I received a really , cast iron wall plate hanger thingy for Christmas.  I really didn’t want to display any of my plates since we actually use them everyday.  Plus, I have very little wall space in my kitchen.  So, I say to myself “Shannon, what in the crap are you going to do with this thing?”  You see, I don’t like to exchange or take gifts back that are given to me even if I don’t like them or can’t use them.  That’s probably why I have an entire bedroom of stuff I have collected over the years that I have no use for…Anyway…back to my plate hanger thingy…

I needed somewhere to store my file folders because I hate  leaving them out on my desk.  It takes up too much space.  So, this is my solution.  Ta da…

Yeah, Yeah…I know. It has been FOREVER since I updated my blog. I’ve been busy. Increased workload, then I was laid off from my job, now searching for a new job and somehow becoming the errand runner for everyone since I’m no longer employed. Just for the record, searching for a job is way harder than going to work everyday. FOR. REAL.

I found it necessary to update the blog this morning after reading a news story regarding a man who is suing White Castle because he can’t fit into their standard size booths.   I’m not surprised at all considering people are ‘sue happy’ these days.  Frivilous lawsuits are aplenty. Honestly, if I order coffee I expect it to be hot.  That’s a given, but apparently not everyone agrees with me since the plaintiff was awarded $2.86 million dollars. A judge later reduced to a mere $64,000…hmmm…

Okay, so back to the White Castle lawsuit.  The guy suing White Castle claims he was unable to fit into the restuarant booths and was “humiliated” and ‘felt like an outcast”. DUDE, 1/3 of Americans are obese. In addition, I read statistics a few years ago that stated 68% of Americans are overweight. I seriously doubt he was in the minority-especially while eating at a White Castle. His noted weight was 290 pounds.  Oh, and for the record, 12 years ago I weighed 301 pounds.  I sometimes had trouble fitting into booths so I opted to sit at a table or GO THROUGH DRIVE THRU.  I think this lawsuit is bologna (which, by-the-way I do not eat nor do I recommend eating because it is gross).

IF YOU ARE TOO FAT TO FIT INTO THE WHITE CASTLE BOOTH-DON’T EAT THERE!  Simple, right?  I guess not.

White Castle received the complaint from this guy and they responded with a letter and 3 coupons for White Castle burgers.  He had the nerve to complain because the free coupons did not include cheese.  Seriously?  Get a grip.

Once I attended a family cookout and sat in a lawn chair that immediately crashed to the ground.  The chair was NOT defected.  The chair broke(in two places) because I was too fat.  I exceeded the weight limit of the chair.  I was embarrassed…sure. However, it was not the fault of my aunt and uncle for not buying chairs that would support my weight.  How ridiculous would it be to serve them with a lawsuit, especially since I was there to EAT.  Good grief.

Whatever.  The point of this post is to basicially say this guy is an idiot.  He’s eating at White Castle, which to my knowledge is not known for their healthy menu choices.  In fact, after visiting their website I noticed their current promotion offers $5 off a CRAVE CASE.  What is a Crave Case, you ask?  It is a box of 30 hamburgers.  Well, there you go.

Lastly, I will disclose I have never eaten at a White Castle restuarant.  I once watched Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (I would typically NOT admit that). oh, and I once was held hostage stuck on a train for 11 hours and the food cart only sold White Castle microwave burgers (in a 2 pack) and peanut M&Ms.  I ate maybe 30, uh, I mean 4 during my hellacious ride on that stupid train.  That is a completely different story which I will tell at a later date.  Truly interesting.  If anyone had the right to sue, it would have been me.  The train ride was really that bad.

Livin’ Real,

Shan

Okay, I have several favorite memories.  However, the most recent had to be from my New York trip with the girls.  Me, My sister-in-law, Brandi and my sister, Stephanie (Doobie) went to NYC in June 2010 to see New Kids on the Block at Radio City Music Hall.  While we were there we went on a “walking expedition” to Canal Street (I hear you can buy fake designer stuff here) , learned to ride the subway, went to see Wicked (on of my fave things we did), Central Park, World Trade Center, The statue of Liberty, did a ton of shopping…  Hey, we even saw Elmo assaulted in Times Square.  Yes, we sure did.

