loser or not, if you don't define yourself you're going to be left behind. Even losers are clearly defined as being LOSERS!"

My sister always has a way of breaking things down for me so I can understand.

(End) Daylight Savings Time!

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:09:51 PST

Celebrating 10,000 blog views!

I love this time of year! We get an extra hour of sleep and our bodies get to adjust to cooler weather and an additional hour of sleep!

I've had really bad writer's block lately; a combination of stressful living and trying to pull things together has rendered me speechless. Plus, I've been writing so much for school and work by the time I get to write for myself, I'm just drained of all creativity and functionality.

While keeping up with Twitter today (I bet you thought I was going to say, 'The Kardashian's...BLEKK) I've enjoyed seeing and reading what everyone has been doing with their additional hour. I decided I would show you what constructive things I've done with my added hour!

*Plus it keeps me from having to actually write*

I got caught up on some homework!

The past 3 weeks of class have been hell! I'm trying to play catch up since I was sick the first two weeks. Not to mention I'm intimidated by everyone in my class so that's giving me a case of the "I just don't give a damns"

9:02AM EST
I love Instagram! Made such a boring picture interesting

I cleaned my grout!

Cleaning tip: hydrogen peroxide! Let is set for 15-20 minutes
then scrub away! Great stress reliever.

Don't judge; this has been on my to-do list for MONTHS! (that is a brand-new UNUSED toothbrush)

I gave myself a facial!

Clean skin always makes me happy!

Step 1: Exfoliate

Homemade exfoliator: Sugar, lemon juice, honey

Apply with a cotton ball or pad

scrub and let set for 60 seconds

Step 2

Steam your face for 20 minutes:

I have one of these nifty Conair steamers so it's pretty awesome!

Step 3

Add face gunk! Tonight, I'm using a mint julep mask because my skin has been very oily.

Hotness Personified!

Let's see, what else did I do (that I was able to catch on camera)

I did some arts and crafts!

I bought a plain bulletin board from the Dollar Tree (best store ever) and I covered it with contact paper.

Now I must say, spray adhesive is a bitch! To this day I still can't manage to keep my spray contained and I spent 45-minutes wiping my counters down with alcohol, acetone, and lemon juice *repeat*

Supplies: Cute paper, board, and spray adhesive (or hot glue)

Finished product (and stick fingers and counter)

Other things I did today:

I did laundry (not pictured)

I put gas in my car (really not pictured)

I cooked dinner (I am debating on taking a picture)

I did More homework (yeah, definitely not pictured)

It's now 9:06 PM and it's been 12 hours since I took the first picture.

It's interesting and exhausting to catch your life in motion!

Happy end of daylight savings time!

~Addy A

Best Beauty Blogs!

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:00:04 PDT

I often get asked how I keep up with my beauty remedies and health trends? Well, I would love to take all of the credit for it but I can't. I follow some of the best beauty bloggers and websites!

I follow a variety of make up, health, style, and fashion blogs. I remember doing a search for blogs on beauty and came up with a HUGE list! It was a bit overwhelming trying to sort through them, but what I found worked best for me was suggestions from twitter. I would get follow requests and would follow people and in return that's how I was able to find the best beauty blogs.

I'm such a fan of these bloggers and if you love health and beauty I think you will enjoy their work. Just like my personality, the blogs I follow are very culturally diverse and offer advise that helps everyone! I think the best beauty comes from sharing kick-ass tips to people trying to be beautiful in their own terms, and on a mad BUDGET! (damn you, recession)

Without further a due, here are some fantastic #beautybloggers!

Beautiful Makeup Search!
Afrobella!
Beautylish!

Lizza at Strawberri Curls!
Organic and Natural Beauty!
The Curvy Fashionista!

Enjoy! If you subscribe to a beauty blog, please share!

~Addy-A

Me doing a bright up Nano eye mask treatment. I call this picture, "Sleeping Scary"

Happy Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:13:11 PDT

Origins: According to this History Channel, (because we all know that's my primary source for history) Halloween originated ," with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts."

