Maryland Minute - Carrol's Creek Cafe

Of all the places in Maryland, Carrol's Creek Cafe is one of my most favorite.  When I tend to love restaurants, it's usually because the food is stellar.  However, that's not the case with Carrol's Creek.  For a while now, they've had a Sunday Brunch Buffet, full of all sorts of foods, from breakfast staples to seafood specialties.  And the food has always been good, but it's most definitely nothing to write home about. 

A few weeks ago, they announced that people were tiring of the buffet, but still wanted a brunch. So they decided to unveil an a la carte brunch menu, with some of the favorites that were on the buffet along with some new additions.  While the food now is delicious, it's still not amazingly fantastic.  

You see, the best part of Carrol's Creek and the reason I tell everyone to go there when they're visiting from out of town, is the gorgeous view of Annapolis Harbor.  The view from their patio of all the boats in dock, is the very picture of Annapolis.  It's the perfect place to enjoy some coffee (or tea if you're so inclined) and just watch the boats go by.  

Love this place!

Wine in the Wind

Because I'm not a wine drinker, I've never actually been to Boordy Vineyards before. Everyone talks about how wonderful it is, but I never really saw the point of visiting a vineyard, when wine wasn't my thing.  Well, that's now officially changed.  I'm still not a wine drinker, but I agree with everyone else, on Boordy's status - it's beautiful!  

Tonight was the start of their summer concert/picnic series.  For $20 you can bring a picnic dinner and be treated to one free glass of wine as well as a concert.  Tonight's house band was the Dublin5 - an Irish Rock band that was awesome!  You even have access to all of their house wines, the Corner Pantry for yummy food and ice cream from a small batch creamery in the area.  And seeing as it's only May, the weather wasn't ungodly hot - it was absolutely gorgeous!  

I will most definitely go back - if for nothing else, than the people watching.  It turns out if you give people lots of wine and then ask them to dance - there are some quite awesome results!

 Love these clouds!  The one above looks like a heart and the one below looks like angel wings.  Add them to the possible shooting star I saw, and I'm thinking good things are on their way - right?

Friday Five

1. Another Friday, another BarkPost full of more Dog Shaming.  Why these are so funny, I've never quite figured out but they so are!

2. I can't quite figure out how to post something this long so I'm linking the Pin.  I think this will work.  What a super cute way to get girls interested in making things.  And it's cheap to boot! I have to say, if I attempted these works of art, I'm not sure they'd be this awesome. But I know for a fact they wouldn't succeed if I tried them with fabric!  Gotta love a cheap craft!

3. Truth!

4. I saw this the other day and thought it was the cutest quote ever.  Leave it to GISHWHES to be funny and tug a the heartstrings at the same time.

5. I've been dying to see An Act of God on Broadway since it was announced that Jim Parsons was cast as God.  Well it opened last night to glowing reviews!  Woohoo!  Not that I was worried, but I'm super happy that it's as good as I was hoping it would be.  Now to just get tickets...

Oh What a Beautiful Night!

There are a few evenings each year that I'm oh so happy to live in Maryland.  Annapolis Sails always fall on these evenings!  The bay is so beautiful and the weather is perfect!  Love Naptown!

 

Meetings to Discuss Meetings

In theory, meetings are supposed to accomplish things.  People are supposed to come together to discuss a set topic then resolve any issues they've had.  In practice, this is not the case. Companies now have meetings to discuss what's happened at other meetings and what's supposed to happen at future meetings.  It's madness!

All of this is to say, I've been sitting in these meetings all day, and I'm pooped.  My brain is just a wee bit fried and I'm taking the night off.  All stupid meetings breed complete and utter blankness in the blogging brain ; )

I am a Maker

I saw this quote on a scrapbook page on Pinterest today and it sort of stuck with me.  I like that description.  It sort of explains away my weird tendencies of making rather than buying. I am always that person that would much rather dream up my own gift for showers than going off of a pre-determined registry.  I walk around Home Goods, brushing off items that I could "much more easily make" much to most friends' chagrin.

