Google Doodles

Now that the Olympic games are on I barely get any work done! And no, it's not because I'm solely watching the Olympics, it's because I can't stop playing with my doodles!

Er, you know, the Google doodles? 

Anyway, Google has been pulling out all of the stops with interactive doodles of some of the most popular sports and competitions. While there has been a bit of controversy in the mix over some of the imagery, I can sit and play a doodle for hours! If you're in the mood to play some or catch up on some of the classic Google doodles, just head on over to the interactive site. Have fun! 

P.S. There's an awesome classic I Love Lucy doodle with hilarious footage from the lovely comedienne for her 100th birthday. Check it out here.

SHAZAM!

I know I may be a little late to the party, but SHAZAM!!! 

As in the cool app for my android smart phone that can listen to a sample of a mysterious piece of music and then give me the artist, title and a colorful little CD cover preview.

Now, if you're up on your comic book trivia, then you know that Shazam was also a wizard whose name was an acronym for six ancient heroes that could be called on to access powers with certain attributes. I don't know about you, but I feel pretty badass when I know the name of a song that no one else in the room knows. ;)

S The wisdom of Solomon;
H The strength of Hercules;
A The stamina of Atlas;
Z The power of Zeus;
A The courage of Achilles;
M The speed of Mercury.

Photo courtesy of http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b0/Shazam_logo.png

Dead Ever After

It's official fellow Sookie Stackhouse fans!! The thirteenth and final book in the Sookie Stackhouse novel series is due for release on 

May 7th 2013: DEAD EVER AFTER 

I can hardly wait! I can also hardly take the fact that this will be the final book! What are we going to do come 2014? After 13 years of waiting for Charlaine Harris awesomeness and Sookie Stackhouse adventures, this final novel is bound to be amazeballs! 

 

Quarter of a Century of Love, Loss, and Learning

After a quarter of a century of heartbreaks, maturing, and lessons learned I can say wholeheartedly that I have been blessed with attaining a plethora of wisdom. I have even found my first silver hair to prove it. I will now refer to myself as “Silver Fox”...

I’ve been over the river and through the woods when it comes to receiving my share of heartbreaks. I've been broken up with before prom, cheated on, lied to, avoided to the point of relationship spontaneous combustion, and most recently, receiving a text message along with a smorgasbord of lies and deceit. (Classy, fella.) In some instances, I had to find the courage deep inside to walk away from someone I cared about after realizing I deserved more than what he chose to give me. But several heartbreaks; thousands of tissues; and one awkward, drunken break-dance solo later, I know myself, my core values, and emotional needs. I know what I want and need in a relationship and from a partner.

And I won’t settle for less.
 

Yes, a lot of times you have to let your partner know what’s bothering you or how they may have hurt you. However, and here’s the kicker, if s/he doesn't truly demonstrate that they care about your feelings, consider the situation a priority, or genuinely seek to make amends and restore a sense of normalcy and trust, then it’s time to move on and find someone who finds that important. The only person and actions you can change is you and your own. However, it takes two to make a relationship work, and if only one partner appears to be putting in the emotional girth it takes to strengthen a relationship, then you’re most likely in it on your own. And that’s no way to live…or love. We all have to look at ourselves and what we bring to a relationship. I'm sure most have read, if not heard about, the Oprah-raved best-seller, He’s Just Not that Into You, but I often think that puts too much focus on the man and women just having to react. Ladies! Stand tall! If he’s not giving you what you need and want, treating you the way you deserve to be treated, or goes back on expectations, you don’t need to be that into him.

I have learned that you truly have to understand your own needs and love yourself because when you truly appreciate and love yourself, the unrequited or rejected love of someone else will hurt and take time to heal, but it doesn't have to consume you if you don’t allow it. That sense of self worth can help cushion the blow of losing a specific person and put you on the path of excitement at knowing that you’re a step closer to finding someone who can better give you what you need. I personally believe that God truly does close one door and opens another, but often we spend so much time in the corridor looking back at the closed door, that we miss or delay the journey that is before us. The man I pray to marry doesn’t have to be a billionaire, an Olympic athlete, a rocket scientist, or someone who has walked on the moon. He just needs to love me from the moon and back with no fear of showing me and shouting it from rooftops; with a heart that beats in time with mine that understands the pain of betrayal and love loss, and bears the scars from many a broken moment, but wants to mark a new path and future with me.

Through the pain and heartbreak, my brother's straight forward comment that despite what anyone does, "so what, you're still awesome" resonates. I think that's something many people can hold to. Hey, I even have my own theme song. :)

'Let's Play Monogamy!'

