FIF: The First Amendment

I made a typo in the title of yesterday's post. Gah! I'm tired, folks. Not sleepy-tired, ready for a break tired. The end it nigh!

Anyway, so in all the opinions on the recent Duck Dynasty debacle, I saw this on Facebook and thought, "AH-HA! Yes! Something we can all agree on!"

Flip It Friday: Am I right? 
Do we agree that criticism of another's belief isn't denying them their belief? 
That we are each responsible for ourselves? 
That maybe if we don't want to be criticized we shouldn't criticize? 

'Cause I never criticize.

Please don't fact check this by reading any other post on this blog. I be a liar!

And if you just can't get enough of this discourse, read this blogger's editorial. I think she's magnificently eloquent and educated on matters at the intersection of race, religion, sexual orientation and mental health. Agree or disagree, it's well written.

Tipsy Tuesday: Things I've Learned in the Past Week

This lip stain actually looks good and stays put for hours.

via Sephora

Giardiniera or muffaletta mix is tasty in meatloaf.

Via google images

I haven't learned yet, but I hope to find out what kind of dog(s) Roobabe is by using a DNA test. 

via Amazon

So, whatever. It's a bit trivial, but we all need some dependability when it comes to our looks, dinners and answering the question "OH! What kind is SHE!?"

What have you guys learned? Anyone else feel like they need a break or a change? I'm feeling burned out, regardless of the amount of vacation/weekending/sleeping-in I do. Anyone have any tips for un-burning out?

Flip-It Friday: Dreams

I had a dream last night that I broke up an ex-boyfriend's marriage so that I could marry... her. His wife. I stole my ex-boyfriend's wife. WhatDaFoog?

In middle school I fancied myself an amateur dream interpreter. I would make up silly reasons for my friends dreams and sometimes I could hit the subconscious nail on it's subliminal head.

If I were to perform a self analysis on this one, I'd say that I was battling an identity crisis - a deep one - within my career. So deep that I'm deflecting it on my relationships and overall sexuality so that I don't have to look at how unhappy I am in my current job and how that reflects on my self esteem. I want to take parallels (traditional, current relationships and the present time) and make them perpendicular (countersexual, past relationships and past time).

I'm also introducing competition as a way of "winning" at something despite my "losing" career. See, this ex-boyfriend was/is in intellectual and I once beat him to the punch at taking our high school physics teacher to a school sponsored dinner in honor of high achieving students. I asked this teacher to attend as my honored guest before my ex could, just to spite him. I was not a physics wiz and this teacher and I had an unremarkable relationship. But the ex was a wiz and did have that relationship. I was just being competitive. And a spiteful ex. Even though I broke up with him. What's my problem?

[pause]

Or I have low iron and want a cheeseburger.

Analyze that slice of crazy, wontcha?

Have you had any weird dreams lately?

Thoughtful Thursday: Tithing

Hey kidlets. I've got a lot of things I need to talk about.

List for accountability's sake:
- How busy I've been and what my real opinion of "busy" is.
- A pulse check on my religion. That me in the corner...
- The red herring of the Republican party
- Closed-minded prejudice and the rumors it births
- A follow up from my performance review
- A Roo-update, as she's the real reason you're all here.

But today, somehow, I have the mustard to talk bout tithing.

Tithing: one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government.

I haven't called myself a part of the little-c church (a local, physical community) in years. I haven't called myself a part of the big-C Church (the world-wide community of the like-minded) in at least a year. I just don't think I've ever declared it to anyone. But that's another post about me in the corner, losing my religion. 

I wanted to talk about tithing (or offering, or putting pennies in the collection plate, or mission trips, or serving in Sunday school, or not taking vaccines, or praying the gay away, or trusting your pastor more than your financial/medical/psychological adviser... deep breath).

I barely tithed when I was in the church (somehow didn't see how my mega-church of traders, lawyers and blinged-up film makers needed my $20/week), but now I am so averse to giving to organizations that have a religious motive that I feel like I want to pull out of some long term commitments. 

For instance, I have a friend to whom I give for her annual salary. She is a "missionary" with Campus Crusade for Christ*. I feel that giving to her salary only promotes pushy evangelism. I am trying really hard to have no opinion of anyone's religion. But as a former insider I feel its is not only dishonest that I support Cru's mission but it is also hurtful because I'm starting to resent the recurring charges and call for prayer support. 

