Weird dream

I had a dream last night that really confused me. In the dream, I found out through Facebook that a very old friend of mine died. (Let's call her Mary because I'd rather not reveal her real name here). I was devastated. I went to some sort of memorial service for Mary and I cried the entire time. I remember saying, "I cannot believe that Mary is gone. I've been crying for the past six hours." I found it odd that every one else there (who coincidentally were friends I know now, who never knew and have never met Mary) was very calm and didn't seem too sad. People were even laughing. I said, "Why are you all so happy? You should be sad!"

I saw people whispering and giggling. In walks Mary wearing thick black eye makeup and a black dress and says, "I'm not dead! We played a trick on you!" Obviously I was very hurt by all this. Everyone was laughing because I believed that Mary was dead. I ran out crying while everyone continued to laugh.

I'm not really sure what this dream means and why I had it. I hadn't been thinking about Mary that much so I don't know why she popped into my brain. I don't know what it means if you dream about someone dying. It's probably not a good thing. All I know is I woke up crying from this awful dream and I wish I could understand my brain sometimes.

Well, I certainly wasn't expecting this

On one of the blogs I frequent, I found a rather interesting link. At first I thought it was a joke, but much to my surprise, it wasn't. American Apparel the LA based clothing company known for it's beautiful cotton, is notorious for it's advertisements for web and print which more often than not border on, well, lets say erotic. The photographs are usually pretty tasteful, but have a hint of naughtiness which make you take a second glance. I would have expected a boob in a photograph before I saw this.

Apparently, American Apparel is selling vibrators now. Oh I'm sorry, massagers. This is the item in question:



The description, (in case you don't want to go to the site):

Hitachi Magic Wand Massager

This old school hand-held massager has been around for more than 25 years, with good reason. Its low vibration works as well on your sore back as it does in the bedroom. If there is any doubt, google it for worldwide rave reviews.

So at least American Apparel is being a little tongue-in-cheek and realizes what women actually use this thing for. But I'm still a little confused. I go into American Apparel to buy tshirts, not sex toys. Either they are trying to broaden their horizons, or they're just being silly. Also, 50 bucks? I'm pretty sure you can get this exact device (or a comparable one) at Target for less money. And really, everybody knows why you may own one of these. You're not being very inconspicuous if you do.

So, when American Apparel starts selling dildos and porn, then I probably won't shop there anymore. Although I would like to see the thought process of someone who would buy that stuff though. "Hmm I need tank tops and a new sex toy ... and socks." Until that day, I may just ignore this bit of information and continue to shop there. Although, the chances of that happening now are a little slim.

shameless plug

I have been involved with an audio podcast drama for a couple months now. I have a role in the cast (although my character doesn't show up for another 3 episodes) so I'm admittedly biased. Even if I weren't I would still support this. My good friend Scott Carelli of podcasts Two Geeks (along with Ben Nobblit) and Couch Surfing(along with John Pavlich), created this audio drama with some of his fellow podcasters. (while I have these links on here, you would do well to go check them out!) I've been invested in this project for about a year when Scott mentioned it to me over Myspace, even moreso now since Scott and I talk on Skype on a daily basis. I've seen this little podcast grow and mature. Even if I weren't in the cast or so invested as I am now, I would still be plugging this. I think the writing, the story, the characters and the humor are top-notch. I also think it's a brilliant idea in general.

So if you're one of those people who likes to laugh and enjoys geek references out the yin-yang, please check out Geek By Night, especially since the first episode debuted today! You can get the feed via itunes or go here to get the show in other formats. Do it now!

Shameless plug over.

Paper Cuts and Coffee Stains

Everyone who reads this blog, should be aware of my abhorrence of the Ugg boot and it's inbred family of equally ugly boots. Why I just said that is pretty pointless because it really has nothing do to with this entry. Frankly, this entry has nothing to do with anything. I'm suffering from a bit of writers block. Each topic that comes to my mind lacks originality and creativity. So I'm going to write about what is currently going on in my life. A trivial list, if you will, outlining in probably far too much detail my current outlook on things. These are in no particular order.


