I'm starting to think I should be a Today Show reporter since I ranted about Halloween costumes before they did. However, I was not aware of the youngins participating in this madness as well. I never thought I'd say it, but.....the kids these days!!!!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Halloween Rants
Since Halloween is a week away I thought I'd share my biggest Halloween rant. Why do girl's use Halloween as an excuse to dress like a hooch? I believe just because you are in a costume does not mean you have the right to slut it up for the night. It really makes me crazy. And, yes...I judge it!!!! I'm not really a big Halloween fan anyway though...so maybe I'm the wrong person to ask.
I was in a heated discussion about such costumes this morning and was then forwarded an oh so appropriate YouTube video on the overabundance and misuse of sexiness in the world of costumes.
I think if you're gonna dress like a hooch, then dress like a true hooch....don't take something that's normal like say a nun and spice it up. Fine...be a Hooter's girl. I'm even ok with the sexy french maid and the sexy nurse - - - those I get. But don't ruin a perfectly good Little Bo Peep costume (as shown above).
I'm sure I'll have some dissent from the male readers of Leigh Leigh Land on this one, but I still stand by my position.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
My New Toy
I love a new gadget. Especially when it helps me perfect my blogging craft. For the sake of posterity I always have my camera in tow. It is hard work being the historian of the group and one of the casualties of the job is rarely being in any of your pictures. Well no more my friends. Meet my solution....
What is it exactly? Why it's....
What is it exactly? Why it's.... "A telescoping stainless-steel arm extends up to 37" and securely holds your camera for quick snapshots of yourself when you don’t want to set up your tripod or ask a stranger to take your picture. Comfortable nonslip grip. Packs away to 9" for easy carrying."
It's brilliant...albeit a smidge embarrassing initially. I got it from Eddie Bauer and it has already come in very handy in my quest to document every aspect of the life and times of me. Like I said....it is a smidge embarrassing when you whip it out and extend it to its three feet. And, it's taking a little bit of time to get the positioning just right....having trouble with the centering part. Here are some of the pics from my inaugural weekend with my xShot.
almost centered....but not quite
not even close on this one
getting better
pretty good on the centering, but kinda off on the height
I'm sure I'll master the art of positioning and centering in no time. Stay tuned for future blog entries with more pictures of me. :)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Girl Friday
You know I love a good quiz and I certainly couldn't pass up on this one..."What day of the week are you?"
As it turns out I'm a "Friday" which really comes as no surprise to me...especially since here it is Wednesday and I'm already looking forward to the weekend. Last week I practically started my weekend on Wednesday night with a late night karaoke session that ended in a Zingo ride home. But I digress. Back to the quiz....let's just say it hits the nail on the head with me.
As it turns out I'm a "Friday" which really comes as no surprise to me...especially since here it is Wednesday and I'm already looking forward to the weekend. Last week I practically started my weekend on Wednesday night with a late night karaoke session that ended in a Zingo ride home. But I digress. Back to the quiz....let's just say it hits the nail on the head with me.
Take the quiz for yourself and find out for yourself...."What day of the week are you?"
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friends Don't Let Friends Drink and Email
You know you've done it! Whether it was a text, an email, a Facebook wall post...you've done it and you've regretted it. Probably not immediately, but only after that greasy cheeseburger and an 8 hour nap.
Well thanks to our friends at Google, there's a solution. Here's the blog post revealing this ingenious development....
Well thanks to our friends at Google, there's a solution. Here's the blog post revealing this ingenious development....
New In Labs: Stop sending mail you later regret
Monday, October 06, 2008 6:25 PM
Posted by Jon Perlow, Gmail engineer
Sometimes I send messages I shouldn't send. Like the time I told that girl I had a crush on her over text message. Or the time I sent that late night email to my ex-girlfriend that we should get back together. Gmail can't always prevent you from sending messages you might later regret, but today we're launching a new Labs feature I wrote called Mail Goggles which may help.When you enable Mail Goggles, it will check that you're really sure you want to send that late night Friday email. And what better way to check than by making you solve a few simple math problems after you click send to verify you're in the right state of mind?
By default, Mail Goggles is only active late night on the weekend as that is the time you're most likely to need it. Once enabled, you can adjust when it's active in the General settings.
Hopefully Mail Goggles will prevent many of you out there from sending messages you wish you hadn't. Like that late night memo -- I mean mission statement -- to the entire firm.
