I know feelings are split on paid & sponsored blogging. Some people make a living off it (or try), some people just don’t care (like myself), and others absolutely despise when people “sell out” and give into the trend of selling space on their personal blogs and the entries they write. To be honest, while I don’t care all that much, I have run into the times where I become agitated that most entries made by someone on their blog are because they’re trying to earn that money. I know a lot of entries have personal opinions and stories in them, but those stories seem tainted when that link rears its head somewhere down the paragraph.

I’ve gotten into product reviews a little over a month again, and you’ve seen the result of that. Now, I’m also trying to edge my way into some paid blogging. Why? Because I’m trying to get all of my bills caught up and to have some extra spending money for myself is needed. I think it’ll also get me blogging a little more often, helping me write entries inspired by whatever assignment I might have.

Also, again to be honest, I don’t think I have that dedicated enough of a following that I’ll upset too many people with this change.

Even with as big as it is now, I still would like to know: What are your thoughts on paid & sponsored blogging?

Wednesday I woke up early for a doctor’s appointment and ended up having to redo something that required narcotic pain killers so I had to call out of work. It was my last shift before going on vacation for 10 days so I felt awful about it – but I doubt they know or care

Before I headed home, I bought a replacement power supply for my laptop at Frys. It was very quick since I brought with me my other one. My new one, though, is a tiny bit loose so it’ll disconnect from the laptop and it’ll cause this shrill beep. I can’t, for the life of me, figure out how to turn off that sound since it’s not part of the normal sound schemes. It’s the actual system making the sound and it’s SO obnoxious.

I managed to NOT find my eyeglasses before leaving with my brother from SD to LA. Half-way through driving up, my husband calls and tells me he found them. I left them on our washer/dryer, but since I had the door closed to the area it’s in, I didn’t see them. I didn’t even remember putting them there until he told me where they were. I’m debating on whether I want to have him mail them to me (in their case!). I’ve got to mail him his asthma medication he left in my brother’s room on Tuesday… luckily I have some leftover Christmas stamps in my large wallet that I brought with me. Oooh! I also found some First Class stamps! Nice, I thought the husband took them. I’ll be able to send post cards & letters.

I say I’m going to send people post cards & letters but I never end up doing so. How sucky is that? I still have post cards address to people from YEARS ago. Shame on me!

I’m going to have quite a bit to read while I’m up there. I brought with me a few books and bought two more while I was out today. I just added them to my currently reading shelf on Good Reads. If you’d like to check it out (there’s only a handful of books on there that I’ve actually read) and/or add me me as a friend, go right ahead! http://www.goodreads.com/mikachu

I should get in a nap before we leave in a handful of hours. I miss my husband already, even if things aren’t great & perfect My loving him never changes *sigh*

PS: I’m embarrassed that I didn’t do the last day of Project: Blog! What a bummer! There are a few days I missed… That’s a bummer, too.

I’m back home in SD. The husband was out all day before our drive home with friends at a pub watching the damn World Cup. That’s cool, whatever floats his boat, but I thought we’d be headed back down earlier than 2pm! I mean, having to be at work by 4:30pm is kind of crunch and the later it got, the more likely it was we’d hit some sort of traffic. We hit patches of it and there were idiots in the fast & carpool lanes going slower than 60MPH which was ridiculous. Slow traffic stay RIGHT, assholes! Luckily I got home with enough time to hit the toilet, change quickly and head the 5 minutes down the freeway to work with a few minutes to spare.

We’ll be needing some maintenance to the car SOON. The brakes sound AWFUL and while we haven’t hit the average mileage for the first brake job, we’ve driven this car through a lot of LA traffic, cross-country and through all sorts of up & down terrain coming up & down between LA & SD. Not to mention some of the belts need to be replaced since they’re looking aged and cracked. We definitely don’t want something more expensive to occur because we neglected to change that shit out.

