RIP PVE

I am officially MySpace addicted. I'm sure not as much as some of the tweens of today, as I don't post glittery graphics and the like, but I still usually visit the site daily. There are two causes for this, one is that I have a generous amount of time in the day to spend online, and two, I don't have any friends. I'll be the first to admit that having no friends is my fault, but at any rate, looking at the profiles of old friends fills some deep need of sociality. Is that a word? Oh well it fits my purpose. Onward! So here I am searching around on my space, looking at people I went to high school with, siblings of people I went to high school with and it leads me to draw some conclusions. 1. I am getting older. 2. Some people never change. 3. Everyone else I graduated with is getting older also. Heh. 4. Not everyone stays friends with the people that they were friends w/ in high school. Even in the small town that I am from. I know that last one may sound silly to you. Where I grew up, almost no one leaves, and friends' kids end up being friends and so on. My parents went to the same high school I did. My mom and dad were both friends with a few of the same people that they went to school with. My mom was friends with her best friend from 1st grade. I just grew up expecting that I'd follow the same path. That I'd meet someone from at least close to the area and our kids would go to my high school. I never imagined myself being anywhere but there. My school district was made up of 4 borough's. There were 3 elementary schools, with the kids from the 4th borough split between the other 3 schools. Growing up, we only knew those kids in our school, they lived close, and so there is where our friendships began. I was friends with about 4 or 5 other girls from my elementary school. The districts' junior and senior high school is combined so when we all started 7th grade, we were all thrown together. Of course, we all intermingled and became friends with each other, but when it came down to it, the 3 main groups of friends still existed. My stupid friends even came up with names for the cliques. I still feel like I can't divulge the names to you, 7 years later. I'm sure you're wondering where this long boring story leads to...well the thing is...the group of friends from one of the boroughs, they still hang out. It's amazing to me, because barely any of my original group would even dare speak to each other if we knew where the others were at. My elementary school got knocked down and the founding relationships of my childhood lie with the rubble in some unknown location. It's just odd to me the way things turned out. Never as you expect it, I guess. It will be interesting to see what happens at the reunion in a few years.

I find myself LOST! at the bowling alley.

I used to think bowling was a game people played when bored and wanted to go have fun. Maybe drink a few beers, smoke a few cigarettes, end up having a good night out with friends. I was wrong. Sure, when I was younger my dad used to watch bowling on TV, and my mother and I thought it was the most ridiculous thing in the world. It seemed to me that everyone always knocked down all the pins and so what the heck were they competing for, and why the heck would you want to watch it. Then it happened...I met a guy who bowls. I mean bowling as in a sport, bowling as in a competitive game in which winning, scoring, and ball shape and size matter. I now know more about bowling than I ever thought I would, and well, now I still think some things are ridiculous, but I've come to a sort of appriciation for the activity. Not everyone always scores a 300, and shooting the ball straight down the middle of the lane is not the talent of bowling. You have to get your ball to "hook" so it goes between pins on the side to knock all of em down, and get a strike. It's quite complicated actually. Last night, I went to watch Shawn bowl in a league that he was sub-ing (substitute bowler) in. There was one girl there bowling in the league and she was so totally obnoxious. She was not that young, but acting like she was and taking advantage of all of the guys, with the "I'm the only girl here so I'm the center of attention, pay attention to me and want me" kinda attitude. Blech. Then, the reason that Shawn was bowling, was the guy he was bowling for said that he's been having bad stread and wanted to take a few weeks off. He was THERE anyways. Why on earth would you get a sub and then come anyways? It makes absolutely no sense to me what-so-ever. If you want some weeks off, TAKE THEM OFF. Sheesh. This all led to a "discussion" between us, but we ended up resolving under the common ground that LOST! was on, and it takes two heads to figure that shit out sometimes.

Warning: Slightly Sappy.