Very few times in my life would I get on a boat for ANY reason.  I hate water, boats, sharks, sea creatures, whatever!  However, this was a fun trip, even if I had to get on a boat!

3 Girls on a Boat

A second favorite moment must have been a trip to Gatlinburg, TN with the same gals (and mom).

Cameron, the best kid ever!

How could I NOT include this kid?  He’s a handful, but I love him! 

Dexter.  If you have not watched it, you should.  It rocks.

DEXTER CAST

I’m guessing the 15 facts should be facts about me, right?

PICTURE.  CHECK.

15 FACTS.  YEP.  Here they are…

1.  I love the smell of freshly cut grass.  I do not, however, like to cut it.  Luckily, the boyfriend takes care of that.

2.  I love animals.  My mother hates them.  Perhaps this is one of those things I do to annoy her.  I have 12.  No, really, I don’t have that many.  *Only* 2 dogs and one cat.

3.  I’m always losing things.  My keys, wallet, chapstick, ipod, gloves, etc.  Everything listed is currently missing with the exception of my keys.

4.  I have eclectic taste in music.  If you could peek at my itunes library, you would find all sorts of craziness.  NKOTB, Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, Randy Travis, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band…See, I told ya…

5.  I routinely find clothes in my closet (or stuffed in my trunk) that still have the tags on them.  I’ve decided this is hereditary.  (For proof, look in my mom’s and sister’s closet.)

6.  I hate to cook.  I *can* cook if I follow a recipe.  Eating, now that is a completely different story.

7.  I love designer purses.  My guilty pleasure.

8.  Every morning when I wake up, I do the same thing.  1st-I go potty.  2nd-I weigh myself.

9.  I was vegetarian for 4 whole months.  Uh, it did not last.  Oh, and I was miserable the entire time.

10.  I LOVE crime shows.  I could probably kill someone and get away with it.  Not that I would…just sayin’

11.  I hate being late.  I get all nervous and anxious.

12.  I am selective to whom I choose to befriend.  Friends always start off as strangers.  Everyone knows you can’t trust a stranger.

13.  I spend alot of money on things I don’t really need.  But, I always “bargain” shop for the best deal.

14.  I have at least 10 pairs of pajamas.

15.  I love to shop for greeting cards and office supplies.  Well, I really love to shop for just about anything…but especially greeting cards and office supplies.

Thanks Michelle for the great idea!

Um, yes, we are in a bathroom stall...

OKAY, SO HERE IS THE COMPLETE LIST.  WATCH FOR NEXT POST TO INCLUDE DAY 1.

