Sunday, November 22, 2015

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 22

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 22

I'm thankful for my Wonder Twin Jayna (Bunn)


I got the short end of the stick and I can only turn into forms of liquid (i.e. Zan) to help get us out of binds/conversations, as Bunn totally has the raptor/guerilla thing down (all I had was puff adder and llamma). But we can have the most awesome non-conversations with just a look and have the crudest/filthy/foul geek/nerd/cartoon filled conversations using extensive vocabs (to include her fav word indeed) and most of the time hand and body gestures.   From Raptor on tippy toes or guerilla fights with my brother (a true wonder of the world, sadly few have seen it) my wonder twin knows when I'm good or bad, happy or sad... but not in the creepy Kris Kringle kinda way.  And always knows when it is time to feed the pygmy.  I don't know what'd I'd do w/o her.

As a side note at least I'm not Gleek!!

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 21

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 21

I'm thankful for Lindt Truffles


I love chocolate.  Dark. Semi Sweet. Milk. Flavored. With Nuts. With Pretzels. With Peanut Butter. Specialty. Common. My easy go to ('cause I'm bougie and have a 1st choice, but it comes from Vermont) for a speciality chocolate fix are several of the variety of the Lindt chocolate truffles: Hazelnut, Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate, and Milk Chocolate.

A good piece of chocolate will force you to live in the moment. To recognize the joy to be had for that moment.  The smooth creamy texture of the chocolate.  The texture of the nuts or the sea salt.  The amount of sweetness to the truffle.  The wonder at the shell being solid but the inside of the truffle being softer and more fluid.

I'm trying to live more in the present and these help me do that. . . 70 calories and 90 seconds at a time.

Friday, November 20, 2015

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 20

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 20

I'm thankful for Smart, Socially Conscious/Aware Circle Members


The Spiritually Confused World of a Socially Conscious Unsociable… Masked as a Minister by The Eric Brown Venture



30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 19

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 19

I'm thankful for my 1st world problems


With all of the violence and unnecessary death that is happening around the globe this week, it makes me sad for the innocents caught in the middle and it makes me thankful for my "1st world" problems.




Attacks in Beirut, Lebanon on 11/12/2015

240 injured: 43 dead









Attacks in Paris, France on 11/13/2015

325 injured: 130 dead









Attack in Yola, Nigeria on 11/17/2015

80 injured: 34+ dead






Attack in Kano, Nigeria on 11/18/2015

123+ injured: 15 dead




Updated to include:



Attack in Bamako, Mali on 11/20/2015

170 taken hostage: 2 injured: 27 dead













List of terrorist incidents worldwide thus far in 2015


I know that I take for granted that I have food at my house, electricity to light the darkness and drive off the cold, money for life and issues as they arise.  I can get so "in a rut" that I can take these and numerous other blessings for granted and start to complain about the "shit" going on in my life.  But the worry that faces the people in the places listed above and countless others in the 2nd & 3rd world doesn't even begin to cross my mind:

  • Will someone kill me for my beliefs
    • or their beliefs for that matter
  • Will someone blow themselves or me up while I'm at the store
  • Will someone plant an explosive device in the parking lot of my house/apt or job
Before you close your eyes after this please give out in the universe a thought/prayer/word for those that violence has affected and thanks that today it wasn't you.

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 18

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 18

I'm thankful for my sugar bear


This year my kid had a kid.  I'm totally a grand-bug!!!  
She is just so yummy!!


This little lady is going to be so much fun to watch grow up, she is so much of her mother that it is comical to see in a baby.  A totally sassy pants, with RBF that will stop you in your tracks.
Pleabs fetch me my sippy cup


But she also has the wide eyed innocence of her father to smooth out the "burn your house down" rages of my kid.
I am the sunshine in your day!

I can't wait to see just what side of the force my ReyBell ends up on!
I will bring balance to the force


30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 17

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 17

I'm thankful for the blatant blessings


I've struggled to find something to write about for the 17th, I've even written and finished posts for the 18th, 19th, and 20th... and still this languishes.  Leading me to understand that I have so much to be thankful for that I can't pin down one thing that stands out for that day.  #BlatantlyBlessed

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 16

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 16

I'm thankful for Shrimp Mei Fen from Evergreen Express at Nippers Corner


That is all! 

