Litter bomb

Did you know that this:

Led to this:

Okay so Hiroshima didn't lead to Jennifer Ellison and her double entendre, but it was the funniest/randomest photo when I googled litter.


While I waited for the bus 2 young (17,/18?) girls ate some Doritos and then threw the bag on the ground. There is a trash can less than 5 steps from the bus stop and no buses were approaching so there was no logic behind their littering. Although the one girl was still trying to suck Doritios dust off her fingers; I didn't have the heart to tell her that the orange color was her fake tan, not cheesiness. Stick with me here, I'm almost there.


Anyway I picked up the empty bag and put in it the trash can, not saying anything to the young girls. I sat back down and an old woman turned to me and said how it was ridiculous these days and how could they do that. Now here's where the mushroom cloud comes in.


Old lady: You know it all started after they dropped that bomb. People started living like every day was their last and not caring about tomorrow. It got passed to the next generation and then next and now this one doesn't care about anything.


I just sorta smiled and nodded and tried to figure out how she made the mental leap from littering to the nuclear bomb...my mind rambles and jumps about but that's a leap even for me!

Try your luck

I'm loving blog contests and this one was recommended to me by the ever stylish Nancy.

Gocks Frocks is having a great contest to celebrate her 200th blog post, so check it out. She made some gorgeous dresses for Nancy's little ones for her wedding. How cute are they?

You could win a $50 voucher to use in Gocks Frocks Etsy store, so why not!

Seriously? I hate buses.

I took my time getting ready this morning because I'm off to Parliament tonight for another cross-party meeting. I was maybe running 5 minutes late after doing my "fancy" work makeup, actually styling my hair and accessorizing, so I was feeling pretty good.

I got to the bottom of the street and saw my bus across the road, not even 50 ft away. So I started to run down and waved at the bus driver as I looked both ways to try and cross the street.

The bus driver let the last person on, shook his head at me and drove off!

I most likely made some sort of hand gesture in shock (not rude, just flailing my arms in the air) looked both ways and crossed the road. I could see a red light ahead, so I ran up to the next bus stop (the best I could in boots and a dress).

The bus was not even 1/2 a bus length in front of the stop at a red light, but still up against the curb. Score, I thought, oh how naive I was.

I knocked on the door and the driver again shook his head and wouldn't let me on. I stood there for 30 seconds and motioned (again not rudely) that I'd just ran after the bus and was shocked he wouldn't let me on. He still shook his head sat there until the light changed and then drove off.

Seriously? Now I feel like I'm going to cough up a lung. Yes I'm not a runner or in shape, but if I coughed up a flemball I wouldn't be surprise right now. What a way to start the day.

At least I don't have to feel guilty about having chocolate cake for breakfast I guess.

Thursday Sweet Treat

Yes it's Tuesday, I haven't track of time. I'm talking about a great blog called Thursday Sweet Treat where a theme is posted every Friday and then the people who choose to showcase their work post their new creations on the following Thursday. I really wish I was properly crafty so I could do more than just admire the awesome creations of others.

I was lucky enough to win a silver necklace from The Silver Lake Studio; isn't it pretty? You can read about how the artist Sherry made it here. Thank you Sherry and Natasha!

This week's theme is Flicker of Imagination. My first thought is something sparkly, I might have to go out and find some edible glitter and make some glimmering cupcakes, yum!

Goodbye Jade

Jade Goody

1981-2009

Goodbye Jade. I'd like to say she'll finally be out of the spotlight, but I hope not. I hope young women everywhere realize how important your sexual health is and that is is paramount to get a pap smear and to report anything unusual to your doctor. And if your smear comes back abnormal, it could be nothing, but go back for a follow up.

I also really hope that England and Wales lower their test age from 25; personally I think 20 is too high in Scotland. I've known far too many people under 25 with precancerous cells and I find it ridiculous that they think that there are too many cellular changes in young women and that the paperwork and retests of false bad paps are too much a hassle. I fully believe that all women should begin getting smears at the age of 18 or when they become sexually active. I'm not a doctor, but that's my belief.

It's been sad watching Jade's health decline in the media and I'm not going to speculate what could have happened if she'd followed up her bad pap smear, but I do hope that her ordeal will open the eyes of others and help them preventing the same happening to themselves.

Slacker

The screen on our camera is broken, so it's a major pain to try and take pictures. Regardless I'm a slacker. Here is my new hair that I've had for a week now:

Seriously? Boo you OK!

This is what OK! has on the news stands right now:




Seriously? If it isn't horrible enough for Jade to be dying, you put out a tribute issue before she's even dead? I get she's playing this all out in the public eye, but at least have the dignity of not publishing her death before it even happens.


I bought the 2 special wedding editions of OK! and probably would have bought this copy had it come out posthumously, but this just seems like profit for profits sake. I'm all for Jade doing as much as she can to get money for her children before she dies, but I sincerely doubt she'd be happy about this. What if her son's see it? Poor taste OK!, poor taste.

Movie Bad Ass Brackets

I'm writing up speakers notes as I've been asked last minute to open a conference on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome tomorrow-- yikes! So while I come up with 15 minutes on FAS, why don't you pop over to my friend George's blog and vote for the Biggest Movie Bad Ass of all time.

It works like the NCAA brackets, but simpler as you pick one round at a time. Here's where I should put some embarrassing pictures of George circa 1996, but lucky for him they are all in my Dad's attic. I do have a photo from a Husman Hall party circa '98 I can break out if he gets fresh though.

I've already cast my vote, so why don't you?

