1984 - Memories

My first clear memory was having a conversation in the living room of our old apartment - before we bought the house my parent's still live in now. The year would have been approximately 1984. I was sitting on the couch having a very serious conversation with my father, as only a four-year-old could. I wanted to change my first name - I didn't like it.

Wendy wasn't cool enough, wasn't serious enough, wasn't popular enough. My father, ever the level-headed man that he is, suggested I change it to Michele, my middle name. I contemplated this and decided it MAY be the way to go. But since my aunt went by the same name, wouldn't that be confusing? He said I could go by "Mich" (which rhymes with 'fish') to make myself unique. I liked this for a few minutes til I thought of ... being called fish. After a few minutes, he suggested I just keep it simple and just go by Wendy - I agreed. (Wow, he was so smart!)

You see - my father had named me after his favorite song - Wendy by the Beach Boys. He knew before he even married my mother that if he ever had a daughter - she would be named after it. I love my father for entertaining my four-year-old aspirations to change my name --- only to loop me around and have me believe it was my idea not to change it afterall. HA!

These are Hard Times. Be Prepared.

For those of you that are living under a rock, hard times are here (yes, now). I don't know that we're quite at the point of heading towards Tank-Girl/I-Am-Legend Apocalyptic end ... but it's not looking that great.

For starters, you would be amazed at how many people don't 1) read a newspaper or 2) watch the news. I've had people actually shocked when they discover my friends with MBA's and experience still unable to find decent jobs. I'm shocked that they live under a rock! Fact is -you are really sheltered if you haven't heard/felt the effects of the economy by now. This is not a phase. I don't like it anymore than you do and I've had quite a bit to deal with lately (in addition to the economic squeeze).

The only thing you can be on a rainy day is PREPARED. Here's what I've learned from my own trials (and others) of the last few years (in no particular order):

Things I've learned During Hard Times

1) Back up your computer at least once a month.

2) Stay educated, informed and READ the news yourself. Actively seek out what is happening in the world.

3) Pay off debt. As much as you can. Don't accrue any more.

4) Keep some cash on hand -- literally IN YOUR POCKET. If someone were to take your purse or wallet - how would you manage?

5) Learn how to improvise. If you suck at it - take a class. It will only serve as a useful skill. Take it from the adventurer himself, Teddy Roosevelt:

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

6) Exercise - not only will it improve your body, it will improve your overall well-being.

7) Don't go anywhere alone. Yes, they said it as kids & I'll say it again - don't trust strangers.

8) Simplify your life. The more difficult this seems, the more you need to do it. Goodwill still takes donations, consignment shops will pay you for things you don't use or need anymore, and sometimes the thing causing you the most stress is not necessary. 'Nuff said.

9) Find like-minded people! Positive, helpful people only improve your situation. You learn the character of others during hard times. The good ones will still be around years from now.

10) Take up reading. At the very least, you'll expand your vocabulary and general culture beyond your current realm.

Here's my latest book:

Good book so far! If it's not your cup of tea, pick up an autobiography or a fiction novel - my boyfriend enjoys the zombies and post-apocalyptic stuff. Maybe I should read some Tank Girl & Harlan Ellison and prepare myself? LOL Just kidding! I don't eat red meat ... yet.

Throwback Pepsi

I have tried "Throwback Pepsi" ... it's just like regular Pepsi - not as good as Coke :)

This imaginative cartoonist captured quite the rotund enthusiast! I love the curly-Q belly button and drool (or drink) dribbling from their mouth HAHA

For those avoiding artificial sweeteners, and/or high fructose corn syrup - it's an option for some lovely carbonated sweetness every once in a while! (It's sweetened with natural sugar). However, anyone that deludes themselves into drinking themselves into larger clothing sizes thinking they are being healthier - which I'm quite sure many are/will - will be bulging up by the bottle!

To quote the site I found the image on: "This is excellent news for the kind of soft drink purist who would ship a case of Dublin Dr Pepper cross-country. It's not really very exciting for those of us who live within walking distance of Mexican bodegas, or who can't see past the haze of our Diet Coke addictions."

Nun'ya

It's funny how sometimes the most obvious solutions are staring you right in the face.

Questions, Nakedness & Pennies

Since my blogs really have no rhyme or reason, and I don't know that anyone really reads them anyway -- I'm gonna go with RANDOM as my topic for today. Starting with ask.com's Jan '09 list of what New Yorker's asked most in 2008.

Prepare to be scared, tickled and astonished to read the top-searched 2008 queries in New York that address the most random, most embarrassing, most creepy, and most concerning aspects of city life. Here are 10 of the more interesting bits:

Is it illegal to spit on someone in NY?
Who is the Naked Cowboy?
How do I remove auto dealership decals?
Are M-80s illegal in NY?
How do I block my phone number?
Is it illegal to photocopy currency?
How do I induce labor naturally?
Is it illegal to street race in NY?
How can I stalk someone?
How do I pass a polygraph?

Although the rest were somewhat concerning (does the M80 guy want to know for ownership or tattletale purposes?), I find myself compelled to google (cause I'm not an ask.com kinda gal) the naked cowboy.

Per wikipedia:
Robert John Burck, better known as the Naked Cowboy, is an American busker whose patch is on New York City's Times Square. He wears only cowboy boots, a hat, and briefs, with a guitar strategically placed to give the illusion of nudity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_Cowboy

My favorite part of the wiki-entry:
During the 2008 American presidential election Burck was a staunch supporter of John McCain, remarking that the Republican candidate was "older and wiser" than his opponent Barack Obama. (Really? The naked guy is a conservative?) Additionally, on November 22, 2008, he became an ordained minister, and on December 10, 2008 he was officially registered as a marriage officiant by the City of New York. (And, if you want - he'll marry you and your loved one!)

Moving on. I'm visiting Jameson von Monkey Man in July - and I can't wait! I haven't seen him since early May! Now, the only thing I'm NOT looking forward to is being seen next to him in a bathing suit. There. I said it. My greek god boyfriend puts me to shame. LOL But I don't care because I get to see him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In the same vein, I've been trying to exercise as much as my body will allow - and it's ridiculously frustrating. No complaints - I am doing it. Maybe I should just take a cue from the 'almost naked man' and not give a damn?

Another random: I read post secret this past Sunday (yes, Jameson, I did. Sue me.) and someone sent in this secret: "When I see a penny as tails, I flip it over as heads. I hope you find one."

1) How is this a secret?
2) Unless you pick up the penny - see #3? (... all day long you have good luck.)
3) ... isn't this what everyone does?

Just my 1 cent. LOL

And I retire on that thought.