Turning A Corner (Taking a Moment to Get REAL Personal)

Two days ago I had a birthday. That morning I came to the realization that I was a thirty-five year old woman with minimal experience and a somewhat checkered past. If such a combination even makes any sense. (TMI, you say? *shrug* We'll get to that later.) Well, I was good on my birthday. I got a little down on myself but other than that I was good. But the next day... I cried. And the day after that... I cried. Mind you, I'm not a woman given to much crying or depression at growing older. It's just that I thought I'd be in a different place in my life by now. And it's challenging to convince myself that I shouldn't be somebody's awesome soccer mom and loving wife at thirty-five. It's also challenging to convince myself that it's not all my fault.

Through a very loving and respectable source I was made aware that I desired getting married more than I desired GOD. *sigh* (pause) *heavy sigh* How EXACTLY was I supposed to reign in my desire for something that I've wanted for nearly twenty-three of my thirty-five years on this earth?? Okay, so I didn't actually want to get married at twelve but I remember feeling an acute loneliness that I was sure could only be satisfied by that 'special someone'. Well, in the midst of lots of snot and tears this morning I asked GOD that very thing. And what did I hear? Ohhh... "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." Go figure. This made me feel as if GOD had absolutely no compassion for my feelings and concerns. Of course He heard this thought so next I hear "I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you... plans for [your] welfare... and not for your harm..." Just what I needed to hear but definitely not what I WANTED to hear.

So needless to say I've been moping all day. I'm fully aware that the verses the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance were GOD's way of encouraging me. Trying to cheer me up even. I mean, I was sitting here wondering whether or not I'm able to do something and here He was saying "I KNOW you can do it because I am here to help you do it." I was wondering what the future held for me if I dared to let go of this long-held desire and He was saying to me "Don't worry about it. I've only got good things for you." But I'm having a hard time with that. I have questions. Such as: What ARE those things that You have for me, GOD? And why don't they include my current crush declaring his undying love to me? LBVS (Another sad, sad story that I'm not sure I'll share. Okay, well... maybe.) And why am I just now understanding this? Am I really that slow?? (No need to answer that last one.)

I've always thought that I trusted GOD with everything. But I'm realizing that I don't. Not didn't. Or haven't been. Just don't. Not in this area of my life. He's allowed me to be alone for so long. On one hand, I'm concerned that I've wasted so much time that, in order to make up for that, I won't get married until I'm forty-five... or FIFTY! I suppose it's possible but I simply can't imagine feeling truly fulfilled in this life w/o having a family of my very own. On the other hand, I'm concerned that if I give this over to Him... I'll NEVER get married and never *ahem* have sex! (Not that sex is the most important reason to get married but it would be nice to have the experience. Hmmph!)

I know that this entry is supposed to end w/some hopeful little ditty about how GOD is sovereign and how things will work out for my good (whatever that truly means) but that's why this is titled "Turning A Corner". I'm still in the process. And I have no idea what will greet me once I've completely changed direction. But I'll be sure to keep you posted (and ocassionally share completely unrelated little tidbits) as I go along. Hope you'll choose to join me on this journey to developing a much needed trust in the LORD. And I'll even make you a few promises. I promise to be completely inappropriate, to share too much information and that you'll laugh at me... A LOT. And I welcome it.

What I Learned

Where to begin? There were so many chapters in that book. So many things to consider when creating a blog post or a pillar article. One of the first things I learned in this course is that you cannot simply created a blog or website and expect for traffic to easily find you. It takes a little bit of work: submitting entries to different search engines and trying to figure out other creative ways to generate traffic to your site. Another thing I learned was the difference between and purpose of a blog post and a pillar article. Blog posts are at least 250 words and address current, timely events; pillar articles are at least 1000 words and are an opportunity for the writer to show that they are an expert on a certain subject or can be used as a reference. 


In addition to those basics I also learned that customer relationship management is still important even if there is never any actual physical contact. Viewers/readers (customers) have expectations even when it comes to the purpose of a blog or website. It is important to meet those needs and expectations so that patrons continue to purchase from one's site. Meeting needs ensures that one maintains customer retention. It is less expensive to keep a current customer than to acquire a new customer. 


I learned how to advertise for other companies on my site. It was much easier than I thought it would be. I always wondered how different blogs that I have visited had those little ads on their sites. Now I know.


