Life.

I was really in the mindset that all there is to life is to work your ass off because you're constantly in debt and then you die. Quite disheartening if I may say so myself. I see the constant worry and struggle my mother goes through to make ends meet and as a daughter who inherited much of her personality and traits I too find myself worrying month to month in this fragile economy. I can't say that I'm going to wake up tomorrow and completely turn my life around but I think it's high time I take a more positive approach on my outlook on life. Perhaps then if I change my attitude, positive occurrences may begin to fall my way. I can't see what's in my and my family's future but I know I can do something about it. Got to take it one day at a time, step by step. I mean, somewhere sometime, all this hard work has got to pay off....right?

Daddy, I Miss You.

I had intended to write an entry about my father to commemorate his eight year death anniversary last July 24^th so here it goes…

Every year it hurts a little less, but it does not completely take away the emptiness that now scars a place in my heart. The pain one can go through when losing a parent never really goes away. I do cherish all the memories I have of him for the seventeen years that I had with him growing under his wing. So by now I bet you’re saying I grew up a “daddy’s girl” and I am so proud of it. Dad was the go to person when mom wouldn’t let you have your way. He was always so neutral in a middle of a fight between my mother and me giving the best possible solution and not entirely giving way to one side. I grew up a very happy child and was completely oblivious to the struggles my parents endured at times but that’s because he always made sure my sister and I were happy. And of course like every other teenager out there we drift from our parents because to be seen with them is to be “un-cool” so I say in the year that I turned 17 back in 2002 the last two months everything just kind of fell together in a sense. The family started eating at the dinner table again and Dad would go off on his rants giving my sister and I every possible lecture out there and what to do when you’re in a rut kind of situation. It was weird. Most of my family said it was because he knew his time was coming to a close, but who knows for sure but him. So a word to all of my readers out there, enjoy the time with your parents that you have to the utmost possible. If you’re fighting with them try to reason and get along with them most likely they’re that way with you because everything they do is for your benefit. It may sound like a broken record but you don’t want to realize it when they’re gone and it’s too late.  

Miami Ink....is my new reality television series addiction and a very bad terrible influence on me because with each episode I watch of this six season series I am anticipating my next tattoo. Now I see where Kat Von D got her recognition. Her guest spots led to a series of her own show surprisingly called, L.A. Ink. These guys are a great bunch to watch, typical men nonetheless and brute testosterone at its max but very funny at times because that's just how men are when they're put together. I work with men most of the day so I can relate to the laid back bull sh*t kind of attitude men can have. Most of the show (when it's not about their daily antics) is about their clients and the artwork they get done. About 90% of people that get tattoos get pieces to memorialize the death of a loved one. Some are really touching at times. It makes me think why I haven't gotten a piece in memory of my father but as indecisive as I can be I haven't found the perfect piece yet. I hope it comes to me soon though because the older I get the more that needle stabbing is going to hurt. If you're looking to get something done, this show will definitely encourage and steer you towards finding the right piece. I wouldn't suggest getting one done by the guys at Miami Ink just because it's in Florida and I'm sure it's outrageously expensive, but check your local tattoo parlors. There's great talent everywhere and make sure you take the time to research because remember, it is permanent.

Paranormal State

A co-worker back in 2008 who shared an interest in the paranormal with me told me about this show “Paranormal State” which of course I knew nothing of since all satellite and cable was cut off and it’s on A&E. Anyway I went and bought the first season and went home to watch it that evening. It’s definitely a lot different from other ghost hunting television series. It was much eerier, scarier, and completely real. But the one thing I did notice that separates this ghost hunting show from others was that their main intent was to relieve these families of the haunting. Much of these people are at their wits end with no one to turn to for help so they sought Ryan Buell and his team of investigators known as the Paranormal Research Society – an organization based out of Penn State University. He has a Catholic background so in some severe cases he has called a priest in to help. You can see the total sincerity he and his team demonstrate towards their clients. It’s heart warming at times.

So after the first season I was hooked. Not only is Ryan Buell pleasant to look at the show is just overall great. Episodes cover spiritual, mythical, and demonic hauntings and I give the show on a scale of 1 to 10, a 10.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ryan Buell and his team back in March 2009 and everyone were so very nice. It was a 3 day excursion with a tour around Hollywood and its haunted history, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and an investigation in total darkness under “Suicide Bridge” in Pasadena with some dinner and drinks in between. I met a lot of great people that weekend. I look forward to attending more events in the future but unfortunately they’re all across country and the tickets to the events themselves are really expensive. Gotta save, but definitely worth the money.

The much anticipated (at least on my part) book written by Ryan Buell will be released September 2010. I can’t wait to read it. I hope he reveals what made him interested in the paranormal since he has time and time again refused to tell anyone about his initial personal experience.

Just when I thought it was all over with the fourth season, they’re in production of a fifth season of Paranormal State. Get ready.

Dirty Jobs

When you can stream through Netflix, you really never run out of things to watch. I find myself getting into television seasons mostly just because one downside to streaming through Netflix is that new releases aren't available. So now, onto DIRTY JOBS. So far there's 5 collections of this reality television series and it's really interesting. He covers about 3 to 4 different occupations in each episode with about 9 episodes in each collection so it never gets boring. If you think you hate your job, try shoveling cow poop all day or walk crouched for hours in rat infested sewer canals under maintenance. Now, that well conditioned office your 3x4 foot cubicle sits in isn't so bad isn't it? The host, Mike Rowe takes the show on a comedic route at times. He dives into the work with no hesitation. Props to him. The show really makes the audience appreciate the people who do these types of jobs day in and day out so the rest of the world can go on living their civilized lives.

Small houses

I saw this link through yahoo.com when reading about how to stay cool for the summer http://www.mnn.com/your-home/green-building-remodeling/photos/10-of-the-smallest-homes-in-the-world/a-truly-eco-abode I thought it was the neatest thing ever! "Living in a smaller house is one of the best ways to reduce your ecological footprint." Sure you sacrifice luxury but that never mattered to me much anyway. This picture came from Tumbleweedhouses.com and retails for less than $50,000 and even less when you build it yourself. It comes with all the necessities: kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom. Difficult to imagine? Take a look at the site. It's really amazing. Some models can even house up to a family of four. Astounding really. If I never marry in my life I would definitely invest in one of these homes with just my dog and I.

Dexter, Season 2...

...is my new obsession. I just finished watching all of season 2 and it falls nothing short of brilliant. It's another 12 episodes of a well thought out story line. Dexter's guard falls when he begins to "feel" (emotions) and is caught in a very twisted love triangle with a surprising ending. There's drama, suspense, and action. Love, love, LOVE it!