dominos pizza on superbowl sunday

This makes me want to work for dominos pizza. In their IT department. Just so that I can spend superbowl sunday in an IT “war room” maintaining their website!!

Hey, do you suppose they get free pizza on superbowl sunday while they are maintaining that website? That would make it even more awesome. Somehow that seems appropriate- 55 IT specialists, a darkened room full of computers, and plenty of cheesy goodness.

productivity solutions

Speaking as someone who works on my computer A LOT, I can definitely see the benefits of using some of these apps! Sometimes, you just need that extra push to focus on what you need to do!

Of course, I suppose it helps that I have discovered that my computer problem only requires an inexpensive cord replacement.

Ironically, I’ve spent the past couple of days fighting a cold. It’s been a strange cold- not a bad cold, just enough to make me feel sick. I’ve gone from nasal congestion to laryngitis to ache-y-ness to a cough, and now I’m back at nasal congestion with an added sneeze.

Although this isn’t a *bad* cold, I’m definitely fighting something, and it’s leaving me exhausted. TGIF- I’m ready for a good night’s sleep!

I’m not a “diet” person- as in, change the way you eat for one month and lose weight. I’m always on a quest to eat more fruits and vegetables, eat fewer sweets, and so on, but to me those are long term permanent changes in my diet. I absolutely do not understand people who will go on strange long-term diets with the express purpose of losing a few pounds. I’m talking about the people who are already at or near a healthy weight and just want to lose an extra five pounds, not the ones who are severely obese and regaining their health. The people who go on those crazy diets are the ones who spend their days lounging on Brazilian beaches, swearing by the effectiveness of “dieta atkins” or “dieta mediterranea” or “dieta Fricker“. If you ask me, those people are just nuts. Healthy eating, lots of fruits and vegetables- that is the only solution!

And I admit I don’t totally understand people who DO care- at least the ones who are extreme. You know, the ones who will schedule their lives around the games, and even bet on football games or baseball games- to me, that’s just nuts! Though I guess when you think about how the stock market has been lately, it’s not much safer than sports betting. Still not something I would do, though!

It is amazing how much technology has changed her classroom in just the past few years. Her school building isn’t that old, but it is already not quite laid out right for all the computers and technology items littering the walls. Plus, understandably, she’d like to keep some of the bulletin boards and such, with information that doesn’t change as frequently. But nowadays it looks like there is just not enough room for her smartboard, her computers, her chalkboard, AND her enclosed cork bulletin boards and enclosed fabric bulletin boards.

Of course, it also makes me glad that I am not a teacher… I could have gone down that career path, and I actually have a degree in education, but I fight the system too much. Plus I have no desire to maintain enclosed bulletin boards, among other things.

Tomorrow I will take it to a local computer repair place, PC and Cellular Repair, and I’m praying that they will be able to fix it! Honestly I’m reasonably confident that they will be able to repair it, and I’m so relieved by that- they charge a reasonable rate, and it will hopefully be way cheaper than buying a new computer. I’ve done business with them before, and I’ve been very satisfied with their work. If only I had bricks and bricks of gold bullion laying around, with which I could buy new computers at will! But of course life is not like that… and thankfully there are always quality computer repair people who charge a reasonable price!

See, I have many skills. It’s like, I know a little bit about a lot of things, although I don’t have an in depth knowledge about many things. The routes I’ve pursued- namely, writing- have been successful. When I took art classes, I was good, and had I chosen to pursue that, I am quite confident I could have developed those skills and succeeded in that area. When I took math and science classes, I was good, and had I not had that car accident, I quite possibly could have succeeded in that area. When I took Spanish classes, I was good, and again, had I not had that car accident, I quite possibly could have succeeded in that area.

My point is, I’ve dipped my toe in a lot of different things, so to speak. Some of them I’ve enjoyed and pursued. Most of them, I have not pursued beyond a very basic level. Lack of time and interest has prevented me from pursuing these fields to a more in-depth level.

When I was in college, I purchased a guitar and spent a couple of years teaching myself to play. I won’t pretend that I was any kind of superstar, but I was okay. Two weeks ago, though, I sold that guitar and said goodbye to my dreams of musical superstardom.

I was sorry to see it go, but I just didn’t have the time to devote to advancing my musical skills. It was a great instrument- a Fender, nothing remarkable but perfect for a beginner or hobbyist. I sold it with all the accessories I’d gathered- a guitar case, an extra set of guitar strings, several guitar picks, and so on. Maybe someday in the future, I will have more time and I will be able to pursue this interest, but not today.