Somehow, we stupid humans have morphed this tradition into a day for adults to dress up like kids and for trampy women to dress tramiper! (see exhibit A)

Exhibit A:

People wear this for Halloween? I thought this was a Fredrick's of Hollywood Ad

As I spent a weekend filled with taking my kids trick-o-treating in the mall and making Halloween treats, I remember that at one point in time this used to be my second- favorite holiday! I think now I'm just consumed in adulthood and taking the time and creativity to create cute costumes and buying candy just doesn't fit in my current lifestyle anymore. I'm just too tired! Sucks, because I really like the festivities surrounding the holiday.

I'm not going to lie, I trick-or-treated my freshmen year of college. Damn, I miss my roommates!

Okay, now that I've taken this trip down Alzheimers lane (no offense to my dementia readers), I think I'm starting to formulate a point to this post....SCARY HALLOWEEN STUFF!

*as if a college freshmen trick-or-treating wasn't terrifying enough**

Halloween used to be creepy and scary! A night filled with ghouls, hobgoblins, tall dudes with chainsaws, and mummies. AND.....starting the beginning of October channels like TMC and A&E would play scary movies! Bomb-assed flicks like Carrie, the Friday the 13th Series, Jason, Amityville Horror, Cujo; real scary shit that kept you up all night (umm, from watching not from fear).

Now...we get nothing. Some bastard little kids come to your door an demand candy then they walk away. Hell, they don't even try with costumes anymore! They just throw on a trench coat and a plastic bag and call it a day.

Now, I don't mean to generalize all Halloween cherubs, some of them are so cute! I applaud the parents and the kids who go out of the way to create awesome costumes!

Wait, I got sidetracked again! I was supposed to be talking about scary things!

I have been trying to tell you about my childhood fears.

Well, as a child I was scared of everything....LITERALLY! The vacuum cleaner, sheets, the toilet, the washing machine, my mom's car, everything! But there was one thing that scared me to no end, and that was Thriller!

Yes Thriller, the music video.

I would hide under this big blue chair every time my sister's watched it. And seeing as I'm an 80's child, and my sisters were hue MJ fans, I was scared a lot. I used to leave little pee puddles throughout the house because I'd get so scared I'd wet myself.

Well, you grow up and move on and can I tell you something? Thriller still scares the shit out of me.

There, I admitted it. I'm not ashamed. I want your punk ass to admit what you're afraid of!!!

Happy Halloween, Y'all!

Love a very scared, Addy-A

Breast Cancer Awareness

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:18:54 PDT

Sadly, tomorrow is the last day of breast cancer awareness month. It has been a long month but a good one! I love seeing the pink ribbons in grocery stores, the NFL and college players wearing pink, high schools participating in walks and fundraising events, and most importantly, all of the countless volunteers who sacrifice their time to help all of the foundations spread awareness.

That is the key term, awareness! Money is fantastic; it helps fund research for new-age medications, alternative treatments, and the ultimate goal of finding a cure. Money also does something that is arguably more important than research, it helps to fund mammograms and treatment for women who do not have the money or adequate insurance to fight the disease. A mammogram (radiology) is $3000. Additionally disturbing news, one round of chemotherapy costs in the range of $7,000-20,000! That's a sobering fact.

I'm not going to spend the remainder of this blog filling you with facts! What I will do is provide some links at the end of this blog where you can learn more information if you have any questions. Also, feel free to e-mail me if you have a more specific question and I can guide you in the right direction.

I just want to thank everyone again for all of their efforts to promote awareness of the "good fight" as I like to call it. I don't think you understand what your contribution means! Even if you just purchased a $1 ribbon, .075 cents went towards research and that money adds up.

But where the immeasurable value comes is the support you've given to a family member or a woman fighting breast cancer! Seeing hundreds of pink ribbons on on a wall makes you feel loved and supported, and women fighting breast cancer need all the love and support we can give. If you don't believe me, ask my mom! Or your mother, or grandmother, or aunt, sister, cousin, next door neighbor, co-worker, doctor, nurse, teacher, mail deliverer, flight attendant, police officer, judge, ow...this list could get long.

Thank you guys again! And to the women and men fighting breast cancer, Keep fighting the good fight! I love you all!

List of Breast Cancer information sites:
http://www.checkyourboobies.org/
http://ww5.komen.org/uploadedFiles/Content_Binaries/806-316a.pdf
http://www.nccn.org/index.asp

How to be a rock star!

