The Toaster

The toaster, like the coffee maker, and the cereal boxes are somewhat of novelty items I keep in the kitchen. I keep the toaster and the coffee maker unplugged to save energy, and to avoid the possibility that the urban tale of a house fire caused by an unattended coffee maker is actually reality. I'm pretty sure the lack of use of these items on my counter stem from my lifelong hate-hate relationship with mornings.

Yes, I said hate, and I really mean it. I have never found myself waking up before noon and being happy to be awake, let alone alive. My first words uttered at least 3 days of the week are, "Mornings suck." I'm certain I hear myself say, "Shut up!" to the alarm clock at least twice this week. I really make an effort when traveling to avoid east-facing windows at all costs. I don't desire to see the sun rise, and I have some very creative and tortured thoughts about what should happen to the songbirds outside my windows when I wake.

And to make matters worse, I didn't bother to take into account what hours I would be required to function when choosing a career that requires me to be at work early in the morning, and to be functional as well. If I were smarter, I would have focused on a career that allowed me to sleep until noon, or at least fake it until then. While it rarely happens, I do harbor a wee bit of jealousy at my brother as he was smart enough to go with a company the offers the swing shift.

I also think, on a deep psychological level, my hate of mornings relates to that idea that we reject what we need the most. You see, I have seasonal affective disorder, that thing you've heard of when people don't get enough sunlight. Like the people in Alaska, Portland, and Seattle. Yep, it's true, and therefore ruling out any possibility that I am a zombie, or a vampire. The whole adoption possibility is still wide open.

I only bring this up since fall is arriving, and it has been on my mind lately. No, not being an adopted zombie. While taking medication helps, medication does not create any actual sunlight, therefore still requiring me to be hyper-aware of how much time I spend outside as the light changes. And while most people don't really care, the federal government decision to adjust the times of Daylight Saving Time has really made life more difficult. Just as I get used to the light changes, the time changes, leaving my best months of the year to be May, June, July, and August.

And I'm sure you are wondering, how exactly did we get to this discussion from a toaster? Well, because the last time I used the toaster, to make BLT sandwiches for dinner, the toaster smelled like something was burning deep inside. I buy bread with assorted grains and seeds inside and on top of each slice, and I always wonder where the little seeds go when they fall off. But I digress. Due to an unfortunate miscalculation, which I will save for another post, I have 20 eggs still in the refrigerator, and I happened to be hungry at 10 A.M. I determined that toast and eggs were a logical solution to this problem, but I was wary of making toast.

Then I discovered something amazing. There's a little flap on the bottom of the toaster that can be opened, and you can get all the little crumbs and missing seeds back, if you still want them. If not, you can put them in the trash. And while I am sure I may have known about this secret compartment before, I found it incredible that at 36 I finally learned how to clean out a toaster. And then I thought about the coffee maker and the cereal boxes, and well, I needed something to do while my bread was toasting. And good morning to you too.

Dear Comcast,

For the past 3 months I have been experiencing difficulties with my high-speed internet service. You claim it is my home network, which you don't support, and suggest that I just plug my modem directly into my computer and bypass the network. The last time we spoke about my problem, you were quite delighted to tell me that I was getting much better quality than what I pay for, leading me to question if I actually want to pay real money for what you call "quality". I can't wait until the next time we talk, because I know you weren't counting on me learning more about the website you used to share how great the "quality" is of my line, and using it to track my internet service so at some point I could prove it is indeed you that sucks. I am looking to your fascinating explanation of my service, since each time I tested it I did bypass the home network, and now, dear Comcast, you look like the ridiculous over-priced lazy fools you really are. Have a great day, and I'm hoping that very soon, I will be spending my hard-earned money with another company that sucks less than you.

From,
Me

PS I highly recommend Speedtest for those of you who want to check your service to see if you get what you pay for.

My Review of Nike+ iPod Sport Kit

Originally submitted at The Sports Authority

The Sport Kit&reg allows your Nike+ shoe to talk to your iPod nano. Simply plug the receiver into your iPod nano and place the sensor in your Nike+ shoe. The sensor uses a sensitive accelerometer to measure your activity, then wirelessly transfers this data to the receiver on your iPod nano.