My first serious relationship (or first love, whichever you would like to call it) definitely taught me alot about myself, alot about what I wanted in a relationship, and alot about life and just growing up in general. I did some things that I am not so proud of then, and since then, but I try to use those things as a way of learning not to make the mistakes again. I am still friends with that first ex, and recently his current girlfriend of over two years (I think, it's around there) has broken up with him. I feel bad for him because I know what it's like to be dumped (although it's only happened to me once). I spent 2.5 hours yesterday talking to him on the phone, trying to make him understand and move on. I don't know if anything I said worked, but I felt like I at least gave it a good shot. I hate having to be the person that is blunt and tells you what you need to hear, but don't necessairly want to. I feel like I'm being mean and I know that sometimes it's what needs to be done but that doesn't make me like it any better. It also sucks because I kind of have been where this girl is at, and I'm ashamed to say that I've done some of the things she is doing (and worse) to some of my previous relationships. At least I can recognize that the things that I have done were wrong, and never do them in the future. I wish that I could tell her what I've learned and maybe then she'd see what a great guy he is and think twice about what she is doing. The game doesn't work like that though and so I guess all I can do is be there for my friend and hope that everything will work out for the best for him. I am SO glad that I have Shawn, and that I never have to go through any of that again. It is a huge relief and it makes me love and appriciate what I have even more.

HPV

This article is good news but it makes me a little angry. The title: Panel urges U.S. to OK cervical cancer vaccine Shots against common STD could be recommended for girls as young as 9 Ugh! This vaccine is not a cancer vaccine. This vaccine protects against 2 types of Human Papillomavirus(HPV) that, studies have shown, lead to cervical cancer and also 2 types of HPV that cause genital warts. I guess there are plenty of educated people who know that the definition of vaccine is (at least according to dictionary.com) "preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen, such as a bacterium or virus, or of a portion of the pathogen's structure that upon administration stimulates antibody production or cellular immunity against the pathogen but is incapable of causing severe infection." But I'm guessing, when the common folk read this title, they think, "Gee, this will prevent or even cure cancer." I think that the article does contain some good facts about HPV, but it doesn't quite explain everything. The Q&A part of the article is very misleading especially if you only click on one of the questions. The introduction question states that HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause warts on your genitals, feet, and hands. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause warts on your genitals. However, the papillomavirus that causes warts on your hands is not generally sexually transmitted. The article lists some scary statistics, but I don't think it does a good enough job of explaining that not everyone with HPV has genital warts, and that the disease can be silent and a person may never know they have it. The kind of HPV that causes cervical cancer can just cause subtle changes in the cells of the cervix. I think that any publicity on the disease at all should stress the importance of getting regular pap smears. The scariest thing about HPV is that even if you practice safe sex, you are still at risk, because it has not been proven whether or not condoms are effective against the virus. This statistic is really scary. "At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV. An estimated 9.2 million sexually active teens and young adults have genital HPV." 9.2 million. Wow. This morning, on the Today show, Katie Couric said the exact same thing that this "cancer vaccine" was coming out. I had to leave for work so I didn't get to see the segment, but I wonder if Katie did a good job of letting people know what HPV is really about. In my Pathophysiology class, I did my research paper on HPV and cervical cancer, so I happen to know a lot about the subject matter at hand. I think the risk of getting any STD is scary, but this is one people don't necessairly think about, but it should be on the list of "big ones".

Look out Pat! Tsunami!

Have you heard the latest prediction? This is a doozy people. Pat Robertson, in all his 700 club glory, now gets his information directly from God. God has informed Pat that there will be a great tsunami in the Atlantic Ocean just as big as the one in the South Pacific/Indian Ocean area. The United States will suffer. Did he fall asleep with his scotch and the Discovery channel again? Yes, there is a possibility of a tsunami in the Atlantic, but I watched that show, and they said that it was not very likely. I guess that if you're getting your information straight from the man upstairs, it must be true. Attention coastal dwellers: Pack up your shit and move to Christian-town because that is the only true way to be "saved." From the tsunami of course.Upon further investigation of Mr. Robertson, I learned that he resides in Virginia Beach, VA and so therefore he's in the danger zone. I guess God has decided that the tsunami is not Pat's call back home. I guess he should spread his "goodness" here on earth a little longer.