What else have I learned? Have I  shared enough? Let me see...
Ah, I learned about brand awareness and how it is necessary for one to discover a marketing niche and cater to it in order to be successful. I've learned about the various ways that firms pay for advertising on other sites: Cost per impression - paying each time an ad appears on a site; Cost per click - paying only each time an ad is clicked on; Cost per acquisition - paying only when a purchase is made due to a posted ad.


I think that's enough.

FACP - It's Everywhere!

FACP? Does anyone know what that stands for? It stands for From A Certain Perspective. Does that work for you? I'm trying to be snazzy and use acronyms when relating to my website. In all honesty, it is about as well developed as this site. Actually, it is a bit less developed. May the route I should take is to tell you all the wonderful things it will contain... hopefully in the near future. Well, the purpose of my website is the same as my blogspot. It is my goal to develop an online magazine and to generate traffic to my Etsy.com store where I will showcase my floral and fashion designs. Hope you'll choose to stay with me and enjoy the progress. It'll be like a makeover in slow-motion.

Breakfast on a Burger

Tonight, I felt like I was on an episode of Man v. Food. Is anyone familiar with this show? It comes on the Travel Channel and follows this guy who travels back and forth across the United States exploring different regional cultures and looking for the craziest eating challenges. I'd been aware of the show for a while and had steered clear because I figured it would be a disgusting display of eating competitions. *picturing hotdog and egg eating contests and turning my nose up* But I was wrong. Instead, I get to watch adorable Adam Richman (yes he is a bit overweight but still adorable) get cozy with the locals and freak out at every challenge as if he hasn't done something similar to it more than twenty time before. I have placed his challenges into two categorie. The first one is quantity because he's usually expected to eat an insane amount of food. Here are a couple of pictures of what this crazy man has attempted to consume in one sitting.



Ultimate Slider Challenge at Chompie’s


If I remember correctly, this challenge consisted of twelve steamed mini beef patties with cheese and grilled onions as well as a POUND (I might be exaggerating) of fried onion strings that he was supposed to be able to put down in thirty minutes. I do believe food won this one.



Eagle's Deli Burger Challenge at Eagle's Deli in Boston



This monstrosity is made up of eight 1/4 or 1/2 pound beef patties, slices after slice of cheese and too much bacon. And don't forget about the fries. So many that you need two plates?? Forget about it. He's a Crazy Man! with a cast iron stomach! And I do believe he managed to win this one. Had an entire hour... I think.



"Ludicrous Wings" Challenge at The Chicken or the Egg



Doesn't even look like that much food does it? Well the second type of challenge category is fiery. Here is where Adams's expected to eat something insanely hot. Please allow me to say Crazy Man! once again. Crazy Man! And these are made special with habanero pepper extract and what they call "satan's blood". (The devil is a lie.)

You know what? I've gotten COMPLETELY off topic. Is anyone wondering what all this extreme eating has to do with breakfast on a burger? I'm beginning to. All this Man v. Food business was supposed to serve as an intro to this...



Steak 'n Shake's Royale Steakburger



Does anyone else see what I see? There is bacon and egg on this burger! Hence, breakfast on a burger. While I was eating this deliciousness (Yes, I know that fast food is the devil -- Been mentioning him a lot in this post, huh?) I was taken back to an episode of Man v. Food where hashbrowns as well as a fried egg were put on a burger. So I figured I would use that show as an introduction. Got carried away, I guess. Oh well. There you go. Not usually a fan Steak 'n Shake but I guess I recommending this burger. It was pretty good by it Actually, I usually call them Choke 'n Puke *shrug* I don't think there's any smooth way to end this post after that bit of information so I'm just gonna end it. Tah.

Broken Promises

Everything has been fluffy and artsy lately. Please allow me some time to let off a bit of steam and voice my frustrations. Time to discuss a more serious topic... our government's fiscal irresponsibility. I listen to talk radio -- both liberal and conservative. Well, the Republican side (conservative posers, I like to call them) was all abuzz about overreaching government spending and a need to cut the budget. And of course they promised during the election season to tackle this matter head-on. Yeah, right *rolling eyes*


According to usgovernmentspending.com the US Gross Public Debt for end of fiscal year 2011 is $15.476 trillion dollars. Yes, trillion. Can anyone tell me how many zeros that is? *looking for raised hands... and seeing none* That would be twelve zeros. ($15,476,000,000,000) That is over 15 MILLION billion... or 15 BILLION million. Did I get that right? Somebody check my math. It can all be a bit overwhelming, right? Yup.