Nike+ iPod Sport Kit

Rush right to the gym with this one!

By Smrtrthnu from Salt Lake City, UT on 3/28/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Easy to Set Up, FUN

Best Uses: Sports

Describe Yourself: Casual User

Primary use: Personal

I'm so excited about the potential of this little item! It keeps track of the distance, pace, and calories burned during a walk or run. It was a bit overinflated on the first try, so it needed to be calibrated. I just put it in my Nike+ shoe, plug in the receiver into my iPod, and off I go on the treadmill. The best feature is the NikeRunning website, where I can set my own goals, and I just update it by plugging my iPod into my computer. It was pretty awesome to earn my first trophy for my goals! I only wish the weather was better and allergy season hadn't hit quite so asthmatically. I can't wait to get back to the gym tomorrow! Yes, I would recommend this to a friend, in fact, I keep trying to get my gym buddy to pick one up so we can compete at the gym AND on NikeRunning.com!

(legalese)

My Review of adidas Men's 3 Stripe 3 Pack Quarter Socks

Originally submitted at The Sports Authority

Replenish your gym bag with the adidas® men's 3-Stripe quarter socks 3-pair pack. The moisture-wicking ClimaLite® performance fabric draws sweat away from your skin to keep you cool and dry, while the anti-microbial technology decreases odor.

adidas Men's 3 Stripe 3 Pack Quarter Socks

Just the socks I was looking for

By Smrtrthnu from Salt Lake City, UT on 3/28/2010

 

4out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Pros: Comfortable, Soft, Attractive Design

Cons: Too Thin

Best Uses: Daily Use

Describe Yourself: Athletic, Bargain Shopper

These socks felt great out of the bag. They are polyester, so I'm not sure how long they will last, and they are a bit thin. I am incredibly picky about socks, and these pass the test.

(legalese)

Suspended Driver's License

I have decided that it is not my fortune to work well with any government entity involving motor vehicles. As a result, I have had the experience of having my driver's license suspended. Whoo hoo! I'm a rebel!
The last time I visited the Driver's License Division was when I moved down the street and around the corner 5 years ago. I went in to complete a change of address, and renewed my license. Otherwise, I have always been able to renew by mail since I drive like an old fuddy-duddy and have no tickets or violations.
This year I had the delightful experience of having my vision tested and filling out all new paperwork. At least I didn't have to take a written test. Now, if you have read the actual paperwork, they ask ALOT of medically relevant questions. It took me a few minutes to have some conversations in my head about how to answer these questions.
First, you have to understand my mindset. In the past several years I have seen the long-term effects of ill-managed diabetes. While I have made many lifestyle changes (most recently getting ALL of my bloodwork within normal levels :)) I have not made all the changes I need to make to avoid the same pitfalls. I am also horrified that the Driver's License Division continues to renew my mother's license (evidently 20/40 in only one eye is good enough for them) and hope that when I am older the department has the good sense to just say "No."
I decided to answer the questions honestly, as I also thought about the odds of getting in an accident, if my health records would be subpoenaed, and then I would be really sorry. Also, I feel compelled to be a good rule follower (go figure) and felt like being honest.
Well, your reward for honesty with the government is PAPERWORK!!! I was sent a medical evaluation form to have my Dr. fill out. Well, I went on vacation this summer and went on with my life. When I returned, I had a doctor's appointment, but forgot to take the paper with me. This paper became a bit annoying. As the school year started, my health insurance company changed, and I got my insurance card a week after everyone else got their cards.
I finally made an appointment for the Dr. and called the DLD (getting tired of typing it out) and explained to the representative that I didn't want to get my license suspended, but I hadn't finished with the Dr. yet. The lady told me that I hadn't gone over my 75 days to complete the form yet, and if I did, I would get a letter in the mail telling me I had 30 days to comply before my license was suspended. If I needed, I could have up to 20 additional days. Ok, do the math I could put this off for 4 months if planned correctly, so where is the actual motivation to get it done?
I told her that it should be fine, I had an appointment for the next week (after I drove to Park City I found out it was in 2 weeks) and I would get the form in. I had my appointment on the 24th, got my paper all filled out, and slept the entire weekend as my antibiotics kicked in.
On Monday, I got a letter in the mail, and to my suprise, since I had failed to comply and turn my form in, my license would be suspended October 4th. Well, I had the form in my pocked the next two days, but was getting ready for a long break from school and a short trip to Idaho. And I forgot the reason I was getting up so early in the morning was to go to the DLD. I don't think well early in the morning, like before noon. I took the form with me, planning to mail it, but I forgot to fill out my portion of the form. Bottom line: no form turned in. I tell you, if I could ever get around to it, I could be the president of the procrastination club.
I did decide with my luck, I really shouldn't risk driving, and again, I do like to follow rules. So I arranged for a friend to take me to work, and another to take me home. My friend got me to work around 7 this morning, when the DLD opens, and I faxed in my form. I then called the medical division, and they got my fax and lifted my suspension. Ok, so boring story with no interesting plot. So what? It makes me feel like a rebel to say, "Can you come get me? My license is suspended."