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 15

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 15

I'm thankful for Love In Action


I had the privilege of witnessing the joining of two souls/hearts/lives into one today.  This is one of the most moving types of Love in Action.  Birth, death, sacrifice, & compromise; love, laughter, tears, & hugs; what show to watch, which friend(s) to keep, why are your socks always on the floor & did you forget that that's my box of cereal.  All of these things can be counted on to occur in a marriage, like clockwork they will move through your life, but to have someone there to hold your hand/heart while you go thru it is truly one of God's greatest gifts.

To have a person stand before friends, family, the Creator/Spirit and say that I want to bear witness to your life and I want you to bear witness to mine.  We will be each other's record keeper, your life matters to me. That is such a precious and treasured thing.

Photo: M Antonio Silas 

I send thoughts and prayers out into the universe on behalf of Jenn and Eric.  Infinite wishes for Peace, Joy, Love, Laughter, StarWars, Comic Books, Quiet Evenings, Loud Hockey Games, Thought Provoking Theatre, and Fabulous Libations.  There will be more in your life that is to come than you can imagine and I hope that it exceeds all of your expectations.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 14

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 14

I'm thankful for understanding people


Saturday I was not well.  My day didn't start out with me feeling all that great, but I decided to power thru and try to make the best of the day.  Sadly as the day wore on I got to feeling worse and more drained... I was out and about with people, but it got to the point that I stayed in the car and tried to have a nap.  My travel buddies for the day were super awesome and didn't try to make me feel bad for not feeling 100%.

Shout out to Bunn and Kharry!!




30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 13

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 13

I'm thankful for the grace of meeting another day


There is not really anything that I can add to that statement.  I'm glad that I was allowed to be on this side of the dirt on Friday, for I know that there were millions of other that were not afforded that opportunity.

Friday, November 13, 2015

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 12

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 12

I'm thankful for gift of time


This November 12th marks the 10th year since my grandfather passed away.  I don't normally get overwrought with emotions on this day, but I find that I'm more at peace with it this year than in years past.  I think about all that's gone on since the end of 2005 and wonder about what "Jason" would have thought about it all.  Most things he would shake his head and grunt over, a good bit would get him to saying "My aching ass", and the rest he would probably chuckle over.

There were times when we would speak on the phone and he would tell me to go and look something up or ask me to go and find him some obscure book/pamphlet and tell me to read it before I sent it to him. . . This was his method of teaching me w/o me knowing.  LOL  I always saw thru it, but I would comply to the best of my ability so that he would get what he needed and he could give me what he thought I needed.

There are moments when I miss him so much it almost hurts to breath, the tears and the memories clouding my vision and mind's eye.  Thankfully they never last long, as I'm more grateful that he's no longer trapped in a body that betrayed him. A body that didn't allow him the necessity of drawing a deep unencumbered breath, or the simplest pleasures of feeling the sunshine on his face, the breeze on this skin, or his beloved soil on his fingertips.

28 years gave me time with my grandfather and allowed me to learn wondrous things from him. The 10 years since has given me a fuller, better appreciation of the special man that he was and the blessing that was uniquely mine in having him in my life. 

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 11

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 11

I'm thankful for the opportunities afforded me by the price paid by soldiers


Yesterday was Veteran's Day.  The day that we take time out to say thank you to those brave souls for giving Uncle Sam ultimate dominion over their lives for a period of time.  If you think about it there is not really anything adequate to demonstrate the high level of gratitude due to those that defend our rights as Americans.  To have the cojones/stones/balls to defend that which may not benefit you, that which you don't believe or support AND the right of others to express themselves and their views on things/people/life, that takes a special kind of person.

With the the current tides, tones, and issues in the U.S. right now, I'm more in awe of the folks in my life that took that step than ever.  A step that most of of the population has never considered, thought about, or even spent mental energy on.  The basis for the step may have been completely altruistic or it may have been taken in order to set themselves on a better path than the one they stepped off of, my gratitude is the same regardless.



I don't know that I could answer that call


The 18/19 year old me could've done it.  I had planned on it, but was offered another road away from the place I was so desperate to escape from.   But the 38 year old me... Not so much.  There is SO much about the world that I can't stand / fathom / stomach / understand that I honestly cannot say with certainty that I wouldn't lose my Jesus and go Planet of the Apes on some dumb ass that's fucking off, based on the check that I'd have written to my Government.  I know, I know "way to bring the room down!  I thought you were a granola hippy?"  Yeah, yeah I am to an extent, but I'm a conservative hippy (that's a conversation for another day).
If it wasn't for the folks that have touched my sphere of existence (those pictured above), and the numerous other nameless/faceless souls we wouldn't have the freedom to stand up and cheer for things that you believe in or conversely voice our opinion or displeasure at something that's happening in our neighborhood/city/county/state and country.

