The Human Footprint

I am not talking about the footprint taken from you as soon as you are born or the Hang Ten logo, I am talking about what it takes for us to survive our entire life on this planet. Imagine the pounds of trash we create, the amounts of energy and water that each person uses from the day they are born. I try to be as conscience as I can when using water, not littering or wasting food. But with all the Earth Day publicity lately and all the negative talk of using single use plastic water bottles I don't think I am doing very well. Go Green items are everywhere you look. I did purchase the new light bulbs that supposedly use a 1/4 of the wattage the average bulb does. I do turn off the water when I brush my teeth. I turn it on to wet my brush, turn it off, brush and then turn it back on to rinse. I save at least two gallons that way, right? I guess I should implement this exercise when showering - I bet I could save 15 gallons! Get in shower, turn water on & let water rush over me for 2 seconds & turn off, apply 2-1 shampoo & conditioner (saves time, water & only one bottle to dispose of), add soap to loofah, scrub entire body and don't rinse, will need soap to shave legs (legs and arms are getting stiff because soap is begining to dry), shave legs & armpits (soap is no longer soapy is a film and the shave does not go smoothly I might as well use a wire brush), by this time my eyes feel like someone is sticking a hot needle in them because the 2-1 shampoo & conditioner has ran into my eyes and finally rinse for 6 seconds. Seems simple enough, right? I buy stuff that says all "natural" - like juice, bleach, underwear & dog treats. The word "natural" triggers in me to be a more concerned consumer, a better inhabitant of this planet. Can one person really make a difference? If so, lets all shut off the water while brushing our teeth - we could save 5 billion gallons of water a day. I say use more alcohol for your day to day routine - brush your teeth with it, it doesn't come in plastic bottles - and afterall alcohol does evaporate.

12 Things I Would Like To Do Before I Die

1. Dip my toes in the Pacific Ocean
2. Pose fully clothed for Playboy
3. Admit my undying love for rock god - Nikki Sixx - via press conference shown around the world
4. Write a book
5. Accept the marriage proposal from Nikki Sixx after he sees the press conference
6. Learn to "snake" like Janet Jackson
7. Get a nose job
8. Parachute or parasail
9. Learn a foreign language
10. Climb a mountain
11. Be blonde for a day
12. Ballroom dance to "Another One Bites the Dust"

Vinnie Balboawitz

He walks with a slight strut. Wears a slightly thick gold rope chain. His belt is cinched too tight making his pants "high waters" and buttons his shirt to the very top of his Adam's apple. His glasses are held together by tape. His hair is black and combed directly back. He speaks with a low and grainy New York accent that reminds me of how asphalt would sound if it could talk. He never makes direct contact and speaks with his head cocked to the side. Hasn't seen a new movie since 1984. Has a wide open smile that says I am going to eat you with my spaghetti one day. Now, he may sound a bit weird but he really does have a heart of gold and probably in truth wouldn't hurt a fly and somehow along the way he has found a friend in me. He reminds me of Vinnie Barbarino and Rocky Balboa sans the girl getting charm with a just a bit of David Berkowitz lurking below his very Italian surface. He has dubbed me the Queen and tells me daily that all I need is a crown and purple robe. He also tells me I remind of him of a magnolia (add his accent) "You little magnolia with eyes that light up the world". My birthday just happens to be Christmas day and with that thought fresh on his mind he told me (insert his accent ) "You Christmas angel, I can just see you in a garland of lights with Christmas trees all around you". Of course I remind him that while magnolias are pleasant to look at they are quite a messy tree and that Christmas only lasts one day. All the while correcting him that I am no angel or any type of tree and that green isn't exactly my color - I can only imagine what he is really thinking about me which would probably be something like "You just wait you little magnolia, I have a crown of diamonds for your head and a nice box to accomodate them both....". Is that wrong?

Owning the "New Milli"

I've been a victim. A survivor. Now, the time has come to own it and by IT I mean the "New Milli". So far it has brought me heartache, a marriage, a divorce, an empty wallet, 4 new dogs, an old job, new friends, reunions with old friends and a new sense of what I can really endure. By enduring I mean living through the divorce and the seperation of my mother and I across 3 states. Whoever said whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger should be dug up and given five across their face. Sometimes I don't want to be strong. Sometimes I need to be weak, its keep me grounded. Example, if there is a piece of strawberry slathered cheesecake beckoning my name I do not need to exude strength to not it eat. Why I need to eat to it to gain strength. See how that works? You have to be weak to be strong again. The "New Milli" has brought me a new me and found some of the old me. I am sad to say this century has not brought any unique dance moves or any crazy coiffures. There are still two years left in this first decade - maybe something will come along. Today in this year I feel free, happy and in love and I think that puts me well on my way to owning the "New Milli".

Survivor of the 90's

As some of you know or have recently read I am a fan of the 80's. Here is a shocker, I am also fond of the 90's. The 90's didn't nearly impact my love for bad music, bad hair & movies like the 80's did but it does hold a spot dear to my heart. One day I am wearing hot pink and purple and the next day I am sporting plaid. Extremely large hair kept in place by one can of Suave hair spray per day then a sassy little red number fashioned after Bridget Fonda's "do" in Single White Female. Talk about your apples and oranges. The 90's hold many good memories for me. I got my first real kiss in 1990 (yes, I was older than the avg. first real kiss age - but I also didn't get boobs until the 90's either). I got my first boyfriend, graduated high school and college, moved away from home, experienced my first alcohol buzz, got my first Liz Claiborne purse with matching wallet which rocketed into my unknown love at that moment for handbags. There were also some sad moments as well - my parents divorced, 3 of my 11 grandparents died, I found out Uncle Sam wasn't a fun loving family member and "big hair" bands slowly faded away. Those two decades and an entire century behind us pushes us well into the "new milli". I can't wait to see what type of hair I end up with in the 00's.

Victim of the 80's

A dear friend emailed me a portion of another's blog. In the blog was this trigger: Tell me one random memory that you've found popping into your head lately. You don't have to know why you're remembering it, just share it.

Here's mine:

80's music. 80's clothing. 80's hair. For years I have avoided being defined as a victim of the 80's. The music was so cheesey but when I see a commercial for a 100 CD set of the songs of the 80's I am mesmerized. Don't You Forget About Me, Jump, Here I Go Again, Faithfully - any of those ring a bell? Neon headbands, jellies, fish net off the shoulder shirts, pumps & frilly socks? Tease it to Jesus hair or the mullet! The moonwalk - need I say more? And my new favorite local band is the Molly Ringwald's. They are just as cheesey as the real bands they pretend to be. I can't help it - I have an addiction and admitting is the first step. Hello, my name is Kim and I love the 80's!

Silver Linings

I guess there is one in every cloud. My two previous blogs were about an unhappy co-worker. I guess this co-worker was so upset that they threatened to turn in their notice. This info was given to me through the grapevine of course. So, now my in-office hours have changed & and I have some new responisibilities. The latter is no problem, but the change in office hours - well I am still fuming about that. But like all things - this too shall pass or come out in the wash. The bottom line is I need a job, they need a job and when we wake up in the morning we can make the choice to enjoy the day or let it get the best of us. The unhappy co-worker is happy and content for the moment. There are good mornings, good evenings and mini coversations between the two of us. I even ask open ended questions knowing good and well how they will end - if they ever end (long talker). So my silver lining is no more slammed doors, no more tip-toeing over eggshells. All is well with the world once again.