Ever since I was told by my Chinese medicine doc, the other day, to only drink/eat hot things, I have been feeling a bit out of sorts when I go out because I often take a water bottle with cool water in it. On the weekend, I had a flash of inspiration to get a Starbucks hot liquid tumbler so I can carry around hot water or some sort of hot drink so I don't go thirsty and/or have to pay money to buy a drink. I was going to be buying a new water bottle anyway since my current water bottle is the nalgene kind that has that bad toxin in it.
I ended up buying a 16 oz customizable tumbler since I didnt like any of their wierd pre-fab designs. I thought I could put something cool on it like quotes or inspirational sayings. Today, I had a flash of brilliance and decided on a design to make me smile and giggle!
Yes....it is an ICHC-inspired design. Me likey! :)
(*excuse messy desk in first pic)
:)
Afterthought: I was just thinking that this kind of thing would make a great gift! I will have to remember this for birthdays and at Christmas. It's totally easy! :)
My pastor showed this today during our church service. This is just wild! I love it! :)
(and it really went well with today's topic "No Fear is Too Great")
How amazing is this? :)
Whenever I have to venture out into this big and wild world of ours, there is one thing that DRIVES me utterly bonkers....and that is going to send me, one day, to the top of a tower with a semi-automatic rifle.....and that is the serious LACK of situational awareness that people possess.
What is situational awareness, you ask? Situational awareness is basically being aware of what is going on around you, being considerate to those situations that surround you, and being well-mannered to the people around you. For example, when you notice that someone is coming up behind you, when you go through a door, and you hold the door for them...that is good situational awareness.
The real, frank bottom line about situational awareness is just paying f*cking attention to the world and people around you and stop being a clueless, inconsiderate, bad-mannered f*ckhead.
Here are some lack of situational awarness situations that seriously, seriously annoy me. I am sure you will all recognize most, if not all, of them.
1. People who meader aimlessly through malls.
These are the people that walk slow but don't walk in a straight line so you can't get past them and they don't notice you trying to get by. These people often meander in the direction you try to go to get by them, too...which is further annoying. Or they are in a loose pack, chatting and wandering aimlessly...totally oblivious that they are holding up mall traffic and that people need to get by. You practically have to yell "excuse me" at the top of you lungs to get by because any lower decibel is not noticed. Other offenders, in this category, are the people who stop all of a sudden in front of you...or cut across in front of you without paying attention and you almost ram into them or someone else. These people just don't look around! One of these days I am going to take a whistle in the mall and direct traffic like a cop.
2. People who walk together down the sidewalk with more than 2 people across...and don't move aside for people coming the other way.
This is just plain effing rude. I have been walking down a sidewalk and had 5 people walking towards me....all in a row, chatting up a storm.....and they don't move aside so I am forced to walk on the grass! I see this and experience this ALL the time.....and they always see me because we make eye contact. But they still don't move. (not even with me saying "excuse me"!) I have even had some people glare at me! WTF? I always move aside or in single file, when I am with friends.
What is with people? They know to share the road but can't seem to share the sidewalk? I have gotten to the point where I walk into the middle of them or simply refuse to move aside from my side of the sidewalk and end up daring the person on my side to a game of pedestrian chicken...which they always lose. heh.
3. Riding bikes on the sidewalk and/or pedestrian-only walkways.
I seriously have issues with this. I have almost gotten injured or thrown into traffic because of this....and seen other people in the same situation. The sidewalk is not big enough for both pedestrians AND people riding ON bikes. And most cyclists ride down the middle of the sidewalk...usually fast.....and don't yell out warnings or ring a bell. Nothing scares the crap out of someone, especially the elderly, more than turning to look behind you and a bike comes out of nowhere.
Bikes should be walked on the sidewalk, period.
On our local seawall we have a pedestrian walk path and a totally separate path for bikes and rollerbladers. There are signs all around denoting which is which AND there are symbols spray-painted every so often RIGHT ON the paths. But I can't tell you how many times there have been rollerbladers and bikers on the pedestrian path and getting right into the faces of the pedestrians. And with the curvy nature of the seawall in a lot of places, you can't see around the corner.....so its scary sometimes to have a bike or rollerblader come out of nowhere. Talk about just being inconsiderate and rude.
4. Inconsiderate stroller-drivers in grocery stores.
This one does not apply to everyone with a stroller....so if you drive a stroller, please don't get offended as I am not blanketing you all as the same. I know that it's tough trying to do everything with a child or children in tow and sometimes trying to stay organized and on top of everything is tough. I am extremely patient with parents that I see are trying hard and/or struggling.....and often lend a hand wherever I can. (like the other day when a stroller started rolling away when mom was at the ATM!...and I grabbed it before the kid ended up in the street!)
The stroller-drivers I am referring to are the ones who block the aisles with the stroller so that no one can get by and glare at you or don't even notice anyone else trying to get by and all the "excuse me" s that are directed their way. Or they drive too fast down the aisles and run you down when they turn the corner right into you. Or some parent wants a free balloon for their kid and spends an extra 5 minutes tying it to the stroller AT THE CHECKOUT after they have paid......while a huge line of people are waiting. (this happened today with some yuppy father....yeesh! can't you move towards the door, away from the checkstand, and do that?)
5. People who stand in the middle of doorways and/or sidewalks...and talk on the phone or are talking with a group of friends.
Can't these people move to one side or find another place to have their conversation? And why must they glare at you when you say "excuse me" to get by? Is it upsetting to them to realize the world does not revolve around them?
