Graduated from One Course, but May Need to Retake Another

I survived.
I'm done with my JetBlue Training course!
I am really glad it was only temporary. Matt & I agree, we could not handle that kind of schedule long-term. It just doesn't fit with a family.
Nor is it good on my driving competence.

I read in the Reader's Digest (where I get all my nuggets of wisdom) that "The performance of someone who's been awake for 17 hours straight is about the same as if she has a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent (about two drinks in an hour).

Before I tell you this story, let me just say, I DON'T DRINK. I've never tasted any alcohol - EVER! (I've washed my hair with it - to make it shiny & glorious - but never consumed it!)

You see...One Friday night, after 5 nights in a row of 3 hrs. of sleep due to my training schedule, I left the JB offices at 2:00 in the morning so glad to have the weekend in front of me --I just needed to get home and that blessed time off would start! Well, I discovered (too late) that when you're driving on I-215 North, if you are in the right-hand lane, it will take you off the Interstate automatically and put you on Foothill Dr. Which is where I found myself at approximately 2:10 AM. I did not know exactly how to get back, so I drove here & there on some dark, deserted roads. One [wrong] turn included following a sign with an arrow pointing me to I-80. I found out later that the arrow had been rotated around to be pointing the opposite direction...or maybe I hallucinated the arrows direction? So, around 2:30 AM, I got back on the right freeway. Whew! I was on my way. Only to then see some flashing red & blue lights in my rear view mirror 10 minutes later. As I waited for the cop to approach my car, I wondered what the offense was. I didn't think I was speeding, but that brain fog settles in on my drives home, so I wasn't able to come up with an answer. I was startled by a knock on the passenger door window. There was the cop standing over there! Is this common? Is this what they're doing now? Anyway, after he asked me for my license (good thing I renewed it even though it meant getting a new photo & weight) and registration, we had the following dialog (while shining his flashlight on me the entire time.)

Cop: "Did you know you're drifting around your lane pretty bad?"

I don't remember doing that!

Me: "No." (But, thinking to myself, "Isn't that what the guard rails are for? To bounce back & forth between when driving at insane hours of the morning?")

Cop: "Yeah, you were. In fact, one time I watched you travel half-way into the next lane before you put your blinker on."

I didn't recall that, either!

Me: "Hmmm." (Again, thinking to myself, "Isn't that pretty normal for Utah? No, I guess it's not...most people don't even bother to signal at any time during their lane change!")

Cop: Noticing my JetBlue crew member badge still hanging around my neck... "JetBlue...You coming home from work?"

Me: "Yep."

Cop: "You a pilot or something?"

I was kind of flattered that he'd think I was a pilot! But, then I found out later, from talking to someone else, that if a pilot gets pulled over or a ticket, he can get his Pilot's Licence taken away. I'd never heard that before (I still wonder if it's true? All you "Snopes people" find that out and let me know.)

Me: "No, I'm coming from our Call Center up on....(and then I couldn't come up with the address real quickly, so I just pointed in the SE direction.)

Cop: "Have you been drinking?"

I do know this for sure!

Me: "No."

Cop: (Shining his flashlight around my passenger seat & floor, then stopping on my water mug for a second) "Is there any reason that you're not able to stay in your lane?"

Again, I didn't even remember this happening!

Me: (Thinking, Besides the fact that we've got this construction going on which has narrowed & shifted all the lanes. And the lane lines have been painted, then painted over with black paint, then painted again in a new place and you can never tell which lane is which? AND the fact that only a cement barrier is dividing the north & southbound lanes, so when a big Semi comes the other direction and shines it's bright lights through my children's fingerprint-smudged windshield, it is BLINDING? Not to mention there are no street lights in this stretch of freeway? Or it may just be that it's now 2:50 in the morning and I'm sleep deprived!!!) But, instead I just shook my head, "No."

