I Was Tagged...Now Your Turn!

I got tagged by Fringes. I think she just wanted to see if I would figure out how to make those damned links!!!

The meme:
1. Add a direct link to your post below the name of the person who tagged you. Include the city/state and country you’re in.

Nicole (Sydney, Australia)
velverse (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
LB (San Giovanni in Marignano, Italy)
Selba (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Olivia (London, England)
ML (Utah, USA)
Lotus (Toronto, Canada)
tanabata (Saitama, Japan)
Andi (Dallas [ish], Texas, United States)
Todd (Louisville, Kentucky, United States)
miss kendra (los angeles, california, u.s.a)
Jiggs Casey (Berkeley, CA, USA! USA! USA!)
Tits McGee (New England, USA)
Kat (Ontario, Canada)
Cheezy (London, England)
Paula (Orange County, California, U.S.)
Jeff (Colorado, USA)
Fringes (around Houston, US)
Tera (Somewhere In KY by way of OH, USA)

2. List your top five local eating places. I LOVE FOOD! This is a no-brainer!

Seafood is at the top of my list...and although it has been guilty of being referred to as "commercial," I love Red Lobster!!! I also can't forget about the one I discovered just a couple of years ago...The Youngstown Crab Company!

Olive Garden is FANTASTIC!!! I just can't get enough of that salad and breadsticks...hey the wine is great too!

Chick-fil-A has got to sell one of the best chicken sandwiches I've had in my life! Their lemonade is also almost as good as Auntie Anne's!!!

And last but not least, I have a new favorite since moving to KY...Safier (they dont' have a website)! It's a Mediterranean Deli which serves the best Athenian Chicken IN THE WORLD (probably other than those who actually make it in Athens!)

Of course I have many others like August Moon, TGI Fridays, etc., but let's not over do it!!!

3. Tag 5 other people (preferably from other countries/states) and let them know they’ve been tagged.

Nina
Nance
Heather
Gyuss
Dagromm....He he!

I LOST MY CELL PHONE!

The most Earth-shattering and unthinkable thing happened to me yesterday! I mean you never really realize how important your cell phone is and how much of your life it holds in it...until you LOSE IT!! Numbers, pictures, EVERYTHING gone!!! How in the hell did I lose it, I had just finished telling my Mother, "Happy Mother's Day," and picked up my friend for church?!?! I am crushed. Needless to say, this has just a few, but very SEVERE implications...

• Those losers that tried relentlessly to get a hold of me because they hadn't "got it" that I press "Ignore" and really don't want to talk to them now have ALL ACCESS to me, because OF COURSE I won't recognize their numbers when they call!


• I no longer have the "relapse" luxuries of my "Little Black Book" portion of my contact list!


• I don't know what in the hell these random text messages mean, nor from whence they came


• My phone was discontinued, so I have this cosmetically disadvantaged replacement phone that I don't know how to operate!


• And lastly (but TOTALLY not least)...when I say I had pictures in there...I mean I have some PICTURES in there!!! Need I say more?

My heart is truly broken, and my social life has come to a screeching halt! And the worst part is, I had to go almost 2 hours yesterday without it...there was a strange and inexplicable silence in my world.

In comments...consolation, how to mend a broken heart, and how to reduce dissonance regarding those pictures being in the wrong hands!

Hodge Podge II

I finished reading my first book in my new adventure called READING last night! I read "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. I tell you what fellow bloggers, that was an EXCELLENT read for someone such as myself who is not an avid reader, but has a great imagination. It was almost as I felt each and every one of Janie Crawford's emotions as she ventured through life wondering if she'd ever find and/experience the one thing many people think they know about and have no clue...LOVE.

It is almost time for me to take my big trip to Myrtle Beach (road trip), and woe is me! I loathe packing and everything associated with it! The kids are excited about the chance to see the ocean (because I keep telling them that it in no way resembles the lake, and the beauty is almost inexplicable), so I am trying to use that as a reason to keep me motivated...that and the fact that I get a couple of days off work, and get the chance to go somewhere I haven't been before!