I'd much rather make a cake or dessert than buy it from some store.  I'd much rather make my own salsa than buy bottled.  I make photo albums into little pieces of art rather than just viewing them on my computer.  There's just something about homemade.  

When I try to tell friends about this fact, they don't really get it.  They don't understand why it feels so much better to give someone a gift or card or cake that's made with love, rather than running to the store to get something they may or may not like.  They don't get why I spend so much time at Christmas making cards or gifts for people who may not give the same level of time in return.  

Here's the thing.  I like being that girl.  It gives me a small amount of satisfaction knowing that my gift came from my heart and my own two hands.  I just hope the giftees feel the same level of love and appreciation that I do when I receive something home made.  There's really nothing better!

Thank You!

Memorial Day is not just the start of summer, but it is a day to remember all of those brave men and women that have served over the course of time and those that have given their lives to protect our honor and our rights.

Thank you to all who serve and all who have served!  You truly are heroes and we owe you everything!

View from the Crafter's Couch

This is my current view of the other end of my sofa, on which I've done 100% of my crafting work this weekend.  I have a lovely craft room complete with a desk and space for tools. Yet for some reason, I continue to work on my sofa and lean on my paper cutter for a hard surface.  I have no idea why. All I can think is that there's a TV in the sofa room - of course there's an iPad with Netflix in the office too.  I guess I can't use that as an excuse.  

Honestly, for some unknown reason, I feel more creative in this space.  Maybe it's because I can spread out or maybe it's just because the sofa is comfy : )

#Happiest5K

Another year, another colorific Color Run - this year with 100% more sparkles.  I was skeptical that they'd actually hit us with glitter - after all, that's just asking for someone to get it in their eyes, and sue you.  However, they did and it was way more fun than I thought it would be.  Of course, I kept seeing glints of glitter off of myself in the sun, but I think it was worth it.  

The course in Baltimore was much better than the one in DC too.  A little less organized but less able to break your ankle (as the pot holes, and cracks were in DC) as well.  All in all a fabulous day!  And, we got medals this year! I've never gotten a medal for anything athletic before.  I mean I walked the whole race, and like 5000 people finished before me, and every other person received one too, but that's not the point.  I can finally say I'm a gold medal winner. I mean, I think that puts me on par with Olympians now, right? : )

Before:

After: 

Friday Five

            

1. Batkid Begins - This is what's truly awesome about people some times.  Doing so much for a little boy to make him feel super.  Love this little guy!

2. Unfortunately this is a little too true...Disney Princesses as Thirty-Somethings

3. Because I'm going to Hay on Wye this summer, these photos are perfectly perfect.  However, what makes this village even more perfect, is the "outlawing" of eReaders.  Long Live Books! : )

4. I've already seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway once with Michael C. Hall playing Hedwig.  And I wasn't entirely in love with the production.  Hall was fantastic but the show was strange.  However, with news that Taye Diggs is playing him next, I may just have to see it again.  He's a cutie!

5. I have to say, while I was unsure they'd get the job done - Geek Squad are my heroes this week!  Thank goodness for working laptops!  I never thought I was one of those people who had to have a device on me at all times - but as it turns out I am...

Funny Ha-Ha

Today was one of those cold, dreary, rainy days in Maryland - one of those days when you'd much rather be in bed reading a book than pretty much anything else.  There were 2 things though, that made me laugh out loud and one other thing that made me very happy, on top of a great lunch out, yummy potato soup for dinner and some laughs at work - so I suppose it wasn't all bad.

Happy - If you can't tell already, I got my laptop back.  As my friend Jennifer says - Woop Woop!  It's very exciting and while I didn't have a lot of faith in it actually being fixed (Geek Squad could only tell me there were no viruses.  Apparently there were no notes in the file as to whether the wireless was fixed - which was, you know, the whole reason I took it to get fixed in the first place), it seems like it is. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it keeps on chugging along.  Blogging is way too difficult on an iPad.