Cop: "OK - Your car's about 8 feet wide and the lane is about 12 feet" (although, I'd bet the "under construction" lanes are NOT that wide, but I did not say anything! Shocker!) "So, try to drive within the lane."

Me: "Alright." (while nodding my head)

And he was gone.

I got home 3:00AM (still not remembering anything the cop had accussed me of) and Matt was asleep.

The next morning he asked me, "What time did you get home? I tried waiting up for you, but I must've fallen asleep!"

Me: "Yeah...I got home a little bit later than normal last night." (End of conversation)

I did tell him about the "forced turn off," but I kept the suspected DUI incident to myself. You see, I have been with him TWICE recently while he was driving and has been pulled over for "Impaired Driving." (He hadn't been drinking, either.) He doesn't like it when I have "corrected" his driving, but he's the one who the cops think drive poorly enough to be an "Impaired Driver," so I've had some fun with that. My fun would end if he were to find out about Friday Night! :) And we wouldn't want that!

(We'll see just how BIG of a FAN he is of me & my, er...uh..."our" blog...if he comes here & reads, he'll get to be privy to the juicy info!) ;)

My Son, the Radio Announcer

I volunteered at the Jr. High yesterday at "Reality Town." I had to be there at 7:30 in the morning and I was so tempted to just roll out of bed and go in my jammies after 3 hrs. of sleep, but I had Ryan's emotional welfare in mind, so I DID get showered, dressed, & ready before appearing at his school.

Reality Town is a program that provides students with a hands-on simulation in which they make lifestyle and budget decisions, as they take on careers, salaries, families and associated responsibilities of the adult world.

Students come to Reality Town dressed up and are given a career and salary based on their current GPA. They are also given a "life scenario" with a family situation and the assignment to pay all the bills of the month. They are expected to live within the means of their monthly income.

At the end of Reality Town, students [are suppose to] reflect on the experience. Did they save or lose money? Is this how they'd really live? How does education correlate with income? This program is a great way to teach students the importance of budgeting, career choices, math skills, check writing, and other hands on skills. (This is not offered at all schools, we are really lucky to have this program at ours.)

I worked at the "car dealership." The students came to me to purchase their car. The types of cars ranged from old Toyota Camrys (Hey! Mine is awesome!) to new Ford Escape Hybrids. We would also "buy back" their car (for a lower price, of course) if later they returned after finding out that they really couldn't afford it (or the insurance.) We also sold bus passes for those who could not afford a car at all.

It was really fun and entertaining.

Does this dude look like a Radio Announcer?
Because that's the "career" Ryan ended up getting. I was surprised to find out that Radio Announcers do not make a ton of money! I didn't know that. I guess I assumed they did since they're kind of celebrities, aren't they? And "famous people" are rich, right?!

Well, lucky for Ryan, his "wife" brought in $2,000/month to add to their income! I was teasing Ryan about his salary...I wondered WHY with his high GPA, he wasn't making much $$$$. (He had to inform the [shocked] people standing around that I was his Mom, so it would explain my interaction with him - good thing I got dressed!) I guess they were given a list of choices within their "college degree" (based on GPA), and Ryan selected a Pharmacist as his first choice, but there was too much demand, so he got his 2nd or 3rd choice - which really interests him. We learned not all jobs are created equal, even with equal education/degrees. So, you have to weigh it out...would you rather make a lot of money doing something you hate OR make less money doing something you love?

Anyway, I encouraged him to do something about improving his salary. So, he went to his "boss" (the school counselor) and pretty much told her that he was "worth more" than what he was making, being on the High Honor Roll and all. The "boss" agreed and approved a $1,000/month raise for him! :) SWEET!!

There was a "donations" booth where all students had to visit and at least make a $10 donation to some charity. I was proud of Ryan that he paid $442.00 in tithing on his own at this booth when a lot of others were trying to get away with just the bare minimum. He was "blessed" since his bank account ended up in the positive still at the end of the month! :)
He saved money by opting for dial-up Internet and only the basic cable package. I disagree with him on this. I'd rather have DSL/high speed Internet over any T.V. channels - hands down!

