The May LIW Small Talk Thread

[Lauren8211]

Date: 5/7/2009 12:29:02 PM
Author: ladypirate
LOL, I think a lot of people here would have the same reaction about moving to Michigan.

Portland is a great town--it actually doesn''t rain nearly as much as people say it does.

That was her main argument "It rains! It''s grey!"

Well... ok... so it''s just like Michigan?

She''s in sunny Las Vegas where panic ensues if there''s a cloud in the sky.

 

[princesss]

Run away from MI! It''s cold and gray and not near a big enough body of water!

I went to a wedding there about 2 years ago and it was in the 70s. IN JULY! What the heck kind of summer is that????? Crazy Michigan. You need sun! Water! Mountains! Strong cultural heritage! More sun! Plus a lot of company headquarters and tons of day trips to fun and interesting places.

This PSA brought to you by: The council for moving more PSers to Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 5/7/2009 12:57:03 PM
Author: princesss
Run away from MI! It''s cold and gray and not near a big enough body of water!


I went to a wedding there about 2 years ago and it was in the 70s. IN JULY! What the heck kind of summer is that????? Crazy Michigan. You need sun! Water! Mountains! Strong cultural heritage! More sun! Plus a lot of company headquarters and tons of day trips to fun and interesting places.


This PSA brought to you by: The council for moving more PSers to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Michigan summers do get hot 90s/100s.. and we are the Great Lakes State. We have TONS of water.

Michigan really is gorgeous. Its not just another boring midwest state. Northern Michigan is AMAZING.

We''re just hurting right now. If it wasn''t for the bad MI economy, I''d never leave.

 

[princesss]

Date: 5/7/2009 1:05:15 PM
Author: elledizzy5

Date: 5/7/2009 12:57:03 PM
Author: princesss
Run away from MI! It''s cold and gray and not near a big enough body of water!


I went to a wedding there about 2 years ago and it was in the 70s. IN JULY! What the heck kind of summer is that????? Crazy Michigan. You need sun! Water! Mountains! Strong cultural heritage! More sun! Plus a lot of company headquarters and tons of day trips to fun and interesting places.


This PSA brought to you by: The council for moving more PSers to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Michigan summers do get hot 90s/100s.. and we are the Great Lakes State. We have TONS of water.

Michigan really is gorgeous. Its not just another boring midwest state. Northern Michigan is AMAZING.

We''re just hurting right now. If it wasn''t for the bad MI economy, I''d never leave.

See, I''m a spoiled coastal baby.

The lakes are HUGE, just not huge enough for me. I like my water to never ever end.

Everybody I know in MI absolutely loves it. I promise, I wasn''t trying to knock your state. Just saying that NC can be pretty nice and it''s in desperate need of fun people.

 

[princessplease]

You''re welcome elle.
Another suggestion may be to look into the government. Sometimes, the courts need people with degrees in social sciences. Also look into the Veteran''s Administration. A coworker''s brother in law works for them and said they had a large number of openings throughout the country within the past few weeks.

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 5/7/2009 1:19:43 PM
Author: princesss

Date: 5/7/2009 1:05:15 PM
Author: elledizzy5

Date: 5/7/2009 12:57:03 PM
Author: princesss
Run away from MI! It''s cold and gray and not near a big enough body of water!


I went to a wedding there about 2 years ago and it was in the 70s. IN JULY! What the heck kind of summer is that????? Crazy Michigan. You need sun! Water! Mountains! Strong cultural heritage! More sun! Plus a lot of company headquarters and tons of day trips to fun and interesting places.


This PSA brought to you by: The council for moving more PSers to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Michigan summers do get hot 90s/100s.. and we are the Great Lakes State. We have TONS of water.

Michigan really is gorgeous. Its not just another boring midwest state. Northern Michigan is AMAZING.

We''re just hurting right now. If it wasn''t for the bad MI economy, I''d never leave.

See, I''m a spoiled coastal baby.

The lakes are HUGE, just not huge enough for me. I like my water to never ever end.

Everybody I know in MI absolutely loves it. I promise, I wasn''t trying to knock your state. Just saying that NC can be pretty nice and it''s in desperate need of fun people.

Haha, I know you weren''t picking on Michigan (Ok, you kinda were, but let''s be real here... who doesn''t?

) it''s just that is has such a bad rep that I feel like it needed to be defended. People really kick Michigan when it''s down. I just saw an article the other day about Detroit being the most violent city in the US. It''s like... seriously? After ALL Detroit/MI is going through with the Big 3, do we really need to throw salt on the wound? Leave us alone!