Pittsburgh Vs Columbus

Vs

Football: In Pittsburgh, you root for the Steelers, you bleed black and gold. In Columbus, you root for whatever NFL team has a buckeye on it, you bleed scarlett and gray. Winner: Pittsburgh. One team is easier to keep track of, and what fun is it to bleed red? Everyone does that. Highways: In Pittsburgh, you sit in traffic on the parkway north/west and the parkway east or you go 35 mph on back roads. In Columbus, you can take 270 around, 71 up or down, 70 across, or 315 through each at 65mph (or faster). Winner: Columbus. Who wants to sit in traffic hoping that parts of bridges don't fall through the windshield of your car? Bars: In Pittsburgh, you can go to the South Side or to the Strip. In Columbus, you can go to High St. or... well I don't know of another cool place. Winner: Pittsburgh. The South Side just rocks. Language/Accent: In Pittsburgh, there is a cool accent/dialect with words such as yinz, up 'er, redd up, keller, sammich, filled(field), fahr, etc. In Columbus, there are places named after weird indianish names such as bucyrus, olentangy, scioto, pataskala, kinnikinnick. Winner: Pittsburgh. Ok, so I left out Monongahela and Youghiogheny, I'm a native Pittsburgher! Old and Tangy? what? Scioto? I can't get used to these. Landscape: In Pittsburgh, there are steep hills. In Columbus, it is flat. Winner: Tie. As much as I hate to admit it, it's easier to drive in the flat, but I am still afraid of Tornadoes striking. You can never go home again, and that is why I probably won't ever live in Pittsburgh again. But, it will always be my home and the place that I compare everywhere else to. No matter what it's shortcomings are, I will always love the city.

1981: Part 1

In light of my quarter of a century birthday, up until my birthday in one month and 5 days I'm going to begin installments of... 1981. Not quite as weird as 1984, but it's always fun to hear 25 years ago today, this happened. Episode 1: Births and Deaths Actors/Actresses/Famous People of note who were born in the same year as me: 1981 Willa Ford-singer Beverley Mitchell-the 2nd oldest 7th heaven chic... Elijah Wood-Frodo Baggins is as old as me? Justin Timberlake-Rock your body! Alisa Reyes-i dunno she sounded familiar? Kelly Rowland-from Destiny's Child Paris Hilton-damn I should be out partying more Josh Groban-operaish singer Julia Stiles-she's so cute, I wish she was my friend Hayden Christensen-Luke is old enough to be my father? What? Troy Polamalu-I am so not supposed to be the same age as a STEELER! Jessica Alba-Guess those are real lips and not collagen injections. She's young! Jamie-Lynn Sigler-I forget who this is. Anna Kournikova-See guys, I won't look old till Anna does. Natalie Portman-Please grow your hair back! Beyonce Knowles-I just have nothing to say. Johnathan Taylor Thomas-He was my favorite on Home Improvement Nicole Richie-Definitely, I really think I should be partying more. Serena Williams-The only thing I've ever one was a few dollars on the lottery. It's not fair. Ivanka Trump-Well my dad's name IS Donald. Britney Spears-Two kids ahead of me. Amy Lee-Another cd Amy, please. I can't decide if this makes me feel old or not. It is interesting to know that, had I lived in a different city, I could have been in school with Britney or Justin or Paris Hilton. People who died in 1981: Bob Marley Natalie Wood Bill Haley (like and the comets) Wow...a lot of people I've never heard of...The nobel peace prizes in medicine were won by a Roger Wolcott Sperry who did split brain research. Interesting.

Rainclouds.

It is the beginning of my work day, and already things have been going wrong. I woke up late, almost made the mayonaisse explode into a million pieces while packing my lunch, spilled water down my pants while brushing my teeth, and forgot my keycard to get into my area at work. I shudder to think what else this day might bring. I think the rain clouds over central Ohio have taken a liking to the spot directly above my head. I must spend this entire day studying for economics. I need to get at least a C on the 2nd midterm. I have a high C in there right now, but I don't want to take any chances. If I don't pass a class, I have to pay for it, and I'd really rather not have to worry about that. I just don't have an economic sort of brain. I guess I am better at the science instead of the humanities. Economics did teach me enough about supply and demand to know that the oil CEO's are using the rules to their advantage to say that supply/demand is why the prices are rising, but I think it's just so they can throw their darling little daughter's sweet 16 birthday parties on MTV.