Here are some other highlights....

• One "30 Yr. old male" had no formal education, so his monthly pay was a little over $1,000. He came to me and wanted to buy a brand new Toyota Tacoma truck. His "life scenario" indicated that they already had one car that was paid for, but was used by his spouse. This purchase cost him $803! He still had to get housing, pay utilities, groceries, health care, taxes, insurance, etc, etc. I just kind of thought to myself, "Good Luck!" Needless, to say, he came back needing to sell his truck later. He wanted to buy the used Honda Odyssey instead. Because of the price depreciation, that'd only get him $166 more back in his bank account. I strongly suggested the bus pass to him (which I know was out of character and is not a regular car salesman practice). He was not thrilled with this option, but that's the REALITY of what he could afford! :)



• Another "30 yr. old male" had some money left over and was thinking about buying another (3rd) car with it. [Off the record, and out of line, again, for a car salesman, I tried to get him to think of other ways to spend his cash] I asked if he'd gone over to the "Personal Care & Grooming" booth yet and got some salon/spa services for his "wife." His exact words were, "I'm not gonna waste my money on her!" To which I replied, "Well, I just figured out where you'll be spending that extra money! Head on over to the "Health Care" booth since you'll be needing some Marriage Therapy!" :)



• One of my female customers was the sole bread winner in her "family." She indicated to me that her husband was "a bum" and made $0. Because of that she was asking for the cheapest car available. I asked her, "Why did you marry a BUM?!?" She said, "I don't know, but I'm SOOO mad at him! We're gonna have a serious conversation out back tonight. And if he doesn't change, I'm gonna kick him right out of our trashy trailer!" :)



• Heard on the scene at Reality Town - "Can we put up some kids for adoption and get some money back? They cost too much!" ;)



• One guy made a ton of money and was single (maybe that's why he had money?). He mentioned everyone always asks him why he wasn't married, yet. I gave him some "motherly advise" and WARNED him against those "gold diggers" out there! :)



• And last, but not least...I've got a fine catch for any of you out there with, say 9-15 yr. old daughters (my own don't fall in that category, so I'm opening it up to the public.) There was THE CUTEST (for an 8th grader) boy who came to the "car dealership" who happened to be an "Attorney" (thanks to his GPA & prudent career choice) so he made plenty of money! His wife also made $500/month at whatever side job she did, but he said that was just hers to go to lunch with her friends, or go shopping, or go on Girls' Night Outs/retreats/trips, etc! He was buying a Mustang - which he realized was not a practical family car, but they already had another car to use for the family - this was for he & his wife to date in! Did I mention he was CUTE?! He also said he bought his wife manicures and they're going on a cruise! His leftover money is just going to be used as a "safety cushion." He was wearing a "Called to Serve" tie, also! Yes, a very FINE boy - er, uh, "30 yr. old man" indeed.

So, stay tuned...you may be hearing Ryan's voice over the air waves in the future (or will there not be radio in the future?) and y'all can say you knew him (or his Mom) when...

Shhh!...Mama's Trying to Sleep

I've got three days down, seven more to go of my "JetBlue School."

+

We're switching over to a new & improved system at JetBlue and every crew member has to go through a 60 hour, on-site training course on it - and I'm attending my session right now.

My class is from 8:00PM - 2:00AM every night/morning.

Now, before you wonder about the inhumane work environment my employer is subjecting me to - there were many class options to choose from with various times/days of the week offered. And I chose this one. Simply because: a) I need to be home with my little ones during the day. b) I want to be able to have dinner together as a family each evening.

I thought that way would be the most normal for everyone else in my family. But, it's not exactly the easiest thing on ME! My body just doesn't appreciate only 3-4 hrs. of sleep/night for some reason! ;)

I have to drive out to the call center which is FAR away (in my mind, at least, especially since walking downstairs to my home office to work has been the extent of my commute for the past 2+ years!) by the Ski Areas turn off near Cottonwood Canyons. So I leave my home a little after 7PM and return a little before 3AM.