Michigan really is gorgeous, especially the upper peninsula. I think people might be surprised.

My little bro lives in NC right now, and a friend of mine just moved down there for a job. Not my "type" of state at all.. too humid/hot. I like my cold winters!

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 5/7/2009 1:51:08 PM
Author: princessplease
You''re welcome elle.
Another suggestion may be to look into the government. Sometimes, the courts need people with degrees in social sciences. Also look into the Veteran''s Administration. A coworker''s brother in law works for them and said they had a large number of openings throughout the country within the past few weeks.

Oooh.. good ideas! I''ll check those out for sure.

Thanks PP!

 

[Bia]

Date: 5/7/2009 2:21:19 PM
Author: elledizzy5

ate: 5/7/2009 1:19:43 PM
Author: princesss

Date: 5/7/2009 1:05:15 PM
Author: elledizzy5

Date: 5/7/2009 12:57:03 PM
Author: princesss
Run away from MI! It's cold and gray and not near a big enough body of water!

I went to a wedding there about 2 years ago and it was in the 70s. IN JULY! What the heck kind of summer is that????? Crazy Michigan. You need sun! Water! Mountains! Strong cultural heritage! More sun! Plus a lot of company headquarters and tons of day trips to fun and interesting places.

This PSA brought to you by: The council for moving more PSers to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Michigan summers do get hot 90s/100s.. and we are the Great Lakes State. We have TONS of water.

Michigan really is gorgeous. Its not just another boring midwest state. Northern Michigan is AMAZING.

We're just hurting right now. If it wasn't for the bad MI economy, I'd never leave.

See, I'm a spoiled coastal baby.

The lakes are HUGE, just not huge enough for me. I like my water to never ever end.

Everybody I know in MI absolutely loves it. I promise, I wasn't trying to knock your state. Just saying that NC can be pretty nice and it's in desperate need of fun people.

Haha, I know you weren't picking on Michigan (Ok, you kinda were, but let's be real here... who doesn't?

) it's just that is has such a bad rep that I feel like it needed to be defended. People really kick Michigan when it's down. I just saw an article the other day about Detroit being the most violent city in the US. It's like... seriously? After ALL Detroit/MI is going through with the Big 3, do we really need to throw salt on the wound? Leave us alone!

Michigan really is gorgeous, especially the upper peninsula. I think people might be surprised.

My little bro lives in NC right now, and a friend of mine just moved down there for a job. Not my 'type' of state at all.. too humid/hot. I like my cold winters!

That's like NJ. So many people think it sucks, but it's actually a really nice state...Just some parts, specifically right over the GW bridge, that stink....literally.

Although...I don't live* in NJ. I just drive there a lot.

eta: Elle, you'll be happy to know that the reason I am not posting a lot today is that I am working on my survey paper. Tallying up these reponses. I have a love/hate relationship with MS Excel.

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 5/7/2009 2:29:42 PM
Author: Bia
That''s like NJ. So many people think it sucks, but it''s actually a really nice state...Just some parts, specifically right over the GW bridge, that stink....literally.

Although...I don''t live* in NJ. I just drive there a lot.

eta: Elle, you''ll be happy to know that the reason I am not posting a lot today is that I am working on my survey paper. Tallying up these reponses. I have a love/hate relationship with MS Excel.

I honestly have never made an opinion of NJ... I don''t know what much about it. Hmm!

Rock it OUT B! I''m glad you''re working on your paper! When''s the due date, again??

I dig Excel!

 

[Bia]

Yea, maybe you have to be an East Coaster to know about the "Garbage State" (It''s really the Garden State).

We got an extension (5/16) since our Professor will be delayed in Italy. YAY!

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 5/7/2009 2:44:20 PM
Author: Bia
Yea, maybe you have to be an East Coaster to know about the ''Garbage State'' (It''s really the Garden State).

We got an extension (5/16) since our Professor will be delayed in Italy. YAY!

Now that I think about it... when I think Jersey, I think Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. That can''t be good.

Awesome that you got an extension! How far in to your paper are you? 25%? 50%? .... 1/2%?

 

[Bia]

Date: 5/7/2009 2:47:07 PM
Author: elledizzy5

Date: 5/7/2009 2:44:20 PM
Author: Bia
Yea, maybe you have to be an East Coaster to know about the ''Garbage State'' (It''s really the Garden State).

