Ready yourself with your glasses, thoughts, and tea cup.

Yes nerds of America we are starting a book club and I am extremely excited! This month's book: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Loved the movie so how could I not love the book! (Sshh...don't tell the other members that I haven't started reading it yet) Speaking of members, the more the merrier. If you are a lover of nerdery and books then you deserve to be part of our book club. We tentatively decided that at the end of every month one member would host the book club. This can be done at your house, restaurant, etc. Just a few ideas to get you excited...how about we be one of the "ladies who wear purple and a red hat", meet at the Beehive Tea House (Great idea Cory!), or how about themed meetings? If you are already a part of a book club please share your success, likes, and dislikes to help ours be the most fun and interesting it can be.

Members to date:

1. Cory Willey
2. Jen Allred
3. Marci Swenson
4. Shelly Bubert
5. Cassidy Skola
6. Alina Dorsey

Responses We Wish We Could Send

Alina and Cory Here: This is a duo post. While looking through some websites, we stumbled across a blog of a person from our past. Although we give credit for the persons passion and overall mission of life, it was riddled with self righteousness, criticism and judgment; ironically, the absence of these very characteristics being his/her passion.

Therefore, being two respectful people who are big believers in Karma and slightly chicken, decided not to send a very well stated, articulate, angry and perhaps a little catty comment on his/her blog. We were going to post it in this blog, but decided against it.
(We lost faith in all you judgers out there!)

Does this ever happen to you? Although Cory and I are both like minded, the post rung false to the very core. At this point, what do you do when all you want to do is shake someone, tell them they are crazy, or try to give the person a little exposure to life and reality? I guess rant about it for a minute and decide to be who you are. Or as Lacy would say, "Remember who you're not."

This is Alina 'worshiping' in Rome. They had to provide her a shawl as she was dressed like a street walker.

Cory 'worshiping' in a restroom...hoping everything would come out okay...

If you are already on our list of friends, know it wasn't you.... or was it??? J/K

Thanks,
Alina & Cory

Pop Tart or Toaster Strudel?

Before you go thinking you know the answer to this question let me point out 10 very important facts.

1. Pop tarts you can eat with or without a toaster and they are still delicious.
2. You can take a pop tart anywhere.
3. When you eat a pop tart you don't have to worry about jelly dripping out it's backside onto your shirt.
4. Getting your fingers messy with frosting is not a problem with a Pop Tart. (Plus they never give you enough frosting with the strudel!)
5. You can freeze a Pop Tart for a cool treat.
6. Pop Tarts come in flavors ranging from Strawberry to Smores.
7. The Pop Tart gives you not one, but two tasty treats in each serving. One for later!
8. Unlike the toaster strudel, Pop Tarts don't make your fingers greasy.
9. If you decide to toast your Pop Tart you will never have to worry about the middle still being frozen. Which by the way with a strudel you never find out until you've already added the frosting and the strudel is half eaten. You can't put it back in the toaster!
10. Finally, the Pop Tarts sugary goodness exceeds that of the lamester strudel.

Let it note that I seriously get upset when the toaster strudel commercials bash on Pop Tarts. Upon viewing one, Jason and I will spend the next 5-10 minutes discussing the superiority of the Pop Tart. Yes, you are immediately thinking that you should worry about us and our obsession with Pop Tarts. What?! We are just two healthy adults who happen to be passionate about our breakfast and snack foods. Check out this pop tart commercial from 1975 . It gives us two more reasons for loving the Pop Tart. 1.) The toaster, with the help of the pop tart clearly offers emotional support. 2.) If it's been around for this long it has to be good.
Check out this Pop Tart Commercial!

Background Music

I think everyone should have background music to their life. Just like in the movies, the minute I wake up a song is playing. Not on my i-pod or the radio, it just exists, filling whatever space I'm in with great tunes. On Monday I'd wake up, and of course Manic Monday would be playing! After that, depending on my mood, it would be a variety of slow tunes from FM100 as I got ready and made my trek to work. (The slow jams are due to my extremely mellow mood in the morning and let's be honest, I'm a huge FM 100 junkie) Around lunch time I usually get more pep and would probably be kicking it with some good ol' 80's tunes. Example, I'm sitting alone on the curb outside my agency enjoying the last bit of good weather and Tiffany's "I think we're alone now" is playing. What can you expect for a weekend night? Well, I believe a good mix of Pat Benatar or The Sounds would accentuate any activity or conversation. Life is just better with music. I would feel more comfortable reciting corny lines to my boyfriend with a little Elton John or Celine Dion in the background (This selection would not work for Jason, but remember it is my life and my movie). What would make a reunion of friends just that much more special? Well...how about "I'll stand by you" from the Pretenders. They see each other for the first time in years, they reach to embrace, and BAM on comes the music. You can't tell me that wouldn't bring a tear to your eye! Point being that life, at least my life, would be much more interesting and fun with continuous background music. Now the final question is, what would be my theme song? Hmmm....I'll blog about it when I've figured it out.










