30somethingandsearching

Have you noticed that men get weird hair as they get older?

photo credit: straightdope.com

Now, I won’t pretend that women don’t get hair in places they would prefer not to as they age as well.  We all know about the dreaded mustache, chin hair and other random hairs that can grow out of other areas of the face.

I have a while before that happens to me.  Maybe by then they will have a magic pill that stops strange hair growth (other than estrogen, that is).

I have noticed, though, that men get really long and random hairs grow from their ears and nose.  You expect the hair growing from the inside of the nose and ears for men, but what about the outside?

Yep.  They get it growing from the earlobes and the tip of their nose.

In fact, my step-dad gets one hair from the tip of his nose.  Just one.  When I see it, I pluck it. 

He doesn’t like that, but I am sorry, you are not going to a big meeting or presentation with the president of some company and politicians, etc with a big, black hair growing from the tip of your nose!

He also gets one long, dark hair growing from each eyebrow.  Just one.  It gets to be an inch long before I notice it, and of course, then I pluck it too!

He acts like he is annoyed when I do this.  I see it and I say, “stay right there.”  He doesn’t realize why until I come running back with the tweezers.  You’d think by now, he would know what I was going to do.

Every time, however, he cringes and acts annoyed, but I think he likes that I take care of him.

He says he likes the crazy eyebrow.  I tell him he looks menacing.

If any of you are products of the 80’s, you might remember Strawberry Shortcake and the Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak.  Well, that is what he looks like, that menacing Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak. 

__________________________________________________________________________________

I recently joined the Facebook revolution.

I had been on Myspace for a few years, but I have neglected it. I admit to having had a Myspace addiction when I first signed up. It was a lot of fun to find old friends and get reacquainted.

Over time, about a year, my interest (and time) dwindled. I only go on Myspace now if I get a message. Otherwise, months go by.

photo credit: adblogarabia.com

A few weeks ago, my sister joined Facebook and found tons of old friends from grade school and high school. I decided to go on and see what Facebook looked like because I had no idea.

I signed up so I could see my sister’s profile and then I found other people.

I am in no way addicted to it. I go days without signing on. I also cannot stand the throwing of things. Once in a while I don’t mind getting things thrown at me or throwing things back, but there are days where I am inundated with beads, drinks, pillows, etc being thrown at me.

photo credit: facebook gifts

I really don’t get it. I don’t understand “poke”…what is it and why do people do this?

I also am bored with being tagged in notes. I have one person who has tagged me multiple times, but I just don’t have time.

If I weren’t busy with school, maybe I’d play along with some of it, but I am busy with school and really don’t have the time for that.

I do like that I have found some old friends I haven’t talked to in years. There seem to be a lot more people on Facebook than on Myspace. Otherwise, I honestly don’t care a whole lot about Facebook.

What about you? Have you joined Facebook? Are you addicted to it?

________________________________________________________________________________

Don’t you just hate those telemarketing calls?

photo credit: ehow.com

I signed up years ago on the Do Not Call Registry, but certain telemarketers are exempt.

That includes fundraising for charities and political parties.

Normally, I don’t mind that.  We don’t get many calls from charities other than those we have donated to in the past.  It generally increases around the holidays, but that is to be expected.

Political calls are rare. 

Even during the 2008 campaign and election, we didn’t have many calls.

The last two weeks, however, have turned into a circus.

Every day we get 4 to 8 calls from Telefund, which is a company that raises money on behalf of charitable organizations.  They call anywhere from 8 am to after 9 pm 7 days a week.  It is obnoxious. 

They called yesterday, Sunday, a day that should be free from any solicitation as far as I am concerned.  It rang twice; I picked up the phone and hung it up.  Leave me alone!

The political calls have gotten ridiculous the last 2 weeks as well.

We have a special primary election Tuesday here for the open seat in Congress Rahm Emanuel left.

Nearly every day we have calls from candidates.  Not only do we have the prerecorded calls from each candidate, we have calls from their volunteers, which show up on Caller ID simply as Cellular Call and the number.

Since we are getting responses for my grandma’s birthday party and do not know all the numbers people would call from, we end up answering these calls.

My feeling with any kind of solicitation, or anything really, is the more you bother me about something, the less likely I am to do what you want.

Therefore, if you call me daily, I am certainly not going to vote for you or donate to your charity, no matter how worthy you or it might be.

There are two candidates for whom I definitely would not vote. 

Why?  Well, I will tell you. 

They EMAILED me! 

It might just be me, but I feel like that is so much more of an invasive technique than the phone call.  To get my email address, you had to have purchased it from someone with the sole intent of soliciting me. 

Phone numbers are public.  Phone numbers are usually written down with your voter registration.  As annoying as it is, I know I have given them my number.  I did not give them my email address.