Leave it to Google to save the day yet again. I'm particularly partial to the only active on late nights and weekends bit. Funny stuff.
Click here to see the original post announcing this product launch.
And yes, they are kidding. :)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Change The Conversation
Did you know that today is Blog Action Day? Take a look at this video...
I was introduced to Blog Action Day this year because I work for Mobile Loaves & Fishes...a non-profit agency that serves the homeless, the hungry, and the indigent working poor....i.e. those living in poverty. We teamed up with bloggers throughout the city of Austin to "change the conversation" about poverty.
A handful of people from our staff and volunteers volunteered to spend 24 hours on the streets (starting last night at 5pm and running through tonight at 5pm) to show you the face of poverty and to provide a first hand, intimate account of how it feels to live in poverty. Our eMarketing Coordinator, Rachel, is a gifted writer and I've highly enjoyed keeping up with her "street retreat" experiences today. Check out the MLF effort on our Blog Action Day 2008 page. From there you can link to the MLF blog.
I don't often use Leigh Leigh Land to preach, but today it can't be helped as I stand in solidarity with fellow bloggers on this Blog Action Day. So, I'd like to introduce you to one of the many faces of poverty that I have come to know.
I know the face of Linda. She stands on the corner of Mopac and Barton Skyway each morning panhandling so that she can raise the $49 a day to stay in the seediest nightly rate motel you've ever seen.
Every time I see Linda I roll down my window to wave and say hi. She smiles. Her demeanor immediately changes from one of isolation and despair to one of happiness and love...if only for that brief moment. She typically replies with something like, "have a great day beautiful!" Amazing, isn't it?!?! That a complete stranger (although I do know Linda through my work at MLF) can tell me what will probably be the nicest thing anyone will tell me all day. A homeless woman. A woman who has lost all hope, identity, and self-respect tells me that I'm beautiful and wishes me a happy day. I'm baffled by it.
My work at Mobile Loaves & Fishes has changed the way I look at and treat the face of poverty. I now know that there are actually people behind these faces. Yes they are often broken people, but they are indeed people and deserve to be treated as such.
Most of us have passed by hundreds if not thousands of homeless people in our lives without so much as acknowledging their existence. I know I have. I'm often asked...."what am I supposed to do, give them money every time." I have no answer to that. I say give when you want, if you want....don't if you don't. But, I do think there is something that we all could, make that should do....acknowledge them.
So, on this Blog Action Day where bloggers around the world write about the issue of poverty I issue a challenge to all my fellow friends of Leigh Leigh Land.
The next time you see someone on the street corner I ask you to simply look them in the eye and smile. Maybe throw in a wave if you feel so inclined. That's all I ask....this very simple act of sheer acknowledgment.
Just a smile, just a wave, just that eye contact will change them....and even more important it WILL change YOU!
I was introduced to Blog Action Day this year because I work for Mobile Loaves & Fishes...a non-profit agency that serves the homeless, the hungry, and the indigent working poor....i.e. those living in poverty. We teamed up with bloggers throughout the city of Austin to "change the conversation" about poverty.
A handful of people from our staff and volunteers volunteered to spend 24 hours on the streets (starting last night at 5pm and running through tonight at 5pm) to show you the face of poverty and to provide a first hand, intimate account of how it feels to live in poverty. Our eMarketing Coordinator, Rachel, is a gifted writer and I've highly enjoyed keeping up with her "street retreat" experiences today. Check out the MLF effort on our Blog Action Day 2008 page. From there you can link to the MLF blog.
I don't often use Leigh Leigh Land to preach, but today it can't be helped as I stand in solidarity with fellow bloggers on this Blog Action Day. So, I'd like to introduce you to one of the many faces of poverty that I have come to know.
I know the face of Linda. She stands on the corner of Mopac and Barton Skyway each morning panhandling so that she can raise the $49 a day to stay in the seediest nightly rate motel you've ever seen.
Every time I see Linda I roll down my window to wave and say hi. She smiles. Her demeanor immediately changes from one of isolation and despair to one of happiness and love...if only for that brief moment. She typically replies with something like, "have a great day beautiful!" Amazing, isn't it?!?! That a complete stranger (although I do know Linda through my work at MLF) can tell me what will probably be the nicest thing anyone will tell me all day. A homeless woman. A woman who has lost all hope, identity, and self-respect tells me that I'm beautiful and wishes me a happy day. I'm baffled by it.