We got an extension (5/16) since our Professor will be delayed in Italy. YAY!

Now that I think about it... when I think Jersey, I think Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. That can''t be good.

Awesome that you got an extension! How far in to your paper are you? 25%? 50%? .... 1/2%?

Listen here missy!

Actually, the paper has not yet been written. I am still computing my results!!! I know, I know. Bad Bia!

What can I say, my genius prefers to make a late appearance...

 

[princesss]

Hahaha, the three bosses I report to are all from Jersey. I *love* teasing them about it.

I actually liked Michigan when I was there...kind of. I was in Detroit and since I'm used to freakishly clean cities, it was weird to be in a dirty one (but I feel the same way in Atlanta and NYC). But people were friendly and the lake was guh-guh-gorgeous! And trust me, as a pseudo-Southerner, I understand the need to step up for your home sometimes. I also understand the desire to make fun of it a little, lol. If MI wasn't so freaking cold I could see liking it. I just lived in the tropics for 9 years, so it's hard for me to cope with anything else. Even NC is too cold for me!

ETClarify: I meant I understand why people make fun of NC/the South. Not sure if I phrased it right so I wanted to make sure you knew I wasn't taking a dig at MI

 

[princessplease]

You''re welcome elle.

I have to chime in on the state debate....I''m from the dirty Jerz

. South Jersey though.
It''s not half as bad as people make it out to be. South Jersey is actually a lot more rural and less industrious than north Jersey. While row homes are common in north Jersey, while out homes are more spaced out and more single family style homes. And while it''s not very clean here in south Jersey, it is cleaner than north Jersey. (No offense to anyone from north Jersey).

 

[Lauren8211]

FeralPenchant:

I just read your post in the "Do Your Parents Fight in front of you" thread, and I just wanted to touch base with you here instead of threadjacking.

I had a pretty awful childhood just like you, and let me tell you... at age 21 (PLEASE forgive me if this sounds like a "When I was your age" post... not my intent) I was miserable. 19-22 were really rough on me. Thats the age when you really start to realize what kind of damage your childhood has had on you. You taking stuff out on your FF about drinking... that''s totally normal. You''re angry. Once you work through the anger of it, it will get better. And don''t be jealous of people with "perfect childhoods." Believe me, NO ONE has had one, everyone''s parents have screwed them up in one way or another. You came out on the other side alive, and you''re an intelligent woman.You have acknowledged how that abuse/divorce has affected you, and now you have a chance to change it. It''s hard, and it hurts, but you can change. You don''t have to be a "victim" of a bad childhood forever. The bad things in life teach you that you can deal with life''s hardships, and come back stronger. If you ever need support, I understand where you''ve been. I really do. Just don''t let it take control of your life.

Sorry if this was out of line, but you sound like its hurting you pretty bad, and I just wanted you to know that you can take control of it, and be happy no matter what your past is.

 

[Feralpenchant]

Date: 5/7/2009 4:12:47 PM
Author: elledizzy5
FeralPenchant:


I just read your post in the ''Do Your Parents Fight in front of you'' thread, and I just wanted to touch base with you here instead of threadjacking.


I had a pretty awful childhood just like you, and let me tell you... at age 21 (PLEASE forgive me if this sounds like a ''When I was your age'' post... not my intent) I was miserable. 19-22 were really rough on me. Thats the age when you really start to realize what kind of damage your childhood has had on you. You taking stuff out on your FF about drinking... that''s totally normal. You''re angry. Once you work through the anger of it, it will get better. And don''t be jealous of people with ''perfect childhoods.'' Believe me, NO ONE has had one, everyone''s parents have screwed them up in one way or another. You came out on the other side alive, and you''re an intelligent woman.You have acknowledged how that abuse/divorce has affected you, and now you have a chance to change it. It''s hard, and it hurts, but you can change. You don''t have to be a ''victim'' of a bad childhood forever. The bad things in life teach you that you can deal with life''s hardships, and come back stronger. If you ever need support, I understand where you''ve been. I really do. Just don''t let it take control of your life.


Sorry if this was out of line, but you sound like its hurting you pretty bad, and I just wanted you to know that you can take control of it, and be happy no matter what your past is.

Elle, thank you so much for the kind words. It''s nice to hear from someone who has been through similar situations.