We'll call him Lion.

Ugh. I was searching for some witty comparison type blog for today about Pittsburgh and Columbus, but alas I've given up. You can't even compare the two. There is so much more information about Pittsburgh than there is Columbus, I can't even find really any points to compare. Population and such, but I can't come up with any witty comments about the population. Cut me a break. I was also searching for some interesting, fairly recently updated Columbus blogs to link over there and to become daily reads for me. I can't find any. If you are a Columbus blogger and you have a blog that you want linked, let me know!
I've been so unmotivated lately. I don't want to study, I don't want to go to work I don't want to cook or clean, all I want to do is sleep and well...sleep. It's not even that I'm unhappy with anything, I'm just so exhausted. It kinda sucks. Hopefully, I can get through the midterm/paper period with out digging myself into a hole for the finals. The Dave Matthews concert is the day after finals though, so maybe I'll just crank up some Lover Lay Down and get out of my studying funk. My goal for today was to read my 1.5 chapters of history for tonights class, study for economics for at least 2 hours, and re-read the portions of text in history that are sources for the upcoming paper. Here is what I actually did: Read about .75 chapters of history, marked the pages for the paper, no economics. I did learn the procedure for doing ELISA's though, so I guess the day at work was not a total wash. I guess there's always tonight and tomorrow. I still have to finish playing Rainy Day Spider Solitaire though. In case I lost you, yes I am a huge dork and like to play dumb games on pogo.com. It passes the time and gives you an excuse to procrastinate, and who does not like a game called rainy day spider solitaire, I mean really! Say it. Go ahead, it's fun.
I went to the Cincinnati zoo, and my mother (who is an aspiring photographer) took the picture of the beautiful white lion. I could stare at him all day. Oh wait, I have been...he's on my desktop.

Old Man Shawn, Happy 27th!

Today is Shawn's birthday. He's taking the day off, so I had to wake up by myself and get ready for work. When I came upstairs to take a shower, he was awake and said, "I feel old." He's always telling me how I'm saying things that insinuate that I am old and what am I going to do when I turn 40 or even 60. Who's calling the kettle black now? We don't really think we're old, we're just going through that period of life where we're like finally grown up. Everyone is getting married and having babies and we are not, so I think that pings a little switch somewhere in the back of our brains. It's time. Though, it's not time for us...yet. I was reading some of my posts, and my grammar is bad. Seriously. I might have to have Jen start proofing some of my blogs (don't worry Jen I'll pay ya per word...maybe like a penny). Just kidding, but it might be annoying to some of you, so I'll try and construct sentences rather than just type in speak. I was reading an article today about a study that was done on heterosexual and homosexual people. They did brain scans of the people while they were sniffing male and female pheromone mixtures, as well as, regular scents. The study found that the lesbian brain's reacted more like a heterosexual male, and the homosexual male's brains reacted more like that of a heterosexual female. I'm not sure how extensive this particular study was, but I think this is very interesting data to prove that some people are born gay. I'd be interested to see the results of a bisexual's brain under the same circumstances. I also think it would be interesting to locate the mechanism that causes people to think they were born in the wrong sex. It's too bad I'm not a psychologist. I'm leaving work early today so I only have around 2 hours to go! YAY! I'm going to pick up a DQ ice cream cake for the birthday celebration. I have not had ice cream in a whole week. Damn, I thought I'd be able to hold out longer.