‘Let’s play Monogamy!!’

No? I thought if I made it sound more like a Parker Brothers game popular in the 80’s more people would be inclined to practice it. As news reports and candid photos swooped in earlier this week of Twilight and Snow White and the Huntsman star Kristen Stewart locked in various embraces and smooches with first time Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders, fans of the vampire saga are asking (and crying in YouTube videos) “How could you Kristen?!” The question is a plead for understanding as to how she could break her Twilight co-star and real-life boyfriend of four years, Robert Pattinson’s, heart. I’m sure Liberty Ross is asking that of her husband, Sanders, just not as publically.

What stands out to me is that Rupert Sanders is not receiving an equal measure of backlash as Stewart when he is the older of the two who cheated on his family. Yeah, those photos and the taunting jeers of child bullies, and nosy adults will soon affect them too. True, the English director was fairly unknown mainly doing commercials before the successful Snow White reimagining hit the screen, but he is a 41 year old married father of two who allowed his urges to rule him. His wife, Ross even played Stewart’s mother in the film. Both of their actions may have shattered a family and though it’s a scandalous news sensation, this type of betrayal is all too common in relationships for celebrities and non-celebrities alike. Ironically, though Stewart is receiving more backlash, what’s more disturbing to me is that I’ve read articles and user comments claiming that ‘it’s not cheating if you’re not married.’ Whoa. What is it then? Just messing around for kicks and giggles? With that mindset it's no wonder some people treat exclusive relationships like drawn out speed dating sessions, and relationships lack the maturity and morality to blossom into something even more serious as marriage. Cheaters and adulterers are selfish and lack character and moral standing whether they’re married or in a serious, exclusive relationship. It’s my opinion that after the betrayal has occurred in a non-marriage relationship the excuse of, “oh I didn’t realize we were that serious” is what cheaters tell themselves to try and sleep through the night and to deflect guilt like a soccer ball. An adulterers affair can have damaging results that ripple through numerous lives and alter a true union. Relationships are hard work in and of themselves as you open yourself up to someone else and place your heart into someone else's hand. Let's do ourselves a favor and stick to monogamy, or find the guts to allow that person to find someone who wants to solely be with them without all the lies and betrayal.

The Breakup Blog

I am not, nor do I claim to be, a relationship or Psychology expert. However, I do believe these are some helpful tips for dealing with the heartache of a break up, although everyone may have their own personal ways. In addition, many things are easier said than done. After all, broken hearts take the longest to heal....

• Pray. Meditation is also good for the soul.
• Immerse yourself in a piece of literature; get your mind on another plot or story. 
• Indulge yourself. Go out to eat with a friend at a favorite restaurant spot. And don't be afraid to dine out alone! Make food a friend, not an enemy. :)
• Rub your bunny, puppy, cat, etc. Animals are great for giving and receiving love, and they are quite intuitive. It's as if they can read your emotions. 
• Go out walking or biking. Be in the sunlight and beauty of nature. 
• Don't get too caught up in sappy, slow, depressing love songs. 
• Find a new hobby to keep your mind and body busy. 
• Try to laugh and be around people who'll laugh with you. It's a good feeling. (And the endorphins will work wonders.)
• Stay away from social networking websites for a while. It will only hurt and make the healing process longer if you try to stay current with what your ex is doing or whom s/he is with, or analyzing photos. That's one of the worst things you can do to yourself. 
• Talk to someone who has been in the same/similar situation. It helps to put a face with the knowledge that you can make it through as well. 
• Go get ice cream with a friend. 
• Keep a journal of emotions, thoughts, and feelings. 
• Be prepared to have good days, bad days, and a whirlwind of emotions. 
• Talk with a friend or loved one; don't bottle things up. 
• Cry. It's perfectly okay. It's an unspoken conveying to yourself of how you feel. 
• Tinker with some arts and crafts. Create something, juxtapose to the loss of love you're feeling. 
• Everyday you're getting stronger. Be proud of yourself; don't beat yourself up. And remember: "We must face tomorrow, whatever it may hold, with determination, joy, and bravery.” ~ Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium :) 
• Time is your friend...."Time wounds all heels." ~John Lennon :) 
• No two people are the same. Therefore, don't compare the time it takes for you to heal to the time it takes for someone else. Whether it takes a few weeks or months, don't worry. Love lost is just that: a loss. Everyone processes and deals with heartbreak differently. Just don't let discouragement make you feel as if you're not making progress. 
• Take a vacation. This will allow time to/for yourself, a change of scenery, and an opportunity to process your thoughts and emotions.