I wonder if taking this money away from her will cause her to lose her job. Or if the people she's disciplining are really getting help from her (emotional support, stable friendship, a meal, etc.).

And remember when I felt torn by giving to World Vision to support Syrian refugees? When all war is caused by religion. 

You heard right. Read it again. I thought it before. Bill Maher (however crass) has said it. And a sweet, Alabama-born veteran I met on the plane to Seattle last week, also named Bill, reaffirmed it. 

I have no problem with giving. In fact, I love to give. The Mr. and I set aside money each month and enjoy spending it on people who need it and causes that make the world better. 

I just wonder if I should take that money out of religious causes and give it to Kiva or UNICEF or Paws. 

What would you do? 

Who would/do you give to? 

Does an organization's religious affiliation affect your giving?

*Never mind that the organization is trying to "take back" the word "crusade" as if it wasn't a self-righteous Jesus-mask for stealing people's land, lives and rights.

Flip-It Friday: Help Me Write My Performance Review

Hey kidlets, remember this post about my how my boss is sick? Well, my company is approaching performance review time and I find myself writing a really sour-puss review of my job. I have lost a lot of motivation and don't see a light at the end of the tunnel (and don't know if I like what may be at the end of the tunnel). To voice my frustrations, I thought I'd gently let my company know that a number of things have fallen in my lap because of my boss's sickness. Is this petty? Am I just complaining to complain? I hate coming to someone with a problem without a solution to suggest, but I also want my company to know how much I am affected. It may help me gain hope in my future here. Or at least get me some fair compensation and open communication in the mean time.

Here is what I drafted:

I’d be remiss to not also mention the weight that the department has felt from [boss name's] illness. I know I’m the newest [employee] this side of the reception desk, but I care deeply about everyone I work with and want nothing but the best for each. It’s silly in comparison to the actual struggle of dealing with illness firsthand or as a family member. We all care about [boss man] and want him to be healthy. We also all care about the company and want to do the best we can. Sometimes what is good for one’s health is in conflict with what’s good for the company. I have felt put in the middle at times. I've had to make choices that put a strain on me personally and that are none of my business. There is no blame to be doled out, but thought it would be unfair to not assert it.

It should also be noted that my boss has disclosed that in his own performance review he did not hold back from describing the bad taste left in his mouth by some of the poor moral around the company. He explicitly stated that he felt undervalued and that there was a rift forming between the perceived haves and have-nots. My department is sometimes seen as pure overhead and it's both disconcerting and discouraging. Some of my feelings from my draft above may be reflective of trickle-down feelings from my management.

Thoughts?

On Why Creatives Must Learn to Follow Rules, Or Not

I failed one of my first creative writing classes in undergrad. 

Well, not failed, but I got a C which isn't a passing grade when the course is integral to your major. 

Integral? Well, it WAS my major.

Never mind that I took it again and did much better. 

The point is that I got a C.

Because I didn't follow the rules.

"Rules? But I got into a creative field for the lack of rules!"

Or so I thought. 

With a broken spirit

 (or so I thought) 

I retook the course with another TA and passed.

I played by the rules, used all of the required literary elements and wrote my thesis by. the. book.

Then I got out of that course and started breaking every damn rule they taught me.

Or so I thought.

I had to know the rules to break them.

Or so I think.

What do you think? Do you think art has rules?

Flip-It Friday: "Just Trust Me," said the Employer with his hand in your wallet

"Just trust me" should conjure alarm when anyone says it, but when it comes to your employer and your money it's especially concerning.

Allow me to give you a hypothetical* set of circumstances:

• You work for a medium sized, private company that is managed by a board with a majority stock-holder/CEO/President kingpin.
• Said Maj-Stock-Ho/CEO/Prezzy is a bajillion years old and cannot walk without huffin'-shufflin'. 
• Company has just experienced a small defection of top talent due to incongruous business theories**.
• To establish a plan for the future that involves transitioning Maj-Stock-Ho/CEO/Prezzy from his seat-o-power and get the underlings excited about the company, the Powers That Be have informally announced the initiative of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)***.