6. People who don't say "excuse me" when trying to get by you
I can't tell you how many times I have been shoved and pushed aside by angry people trying to get by in all sort of locales. I can understand getting inpatient when somone is in your way....but a simple "excuse me" needs to be tried to get someone's attention and hopefully have them stand aside. I know it doesn't always work....but people need to try.
I like to consider myself a considerate, reasonably well-mannered person who tries her best to be situationally aware.....but sometime I get in the way of some people. But rare is the instance where people actually try to be polite with an "excuse me" to get by me. They usually get mad and huffy and shove past. Do they not teach people manners anymore?
There are many, many more situations that I could list that we all experience regularly....but I have done enough writing "therapy" after being thoroughly annoyed today. Phew! I feel a little better!
This rant has been brought you by TTOTM. Cheers! :)
The 12 week Vox Fitness Challenge is wrapping up it's 12th and final week! Congratulations to everyone who participated! woot! :)
Much speculation has surrounded the topic about what is next and many people have expressed interest in doing another 12 week challenge to keep the momentum going! I think this is a grande idea!
Sooooooo, we are going to be starting another 12 week challenge on Monday, May 5th.
This time around, things will be the same as the original deal.....but with a couple of changes.
The new and improved Vox Fitness Challenge (read carefully!):
1. This challenge is open to everyone on Vox, regardless of whether or not you participated in round one. If you are a current participant of the round one challenge, please let me know if you plan on continuing or not.
Please don't feel obligated to continue on or join up. The challenge is totally voluntary for those who are seriously interested in taking it on.
2. On May 5th, you must report your starting point stat for one or all of the following:
- weight
- % body fat
- body measurements (thigh, hips, waist, chest, bicep)
- clothing size
3. Your first post should include, in addition to your starting stat(s), a little about yourself, what you plan on doing for the challenge, and what you hope to accomplish.
4. What you do for the challenge is pretty much up to each individual as we all have different goals, abilities, and desires. Just as long as your plan of action revolves around activity (exercise), health, and wellness. Starving yourself and/or using strange diets is really not a long term plan for success.
The first challenge was a big mix of different people doing different things and everyone was starting out from somewhere different. Don't feel shy because you may not be exercising or doing anything now. The whole point of the challenge is to just start!!! :) And if you are just starting, perhaps try picking up Bob Greene's Best Life Diet. It's a great way to get started, gradually, for long term health and wellness. Bob's vision is to get everyone making lifestyle changes that last a lifetime.
5. At the end of the 12 weeks, you must report in your ending stat(s) as per above.
6. You must post a minimum of once a week to the Vox Fitness Challenge group with a report of how things are going. It doesn't have to be long or verbose.....just a simple update is fine. The whole point of the group is support....so a quickie once a week should not be a challenge even for the busy people. Don't join the group if you don't plan on participating.
7. Please follow the links above and read all the info that was posted for the first challenge. The same things apply for the second challenge and I don't feel like posting it a second time. Please take the time and read up.
8. Everyone who participates in round 2 must "sign" a commitment contract for the challenge. This is a commitment mainly to yourself that you still stay commited for the 12 weeks. The one thing that was highlighted in the first challenge was just staying the course, for 12 weeks, seemed to the hardest challenge. And if you want to move forward in getting in shape, staying the course is what needs to happen!
So, read up, think about it, and let me know if you are seriously interested in joining the second challenge. If you are not part of round one, you will not be able to view the group as its a private group. I will be inviting and adding all the new people, for round two, once round one is finished and wrapped up.
If you are seriously interested or have any questions, please let me know via a comment below or via PM.
Good health, love, and blessings,
Dee
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire
3. Its always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes
9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.
10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.
12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
22. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
Many of you may have already seen this on Cuteoverload or on YouTube...but I still have to post this. This is just too funny! I love it!! :p
I have forgotten to mention that I saw Mamma Mia on Sunday!
IT WAS FABULOUS!!!!
I bought tickets in January and have been soooooo looking forward to it! It was WAAAAAY better than I even thought!
Soooooooooo much fun and a total blast!
The Mamma Mia movie is coming out in July and it looks quite interesting from the casting! Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellen Starsgaard are all going to sing!! hahahahahahaha!!! Christine Baranski and Julie Waters cast as the mother's (Meryl Streep as Donna) best friends is going to be a total blast. Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls, Veronica Mars) plays the daughter, Sophie. (and if you have seen the show....Pierce is Sam, Colin is Harry "Headbanger", and Stellen is Bill)
While the casting choices makes me wonder for a musical movie....the trailer eases my fears and I can't wait for July! woot!
Show us a photo of cherry blossoms in bloom.... Or, if you don't have cherry blossoms where you live, show us a photograph of any flower in bloom!
You want cherry blossums? We got cherry blossums!! I posted my blossum pics on Monday. Here are a few repeats!! The rest are here. :)
After I got my fill of blossums, I did remember to take a few non-blossum pictures in the park!
There was some sweet blue flowers mixed in with the greenery. It was windy so it was hard to get a decent shot.
As I only got close-ups last time, here are some further away shots of the fountain.
And here is an even further away shot of the whole park. I took this one from the bridge and zoomed in a bit. The park is up from the marina.
I also got another shot of the water shooting up from the fountain but this time I was able to get the water with a clear blue sky behind which I think is cool. (The other shots had clouds and sky behind).
Moving on from the fountain, I took some interest in some of the boat reflections. Unfortunately only one turned out decently.
And before I completely left the park, I got some cool pinecone shots. A definite break from blossums. Pinecones aren't as pretty as blossums but they have a certain appeal.