The swimming lessons are over and guess what...I didn't sink! By the last class, I didn't have my lifebelt on nor the 3 or 4 floaties that I used under my belly! I just used the little bar out in front as I practiced my kick motion, began a few freestyle strokes, and guess what?? I was brave enough to go under water!!! That is huge for someone who has/had fears such as I do! That's another thing that excites me about going to Myrtle Beach, I will be able to go in the water! And you know what else...I think I am going to sign up for the next round of lessons...it is MOST DEFINITELY WORTH IT!

I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I have been a waitress, bank teller, Secretary, Case Manager, Trainer, Teacher, and now being a Program Manager, I am STILL not feeling this sense of wanting to retire from here! This is a matter of urgency since the age of 30 is right around the corner, and I have an MBA that I am not putting to good use! Entrepreneurship (then benefits cost and arm and a leg)? Go back to something I've done previously (which Teaching is the only thing that appeals-NEITHER of those things are very fruitful on the income end)? Go back to school (I fear that I will already be paying back student loans in the after-life)? Who knows?

Where in the hell is Mr. Right? Even my kids are starting to notice that I need someone in my life...I don't know if that's because they are tired of me hanging out with them or what! You know it's bad when your 7-year old looks at you and asks, "Do you date much?"

I also have to birthday blues...June 3rd is that famous day, and I feel the depression and anxiety seeping through my pores.

In your comments, suggestions on my next read; traveling tips; career advice; where to look; and pick-me-ups...

Road Rage At Its Finest

I could hardly wait until I had a moment to sit down and blog about this one...we all know about it, we all see it, and there is a select few of us who have it...ROAD RAGE!!! I think I am guilty as charged! I pass people in haste. I can't stand these bastards that don't use turn signals. I am growing more and more impatient with the cell phone users who think that being on the phone is CLEARLY an excuse for going 25 miles less than the speed limit. I can't stand people who don't know how to drive in the elements...I mean for crying out loud, I can COUNT the snow flakes on the ground!!! I also have felonious thoughts about people who tail-gate me, cut me off, and for some strange reason, in my city, people think they can just walk in front of my car which is clearly going more than 55 mph. as if I had decided at that very moment to test my brakes!

I find myself yelling obscenities that I obviously made up in my mind, because they don't really connect or give an example of a coherent thought. And also as I shout out these things like FU**A$$, and DOUCHE BAG (of COURSE trying to control that when the children are in the car) and look in the rear view mirror, I feel an ounce of shame for a millisecond as the boys are chuckling and looking at me as if I had just come down with a bad case of Tourettes.

So all of you out there in Blog Land...I ask of thee...who is guilty??? I decided that the best way to do this is to list the TOP 3 incidents I have either witnessed, been a part of, or have heard about...perhaps one or two of you can relate!

Number 3

I am on the way to the store riding in the car with my son's grandmother who had clearly had a bad day. The woman behind us was tailgating. B was getting furious, so she decided she'd tick this woman off further and drive slower. I know that B can have a temper, so I observe and say nothing. Finally, the road splits to 2 lanes...The woman passes B and flips her the finger. And among the 100 curse words, I think I heard a fuck or 2 and a random "bitch!" B FOLLOWED HER!!! As the lady pulled into the parking lot and looked as if (what appeared to me) she might have shit her pants, she just sat in the car...not B! She got out and went over to the car like, "I got yo BITCH!!!" She wouldn't get out of the car...I wouldn't stop laughing.

Number 2

I was driving along my merry way at the grocery store, and ever since I learned how to drive, I think that crosswalks are appropriately marked with a sign that reads "Pedestrians Crossing" and there are white parallel lines on the ground indicating the area where they are to cross right? So am I wrong if I proceed to drive and listen to my music and not yield if I am NOT in that area? Well I did, and all of a sudden, a loud bump, bump, bump and the sound of my hood caving in caught my attention...my friend and I were almost afraid to look...I opened my eyes...there on my hood, pointing his finger and yelling obscenities at ME, there he was...a damn pedestrian. I politely asked him to get his stupid ass off my car (as if he didn't see that bright, gold Plymouth Breeze coming down the road) and once he did, I proceeded as normal.