So Thank You!

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 10

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 10

I'm thankful for my belief in the power of pharmaceuticals 

I'm congested and my allergies suck.  There for I'm specifically thankful for Sudafed-D and Zyrtec today, without them I'd not be able to breath.  As it is I sound like a 9 year old chain-smoking helium addict (yeah figure that out).

Meds please be a fence between me and this crud!!

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 9

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 9

I'm thankful for the religious in my life that don't bag on me for not being all religiousy


I grew up being beat about the head, neck, and shoulders with: "...you're going to hell!".  Now there were so many slights that could preface the going to hell, that it got to the point where I was a snarky beasty and said "as long as you're not there, it's all good!".  I know, I know total bad seed and all.  But it helped me along to where I was like I'm not really into "religious". 

And then there were the Sundays spent in 3-5 hours of Sunday School... Yes you read that correct Three (3) to Five (5) hours of Sunday School.  My church didn't have a full time pastor, so we would only have church every other Sunday & even on church Sundays, you were guaranteed at least 2-3 hours of Sunday School.  Most understand that children don't have the attention span for all that, heck I as an adult right now don't have the attention span for that.  But then the cherry on top was that I and my cousin, Bunn, were often times the only non card carrying members of AARP or on Pension in attendance.  So I didn't understand that church could be brief (45 - 60 mins) or fun.

And then I got to college!

And in this mythical place I was introduced to folks that spent all kinds of time @ church and had fun doing it. This.Blew.My.Mind.  The bad part is that I again ran into those that brow-beat me with their religion and how I was not following the path!  Like dude what are you talking about, God is all about free will, he gives you options and hopes that you chose wisely or are willing to ask for assistance to find the one that's correct for you.  And then I ran into my church elves, the ones that will still love me for me, offer me assistance when needed/necessary, and let me pick their brains about God, Jesus, The Bible, Church stuff, etc.  I wouldn't trade these elves for nothin' in the world.  They understand that I'm not challenging what they do/believe and the path that I'm walking is my own.

Monday, November 9, 2015

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 8

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 8

I'm thankful for restful people


Restful people are the balm to the soul of the introvert.  They don't suck your energy, they are relatively drama free, and they are a joy to be around.  They can make you laugh, can lift your spirits, listen to your woes.  Just generally make your day better.

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 7

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 7

I'm thankful for the self love that was instilled in me by my Chuck


I had someone say something to me that just set so wrong with me that I couldn't keep my tongue.  They didn't see it as anything more than being a flippant comment, but it was insulting to me and I made sure to tell them 6 ways to Sunday just how I felt about it. . . Today after thinking about it again (like introverts are known to do) it came to me that if I didn't have the level of self love that I do, I would have let those words plant negative thoughts in my head/heart, destroying  my self worth.

Thankfully I can say that I had a great teacher of this life lesson in the love the my grandmother, Charlie Herring (AKA Chuck) had for herself.  I would like to be able to better or properly explain to you just how fiercely she "loved her some Charlie", something that she would tell you on a regular.  Regardless of what was thrown at her she held tight to 1) her love for Jesus and 2) her love for herself.  Growing up with this example I took it to heart that I should love myself.  In watching others in my life (family, friends, contacts) I began to notice that others didn't have this love of self.  And this observation led me to understand that you can't love what you made (your kids) or others if you don't love yourself.  

So much of the world's suffering, all I believe, from a lack of self love.  

Proctast................

Oh, hey there sorry this took so long... But you know how it is: naps to take, paint to watch dry, you know life.   I'm pretty sure that you know what a procrastinator is, heck you probably have a loved on in your life that drives you nutty with the crap.  But as I've set the precedent with the previous post, let's just keep with the routine.  It may help me get through this in a more timely fashion:

  • pro·crast·inat·or
    • ˈproh-kras-tuh-neyt-or, pruh-/
      • nouna person who delays or puts things off — like work, chores, or other actions — that should be done in a timely manner. A procrastinator is likely to leave all the Christmas shopping until December 24th. Procrastinator comes from the Latin verb procrastinare, which means deferred until tomorrow.