I have spent a lot of time in therapy trying to overcome this, and many other issues. When I was 7 my mom and I moved to Maryland, and I began spinning down. My mom sent me to treatment when I was 13. For many issues, all stemming from anger I''m sure. I was in New Mexico on a wilderness trek for 5 weeks, then I was sent to Alabama for a little less than a year, that didn''t work out, so they sent me to Utah and I was there for two years. I saw my mom like 5 times in three years. Being in Utah literally saved me, it was the best thing that could have been done for me. I''d be dead by now if my mom hadn''t stepped in and sold her house to pay for me to go to that facility.

Now I have all the tools to fend for myself and deal with this, but it still haunts me sometimes. I wouldn''t say it''s in charge of my life, but there is only so much therapy can do for you, and then you have to continue it on your own. That''s where I am. I came back from treatment when I was 16, and had very little friends upon my return because being in treatment and learning so much, I felt that put me ahead of other kids my age. I just didn''t understand the problems they were having, because I was part them already. In a way, it skimped my teenage-hood. It''s great to have this website to talk to people who I feel are more on my level, so to speak. Sometimes when I hang out with other 21 year olds, I feel like I''m babysitting. It''s really very bizarre lol.

You are right, I came out okay, and it''s up to me to take charge of my life and be stronger than my childhood. I still visit my dad sometimes, and it''s a mix of feeling so much better just being around him, and sadness because I know he''s still the same drinker.

Thank you again for posting. Sometimes it gets so repressed that it just blows up (which is what happened on the thread LOL)

 

[Squirrly]

Date: 5/7/2009 2:29:42 PM
Author: Bia
Although...I don''t live* in NJ. I just drive there a lot.

driving on the garden state parkway scares the living bejeesus out of me. went to times square for new year''s and stayed at a friend''s house in jersey. drove up there from NC. lovely gps lady took us through DC at 5pm. by the time we got to jersey it wasn''t too busy, but driving around the rest of the week made me appreciate brakes soooo much more.

i don''t know how you do it Bia, I''d die of a heart attack halfway to work if i had to drive that.

southern jersey sounds nice PP. i really wish we had stayed there now.

 

[Bia]

Date: 5/7/2009 9:41:21 PM
Author: Squirrly

Date: 5/7/2009 2:29:42 PM

Author: Bia

Although...I don''t live* in NJ. I just drive there a lot.

driving on the garden state parkway scares the living bejeesus out of me. went to times square for new year''s and stayed at a friend''s house in jersey. drove up there from NC. lovely gps lady took us through DC at 5pm. by the time we got to jersey it wasn''t too busy, but driving around the rest of the week made me appreciate brakes soooo much more.

i don''t know how you do it Bia, I''d die of a heart attack halfway to work if i had to drive that.


southern jersey sounds nice PP. i really wish we had stayed there now.

Well it''s not a daily commute (I work in NY). I''d never do a daily NYC to NJ commute (or the other way around) unless I was being paid BIG BUCKS (and had enough to hire a chauffeur!). I drive to South Jersey from NY to visit relatives who lives there now. Always take the turnpike, and yea, it''s pretty crazy. I do like that they split it for much of the way so you don''t have to drive next to the tractor-trailers (I hate that!)

But being an East Coast gal, I''m used to taking I95 everywhere (for long trips) and when you take 95 you better get used to driving next to big trucks.

 

[Squirrly]

Date: 5/7/2009 9:52:11 PM
Author: Bia
Well it''s not a daily commute (I work in NY). I''d never do a daily NYC to NJ commute (or the other way around) unless I was being paid BIG BUCKS (and had enough to hire a chauffeur!). I drive to South Jersey from NY to visit relatives who lives there now. Always take the turnpike, and yea, it''s pretty crazy. I do like that they split it for much of the way so you don''t have to drive next to the tractor-trailers (I hate that!)


But being an East Coast gal, I''m used to taking I95 everywhere (for long trips) and when you take 95 you better get used to driving next to big trucks.

i''m sooooo glad you don''t have to do that daily, and yes those big trucks that drove just as insanely as a lot of the cars were not the best for my mental health. the worst was driving back in a truck with special brakes that might just be going out and finding a toll at the bottom of a hill.
i should find a picture of this old truck and my "air bag" and put it on here.

 

[jcarlylew]

good morning everyone!!

 

[Lauren8211]

Good Morning Jcar!

And good morning to everyone else who is already awake on this lovely FRIDAY morning!

 

[princessplease]

Good morning Jcar and elle. Are you ladies feeling better from earlier this week?? And yay!!!!!!! It''s sunny here in the northeast!!! No more rain!!!!!\
Any good plans for the weekend?