It's a little unsettling when I arrive home after driving the 30 or so miles and I don't really remember it all! I DO frequently envision, what it'll be like to slip into my bed, along the drive home.

And then I try to go to bed...

As visions of confirmation numbers dance in my head.

And navigation keys.

And sub-navigation keys.








And "hot keys."

And Price quotes.

And Trip Summaries....

And...And...And....

(That makes me so mad when I dream about what I already lived through and don't want to think about anymore!)

And then Ryan starts practicing the piano at 6:30AM.

And Matt's alarm goes off shortly after in my bedroom.

And then there's Katelyn running down the [hardwood floor] hall (clomp, clomp, clomp), screaming.

So, I get up and emerge from my bedroom. And my family all says to me, "What are you doing up? You're suppose to be sleeping in!" Yeah, right!

I tell myself I'll sleep during the baby's morning nap (I try and I set my alarm so I can pick Katelyn up from Preschool, but I'm paranoid of being a "no-show" parent, so I keep tossing & looking at the clock during my entire "nap!")

I promise myself I'll sleep during the girls' afternoon nap, but when I lay down...I'm such a freak, that my mind just starts thinking about everything I have to do.

Book a hotel.
Use those tomatoes before they go bad & make salsa.
Go through my baby clothes to give to my [nearly delivering] neighbor.
Clean up.
Halloween decorations.
Shower.
Doctor appts.
Laundry.
Unpack from UEA weekend trip.
Paper work.
Post on my blog about why I may "fall off the blogging world bandwagon" for a while. So, don't be alarmed when I don't read & comment on your blogs (and thus, not know anything that's going on "out there") for a while or post much here.

BECAUSE, I'm always thinking about when I can sleep more...kind of reminds me of when I have a newborn. Fantasizing about sleep. Trying to squeeze it in here & there. Craving sleep. It trumps my need for food...

{Baby Brookelle & me, Summer 2008}

But, the new system will be great for JB...I'll just keep telling myself that until my training is all done! (Which won't end at my "graduation" in two weeks. I'll continue to take e-learnings 2 hrs./week until the beginning of the new year when it all rolls out. I better have it down & learned by then!)

Falling Upon Deaf Ears

THIS would've never happened IF....

My child would've listened to me the past 4 years when I told her repeatedly
NOT to slam the sliding glass door closed.

AND

She would've listened to me throughout the entire weekend when I told her repeatedly,
"Leave your sister alone!"

AND

That same child would've listened to me the previous 10 minutes leading up to the accident when I told her repeatedly to
sit down in her chair and stay there & eat her dinner.

**Sometimes I think our parents & grandparents were on to something when they used the paddle (or belt, or wooden spoon, or foot to the butt) to get us to listen AND obey...& as a result "Learn a Lesson!**

2 Nephi 9:31 is TRUE!! She better shape up! :)

I already knew that heads bleed A LOT, but what I didn't know was that little 16-month old fingers that have nearly been sliced off DO, TOO!! :(

ANYWAY, How was your nice, long UEA weekend?

Kids Say the Darndest Things - September '09 Edition

Taken from the sidebar...

I was going over Katelyn's Preschool calendar with her...
Me: "Today, it looks like you'll be celebrating Finnegan's birthday!"
Katelyn: "Mooooommm! Come on. What's his real name?"
Me: "That IS his real name. That's what the calendar says."
Katelyn: "But, it's just a lie, huh?!?" 9/09

Referring to when Papa took her to dance lessons when he was staying with them...
Katelyn: "Papa was just driving around and around like crzy! It made me so busy." (did she mean, "dizzy?") 9/09

100 Things Your Kids May Never Know About

Check out this article by going to this link.