Laugh Out Loud 1: I may have been the only person to read this story today but some dude decided to strip down to his birthday suit in an airport because his flight was too full.  I mean, I suppose I've been angry at an airport before, but what exactly does stripping down to your civvies do to help the situation?  I'm assuming it makes it worse because now you're cold AND you're not on an airplane, and I'm sure you now have that whole pesky TSA thing to deal with too.

Laugh Out Loud 2: Has anyone else seen the Hillywood Show?  I discovered it today when everyone was tweeting about their new video.  It's 2 girls that create parody sci-fi and fantasy shows and movies set to music.  It's hard to explain, however, they're super creative and super funny.  These girls have some serious talent!  The Supernatural one came out today, and was scene for scene a perfect match for the entire season - the dancing cameos at the end make for some serious laughs.  After that one, I wanted more so I tried Doctor Who's Time Warp which is also all sorts of perfect.  Love, Love, Love!  

         

          

Still Laptop-less

So because I don't have a laptop, I've spent an inordinate amount of tie on my iPad watching ridiculous things on YouTube. While this video is old, and while I can't embed it on this darn iPad, it's pretty darn funny. Just click the link below to find (talk about ancient technology...)

The Evolution of Dance

However, with any luck, my laptop will be back tomorrow - thank goodness! I don't know how people lived before laptops - how did they Pin anything? : )

I'm Ready to See the...

I have this severe case of wanderlust.  I'd be quite happy if I could just quit my job and see the world.  I realize that doesn't really work out mathematically as, quitting my jobs cuts off the finances to afford seeing the world.  It's quite the mathematical conundrum.  The worst part of this whole traveling desire is that I never really want to go on the cheap.  There are some professional travelers out there that stay at hostels and eat minimally for days on end just to be able to afford huge excursions.  

I don't want to do that.

I'm terrified to stay in a hostel - bugs, shared bathrooms and possible exposure to serial killing vagabonds, are just a few reasons why.  And honestly, if you're not going to splurge on delicious regional cuisine, what's even the point of traveling in the first place?  Also, I like tchotchkes too much.  I like buying little things - jewelry, scrapbooking supplies, books, more books, probably even more books - to help remember the trip.  It's fun to be able to look at a necklace that you bought in Scotland and remember the little store on the High Street you bought it in.  

I'm also way too in love with Europe in general, and England more specifically.  If I were a big fan of say, Asia, I'd be able to afford numerous glorious trips, because the cost of the Yen is way down and they're always wanting for travelers.  However, if you've been to Europe and England, you know that's not the case.  Europe is a bit better than England because the Euro's down quite a bit however, the GBP just keeps rising. Which makes trips to England twice as expensive.  What a pain in the neck!

So that brings me to my newly minted plan - for 2016 of course, as I still have a trip to England coming up in the near future that's calling my name.  I realized I've only ever been to 16 of the 50 states.  Considering I live in one of them, that's just sad.  There are so many cool places I've never been: The Portland, Seattle, Vancouver (Canada I realize, but still) route, Yosemite, Santa Fe New Mexico, LA, Mardi Gras, Disney Land, Chicago and dozens more.  If I focus on the little places with (much shorter and cheaper flights) I can see a whole lot more than one big crazy out of the country trip.

Why exactly did this take me so long to realize?  And more importantly, who's up for at least 4 US trips next year - I've already started planning... ; )

The Awesomeness of Strangers

I went on and on about my love for Twitter last week and to be honest, the reasoning was pretty simplistic.  Basically I love reading funny things, is what it boils down to.  However, this weekend, I got to see the real power behind it.  And honestly?  It's awesome! Sometimes, complete strangers can be even more amazing than you give them credit for.  

So, what happened you might be asking?  Somewhere around Friday evening, this was posted: 

Jared Padalecki is one of the stars of Supernatural and he was supposed to be attending a convention in Rome all weekend, after attending one in England the previous weekend.  As fans who had spent a great deal of money to see him at that particular convention, you may expect a bit of annoyance or outrage.  You'd expect those fans to be angry and demand their money back.  