Day 01 – A picture of yourself with fifteen facts
Day 02 – A picture of you and your sweetheart
Day 03 – A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 – A picture of you and a family member
Day 05 – A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 – A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 – A picture that makes you laugh
Day 08 – A picture of your most treasured item
Day 09 – A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 – A picture of someone you do the craziest things with
Day 11 – A picture of something you hate
Day 12 – A picture of something you love
Day 13 – A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 – A picture of your favorite store
Day 15 – A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 – A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 – A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life
Day 18 – A picture of the sexiest woman alive
Day 19 – A picture of something you love to do
Day 20 – A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel
Day 21 – A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 – A picture of something you never leave the house without
Day 23 – A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 – A picture of someone you miss
Day 25 – A picture of you from last year
Day 26 – A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 – A picture of your from high school
Day 28 – A picture of your favorite place in the world
Day 29 – A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 – A picture of your favorite quote
Day 31 – A picture of food you made
Day 32 – A picture of what you did today
Day 33 – A picture of somewhere you went today
Day 34 – A picture of your favorite morning
Day 35 – A picture from your hometown
Day 36 – A picture of your pet(s)
Day 37 – A picture taken at work
Day 38 – A picture of your favorite drink
Day 39 – A picture of your favorite food
Day 40 – A picture of your friends
Day 41 – A picture of your favorite weather
Day 42 – A picture of you exercising
Day 43 – A picture of you celebrating
Day 44 – A picture that describes your life
Day 45 – A picture of your favorite cartoon character
Day 46 – A picture that you edited
Day 47 – A picture of your favorite animal
Day 48 – A picture of you more than 10 years ago
Day 49 – A picture of you and your siblings
Day 50 – A picture of yourself
Day 51 – A picture of you wearing sunglasses
Day 52 – A picture of you dressed up
Day 53 – A picture of you in a car
Day 54 – A picture of you on your last vacation
Day 55 – A picture of you with a date
Day 56 – A picture of you all bundled up
Day 57 – A picture of you in your backyard
Day 58 – A picture of your hair all done
Day 59 – A picture of you at a restuarant
Day 60 – A picture of you at a sports game
Day 61 – A picture of you in the Fall
Day 62 – A picture of you on a ride
Day 63 – A picture of your luggage
Day 64 – A picture of you making something
Day 65 – A picture of you at a park
Day 66 – A picture of you in the air
Day 66 – A picture of you doing something childish
Day 67 – A picture of you in the morning
Day 68 – A picture of you outside
Day 69 – A picture of a crazy night out
Day 70 – A picture of someone you don’t go a day without talking to
Day 71 – A picture of you with people you work with
Day 72 – A picture of you with unbelievable scenery
Day 73 – A picture of you somewhere warm
Day 74 – A picture taken professionally
Day 75 – A picture of you wearing your favorite outfit
Day 76 – A picture of you drinking something
Day 77 – A picture of you and friends making silly faces
Day 78 – A picture of you in the dark
Day 79 – A picture of you in the water
Day 80 – A picture of you and someone you love to hang out with
Day 81 – A picture of you with a character
Day 82 – A picture of someone you love sleeping
Day 83 – A picture of you without make-up
Day 84 – A picture of your favorite snack food
Day 85 – A picture of your favorite holiday
Day 86 – A picture of someone who gives great advice
Day 87 – A picture of someone you grew up with
Day 88 – A picture of your dream car
Day 89 – A picture of you at a hotel
Day 90 – A picture of you wearing your favorite color
Day 91 – A picture of you and your family playing a game
Day 92 – A picture of your purse contents
Day 93 – A picture of your favorite board game
Day 94 – A picture of you and your friends eating
Day 95 – A picture of you on a plane
Day 96 – A picture of your favorite movie
Day 97 – A picture of something you no longer have
Day 98 – A picture of you and your friends out somewhere
Day 99 – A picture that was first on your Facebook
Day 100 – A picture of you smiling

In one night (and one very early morning), I made several observations and wanted to share. I’m sure most of you sleep through the night- probably because you are much better at monitoring your caffeine consumption that me.  So….here ya go…

OBSERVATION #1. First, let me say that Hollywood special effects have come a long way! I watched ‘Earth vs. the Spider’ (1958).  I tuned in about 20 minutes late, but I’m pretty sure I understood the plot. Giant spider runs amok, terrorizing small town. I’ll bite. I started watching-AND WATCHED THE ENTIRE MOVIE! Okay, EARTH vs. the SPIDER is a bit of a stretch. It was more like ‘a few high school kids and their science teacher’ vs. ‘Giant FAKE Spider’ but, whatever. Normally I’m not a big fan of B&W movies, but I was sucked in. The movie was cheesy-real cheesy. But, I watched it. And, I LAUGHED! Horror? Not so much. Comedy? Yes. Absolutely! Once it was over, I sat for quite awhile wondering-Do spiders really make noise? Have I never noticed since the spiders I normally come in contact with are relatively small in comparison to the spider on TV? So, I GOOGLED it. (embarrassed). Nope. Not a sound. They don’t even have vocal cords. I spent the next 10 minutes pissed off. That was the only thing even remotely scary about that dang spider!

OBSERVATION #2. Montel Williams, former crying talk show host, is a ALL OVER late-night television. First, I found this remarkable because I honestly thought he was dead. I swear, I really did. Second, apparently he will endorse just about anything. I was only channel surfing but over the course of the night (and early morning) I ran across 3 different infomercials with him hosting. DogPedic, Abcoaster and some kind of pain relief spray. I guess for a dead man, he is still in demand. Good for him.  Oh, I forgot.  He was also endorsing some kind of drink, uh, maybe it was a blender?

OBSERVATION #3.  Jimmy Fallon is so cute.  I want to pinch him.