Number 1 (and this takes the cake...it happens to have occurred TODAY!)

As I'm driving home today, I get a text from my friend Rey (who has given me permission to use her story in this blog) saying she almost got in a fight at a red light. I'm thinking hmmm...so I asked, "What happened?" Apparently, the car in front of her had to screech to a stop (dumb ass probably didn't notice the light was red-probably was on a damn cell phone too), so she had to come to a sudden stop...consequently, the Chevy Cobalt behind her (Standard SUV) had to come to a stop. Chevy wasn't too happy, so what did she do? She jumped out of her car and came up to Rey's car and said, "Get out of the car, I'm gonna kick your ass!" And Rey is so sweet and kind, and usually very non-confrontational.............SHE GOT OUT! And was basically like..."Bitch WHAT!" I can just picture it! The man in the car next to Rey had to break them up, because it was ON!!! The girl even threatened to ram Rey's car (as if any of us have ever witnessed a house fly getting into a fight with a Rottweiler and actually winning?)! I wonder at which point did the light change? I DIGRESS...

So please...Share your stories, no matter how bizarre. How many of us have it?!

My Interview...Interviewed by EDGY MAMA: Compliments of Sarcastic Fringehead!

1. What’s your sign and does it fit your personality or do you think astrology is a crock?

I am a Gemini. I am not sure how I really feel about astrology, I mean admittedly, I have been known to take a peek-see at a horoscope or two! Sometimes, it is quite strange when they hold true (like 95% of my mates were an Aquarius!), but those are (sheer) coincidences right??? Of course I don't like the negative stereotypes that go along with being a Gemini, but I have fallen vicitm to the "Which Tera are you today?" question on occasion!!!

2. When’s the last time you ate each of the following and what was the situation: 1. liver 2. haggis 3. insect larvae 4. a Poptart?

1. It has been quite a while since I have had liver (and onions)...ABSO-FU**IN*-LUTELY delicious!!! I guess I decided when I had to eat it as a kid, that I could either induce the gag reflex everytime I ate it, or I could enjoy it...I chose the latter! Which was probably a very responsible choice on my part since I am Anemic.

2. Huh??? Is that edible? If so, what the hell is it? Perhaps we don't have/make that around these parts!!! Is it anything equivalent to "chitterlings?' Because if so, pass the hot sauce!!!

3. Gross and utterly disgusting...although who knows what that special sauce in the Big Mac is made of?!?!?!

4. Hurlage!

3. What do you most regret doing to someone else and why (in three paragraphs or less, please)?

Being nice, accommodating, supportive, and loving to a friend of mine for well over 10 years! Do you want to know why? Well because she is now with my Ex (who happens to be my son's father) and has been for the past year and a half! That's some Soap Opera sh** I know, but it happened.

I guess I can't really say that I regret it, because I am in a better place now (so I guess more appropriately, I should have sent the bi*** a Thank You card!), but I always think I should have done something MORE accommodating...you know, like encouraging her play in traffic or something???

4. Who is your favorite Super hero/heroine and why?

Oh, can I have 2??? MY SONS! There is nothing like that jump-start to those little imaginations!!! They don themselves in creative little jammies and home-made capes, goggles and swords etc. and play until their little hearts are content. And what I enjoy most is that they are so innocent, and have wonderful ideas...and ultimately think they can SAVE THE WORLD. And guess what my fellow Bloggers??? We need that more NOW than anything!

5. What is the question you’d most like to be asked that no one has ever asked you?

See Question #5!!!!!!!!!!!

Am I One of "Them?"

Here recently, on the People Poll, there has been a lot of conversation on "The Black Effect." Apparently, homeowners are complaining that realtors are asking them to remove "personal" effects from their homes (which on the surface, doesn't seem uncommon right?) before they show them. Well some African-American families have shared that this has had an affect on who will buy their homes, and think that in essence the realtors are asking them to "de-Black" their homes to make them more appealing.