1. I went to the mall on Saturday. It was insanely crowded and there were far too many teenage girls in ugg boots (I could write yet another entry about why I hate ugg boots, but that's really not the point) for my liking. I was also with my sister which usually spells disaster for my fashion sense (we're not going to get into that now). I spent a grant total of 13 dollars on a tube of Clinique lip gloss. I don't think I have ever gone into a mall and spent less. Of course not counting spending nothing because that happens quite frequently. I had the intent to blow my paycheck on shoes and clothes, but it didn't happen. Possibly the crowds turned me off, or perhaps I really hate most of what is in the stores. The best thing I saw was a blue taffeta dress in Ann Taylor. It was beautiful, but if I wore it to work, people might think I'm crazy (not that they don't think that already).

2. I keep buying books. My book shelves cry under the weight of said books. I have a huge biography of Henry VIII's wives sitting on my side table right now, and I've only read 57 of 610 pages. Also, my "to be read" list is growing exponentially. Having a friend who works at Barnes and Noble who offers to buy me books with her 30% discount is proving to be quite bad for my wallet.

3. I turned 23 this past Monday. Presents are not mandatory but will be welcomed and appreciated.

4. I have 3 paper cuts on my hands. One paper cut is bad enough. Three paper cuts makes me wonder if I'm secretly a sadist. I have also managed to spill coffee on 40% of my clothes.

5. I am very behind on my netflix watching. I get movies in the mail that I just don't watch. I either don't have time, or I realize that I am just not interested. Hopefully when season 2 of Nip/Tuck comes, I will be more involved.

6. I love love love love my new Steve Madden boots!

7. I'm pretty sure I have a really awesome boyfriend :)

8. My job prospects look really good, but still a huge unknown.

9. The weather in PA has been abysmal. I blame my chronic stuffed up nose to said weather. Last week we had temps. into the 60's and 70's. This week has been snowy, cold, wet, slushy and awful. I wouldn't expect anything less from February, but I'm quite sick of winter. So, if March could not be crappy like it usually is, I will be one happy bunny.

10. I am not looking forward to paying taxes this year. I have quite a bit to write off but that still means I have to give the government some of my hard earned cash. I really hope I get a pretty nice rebate, which I intend to spend on clothes and clinique products.

Hey you know those things called books?

I'm as grumpy as the next tv fan when it comes to the writers strike. I've developed quite a few relationships with television shows as of late; Heroes, Ugly Betty, Gossip Girl, Medium, and CSI. Thankfully Medium just started it's new season so hopefully it will live a little longer. Heroes is essentially dead, and who knows how much Gossip Girl and CSI have. While I'm quite angry about these shows ending so suddenly, and while I feel like a jilted lover or it's my birthday and you just denied me cake, I've forced myself to deal with it. How did I do this you ask? PORN, LOTS AND LOTS OF PORN. No seriously, I've been reading a lot more. I'm actually reading the many blogs I subscribe to, I read the newspaper, and I'm starting to read the shelf of books I've bought over the years and haven't read. (my bookshelves cry!). Not only am I reading a Biography about the 6 wives of Henry VIII, I'm keeping with the theme and reading The Other Boleyn Girl which is about Henry VIII's affair with Mary Boleyn.

I'm also talking to more people and listening to more music. I have rediscovered a good 1/4 of my music collection and made about 6 mixed cds. I've also started a new painting! Started being the operative word. I painted the canvas black .... that's about it. But that's a start! I've also started to crochet a blanket.

So yes, I'm angry that my tv is overrun with nothing but reality shows (no thanks to you vh1, although Celebrity Rehab is pretty awesome), and now if I want to watch anything new I flip over to The History Channel or other educational programing (which gives me a giddy little thrill, not gonna lie). I'm trying to force myself to make the best of this situation. Maybe everyone should go do the same. Instead of rotting your brain with reality tv shows about fat people, go to the book store! Go to the gym! Maybe you can have a conversation with your family! (Insane concept I know).

