WWBD

Rude Awakening

2011-09-12T18:07:00.001-04:00

Ringggg...At 6am my neighbors and I woke to the fire bell. Waking isn't my favorite thing. Waking violently an hour before my alarm angers me, but I digress.After peeing and finding my pants and shoes, I lumbered down the nearest staircase and out into the surprisingly empty yard. One man, apparently on patrol, wore an expression of bewilderment I imagine matched my own.We circled back to the

Paper Lantern

2011-08-13T17:37:00.001-04:00

I found tissue paperIt's pretty and perfectI want to make something of it I think it may rainMaybe it will cool off? I made a paper lanternIt's pretty and perfectIt flew away on damp air I think it may rainToday I think it may storm I walk through the yardNo sign of my lanternI found a wad of wet tissue I think it may rainThe sun always comes out again I need some new paperWhere will I find it?I

Plateau

2011-04-28T20:53:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned "the plateau" in previous posts, in so doing taking for granted that everyone knows what that means. Certainly, anyone who manages their weight has experienced a plateau. So has anyone who has pursued any sort of goal. Simply put, the plateau is the point at which whatever you're doing to improve ceases to be effective.To put it in the frame of weight loss, most folks begin with

You Know What To Do

2011-04-25T21:34:00.000-04:00

In retrospect, this should have been my first post.At the risk of sabotaging your defense strategy, I want to let you in on a secret. You already know how to lose weight. You already know what habits you need to change to improve your health. Nobody accidentally eats a supersized double quarter pound cheeseburger meal with fries and a tub of soda. Everyone knows that they're going to feel a

Keep A Journal

2011-04-25T20:59:00.000-04:00

This tip applies to anything you want to succeed at, actually, but I'm going to keep the focus on weight management. As we wander through our day there is a strong tendency to pop things in our mouth one bite at a time:Spoonful of peanut butterHandful of pretzelsCookie from the jar on the counterCandy from the jar on our deskThe last few bites someone left on their plateA taste of what we're

The Poverty Diet

2011-04-25T13:30:00.000-04:00

My current journey toward weight loss began in November 2010 when my car broke and needed to be replaced. I was planning for that car to last me at least another six months, so its replacement was underfunded. I had to empty my bank account for a down payment and live paycheck to paycheck for a couple months. This meant no eating out.Prior to that, I was eating all of my meals out. Most people

Mission Cupcake

2011-04-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

It is approximately 11:13pm. I am squeeging the condensation off the inside of my window while waiting for the red light. The dark-haired, scruffy man driving the car behind me searches desperately for something else to stare at. This is the second dark-haired, scruffy driver to do so today. Roughly two hours ago I labored on the treadmill to burn 250 calories so that I may enjoy a tasty

Musical Review: Tallahassee, "Jealous Hands"

2011-03-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

"Have I become just another winter tree? ... Is that how you see me?" Brian's voice is a soothing, deep, full, and airy baritone. Singing barely above a whisper and a gentleness that belies the giant, powerful frame of the former NFLer. He is enamored with, and somewhat resembles, Sasquatch (as am I). I have the distinct honor and privilege of previewing "Jealous Hands," which is to be released

Jealousy

2011-03-25T22:01:00.001-04:00

"[Beware of] jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is... You must train yourself to let go of that which you fear to lose." - Master Yoda, Revenge of the Sith A little while ago I caught myself being jealous. This is my confessional. Jealous of: The people who the people I miss make time to see People who travel People who have someone to travel with Happy couples Unhappy couples Couples with

Human Behavior: Stan and Carl

2011-03-03T20:49:00.000-05:00

"That Ibanez woman gave her notice. I need you to disable her accounts next week." Stan reproaches himself for denying his instinct to let the call go to voice mail. "Thanks for the heads up, Carl. Is there any chance you could call me next week, instead? She still needs her accounts, right, until then?" "I'm calling you now." There was a click, and dead air. Stan presumes the conversation is

iPhone Free Weather Apps

2011-02-27T18:50:00.001-05:00

The Incumbent: Weather A pretty and simple Weather app came installed on my iPhone when I bought it, which I used happily to check the temperature and see if I need rain gear before leaving my apartment for the day. That is, I did so until winter. In winter I need to know more than whether or not I expect snow. I need to know how much. I decided to download the most popular, free weather apps.