You with me? I mean "my friend"? I mean you? I mean.... it's hypothetical.****

Moving on.

So I've read up on ESOPs a bit and understand that they can be a great way for a majority stock owner to get out of their stock in a regimented way and enjoy some tax breaks in doing so. It's good for the company because the company gets a flood of cash whenever a stock offering happens and those offerings are like clockwork. It can foster a sense of ownership among employees as their hard work is directly related to the success of the company and therefore increases any ROI.

BUT...

There are some flaws and questions that bubble up here.

• You need to know if this ESOP is tied to your 401k and/or incentive compensation - AND it's questionable whether or not there will be any education on what type of ESOP is coming. In both cases this could mean that instead of YOU getting to chose how to invest your extra income, your company automatically puts all of your deferred retirement/bonus bucks into the same company for which you work. Which brings me to...
• You have all your eggs in one basket. Your retirement, your health insurance, your income! If your job goes away, your life is dramatically affected! Which brings me to...
• How is the stock price determined? Who holds the Powers That Be accountable? Can I get out of the stock when I want to like I can other investments? Which brings me to...
• If the value of the stock has anything to do with the shares available for purchase, does an age top-heavy company (more older folks than younger ones) mean that upcoming retirements will flood the stock pool and therefore devalue the stock for those left behind? Which brings me to....
• What if these unknowns, the age of the board members and executive team, the recent defection of these bright young-uns means that the company is not stable!? Who would buy stock in shaky company!?!?

(Take a deep breath. No real life hyperventilating over hypotheticals*****)


Say you were talking with your boss about this topic and s/he said something like:

"When I like working for a company, I invest in it. It shows that I am invested and good things (i.e. promotions) may happen sooner for me because I show interest."

That's like saying:

"Sure you can cut my left arm off in hopes that one day I'll be famous for being a one-armed juggler. I don't need to see your credentials or diploma on the wall. People live with one arm all the time and I'm right handed anyway! Bring on the circus!"

Ok, maybe an exaggeration, but don't you think that screams: "JUST TRUST ME".

You know who else said, "Trust me?"

Enron.


---
*Real. This is real life. Someone advise me!
**Some bright young stars just left to start their own business because they believe the current executive team is driving the company and workers away from progress.
***The company already has some level of employee ownership. It's just not taken off as some employees have received pay cuts in the past couple years and no one has received bonuses - which used to be how people bought stock.
****Real, soooo real.
*****Someone get me a paper bag!

I don't know, you know?

It's about to get really philosophical, so go check out the spaceship on Google today if you just want to be entertained (it's a game!!).

I often ruminate on things until I think I have it all figured out. Like a little judge in my mind, I debate, debate, debate until the gavel drops and I pick the most well defended answer.

Two sides of the same coin: I want to think I know it all; I want to know that I don't know it all.

Big topics that I talk about here are often polarizing. And I always choose a side, however hasitly or ill-informed*. I am trying to not do that so much. I want to challenge what I think I know and be open to changing my mind. I think it's essential.

For instance, we watched "Atlas Shrugged" parts 1 and 2 this weekend and I tried NOT to stomp out of the room.

So to turn completely around from my usual, shameful "know it all" model, here are some things I don't know. I won't follow it up with a list of things I do know (although I am tempted). Comment, readers. I want to know your thoughts on my list or other things you don't know.

• I don't know if foreign aid is a good thing.
• I don't know if dairy is bad for humans.
• I don't know what benefits corporations create for themselves by giving out big bonuses and little salaries to their leaders, instead of just a salary. 
• I don't think all recycling collected is actually recycled.
• I don't know how to punish my dog.
• I'm not sure hell is real.
• I don't know if all children (not the individual child, but the circumstances** of having a child) are a blessing.
• I don't know if it overall matters if we buy local/sustainable/green/ethical products.
• I don't know who's really at fault for September 11th.

*Aren't we all, comparatively?

** Considering definition: a happy event or state of affairs

Thoughtful Thursday: Be Liked, Be Powerful, Be Yourself

"One of the questions I get asked most often from young women who are just discovering feminism is how they can maintain relationships when the people in their lives see feminism as so confrontational...

