Obituary for Chivalry

Attention ladies of Washington, D.C.: It is with great sympathy that I inform you of the passing of a dear friend that many of you may not have known (especially if you live in the D.C. area and are in your 20's). Chivalry has died today, at the ripe old age of 1,024. He was born in the days when men opened doors, draped their coats over puddles and always picked up the tab. You see chivalry was known by our fathers, our grandfathers and of course our great grandfathers. Unfortunately he is not known by most men living here in our nation's capital.

It was a dark and stormy night in northern Virginia, and a group of folks (two guys and four girls) ventured out to a country concert on a Saturday night. Fearing the storm worsening, and tired of the rain, we left early and headed back to the cars to leave. Upon arriving at the cars, two average ladies approximately in their 20's approached us and asked for help because their car was dead after leaving their lights on all concert-long. She actually didn't ask for help, but if any of us had jumper cables that she could borrow. The two guys that I was with both looked at each other with a quizzical look, and Guy 1 immediately said, "We do have jumper cables, but I'm sorry, but we just packed up the car." Guy 2 shrugged dumbly.

Are you serious??? Did this really just happen? Did two men in an empty parking lot WITH the tools to help these damsels in distress really just blow off the opportunity to help!? I was dumbfounded. I just could not believe that two perfectly capable men would not move a cooler to help this girl. "Give me the cables," I said. Guy 1 looked shocked. "What," he said. "Are YOU going to do it?" "Ya. I am!" I shot back. So I proceeded over to my car, jumper cables in hand, and popped my hood. As I looked back, rain drizzling annoyingly in the empty parking lot, I glared at the two guys. "Are you serious? Are you just going to watch me?" I said. "O, I see! That's just like a woman," said Guy 1. "Can't do anything for themselves." WHOA!!!! This guy was a piece of work! Granted I had just met him that day, and he was only a friend-of-a-friend, but as of that moment, he was NO any friend of mine. Did he really revert to 1950's thinking on me? I know how to jump start a car. I also know how to change a tire. I ALSO know how to karate chop him in the throat... by the way.

With reluctancy, the DB helped these two girls jump start their car, pushing me out of the way. And gladly I stood by, happy to see that he had learned his lesson. I don't know that he woke up the next day regretting being such a jerk, but I do know one thing... He sure did get a jolt when he did it wrong the first time.

So as we say goodbye to our dear friend chivalry, we must remember the good times. And hope that maybe one day he'll live on... the sooner, the better.

A Toby Keith story

There I was... no shit... in Baghdad last year doing my necessary duty, which at the time included escorting a fine group of young men around Iraq to see where their fates were changed forever. An organization called "Troops First" out of Maryland, brought wounded warriors back to Iraq to see the very place they were injured and their lives changed forever. I had the honor of assisting with their visit.

The Troops' visit happen to coincide with the visit of one well-known country bad boy... Toby Keith. Toby was in town for a concert with the troops, I'm pretty sure his last visit to Iraq.

So there we were, hanging out on the back patio of the building where both the Troops and Toby were staying, Toby was mingling with the Troops, and I was being harassed by the personal security detail for having what could possibly be the dirtiest 9mm in Iraq, and we heard it. Three loud thumps echoed over the lake in front of us. We all knew what it was. Just then the sirens went off, and we all rushed inside, helping those that needed help along the way. The staff of the building rushed us all into a few bathrooms that were designated shelters to wait for the all clear.

As the adrenaline wore off, and I got a moment to look around my bathroom, this is what I saw: two Soldiers, my battle buddy Addie, various band members sprawled across the latrine, sink and bath tub, and Toby Keith himself standing directly next to me. I had to take a second glance, but it was definitely him. Scruffy and farmer's tanned and the most normal looking redneck guy you ever did see. It was surreal. After a few minutes of extremely awkward silence trapped in that bathroom, Toby broke the silence:

TK: So does anyone know any good songs?

Battle buddy: Well, she (pointing to me) sings Lady Gaga karaoke really well.

Me: Umm..
TK: You better get in that shower girl and sing some Gaga!

Me: I'm sorry, sir, I think I'm going to pass.

Thanks a lot Addie! I totally got thrown under a huge bus! After approximately 5 more minutes of silence, Toby again decided to spice things up.

TK: So after this concert, maybe you ladies can come back and rub my feet. They are killing me.
Me: I'm sorry sir, we don't know each other THAT well.