Musical Review: La Dauphine, "Shh..."

2011-02-21T22:18:00.000-05:00

Hey party people. We're taking a break from the human behavior project because, well, I'm stuck. The next two characters are introverts and it's hard to write about what they're thinking as they stare at each other, silently. Anyway, I popped on to Twitter briefly for one of my hit and run tweeting sessions, and caught a post from @cburnham mentioning the release to iTunes of Shh... (The

Human Behavior: Danielle Interviews Isabelle

2011-02-14T22:58:00.001-05:00

Danielle Davis sits bolt upright—her cellphone laid clock facing up on a table for two in a cafe downtown—and glares at the entrance. The clock reads 10:02 AM. Her tailored, navy-blue, wool business suit shouts, “I mean business!” A simple but distinctive necklace made of large silver links interrupted periodically by topaz tiles that match her eyes almost exactly hangs down to her waist. With

Human Behavior: Game Plan

2011-02-12T10:28:00.002-05:00

Since posting about human behavior recently I have struggled with how to present the material. I have decided to invent a cast of fictitious characters and write soap opera style stories about how they interact with each other. If all goes well, you and I will learn: To understand our own behavior model: how we differ from others and what our strengths are To read others' behavior model To

Special Gift

2011-02-08T18:14:00.001-05:00

An excerpt from an article about gifts for men on their 40th birthday: "Of the milestone birthdays that men reach, 40 may be the most pivotal. It means closing the book on some of the more youthful dreams and pursuits, while celebrating the positive results of several decades of hard work and long-lasting relationships." Oh, man, is that presumptive. I have precisely one long term

The Fighter

2011-02-07T23:22:00.000-05:00

I just got back from watching The Fighter. And the bank. And the grocery store. And the gas station. Two gas stations, actually, because the first was out of gas. Well, not all gas, just regular, and it's already ridiculously expensive and an extra forty cents per ten gallons is $4, and now we're talking about the principle of the thing... Focus. I just got back from watching The Fighter. I was

Human Behavior: People Are People

2011-01-31T21:47:00.000-05:00

Personality traits are preferences, much the same as being right or left handed. Names that authors give to the four personality archetypes vary and are often archaic. These articles will use plain language words: Direct, Interactive, Steady, and Calculating. Likewise, the phrase "personality types" suggests you are stuck with your preference. Here we'll discuss "behaviors," because these can be

Slow Talker: Stupid, Introverted, or Both?

2011-01-26T21:26:00.001-05:00

Hey, quick one tonight. I was talking with my friend the other day about a friend of hers, whose behavior had confused her. I asked if he talked slow or fast. Her reply was, "He's not stupid." Wow. That's an eye opener. I'm a slow talker. I wonder what she thinks of me? People are either fast or slow paced. Fast paced people act, then think. Slow paced people think, then act. Fast paced people

Mac Attack (@mellank, @sethdesantis)

2011-01-22T16:05:00.000-05:00

This post comes to you by special request. Some background: during the day I am a Windows computer network administrator. I know all there is to know about Windows, save perhaps how to compile it from source. If I just lost you, I'm qualified to teach you. Last year, while I was rushing to finish my taxes, my Windows laptop broke. It is a computer I had only recently refurbished. My back up

"Happy" Birthday

2011-01-19T03:16:00.000-05:00

February 15, 2005, 7:00 pm I sit alone in the frigid vestibule of a Red Lobster. I didn't want Red Lobster. I didn't want to eat out. I was bullied into it. It's my 34th birthday. As I wait for my wife to arrive and maliciously track her progress against the hostess finding us a table, I stare absentmindedly at a young couple on the bench opposite me. They are all over each other; enjoying

What's Your Super Power?

2011-01-03T22:48:00.000-05:00

My standard answer is that I have two powers: invisibility and mind control. I'm wondering now if my invisibility isn't rather a feat of mind control. That is, am I projecting my own wish not to be seen into the minds of others? This seems likely, as I can always be seen by children and animals. I want them to.