And since you're not heartless, you may be a bit worried about what was going on in his life. You wouldn't actually expect what did happen.  And that's the remarkable part.  

To understand why his update was so disconcerting, you'd have to know a bit about him. He recently shared with the press and fans, his own struggle with depression.  He wasn't asking for pity, he was using that as a stepping stone to start a huge movement "#AlwaysKeepFighting." Using that slogan and his (and Jensen Ackles') notoriety, they were able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for depression and suicide prevention charities.  He's used it has his personal motto and has been collecting stories from fans about how they've always kept fighting and how the show and the cast have helped them in times of need (which is in it of itself, pretty amazing).  He's also one of the kindest human beings on the planet (based on accounts from pretty much everyone he's ever met.) 

That brings us to Saturday.  By Saturday afternoon, the entire cast of Supernatural (pretty much anyone who has ever been or who is currently on the show) had sent messages of care and concern via Twitter (even other actors from other shows that had heard about him being down).  They sent their love, and understanding in the most heartfelt ways.  They were even sure to address it at the convention and share how much he meant to them and how much the fan's caring about him meant to them.

           

But then, so did, basically the entire fandom. 

Pretty much, every one of his fans shared messages of care and concern.  They sent photos to him to cheer him up.  They sent notes saying how much he had helped them.  They sent stress relievers that have helped them in the past.  They sent videos of love and understanding.  They created projects on line to send him care packages and cards.  And most amazing of all, not one message I saw was scolding him for leaving the convention goers high and dry.  Not one person complained that "exhaustion" wasn't a good excuse. Everything I read was all love and all amazing!  And everything was tagged with his personal mantra - #AlwaysKeepFighting.

If you don't believe me, check out the #AlwaysKeepFighting hashtag on Twitter.  There are updates being added by the second.

I'm not sure if he's seen it all yet, but I'd like to think he has and these messages of hope and care, from complete strangers will help him deal with whatever it is he's dealing with. Because he deserves all the love he's receiving and I think he'll be ok. He's got a heck of a support system behind him. 

In a world, where you hear an awful lot about cyber bullying attacks, how can you not resist a story on a cyber love attack? : )

Computer-less

So as it turns out, even if you buy a year's worth of geek squad protection, you still have to give up your laptop for at least 4 days before they can fix it. I hate that! Because of this, I'm laptopless which makes blogging difficult. I haven't quite figured out to do all the fun things that blogger can do on an iPad.

It kinda stinks, because what I really wanted to write about today was how awesome people are and how kind they can be. I wanted to show you Twitter-ific proof of this fact and link you to the awesomeness but I can't. 

So for once in my life I'll actually be happy to go to work tomorrow, so I can use my computer for fun things for a  change.

More tomorrow, I promise : )

Brave!

I saw this earlier on Twitter and I'm in love with the quote.  It's perfect!  I get a lot of flack for being a bit of a pushover.  I spend a lot of time over thinking issues, and worrying about people who don't know I'm actually worrying about them.  I cry at the drop of a hat and and I'm scared of most scary things (movies, shows, the dentist...)  But that doesn't mean I'm not strong.  It means that I have the nerve to open up my heart.  So take that, meanies! I may not be able to stand up with you in a fight, but I'll be a shoulder to cry on afterwards.

Friday Five

1. Ombre Ink Pads by Hero Arts - I'm so in love with these!  I had no idea how they would translate Ombre to ink, honestly I still don't, but they're beautiful!  I will most definitely be ordering them - possibly in every color...

Seriously, how can you resist?

2. I know I've been on the anti-Brady soapbox for the last week, but this was too good for words - and just so darn true!

3. Bestie Row - I've been seeing the Tiny house trend on and off for the last few years.  And while some people long for mansions the size of Texas, I think I could be super happy in a tiny house.  Of course it would need some major upgrades but these houses aren't much smaller than what I currently live in.  And how could living in a tiny village with all your best friends, be anything but good?  They also get bonus points because they used the term "Bestie" which is what my best friend and I call each other. I'm already drawing up plans for our very own Bestie Row and yes, she thinks I'm as crazy as I'm sure you do : )

4. Literary Nurseries - I really need a baby...  Loving everyone of these ideas! Except maybe Poe.  Who wants to introduce a baby to Poe?

