TMI Tuesday - Call Me

It's that time again. :-)  Time to answer the call of Sean's weekly TMI questions. 

If you like my answers, check out the rest of my blog. Please feel free to start following it an add it to your blog roll. I don't like to beg (but I'll do it if I have to). 

CALL ME

1. Do you still have a land line? 

Yes we still have one, although I'm honestly not sure why.  The only time it's ever used is when we get hit up for money or Matt's mom calls.  

2. Which cell phone do you use and why?

iPhone, iPhone, iPhone.  Both Matt and I got one this past year - I got the 5, he got a 4. I debated between the iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy S-IV.  The winning factor was the size. The Samsung was simply too big to fit in my front pocket and the iPhone fit just right. Also I'm an Apple guy, so I was kinda leaning that way already.

3. Which provider do you use? Is there really a difference?

Verizon. Yeah, in central Iowa it's a big difference. The main rival in these parts is US Cellular and their coverage is TERRIBLE.  I can think of a number of friends who have switched from US Cellular to Verizon simply because of the better coverage and features.

4. If you call someone and they don't pick up, do you leave a message?

Um, it depends. I usually leave a message, but sometimes I don't. A lot of times it depends on what I'm calling about.

5. When you have a missed call (with no message), do you call the person back?

If I recognize the number I do, otherwise I just assume that it's a wrong number. 

6. Do you txt willingly or reluctantly? How are your skills?

I got mad texting skills. LOL! I really do find it easier to text than to actually call someone on the phone. 

7. Has your cell replaced your camera? 

Pretty much, although I'm not crazy about the pics that I take. Perhaps there's a class that I can take to figure out how to use the camera phone correctly so that I actually take a good photo with it. 

8. Selfies....

Have you read my blog?  :-)  I take em each week as part of the Sunday Selfie project. I've gotten kinda of used to taking them, although I haven't been as creative as I want in places to taking them. I would love to be able to take a selfie that was just shirtless, sweaty and hot. 




9. How many apps do you have? Which is your favorite and why?

40 apps, although I really should do a purge of the ones that I just don't use. I would say the one that I enjoy the most is the Sportscenter app. Since they've redesigned it, it is MUCH easier to use. 

10. What would life be like with no cell/smart phone for one month?

I think I'd feel much more free. I feel compelled to answer every text or email that comes in. I have discovered that my iPhone has a "Do Not Disturb" feature that I'm starting to use when I'm at the gym.

BONUS
How much has your cell phone become a part of your sex life? Sexting, hookup apps, selfies, video, GPS, more?

I'll admit it, I like Growlr. I've met a few nice guys on there and yes, I've sent a few selfies to other guys. Nothing inappropriate though. As a teacher I gotta be careful about that.

Hypnotized

I see a counselor. I've found it helpful over the years and let's be honest, as a middle school teacher I often need to vent.  LOL

One topic that I feel I've been working on forever is my weight.

Surprised?  Have you read my blog?!

But I digress.

During my last session, my counselor mentioned that he had used hypnosis with other patients. Me being the suggestible type, I asked if he thought it might work for me.  He said he did and that we would try it during my December session - today.

I arrived at my session nervous and excited.  I really want to get over whatever mental blocks are holding me back from losing weight.

I won't go into specifics, but it was a very interesting experience. I found my therapist's voice very soothing and within moments of beginning I was very relaxed. I do remember some of the suggestions that he gave me, but there was a short time where I was COMPLETELY under.  He told me that was normal.

This is just the beginning. I have another session scheduled for next month and I'm hopeful that it will be successful.  I went in with an open mind and while I know this won't take the weight off for me, I want it to be a part of the solution.

On another note, I worked out with my trainer this afternoon. Holy Cow there was a hot DILF in the locker room. I also happened to be in the shower room with him.  Um. Wow.







And thanks to Sean at Just A Jeep Guy for posting this photo of a ginger hottie.  OMG this guy is HAWT!!!!!

Taking a Ride on the A-Train

I've had a crush on Mike Alstott for close to two decades. Mike was a fullback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 90s and early 2000s, his nickname was the "A-Train." This was because once he started running and it was hard to stop him. For me, it was because he had a great caboose. ;-)

For a while I even collected his trading cards. There's one of him sitting on a weight bench wearing his football pants and a tank top (I seriously have to take a photo to post on here).

