Back to Reality

Reality stinks. It really does. I had been in a tropical paradise until yesterday. That paradise is known as Costa Rica. I was there from the 21st until late Tues. night. As I sit here in my office, in front of a computer, I am wondering why I am here. Why am I not in Costa Rica, on the beach? Keeping up with the Joneses has never seemed as asinine as it does now. We are a society of overstimulated and overworked individuals. There is too much information readily available and too much of an obsession to improve the bottom line. Whatever happened to enjoying life for what it is?
Am I turning into a hippie? CA is probably reading this disapprovingly. Costa Rica (CR) is the most beautiful country! The variety of topography in one tiny country is truly amazing! We went from watching an active volcano erupt to traversing through a tropical rainforest to surfing the beach breaks of Tamarindo. We saw crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, snakes, bright orange crabs, parakeets, and poisonous frogs. We hiked, surfed, drove, drank, ate, zip-lined, and laughed.
It was an unforgettable adventure in paradise...

Writing a dictionary

When most people decide they are going to write something, they write a short story or a screenplay or a poem. They might write a biography or an entertaining novel. They might write a cookbook based on the newest diet craze or even a blog about truly insignificant things in life. There are a few exceptions to this "norm" like Mr. Keane. He decided to write a dictionary on modern strategy and tactics. Pretty soon, everyone will be referring to his work as many often do to Sun Tzu and The Art of War.
This got me thinking that instead of wasting my time writing silly blogs, perhaps I should try my hand at getting published. Then, I thought about all the work that it might actually entail and I shut down that thought process immediately. So here I am, back to blogging for all to read. Hopefully, you will learn a thing or two.....don't say I didn't give you anything because I gave you a great salmon recipe (January 2005). Mostly, I just hope you laugh your a** off with at least some of my blogs.

Tax Day

Have you done your taxes? Do you owe the government money or will they give you money? I am happy to report that I will be getting a refund. CNBC's Sharon Epperson gave a report this morning on how most Americans will be spending their refund. The majority of Americans are planning on paying off debt or saving their money. What is wrong with you people??? That sounds like fiscal responsibility to me and that just sounds a bit too mature for my taste. I am planning on having some fun with my tax refund money. Hey, I worked hard all year...I deserve a little break! What exactly does that entail?

1) Buying $150 worth of bubbles. Who doesn't like bubbles? They even have flavored bubbles so that you can catch it in your mouth and it tastes great!
2) Buying 100 lotto tickets - I might be the lucky winner!!! Although, I must say that most lotto winners are the rejects of society. Hmmmm....I must have a pretty good shot at it then!!
3) Buying a sweet sound system for my sweet ride - it's a 1989 Honda CRX. Oh, and of course, it's all about da rims, baby.... 24" spinners.... it's gonna be bumpin'....
4) Buying the new Sony PSP with every game created for that system.
5) Buying a year supply of 40oz. Old E's....awwww yeah....

Back to my roots

I left civilization late Friday evening to go back to the country and visit my high school best friend. As some of you may know, I am a redneck hiding in the guise of a cosmopolitan gal. As Kevin and Bean on KROQ would attest, the Inland Empire is the Valley of the dirt people. Yes, I was a "dirt person" at one point and time in my life. We've all heard those jokes by Jeff Foxworthy about "you just might be a redneck if..." Well, the Inland Empire hicks are a slightly different breed...I would know....I'm still one at heart. How does one become an Inland Empire redneck??? Here are some pointers for you "city folks":

1) The one genre of music that everyone can agree upon is country music. Try listening to musicians like Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw, Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, Alan Jackson. Hip-hop/rap will get you shot out here....unless it's Eminem.
2) Don't pave your driveway. Keep it as a dirt driveway. Who needs concrete when you have dirt?
3) Get a big truck. This will help you maneuver over your yard to park your car. It's also handy for off-roading in your neighborhood since not all the roads have been built yet.
4) Smoke cigarettes. This is even better if you're barefoot and pregnant.
5) Gain lots of weight if you're a woman because you need that extra padding for when your husband beats you.
6) Super Wal-Mart is the most exciting thing happening in town so you go to the grand opening! In-N-Out is opening in TWO yrs so that's another exciting thing to look forward to!
7) Check out the 16yr old girls at Wal-Mart....even though you're a 30+ yr old male.
8) Leave beer cans in your front yard, which consists of dirt....of course.
9) Homo sapien? Are you calling me a homosexual???
10) Temecula, CA is considered "the city". What the hell is LA then?

All I can say is that I am glad to be out of the Inland Empire. Although, I must say that there is something charming about the simple lifestyle that is free from all the pretentiousness that is LA and any other major metropolitan areas.

Bar food and sports

Why is it that whenever you go out to the bars to watch a sporting event that you have to consume large quantities of fried foods? I guess it just tastes better. Who would want to watch a basketball game while drinking a glass of 2002 Cakebread cabernet (just recently released) and dining on a soy-glazed salmon with wasabi mashed potatoes? See how funny that sounds? As much as I love a good wine and good food, there is nothing better than buffalo wings and cheap American beer (Miller Light) while watching UNC beat the "barely fightin" Illini!
There's just something about watching a sporting event that requires one to consume the most unpretentious food available. No matter how "healthy" I'm trying to be, it goes out the window when I'm sitting down to watch a game. Fried mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, chicken strips, fries, fried shrimp, and buffalo wings all call my name when I am at a sports bar. For people on their "diets" and refuse to eat this stuff while watching a game - you're a wuss. Plain and simple. Luckily, I don't have too many friends like this.
The nice thing about bar food is that it is pretty much the same everywhere. It doesn't matter if you're in the middle of Texas or in L.A. Bar food is bar food, if it's a real sports bar. We know there are faux sports bars in L.A., but those don't count. They cater to people who want to pretend like they know what a free throw shot is, but they really don't. They're at the bar for the social aspect of it more than anything.
My question is: When will the Bruins win another NCAA basketball championship instead of floundering helplessly in the first round of the dance??