5. I LOVE this! ; )

        

No Love!

Continuing on with yesterday's theme of something I love, today's topic is something I don't love - at this very moment, it's my stupid new HP laptop, which is preventing me from writing a coherent post. Stupid technology! My 4 year old laptop didn't break as many times as this one has in the last 5 months...

More tomorrow, I hope....

Love!

I'm sort of kind of in love.  I wouldn't say obsessed, but I'm most definitely a HUGE fan. This new fascination takes up way too much of my time.  I have it up on my computer all day long and if I'm not in front of my computer, it's up on my phone.  I quote it.  I reference it.  I even blog about it, apparently.

Twitter.  Why are you so addictive?

I'm usually slow on the uptake.  I take a long time to come around to things.  Facebook was out for years before I begrudgingly joined.  I was forced into Pinterest.  And Twitter was just another on the long list of un-needed social networks that I was convinced would die a quick death.  Also, who wants to follow what everyone is doing every second of every day?

I do, apparently.

On paper, it does sound ridiculous, doesn't it?  140 characters to tell people how you're feeling at this particular moment.  Anyone can join and you don't have to give someone access to your account - the entire world can see it if they want to.  Dangerous, to say the least.  And there are some seriously crazy people on Twitter that exploit this fact to no end.

But there are some super clever people too.  They are the reason I love it so much.

I'm one of those very picky Twitter-ers (still haven't gotten the lingo down).  I only follow very specific people or organizations.  I have to know the people - more specifically, I have to want to know the people I'm following. In other words, half of Hollywood and Geekdom - in my fantasy life, we're all besties!

I also don't tweet - like at all.  My last witty retort was a glowing review of Amy Poehler's book -  last month.  And yet I still have followers.  Why?  I'm super curious about this.  I'm a nobody.  I don't even RT things - I favorite things.  I feel it's the lowest fault of all the things you can do on Twitter.  If you favorite something that's also been favorited by like 3000 other people - there's no drawing attention to yourself.  (I said I loved Twitter, I didn't say I trusted it...)  No one cares that I had a great doughnut in Austin or read a great book, not even my friends half the time, so then why would someone follow me?  Or most importantly, how did they know to follow me?  I'm a little in the dark about the whole process...

But that doesn't stop me from doing the same each day.  What's most ridiculous, if you look at at my profile, is the range of people I follow.  There's no rhyme or reason to it.  (Ok there's a little rhyme or reason, like the cast of an entire show) but mostly it's a hodge podge of crazy characters that I know entirely too much about.  For instance, I follow:

BBC News: I receive 99.9% of my news from the BBC.  It's the only news station I follow.  I was way more in the know about the Scottish Referendum and the Parliamentary Election than I was for the 2012 Presidential Election.

Travel Sites: I'm especially fond of Airfare Watchdog and Budget Traveller.  Great information that totally fuels my Wanderlust.

Travel specific Sites: Just as I know a little too much British news, I also know a little too much of what's going on in Austin Texas, and London England.  I don't follow a single Maryland travel site, but I know exactly what's happening at all hours of the day in Austin and London.

Supernatural Cast: The cast is HUGE and I follow all of them - even the writers, producers and other Fangirls.  It's so weird but I swear to god, every single one of them is clever, witty and all out hilarious.

Food: Lots of Chefs & Food Writers including Bourdain, Bayless, CharmCityCook (Fun fact: I saw her at a food event last month and only recognized her because of her Twitter profile picture!), Ripert, Blais, Reichl, Collicchio, as well as restaurants (some in Maryland, some not so much...)

Randomness: Jenny Colgan (the writer of my favorite set of Brit books), Doctor Who Online, The Geekiary, Etsy, GISHWHES, Random Acts, the National Theatre (in England!), Ellen Degeneres, Michael's (as in the craft store), and about 100 other various actors, charities, and writers. 