After this whole exchange, I have decided that Toby has the best sense of humor. I knew that he had some funny songs, and he is always funny in his videos, but he really did have the ability to read the (bath)room and know we needed some laughs.

I will never forget being trapped in a bathroom in Baghdad with Toby Keith and his crew. He put on a great show that evening, and even spurred a photo that will live in infamy... The boot salute. (See below)

Dear LeBron

Dear LeBron,

Do you remember that time(specifically July 8, 2010; 6:27 p.m.; channel 6)when you broke up with us on national television? You had been in Cleveland all of your life, playing for the Cavs for 7 long years? I came to every game possible, wore your jersey (in pink), sat in my place of honor, 100 rows up and to the left and cheered for you fanatically? You even did that little chalk thing for us. Do you remember that? We were the best fans a guy could have, in my humble opinion. We were the first "witnesses" to your amazing talent.

Now you've left us, and gone to a new team, and finally won your championship. I wish I could say congratulations, but I just can't. It's too soon. You see, we are like the bitter ex-girlfriend, pining for you to come back to us, standing in the shadows waiting. We are still angry about the past, remembering you on T.V., breaking our hearts, live from the Boys and Girls Club. We have been waiting for your demise, joking with friends that this day would never come because you left your true fans in Ohio. How could you do this to us Lebron?????

Look what you have done! You were selected as the number one pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. You've set numerous youngest player records since joining the league. You were named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003–04, NBA Most Valuable Player in 2009, 2010, and 2012 and have been both an All-NBA selection and an All-Star every season since 2005. You've also won TWO Olympic medals and took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals for the first time EVER.

And now you've won an NBA Championship without us? With your flashier, hotter new girlfriend? Can you blame us for being a little bitter???

While the scheming and the "hating" and the jab throwing ensue, every Cavs (read:Lebron) fan in Ohio has a tiny place in their heart that is secretly happy about this moment.

You're a buckeye that left the state to do better for himself; arguably the best thing to come out of Ohio since Skyline chili. You came from humble beginnings and defeated the odds. Deep down we are proud; bitter, but proud.

So while the break-up (live on national television) still stings a little, congrats Lebron. You continue to reach for your dreams and accomplish your goals. There are so many young people that look up to you and admire your talent. Keep up the good work. But for the record, it's still too soon to be friends.

Summer in America

Happy first day of summer! This day could have not have come sooner. But like John Steinbeck says, "What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness."

This past weekend I went to Baltimore Harbor for the bicentennial celebration of the War of 1812. The U.S. Navy Blue angels were there, and they even had a really cool sand castle competition.



Being gone all last year, and missing a real summer has truly made me grateful for this missed season. This summer I will do all things American. I'll bake an apple pie, go to as many baseball games and country concerts as I can. I'll even wear my jorts proudly as I watch fireworks on the 4th of July.

I'm so thankful to be home, and I'm so thankful for those service members that are overseas right now still serving. Still fighting. Thank you all for your service, and I assure you that there will be a deck chair and a cocktail waiting for you when you return.

Exorcist stair WOD

In 1973, an absolutley horrible, yet iconic, movie was filmed here in DC, specifically in Georgetown. The Exorcist features among many things a dramatic final scene where the young priest throws himself out the window and down a trecherous staircase killing himself and the demon.

Today I threw myself down these same stairs. Okay. Okay. That may be a little dramatic. I actually am part of this workout cult... err group, and we enjoy torturing ourselves, testing our limits and living in a positive manner towards a healthier lifestyle. I'm a Crossfitter. To Grandma Chardonnay's dismay, I have brought my fanatical ways back to America, and continue to do "WOD"s two or three times a week. And now I can eat cupcakes with reckless abandon, and not gain a pound. Okay, that's a lie.

So during my lunch break, I ventured over to Georgetown and we did the following WOD. Behold, the Crossfit Rosslyn Exorcist stair WOD™:

Exorcist Stairs WOD (30min limit)

One single step ascend
8 Squats
One double step ascend
4 Squats
... One bunny hop ascend (single or double step)
2 Squats

One single step ascend
8 Squats
One double step ascend
4 Squats
One bunny hop ascend (single or double step)
2 Squats

One single step ascend
8 Squats
One double step ascend
4 Squats
One bunny hop ascend (single or double step)
2 Squats

10 HSPU
10 K2E
10 Burpees
One ascend (any style)

For time

So as you can see... this KILLED me.



In usual Crossfit fashion, the team was supportive and cheered each other on. That's what I love about Crossfit. It's not just a workout. It's a community, and for some a lifestyle. I just can't get enough.