I was sad for my kids when I was reminded of some of these...BUT, then I was consoled by the fact that most kids won't know anything like this, but my kids WILL know about some of these SINCE I STILL USE THEM!! (Man, I'm really out of it!)

Like:

• I still have a VCR - and I use it to record a show if I can't watch it LIVE!
• Matt mostly has the cassette tapes still hanging around (he cannot part with them, even though he has the same group and/or songs on CD!) And we still have a few personal stereos in our home, too.
• I have a single Betamax tape, too. It has a roadshow I was in recorded on it - anyone know how I preserve this now. Or better yet, how it can even be viewed now?
• My clock radio by my bed still has a tuning dial, so as I turn it - YES, I can hear static between stations.
• I have to watch T.V. when the networks say I should - and it's never a convenient time - so maybe that contributes to my lack of T.V. watching, too!
• We have a joystick for some games to play on the T.V. and/or computer.
• We still have a stack of phone books & yellow pages.
• We even get a few magazines in the mail (made from dead trees)
• We manually unlock our '96 Camry car door.
• I prefer writing checks (I can keep track of our account balance better.)
• We look out the window on long car drives - OR talk to one another. (what a novel idea!)
• I always check out books from the library (and that's the only thing I use the library for.)
• So, tell me the difference between "nerd" and "geek." (I still think they have the same meaning.)

And y'all probably think I am one due to my above list! :)

Oh Crap!

FIRST: Do you notice something wrong with this car door?

Something missing? Like, perhaps, maybe the door handle of our Suburban?

It just came off as Matt was opening the [driver's side] door on Sunday!

We were at church, no less. THAT kind of thing shouldn't happen when you're going to church, should it?!? ;)

Now, I guess, we'll have to do it "Dukes of Hazard" style.

I told my kids that they officially are having a "deprived childhood" since they are not growing up watching this show! Remember my thing for John Schneiter - 100th Post #25.

SECONDLY: I thought I was doing pretty good helping Haylee get the "weekly homework" in her Homework Folder done. In fact, I specifically remember thinking that it was NOT ending up to be as intense as I thought it would be based on the impression I got at Back to School night.

BUT...THEN I was in her bedroom one day and found THIS all over the floor! THIS is the "daily homework" that she brings home in her backpack -- and apparently just empties it out of there onto the floor! There was 2 weeks worth of additional homework we'd missed!

THIRD(LY): It was raining one day, but Kyle's football coach DID NOT cancel practice in spite of this little fact.

Wet & muddy fields and white pants do not go together!

And this is after an attempt has been made (by the males in this family) to clean them up a bit. The refund of my deposit depends upon the return of these practice pants in "good condition."

FOURTH(LY): Here is a "sneak peek" of what my home looked like the other day when I got an unannounced visitor. This visitor happens to have a spotless house herself. She is consistent & thorough in her own housekeeping. I have NEVER seen her house look bad! She also notices things (of the cluttered, dirty, unkempt, imperfect, run-down, trashy variety, especially.)As you can see, my front room was full of the laundry I hadn't got around to putting away, yet. There's my daughter's backpack (probably full of additional "mystery homework") that she feels the need to DUMP there every day. Also, this visitor came in through my garage that's been on my "Honey, Do" list for MONTHS, walked through the laundry room with clothes baskets all over, then into the kitchen, as well. As we talked, my eyes scanned the kitchen. There were kids' blankets & shoes on the floor. There were CLEAN (at least they were clean) pans on the counter dish rack that were "drying." The breakfast aftermath was still on the table AND the usual pile of mail & other ever-multiplying papers were in a stack on the counter. Can you say, "Horrified?!"

***NOTE TO Y'ALL: Please give me at least 20 minutes (or an hour or two) notice when coming over. I usually like surprises, but not this kind. I'm DYING about this one.

AND LASTLY: EVERY OTHER TIME I've made these delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins, they turn out beautifully! With nice, big rounded muffin tops.