Time Series Chart of US Government Spending

Who deals in such large amounts of currency?? What in the world was purchased (even over time) that costs so much? I truly do not understand but at the same time am not so curious that I'm going to go in a detailed breakdown of exactly what makes up the federal government and debt. Today, I'm talking about broken promises.

Republicans were allowed to take charge of the House of Representations based upon the promise that they would rein in the spending of the federal government. There was the repeated declaration that when it came time to vote on the budget they would demand $100 BILLION in cuts. $100 BILLION. After the dust had settled from the scuff-up of the election and after weeks of extensions in order to avoid a government shutdown, an agreement was finally reached. And what was that agreed upon amount? Well, we were told that the original amount had been reduced to just over $63 billiion and then $38 billion but then settled on a whopping $300 million, yes MILLION dollars. 


Of course, excuse after excuse was made as to how this was the best that could be done at the time and how the House on makes up one half of one third of the government. I've got something real immature to say to that. Whatever. I don't even think they care about letting up down anymore.

Molotov Time! (Is the Old Testament Obsolete?)

Mr. Mitchell speaks again, as he does every week. This week he gives well-intentioned Christians some serious food for thought. Remember that I mentioned before how he considered himself a Christian supremacist. Well here, he challenges the 'Christian' argument that marriage is only for one man and one woman which is used in the defense of the marriage amendment. He explains that in the Old Testament polygamy is never called a sin. As a matter of fact, when God is chastising David for hooking up with Bathsheba He says this, "And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom... if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things." (2 Samuel 12:8) Now I believe in only one interpretation of Scripture and that would be the one that comes from the Holy Spirit. He NEVER contradicts Himself but of course... that is something that will be addressed at a later date. But I am not convinced that God was saying He would have given David more wives if he'd asked for them. I mean, did God give Adam Eve AND Genevieve? Nope.

Is the Old Testament Obsolete

Molotov goes on to reassure his viewers that he is not a proponent of polygamy. He believes that one wife is more than enough. (lol) Smart man. But at the same time he refuses to call polygamy a sin since it is NOT called a sin anywhere in the Bible. I was ready to come back with the argument that polygamy was not called a sin because all of that went on before the Law was given to Man but no. That wouldn't fly. David's story comes well after the Torah (which contains the Law). Or does it?


But then something else came to mind. I do believe the idea of marriage being between one man and one woman comes from "An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife..." (Titus 1:6). This scripture is explaining the requirements for a man to become an elder in a church. Since this man would be considered an example to be followed by the other men in the church is makes sense to assume that the ideal marriage situation would include only one man and one woman.


What are your thoughts?

Gyre, Gyre, Earth's on Fire

Has anyone ever heard about the North Pacific Gyre? Would anyone like to know about the North Pacific Gyre? Ha! What's a gyre you might ask? Let's start out with a pretty little picture, shall we? Yes. Let's.

North Pacific Gyre



Now I would like to apologize for anyone who felt that the title of this post was a bit on the alarmist side. Alarmism (Is that a word?) is for extremist and I'm only extreme about one Thing. (As always, we'll touch upon that on another day.) But I will admit to a mild bit of alarm when I first saw this picture. And when I found out that this was only one of five gyres in our earth's oceans that alarm grew just a bit more. I mean, what we're looking at here is an enormous swirling of plastic trash twice the size the man floating there.

Getting back to exactly what makes up a gyre. According to wikipedia (an increasingly reliable source): A gyre in oceanography is any large system of rotating ocean currents, particularly those involved with large wind movements and are caused by the Coriolis Effect. Do we REALLY wanna know what the Coriolis Effect is? *pause* I didn't think so. Either way, what's swirling around inside these things is more important. Here's a clear picture of what that is.

Pretty, right. (I know. I'm terribly sarcastic. Any comment regarding that would be welcomed... well, maybe welcomed not really the right word.) Yes, what you are seeing here is a multiple bottle caps, what looks like the fuel canister on a lighter and maybe some little plastic tabs. What happens is that when these birds fly over the face of the ocean they see these things floating and think that it's food. It's really unfortunate. Well, let me leave you with one more disturbing picture and next time we'll take about what's being done about this fascinating, man-caused phenomenon.

Heck of a way to end a post, right? Well, this is where we'll pick up next time. Until then... 

Esjaybee