OBSERVATION #4. People really do watch infomercials and sometimes the person who watches the infomercial gets so starry-eyed thinking the product being sold would make life so much easier and would save so much money in the long run and the product would save her so much time and her house would sparkly after she used it and she could toss out 10 of her current appliances which would save space and make her popular with all the other moms and……..uh, yes. I bought it. Shut up. In my defense, they did cut my total in-half and gave me free shipping. And since I was one of the first 250 callers, they also included a special gift valued at $99.99. What a deal, right?

OBSERVATION #5. Music videos still exist. Crazy, huh? It’s been years since I’ve seen a real music video. But, staying up all night, I actually got to see one. Strangely, it was not on MTV (the MUSIC TELEVISION channel). It was on FUSE. It was also a crappy song of an artist I have never heard of. Yes, I watched it.

OBSERVATION #6. There is an entire shopping channel dedicated to knives-KNIVES TV. Don’t be fooled. People watch it (other than me, of course). Oh, and there are really people dumb dedicated enough to spend $269 for a 6 pack of Dale Earnhardt Collector’s Edition Pocket Knives.  And no, this is not what I purchased.  I promise.

OBSERVATION #7.  You no longer have to watch Cinemax to watch really trashy stuff.  Tune into Cartoon Network after 10 PM.  WOW.  I’m 36.  I felt a little dirty after watching 5 minutes of one of the cartoons.  Gross.

OBSERVATION #8.  Carson Daly looks weird.  Also, I suggest canceling his show.  It sucks.

OBSERVATION #9.  Suze Orman likes leather jackets. This requires some explanation. Alright, I love her! I really do. She has lots of great advice, most of which I totally ignore (for lack of discipline personal reasons). Several episodes of her show aired back-to-back. Maybe it was a Suze Orman marathon. Anyway, each time I stopped channel surfing to listen to her financial advice, I couldn’t help but notice-a different leather jacket each time. It’s a good think she has a strong personality (and she’s in Oprah’s inner circle) or her choice in attire would be so distracting, people would not take her seriously. But, I do love her.  She’s one cool lesbian with a very high credit score!

Please excuse any typos or misspellings.  After all, I’ve been up for 2 straight days!

P.S.  I bet you are DYING to know what I bought.  Wanna take a guess?

I’m pretty sure television and movies (and my love of them) played a major role in ”my increased body weight”.  Let’s face it.  It contributed to my obesity.  It helped make me FAT.  There, I said it.

Man, I loved me some TV.  And I still do.  The day we stopped having to turn the knob to change channels probably made my top 10 list.  Actually, that’s not true.  But it sure was nice.  I could lay on the couch, eat potato chips, chew my Little League Gum and not move all day.  Those were the good ‘ol days. I’m still not sure how my brother ended up thin.  I have literally watched him eat 6 whole cheese sandwiches back-to-back with 2 or 3 pieces of cheese on each one.  High metabolism, maybe?  Perhaps my biological parents were obese.  They say genetics play a big role in future body weight.  Okay, I know…I’m not adopted.  Let a girl dream!

Needless to say, I had alot of favorite TV shows growing up.  I can probably recite quotes from about every show and remember the most insignificant details.  What a waste of time, right?  No.  If ever selected for Jeopardy and the categories were ACTORS AND SINGERS, SONG LYRICS, TV SHOWS FROM THE 70s and 80s, POP CULTURE REFERENCES, FAST FOOD, or FAMOUS CARTOON CHARACTERS, I would kick butt!  Alex Trebek would be amazed by my greatness.  Just sayin’.

So, here’s a short list of some of my faves.  I have included descriptions for all of you who were active kids whos parents didn’t own a TV because they were afraid it would rot your brains.  (LOSERS) I highly recommend you rent the boxed sets for these.

LAND OF THE LOST.  Marshall, Will and Holly on a routine expedition…My all time favorite TV show.  EVER.  I will admit-To the novice TV watcher, this show could be a tad bit confusing.  Basically you had a family crossover into a different dimension.  This dimension was a prehistoric land with big, scary dinosaurs.  The family made friends with a ‘local’.  He was a little monkey kid/boy? named Cha-Ka.  He did a lot of grunting and pointing.  I don’t think he knew English.  The strangest part was even though they were in prehistoric times, the technology of the Sleestak people was quite amazing.  Sleestaks were human-like/reptile creatures who harassed Marshall, Will and Holly. They had these pods or portholes that housed colored crystals.  I’m not sure of the purpose of the crystals but the humans would sneak into the portholes and start rearranging the crystals.  Pretty high tech, don’t ya think?  The creators of the show were probably on drugs.  Whatever.  I love it!