NOT THIS TIME! And did I mention that THIS TIME I had prepared them for our Relief Society's talent night?!?. Yah, that's right, it was an evening to showcase our sisters' finest abilities! So, NO, I did NOT take them. There was NO WAY in **** I was gonna do that! :)

They became the kids' after-school snack (and they announced they were just as delicious as ever.)

Things I've Heard on the Job: #1

As some of you may know, I work at JetBlue Airways as a Reservations Agent on the phones. When us agents get together, Oh, we have stories to tell!! All in a Day's Work. My family has also been amused by some of my "On the phones @ JetBlue" experiences I've shared with them, so I'm adding this as a segment to my blog. And depending on how much I work (I LOVE to take VTO) this will be a more or less occasional addition.

* Me: "Thank you for calling JetBlue. My name is SUZANNE, how may I help you?"
Customer #1: "Hello, Cindy. How are you?...."
(another call) Me: "Thank you for calling JetBlue. My name is SUZANNE, how may I help you?"
Customer #2: "Yes, Sally, I need to make a reservation...."
(another call) Me: "Thank you for calling JetBlue. My name is SUZANNE, how may I help you?"
Customer #3: "Suzy, I have a question...."
(another call) Me: "Thank you for calling JetBlue. My name is SUZANNE, how may I help you?"
Customer #4: "Thank you for helping me Sharon. Will you..."

* Customer: "Can we take a baby Iguana on the flight?"
Me: "We only accept cats & dogs as pets on the plane."
Customer: "Even if it's small?"Me: "That's correct. Iguanas are not approved to be on our planes."
(pause)
Customer: "What would happen if we took it in our pocket where no one could see it?"
Me: "The x-rays at the security check point may very well pick it up, and then TSA would decide what you'd have to do, but you would not be allowed through with the Iguana.
Customer: "Not that we would do that, or anything, I was just curious."
Me: "Of course." ;)

* During the Fall season, it is a common practice, Industry-wide, to lighten the flying schedule both through reduction of flights per day and cutting back from daily flights to only running it certain days of the week. This particular customer had previously been booked on a Tuesday, but due to schedule changes, this traditionally slow travel day's flight was no longer in service. He would need to choose the day before or the next available day...(And he was NOT happy!)
Customer: "This is not MY fault! What are YOU going to do about it, Cindy? It's YOUR fault. YOU need to get me that flight back. I didn't do anything wrong! It's YOU! Cindy, how are YOU going to fix this problem? YOU keep telling me all the other flight choices, don't you know how to say anything else? Don't tell me you'll 'reaccomodate' me, Cindy, that's not what I want. It's not MY fault. It's not. It's not. It's not! Why did YOU do this to me, Cindy? It's YOUR fault. That's what it is!"
Poor Cindy - Don't you feel sorry for her? :) Uh, huh...she, herself, singled John Doe out and forced the airlines CEO to purposely mess with his flight - just to make him miserable, of course!

* A customer was trying to make some flight arrangements for her father due to a death in the family. The Last minute fares were higher than she wanted to pay. She discovered that if they waited a few days to depart, they could get a much better fare. I overheard this conversation going on in the background while she still had me on the phone...
Customer: "Dad, if you wait to go on Wednesday, it'll cost a lot less."
"Dad": "That's too late, the funeral is on Monday."
Customer: "You can't pay $XXX.XX to fly out earlier."
"Dad": "But, I waaant to go then."
Customer: "What do you want to see a dead man for? He's not gonna know you missed the funeral!!"

* Customer: "Good thing you're dressed, I have video web cam!"
(Good thing I don't have a camera in MY office. And he obviously doesn't know that'd be required to successfully SHOCK someone with his comment.)But just for fun, I could've responded in a number of ways:
"Oh, you better get your eyes checked, because I'm NOT dressed!" OR

"Please turn yours off, I can't stand looking at you!" OR

"What d'ya think of my (take your pick) see-through/leopard print/black leather with metal spikes/barely there negligee?" OR

"No...it's really unfortunate for YOU that I am [dressed], because YOU'RE really missing out!" :)

Let me Give you some Advice...