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:35:46 PDT

Now, this is how you do it! Glam it up, live it up, RAWK IT OUT!

Picture courtesy of Mac Cosmetics.

This is why Miss Piggy has and will always be my idol (minus her emasculating Kermit and the whole narcissism issue)!

Have a good Halloween weekend everyone!

~Addy-A

My Facebook Page

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:32:19 PDT

So....

I need you to do me a favor..... :-)

I took the advice of a friend and I created a Facebook page for this crappy blog. If you would ever be so kind, do you mind going by and um....clicking "like"? I think the Facebook page will be a great way to keep up with recent blog posts and to get to know me and followers a little better. You can also drop by and plug your own blog so other's can check out your work as well. See, a win-win for everyone!

Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/maniacalmind

Remember, click like...okay???

Much love,

~Addy-A

Nutra Nail product review

noreply@blogger.com (MyManiacalMind) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:35:47 PDT

My acrylic-free nails: 06/15/2011

When I made the decision to stop wearing acrylic nails I knew I was going to be faced with a major dilemma: how to adapt to a life with brittle nails?

False nails gave me a false bravado! The super hard acrylic made me feel invincible! I would open soda cans without flinching, I would use my nails to pry open things that should be pried open with metal objects; I just thought I could do it all! Then reality hit…

I took them off.

The moment my paper-thin (what’s thinner than paper? I’m sure that’s what my nails were) nails left the nail shop after a 45-minute acetone soak I knew I was in for trouble. Even though it was liberating no longer be a slave to vanity and pretty hands, I also realized at the precise moment I went to open the car door and my thumb nail bent back why I wore acrylic nails; I have super thin nails! Blame genetics for the reason why I have thin nails. And we all know there’s nothing you can do about genetics. Well shit!

Now what do I do? I did not want to go back to acrylic nails but my nails just aren’t strong. That in addition to I’m super hard on my hands makes trying to grow strong nails a nightmare!

A friend at work suggested that I use Shea Butter or lotion on my nails 6 times a day. Wow, that seems a bit excessive, but it’s proven that keeping your nails moisturized helps prevent breakage and helps strengthen them. I also tested a few nail products to compliment my natural remedy.

**I’m going to preface this by saying I’m not endorsed by Nutra Nail products. This is just an honest opinion of what I have experienced from their products. **

First Product:

Nutra Nail Growth Formula

Application/Usage: 4.5 Stars

I have to say, a little goes a long way! Directions are pretty simple: apply a thin coat on top bare nails up to 4 times daily. Simple, right? I have used this on top of bare nails as well as nail polish and I must say, it does turn your nail polish a bit because of the ingredients. So bare nails is best! I have the bottle at work and I apply a coat every time I come back from the rest room or just when I’m bored. It dries farily fast and dissolves into your nails so it doesn’t leave any reside behind.

Effectiveness: 4.5 Stars

Again, results will vary, but I can say it does kind of…stimulate nail growth. Remember, I said nail growth, not strength. There is a difference! Nails typically grow 0.0008 an inch per day. Mine grow about half that rate. This formula helps to keep my nails true to the statistic and when I have a pretty severe break, it helps to get that nail to stop being stubborn and grow back!

Price: 4.8 Stars

This product is one of the more inexpensive products from Nutra Nail. It averages $3.00 a bottle and again, a little goes a long way. I’ve had mine for over 5 months and I’m finally half-way through. To me, its very worth the money.

Overall: 13.8 out of 15 = 92% Overall, not a bad investment!

Second Product:

Nutra Nail Mneral Collection Rock Hardner

Application/Usage: 4.6 Stars

It is like a top coat and can be used as a base or top coat. One coat is sufficient so a bottle lasts for a long time.

Effectiveness: 5.0 stars

Wow! This is shiny like a top coat. I have to say, this stuff made my nails about 3 times stronger! You will have to remove and reapply ever 3-5 days for maximum strength.

Price: 4.2 Stars

It can average up to $6 a bottle, so it is one of the more expensive items in their product line.

Overall: 13.8 out of 15 = 92%, another good investment!

I can say using these products in conjunction with the afromentioned shea butter or lotion treatment has helped turn my nails around.

Do you have any good manicure remedies? Please share them if you do. I love to learn new things!

Happy manicures, everyone!

~Addy-A