Is Anyone Else Even Trying?

Maybe I should cheer because the home team is on a winning streak?

Just For Fun

The dox said it best.

Letting Go

So, thanks to Pandora, I have come across the song "Letting Go" by Casados.  I LOVE it.  it has a really sweet sound and nice meaningful lyrics.  The singers' voices have a nice melodic sound as well.

I have never heard this song outside Pandora and I have never heard mention of this band anywhere.  I decided to do some 'internet research' on the matter.

I discovered there were quite a few other people in my exact shoes - they mentioned they loved the song but only knew of it because of Pandora.  They wanted to know more.  What are the lyrics?  Who is this band?  Why is this song on XXX pandora station?   Why this song, and not their others?  (presuming they have created more than just one song).

Now, first off, let me say I found this to be a bit of an 'odd fit' for the station I found this on.  That being said, I've noticed a certain frequency of some songs/artists (I know there's a counter argument that this is simply based on what I've "liked".)  However, I assume Pandora to be a 'for profit' organization.  Are there certain artists that have 'agreements' with Pandora?  I assume for every song/artist I discover through Pandora, there must be a ton more that I'm not familiar with that I'm NOT hearing.

Is there a certain reason for "high frequency" artists?  For example, I know offhand I constantly come across "The Bravery" (whom I also do not hear of outside Pandora) and The Strokes (whom I do know of, but don't hear all that much in the mainstream).  I know a couple other Pandora users who have mentioned also constantly encountering these two bands.

Does anyone fully know how Pandora works?  Does anyone have an explanation for why some artists appear a lot and some artists rarely/never do (not that I can cite a specific example here) aside from "this is similar to what I've stated I like"?  Does anyone else love Casados?  Does anyone else know of the band from something besides Pandora?  Are they coming to Chicago for a concert any time soon?  Do they have any other great songs, or are they simply a one "hit" wonder?   What are some "high-frequency" artists you all experience?  

Personal Ads

The other day I was watching Jay Leno's headlines (my favorite).  He happened to pull up one that was a 'personal ad'.

This left me with a lot of questions.  Do people still place personal ads?  Is this the match.com for the 50+ crowd?  Do any SEMI-NORMAL people use the personal ads?  Has anyone ever called on a personal ad?  Has anyone SEMi-NORMAL called on a personal ad?  Does anyone know a "normal" couple that met through a personal ad?

That being said, I know quite a few what I'll call "normal" couples that met in some unconventional quasi-weird way.  In other words, not at a bar, at a party, through friends, at work, or on a "normal" online dating site.

Does anyone know anyone who has ever placed or called on a personal ad?  Would any of my readers ever consider it?  Do any of my readers know a "normal" couple that met in a very "weird" way?  Your thoughts?

New Jargon

So, the other day, one of my commenters introduced me to some new jargon. (Thanks, Marek.)

FWIW

I had to google. Apparently, it stands for 'for what it's worth' or 'for whoever is wondering'.  (Which did you mean, Marek?) I hadn't heard it used before, but there were quite a few search results. Apparently it's already caught on. I'm glad to now be in the loop. And since you've read this post, you are now as well. You're welcome.

The Best Thing About Facebook

Ok, I know I've been through this before.  And I know all my readers probably think I'm, ahem, obsessed with facebook.  (I take the fifth on this one.)  But I think I've officially decided upon the best thing about facebook.  And it's not, as Seth Meyers so aptly said, watching one's high school friends slowly get fat.

The best thing about Facebook is...drumroll please...consumer reports.

Recently, my cable bill with rcn went up. I contemplated, for a moment, switching to Comcast. However, I seemed to think that I'd seen some negative statuses (stati?) about Comcast and Comcast customer service.

"Has anyone out there had a good customer service experience with Comcast?" I asked. Former coworkers, fellow dance students, and high school and college classmates all weighed in.

I've seen quite a few 'stati's like this in my feed. 'iPhone or android?' 'kindle or nook?' 'fitbit or striiv?'

It's also a great forum to gather others' stories. I'm friends with several journalists. I've seen them post asking about if anyone has any experience with a certain situation. My former journalist self is jealous that this wasn't around years ago - it's an easy way to gather quotes.

Anyhow. In short, what I love best about the 'book is that it can be a giant forum for gathering (presumably) honest reviews and information.  What are your fave things about the book?

Coffee Withdrawals

So, for reasons, ahem, better left unsaid, a doctor told me recently to cut back on my coffee intake.

I was in his office discussing, ahem, personal concerns.

"Let me ask you this," he said.  "How much caffeine do you drink?"

"Umm.  A lot.  Probably more than I should."

"How much is a lot?"

"Umm, around 4-5 cups of coffee a day."  (Approximately two pops a day omitted - I was going to mention them, but his eyes already got huge with shock.)