My answer generally consists of tips on how to strategically talk with people without putting them on the defensive—ask them their stories, meet them where they’re at, find entry points in a conversation that will resonate... 

Yes, the more successful you are—or the stronger, the more opinionated—the less you will be generally liked. All of a sudden people will think you’re too “braggy,” too loud, too something. But the trade off is undoubtedly worth it. Power and authenticity are worth it... 

Wanting to be liked means being a supporting character in your own life, using the cues of the actors around you to determine your next line rather than your own script. It means that your self-worth will always be tied to what someone else thinks about you, forever out of your control...."

by Jessica Valenti from She Who Dies With the Most 'Likes' Wins of The Nation

via

If you had to be liked or powerful, which would you choose?
Do you think its possible to be both?

Flip-It Friday: Sincerity

What up kidlets? Hanging like meat in a cooler, I bet. And that meat is a 25 pound turkey.

November. I hear we aren't the only ones who will/have already attend(ed) a friends Thanksgiving party this month.

Friendsgiving is what they are calling it.

The host generally cooks the main meat and the friends bring wine and sides.

We brought white (wine) and green (zucchini). Not traditional, but white goes with poultry and green goes with anti-dia-beetus. Win, win, winE.

Then, as all guests are required to write what they are thankful, the pen is flicked from my hand.

I promise to not write anything sarcastic. Or sexual. Or rude.

I am not believed.

"Seth can write for the both of you."

Say whhaaaa? I can't be thankful for blood kin. Or boners. Or anti-dia-beetus.

C'mon.

No dice. Only sincerity allowed. Put the pen down, gather your shoes from the shoe-pile and leave with someone else's serving utensil.

Source: someecards.com via Daniel on Pinterest

I decided that sincerity has a (albeit small) place in this world. Wedding vows. Deathbeds. Lifetime movies. (Even all of those could lighten up).

And if people aren't willing to laugh at cancer, pink slips, traffic, dog poop and reverent holidays, then they's be not my peeps.

Ya heard?

Tipsy Tuesday: Get Learned

Attention undecided voters and people who like quizzes:

Take this quiz to see which candidate aligns with your votes!

As always, my results are here. Look at them after you take the test so you are completely fresh-minded as you answer. Keep in mind that there are more options for your answers if you click the 3rd choice of "choose another stance".

Share yours?

Nice to meet you, Jill.

Flip It Friday: I blame Oprah

Why is everybody so paranoid?

Bloggers worry about telling their blog-audience when their spouse is out of town.
Suburbanites worry about people stealing their mail.
Old people think that Facebook is a fad that invites criticism.

(Warning: 90's reference to follow.)

News Flash!

Your husband can't fight off a bandit with a gun. If someone wants to steal your fiestaware, they are going to do it.
The neighborhood kids aren't taking your mail to steal your identity. They're f*ing with you and you're playing right into their hands.
Facebook may not do well as a stock, but it's just like the 30 yr old living in your basement: broke and around indefinitely. Don't let negative comments hold you back from embracing FB!

Source: someecards.com via Joe on Pinterest

Some could say that I'm paranoid about some foods.

Are you paranoid of anything?

How do you get someone to embrace something new/scary and let go of a paranoid, worst-case-scenario expectation?

I have a rational fear of strangers (although I accidentally gave my number out to a stranger with a poetic post-it note), but maybe I should be more scared?

Don't worry, dad. I still don't broadcast my address, contact info or when the Mr.'s out of town :)

Not a Dinner

**Forgot to add the cartoon

When I first saw this pin on Pinterest I thought "Hmm, maybe this would make a good dip for my housewarming party. I wonder what's in it and what you dip it with?"

Turns out its full of death and you dip into it with your bare, fat-shoveling hands.

No one asked me, but if they did, I would tell you that this is not a dinner:

1 lb. hamburger
1 pkg. taco seasoning
8 oz. sour cream
1 pkg. crescent rolls (8)
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
1 c. shredded cheese
Dorito chips

via. 

Sorry, Two Maids a Milking. I hope you get some pageviews from my hatin'.

