If you feel like voting for me as well, that'd be neato, but I'm not begging for votes or anything. I just think the whole concept is pretty cool and the thought that little ol' me might get a vote or two (other than my own) would be flippin' swell.
Click on this little button if you wanna vote: Thanks to anyone who might vote for me. I really do appreciate this type of thing. It makes me feel all loved and supported.
The weather is freakin' PERFECT today! Of course, the people who don't do heat well are bitching, (COUGHmyMomCOUGH), but meh...I LOVE the heat! I just got back inside after doing an assload of yard work. You may be asking yourself, "How much freakin' work does her yard need? She's always doing yard work!" Well, it doesn't really NEED it...I'm just one of those people who constantly hunts for a weed to poke up or a spider web to form...etc.
Today I hand-picked grass blades out of my bark chips. When the lawn gets mowed, it tends to throw some grass into the bark chips and then it sits in there and turns yellow and looks icky. We cannot have that. So now, it's all gone.
I also swept the entire front porch area and the sidewalk...etc. Now it's all pristine... just the way I prefer EVERYTHING to be. (OCD, remember?) I was going to plant some flower seeds that I picked up at Dollar Tree for 4/$1, but I can't seem to find my little hand-held shovel. Where the Hell did it go?
My motto has always been, "Everything has a place and everything IN its place." It's not in it's place! I'm totally wiggin' out. I nearly pulled the entire garage apart looking for it, but cannot find it. I'm freakin'. My fear is that perhaps I left it outside (out of character) the last time I used it and some jackass stole it. I can't imagine stealing a hand-help shovel, but people are assholes. Period.
So anyway, the point to this post is to say that Summer is almost here...I feel it, I love it, and I CANNOT wait to get my ass to the beach! We go to the beach a lot during the summer, so I'm dying for our first trip there this year. I've even been losing shit-tons of weight so I can wear a bikini and not look like a whale with dental floss trapped around my flab. PLUS!!!! I have NEVER taken video at the beach, so that will be a first this year! You guys will get to see us hanging out at the beach. w00t!
(I posted my desktop sidebar so you could see the temp..and moon phase. )
I won! I won the pink headphones! I can't even believe it... I honestly didn't think I'd win anything since I won a t-shirt before. Not to say that I'm not overly stoked about it!
Here's the thingy from the front page that says I won: I especially didn't expect to win considering my choice of verbiage. I'm not exactly...uh...pristine with how I word things sometimes.
Anyway, I'd also like to say congrats to all the other winners. The only other winner I really know very well is the other Karen AKA Princess of Death...she won the other pink item!!! Karens pwn the pink junk! That didn't sound right, did it?
Anyway, thank you to Opera and Steelseries! I genuinely appreciate the free junk!
I DO NOT remember if I already blogged about this or not, but if so, deal with it! GOSH!
So, here's the dealio. When we were (as they say in Texas) "fixin'" to move to Oregon, we had a huge-ass sale and sold as much of our shiznit as we could in order to get up the money required to move. We had a GIANT garage sale and also sold a shit-ton of valuable stuff to a pawn shop. I know they tend to rip you off, but hey...we were freakin' desperate. We needed moving money STAT!!!
Soooo...although it almost literally killed both Lonnie and me, we had no choice but to see our babies. Here's Lonnie's baby:
That drum kit was his everything. He could play those skins like no one else. Seriously. He could play anything from his Techno bullshit music all the way to my super badass Death Metal. He is an AMAZING drummer. Saying 'Good Bye' to his kit nearly killed him. I've only seen him cry thrice in our relationship. This was one of the times....which, of course, led to me crying. I can't handle seeing my Sugar Tushie being so upset.
Well, he's not the only one who had to say 'Good Bye' to a baby. I had to part with my baby. My bass, amp, and bass stand. I worked so hard to get that bass and had gotten pretty good with it, too. I had some Alice In Chains songs down so well...not too bad for being self-taught. I also played other stuff, too...White Zombie, Slayer...whatever I could get in a groove with and pick up fairly quickly.