And then to stop them from emailing me further, I have to UNSUBSCRIBE.

I NEVER SUBSCRIBED TO BEGIN WITH!

The only politicians that have ever emailed me are those that I provided my address with on THEIR websites. 

I know that email is the new, cool, hip way of keeping in touch with your constituents, but I am not your constituent yet. 

And frankly, if ALL the candidates had emailed me I might think they were given the email address from Rahm Emanuel’s listing, but only 2 emailed me. 

Perhaps it is the build up of all these calls from both the charities and the politicians that have irked me so much.  Either way, I want all those telemarketers to know that I am beyond annoyed and you are fighting a losing battle by contacting me!

Go away!  All of you, just leave me alone and GO AWAY!

Okay, rant over.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Do you read the obituaries?

I find this to be a fascinating pastime. 

I have never read the obituaries other than if someone I knew passed away and I was looking for the wake/funeral information.

My mom, however, reads them in Wednesday’s and Sunday’s Chicago Tribune every week.

photo credit: Chicago Tribune

This is not something that she has just started to do as she’s reached the AARP age bracket.  She has always done this.

I asked her why, because to me it is quite morbid.  She says she is looking for people she might know.  Sometimes someone passes and their family wouldn’t know or think to contact her. 

Well, that is still very morbid, but okay.  I guess that makes sense.

What is weird is that she doesn’t just skim for names she recognizes, she reads those for people she doesn’t know.

photo credit: blakcat at flickr

She frequently points out names of people, the length of the entry, what their life was like, how many grandchildren they left behind, etc.

The other day she pointed out two small children that died.  One a 3 year old and the other an 8 year old.  She read the entire entry and was teary eyed.  Well, yes, this is very sad and I am sorry for their families.  I am not trying to be insensitive to them.  I just find it an odd pastime.

Especially for someone who has very little time to herself.  Though, maybe that helps her relax or stay focused on what she does every day caring for my uncle. 

Do you or anyone you know read the obituaries regularly?

It’s Fat Tuesday! 

If you participate, it is your last chance to indulge before lent begins.

Traditionally a religious observance, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, has become synonymous with excess.  Carnival is prominent in many cities worldwide, but in the United States, New Orleans is it. 

If you ever wondered why everything Mardi Gras related is purple, gold and green, it is because those are the colors of Mardi Gras.  There are several Mardi Gras parade krewes, but the krewe Rex selected the colors in 1872 and gave them their meaning in 1892.  Purple represents justice, Gold represents power and Green represents faith.  

Having French origins, it makes sense that New Orleans would be the host to Mardi Gras.  If you ever get down there, be sure to stop by Mardi Gras World and check out the floats and costumes on hand.

New Orleans is my favorite city; I have been there many times.  Every year around this time, she calls to me.  I can smell, taste and feel the city around me, though I am all the way in chilly Chicago.

It is not the alcohol and freedom from inhibitions that draws me, though it does not hurt.  It is the architecture, the art, the food (who could resist the food?), the music, the people.

It has been over 2 years since my last visit and I do miss you, Vieux Carré!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

What are you cutting back on to save money?

In this economy and the downward spiral of the job market, many are making big and small changes to their daily routines and household expenses.

What are you changing?

I have already changed both my health and car insurance to lower my monthly premium.  There alone I have cut out over $250 a month.

Many are eliminating their daily latte, eating out much less, getting their hair cut less frequently, doing their nails at home among other small changes to ease the strain from this economy.

photo credit: news.ft.com

We may cut out the movie channels from our cable subscription.  We don’t watch them that often and if it saves a few dollars a week it might be well worth the change.

My current project is changing my cell phone plan.

I have not been under a contract for over a year so I have been on the plan I elected 3 years ago.  The plan was a special deal they had going, nothing like the plans they have now.  I have 1500 anytime minutes.  I don’t use even close to that. 

I also have a texting plan that costs $5 a month.  I don’t text all that often either. 

I can save over $10 a month by cutting out the texting plan and changing my plan to one with fewer minutes.  If I need to text someone, it costs $0.15.  For the rare instance that I actually use this feature, that small amount is better than $5. 

I am trying to get my step-dad to cut his Starbucks habit.  He spends $60 a month on coffee.  It’s plain old coffee, not a fancy latte or anything he couldn’t make at home.  Some habits are hard to break.

All these little changes add up.  Until the economy changes, there are just some sacrifices we have to make.

Some may think that cutting back on luxuries means you are in financial trouble, but it doesn’t.  Not for everyone.  It may, however, be what saves you from a financial disaster.  With the current instability of the economy and job market, making a budget and cutting back on things you don’t really need in order to save money might just be the smartest thing you could do.

photo credit: kpth.com

Are you making changes to save money?