Mike retired from the Bucs in 2007 and I was content to live with his memory (and my imagination...teehee). But yesterday as I was on the elliptical machine at the gym I spied a commercial for Mancore, a male nutritional supplement. Looks like Mike has found a new spokesman gig.

I swear I thought I was gonna fall over, so of course after my workout I had to see if he had anything on youtube and I found the following...

Good lord that man still looks good and I still wouldn't say no to him.  Hmmmm. Maybe if I get some of this stuff I can look like him someday.  

Nah, that genetic train has already left the station. 

TMI Tuesday - The War on Christmas 2013

I got my TMI questions done early this week. :-)  Thanks so much to Sean for posting them.

THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS 2013

1. Which religion or faith do you belong to, if any?

I call myself to be a recovering Southern Baptist, although I was also raised Methodist. More than anything I consider myself to be agnostic.

To quote Max from the show "Happy Endings" - "I'm Eggnostic. I'm not saying there is Egg Nog, I'm not saying there isn't Egg Nog. I'm saying we just don't know."

2. What is your opinion of Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays?

Having worked retail for a number of years, I'm a Happy Holidays guy. I would always answer the phone "Happy Holiday" as I didn't know who would be calling and it's just respectful. But I don't have a problem when someone says "Merry Christmas."

3. Holiday music on the radio? When and how much?

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - THAT'S IT!  I worked for a music retail chain and from Black Friday to Christmas Eve all we played was Christmas Music. It really burned me out on the stuff. There is a radio station that started playing Christmas music in October. Insanity.

4. When do you start decorating? Do you?

We do decorate at the house. Well, I should say that Matt does the decorating. He decorates the tree and pulls all the other stuff out of storage.

5. White lights or multi colored?

White lights for the tree.

6. Gift cards, cash or actually shopped-for presents?

Depends on the person. Usually gift-cards are easier for friends, but for relatives and really close friends I actually shop for presents (but I'm not a huge fan of it).

7. Christmas cards and or family update letters are... 

Neither - I'm just that lazy.

8. Snow is...

Pretty to watch fall, a bitch to shovel.





9. Have you been a good little boy or girl this year?

I'd like to think I've been a good boy, but I know better.

10. RAPID FIRE FAVORITES:
     1. Food - Roast Beef / Prime Rib
     2. Dessert - Cella's Chocolate Covered Cherries
     3. Drink - Hot Chocolate
     4. Holiday movie - "Love Actually" (Yes, it's a Christmas movie!)
     5. Holiday music - "Grownup Christmas List" by Amy Grant
     6. Holiday tradition - Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls on Christmas morning

BONUS
Christmas sex: What have you done under the mistletoe? Have you caught daddy kissing Santa Clause? Have you done it a santa suit? Did you come down the chimney? Just how merry have you made Santa's helpers?


Not normally frisky on Christmas Day. We're too exhausted from having the family over and cooking at our place. Although a good snuggle is always appreciated.

TMI Tuesday - Kiss The Cook

So I'm a little late in posting my answer to Sean's weekly TMI Tuesday questions.  But better late than never.

KISS THE COOK!

1. How good of a cook are you?

I'm a decent cook. I try to follow the recipes as well as possible and am always my worst critic when it comes to how the meal turns out.

2. Who taught you how to cook? 

My mom and grandmother taught me to cook. I wish I had spent more time in the kitchen with my grandmother. Her food was amazing and there are things that she made (glazed ham, potato salad, etc) that I wish I knew how to make.




3. Who does the cooking in your home?

Matt mostly does the cooking in the house. He's a really good cook and he's a little more freewheeling than I am. He measures by feel and doesn't look at recipes. He also loves to doctor up mixes and such. No take and bake pizza would be complete without Matt adding a little garlic salt and pizza seasoning from Penzey's.

4. Do you cook more or eat out more?

We eat out WAY too often (as referenced in my Saturday post). We tend to stick to the places that we like and go for more basic food than fancy or fru-fru.