So, recently I have become quite fascinated with iTunes. I have been working exceptionally hard at creating a workout playlist (much less work has been put into the actual workout) so I can keep motivated at the gym. I hope to return in the next week, as my heel spurs have FINALLY improved. I got the first cortisone injection before I went on vacation, and the second right before I started back at work. For some reason, the right heel hurt more but had faster relief, and the left heel started hurting right after the right heel was healed. Go figure. So, I do feel confident that I can now go back to walking and weight-lifting with the included benefit of being able to walk across the room when I get home. But, I digress. The point of this post is that I have added a number of items to my library, and have also discovered how nice it is to know the actual lyrics.
BTW, Joanna, I read the lyrics for the 7 Things I Hate About You and you will be pleased to know there are 9 things, not 7. Bad teenager math, Kids Bob!
Here is a link to a song I have enjoyed lately. It didn't make the gym list (due to the depressant factor) but I like it anyway.

Offspring - Kristy, Are You Doing Okay? lyrics | LyricsMode.com

The Chick Flick

Due to my pervasive social ineptitude, I have not experienced an actual "Chick Flick" in the company of other "Chicks". I saw Beaches and Dead Poet's Society at a drive in, and I have viewed most others while blubbering in the privacy of my own home.

This evening, Chris & I went to see My Sister's Keeper. There were 2 men in the entire theater, and I surmised they were dragged by their significant other. Ok, so one poor fellow was holding "the purse", therefore I assume he either expected to get some kind of reward, or couldn't find anything worth watching in the other 23 theaters. Female after female poured into the room, and I was nervous for the first 10 minutes about how quiet the movie might be or if I should just escape now before I wasted my premium movie bucks. Evidently, there is some unwritten code of chick flicking that does involve immediate silence upon the first interesting thing that occurs in the film.

So this movie was a genuine tearjerker. I had tears within the first 20 minutes of the film. As the film progressed, I had to stop eating my popcorn because I got salt in my eyes everytime I tried to catch the tears, which brings me to the most interesting feature of this particular flick.

Often in a movie, if I need to cry for some unknown reason, I usually use my sweatshirt sleeve, or my t-shirt. I don't carry a purse for multiple reasons, so I have no special package of Kleenex that fits in my purse. I watched the row of 10 chicks in front of me get out their individual packages of Kleenex, apparently this is another important rule of chick flicking, and pass them around to each other.

Now, this was an incredibly depressing show. I mean, beyond the iceberg Jack in Titanic depressing. As the show went on, the women used up their stashes of Kleenex. At this point, the most fascinating thing happened. The youngest member of the group pulled a sandwich size zip baggie out of her purse, stuffed FULL of Kleenex. All I could think was, "All hail the queen of the Chick Flick!" Evidently it was her turn to pick the show.

I have been in a doctor's office full of sick people, and never imagined the amount of sniffling and nose blowing that happens in a Chick Flick. I can now fully understand why Chick Flick deserves it's own genre in the movie categories.