Happy Birthday Army!

Today was the U.S. Army's 237th Birthday, and it was such a cool experience seeing it all from the outside. After working for the Army for more than four years, this was my first year in a new industry, and seeing the biggest event I have worked on for four years from a different perspective. I just have to share the coolest part about the day: Georgetown Cupcakes came to the Pentagon and created a tank birthday cake! I loved seeing all of the photos from the events today at the Pentagon. Was it bittersweet? Yes. Was I even maybe a tad jealous? Yes. Every job has it's perks, and the Army Birthday, as much hard work as it was, was always a lot of fun. Also, I saw that the Nationals' Presidents did their run around the courtyard! My oly question is what is Thomas Jeffereson doing under that tree? This is no time for a nap! So not only is it the Army's birthday, but also my "half" birthday. You can celebrate those, right? As I look at the twilight of my twenties, I have to wonder, "What is next?" Grad school? A revamp of my blog? You can bet your biscuits! the next six months should be interesting, and I intend on enjoying every minute! :D

Hoarders: Buried Alive--- the cubicle edition

Is it me or do Hoarding shows make you want to Lysol your whole house? I found myself watching a complete marathon on New Year's Day followed by a complete reorganization and trash collecting of my closet. I can't relate with these folks as I am not a fan of keeping things around. I'm constantly going through old boxes and my closet getting rid of things I don't need. I just don't think I'll ever have that sort of problem. Although I really do feel bad for those attached to trash, I'm thankful I don't see the need to keep things around. Ironically, when I returned to my beloved cube this morning it looked like the below. Agh! I of course moved it to my cube-mate's area, and the problem was solved. Happy New Year!

Girl vs. Squash

Today I learned a valuable lesson about squash. You may think that squash is an innocent vegetable, rich with nutrients, and versatile enough to use in a wide range of ways. I learned that a squash is delicious yet ruthless. Beware of the squash. I like my fingers. They help me do useful things like open doors, play the piano (ya right), eat sandwiches. I would appreciate keeping them, but my first squash conquest, the acorn variety, had a different idea. Have you ever tried to cut an acorn squash?? Let me tell you. NOT EASY. You need an insanely sharp knife, a towel, knowledge of which way to cut and patience. Unfortunately I did not have three of those four things. I had a towel, people. That is all. Once I finally, narrowly keeping all of my digits, cut the thing open, it was easy as pie. Loaded it with brown sugar and butter, and popped that baby in the oven. In 45 minutes, I had two meals worth of squash, and two cat helmets... Okay, that's wrong, but seriously, they were perfect size for a cat! If you'd like to try an acorn squash, I'd humbly suggest using the following recipe: Cut squash in half, and scoop out the "guts" fill cavities generously with brown sugar, butter and salt and pepper Cook 45 min on 350 or until fully cooked through Too easy! Except for the cutting part. You are on your own!

Where did I go!?

You may be asking, "Where did she go?" Or you may not care... either way, I have an answer. I am currently deployed, and working for United States Force-Iraq! I will be blogging on a personal blog until I return. If you would like access to my private blog, email me or find me on Facebook. I'd love to have you join me there! Take care until I see you again in DC!

2010 Top Ten

It seems fitting that 2010 should have a top ten. So here are my top ten trends that I embraced for 2010...

10.Skinny Girl Margarita
While this delightful, guilt free summer drink was around before 2010, and I've been making them since Season One of the Real Housewives of NYC, I am very happy that I am now able to find them easily alongside my other favorite mixed cocktails. It just so much easier to pour out of the bottle than guess my way through a homemade version.

9. The Hunger Games Series
I guess I should throw in the towel, and admit that I have been reading a series meant for high school girls. I would like to take this moment to declare this series the next Harry Potter/Twilight. Not that they are about wizards or vampires, but they are YA novels that get the older generation hooked. And I'm SURE that when they make them into movies, the cast will be just as hot as Twilight. So when this is the next big thing, I have the blog to prove that "I told you so." Read them...now!

8. Skinny jeans
I know. I know. Lindsay Lohan was totally wearing these three years ago. I held out as long as I could, but now I am obsessed. They go with anything, and I don't know how I ever wore boots before!

7. Taco Tuesday
This is a tradition my roomie and I have. There's nothing like having one night a week where you know what you're going to have for dinner. And there's nothing more fun or interactive than tacos. Everyone helps and everyone enjoys!

