It was a dark and stormy afternoon. No, seriously, it really was. Perhaps, the earth had suffered enough with the summer drought that the heavens took pity on her and allowed rain in the autumn. One might say that the rain, wind, and dark skies evoke the Halloween spirit. One might say that, it’s true. Another might declare it to be a coincidence and only determined by the season. Which is a proven fact. But whatever your belief you have to admit, a dark and stormy afternoon is kinda creepy.
Fall Colors
Photo by MM Lee
I drove through the canyon
while the fall colors bloomed.
My eyes feasted on the sights –
red trees, purple trees, golden trees.
Non-conformist
The Frog Ball
Situated in a land far away there once was a magnificent kingdom. The kingdom is now long forgotten even in the history books. It is forgotten to everyone except to the local people in a tiny village in the shadow of the ruins. They descended from the people who inhabited this once lavish kingdom. Their ancestors once ruled and lived in the region. Of course, the only proof of their claim is a tale that has been passed down from generation to generation. The folklore is revered and they refuse to share it with the world. But I recently had the privilege of visiting this land and thanks to my charming ways one of the older inhabitants shared the story. Continue reading
Poke = Love (in my dictionary anyway)
Hey there –
you looked a little sad today.
So I –
thought I’d send some love your way.
The Return of Ms. Cranky Pants
So, Ms. Cranky Pants has reared her ugly head again. I think I’ll blame September. Due to staff changes at work, plus a couple of road trips, sprinkle a little family drama and September kicked my butt. By the end of the very long month, I anxiously wanted to say a not so fond farewell to September 2012. And anyone who had to deal with me probably wanted to say a not so fond farewell to Cranky Pants.
I hoped the new month of October would see the demise of Ms. Cranky Pants. Personally, I don’t care for her. She’s a little too irrational and moody for my taste. Not to mention she rides the self-pity train a bit much. Plus, out of the Pants family, she’s not the one I want to be known as. I’d prefer her lesser known sister, Charity Pants. Or even more well-known sister Smarty Pants. Unfortunately, I’ve never been mistaken as either of them. Only Cranky Pants.
I knew if I allowed her to move in, I’d be labeled as Cranky. You know, the person people feel comfortable enough whisper about when she’s out of the room but when she walks in they try to avoid at all costs. I also know how hard it is to shake a label once branded. No, I’ll have to evict Ms. Cranky Pants immediately. Do you know how hard it is to get rid of Cranky? It is no enviable task. She’s kind of stubborn and takes root rather quickly.
I can do this. One huge step will to be to control my tone of voice. Snarkiness just seeps out. What can I say? It’s a talent. I’m not sure I like what it says about me that it takes more effort to be a nice person than a cranky one. But I got this.
At the very least, I can be Ms. Nice Pants. I like the ring of that.
I May Be a Cheater – But I Blame 9
I have a confession and I hope it doesn’t affect how you feel about me. There is no easy way to say this so I’ll just blurt it out. I’m a cheat. Perhaps if you let me explain, you will understand my motives. Once you understand my motives, perhaps you won’t think ill of me. Or, maybe you will. Or maybe you won’t care.
It all started on March 24 when I received my all-time highest views to my blog. Which is good and I appreciated the recognition. The number ended with a 9 though. A nine? I only needed 1 more view to have a lovely 0 stat. But I was happy with the achievement and I could live with the nine. After all, how long could it take to beat that?
In September the ugly nine still haunted me though. It had become a mean number since March and now mocked me. “You will never get rid of me. I am your all-time highest number and I’m only 1 away from a 0. Ha, ha, sucker!” I told you it was mean.
My OCD surfaced. I resorted to desperate measures. I posted a blog about it. I even begged on Facebook. Nothing worked. I would get close but I just couldn’t pass the nine.
For some reason, some citizens of the fine country of Belgium (no, I’ve never been there but obviously they have good taste) became interested in one of my blog posts. I have no idea why it became so popular for the Belgians for a short time but I like to think perhaps some class at a university was studying it. Hopefully, they weren’t using it as a “bad example” of writing. That would make me cry and I’d have to label all Belgians mean as nines. Since I’ll never know for sure, I’ll go with the scenario they were studying a “fine example of American writing.”
On September 28 I had an exceptional day. At 10:00pm I was only 13 views away from breaking my record and achieving a 0. Finally, I could say good riddance to nine – and then I’d be happy. So, I decided to “load the dice.” It wasn’t an easy decision. It took me a whole 15 seconds to decide to be dishonest. Here’s my rationalization: in the early days of my blog, I used to sign in once a day. Just so that my stats had one little blip. This wasn’t that much different. I mean, it’s not as if anyone else would ever see my stat page. I’m the only one who had to endure nine’s bullying day after day. Stoic as I am (minus the begging, that is) it was time to take matters into my own hands.
I borrowed a computer (just in case any WordPress police monitor questionable stats and call me in for questioning. That would be awkward). With disturbingly little hesitation, I typed my blog’s address in the address bar. And then I did it again. I counted out loud to make sure I didn’t make a mistake. This was a very serious operation. When I counted 13 I logged into my stat page. There was a beautiful, lovely 0. I achieved my (kind of dishonest) goal. But I could live with it because now I had a whole number to greet me every day.
Then I logged out. Did you know, that when you log out of WordPress it takes you to your blog? And it counts it as a view? Yeah, I didn’t either. My number became 1. A one? That’s just as bad a 9!
What else could I do? I viewed my page 4 more times because as anyone knows a 5 is much better than a 1. Before I went to bed, I looked at my stat page one more time. It was 11:58pm and the number would be final. However, someone from Korea (bless his or her heart) viewed my web page. My all-time highest number is now an upside down 9. But I can live with a 6. For now.
Must See Photo – ck’d
I saw this on MSN’s Must See Photos yesterday and giggled. Thought the photo needed captioned. Think they are saying something else? Do tell!
Priorities
Having a bad day –
feeling a little blue?
Of course we can talk –
I’m always here for you!
One Question
Hey Buddy, I don’t know you, we’ve never met. But it looks like this is not your best day. I’m in my car and I see you walking over the overpass. Since you are on the side without the sidewalk I’m guessing you are a defiant one. Or too lazy to cross the street. If I have to guess – which I do – I’d say you’re not more than twenty. Your long denim shorts look kind of gangsta in a small town, redneck sort of way. Judging by your not-so white shirt it looks like it’s time for you to learn how to do some laundry. It’s not that hard. The cast on your arm from wrist to elbow adds an interesting aspect to your story. I’m just not sure what it is. And then there’s the bag. You’re carrying a garbage bag full of something. This all leads me to one question, “Dude, what is in the garbage bag?”
But I’ve passed you and you have disappeared from my rearview mirror. I will never get to ask. Darn.