Our creed should be: "Why do today what you can put of 'til tomorrow?"  You know we waited until the last possible moment to even get that far.  We would've had a coat of arms or crest for our club, but that OITNB marathon on Netflix was not gonna wait any longer.

I am more than able to get things done in a timely manner, but I don't have that, shall we say, "fire in my belly" that moves me to want to go about things in an urgent (timely) manner.  My life could be TONS easier and I could possibly coast through more than I do now, I could also take that time and get some of other productive things done (side gig, blogging, finishing/starting new crafts), or I could take all that left over time and still do what I did when I was procrastinating.    But somehow I can't find it in myself to get past my need to not do it right now.  I will finish other things that I didn't want to do in order to get out of what I should be doing. How bad is that? Matter of fact I'm writing this instead of working on my other post (Outgoing Introvert)... I know I really need to get my life together.

If you do more searches on the web for additional info on procrastination you will see articles and blurbs that discuss the "possible" causes or the root of the problem... Everything from anxiety, shame, perfection issues, etc.  Ehh, I think that mine comes down to when I don't want to do something I'll put it off to the very last possible moment; and then the only reason that I'm probably doing the "thing" is that I don't want to hear someone else's mouth about it.

Dammit!   I'm an adult, I should have a better grasp of moving at the speed of life.  Yet and still, I move at the pace of a turtle with arthritis.  So if anyone is looking to part with some motivation, mojo, action juice,  whatever you want to call it, please let me know I'm in the market to acquire some.... at some point.  ;0)

'Til next time:  Keep swimming or you'll go belly up! *^_^*

Saturday, November 7, 2015

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 6

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 6

I'm thankful for #TheWorldsBestBesties

I'm blessed enough to have three of the best people ever in my life and even better they are elite level... They are Besties.  That mystical beast that is told of in fairy tales, kinda like the Loch Ness Monster or Yeti, but more elusive and worth more than the National Inquirer could afford for the story.

All three of my people are wicked smart and don't make me feel like a douche for the nerdy things that I often times do or say (which is most of the time).  One is a total sports head and physical healer, one is an adventure junky and mental healer, and the other is a Jacqueline of all trades (what you need she's got... or can get).  We can talk all the time or hardly at all, but our "shorthand" is so awesome that I can stay in step with them and not feel as though something is lacking.  This peace and ease of friendship/companionship is so great that I'm in constant awe of these fabby folks.

I wish that everyone had access to at least one person in their lives that was to them what my trio are to me. I know that the world would be a more peaceful an loving place that wish ever came to pass.

Friday, November 6, 2015

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 5

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 5

I'm thankful for naps

I got to work today earlier than normal and was looking at the clock like it stole my ice cream by 11:45 AM and thinking to myself I need a "hall pass" or "note from my grammy" so that I could skip out on the rest of the day.  AND I still didn't leave the office 'til after 6:30 PM!  I stopped for grub and brought my tail to the house. . . needless to say I fell asleep on the end of the bed. Now you know why this is so late! ;0)

Naps are just the best that bit of rest to help you not want to 186 someone.  Naps can keep you from getting a more intimate knowledge of OITNB.

#NapsSaveLives

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 4

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 4

I'm thankful for old people remedies

Bare with me on this one, I'm not feeling so hot and I don't know if it's allergies, weather crap, or if I've got the dreaded "ICK".  So out come the remedies that were passed on to me by my 'Rents (grand that is):
  • Symptoms: 
    • Possible Solutions
  • Up-Set/Sour Stomach: 
    • Ginger Ale/Sprite/7UP, Bananas, Crackers, Pickle Juice, Buttermilk (I'll never try this one to know if it really works or not)
  • Headache:
    • Apply Pressure / Pinch: the "web" between your thumb and the palm of your hand OR pinch the tip of your pointer finger (to cover your entire nail) as strongly as you can
  • Earache:
    • Put some "sweet oil" (i.e. olive oil) in your ear and put a piece of cotton in your ear canal to keep the oil in there
The list of things that you can do are endless and depend on where you or your people are from.

I'm off to self-diagnose and mix and match my remedies to try and cut this off at the pass, wish me luck!