Do you watch the Oscars every year?

Will you watch tonight?

Do you see the movies that are nominated before the big night?

I watch every year and I will watch tonight, but I rarely see any of the films.  Once in a while I may have seen one or two, but not very often.  Though, the majority of the films nominated look like they might actually be enjoyable.

So, why do I watch? 

To see what everyone is wearing, of course.

I’m not one to follow any celebrities closely in the news or read the rags for bits of info.  If they show it on the mainstream news, I find out about it, otherwise, I am clueless and couldn’t really care less.

I do love seeing them all glammed up though.  It’s the one night of the year that the celebrities go back to Old Hollywood with the ball gowns and fabulous hair, not to mention the shoes and accessories.  I imagine Fashiona will have a recap of the best-dressed celebrities.

I also hear all the buzz and hoopla about the nominees, which then inspires me to watch the Oscars to see who wins. 

photo credit: oscar.com

I know there is a bit of a disagreement among critics as to whether or not the late Heath Ledger is deserving of a nomination, let alone the win, for his role in The Dark Knight.  

They are also discussing if the award will be presented to Heath Ledger’s daughter Matilda. 

I keep seeing commercials for the Academy Award special Barbara Walters is having prior to the Oscars.

She is interviewing Hugh Jackman, which makes sense as he is hosting the Oscars,

photo credit: moviesditsky.com

Anne Hathaway, who is nominated for Best Actress In A Leading Role for her work in Rachel Getting Married,

photo credit: oscar.com

Mickey Rourke, nominated for Best Actor In A Leading Role for his work in The Wrestler,

photo credit: oscar.com

 and the Jonas Brothers. 

What? 

The Jonas Brothers?

I can’t help but sing “one of these things is not like the other.”

Is this their attempt to get a younger demographic or is there a reason I don’t know of for having the Jonas Brothers on this show?  Am I missing something?

This season on The Biggest Loser, I am moved by the kindness and sense of community among all of the contestants.

Last season, I was disgusted with the way some of the contestants behaved and this season is like a breath of fresh air.

There are always some contestants that I feel connected too or cheer on a bit more than others.

It is usually someone in whom I see a strength or a great pain they need to overcome.

It is usually a woman that learns her own beauty and power.

This season, there are several that are standing out to me.

Tara (a 23-year old former model), of the green team, has been a powerful contestant from day 1.  She does not give up.  She fights for every pound every moment of the show.  She is definitely an empowered woman.  Her drive is inspiring.

(Tara on the left)

This week they had a challenge, which was to climb a tall hill to retrieve a key that would unlock the door to the gym.  Only 2 teams (4 contestants) would find the key that unlocked the door giving only those 4 contestants access to the gym the entire week. 

There were dozens of keys and they had to keep going up and down the hill until the 2 keys were found.  It was blazing hot out and they kept running up and down.  Tara was up and down that hill more than most other contestants.  She was throwing up from the physical toll on her body, but she kept going.  That is determination.

I was thinking, wow she is a machine.

A few scenes later, Tara showed us a more vulnerable side.  It was good to see that everyone, including someone as strong as Tara, could experience a moment of weakness.  It is okay to be scared.

Another contestant that stands out is Mandi, mother of 2 boys, from the yellow team.  This is a woman that came to the show with little self-esteem and had no idea of her own self-worth.  She is a competitor, though.  Give her a challenge and she will fight till the very end.  She does not give up.  She shows her weaknesses to the world, but when it comes down to it, she is just as determined as Tara.

(Mandi on the left)

The third person that stands out to me is Kristin, from the purple team.  She is currently the heaviest woman in the house.  Last week, after working her butt off, she gained 2 pounds.  She was devastated.  This week, she lost 12 pounds putting her under 300 lbs for the first time in 8 years.  She is trying to lose weight to have a baby. 

(Kristin on the left)

What I love about Kristin is her attitude.  She never complains.  She just does whatever her trainer tells her to do.  A woman of her size would normally be hindered by the weight and unable to complete some of the tasks let alone be a competitor.  She always does well and makes it look easy.  In the challenges amongst the contestants, she fights hard to win.  She has come in second a few times beating out the men, even winning a tough challenge last week through sheer determination.

I love seeing this kind of strength in women.  The kind of strength that proves you can do anything you set your mind to.  The kind of strength that tells the world you are someone to be reckoned with.  The kind of strength that says you can overcome any obstacle.

I’d love to see these three in the finals.  I’ll be rooting for you, ladies.

My mom came home the other day and told me that a friend of ours is getting divorced.  It was a bit of a shock to us.  Like most marriages seem to outsiders, things were good.  They had been married for about 15 years. 

The reason they are getting divorced is because he cheated.  With his secretary. 