New Year's Eve, Bobbo Style

2010-12-31T22:27:00.000-05:00

First, Happy New Year! I live alone. I dislike crowds. There are no prospective dates for this evening. I have a new blu-ray player and a copy of Avatar. Pizza and a movie at home seemed like the way to go. How long should it take one man to coordinate pizza and a movie in his own living room with nobody but him? I'll get back to you on that. I was out when I decided. At first, I thought the

Conversationalism

2010-12-27T17:36:00.001-05:00

Maybe this happens to you? An acquaintance sidles up to you and hovers until acknowledged. Once acknowledged, he and you exchange pleasantries, ask about each others' weekend and/or recent holiday. Your story is brief, "I went here and did that with this person. We had fun."His, however, is verbose. "I went there with whom and we met So and Sew, who each brought X, Y, and Z. It's funny, because

What Would YOU Do?

2010-12-23T22:19:00.000-05:00

I am turning the tables this time. Before I get to it, I need to lay down some background info. Check it. I am an introvert. That literally means my reality is internal. As such I think far more than I interact with others. Even though I love people, I don't wish to speak to them. I have been extremely shy all my life. It is common for all people, but especially who are confident or extroverted

Count Your Blessings

2010-12-22T00:51:00.000-05:00

It's a good idea from time to time—especially at times when we're sad, discouraged, or depressed—to take a moment, a pencil, and a sheet of paper, and write down every item for which you are grateful. You may draw a blank, at first. Here are a few to get the ball rolling: ten fingers working legs and feet good health breathing father mother siblings spouse children electricity pay check friends

Irony

2010-12-13T22:24:00.000-05:00

Sugar cookies. They have been calling to me for days. My favorite are those from Hannaford's bakery. But they aren't there! There isn't even an empty spot on the shelf where they should be The horror! Then so something happened which has not happened, perhaps ever. My search expanded to the bakery aisle. The where?! Yes, you read that correctly. There was no sugar cookie mix. Now, that's just

I Need ALL Those Shoes (@sue215)

2010-12-12T13:06:00.000-05:00

Christmas shopping: I was sloshing around in the freezing rain. A very light, breathable pair of running shoes was all that separated my increasingly soggy socks from an inch of cold, standing water. My thoughts turned to footwear. A vision formed in my mind of soft, brown leather with seems sealed against the elements: Timberland, perhaps? But wait, that description is very familiar. Echoes in

Dogbert Cleans Our Office

2010-12-11T21:42:00.001-05:00

Comic for December 11, 2010 DILBERT DAILY STRIP | DECEMBER 11, 2010 http://pulsene.ws/uxdl -- Shared via Pulse, an awesome news reader for iPad, iPhone and Android. Check it out!

Morning in December

2010-12-09T07:46:00.000-05:00

The room is dimly lit by the little bit of sun slipping past the mostly-shut, vertical blinds. A tiny sliver of blue sky peeks around the broken slat which has fallen down and rests gently on its neighbor. Comfortable temperatures on my sofa, fresh energy from a good night's sleep, and the bird chirping on the window sill stir in me feelings of a chilly spring morning; the herald of a warm, sunny

The 10 Most Popular DYAC’s From November 2010

2010-12-03T13:06:00.000-05:00

I just had to share these. Sorry, Mom, the language is bad, but this really happens every time I type on my phone. Thanks to twitter.com/sue215 and twitter.com/dri1humanity0 for sharing the site with me, originally. The 10 Most Popular DYAC's From November 2010 DAMN YOU AUTO CORRECT! | DECEMBER 2, 2010 http://pulsene.ws/qvyR These were the 10 most viewed, most shared, and most popular images

He Blogs on a Friday Night (@MellanK)

2010-11-26T18:39:00.016-05:00

But not just any Friday night: the day after Thanksgiving. I live near a mall. There was no traffic backed up preventing me from entering my apartment complex after work, which was fortunate. Still I don't want to press my luck by venturing out. Perhaps it's a stay in with Pixar DVDs night? Tonight's topic is a shout out to my Twitter BFF @MellanK. We've discussed her before. Today she helped me