6. Spin Class and other group fitness
I have found the secret to staying in shape, and it is people yelling at me! Spin, circuit training, and most recently Bikram yoga. I love the variety, and I love having that extra motivation provided by the company of complete strangers!

5. Show stopping shoes
I consider myself the girl next door, which pretty much means I am hopeless at putting together a whole outfit. This year I found that as long as you have an adorable pair of shoes, you can get away with jeans and t-shirts pretty much every night of the week!

4. Mad Men
O Don Draper... just your ambitious, womanizing ways! I just caught up with this series, and can't wait for the new season.

3. Group On/Living Social
You've gotta love a deal! I know I do. For months I have been getting up first thing, and checking for the deal of the day on Group On and Living Social. Just type in your location, and they'll send a deal to your phone everyday! Most deals are around 50 percent off, and can include anything from Thai food to indoor rock climbing. I've had a blast trying out DC food and activities on a budget.

2. Real Simple
This magazine is AMAZING! I can not live without it. I feel like I am a housewife in training. Easy recipes, do it yourself tricks, party planning and more. I can have the worst day ever, and come home to find this gem in my mailbox, and forget about it all. I've even started a collection of my favorite easy recipes. Now I recommend a subscription for all my friends!

1. Big Hair
I have embraced DC hair, and it is BIG. This easy hairstyle has changed my outlook, and makes it so easy to give my mood a little "boost". Big hair is number one in my 2010 book.

So what made your favorites list for 2010?

Ohio State players dissapoint

Yesterday afternoon five Ohio State players were suspended for five games in the upcoming2011 season. These young men were caught selling Ohio State memorabilia including their gold pants given to OSU players after beating Michigan, and Championship rings. They were allegedly given free tattoos for selling the hearts and spirit of those they are supposed to be playing for. Although these players have proved themselves physically on the field, they seem to have come up short of integrity off the field.

As someone who has seen the dedication and motivation that the coaching staff puts forth to these players in an effort to shape them into a championship worthy team, I am appalled that these players have taken this for granted. It is such a shame that 95 percent of the team has the sensibility to do the right thing, and a few bad eggs can bring such shame to a football program based on pride, integrity and the Buckeye spirit.

I hope these players learned a lesson. Be thankful for the opportunities you are given, and never take for granted the coaches and fans that support you.

Go Bucks.

The Newseum

Unfortunately I have not been to many museums here in DC, but recently I got to visit THE museum I was really looking forward to seeing. The Newseum is the Museum of media, and is located conveniently on the Yellow Line right next door to the Canadian Embassy. Sing with me! "O Canada..." My favorite part of this museum was the section dedicated to those affected by Sept. 11, 2001. There were newspaper front pages from papers all over the world on that day, a dedication to a freelance photographer who died that day, and a video featuring media who were there as the World Trade Center was collapsing around them. I was truly touched by the honesty and sincerity of this exhibit. The Newseum also includes Pulitzer prize winning photographs, newspaper front pages from hundreds of years ago and artifacts from some of the most notorious American crimes in history including the Unibomber's cabin and mobster memorabilia.
This museum is a must see for any media buff... and for those who get their news only from Perez and E! News.

We enjoyed goofing around out front where they feature a different front page everyday from a select city in EVERY state. See New Hampshire here!

And you must check out the view from the patio on top of the museum. Beautiful!

Five things I love about birthdays

People seem to cringe at the word "birthday" as they get older. As a woman in my mid-twenties creeping up on thirty I cannot disagree more. I still love birthdays. Am I one of those girls who has a birthday week? Umm no. But I do enjoy the fact that I feel special for a day and people give me gifts adorned with sprinkles and bows. Here are 5 things I love about birthdays, not necessarily my own:

1. EATING
Why would this not make the list!? I love going out to eat, and specifically getting to chose where I go out to eat. What's that? You don't like sushi? Too bad! It's my birthday. Sashimi for everyone!

2. USING THE BIRTHDAY EXCUSE TO GET OUT OF TROUBLE
I've gotten out of a lot of trouble over the years by simply stating these words: "But it's my birthday." This includes two parking tickets, a speeding ticket and a long line for the bathroom at a sporting event. With a sad face added in this is a surefire way to get your way.

3. MORE THAN ONE COCKTAIL ON A SCHOOL NIGHT
What are the odds of your birthday being on a weekend? I'm horrible at math, but I'm pretty sure you only get a birthday on a weekend once every seven or eight years. This means that the chances your birthday dinner will be on a school night are pretty good. This also means that you will most likely have a designated driver and a reason for an extra glass of wine. You deserve it. Those last 365 days of breathing were such an accomplishment!