I really hope Marky Mark wins....do you remember "Fear?" That shit was scary, especially the rollercoaster scene! And who knew Grissom was the Dad?

Let's hear if for the bhoys!

Cab driver: Is your husband a Celtic fan?
Me: Yes, how did you know?
Cabbie: You're pretty and Celtic fans always have good-looking wives.

Aww bless you cabbie for making me smile! And bless O'Dea and McGeady for leading the hoops to a 2-0 Cup victory over Rangers tonight in overtime.

World Kidney Day

When I was an undergrad, my sorority's national charity was the National Kidney Foundation, as when it was founded Kidney Disease was the number one cause of death in women. When I first joined it didn't mean much to me, but I still raised money. Unfortunately during my sophomore year, my aunt passed away due to Kidney failure and suddenly my philanthropy meant a whole lot more to me.

Some quick facts:

• 26 million American adults have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and millions more are at risk. Most people are not aware that they have CKD or are at risk


• There are 100,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the USA


• 24% of those waiting for kidneys received transplants, 76% are still on the waiting list


• More than 485,000 Americans are being treated for kidney failure, also called end stage renal disease, or ESRD. Of these, more than 341,000 are dialysis patients


• One year patient survival rates for kidney transplants are 94.5%(cadaveric) &97.9%(live donor)


• Virtually all religious denominations approve of organ and tissue donation as representing the highest humanitarian ideals and the ultimate charitable act

I'm not asking you to donate a kidney, but if you aren't already an organ donor, why aren't you? Personally I am an organ donor and am on bone marrow registers in the US and UK. If you can help save someone's life why wouldn't you?

My friend Gretchen donated one of her kidneys to her father; I can't imagine a more honorable and selfless thing.

So in honor of today, why not head over to the National Kidney Foundation website and even just learn more about kidney disease and organ transplantation. Or if you are really generous join the donor list or make a donation.

Hairy questions

So I'm going to get my hair done on Saturday and am wondering if I should do something different. I've had the same cut for over a year, but for all intensive purposes my hair has pretty much stayed the same for several years.

If you combine followers and those who have me in their google reader there are about 90 of you. So what do you think I should do? Stick with what I've got (long layers) or go for something new?

Just to be warned, if you suggest a short brown bob, you will get shut-down. There are three things in life that are unavoidable: death, taxes and me having long, blonde hair. I've tried above the shoulders cuts and it's not a good look for my moon face.

As for brunette, well I tried and nearly lost my mind. I'm open to various shades of blonde, but I think those who know me best will say I'm happiest in the champagne to platinum category.

Blondie's Random Rant: Copy Cat Tats

I love tattoos. I think they are beautiful and sexy and in general have been known to think a guy is hot based on his tattoos. That being said there a lot of people with a lot of stupid tattoos. I love Zack Morris, but I'd never do this.

(You can see 77 more people who decided to have the likes of Bob Barker, Bill Cosby and Bald Britney tattooed on them here.)

I'm not a big fan of people who walk into tattoo parlours and pick something off the wall. Why would you want something that who knows how many other people have? Don't you see the hundreds of douchey ex-frat boys running around with barbed wire/tribal arm bands? They look stupid!

Personally I think a tattoo should be something you've thought about and has at least some tenuous meaning to you. For example: I'm not Japanese, I have no Japanese heritage, I've never been to Japan and I didn't major in Japanese (although I did take one Anthro course on Japanese culture through film, but I digress) therefore I'd never get Japanese characters tattooed on me.

Now if you have some Japanese characters tattooed on you, I'm not trying to make you feel bad. Personally, it's not my style. I would, however, have Hebrew characters tattooed on me. I do have Celtic knotwork tattooed on me. See the link?


Anyway, everyday on my bus I see this girl. I'm going to say early-mid 20's and oh her tattoos (that I can see) drive me nuts. I can only assume she has chosen to commit another cardinal sin in my book: copying a celebrity tattoo.

Exhibit A: Celebrity Tat

Eve, rapper/actress. I'd never get claws printed on my girls, but I think somehow Eve manages to pull it off.

Exhibit B: Copy Cat Tat

Now bus girl, well not only does she not pull it off in the slightest, her paw prints looks like they came from that sad cat who is always trying to escape Pepé la Pew. The only similarity with Eve is that they both have tattoos on their breasts.

I know it's bad to judge people but I just can't help it. Plus really what's the chances she's got this one someplace else....

DST

Just a wee note to let you know while the States have "sprung forward" the UK won't until the end of March. Why? I have no idea, but for those who care here is the time difference until we do.

Los Angeles (PST: 7 hours behind GMT)

Cincinnati (EST: 4 hours behind GMT)

Glasgow (GMT)

And if the clock isn't the boss of you, why not blog about DST yourself and win one from Our Name is Mud!

"The Bucket List"

(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
(x) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(x) Been lost
(x) Gone to Washington, DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Played cops and robbers
(x ) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
(x) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t.
(x) Made prank phone calls
(x) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain-naked
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies
( ) Been deep sea fishing
( ) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
(x) Lived in more than one country
( ) smoked weed in jamaica
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty
(x) seen a celebrity
( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(x) Been on a cruise
(x) Traveled by train
(x) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
( ) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
( ) Been to Disneyland/world
( ) Truly believe in the power of prayer
( ) Been

A Picnic on the 405

Here's how it works:

1 - Go to Wikipedia. Hit “random”or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RandomThe first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to Quotations Page and select "random quotations"or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7daysThird picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop or something similar to put it all together.

5 - Put the result (or result) on your blog

Do you know how hard it was to not just cheat and keep refreshing until I found a name and quote and picture that I actually liked?