Weird vacation, or just an unfortunate cut-off?

I was looking at the EW site (What?) and I noticed this link on the bottom that when to a Huffington Post article. (No, I don't read that site).

(Don't click the link if you are at work, or offended easily or have an irrational fear of fruit. Really!)

Jon Gosselin, In St. Tropez, Parties On Yacht With Banana-

That was how it was cut off, and I thought, that's kind of funny, he's partying with a banana. What a hilarious cut-off of a headline. Then I clicked on it. Whoa! I wasn't expecting that. I'm not sure which is more funny now.

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #45: Black and Blue

Carly wants some black and blue things this week. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, I don't have a have bruise to show you. Those are always fun to share.

Here's what I do have for you this week:

I had a little trouble finding some things with the correct colors at first. Then I remembered some wine bottles we had in the house. The wine bottle pops up a few times.

On this first try, I tried to focus through the bottle. It turned out okay, not great.

Next, I tried to get more of the lettering, the lighting wasn't great, as you can see:

It was more of a flash problem than anything else.

Then, I took a picture of my new baby in it's protective case.

You didn't think it was going to be an actual baby, did you?

Lastly, the wine bottle came back and I tried to work with some sunlight coming through a window.

Like I said, I tried.

For the extra credit Carly wanted to know something about or favorite colors and favorite color choices for photography. Well, my favorite color is red, but I don't find it easy to photograph. I find some shades of green easier. Maybe it's just because I like nature shots.

That's all for today. Go check out the other shots now.

Born to Run...to Dairy Queen

Well, not Dairy Queen, but you get the point. This is where I get pissed at myself for not exercising properly over the winter, so prepare yourself.

The last race I did was the Shamrock Shuffle back in March. While I wasn't super prepared for it, I did okay considering the conditions. Then, after the Shuffle, I fell off the wagon. Actually, I fell of the wagon, the wagon backed-up and ran over me a few more times, then the driver spit on me. It's been a long cold Spring Involving many snacks and sweets, and very little exercise.

But, I've been working at changing that. It's going about as well as I expected, which means it's been terrible. Each day I go running I get pissed at myself for sitting on the couch and eating enough M&M's to feed a small country. Like Canada. The tons of burritos and tacos haven't helped. Curse you, Chipotle and Qdoba for you Delicious and relatively inexpensive Mexican food!

Anyway, I've been trying to be better. Really. I still have M&M's, but I no longer buy the large bags to keep in the house. That way I only eat a human portion of them per day. Also, both Jenn and I have been trying to eat better overall. I'm not sure the last time we had a burrito, though I did ask her if she wanted one the other day. Hey, I was on midnights, I'm very weak-minded when I work them! Luckily, Jenn kept us on track. I don't remember what I had, but it was better for me than a giant burrito. Then again, what isn't?

So, what I'm telling you, and trying to convince myself, is that I'm trying. I've been running. Really. Just not a whole lot yet in the distance department so far, but I'm working on that too. I need to find some races that I can do soon. That always helps motivate me. Terror is a good motivator, I don't care what other people say.

That's all I have to say about that. Where's the ice cream?

Weekend Assignment #274: The Pursuit of Happiness

Wow, Karen didn't pick an easy assignment topic this week. Sure, it goes with the Independence Day theme, but it's not all that easy to answer the question she poses this week.

Weekend Assignment: #274: How do you personally pursue Happiness?

See what I mean? It's not like I lead a miserable life, or anything, but putting this kind of answer into words isn't all that easy. At least, words that other people can understand since everybody's perception of happiness is different.

I guess, for me, it depends on the situation. Sometimes music can make me happy. Or, at least more content. For example, lately I've been listening to my iPod at work much more. Mostly when I'm bored or restless while I'm there. Or, when there is nobody at work that I really talk to much. See, we all have rotating shifts to different degrees, so there can be days when I'm working with people that I don't know as well as others. I know that doesn't make much sense, but I can't really explain it. It's not like I don't know who everybody at work is, just that I know some people better than others. So, on some days work can be really boring and long, that's when I break out the iPod to keep me motivated and in a good mood. It works pretty well.

A good comedy, either or TV or movie, can make me happy, too. Actually, sometimes I like to watch bad movies that crack me up in ways that they are not meant to be funny. I guess that is why I like Mystery Science Theater 3000 so much. Usually, when I'm watching one of these bad movies, I'll hop onto Twitter and make some jokes about it. I know most people don't get them, or even see them, but it makes me feel better just to make those lame jokes.