4. BIRTHDAY CARDS
I love birthday cards. They can be funny or serious, but the important thing is you can tell a lot about someone from what card they pick out. I save them every year, and love looking back at them every year. I just love to line them up for a couple weeks on my counter and let them be a decoration until the Christmas cards take over.

5. AND MOST OF ALL... FRIENDS AND FAMILY
I didn't get to be home this year for my birthday, but it was so nice to be around good friends. I think I saw this in a Lifetime Movie: "Friends are the family you choose yourself." It is so true. I can't wait to reciprocate on their birthdays :)

Cake or small fire?? You decide.

Let them eat cake

So I tried my hand at baking, and made this luscious four-layer pumpkin cake (no really that's what it was called). It is SO easy, but looks like it took forever. I actually think it looks like pancakes, but the cream cheese icing makes it AMAZING.

I was the popular kid at work for a day... well worth it. :)

what you need:
1 pkg. (2 layer size) yellow cake mix
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin, divided
1/2 cup of milk
1/3 cup oil
4 eggs
1- 1/2 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice, divided
1 pkg. (8 oz) PHILADELPHIA cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tub (8 oz) COOL WHIP Whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/4 cup PLANTERS pecans

HEAT 350 degrees F

MIX cake mix, 1 cup pumpkin, milk, oil, eggs and 1 tsp. spice in large bowl. Divide into two greased and floured 9 inch pans.

BAKE 28 to 30 min. Cool 10 min in pans then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

BEAT cream cheese in medium bowl until creamy. Add sugar, remaining pumpkin and spice; mix well. Stir in Cool Whip. Cut each cake horizontally in half making four layers; stack on serving plate with the icing in between each layer. Do not frost top layer. Drizzle with caramel before serving and top with nuts...

Sweater vests for everyone!

A few weeks ago Airmen and Soldiers from the Ohio National Guard were invited to attend a practice at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. As a proud Buckeye and graduate of OSU, I was so excited to attend.

Coach Jim Tressel, head coach for the Buckeyes has been extremely supportive of troops all around the world. In 2009 Coach Tressel visited troops overseas with a handful of other college football coaches. As we toured the Woody Hayes facility, the troops attending were greeted by many military themed corridors and rooms in the facility. The workout room actually has "Combat Ready" scrolled across the entry and Army Core Values lining the room.

My personal favorite was seeing Woody Hayes last words scrolled on a chalk board he kept in his office. He was truly a supporter of our troops, and Coach Tressel has carried on this legacy.

The OSU players and coaches stayed after practice, and signed autographs and took photos with troops. What a nice bunch of young men (now I sound like my grandma...lol).

So as you can see from the photo above, Coach Tressel and I are BFFs... Sweater vests for EVERYONE!

Girls' night in

Tonight I made homemade pizza! Ok maybe not homemade. More like semi-homemade. I just can't say no to DiGiorno frozen four cheese pizza. Yum. To spice it up I added onion, fresh basil and tomato. I told my roommate it was homemade though so... don't tell!

The roomie made sangria to go along with it! You should try it.

Kayla's sangria

1 bottle red wine (Kayla uses Jam Jar)
2 cups brandy
1 tbsp grenadine
a dash of cinnamon in each glass
1 granny smith chopped
1 orange cut in wheels
1 lemon cut in wheels

Combine all. Best when it sits overnight, but who can wait that long?! Enjoy!

Pay Homage

I'm not really big on giving praise to companies here on my blog, but this week I found a really great one, and I just have to share! Homage is a vintage t-shirt shop selling t's made in the U.S.A. Apparently they just opened shop in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and a few of my friends are big fans. So I went online to check them out, and I was very impressed. They have a wide variety of t-shirts promoting music, sports teams and different cities in the US of A. You can also find some pretty quirky old school stuff for sale including Big League Chew and Rubik's Cubes. I placed my order, and a few days later I received an extremely small box. Did I order a book?
Talk about efficient packing! I don't know about you, but when I receive an online order, and there is all of this unnecessary extra packing I get so annoyed. Uhh, do you hate our environment? So on top of being an American shop they are also environmentally friendly. LOVE! So the t-shirts are totally dreamy. The kind of cotton t's that you love to wear. Believe me. Also included in my order were a discount card for next time, a "Homage" sticker and a pack of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collectors cards. I am not kidding. These people really are vintage! For a moment I had a flashback to 1990 when I was 8-years-old, and loved the TMNT!! So you should check out Homage. But only if you support vintage, capitalism, America and the environment. Oh, and I found this cool hat on their website. I'm ordering it immediately!