Holy Freakin LOST! Batman! The show is finally starting to get back to making you wonder, wtf? at the end of an episode. I think it is REALLY cool how they are doing "The Lost Experience" game thing. They even put a Hanso Foundation commercial on during the bird flu movie. That was freaky, btw, all you skeptics think it can't happen...it definitely can. Back to Lost though, wow, it's always exciting when they find a new hatch. There are some clues that I found on the Lost experience thing that are leading me to form some new theories, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Suffice to say, I think there definitely is a disease that they haven't quite encountered yet on the island. I think there is one more episode before the season finale. I saw in the preview that Michael was telling Sayid to stay, when everyone else was going to battle with the Others, that is very interesting. Michael is leading them into some kinda trap, they better watch out for him. His face at the end of the show last night was so scary. Awesome acting. I have to go out shopping tonight to find Shawn a birthday present. Ugh. He is such a hard person to shop for, everything he wants is too expensive for my budget. Hopefully, I can find him something without strangling anyone at the mall. I hate going to the malls here. Everyone looks like a picture out of a fashion magazine, and they're all drinking their latte's, driving their SUV's so I can't see my car in between. I feel like I should be wearing a flannel shirt, carring a shot gun, with 10 kids yellin at all of em at the same time, Ya'll git outta dat store, right now, ya'll hear me? Unrefined, is the proper term I think. I'm thinking of getting my hair cut but I am so not even sure how to get it cut. Everytime I do, it always ends up looking exactly the same as it did before, only shorter. We'll see what happens!

YAY! Today was the final puzzle of the Da Vinci Code Quest, and I had time to log on at 1pm and finish the final puzzle to try and win the grand prize. The final puzzle was kinda easy/kinda hard. I haven't read the Da Vinci code (as previously stated) so I didn't know the 3rd answer, but I don't want to spoil it for you so that's all I'll say. I skipped History lecture on Monday night (I've only missed one other class, and that was because of our Texas vacation, so I'm not that guilty), so I'm sitting here taking notes on the chapter I missed. I'm kind of upset because I missed the lecture on the Investiture Controversy and that is one of my favorite topics. One of the classes I took at Pitt, and actually did well in, was a course on Midevil Society and Government and the Investiture Controversy was one of our essay questions that I nailed. I think the whole story of it is pretty funny too. Time for a history lesson, kids. Basically, an investiture, is the practice of laymen appointing church officials. This happened because, during feudalism, the lords would give part of their fief's to make a church and then so that made them think they had to right to elect the priest of that church. The church didn't like that because they, of course, thought that they should appoint who got to be a priest. The great fight was between King Henry IV of Germany and Pope Gregory the VII. Henry sends this letter to Gregory asking him for help with his unruly german nobles. Gregory thinks hey, this guy is in a weak postion with his nobles rebelling against him so he excommunicated some of Henry's advisors. This pisses Henry off and so he sends a letter back declaring Gregory a "false monk" and says "descend and relinquish the qpostolic throne which thou has usurped...I Henry, king by the grace of God, do say unto thee, together with my bishops: Down, Down, to be damned through all the ages." The word usurped is just so mean and nasty, and of course with the whole Down Down to be damned part, Gregory of course is even more pissed and excommunicates Henry. Well, you can't be king if you aren't a part of the church(breaks feudal vows of loyalty) so of course not Henry is in a bad deal. Henry's enemies demand he be judged by Gregory and so everyone agrees to meet at Augsburg. Henry's a smart one though and so he arrives there pleading for absolution. Being a pope, Gregory has a duty to forgive him and absolve his sins, or else he couldn't be pope, so after making Henry wait in the snow for 4 days, he forgives him. Henry has the upper hand now. Gregory eventually excommunicates him again, but Henry's army is so close that Gregory has to flee and ends up dying bitterly. I just love this story cause each of them think that they are so powerful and have the upper hand and in the end the big ole mean pope loses. I am doing ok with the watching of the food intake, actually I didn't eat my soup I brought for lunch today because I wasn't particularly hungry. I only had a sandwhich, a sugar free pudding cup, and a low fat string cheese. I'll probably be ready to chew off my arm by dinner time.

TP=TR-TC. Blah.