My work at Mobile Loaves & Fishes has changed the way I look at and treat the face of poverty. I now know that there are actually people behind these faces. Yes they are often broken people, but they are indeed people and deserve to be treated as such.
Most of us have passed by hundreds if not thousands of homeless people in our lives without so much as acknowledging their existence. I know I have. I'm often asked...."what am I supposed to do, give them money every time." I have no answer to that. I say give when you want, if you want....don't if you don't. But, I do think there is something that we all could, make that should do....acknowledge them.
So, on this Blog Action Day where bloggers around the world write about the issue of poverty I issue a challenge to all my fellow friends of Leigh Leigh Land.
The next time you see someone on the street corner I ask you to simply look them in the eye and smile. Maybe throw in a wave if you feel so inclined. That's all I ask....this very simple act of sheer acknowledgment.
Just a smile, just a wave, just that eye contact will change them....and even more important it WILL change YOU!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Hook 'Em
Unless you are living under a rock, or don't live in Texas or Oklahoma...you know that today officially marks Texas/OU weekend (or if you are from Oklahoma...OU/Texas...but that doesn't sounds as good).
My brother so kindly refers to me as a "bandwagon jumper," but rather than jumping on, I thought I'd educate. So here are a few tidbits to wet your whistle for the big game...although I'm sensing that you'll be wetting your whistle with your favorite cocktail. Some of which may be repetitive for those of you who bleed orange (or red, I guess).
The game, commonly referred to as The Red River Shootout or The Red River Rivalry, was first played in 1900 and is considered to be one of the greatest rivalries...on and off the field. Back in 1900 Oklahoma was actually still a US territory.
The game has been played in Dallas since 1912 because it is about halfway between the two Universities and is considered “neutral” ground. It’s always held during the second week of October during the State Fair of Texas at the hallowed grounds of the Cotton Bowl. A few years ago there was blasphemous talk of moving the game, but in 2007 then Dallas Mayor Laura Miller (and the Dallas taxpayers) made the decision to keep the game in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl through 2015. Whew.
The Cotton Bowl has recently had a much needed $50 million dollar facelift (lit happens to the best of us). It now boasts a new video scoreboard, 16,000 new seats that now make it a true “bowl”, more restrooms, concessions, and new locker rooms. Capacity is now more than 90,000 orange and red fanatics.
Typically the game has no conference or national significance, but does bring about a year's worth of bragging rights…which is sometimes all that matters. This year, however the stakes are high with OU ranked #1 and Texas at #5.
The game starts tomorrow at 11am, but you can bet the pomp and circumstance has already begun.
Hook ‘em horns. (How’s that for bandwagon jumping, Russ?!?!)
My brother so kindly refers to me as a "bandwagon jumper," but rather than jumping on, I thought I'd educate. So here are a few tidbits to wet your whistle for the big game...although I'm sensing that you'll be wetting your whistle with your favorite cocktail. Some of which may be repetitive for those of you who bleed orange (or red, I guess).
The game, commonly referred to as The Red River Shootout or The Red River Rivalry, was first played in 1900 and is considered to be one of the greatest rivalries...on and off the field. Back in 1900 Oklahoma was actually still a US territory.
The game has been played in Dallas since 1912 because it is about halfway between the two Universities and is considered “neutral” ground. It’s always held during the second week of October during the State Fair of Texas at the hallowed grounds of the Cotton Bowl. A few years ago there was blasphemous talk of moving the game, but in 2007 then Dallas Mayor Laura Miller (and the Dallas taxpayers) made the decision to keep the game in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl through 2015. Whew.
The Cotton Bowl has recently had a much needed $50 million dollar facelift (lit happens to the best of us). It now boasts a new video scoreboard, 16,000 new seats that now make it a true “bowl”, more restrooms, concessions, and new locker rooms. Capacity is now more than 90,000 orange and red fanatics.
Typically the game has no conference or national significance, but does bring about a year's worth of bragging rights…which is sometimes all that matters. This year, however the stakes are high with OU ranked #1 and Texas at #5.
The game starts tomorrow at 11am, but you can bet the pomp and circumstance has already begun.
Hook ‘em horns. (How’s that for bandwagon jumping, Russ?!?!)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Thrill The World
What are you doing October 25th?
As it turns out...people in 96 cities in 12 countries will be performing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance in sync at 1pm (CST). Why? To try and break the Guinness Book of World Record's mark for the largest synchronized Thriller dance. Can't make it up people!