So, of course, there was an influx of calls about this issue...the shocking surprise is that some of them presented cases that were CLEAR EVIDENCE that this IS in fact a racial issue and that many realtors do this!!! The host of the show went on to talk about how he had been talking on the phone for weeks with a Radio Producer in Richmond, VA that showed him nothing but respect and admiration over the phone, but when they finally met face to face, he REFUSED to even shake his hand, and treated him like scum because he "realized" that he was Black.

You know this is a problem! I have shared with you all my experience in my professional life...where a boss of mine told me, "Tera, I don't know how you're going to take this, but you do not SOUND like a Black woman on the phone, nor do you LOOK like a Black woman on paper, so as you advance in your professional life, expect some reactions to that..." I never felt the real effect of that until in my relocation I conducted a couple of phone interviews where I was 100% confident based on verbal feedback that I had the job, hands down...only to travel over 300 miles, walk in the room, and the interviewer GASPED when he saw me...I didn't get the job.

One caller said something very thought provoking..."We ALL have our own little prejudices...we just don't realize it." As always fellow bloggers, I had to "look at self," and do some evaluation, and it dawned on me when I called one of my creditors, and was ticked because someone of Asian decent answered the phone in Customer Service and not only did I have to keep repeating myself, but I couldn't understand a word SHE was saying!

Do we all have that? Are we willing to openly confess that and candidly talk about it or do we keep it to ourselves? Am I wrong because I had to ponder (for a long time) taking my children to a gathering we were invited to because I had been there without my children before and wasn't too sure how well they would interact with the children that lived there (Projects)? Now by NO STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION do I think I'm better than anyone, and will NEVER forget where I came from, so what is that???

PLEASE share any experiences you have had...and please someone out there, let me know what this really is!!!

Jimmy Neutron: Scientist or "Pharmacist?"

Good morning out there in blog land!!! I would like to blog today about something that I saw Saturday morning which was very shocking and a tad bit disturbing!

As I scurried about carrying on my typical morning ritual, my 7 year-old asked if he could watch TV in my room. He rushed to tune into Jimmy Neutron which was about 2 or 3 minutes in progress. Occasionally, I will glance at the TV just to see what some of the content matter is (which is how I came about the conclusion that they could no longer watch Ed, Edd, & Eddy), which I have never seen anything derogatory on this show in particular...that was all about to change.

In a nutshell...Jimmy made some "candy." It was little balls of a purple/green/blue mixture in which as he began his quest to make (what I believe was) his 2ND batch, he had his friends over "taste testing" it so that he could get it just right to take a treat to class the next day. He couldn't get it right before his friends had to leave, not to mention, it took the candy about 3 hours to be complete since the sugar bonding was quite a complex process.

When Jimmy took the bag to school the next day, he was a bit reluctant to pass it out, because he wasn't sure if it was just right...but regardless, the class came over and helped themselves. As each person took a piece of candy, a look of pure delight and extreme bliss consumed each and every person in the classroom-including the teacher, but alas, his stock was depleted.

That night while Jimmy lay in bed, the 2 friends that he had "taste testing" the candy two nights before, snuck in his bedroom at about 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning...DEMANDING more candy! He tried to "console" them by explaining the process and assuring them that after a few hours, it would be ready, but there was a thunder of commotion outside...it was the entire class...outside his window...at around 2-3 a.m....demanding the candy!

Jimmy saw this as a means for exploitation, thus, there were scenes of his friends and even the teacher on their knees begging, offering money, offering favors etc....for this candy (which by now I began to call CRACK in my mind)!!! I don't know about the rest of you, but as I watched this show and saw people exhibiting typical "dope fiend" behavior for this candy, I was utterly amazed, and quite disturbed!!!

Am I over analyzing/reading too much into this? Help me out here fellow bloggers!!!