Like I said, it's a mixed bag.  But you know what?  At least one of them makes me smile or laugh out loud every morning, which is what I'm assuming Mr. Twitter (I'm guessing this isn't the CEO's real name...) had in mind when he came up with this ridiculous idea in the first place.  Thank goodness for that, because honestly, I'm not sure what I'd do all day without it (which isn't as sad as it sounds, I promise : )

Scrapper's Problems

I've finally gotten my album in the mail for my Texas pictures, so I finally decided to start scrapping it.  Here's the issue with that.

I can spend my entire day thinking of fantastic ideas to scrap, but the second I sit down with paper and glue, those ideas go out the window for one reason or another.  The reason is usually that it doesn't look as good in person as it does in my head.  How do scrappers get past this?  I've never been able to figure it out.  These scrappy people spend days on end creating pages and in theory they have unlimited ideas - all of which work.  Why do I think so much?

The other issue I have is that when I finally get something down on paper, it never looks how I wanted it to look.  I can go into it thinking it's going to have a theme, such as pastel colors with flowers, and yet still it turns into something completely different. How does that happen?  I suppose it's just the process of creativity, but it's sort of annoying.

This was totally the case this evening.  Believe it or not, I started out wanting a vintage-y feel with some light colors, alphabet stamps and some wood embellishments.  The wood embellishments were the only thing that stayed - neon somehow replaced the pastels and because of some serious stamping issues, the alphabet stamps were replaced by stickers. But in this case, even though it's not what I wanted, I'm kinda liking it so far.  We'll see tomorrow...That's another Scrapper Problem - not actually liking something after you've slept on it...

Do other creative people have this issue?  Or am I just odd?

Justice & Tulips

What started as your usual, run of the mill crappy Monday, quickly turned around this afternoon when story of the suspension and fines due to Deflate gate broke.  I've never been so happy to eat my words.  I was pretty convinced the commissioner would let the story slide with no punishment to Brady or the team.  But $1 million and 4 games later, it seems that's not the case.  

My only complaint is that Belichick didn't really get punished.  This is, after all, his second offense.  He should at least lose a few thousand dollars. Because you know he knew about it. I'm willing to bet it was his idea in the first place!

My favorite thought on the whole thing, comes from Will Ferrell, who I'm usually not a fan of.  However, his tweet was too cute to resist.

To top it all off, on top of the sports justice, I received flowers for the first time in a very long time, at work, no less.  Woohoo!  This week is looking up!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my one and only mom, who just happens to be the very best mom in the entire world.  I'm not sure why other people say this about their's because it's obviously not true; mine is in fact the best : )  She's funny, kind, caring and nurturing.  She's makes me laugh every single day and I'm not sure what I would ever do without her.  I love her to pieces!

Hope your Mother's Day is fabulous!

Saturday Six

1. Florida Man tries to Cash a personal check for $368 billion.  I'm in love with the weirdness of this particular story.  You'd think the headline would be the oddest part of the story, but if you start to read the article you'll see that it only gets more ridiculous.  If you need a good laugh, this is the story to read!

2. 26 Quotes from Friends guaranteed to make you laugh every time - This article is 100% true.  I've used at least 3 of these quotes in polite conversation...in the last week alone! Though I have to say I'm slightly unimpressed by #18.  If you're going to quote that article, you have to use "...Then beef sauteed with peas and onions..."  At least that's what I do - I use that line entirely too much.

3. Special Needs Superheroes - The absolute best use of photography ever!  So darn adorable!

4. I'm a big fan of Wicked.  I've seen in on Broadway with the original cast and I use the soundtrack as a way to boost my spirits if I'm bummed (do you have any idea how great it feels to belt "Defying Gravity" with the windows down on a crappy day?).  But I'm not obsessive like some people.  So this article doesn't truly apply to me, except for the very first thing on the list.  I thought I was the only Wizard of Oz hater in the world.  Great to know there are others like me!

5. For an entirely different reason than I usually do - I want to be in England so very badly!!!

6. May the Fourth be with You - The only Star Wars-centric thing I celebrate.  These little guys are too darn cute!

He's Home!