The event is called "Thrill The World." Austin (as I'm sure other cities have) has launched it's very own Thrill The World Austin site where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about Thrill The World Day and more.
My favorite part is that in Austin they are holding six free "zombie workshops." They highly recommend you learn the dance at one of the workshops, but if you can't....you can teach yourself by going to here.
You can even download dance script and watch video teaching segments of each section.
The "March Booty Swim" section has provided me great joy this afternoon. I especially like the disclaimer that says...and I quote...
The event is called "Thrill The World." Austin (as I'm sure other cities have) has launched it's very own Thrill The World Austin site where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about Thrill The World Day and more.
My favorite part is that in Austin they are holding six free "zombie workshops." They highly recommend you learn the dance at one of the workshops, but if you can't....you can teach yourself by going to here.
You can even download dance script and watch video teaching segments of each section.
The "March Booty Swim" section has provided me great joy this afternoon. I especially like the disclaimer that says...and I quote...
"You can add the head movement in on the Booty Bounce, as in the music video, if you choose to. It has been omitted so as to keep the majority of participants feeling successful because head movements can easily complicate and confuse people who have little to no dance training."
This is serious business.
Even Austin's very own Mayor participated in one of the training workshops yesterday. Here he is in action. He's the one in the suit and tie...if you were wondering.
Even Austin's very own Mayor participated in one of the training workshops yesterday. Here he is in action. He's the one in the suit and tie...if you were wondering.
So, I ask you again....what are you doing October 25th?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A Natural Blonde
It's true, it's true. I'll explain.
Yes...I highlight my hair, but yes...I was a blonde as a child. It counts. But what I'm really referring to is my results on the quiz du jour entitled "What Color Hair Should You Have?" I'm getting highlights tomorrow, so I needed to either get validation for the current color of my locks or know whether I should make a drastic change...which we all know I wouldn't do anyway. Learned that one the hard way.
So I took the quiz and low and behold...I am indeed a blonde. Whew...that was a close one.
Most of that's true...except for the sensitive part. Oh well.
What's your true hue? Find out by clicking here.
Most of that's true...except for the sensitive part. Oh well.
What's your true hue? Find out by clicking here.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Have you heard....
...there's a Presidential Election coming soon?
Of course, I know that you know that there's a Presidential Election looming, but what I also know is that most people don't know who they should vote for. (Wow....that was a lot of "know"s.) It's really all anyone is talking today. It's heated, it's historic, and it's really a toss up. That's what makes it so interesting.
I am pretty sure I've made up my mind on which candidate will get my vote come November 4th. I have watched interviews, debates, read articles, etc, etc. But who better to tell me who I should vote for than the internet. Right? If I can take a quiz that tells me what type of pirate I should be, then I'm sure I can find one that will accurately tell me who I should vote for based on my priorities and opinions. So, I did just that.
I actually took two quizzes tonight and both revealed the same candidate....which is the candidate that I am fairly certainly I will vote for. One ranked our compatibility at a 76% rating and the other a 69%. So in the spirit of things, I thought you might be curious too. Below are the links to the two quizzes I took.
http://glassbooth.org/
http://www.selectsmart.com/president/2008.html
Now that you know who you should vote for....make sure you actually do just that and VOTE! I'm counting down the days....
Of course, I know that you know that there's a Presidential Election looming, but what I also know is that most people don't know who they should vote for. (Wow....that was a lot of "know"s.) It's really all anyone is talking today. It's heated, it's historic, and it's really a toss up. That's what makes it so interesting.
I am pretty sure I've made up my mind on which candidate will get my vote come November 4th. I have watched interviews, debates, read articles, etc, etc. But who better to tell me who I should vote for than the internet. Right? If I can take a quiz that tells me what type of pirate I should be, then I'm sure I can find one that will accurately tell me who I should vote for based on my priorities and opinions. So, I did just that.
I actually took two quizzes tonight and both revealed the same candidate....which is the candidate that I am fairly certainly I will vote for. One ranked our compatibility at a 76% rating and the other a 69%. So in the spirit of things, I thought you might be curious too. Below are the links to the two quizzes I took.
http://glassbooth.org/
http://www.selectsmart.com/president/2008.html
Now that you know who you should vote for....make sure you actually do just that and VOTE! I'm counting down the days....
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