I don't want to be a dieter. I'm not sure I want a "lifestyle change" either. I'd like to eat better and exercise, but darn it if i want ice cream once in awhile I want to have it, or pizza, or whatever else good dessert I love to eat there is. I'm going to go to the doc to see a dietician, my insurance pays for it so I figure why not? I even get reimbursed 50% of Weight Watchers if I decide their meal plans are right for me. I just don't know what else to do. I know that I am getting older and that my body probably isn't operating the same way that it used to, not that that way was any good. Blah. I was going to post a picture of my delicious lunch, but apparently, it's so new that it's not even on the website of frozen meals yet. Yes, they have such things. I promised myself that I was going to start studying economics today, but I've actually been doing work so I guess it'll have to wait till tomorrow. Hope your tuesday was more exciting than mine...

Crap, I forgot a Title.

It's Monday. At after 3:45 in the afternoon, which is when I'm typing this, you're probably thinking..."gee, what a shocker." I awoke this morning at 5 am by the blasted birds outside my bedroom window. I wanted to go Dick Cheney on their asses, but, I don't have a gun, and if I did I don't know how to aim and fire. I don't think they are quail either. I tried to fall back asleep for the hour I had left until my alarm started going off. I should have just gotten up because when I did wake back up I felt like crap. This week starts the beginning of, "Watch what you eat Week" and it's not meant to be watch all of the generous amounts of pizza rolls and ice cream go down the hatch kinda thing. I've gained 10 lbs since the beginning of April without changing my diet. In fact, I'm eating better now, 3 meals a day, hardly any snacking, and with walking around campus for classes I am getting more physical activity. It doesn't make any sense. I feel I may have to pay a visit to el doctoro. I am avoiding this because I have to find one that is good, and finding a good doctor is hard to do. Is anyone playing along with Google's Da Vinci Code Quest? I haven't read the Da Vinci Code, but I've watched some documentaries disproving it. I still think it would be a fun read, and the quest is pretty fun. It ends in a few days and you can submit your entry form from doing all of the puzzles to win a sweet grand prize. The puzzles are pretty cool, there are geography, symbol soduku, organization, and observation, and chess challenges. They seriously give you so much stuff for winning I can't remember it all. I know it involves some travel though and I want that to be my bag baby. I can't wait to go and see the movie on the 19th. I generally like to go and see movies before I read the books in cases like that, because if you read the book first and then go see the movie, the movie tends to suck. This weekend I think we are going to the Cincinnati zoo, I lived there for 2 years and never went, now I'm 2 hours away and I'm going back for the zoo. Well, technically, we're going back to visit my mom and step-dad, but you know what I mean.

Stolen.

I saw this on Twelve Two Two Fondue Accent: I can do some, once I was doing one at work that wasn't quite from any location and the customer I was waiting on had the exact same accent. Don't practice accents at work. Booze: Captain and coke. Chore I Hate: Just one? Dishes, laundry Dog or Cat: Kitten! Essential Electronics: my computer and the guide on digital cable Favorite Cologne: Sweet Crush body spray from Victoria's secret, or Aqua di gio cause that's what Shawn wears Gold or Silver: Both, together. Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Insomnia: Not usually. Job Title: Medical Laboratory Technician Kids: Nope. Living arrangements: In a condomoronium with a monkey. Most admirable traits: Sense of humor. Not going to cop to: the cops? Overnight hospital stays: Nope. Phobias: heights, family life Quote: To know and to not yet do, is to not yet know. Religion: I'm starting one, want to join? Siblings: Only child Time I wake up: 6:30 ew. Unusual talent or skill: I can always tell that the million dollars is not in the case they pick on Deal or No Deal. Vegetable I love: I don't know if i love any, but i'll eat green beans, corn, salad Worst habit: Being lazy. X-rays: Teeth, sinuses, stomach Yummy foods I make: I make lots of yummy stuff. Zodiac sign: Cancer, according to some sources and my personality, however, I was born on the summer solstice so some horoscopes say that I am Gemini. Is this why I can never decide what I want to be when I grow up?

A New Home?

I've recently started blogging a bit more on my old site, and I am tired of losing posts. I want to see if I enjoy the Blogger site more than the old one. I'll probably be making some changes so be sure to check back often.