Update Sunday

2010-11-21T20:18:00.000-05:00

I've been putting off updating my phone, because to do so I need to update my computer, and the two together take three to six hours. Not my idea of a good time. C'est la vie. Today I decide to do it, mostly because if I'm doing this very important thing, I can continue ignoring the ridiculous pile of laundry in my bed room. So, I hook up the WiFi (easy). I turn on my... crap, did I leave that

Fairwell, Pasta Factory

2010-11-21T19:49:00.000-05:00

I used to call this my "poverty diet." From now on it will be known as "eating responsibly;" that is, fiscally responsible. Buying a new car six months ahead of schedule forced me to finance it. The terms of the loan are fantastic, but it's still an unwanted debt. Careful planning will enable me to pay it off quickly. There is no room in "careful planning" for dining out three times daily. Once

My Phone, the Universe, and Everything

2010-11-19T20:57:00.000-05:00

This is a blog about the interconnectedness of all things. Today, I left my phone at home. I was already running late, or I would have returned home to get it. Here's how the day unfolded. Some background: I had several essential pieces of equipment break on my car the month it needs to be inspected. My options were empty my bank account for repairs and still have an old car, or buy a newer car.

Dear Blogger-spot

2010-11-06T09:47:00.000-04:00

I blog from my mobile device. It is evident from your design decisions that you never expected I would. Blogger/Blogspot is difficult to read on mobile devices. Posting and commenting do not work properly. Your talent at all things web are evident. The blogs are beautiful and easy to set up. Posting by email is handy, and is the means I normally use from my mobile, however it is incomplete: meant

Blogging with Style(-us)

2010-11-05T23:47:00.000-04:00

One of my obstacles to frequent blogging, aside from having little to say, and as I've mentioned previously, is that I'm rarely in front of a computer outside of my job. I do almost everything I need in a month with my phone. As I've also mentioned, I hate typing on it. I have large hands. My fingers don't fit, and I can't see the magnified letters through the back of my hand. My sister was in

How Apple Makes Money

2010-10-24T14:29:00.002-04:00

Tallahassee Schmallahassee cost me a lot of money. Why? It was the first music I bought on iTunes. Now, buying music on iTunes is a habit to the tune of about $30/month. Before I rarely ever bought music, because by the time I got to the music store (online or off) I forgot what song I heard as I was walking through the mall that made me think of an artist whose albums I would like to add to my

What Goes Around Comes Around

2010-10-24T14:19:00.001-04:00

This expression has become hackneyed. Often a person who is wronged in some way will quote, "What goes around comes around," or something similar. He may believe he is being positive and taking his lumps in stride by wishing some ill befall his transgressor. I believe the person in the above example has it backward. When I want good to befall me, I must be good to others first. In order for me

Living for the Kids

2010-10-24T14:12:00.000-04:00

I'm at The Pasta Factory getting my chicken parm on and blogging like a fiend. As I peer over the top of my laptop screen I see a couple and their two little girls. It is a beautiful family. Both parents are interacting lovingly with their children, but not with each other. It looks as if they are two strangers crammed into the same side of a booth against their will. It's sad, but this doesn't

On Blog Schedules

2010-10-24T14:06:00.000-04:00

In short, there is no schedule. Partly because this blog is for me, not you. No offense. Also, because most of my best ideas come to me at inappropriate times: at work, walking through the mall, standing in the shower, etc. Lastly, it might take me two weeks to find free time and a WiFi hot spot in the same place. The result of this is you, dear reader, may get a blast of blogs once every week

The Cigar Box Guitar Project - Overview, Attempts One and Two

2010-10-24T13:57:00.002-04:00

Once there was a man named Bob. After a time of pondering how to regain interest in practicing to improve his virtuosity on guitar, he thought of Flamenco. Henceforth he would be known as el Bobbo. El Bobbo procured an instrument befitting his budding expertise. What it does not befit, however, is his overhead cabinet above his office desk. Because of this, practice does not occur during what

The Movie Ticket Standard

2010-10-21T21:43:00.000-04:00