For the Love of all that is Conservative.

I had the opportunity to do some volunteer work yesterday at the Alabama Theatre for the Alabama GOP Presidential Forum... I know, I know. Fish out of water, right?

I laughed at my Mom for telling me to "keep an open mind," when she learned what I would be doing. Considering that I was going to be in a building surrounded by the most closed minded people ever, and being closed minded isn't something I'm actually known for, I thought she was joking. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized she was right. I shouldn't let my stereotyping and prejudice get in the way of this pretty cool experience. So, I went, mind open and willing to listen.

Here are a few things I picked up on while my mind was open:

A banjo playing music to keep the crowd occupied for the 2 hours they were going to have to wait to see their Presidential hopefuls. Appropriate for Alabama.

A 3 year old wearing a "Don't believe the Liberal Media" button. I'm pretty sure these were free at the door.

A man in a flag shirt tried to sticker me with a Santorum sticker. I almost kicked him, before declaring my body needed to be a political free zone since I was technically working.

When you attend one of these gatherings, people automatically assume you're on their "side" and like to have lengthy conversations regarding the sad sack of shit that is our current President, before asking where they can find the restroom.

If you pay close enough attention, you can get pretty good at guessing which side of the line someone falls on. For instance: Long hair pulled into a low bun, with long denim skirt, button down flower shirt and tennis shoes: Santorum.  Young hipster carrying a cool messenger bag: Ron Paul.

I also found it interesting that while Santorum was speaking, his supporters were yelling in agreement, when Newt spoke and actually said the same thing Santorum said, they were quiet. If you support the issue, you support the issue no matter who delivers the message right? Apparently not.

All in all, I went, I listened and I was completely underwhelmed by the 2 of them, and feel certain that Romney wouldn't have made much of an impression on me either. It's not that I went looking to have a radical transformation, but I did go in hopes of coming away with an understanding of what exactly people see in these Candidates, and while I see more in Gingrich (when he isn't dumbing it down,) I don't get it. I just don't.

Sorry, Mom. I tried. I guess I'm just an Obama girl at heart.

President Algae 2012 - Woot!

* No teleprompters were used in the delivery of this blog post *

Bing Travel

Authored by Rickey Combs

One of my good friends, who always seems like he is traveling places, let me in on his little travel secret the other day. I never understood how a ski instructor was able to fly everywhere and do everything on a shoe-string salary. His secret was Bing.Com. I decided to check it out. I logged onto Bing.com, using my clear mount charleston connection and created a travel account. I think that it is one of the best things that I have done in a long time. It isn’t like any other travel site where it just searches for the best available rate. It searches for the best rates and also tracks flights for you. It tells you whether or not you should buy your ticket now or if the prices are going to fall later. It will send you updates as your selected flights prices change. It is really a cool tool. I ended up saving one hundred dollars on the last flight that I bought because it suggested that I wait, that prices for the tickets would be falling—and Bing was right! If you travel, you should definitely look into it.

Fandom

So it appears as if My Lover is going to grace us with his presence again after a little over 2 long years of being away. We're still sticking with the "vocal chord" issues as our official statement regarding the break, but as you know, every relationship has it's dry spell.. Such is life.

With the buzz of the upcoming concert, it got me curious about how many times I've actually seen him perform - he's been to Birmingham a lot, and we owe a huge thank you to the great Scott Register (Reg's Coffee House) for introducing us to the musical magic that is John Mayer.

So after some digging, looking through old concert t-shirts and trying to rely on my very scattered memory, here is what I've come up with so far:

City Stages - 2000
Any Given Thursday - 2002
Heavier Things - November 2003
October 2006 - Oak Mountain
Continuum Tour with Ben Folds - 2007?
Battle Studies - February 2009

I'm sketchy about a show we saw that I think was at the old 5pts music hall...? No idea what year that was or if I even made that up..  The husband and I are also certain that we saw him when he toured with the John Mayer Trio, but can't remember a date on that.

It's approximately 8 times - with one pending. At what point do I cross over to stalker rather than "Obsessed Fan..."

Like You Don't Know...

Being that I'm a complete and total reality television junkie, I have a hard time tuning away even when a series is completely tired and redundant. This goes for the Bachelor 16.