It’s always the secretary. 

She confronted the secretary; she admitted and apologized because she never meant for this to happen, but she told the wife other things that the husband has not, such as it is still going on.

     photo credit: womansavers.com

The husband wants to work things out, but the secretary says they are still having an affair, so the wife has already started the divorce process.

I’m sad for her, but I am more sad for her 4 kids.

I am the product of divorce and the cause for that divorce is multiple affairs.  My father couldn’t keep his pants on.  He was caught once and my mom forgave him.  He was stupid enough to bring one of the bimbos to our house when my mom was visiting her parents.  The neighbors saw and told her.  Second time caught and that was the end. 

I was 4 when they divorced.

Because of their divorce, and the reason for their divorce, I’ve always been apprehensive about the thought of marriage.  Until I was in my mid-twenties, I flat out refused to ever get married. 

Who wants to set themselves up for that kind of pain? 

Not me, that’s for sure.

Then I started seeing friends and family enter marriages that appeared to be strong and healthy. 

My sister and my brother-in-law were a good fit from the beginning.  Though he can annoy me at times, I think he is a good guy and I don’t think he would cheat on my sister.  Despite the fact that he has many similarities to my father, I think he is a better man than my father ever was. 

Plus, he has had his life threatened, prior to their wedding, if he ever hurt her.  I think he knows us well enough to believe we would follow through.

Then one of my best friends got married around the same time.  They seemed to be a perfect match too.  Their relationship, combined with my sister’s, made me start to think maybe the idea of marriage wasn’t so bad.  Maybe there are men that are honest and good.

Then, he left without explanation.  She pointed out phone numbers she didn’t recognize and I called all unknown numbers until we determined he was cheating.  He is still with that woman over 6 years later. 

It worked out okay for her in the end as she is married and has 2 kids now, but I saw it tear her apart. 

And I began doubting the male species once again.

My other best friend married a few years later.  I met her husband and fell in love with him.  Not the way she fell in love with him, but I fell in love with the kind of man he is. 

I adore him.  He’s a good ole boy from Louisiana.  The fact that he is from New Orleans (my favorite place) was enough for me to like him before I even met him, but his character blew me away. 

I have a penchant for southern boys.  Probably because my grandpa was a good ole southern boy.  There is just a level of respect and loyalty that often comes with southern men.  From what I know of him and the man he is, I really don’t believe he would ever cheat on her.

However, there have been others whom I never thought would be the type to cheat.  Men that seem to adore or even worship their wives.  Men that love their wives and would never leave them yet, some of them have no qualms cheating.  I have been surprised many times by men I never thought would cheat only later to find out that he cheated and/or they are divorcing.

It makes me wonder if all men cheat. 

I have heard the bull cocky about the animal instinct to spread their seed or the inability for humans to be monogamous.  I don’t buy that.  Yet all around me, there is evidence of men who cannot seem to control themselves. 

I understand that in most cases, there was some obvious issue in the marriage that created an unhappy atmosphere, which caused him to stray.  Even so, the man should be a man and say so making an attempt to resolve that issue. 

So, I ask, do all men cheat and only some get caught? 

It makes me wonder if I should even consider marriage anymore.  I don’t know if I could handle that kind of betrayal.

We have all seen this photo, correct?

photo credit: Chris Gordon, WireImage

The photo that set the world on fire, right?

The image shows Jessica Simpson with a few extra pounds from when we last saw her. 

The media has blown this story out of proportion.  She gained a few pounds.  So what?

I will disclose right now that I do not like Jessica Simpson.  I find her more irritating than I can even tell you.

Regardless of personal feelings toward her, I found this story to be offensive and a sad example of the pressure women are under to be perfect.

If a woman is not a size 0, she is fat.  I must be obese because I am a size 10 at 5’10.  Holy crap, send me to The Biggest Loser right now!

I don’t see a fat woman in this photo.  I see a woman who is healthy.  She is not a stick figure, she has curves. 

When are we going to stop beating each other up?  When are we going to say “that is enough?”

Until women stop buying the tabloids that vilify women for being womanly, our children are going to be the ones to suffer.  Little girls and young women see these stories and grow up thinking they have to be skinny or, worse yet, perfect to be accepted.

As a former anorexic, it pains me to see stories like this.  In the recent past, it was Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tyra Banks who were under fire for not being stick figures.

We can’t win.  If we are skinny and small chested with no butt, we are teased for looking like a boy.  If we are curvy and womanly, we are told we are fat.

NEWSFLASH!  There is no such thing as perfection.  It is a mind game and a sick form of torture.

Let it go.  As long as you are healthy, embrace your body. 

Where the media should have targeted Jessica Simpson in this photo is her wardrobe.  What IS that?