I’ve had my new laptop since, I think, March? Somehow the power adapter cord has melted itself through (or maybe it got under some other hot running electronic) and tonight the laptop wouldn’t acknowledge that fact that it was plugged in. Lo-behold, it’s melted enough through that it’s fricken smoking through the melted rubber/plastic on the cord. *sigh* Looks like I’ll be making a trip to Fry’s tomorrow morning since I’ll be wanting to use my laptop while I’m on vacation (hello movies!). Though it’ll only be half useful without Internet access, having a dead battery with no way to charge it would render it useless. It’d make for a great weight for when it gets windy, though!

So now I’m currently using a little battery power as possible (dim screen, no fancy desktop effects, as few open programs as needed). After I take care of some online business, I’ll be off to take a shower, get some clothes put together for my vacation and head to bed to wake up early for a doctor’s appointment. I have no hope of doing laundry efficiently here since our all-in-one machine takes forever with ONE small load! I’ll have to lug a bunch of dirty (though some clean!) to my parents’ house when my brother comes to pick me up. Thankfully they’ve got the family-sized efficient machines that are only a few years old (at least, the washer’s pretty damn new)

PS: I have a new theme up. I’ve made some personalized adjustments to it but I’m still working on it as a whole! I need to make changes to have it reflect a personal blog and not a “magazine” style website, since that’s what the theme was meant for. I can do this! It’s not like I’m making a theme from scratch and no experience

The latest I’ve worked is 11pm with my current employer. I’ve never closed and the earliest I’ve worked is 7:30am or so… so technically I guess I’ve helped open, but not nearly as early as others. Sometimes after I’m off work at night, I’ll look at the clock a few hours later and realize we’re still open and my coworkers are still at it! I was actually let off a little under an hour early tonight. Early in the week are generally our least busy days.

You know what’s a very interesting series to watch? The History of Sex on the History channel. They go through the beginning of humanity through current times. There are so many interesting things that occurred sex-wise early on in history. It’s astounding, sometimes! The ignorance and surface prudishness of even early doctors, and the amazing hidden perversity experienced by both sexes is just… awesome to learn about!

The Dodgers are seriously disappointing me now. They’ve fallen into 3rd fricken place, behind the Giants, for our division. It’s causing me to lose any hope that they’ll perform well for us against the Yankees this Sunday! I want to see them kick Yankee butt! Just going to the game will be pretty awesome. It’s the gift my cousin is giving my husband for his birthday and myself plus my dad get to go along for the fun. I’m excited! I wanted to get him an authentic Lasorda jersey but they’re 1) expensive and 2) hard to find! Replicas are much easier to get your hands on, but I wanted the real thing… I eventually want to get myself a Piazza Dodgers jersey Those are even harder to find! There are plenty of Mets jerseys for him

Gosh, I need money. I need to win the lottery! It would help my chances if I actually played the lottery, huh?

Today was my company’s family picnic. It was about an hour and a half drive from where we live and with no traffic, it was a nice drive. The location of the picnic was in a “park” of sorts attached to a water park. We were given access to the water park for free but the husband and I decided not to do it this time. Last year, it was at the same place but it was held about a month earlier. It was gloomy and kind of cool, so the water park wasn’t an ideal place to enjoy lol. It was sunnier this year, but a nice breeze kept it cool.

It wasn’t as crowded this time around, compared to last year. The only person I found from my location was actually working! I didn’t find anyone else, except people from my old location. None of us won anything from the employee raffle but, at least the food was good. There were the burgers, chili dogs, potato salad, fruit, ice cream novelties, corn, popcorn… There’s something about an abundance of free food that makes me happy.

After having just written that, one may assume that my “7 Deadly Sin” is gluttony. I think I identify most with sloth, though. My friends could tell you that I’m one of the laziest people they know. I tend to get made fun of for it. I’ll go through spouts of productivity, but it’s not as common as I’d like it. I’m not sure why I am the way I am… I enjoy not having to do a lot physically. There are only a handful of physical activities I actually enjoy partaking in (rollerblading, bowling, dancing are a few).