Well, as I've told you people before, my bass was autographed by two members of Slayer: Kerry King & Jeff Hanneman. After the Slayer gig in '04, Lonnie surprised me with backstage passes. I've ALWAYS had a HUGE thing for Slayer. Especially Tom Araya...which is why my cat is named Araya. Anyway, it just so happened that the night of the show (12.08.04) was the SAME EXACT NIGHT that Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed. The guys in Slayer didn't know about it 'til after they'd done their set. Sadly, Tom and Dave were too emotionally distraught to come meet us...but Kerry & Jeff were awesome about it. They signed my bass, a couple t-shirts, some ticket stubs, and some posters for me. I even got some pics taken with them. I'll dig 'em up and post them sometime. (None of us, the fans, had ANY idea that Dimebag had been shot at this point.) We were wondering why Tom and Dave weren't there...and honestly, I was somewhat heartbroken. It's always been my dream to meet Tom Araya in person. The fact that he wasn't there...it made me sad, but I was still so stoked! I got to hang out with Kerry & Jeff...etc.
SIDENOTE: December 8th just happens to be the anniversary of my ex's death as well. Isn't that weird? I got to meet Slayer, Dimebag died, and it was the anniversary of the tragedy. Trippy freakin' day!
Anyway, that bass was my baby...especially now that it had been graced by Slayer. Here's a pic for ya'...
So back to the move....after Lonnie took his drum kit in and sold it, it was my turn. I cried as I handed my bass over. One of the saddest days of my life. That might sound lame to those of you who don't 'get it', but for those of you who do...you totally know where I'm coming from.
WELL...GET THIS!!!....
Lonnie got a wild hair the other day...about four days ago and he decided to call the pawn shop where we'd sold my bass in Billings, Montana. I'm left-handed AKA superior, so he thought that since the bass is a lefty, there'd probably be a good chance that it'd still be there. He got on the phone and asked 'em about it and...THEY STILL HAVE IT!!!! They want $150 for it and are willing to ship it to us! I cannot even begin to express how I felt when I heard that. I cried, wrapped my arms around Lonnie, and thanked him SO much for being so sweet as to even look into it...especially after how heartbroken he still is about his drum kit.
I just cannot believe they still have it. If it were a righty, there's NO way they'd have it. The fact that it's a lefty has saved it. I am MEANT to have my baby back.
Soooo, now what I'm doing is busting my fucking ('scuse the f-bomb) ass to try to earn that $150 + S&H to get my baby back!!! I know I will get it back. It's been over two years...it's mine...just a matter of time. Can you even believe that?!!
Anyway, I just had to share that with you guys. So many good things have been happening to me lately. Ever since I chose to go down a different path with my life a couple weeks ago, it's like everything is totally falling into place. I honestly feel as though I'm finally on the proper path in my life...and perhaps getting my bass back will be my reward for FINALLY making a good decision!
Soooo, there you have it! Thanks for reading this and whatnot...I know I get overly wordy.
As pretty much anyone who knows me knows, I'm a big-time lover of coffee. I not only love to drink the stuff and munch on the beans; prior to getting into the Graphic Design industry, I worked in the coffee industry for over ten years. I was both a barista and a manager of a few different shops in my time. My point in this little history lesson is to say that I know my way around coffee.
That being said, I was absolutely stunned when I tasted this new coffee from Starbucks called Casi Cielo®. Actually, I don't even know how new it is...all I know is it's new to me. It's pretty expensive ($12.95/lb. whole beans), but you certainly get what you pay for in this stuff. From the moment you crack the package open, you know you aren't dealing with an average coffee. This stuff is freakin' amazing....and from Starbucks, of all people. They get props from me. It takes a lot to impress me this much...especially with coffee.
Here's an excerpt from their website:
The name means almost heaven, and while you’ve never had to go that far to experience this ineffably rich coffee, there was a time when you could only enjoy it in some of the country’s most exclusive restaurants.
You see, we originally developed this coffee to be the ultimate “fine-dining” experience, working with the chefs at Seattle’s legendary Canlis restaurant. Together, we created a remarkable coffee with a depth and versatility perfect for a variety of gourmet entrees and desserts—particularly those with savory herbs or cheeses, rich chocolate or berries. For years, we limited this coffee to just a few, choice establishments.