Whether you want it or not!

This may be MOSTLY for me, but I wanted to write down (so, I'd know where to find it in the future) this GREAT advice I read in the Reader's Digest. (Aug. '09 edition.)
This advise actually came from a bunch of different readers who submitted their "tried & trues." I found myself reading them and thinking to myself,

"Oh, that's good!"

or

"I need to remember that!"

or

"Yes! I agree."

or

"Isn't that the truth?"

or

"That's got 'ME' written all over it."

So, as to not leave you hangin' any longer.....Here goes....(in no particular order):

• Keep your word.
• Love people. Use things. Never confuse the two.
• Forgive others. You are giving the gift of peace to yourself.
• Find the good in people. Everybody has something.
• Don't smoke. Don't eat junk food. Keep your hamstrings stretched.
• Respect those below you. You never know when they will be your boss.
• Control your emotions. Don't let them control you.
• Don't worry about what you don't have. Be grateful for what you do have.
• Take the stairs while you still can.
• Have a job you love and you'll never have to work another day in your life.
• Never make someone your priority when you're only his option.
• Dance like no one is watching!
• Find the smartest person you can to marry!
• Remember that every expert was once a beginner.
• Always keep your gas tank at least half full.
• Live through it or die from it - you choose.
• Act the way you would like to be and soon you'll be the way you act.
• Love, don't nag.
• Don't lie to anyone, including yourself.
• Take care of your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.
• Don't put off traveling. See the world while you are able.
• Wake up and tell yourself it's going to be a good day.
• Work as hard the last day on the job as you did the first day.
• Always do your best.
• Do what is right, not what is easy.
• Even when you're nervous, act like you're confident.
• Put the peanut butter on the bread before the jelly.
• Make a difference.
• When raising young kids, remember: The days are long, but the years are short.
• If you don't have the money to pay for it, don't buy it until you do.
• Under promise and over deliver.
• Maintain a valid passport. You never know when a new adventure might happen.
• Don't ever regret growing older. Many don't have that privilege.
• Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.
• Don't be afraid to be different.
• Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas.
• Do not confuse a want with a need.
• Stay in your lane.
• Treat others as you would like to be treated.
• Live your life so the preacher doesn't have to lie at your funeral.
• Never burn a bridge. Just shut it down for renovations for a while.
• Always have enough money for a cab.
• Don't store bananas in the refrigerator.
• Eat breakfast. It'll put hair on your chest!

******

Gimme some of your advice! What's you favorite bit o' advise you've received? Who gave it to you?

Crossing a Few More Off the Top 100...

A while ago I referenced this website, StoodThere.com, where the Top 100 greatest places to stand in the U.S. are listed. Well, I was able to knock off 5 more just during my 5-day New York City vacation to add to my previous [unimpressive] number that took 39 years to achieve - that was a 30% increase to my current total! (Now if only I could accomplish everything in such big proportions!)

GROUND ZERO

As if the 50 miles of walking we did every day wasn't enough, we went running in Central Park one morning!

{Well, maybe that WAS a good idea, considering we were consuming 50X the recommended daily calories, also!}

CENTRAL PARKI'm NOT lying about those calories... This was at the Brooklyn Diner, but...

MY favorite sweet treat had to be the 5th Avenue Pie (made w/ chunks of the 5th Avenue candy bar) from Carnegie Deli - Mmmmmm!! Sorry, no photo! (It was devoured before I could be inconvenienced by pushing the camera button!)

STATUE OF LIBERTY

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

This was the view from our hotel window.

We almost considered that good enough as far as seeing it - BUT, Matt's always wanted to actually go up there ever since he saw King Kong as a boy! So, it's good we did.

We caught it lit up in red, white, & blue on Labor Day!

TIMES SQUARE

Now only 78 more places to go...