Lemme break it down for you:

1 lb. hamburger - fatty meat

1 pkg. taco seasoning - full-o-sodium
8 oz. sour cream - fatty dairy
1 pkg. crescent rolls (8) - these are not a real food (bleached flour, oils, preservatives)
1 can tomato sauce - tomatoes in cans = BPA?
1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
1 c. shredded cheese - wood cheese
Dorito chips - c'mon

All of these ingredients are "sometimes foods". All of these ingredients can be forgiven when put with other healthy foods like:

lettuce

ground lean meat

beans

whole grains

fresh tomatoes

ANYTHING GREEN :)

I know that people are over-sensitive about food these days. We are, as a nation, on both a path to obesity and a path to freaking out about everyone being obese. I know that if you look at any one food closely you can probably conclude that it will kill you - and quickly!

**

Source: nataliedee.com via J on Pinterest

But don't these pins concern you?

When did crescent rolls become the foundation of so many foods? Is it the wonderful marketing of the Pillsbury people?

When did chips become a topping? 

When did cooking for the kids (they "love" this recipe - big surprise!) become catering to them? (I don't have kids, feel free to lay into me on that one.)

What are your "sometimes foods"?

Flip-It Friday: Knock Knock, Who's There? Yucca. Yucca who? Yucca'd open the door!

First of all, I'd like to say that my 'rents are coming to see my new house for the first time this weekend (woo-hoo!), so my "How to Be a Good House Guest" post might have seemed timed for them... 'twasn't. Sorry Mom and Dad! You have no obligations as my house guest, but I do hear you are bringing me a Wandering Jew or a Yucca Plant... both sound like the most hilarious plants ever! Bring. Em. On!

Bhahaha... wandering Jew... I love this manual about How to Care For Wandering Jews... Do they make Kosher Miracle Grow?

There's another layer of joking in there about "Miracle Grow", but I just don't know if my audience can take it. 

Meanwhile

What's a Yucca?

I dunno, what's a Yucca with you?

[crickets]

A Yucca plant doesn't make for such good joking. Change Yucca to Yucky and you've got it made, but it's not a smooth transition. 

I swear on my wandering Jew that my mom totally called me about plants last night. 

via

For this Flip-It Friday I want ya'll to write me a Yucca joke. Or a yucky joke. Or a wandering Jew joke. But make it nice. We all like Jews here - the plants and the people. 

Tipsy Tuesday: Feng Shui. Not Just for the Artsy or Asian

Deep breath in, and relax.

You are in a tranquil space of waterfalls and Ohm. Come with me to the world of Feng Shui. Or as westerners pronounce it "Fung Schway".

A few tenants of Feng Shui that I think could help us all achieve home-decor enlightenment and that I found here are:

1) De-clutter. Get rid of whatever is broken, unused or ugly. Make space.

2) Position furniture so that navigating a room is easy. There should be a "flow". My poetry professors at Purdue would hate me for using the word flow, but love me for that alliteration. I'm sorry/you're welcome.

3) Like in life, keep work and rest separate. Create a physical distinction between where you work and where you sleep. No TVs in the bedroom. No iPhone-ing in bed. Nap in the bedroom and not on the couch, etc.

4) Make repairs promptly. If you don't fix it right away, you're better off getting rid of whatever the item is or calling in a professional. Don't create work-arounds to existing problems.

5) Mirrors. I'm not sure if I agree with this one (the fact that if you hang mirrors at the front door that they will reflect good energy back into the home...ehhhh *shrug*). But if you do hang mirrors in small rooms, it will make them look bigger. If you hang them in dark rooms, it will help make lights and sunlight brighter. It might also feed into your vanity. You be the handsome, handsome judge.

6) Living things. Plants, flowers, fruit, (dogs!). I think it's nice to display an ecosystem in your home. Have things living and existing on all levels helps you feel the balance in the world. And dogs are cute friends, right?

7) Water. I naturally have water in every room with me as I carry glass upon glass of water with me everywhere. I'm the girl who even brings her adult sippy cup to meetings. I think having water (in a glass for drinking, a fountain for listening or a vase for flower-growing), is a mood-lifter and healthy.

8) Colors. I appreciate the look of a monochromatic or all-white space, but I do like it when colors are in balance and abundant, too. Feng Shui leans towards natural greens, golden  yellows mixed with purples and reds. I wouldn't put all of them in a room together in equal parts, but if you focus on 2 or 3 and then just have one square inch of the other two, you could pull it off.