Taking the evening off to enjoy that fact - back tomorrow with regularly scheduled programming : )

Finale Time!

Leave it to Big Bang Theory, to deliver the biggest surprise of Finale season.  After a so-so episode of all the couples going through big changes, Sheldon and Amy look like they're on the verge of a big breakup.  But, that's when they deliver the big surprise.  Sheldon was going to propose!  Propose!  Holy Moly!  

It's a big surprise that I'm hoping will get some traction next season.  Wouldn't you just love to see Sheldon and Amy's wedding.  It would be the perfect blend of cute and socially awkward.  Love it!  While it's sad and sweet all at the same time, it really makes you wonder (well, probably just me) seriously if these 2 crazy, stunted kids can find each other, where in the world is my Prince Charming?  I don't want Sheldon by any means but I really don't think I'm as bad as he is either.  My George Clooney lookalike genius, has to be out there somewhere, right? : )

Cheaters Never Prosper - Except When They Do

The story on Tom Brady and the Patriots knowing about "Deflategate" was my most favorite story of the day. Honestly, after all the denials and press conferences, it came out that what everyone knew to be true, actually happened.  It's good to see that they might get a bit more scrutiny as well as lose some of the respect of the fans.  

But I doubt it.  

What I really want to know is, what happens to the team now?  Because of the deflated balls, they went on to the Super Bowl and won.  Will that be taken away from them?  Will they lose the endorsements and money they made from that huge game? Doubtful.  I like to think they will.  I like to think they will hold these players to a higher standard.  But it's proven that for some reason the Patriots are beyond that level of scrutiny (they're already on Strike 2 after a previous dalliance with the rules a few years ago).  And I doubt that the Seahawks will want to have the "win" that way either.  

So I guess, I can just be happy with Karma biting them some time in the near future.  I just have to believe that they'll get their just desserts, because they deserve it and we all know that people always get what they deserve...

#NotaDirtyWord

I follow an actress on Twitter, Kim Rhodes, mostly because she was on Supernatural, but that's beside the point. She's also kinda awesome.  She's a mom of a little girl with autism, and she does all sorts of advocacy for the cause.  She also dyed her brunette hair lavender and blue.  Not that I would go that far, but you have to appreciate the guts.  She's also a feminist and is all about girl power.  

That's not really me.  But lately, I'm finding I'm siding with her on lots of what she has to say.  Most specifically today.  She started a hashtag (I can't believe I'm speaking in Social Media words - sorry for being that girl!) for her followers today: #NotaDirtyWord.  Her's was #Unladylike.  It sort of makes sense for her.  But then she asked what everyone else's was and some awesome photos came pouring in.  It was all a bunch of girls standing behind who they were and owning up to it.  How awesome is that!?

I, on the other hand, have finding it difficult to settle on one word.  #Emotional was one I saw a lot of, and I'm definitely that.  But I'm also Geeky, Nerdy and Quiet.  I'm also not ashamed of those.  I stand behind them.  So, for now, I think I'm focusing on:

#Different

I have weird interests that range from scrapbooking to sci-fi, baking and eating to British television.  I'm quiet and keep a lot in, but I'm also incredibly sarcastic.  I love to read and I fall in love with characters I've never met.  I'm crafty, and get bored easily. I'm restless and love seeing the world.  I have strong opinions about social justice issues.  I just don't understand people who hurt others for fun.  I want to do something to change the world, but I have no idea what that is.  That's who I am and that's most definitely #NotaDirtyWord!

Some Have All the Luck, Others Don't...

Warning: Rant coming...

Some people have all the luck.  I know that technically I'm one of those people.  I have a loving family, wonderful friends.  I own my own house and I have a great job that makes me happy.  However, when it comes to everyday things like making it somewhere before it closes, or actually having something I desperately need for a recipe, or just finding a penny on heads, I'm hopeless.  I never get that lucky.  I've never even won a dollar on a scratch ticket.  It's sad really.