"That amount of caffeine wouldn't be good for anyone," he said very seriously.

He wants me to cut back to 1-2 cups a day.  I am right now working down to 3.  Baby steps.

I rand this by a facebook audience.  Some were equally appalled by my intake.  Others said 'pssh, I drink that much, screw the doc.'

I am in the process of trying to listen to my doctor.  What are your thoughts?  Do any of my fellow readers drink this much Joe?  Anyone have any good tips on getting off the caffeine addiction?  Every day I'm dragging by 9pm and falling asleep on the couch.  I don't have to wake up early for work, so I don't, in general.  So I am very well-rested and exhausted and dragging, all at the same time.

Anyone else struggle with vices?

Spelling Bees & Childhood Trauma

So the other day, I was talking to someone about another person who is going through a rough time, but he is a quiet person who is not overly emotional, so it is getting forgotten.  Now, I immediately feel for this person because I am not necessarily vocal about my emotions.

This reminded me of a personal experience.  I was in the fourth grade.  I was one of two representatives for my class for the spelling bee.  I will protect the not-so-innocent and not mention anyone in this story by name, despite the fact that I really, really want to.  I can only imagine this other individual doing a quick google search of himself and seeing himself exposed for this not-so-shining moment.... Anyhow.

In short, both the other representative and I got eliminated and did not go on to win the bee.  I held it together like the mature composed serious young woman that I was.  This other individual did not.  I remember lots of crying (we're talking hysterical sobs) and the rest of the afternoon was dedicated to making this individual feel better.  We all got homework (myself included) to do something to make him feel better the next day (make a poster, bring in a snack, etc.).

The next day we had a huge party for him.  There were banners, there were balloons, there cookies galore!  I remember there was one tiny sign that said 'Good work, Jaime!' - I guess someone remembered I'd participated in the bee as well.  I remember thinking this was largely unfair.  It wasn't that I wanted this big fest for my own swing-and-a-miss, or even that I was upset about not winning.  And, what about all the other students in the class (who didn't even qualify for the spelling bee in the first place)?  Weren't we all equally failures?  How come the one person who was being all loud and emotional was getting all the attention and celebration?

I know they say 'the squeaky wheel gets the oil', but is that really fair in life?  I can't help but think that sometimes people like me, who aren't overtly emotional, at times have their feelings forgotten.  Is anyone else out there like me and feel this way?  Has anyone else had a similar experience of being forgotten because he or she was not throwing a hissy fit? I know I've had some friends say to be more vocal about my emotions at times, but it's just not my nature.  Your thoughts?  

Recurring Nightmare

I know everyone has them.  I had one other other night.

In this specific dream, I was trying to complete a simple task (check if my dance class was canceled on its website).   In this dream, I thought class was canceled, so I wasn't planning on going, but then my friend Rachel texted me saying she thought it wasn't canceled.  It was right at the time I would have needed to leave, and I wasn't dressed or ready.  So, I began a race against the clock trying to check online if it was canceled.  However, I kept having simple little problems.  I was mistyping the website.  Then I was clicking and it wasn't going through.  Then my phone froze.  Then, finally, in a flurry of frustration, I woke up.

However, in my constant recurring nightmares, I am trying to complete a simple task (like change the channel on the tv or put on a sweater) and I, for some reason, can't.  I keep running into roadblocks.

Does anyone else have this kind of recurring nightmare?  What do you all have for recurring nightmares?  Naked in public dreams?  (I used to have those too.)   Is one of your nightmares that this blog turns back into 'Jaime's dream analysis'?  Don't answer that.  

The FitBit Challenge

So, through my work, I received a 'FitBit'.  My entire company is part of a 'FitBit' challenge   This handy dandy little device measures my daily steps, miles traveled, calories burned, stairs climbed, and general activeness.  Additionally, it sends me happy little messages.  Gooooooaal Jaime!  Stepgeek Jaime!  Hug me Jaime!  Walk me Jaime!  Sometimes, when I'm peeing and it says 'Faster, Jaime!', it freaks me out!

Anyhow.  I think it's really quite accurate at noticing when I'm active vs. when I'm not.  Some days, when I feel like I've done nothing, well, it reaffirms it to me.  It lets me know I've barely burned any calories and hardly moved.  Not what I wanted to hear, but sometimes we all need a reality check, right?  I feel it's succeeded in motivating me to get up and move on those days when, otherwise, I would have been content with nothing.  I am liking this fun little device.

Update to come at the end of this challenge.

Traditional & Predictable

Snoopy Mother's Day!

Gratuitous Hailey Pics

stretched out in bed

climbing into the bowl to eat

sleepy times

napping on mom's lap (this shows her size well)

next to big brother Lou 

(the jury is still out on his feelings toward her)