(1st pic.) I can picture A little Dixie Chicks playing. (2nd pic.) "Girls Just want to have fun" of course.

Let's play, shall we?

One of my favorite things to do with a group of friends is to go around the circle and ask, "If (insert name) were an animal, what would they be, and why." Everyone gets a turn to answer what they think. Inevitably someone is terrified by this question however and doesn't want to play, but I think it is a great way to get some perception on how others view you. (As long as you don't take too much of it to heart. You know who you are!) The less "scary" version of this game is to simply ask, "What animal would YOU be and why." This way you get to choose for yourself and are guaranteed the answer won't be something embarrassing like a rhino or cow. It is important that you play this game with friends that know you or have a basic grasp on what you are all about. However, it is also a fun way to gauge the first impression of a new acquaintance. You should formulate your answer by combining appearance and personality.

EXAMPLES: Animals that have been selected for me:
1. "White Exotic Tiger". This is my favorite answer. Who wouldn't want to be a White EXOTIC Tiger! The reasoning behind this answer I was told was because white and exotic seemed rare and original. I was a tiger because I could be calm and playful but this person wouldn't want to mess with me.
2. "Beautiful Butterfly". This answer was crap, but I liked it anyway. I didn't feel like there was much insight or thought to it, but I sure liked the answer. Flattery works every time!
3. Finally, my boyfriend Jason Glover's response to the question (Straight from his mouth): "Chinchilla. Only because I think they're the cutest animal ever. You can't look at one and not want to cuddle it to death." He just happens to be the sweetest boyfriend ever!

My answers for a few of my friends:
1. Jason Glover: Dog. Dogs are humble, obedient, truthful, trustworthy, good friends, and loyal. I can think of no better way to describe Jason. In addition, he is the most playful boy I've ever met! He loves to literally crawl into my lap and attempt to curl into a ball, which is no easy feat at his height. Finally, dogs and Jason, are patient and always grateful for what they are given.
2. Cory Willey: Owl. First, Owls symbolize wisdom and the ability to see and hear clearly despite the darkness. Cory has always been a friend I can go to for advice and wisdom. Second, you can't help but giggle at their hooting and that is much like Cory's laugh. Third, she's got great hooters ;) Had to be said!
3. Jen Allred: Monkey. Jen is one of the most blatantly fun people I know. Much like monkeys, there are few people that do not love Jen the minute they meet or see her. Monkeys for the most part are non-threatening, and Jen has a way of making anyone she meets feel at ease.
4. Catie Pilkington: Gerbil. The gerbil is a curious, friendly and nearly odorless animal :), making it a popular pet. I selected a gerbil for Catie first and foremost because they are so cute and little that all you want to do is put it in your pocket and take it home with you. That was my first thought when I met Catie. She is also the type of person that seems truly thankful for her friends, family, and surroundings. Just like a gerbil is content with the inside cardboard of a toilet paper roll to chew on, a water bottle to drink, and a running wheel to devote most of it's day.

YOUR TURN! You can tell me what animal you think you are, or one I remind you of.

Radiant Humans

"Learn to be a radiant human, and then shine on others." Sark

Who am I? I'm not entirely sure, but for the first time I realize the importance of not answering, but pondering and being aware of this question as it constantly changes and evolves. My sister recently embarked on a magnificent adventure. It was a vacation planned for two, yet she found herself experiencing Alaska alone. When I think of the word ALONE my immediate emotion is saddness or pity on her behalf. Why should we fear alone as if there is less to be gained by the experience? I had the opportunity of talking with my sister a few days before the end of her adventure and we pondered the idea of being alone. Alone, being in the present, and getting to know and love yourself. We invest hours, days, and lifetimes getting to know others, but do we take the time to truly learn about ourselves? I know the superficial aspects of myself. Go ahead and ask me, what is my favorite color, food, pet?...I can answer all without hesitation and none would give you any insight into who Alina Dorsey really is. My favorite color does not define me, nor does it reflect any depth concerning my wishes and desires. An author who is inspirational to me, Sark, suggests marrying yourself. Performing a wedding somewhere special and vowing to love and honor yourself until the end of your days. At first this idea of an actual ceremony sounded completely silly, but I can appreciate the importance behind it. I find myself dutifully completing my education, working out my days, and busying myself with the mundane details of everyday while forgetting to take the time to discover what I want and need. Who am I? Well, that changes daily, but I like the idea of trying to be a radiant human, and then shining on others. I know many radiant human beings whose light has helped shape and mold the person I am and will continue to be. These are the people who have been badgering me to start a blog for quite some time. They are amazing and beautiful and hysterical! I take pride in the fact that I surround myself with people who have the greatest capacity to love. They also just happen to be downright witty and funny and can make me smile in a second. Just this weekend a dear friend had me uncontrollably bawling and laughing at the same time (you know who you are). I love you all. "You are enough. You have enough. You do enough." Sark

A Few Radiant Humans Listed Above