Last, but not least, would be my family, of course. With the kids I try to have fun with them playing video games. It makes me happy because they are doing something I enjoyed as a kid, though with much better graphics. And with Jenn, I like to try to get out alone on occasion. That always makes me happy. It just doesn't happen enough.

Extra Credit: How do you know when you've caught it?

I guess I know, because I'm not all stressed out. Just ask Jenn, I get like that a lot.

Hey, where is my credit?

Oh, now the Chicago Tribune hops on the bandwagon and brings up Rainn Wilson's tweet about it. Hey, I brought it up in January!

I get no respect, I tell ya. (Just Imagine me adjusting my collar as I say that).

Happy Sequential Day, people. I hope you were up at 12:34:56 this morning to celebrate. I was at work, but I forgot. That's what happens when I work overnights.

Good night.

What a week I'm having!

Quick, what movie is the title from?

I'm on the midnight shift, which is bad enough, but, since this was a holiday weekend, of course our son was also sick.  He has strep throat. Again. It's the third time in about 2 months. The doctor said if he gets it again before October his tonsils have to come out. Let me just tell you how much I'm looking forward to that. How do they do it these days anyway? He said it was outpatient, so does that mean it's some kind of laser surgery? You know they do everything with lasers these days. I want to know when they are going to have laser scissors for home use. Won't that be cool? Or, how about a laser lawnmower?

Anyway, since he was sick, the two of us stayed home on the 4th and played some video games and watched some TV. It wasn't exciting, but it worked out in a way since I had to go into work that night. I got to sleep as much as I wanted to the first day after work, but since he wasn't getting better (this was before we had the diagnosis) it made the rest of the week interesting. Jenn took the morning off on Monday, took him to the doctor, then I got up and she went to work. I got about four hours of sleep that day. That wouldn't be terrible, but when I'm working the midnight shift I need a lot of sleep.

After Jenn came home from work I tried to take a nap, but I couldn't sleep. I think I was worried I wouldn't wake up. I'm not sure. So on Tuesday, today, I took the kids over to my mom's house and I tried to sleep there. It didn't work out too well. The kids were really loud, and they came to wake me up a couple of times. Once to tell me they were hungry. Why they had to come and tell me that instead of my mom who was in the same room as them, I'll never know. But I wasn't very happy about that. And I let them know that.

So, yes, I'm a little cranky, and tired. But, at least my week of midnights is over after I get home. I think I'm going to fall asleep as soon as the my head hits the pillow. Maybe sooner. Hopefully I wait until I get home at least.

And, since I'm crabby, I'll ask you a question. Does it annoy you when you are driving and there is a lane closed up ahead and some dickweed has to drive all the way up to the barricade before he merges over to the open lane? Do you want to plow right into that car as much as I do? Now, I'm not talking about when the person can't see it because there is a huge line of cars and nobody knows what's going on. I'm talking about that guy that is diving in the lane next to you, and slightly behind, and nobody is in front of him, and he keeps driving and finally gets a little ahead of you and makes you slow down so he can get in front of you. Even when there is nobody behind you and he could have pulled behind you. But no, he has to get in front of you so he can get to that red light .015 seconds ahead of you, even though he isn't going anywhere. Just wait until I got those lasers installed in the front of my car.

Okay, I'm done. I need to sleep. Can you tell?

Want to take a nap at work? Just buy the Cozy.

No longer is the blanket with the built in sleeves enough; now you need a blanket with a built in head rest. I give you the Cozy.

Look how comfortable it is to take a nap anywhere now. Sleep at your desk, on a plane, in a lounge chair in your backyard. Your chair doesn't have a head rest? No problem, the Cozy will take care of that for you? Want to possibly get tangled up in it an choke yourself accidentally? Or maybe not so accidentally, if you know what I mean, then you need to get a cozy.

Look how comfortable that guy is sleeping at his desk! Don't worry, his boss will understand that he needs to energize himself after that tough business lunch that included four beers. And look, when you use it folded up your arms seemed to be trapped inside, thus adding extra stress on your neck that the pillow is attached to. How comfortable!

Oh, you really need to watch the video on that site. I love the part where the kids are running around the house while the mother has her arms in the Cozy. It looks like they tied her up in there so they can do what they want!

Also, if you order now you get a bunch of other stuff for free, well if you include 9 bucks as postage and handling as free. Actually, with the postage and handling on the whole set you nearly double the low, low price of $19.99.  What a bargain!