You may wonder why after living 30 years like this, I've decided to bring it up now.  Well today I talked to a friend who randomly went to an interview with another company because he was trying to get his friend that worked there, a referral bonus.  Out of that interview, he was offered a management position making 30% more than he is now, with the same amount of vacation and a 5K signing bonus just to show him how much they wanted him. Seriously!?  Do you even know how many interviews I've gone on.  Some for jobs that I couldn't have cared less about but others that I wanted desperately and still never managed a deal like that.

Even in my current job, which actually makes me happy, and is pretty good, I've never been offered a deal that fantastic.  That's the luck I want.  I'm really not trying to be greedy.  I've just been trying to find a job in another country or another state for so long, it'd be pretty nice to have a little of that four leaf clover that this dude has, just for a few months.  Once I get the awesome opportunity, I promise to give back the luck and go about my everyday - spilling drinks all over the place, dropping food on the floor and making multiple trips to the store - existence.  Cross my heart!

Rant officially over...

What a Beautiful Day!

There's nothing like an absolutely gorgeous day in Naptown, to get you ready for the week ahead.  Hello Spring!  It's lovely to see you again!

Sports-a-palooza

Somehow, all of the stars aligned today, to give sports fans, one entire day of nothing but fantastic events to watch.  Now, while I'm a fan, I have to say, there isn't one sporting event I was super excited about today.  If we were talking football season, I could be inclined to be a crazy sports fan but instead, the sports that are dominating today, are kinda boring.

Up first was baseball - Yankees at Red Sox.  Since I'm an Orioles fan, I could care less about who won.  However, because I'm an O's fan, I will always root against the dirty Yanks.

Then it was NFL Draft day.  I love football and I love the Ravens, but honestly, what's more boring than watching Roger Goodell read out names all day?

Up next, was the NHL Playoffs; in which the Capitals are playing.  I'm actually a Caps fan, so I have to say, I'm invested in this one.  However, because the Stanley Cup Playoffs seem to last months on end each year, I sort of ignore the games until the final.

Then of course, it was Derby Day, which is exciting, but so much more exciting if you're joining in on the fun in Kentucky wearing a nice hat and having a mint julep.  It's also only exciting for like the 3 minutes the race takes.  If I want to see a horserace, I'll wait until the Preakness rolls around. At least that one's here in MD.

Lastly, it's the Mayweather - Paquiao fight; of which I have no stake in whatsoever.  How anyone thinks that with all the violence that exists today, watching 2 grown men beat the crap out of each other is enjoyable, is completely beyond me.  Not to mention, the fact that Mayweather hasn't been expelled from the sport after going to jail for beating his wife, is completely reprehensible.  On that note alone, I'll be hoping Paquiao wins, but I will most definitely not be watching the violence.

While I'm sure all the fans out there were enjoying themselves greatly, I'll just sit here and wait for NFL season to start.  At least then I'll have something to root for.  Let's go Ravens!

Friday Five: Texas Edition

1. For someone who's always cold, I adored the weather.  When you're wandering around the city, you most definitely get super hot, but I would take that any day.  Today it's about 50 here and I'm freezing!  Which I realize is crazy but seriously, it's May.  Where's my sunshine and heat?!

2. I loved the wide open space.  San Antonio didn't seem huge.  But when we got out to the open road to drive to Austin, it seemed so much larger.  You never realize how small Maryland is until you visit a state as large as Texas.

3.  This might be trivial, but I love 70 MPH speed limits.  It just makes life so much easier.  I think traffic wouldn't be so bad if everyone was moving along nice and quick. (I promise I'm not a speed demon... : )

4. The state house in Austin - It's such a beautiful building!  I mean the one in Annapolis is pretty but it's little.  This state house is HUGE.  And the architecture mixed with the landscape was gorgeous.  I'd love to go to work each day in a building like that.  Work might be a bit more fun if I did.

5. Gordough's Funky Monkey - Honestly, the best thing I had all week.  I think I'm currently going through withdrawl.  Think they'd be interested in franchising in MD?