Source: google.com.br via Darlene on Pinterest

9) Avoid sharp lines and corners. Unless you like angular style of course. And if you have children, they'll either cut themselves on your sharp stuff or file all the edges down for you :) Feng Shui suggests that you should avoid pointing corners toward beds or chairs as this will direct negative energy. I think that's smart because if you point the corner of your dresser toward your bed, chances are you are not making the best use of space anyway. Think of arranging your room on a grid.

Do you Feng Shui?

I would walk 500 miles

via

Fantasy Map: Chicago El Overlaid On New York CityA bit of whimsy for you today from Reddit, brought to my attention by Twitter user@GordonWerner. The El has been flipped both horizontally and vertically, then rotated to fit Manhattan’s street grid, but the scaling is totally accurate. It looks like The Loop is placed in the area directly below Central Park. A few things from this: it’s actually kind of scary how well this fits; and it’s astounding just how dense the New York subway’s lines really are (shown here in white).(Source: Reddit)

I WILL walk 500 miles. Over 500 miles (624, to be exact) per year now, just walking to and from the train.

I used to live off of the orange squiggle above (in Chicago), but now will live off of one of the blue squiggles. My walking distance is 2 minutes on the home-side and 5 minutes on the work-side now. It will increase on both ends to 15 minutes on the home-side and 9 minutes on the work-side.

I may not need to run as much now. And I might be able to return to talking on the phone on my way home from work as I will spend more time in fresh, open air instead of cramped on a train.

Be prepared for more 12 minute phone calls, friends and family!

Sometimes I miss the luxury of driving to work.

Listening to the radio.
Putting your heels in the backseat and wearing something comfortable.
Being able to schlep and unlimited amount of bags (gym, lunch, purse, etc.) and not look crazy or take up too many train seats.
Not having to smell other people on the train.
And having private phone conversations.

At least I can talk on the phone now if I need to and I wont feel like a jerk disrupting the peace of the train car.

How do you commute? What do you do on your commutes?

Flip-It Friday: Carpet or Rug

Now that I own a home (Geez! We close next week *hopefully*. Say a prayer that everything goes smoothly!), prepare to get some home design questions from me.

And prepare to weigh in.

Now, I kinda know what I think about this, but what do you think. I want a second (or third, or fourth) opinion:

Source: designsponge.com via Renaya on Pinterest

Rug

Source: masikawa.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Rug

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Taylor on Pinterest

Rug

Source: markdsikes.com via Charlotte on Pinterest

Rug

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Zsuzsika on Pinterest

Carpet?

Source: houzz.com via Erin on Pinterest

Carpet and rug?

Source: thewhitecompany.com via Beccy on Pinterest

Bare floor

Source: bodieandfou.blogspot.com via Taylor on Pinterest

Bare Floor


Rugs Vs. Carpet?

What do you prefer? Namely, in the bedrooms...

Or do you prefer bare floor?

I like the look of bare floor, the ease/comfort of carpet and the style options of rugs...

I couldn't find as many pictures of nice carpet on Pinterest as I could bare floor and awesome rugs. I guess no one is all that thrilled about carpet. I wouldn't be either. It's not as much a "stunner" accessory as it is a comfort.

Flip-It Friday: Personal Growth - What are you working on?

We have made it over halfway through the year. How are you doing on your New Years Resolutions? Did you make any?

I resolved to run/walk/hike 5 miles a week. Might seem like that's not a lot, but for me it was like going from 0 to 60. I am not interested in being athletic. Although I'm naturally pretty small, I was getting soft and doughy and needed to make a change.

I debated sharing this because I know that there are tons of people out there who are more fit than me and also those that are less fit. I didn't want to brag and I also didn't want to appear to be bragging over a few measly miles. But I'm nothing if not awkwardly honest, so let's proceed.

This week I reached some new personal bests. They may not seem difficult to anyone else, but I earned every. last. bead. of. sweat.

I ran my fastest 3 miles (in 29 minutes!) and my longest run ever (4 miles!).

And I plan to keep going. I now resolve to run/hike (not walk!) 6 miles a week and consistently go over that. A few weeks ago I did 9 miles in a week and this week I'm going to do 8. I also have upped the weights I use for strength training (using the 15 pounder ones now - take that 8 lb weights!).

progress

So how about you? What did you resolve to do? Did you keep your resolution going? Are you making any new promises to yourself? 