 

[jcarlylew]

lets see...
had a charlie horse in my leg at 230ish am, slept through my alarm, 1/2 late to work, get yelled at by the kitchen staff... and its only been 2 hours into the day. bleh. oh yeah, cannot get to ps at work.

BUT... today is friday and i get to wear jeans

and i am building our mothers day baskets this weekend, so i will get to go to the nurseries.

 

[Lauren8211]

Good morning, PP!

I am feeling better, thanks! Nothing exciting for this weekend.

Hanging with some friends tonight, possibly. Also will spend a good amount of time doing homework.

That''s all I''ve got.

 

[jcarlylew]

Hooraay!
day improved - friend brought in omelets

. Got coffee. E''s entire shift will be overtime ($ for vacation!!), and...


PS at work!

has anyone seen any good movies lately?

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 5/8/2009 9:35:48 AM
Author: jcarlylew
Hooraay!
day improved - friend brought in omelets

. Got coffee. E''s entire shift will be overtime ($ for vacation!!), and...


PS at work!

has anyone seen any good movies lately?

Ha! That was a quick improvement. I didn''t even get a chance to respond to your whinier post.

Movies? No. I always fall asleep during movies. It''s weird. I can''t actually remember the last movie I saw in theaters.

 

[jcarlylew]

Date: 5/8/2009 9:38:51 AM
Author: elledizzy5

Date: 5/8/2009 9:35:48 AM

Author: jcarlylew

Hooraay!

day improved - friend brought in omelets

. Got coffee. E''s entire shift will be overtime ($ for vacation!!), and...



PS at work!

has anyone seen any good movies lately?

Ha! That was a quick improvement. I didn''t even get a chance to respond to your whinier post.


Movies? No. I always fall asleep during movies. It''s weird. I can''t actually remember the last movie I saw in theaters.

Me too!! it was a long running joke, that i was narcoleptic when movies came on. like a freakin'' remote for my eyeballs. I''m a bit better now.

and yes, i am a total whiner in the morning...afternoon..and night. I like to think of myself as a female version of Stewart from mad tv. "nooooooooo, lemmme do it!!!!"


so here is a picture where i will be in 36 days (but who''s counting). anyone wanna hop in my suitcase?

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 5/8/2009 10:24:41 AM
Author: jcarlylew

Date: 5/8/2009 9:38:51 AM
Author: elledizzy5

Date: 5/8/2009 9:35:48 AM

Author: jcarlylew

Hooraay!

day improved - friend brought in omelets

. Got coffee. E''s entire shift will be overtime ($ for vacation!!), and...



PS at work!

has anyone seen any good movies lately?

Ha! That was a quick improvement. I didn''t even get a chance to respond to your whinier post.


Movies? No. I always fall asleep during movies. It''s weird. I can''t actually remember the last movie I saw in theaters.

Me too!! it was a long running joke, that i was narcoleptic when movies came on. like a freakin'' remote for my eyeballs. I''m a bit better now.

and yes, i am a total whiner in the morning...afternoon..and night. I like to think of myself as a female version of Stewart from mad tv. ''nooooooooo, lemmme do it!!!!''


so here is a picture where i will be in 36 days (but who''s counting). anyone wanna hop in my suitcase?

I am SO the same way. It drives FF nuts. We''ve started like 80 movies, and I get about 20 minutes in and *bam* I''m out like a light.

I''m a whiner when it''s early morning, or when I''m hungry. When my blood sugar gets too low I''m MISERABLE. FF knows its time to feed me.

That picture is gorgeous. I am jealous. I would LOVE to be going somewhere gorgeous soon. Sigh....

 

[princessplease]

Glad you''re feeling better, elle.

to homework though!!!
Jcar, I am so jealous!!!!!

It looks beautiful in that picture!!!!!!! No new movies lately; FI wants to go see Fast and Furious, and while I love me some cars, eh, not so much to F&F. A mother''s day basket??? What do you include in that? It sounds so sweet!

 

[Bia]

Date: 5/8/2009 11:01:20 AM
Author: princessplease
Glad you're feeling better, elle.

to homework though!!!
Jcar, I am so jealous!!!!!

It looks beautiful in that picture!!!!!!! No new movies lately; FI wants to go see Fast and Furious, and while I love me some cars, eh, not so much to F&F. A mother's day basket??? What do you include in that? It sounds so sweet!

Don't go. It sucks. I was forced to watch it on DVD the other day. My man loves F&F and even he said this last one was played out.


eta: by the way, morning everyone!