But the clamor for Guatemala Casi Cielo® was so relentless, and the coffee so good, that eventually we capitulated; we had to share it. So, for a short time every year, we make this culinary masterpiece available for your own special occasions at home—no reservations required.
I'm really saddened that this coffee won't be offered year round, but that's okay. It'll make me appreciate it that much more. If it weren't an absolute travesty to coffee to freeze it, I would buy a bunch up and do so. Anyone who knows anything about coffee knows that freezing it is a HUGE no-no. It completely strips the beans of the essential oils that give the coffee it's flavor. So when you freeze it, you're basically changing the entire flavor of the stuff...taking it from something that's really good to something you would get when you crack open a can of Folgers. :shudder:
Anyway, I wanted to blog about this stuff because I know I'm surrounded by so many other coffee lovers here on My.Opera. If you can find this stuff in your area, I really recommend grabbing a bag. I know it's expensive, but treat yourself! You won't be sorry.
I've been groovin' to this album for a couple years now, and I just gotta share it with those of you who dig Metal. The band is called Job For A Cowboy. Stupid name, I agree...but the music flippin' PWNS! The band is from Glendale, Arizona.
The group was founded by vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Ravi Bhadriraju and Andrew Arcurio, bassist Chad Staples, and drummer Andy Rysdam. In 2004, they created a MySpace profile, posted songs online, and began to connect with several worldwide fans. Later that year, Staples and Rysdam left Job for a Cowboy and were replaced by Brent Riggs and Elliott Sellers respectively as bassist and drummer. Traffic to the band's MySpace profile increased exponentially in late 2005, when the band released its first EP, entitled Doom.
Job for a Cowboy extensively promoted their debut EP, including three performances on the Sounds of the Underground tour. By the end of year, the band obtained professional management and signed a deal with Metal Blade Records, who reissued Doom with a bonus track. Also in 2006, Arcurio left Job for a Cowboy, and new guitarist Bobby Thompson joined the group. While Job for a Cowboy was writing material for their first full-length album, Sellers announced that he would be leaving the band to go back to school immediately after recording the album. In search of a permanent drummer, the band then posted a bulletin on Blabbermouth.net, which was seen by Jon "The Charn" Rice. He made a video of himself, posted it on YouTube, and sent the link to the band. Soon after, Rice was announced as the new drummer
So, anyway, now that you know the gist, I'm offering the album to you if you want to check it out. They have more recent stuff, but I freakin' love this particular album. HERE IT IS FOR THE TAKING.
I got my Opera prizes in the mail today! As I'm sure you can imagine, I was totally bouncin' off the walls stoked when I saw the package!
Here's me being overjoyed in my new t-shirt...
I thought I was only getting a t-shirt. I was wrong! I got some tasty candy, too! Too bad I'm on a diet...trying to lose my flabbiness! I'll save it for a later date.
For those of you who aren't aware yet,
I just launched my online store! w00t!
I'm a Graphic Designer by trade and a blogger at heart.
What better way to promote my blog than to come up with
some super nifty designs and slap 'em on t-shirts, mugs,
calendars...even undies!
Feel free to drop by, browse around,
and if you see something you like,
treat yourself to an early Christmas present!
Thanks in advance for all the support...
...you guys pwn!
EDIT: I just want to add that I know that the look of the online store is pretty sad right now. Not for long, though. I am going to be updating/upgrading it very soon. The way it is right now, you've got to scroll a lot...but once I'm done, it'll be smooth sailin'.
I needed any good vibes I could get for that miagraine...and barfing. lol Well, I feel better today and that is what matters. I hope you have a wonderful day! xoxo
As I'm sure you can imagine, I'm very flattered. 
I can't even believe it...
I honestly didn't think I'd win anything since I won a t-shirt before. Not to say that I'm not overly stoked about it! 
That didn't sound right, did it? 
I've only seen him cry thrice in our relationship. This was one of the times....which, of course, led to me crying. I can't handle seeing my Sugar Tushie being so upset. 
The guys in Slayer didn't know about it 'til after they'd done their set. Sadly, Tom and 
It's always been my dream to meet Tom Araya in person. The fact that he wasn't there...it made me sad, but I was still so stoked! I got to hang out with Kerry & Jeff...etc. 
The band is from Glendale, Arizona.
(29%)
WIDGETIZE