---

So I used to be doughy: 

 Now I'm really cookin':

 Sorry for the bad jokes, but I also made this bread. I found the recipe on Pinterest and it's seriously easy, but did does take some time for the yeast to proof. Make the dough a day before you need the bread so it can rise. My sister asked for the recipe, so here it is! Mine is made with sage from my friend B.Lill's garden and a 3-cheese blend.

And if anyone cares, here's a hair update. My natural curl is coming through. I'm still learning how to do my hair with it's new texture. I do like this style though. Last night I washed it, combed a light mousse through it and let it air dry. I slept on the waves and then took a hot curling iron to a few wayward ones this morning to take some of the bed-head out of it. Really easy.

Flip-It Friday For Real This Time: Final Dissent

Are you sick of the movie/song/pop-culture puns?

Well I hope you aren't sick of animal euphemisms, cause I just came up with one more this morning on a whim, at the perfect time in a meeting. Just love it when that happens.

Let me set the scene: 

I am working as a pseudo-project manager for a new website/blog that will share information within the consultants at our firm. I am the only person on the team that has ever worked on a blog and have one foot in the technical side and one foot in the creative side. It's an exciting/dangerous place to be because I could screw up so much. Think: rock and a hard place. I love the challenge, but am constantly feeling like I have to speak 2 languages and then back out and look at the big picture. Not to mention that this project is costing my company half of my salary. Yikes!

Well this week we backed up and looked at the big picture and it looked like a beautiful train wreck. Like a Jackson Pollock. A face only a mother (or developer) would love. The rock was cool with it, the hard place was not. 

Like this Jackson Pollock.

So we had to have a come-to-Jesus talk. We had to buff up the rock and rough up the hard-place. I kept saying that we made this awesome product, but they aren't going for it (I feel so Mad Men when I say this). The feeling was, "We can lead a horse to water, but we can't make them drink."

My boss then said, "They need to get on board or get out." And I said, 

"We can lead a horse to water; we can shove their heads in the bucket; they can drink or drown!" 

Ooooh it was so evil. I felt like a viking, but I was standing by our vision. Come think of it, I would never make it on Mad Men. Or as a women in the '60s for that matter. 

So, compromise was not my final option here. When I was faced with dissent, I stood by my product and what was ultimately the best use of our resources for the task at hand.

What would you do? How do you handle workplace disagreements? Are you willing to compromise? Are you good at seeing both sides of an argument? Do you stand for what's good for the company or stand by your department lines? Or do you just plead the 5th?

"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing." - Theodore Roosevelt

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And because you just can't wait to see day 3...

Keratin hair day 3. We're getting a little greasy, folks! The 3 day mark hits between 2 and 4 pm today and I plan to put my hair in a ponytail and then hit the gym at 5. Since I wasn't able to sweat, wash my hair, put it up, pull it back, put it behind my ears for 3 days, I'm ready to break all of those restrictions at once!

(Pre)Friday Flip-It: Taco Supreme Court Ruling: Nacho Grandma's Healthcare

What do you call cheese that doesn't belong to you?

... Nacho cheese!

Heyo! (Does that give the title some context?)

I can't wait until Friday to flip-it on you guys. Tell me: What do you think about the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the new proposed healthcare law?

Comment below with:
- Your health insurance status (have vs. not-have)
- Your political views (if you're comfortable sharing them - I showed you mine, remember?)
- How you currently pay for healthcare/how much you need (i.e. Are you chronically sick?)

Aaaand to lighten it up, here's Katy Perry:

I can't say what it is. I think it's her low female voice (a contralto, Wikipedia says). I won't read Twilight, The Hunger Games or finish the Harry Potter series, but I will watch Katy on YouTube... on repeat. There you have it, I'm a book snob but a chick-pop junkie.

Also an update on the hair. Here's day 2 of the Keratin Treatment:

I wrapped it up last night to shower, but was still worried about the humidity in the shower frizzing it out. I blew it out with a hair dryer for about a minute just to make sure that it was totally dry. This morning I combed it slightly and ran out the door.