Kids Incorporated.  K.I.D.S.  My cousin, Kelly (the opera singer) and I loved to watch this show!  Basically, the show revolved around some really hip teenagers that could sing and dance.  I think they tried to play instruments too.  It looked fake.  I’m sure the show was suppose to teach valuable moral lessons. I just liked the singing and dancing.  Oh, and Fergie was on there (before she was Fergie).  And so was Jennifer Love Hewitt.

HAPPY DAYS.  “Aaaaayyyy!”  The Fonz.  Happy Days came on shortly after we got off the school bus.  I guess Potsie was my favorite.  Richie (Ron Howard) reminded me so much of Opie.  Okay, so I knew he was Opie.  I live in Mayberry for God’s sake! I lost interest in Happy Days when Fonzie jumped the shark.  And the phrase “jumping the shark” was born.  Basically that means the moment a TV show starts to really suck and it has no future.

THE BRADY BUNCH.  I really only liked this show because I got to see the dynamics of another family with multiple siblings.  Somehow everything worked out in the end.  The parents were so calm and understanding.  It was clear they were actors.  Real parents don’t act that way.    The “House of Cards” episode was a real nail-biter.  I was on my seat the whole time.  Dang that Tiger!  By-the-way, who names a dog Tiger?  Sadly, I lost interest in this show when the family went to Hawaii, found the tiki, a taurantula climbed into beach bag…Ughhh…I can’t talk about it.  Jumped the shark.

ALF.  Alien Life Form.  He was a furry creature from another planet.  Alf took up shack with a nice suburban family and was a huge trouble maker.  He loved to eat cats and had some of the best disguises.  Not really.

The Muppet Show.  Miss Piggy.  Kermit the Frog.  Fozie (wacka wacka wacka).  Gonzo.  All great puppets.  Because I was fat and Miss Piggy was someone that may be a good role model for me, my aunt Tammy and her future husband Randy bought me a lovely Miss Piggy poster to hang over my bed.  My sister got a Barry Gibb poster.  Hmm…Hey, did you know Miss Piggy knew karate?  I only wished I had learned. sigh

Dukes of Hazzard.  My sister always called dibs on Bo Duke (the blonde) so I was stuck with the less cute one, Luke.  While Luke was more level-headed, Bo was cooler because he mostly drove the General Lee.  However, it was Luke that slid across the hood.  I once tried to crawl through the window of the car without opening the door.  It did not turn out so well.  I thought I cracked a rib but never told anyone.  The embarassment would have been worse.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK.  The 70s one, not the newer movies.  They confused me.  Nothing like the original.  David Banner was a loner.  I always felt so sorry for him.  Plus, my mom said all hitchhikers were trash who would murder you if you picked one up.  I never did.  Chill out!  But I knew David Banner was a good guy.  Well, except when he was under stress.  Then he turned into a big green man/monster with super strength. Maybe I over analyzed this, but where do you think he got those extra clothes?  Must have been expensive.

Gee.  There were so many.  Here’s a few honorable mentions.

WONDER TWINS.  (Wonder Twins Powers, Activate!), Wonder Woman (i have a story about my underoos later), A-TEAM, Joanie loves Chachi (my brother hated this show-more about that later), Knight Rider, Magnum PI, Miami Vice, Growing Pains…so many more!

Oh, wait!  One more.  WHAT’S HAPPENING.  Raj was the cool kid.  My sister got to be him.  I had to be Re-Run, the fat kid.  Shocked?  Me neither.  The Doobie Brothers once made a cameo on the show.  We thought it would be cool the call ourselves The Doobie Sisters.  We later found out DOOBIE was slang for marijuana.  Nice. The names stuck.  People must wonder why 2 grown women call each other Doobie.  Who cares.

Speaking of Re-Runs…I gotta go.  The boob tube is calling my name!