While I think Ben seems like a nice guy, I don't get the physical attraction. The hair is bad. Like really, really bad. The girls are of course beautiful and thin. Same as seasons 1-15.  They even manage to consistently throw in several crazies. I'm guessing this is a requirement.

Also required for each season:

1. On the first night, someone (or multiple someones) are going to get wasted and make complete and total fools of themselves, have crazy eyes and lock themselves in a bathroom crying.

2. The bitchy villain will always make it way farther than she should, in this case to the final 2. This also applies to the Bachelorette.

3. Someone who you think to be somewhat normal will turn batshit crazy on her "kicked to the curb" limo ride home when she doesn't get a rose.

The bickering, catty-ness, tattle-telling and back stabbing are all standard, but my absolute favorite is when the Fantasy Date Card arrives.

We all know it by heart:

The Bachelor "covertly" pulls envelope from pocket, Girl Du Jour is all... "Wha.. Wha.. a card that's going to ask me to spend the night in a fantasy suite.. What?"

While playing coy, she reads:

{Insert Bachelor Name and the "Girl Du Jour"}

We hope you are enjoying your stay in {Insert City/Country}

Should you choose to fore go your individual rooms, please use this key to stay as a couple in the fantasy suite.

-Chris

"Girl Du Jour" then acts all proper, like she's actually considering saying no... *snort* As If! It's the Bachelor 16!! SIXTEEN, People! Do think that any of us buy your terrible acting job and the fact that you wouldn't jump on the chance to get a little sexy time without the cameras rolling?


Puh-lease.

I would love nothing more than for some girl (or guy) to just own it. To wave off dinner and the envelope and ask "So, are we gonna do it, or what?"

That would make for good tv. I'm just sayin'

America's sweetheart Emily Maynard will be back as the next Bachelorette and I of course will tune in.. How could you not after all of the Emily/Whack Job Brad after season drama?

I wonder if this good girl will change the rules up when it comes to the fantasy suite... Don't forget to set a good example, Emily. Your daughter will see this one day!

Happy Belated Day O' Love

Since Pukefest 2012 hit during Valentine's week, all of our celebrations were deferred to this week.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

Pukefest 2012

It all started in the early morning hours. One twinlet up, puking in her bed, screaming from the upstairs.

As the sleepless hours ticked on, the vomiting continued and it was apparent that we had a serious stomach bug on our hands and could only hope (delusionally) that it wouldn't spread through the house like wildfire.

Of course we were delusional. By Tuesday morning, twinlet 2, the Munchkin and myself were hit, and the husband had to be home to man the puke buckets that were being filled every 30 minutes.

As the week wore on, one by one we started regaining our strength, until Thursday. The husband came home early clearly infected and down for the count. I was back in charge, operating at about 70%. Not really how you want to be when dealing with your kids puke and butt pee.

All in all it took a full week start to finish to make it's way through the household. I'm slowly but surely putting my house back together. I'm lysoling everything and am so thankful the weather is warm enough to open the windows and doors to air the place out!

I survived Pukefest 2012 - Where's my damn t-shirt?

My Skin Care Revolution

If you follow this blog even a little, you probably know that I'm not much on New Year's Resolutions. And while I have vowed this year to lose weight, it's more of a Holy-Crap-!!!-I'm-getting-closer-to-40-and-need-to-start-taking-better-care-of-myself-resolution. Part of this resolution has me getting more serious with my skin care.

I will brag a bit and say that I was pretty much blessed with good skin. I've abused it over the years with tanning beds, long days in the sun with absolutely no sunscreen, and a poor, poor cleaning regimen that consisted of bar soap in the shower. But still, my skin was good.

Now the tides are turning and the abuse is starting to catch up. I'm getting closer to 40 (did I mention that?) and the "laugh lines" are starting to form. When I get in the sun, I get spots. It's payback time.

While acne has never really been an issue, minus a big zit or two and the absolute most inopportune times, I've been seeking out all types of info dedicated to skin care, from simple lotions, washes and rinses to the more serious injections and Anti-Aging Light Therapy Treatments.

I think for now, I'm going to commit to just washing my face daily, that should be a no-brainer right? Maybe a good anti-wrinkle cream and conditioner (with sunscreen, of course) and see how far that gets me. As I edge a little closer to 40, we'll see just how pissed off my skin is for all the years of neglect and we'll re-evaluate the steps needed to help me find my fountain of youth.