All that leaves me thinking one thing: Why couldn’t I identify with a more attractive sin?

I’m sitting in my recliner, watching a bunch of Lady Gaga music videos on Fuse. There doesn’t seem to be much else on that appeals to me. I had recorded the last hour or so of Happy Feet on the DVR but it apparently only wanted to record a random chunk of 10 minutes towards the beginning of the movie (I didn’t change the channel so it technically should’ve recorded the whole thing through the end). That pissed me off.

It’s father’s day and I’m so thankful and lucky to have the dad I have. He’s amazing. My cousin brought tears to my eyes last night, though, mentioning our grandfather who passed away in October two years ago. I miss him a LOT.

Lately I’ve been really wanting to take advantage of the work out room next to the pool in my apartment complex. At least, I’d love to walk on the treadmill or something for an hour a day to get started. I want to get rid of this stomach and smooth things out.

You know what I hate? When watching TV or doing anything else and it inspires a craving. Watching a random reality show, they were picking from a large platter of nachos and GOD I wanted them immediately. It’s easy to trigger a craving in me when I’m hungry, too. The closest thing I could do related to nachos is heat up some refried beans and maybe make a quesadilla with cheddar cheese and some leftover Taco Bell sauce. I’m not sure if I want to go through the effort though lol.

Tomorrow I’ll be going to my company’s picnic for our region’s associates. It’s about two hours away and I’m eager to enjoy all the free food (gosh, I’m sound like such a glutton!) and see my BFF and hopefully some of my old coworkers. The husband’s coming with – hopefully he enjoys himself at least a little bit.

Last night after work, I felt like utter crap. My body was not liking me. I don’t know if it was because I was dehydrated or hungry or if it was something else. My stomach was hurting, I had cramps, I felt light-headed and just out of it. I can’t remember the last time I felt that badly. Going to bed seemed to help, even though I could smell my husband’s stink (he prefers to shower in the mornings before work, and I’m the opposite) and that didn’t help my stomach.

I did manage to do well on french fries yesterday. Today was an early work meeting and then I was thankfully scheduled for a day shift (I’m usually working Saturday evenings). I woke up early to take the husband to work, came home and snoozed for an hour, went to the meeting, came home and snoozed for another hour and a half. That extra time was just what I needed.

Right now I’m waiting for a staff meeting to commence for us over at Ecstasy MB via ooVoo. I’m watching The Parent Trap (ah, pre-crazy Lindsay) on ABC Family and out of all the times I usually catch it on TV, this is the first time I’ve seen them include scenes involving the piercing of the years early in the movie (before they switch places) and tasting of the wine when the mom, grandfather and Lindsay’s character is at the supper table. I think I usually see it on the Disney channel, and they’ll edit those parts out. ABC Family is a subsidiary of Disney, but apparently this channel has a more “mature” audience. Obviously since have you SEEN Secret Life of the American Teenager? The topics on that show alone are directed at an older audience (even though most of the main characters are younger high schoolers).

Dennis Quaid is quite yummy. I have a thing for older, handsome guys versus young and cute. That wasn’t always the case, of course lol, and there are some exceptions (Taylor Lautner, anyone? bwahaha).

I had one of those work days where I just wanted to work and I was made to feel inept for most of the day. It sucked. I may not be perfect all of the time, but I’m capable and if you give me a fricken minute, I’ll have everything going as you wish. It didn’t help that I’m hormonal lately.

After telling the husband about my day, he said I wouldn’t make it as an air traffic controller since they’re so big on ragging on people for no good reason. Whatever.

I allow myself to get ragged on a lot. I make dumb comments and can be naive and shit, but I don’t like it happening all the fricken time by anyone and everyone around me! I need a little positive reinforcement once in a while. That’s not to say I’ll break down crying or start telling people off when I get overloaded. The most I may do is give off the “I’m not happy” feeling and be short with responses. I shouldn’t forget to mention that I don’t stay in bad moods for very long! Just leave me alone for a few minutes, let me do my thing and all will be forgotten.