With sufficient time, I think just about anyone can develop just about any skill. It’s just too bad that there aren’t more hours in the day, ya know? Can you imagine how incredible the world would be if we all could excel to our fullest potential?

2) List your top three favorite TV shows.
Hm. Truthfully there’s just not a lot on TV right now that I really enjoy. I love watching documentaries, and lately I’ve been watching American Experience and Nova on PBS. As a writer, I sometimes watch hour-long dramas like Bones, House, CSI, or Law & Order for inspiration. I think the Big Bang Theory is pretty funny and I enjoy reruns of that. Otherwise, I can’t let a day go by without as many news programs as I can get!

3) Would you rather be in pictures or take them?
I’d rather be taking them. I enjoy taking photos, and besides, I don’t consider myself to be very photogenic!

4) Why do you blog?
I started blogging at my sister’s encouragement. I’ve always been a writer at heart, and blogging gives me an outlet to practice and refine my skills as a writer. Several years ago, it also became a way to support myself, financially.

5) Share five websites that you visit regularly.
I almost always have tabs open for Meebo, Facebook, Google Reader, and two or three of my websites! (Yes, I am a tab junkie. It’s an addiction.)

6) If you could have lunch with one person from your Twitter list who would it be?
Uhhh… uhhh… I think I’d choose @vansmart_tris, because she has been one of my biggest supporters ever since I’ve started running. She is now fighting breast cancer, and I have no doubt she will beat it, because she is just too strong for it!

7) List a few of your favorite snacks.
I really don’t snack much. If I’m at home, I will grab a piece of fruit- usually an apple or banana. If I’m planning to work at the library, I may grab a cookie or something- it’s not terribly healthy, but it has to be something without juice or crumbs.

8 ) Do you have a pet? If so, what kind?
No. Over the years I’ve owned multiple hamsters and two gerbils, and I’m an “auntie” to my friends’ dog, Sadie.

9) Which three material possessions would you struggle to live without?
My computer, my smartphone, and my running shoes!

10) What’s your favorite drink?
I’m a little embarrassed by this, because I’m trying to drink much less of it, but Diet Cherry Coke (or Cherry Coke Zero- they taste the same) is my weakness.

11) Do you enjoy cooking?
I LOVE it! Several years ago, my mother told me that if I cooked dinner, I wouldn’t have to do the dishes. I also knew that when I cooked dinner, I could guarantee that it was a meal I enjoyed. I wasn’t a fan of doing dishes- I’m still not exactly a fan, but I’ve grown more tolerant of it since then- and ever since then I have loved to experiment and try new recipes. I also love to bake, but that’s a whole other story!

12) Do you have children?
Nope.

13) What are your favorite hobbies?
Writing and exercising, especially running, are the two biggies right now! I also enjoy crocheting and cross stitching, solving crossword puzzles, volunteering at my church, and… that’s all I can think of right now!

14) Would you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing?
My nature is quite outgoing, and I’m sure that most people presume that I am outgoing when they meet me. However, I’m actually quite introverted!!!

15) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?
I am constantly striving to be more assertive and confident, especially in situations where I feel uncomfortable.

16) Who is your favorite actor/actress?
Meh. None.

17) What’s the coolest thing you’ve done this week?
A week ago I put together a movie for my church to use during the “Fabulous Fifth” communion service. I’m quite pleased with how that came together.

18) Do you live near your family or far from them?
Well, I live WITH my parents, but my sister lives in Boston. My extended family is scattered throughout the nation, and I have friends all over the world.

19) List three of your talents.
Writing, learning and teaching myself just about anything, and overcoming crazy ridiculous obstacles.

20) What is your greatest attribute?
My life has been thoroughly atypical, and I’ve experienced many terrible things. It’s been difficult, but it’s strengthened me and taught me resiliency. I have been given an optimism that is totally illogical yet always positive, and every day I am thankful for this gift God has given me.

Of course, we are only treated to the Olympics for a few weeks every couple of years. It would be great if we could see it more often, but there just aren’t enough athletes for that. It’s hard enough to break into the elite level of any sport, and once you’re an elite athlete, you have to train consistently. There’s also just not enough money in sport marketing to support a constant sports festival.

I suppose if I had cable television, I *could* watch sports channels all the time. But I am just too cheap to pay for television!!