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 3

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 3

I'm thankful for the sound of music

Yeah, yeah, I'm glad for the musical/movie too, but I was specifically talking about the "sound" of music. The way it hits my ear drums, brain, heart, feelings.  Music can drive me to manic heights of joy, depressive lows of pain and loss, and every imaginable stop in-between.  I saw this meme and it is so perfect for me:
This is the honest truth...my truth.  There are times in my life when I can't rub two words together to form a coherent thought to express myself properly but I guarantee you that I can find a song that will get my point across.

In college I started making mix tapes, and then on to playlists, that were entire conversations within themselves.  I can go back and listen to those and know exactly where I was (physically/emotionally/mentally) when I was putting it together. Which on one hand is a beautiful priceless thing, but on the flip can bring me down to the depths of despair with the playing of a chord.

This time of year I'm normally well in to my morose period of the year, Bunn calls it my "Darcy" period... I'll have to tell you about that later it is a story unto itself.  Well I decided that I was going to do better about my state of mind and mental health and not take myself to those places on purpose and then songs like this happen:


This jewel is the type of song that gets put on replay for hours (and has and is currently happening in my AKGs as I type this) while I lay on the floor, bed, couch and listen with my eyes closed.  It speaks to a place in my heart that I can't even begin to tell you about.  Songs like this help get me thru life.  Songs that touch me like this, help me be me.

Monday, November 2, 2015

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015: Days 1 & 2

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 1

I'm thankful for do-nothing-days

Do-Nothing-Days are the best and I think that everyone should schedule them.  A day where you literally Do Nothing. Our current society doesn't really prize "quiet" and "stillness" anymore. You have to be doing something.  Most think that "quiet" and "stillness" go with you being really into yoga and health food; you know tree hugging, meditation doing, crunchy granola folks.  Now while I do encourage everyone to really give yoga/Pilates a real try and think that everyone would benefit from mediation (or prayer if you like).  Being quiet and still are separate things that enhance the others.  

When you are quiet and still you can hear yourself: your mind and your body.  It allows you to get back in-touch with yourself.  This "touching bases" with yourself allows to make sure that you're doing okay.


Day 2

I'm thankful for Starbucks

My Venti , non-fat, no foam Chai Tea Latte is sometimes the best part of my day.  And when you are trying to set the habit of being grateful, you sometimes get big things (like for Day 1) and some days you have to accept the small things that the universe throws your way. ;0)



Outgoing Introvert... Wait, What?!?!

Okay so let do a bit of "housekeeping" before I get started with this one:
Definitions, so that you have a starting point:


  • out·go·ing

    • ˈoutˌɡōiNG/
      • adjective: Friendly and socially confident

  • in·tro·vert

    • ˈintrəˌvərt/
      • noun: a shy, reticent person
      • adjective: another term for introverted


Still feel like your butt's in the wind?  'Cause you thought you knew what an introvert was?  Here is a better explanation of how introvert is used:

  • A term introduced by the psychologist Carl Jung to describe a person whose motives and actions are directed inward. Introverts tend to be preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings and minimize their contact with other people.


There, feel better now?  Still no huh?

Mmmk, how about examples?


  1. I'm a recruiter for my job, I love doing it.  I'll talk to folks about getting a job with the Federalies for HOURS and be fine.  But the moment my "shift" is over don't talk to or look at me, for real though. It's even better if you don't even share space with me.
  2. I can go out to a club/party with you and have a great time, but once we're done don't text/call/email/want to see me for at least 24 hours.  And that 24 hrs is a bare minimum of time that I need to regroup.
    • I "peopled" so much for my collegiate homecoming this year, that I had to "not people" for 48 hours after Saturday came to a close.

So I can and will be friendly and participate socially but I have to keep to myself for a while afterwards.   And this is due strictly to how I process the world around and how I gather my energy.  

Think about it like this:  Do you have a friend that after you hangout with them you feel like you need a nap?  You may have thought that it was just cause Chip or Becky has too much drama going on in their lives... And while that may be true, a large part of that is that Chip and Becky are probably extroverts meaning that they get their energy from interactions with others.  They feel energized and you feel zombie like; you basically became a copper-top.  

So what the examples are basically saying is that I can and often do participate, but I have to allowed some time to myself to recharge my batteries.

I know I've made this clear as mud, but I'm still getting the hang of this, so please work with me! Your gracious understanding is most appreciated.  Leave me some feedback, if only to tell me that you couldn't get past the 2nd line. ;0)

Until next time, remember just keep swimming or you'll go belly up! *^_^*