I don’t consider myself as somebody who hold grudges. I’ve held a few, and only recently in life. It’s such a time and energy waster! I’ve definitely learned that and even more so now, I don’t understand why people hold grudges or get so angry over things that don’t seem major (at least to me). Some may consider me sensitive sometimes, but it might be a mismatch of how I’m viewed versus how I view myself.

Overall, I think of myself as a fairly resilient person who doesn’t let a lot get to her often. However, I don’t like being made a fool of or being made fun of – because, really, who does? I protect myself by preempting any strikes by making fun of myself and deliberately making myself the butt of jokes or allowing certain people to make those jabs at me. It still hurts sometimes, though.

I don’t think I’ll be changing things – generally I’m happy how I am. There’s always improvement to be made and that’s what the rest of my life is for

I was in the Air Force. Now that I’ve been a civilian for over 2 years, it almost feels like I didn’t serve in the military at all. The only thing that reminds me is the fact that I receive a disability check once a month (I won’t go into that) and all of the friends & coworkers I have on my Facebook that are still in.

I experienced a lot of struggles and stress while I served, but I’m proud to have served and to have that experience under my belt. I’m actually sad that I wasn’t able to serve longer. It’s an invaluable life experience that not a lot of people feel comfortable enough to give themselves to go through (or don’t agree).

Strangely enough, the fondest memories I have will always be of boot camp. It wasn’t fun, per se, nor is it something I’d necessarily want to re-experience, but certain mornings I’ll be reminded of how it was in San Antonio, Texas in the summer, having to work out or march around at the butt crack of dawn. Nobody but Air Force boot camp trainees will understand how GOOD chow hall food is at Lackland. Nobody knows if it’s because you think you’re always hungry, but for some reason the food is just better.

The girls in my flight never managed to work together and there was too much drama for my liking. That’s not uncommon, though. Girls tend to be out for themselves in situations like that.

I know how to iron, starch, fold, and roll my clothes. I know effective ways of sweeping large areas of floor as well as fold hospital corners on a bed. I managed the highest academic test score in my flight. It’s kind of amazing that I managed to pass through and even obtain Honor Graduate at the end of it all when I always considered myself average at best.

I’m proud to be an Air Force veteran, even if people make fun of me for it sometimes (I’m sure you’ve all heard of the “chair force” joke, etc.), and especially since people doubted I’d even do it or manage to get through it! So ha! Take that!

I’ve been in a funk lately. Other than work and home, there hasn’t been much else going on in my life. I’m so eager for my summer to get started!

It starts with my BFF’s baby shower on Sunday. I’ll probably drive into L.A. on Saturday night and stay at my parents’. Following that will be my company’s family picnic, which is held at a water park opened solely for the employees. Not to mention, all the free food and such. Next is my husband’s birthday and we’ll be celebrating with my cousin taking us to the Dodgers vs. Yankees game! A few days later I’ll be heading off to the Sierras with my parents and brother over the 4th of July weekend and for the rest of the week.

I need something different than just sitting here. I have yet to develop any friendships here so there’s not much getting out. The husband’s been out quite a bit more than I have and it’s starting to get to me. It’s been a little difficult getting in with my coworkers since most of them have known each other longer either from school or some are even related. It’s tough to break into that as the (somewhat) new girl.

The most productive thing I’ve done all day is finish the last season of Law & Order: SVU. I then watched Wedding Daze, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans and now I’m working on Cashmere Mafia. You know, that short-lived series with 4 strong female leads trying to survive on the coattails of Sex & the City? All 7 episodes!

Hmmm. I’d love something warm and chocolaty right now. Pretty darn badly. A nice warm chocolate chip cookie! The only thing I can bake in the apartment are scones. I don’t know if I want scones… would it even be okay to start baking them now? 11:15pm? Hmm…