Noisy high heels.. Are you guilty?

Click-clack. Click-clack. We've all heard the sound. Strolling through the hallways at work it's the sound that I hear often, and also the sound that I make. No, I don't wear taps, and I'm not donning horse shoes.

One particularly noisy heeled morning I walked into the office, and my co-worker was laughing at me. "I knew that was you walking in," she said. "I could tell because of the clicking." So this brought me to wonder, is there a way to make heels less noisy? Is this a problem that other women have? So after some google research, I came upon a post by a man calling himself "Jack 'I'm a model' H." Here is an excerpt from his rant.

"I'm talking about women who seem to buy the LOUDEST SHOES possible, so you can hear them coming from 300 yards away! It's like a cow bell or something.

And here they come "CLIP CLIP Clickety - Clack Clickety - Clack CLIP CLIP CLIP."
Then you or some guys are scared and want to make sure a stampede or something isn't coming, so you look up at them for a second, and they give a look like "Oh wow are you checking me out? Why doth thou starest so? Am I hot? Oh I know it!"

Ok JACK. I get it. They are loud, and you hate them, but last time I checked a "Sound check" usually isn't part of the shoe trying-on process. So get over yourself...

After checking another site and finding that women really are having this problem, we began to brain storm in the office. My one co-worker suggested felt bottoms on heels. WHAT? Grace is not in my nature. I would most definitely take a nose dive in the Pentagon in front of some four-star and disgrace the D-ring forever. Bad option!

I did however find a great article on how to walk silently. Basically, you can go to a shoe repair place, and they can add a layer of rubber to the bottoms of your heels... or you can wear flats. The choice is yours...

If I were Ohio's PR agent...

Being the resident Buckeye here in my office at the Pentagon, I frequently come under a lot of scrutiny about my state and a few of the WHACK jobs that live there. It seems that my co-workers love to send me lovely and insightful articles about the seemingly endless idiots in the news that reign from the great state of Ohio. And it's not just the people! I recently was forwarded a column that was written in TIME magazine featuring Ohio. It wasn't about some scientist that had cured some horrible disease. It was about bedbugs, and how the state is seemingly riddled with the sleepy little pests. Just today I saw an article about a pot-smuggling grandpa delivering drugs to his imprisoned grandson, and we all have heard of the serial killer recently detained in Ohio and extradited back to Michigan.

Who does your PR Ohio? Is there a spin doctor in the house? If I were Ohio's PR agent, and here I practically am, I would do a few things to get things back on track.

1. Highlight stories that don't make national headlines but really should like the increase in solar fields across the great state of Ohio. Who knew they were making such great strides in clean energy efforts?

2. The everyday heroes of Ohio making news, like the 65-year-old Vermilion, OH woman who scared off a would-be robber from a convenient store.

3. If these initiatives fail, I could just revert every bad news story back to The Ohio State Buckeyes, and the hopeful season that lies ahead of them. The art of distraction is never below me...

No matter what, I will continue to defend my home state and the people that live there. No matter how many stories I see about Ohioans being pulled over on their motorized bar stools or Ohio families who call police after being trapped in their home by squirrels, I will still stand tall and just be glad that I don't come from somewhere awful, like Michigan.

cattitude

So my roommate's cat Hopper is 1. Adorable, and 2. a complete brat. I give him a hard time ALL of the time. "Hopper don't eat that." "Stop scratching the company." "Don't bite my toes when I'm trying to sleep." I'm such a nag right? My roommate's parents call it "cattitude".

I've just recently realized that we have WAY more in common that I first realized! Recently I have been a complete brat and unfortunately to those I am closest with. I don't know if this happens to anyone else, but do you ever find yourself acting out? Do you ever develop your own case of "cattitude" and take out the wrath on those you just assume will understand?

It's extremely unfortunate that a little stress at work, or a fight with a friend can create such a funk that rubs off on the innocent unsuspecting bystander. Well for all of my innocent, unsuspecting bystanders that may have been a victim to my recent bad attitude I just want to say sorry. And for some that is SO hard to say. It's amazing how two little words can change a whole situation. An apology can change so much, and it's unfortunate when people overlook that fact. If Hopper could speak I'm sure he'd say the same.

I forgot about #1! So yes, Hopper and I are both kind of adorable too... when we aren't biting and scratching of course. :D