I'm sure there are plenty of things to occupy ones time now that television has gone to hell (not like it wasn't there already). Let us all hope and pray that the strike ends and we can all drool in front of the tv again.

I'm sorry blogger

So, to the 3 people that actually read this blog (myself not included), I apologize for my lack of things to talk about. Not many topics force me to rant like the ugg boot or the amount of money I give to apple (add another 180 bucks onto that kay?). I am going to place all the blame on the holidays. Buying presents, eating food (and getting fat btw), arguing with my sister and seeing my friends. (speaking of Christmas presents, remember my wish list? Well I got one of the gifts. Not the Juicy Couture shoes, but the laptop tote bag. Not important, I know, but I'm just updating those 3 people that read this.)

I've begun to realize that the Christmas holiday does not hold the magic it did before. Winter break was the light at the end of the tunnel for so long. Even in elementary and high school, granted the light being much less bright and shorter. In college, winter break was something we were all working towards. After a month of finals, papers and projects, the month of rest was much deserved and wanted. However, not being in school makes December another month. Okay so we have a tree, my sister is home, being especially mean to me, there's drama with my dad's side of the family, I picked out most of my presents this year. Not too different from every other year. I guess now, since I've been home since May and there was no distraction from that, I feel as if Christmas came and went without any blip on my radar. Maybe if my family was one of those with traditions and were really close (not that we aren't, but it's a different kind of closeness) and if my sister and I didn't like to argue, maybe Christmas would hold more power.

I wish we all still believed in Santa.

So now it's 2008. What do I do now? I have no real resolutions aside from looking for a more permanent job and finally learn to drive and buy a car. I guess I could also work out more. I'd like my ass to not look like it does now.

A designer's lament

I live in a dream world apparently. A world where everybody is a mac user and everybody uses Firefox or Safari. Everyone adheres to WC3 standards, everyone who designs a website understands the concepts of form, function and color theory. I have far too much faith in people. I had an interview yesterday at a health management company and I met with their design team; all of three people. I walk in with my Macbook pro and I see an ugly Sony Vaio sitting on the table. Apparently their Internet will only work on their computers. Not only was this a PC, it was using Internet Explorer 5 or 6. My website was rendered ugly and useless. So okay, this fraction of the company is designing for the various number of affiliates and subsidiaries that the company serves. Even before I jumped onto the PC, I had a sinking feeling that the company did really awful, template looking design. By all means, please go to the company’s website phmc.org".

With a website like that, one would wonder what their design department does for other clients. So let us take a step back and see why I’m annoyed. #1: These designers are using PC’s. Now I know that photoshop on the PC does the same thing that it does on the mac, however, for years the designer’s platform has been mac. It’s what we used in school, and we little fledgling designers were told that a serious design studio will use macs. Go to any design school in the country; if they use PC’s, run far far away. #2: The particular computer I used was using, Internet Explorer. IE is the BANE of my existence. Microsoft helped to develop the W3C standards, yet their programs do not support them. My website has valid css according to the W3C, so why doesn’t IE realize that? The reason why it’s not even on my computer is because Microsoft stopped making it for Mac quite some time ago. #3: Look at their website.

Even if this job was offered to me, I doubt I would accept. Working on a PC makes me feel dirty. Designers that use a PC are few and far between. Often they scare me a little. If you want to use a system with dark, dull colors, and a plethora of viruses and security flaws, please go ahead. We can’t be friends.

If you’re going to use a PC, for the love of god, use Firefox or Safari! Or at least, UPGRADE YOUR VERSION OF IE!!! IE 7 improves upon it’s crappy older siblings somewhat. Think of it this way. Say you have the choice of two cars to buy. Any version of IE is a run down, rusty, near exploding, clunky, gas guzzling mini van that might fall apart at any moment (most PC’s match this description too). Firefox and Safari are brand new, shiny, beautifully made BMW’s (Macs are like that too!) Both are free. Which would you rather drive?

PC loyalists would give me a laundry list of reasons why I’m wrong, but I don’t care. I hate what Microsoft stands for and why they think they can create products that are so far below the quality of other comparable products.