5. Are you more of a cook or dessert maker?

This is where I excel - desserts.  I love making them! I'm especially good at baking cookies and cakes (not so good on the decorating). When I bake I use the best ingredients I can find (spices from Penzey's). I'm thinking about entering a few of my cookies in the Iowa State Fair, which is a pretty big deal. :-)






6. What was your worst/funniest cooking moment? 

I think I was about 12 and my brother and I decided to make peppermint candies. The recipe was pretty easy although I didn't think that 3 or 4 drops of peppermint extract would be enough. I added a lot and oh man those candies would have cleared the sinuses of even the most congested person.  Wow.  LOL

7. What's your best dish?

I make a mean lasagna. Oh it is sooooo good. I also do a red rice side dish that eats as a meal. I get a lot of requests for both of those dishes during pot lucks. Oh and my chocolate crackle cookies are legendary. 

Sean, if you ask nicely I'll send ya the recipes. :-)

8. Is revenge a dish best served cold? 


"Revenge" is a dish best served on Sunday nights at 9.  It is my favorite guilty pleasure and lord the men on that show are hot and delicious!







9. Is the best way to a man's heart truly through his stomach?  

A man who can cook is a sexy beast. When Matt and I first started dating, I made him dinner (lasagna, sides, black forest cheesecake). I tried to make it as romantic as possible.

BONUS
Have you made whoopee in the kitchen? Which foods have you used to spice up your love life?

Other than making out in the kitchen, I've never done the dirty. I don't recall using food to spice things up. 

I Hate Being Picky

Matt and I eat out a lot.

Way too much in fact.

Unfortunately it seems bad dining experiences and I have a habit of finding one another.

Tonight Matt and I attended a birthday dinner at a new Italian restaurant here in Ames. I really had high hopes for the place as there have not been any good Italian places in the city.

The night began very favorably as we were well taken care of in the lounge area. Unfortunately once we moved to the dining area things did not go as well.

After ordering our food, I felt as though I was invisible to the waiter.  While I watched our waiter ask other members of our party (about 15 people) if they would be interested in another drink from the bar, I sat with an empty gin & tonic glass in front of me then entire meal, never being asked if I would like another, which I would have if I had been asked.  

I also did not have a water glass, so I went without something to drink during the meal.  I know I could have attempted to get the waiter's attention, but when I observed other's being taken care of and then the waiter passing by, directly seeing my empty glass and kept on walking, it just frustrated me further. 

In addition, I also took note that our party's plates were cleared before dessert except mine. It wasn't until well after dessert that the plate was cleared and no one asked if I would have liked the pasta leftover boxed up.  All of this was occurred while I also observed members of the wait staff, including our waiter, eating and drinking at the service window in full view of the dining room guests.

I truly felt ignored as a customer for the better part of the evening.  I had high hopes for the restaurant and while the food was good, the service soured my evening.  I consciously chose not to say something during dinner as I didn't want to ruin my friend's birthday celebration.

I really hate being "that guy".  The one who complains in a restaurant about the food or service, or whatever.  But I feel like if I'm going to pay good money for a meal, that there are some basics that should be attended to. 

Oh and the Caprese salad was nothing short of disappointing - $9 for a few small chunks of cheese, sun-dried tomato and basil pesto.  I think I priced it at $1.13 a bite!

Sigh. 

Jim's Stuff: Random Questions

In the honored tradition of Sean's TMI Questions, Jim of Jim's Stuff has posted his own. Here are my answers.

1. Has anyone been to a Renaissance Fair? After seeing my pictures and tales would you want to go now? Would you dress up?

I've never been to a Renaissance Fair. But from reading Jim's blog, I have to admit, they look interesting. I would go to one if I could go with Jim (since he's a veteran and I HATE going to new things not knowing anyone).  I'd also dress up if it wasn't anything too embarrassing.  :-)

2. Has anyone just quit their job without having a job already lined up? If you did, how long did it take to get another job? And how did you get money for your monthly bills & expenses?

The last job I quit was working at McDonald's while in college - long story short, it sucked. In 2011, I was laid off from my teaching job. I had no idea what I was going to do and was pretty freaked out because my husband Matt had also recently lost his job. Fortunately I was hired by my current school district the day after the school year ended.  Whew!


3. What is the bravest thing you've done in your life? 

For me, coming out and being honest and open about being gay is probably the bravest thing I've done. I was miserable being in the closet and it was if a great weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Sharing this with my students is always nerve wracking for me, but if I'm able to be a role model for even one student who is gay, then it's worth it.

4. Do you or would you ever work in a job where you see your coworkers naked and they see you naked?

Not me, but a boy can dream right?

Well considering I teach for a living, I do not currently have employment where one would see me naked.  That being said, I don't think I'd have a problem with having a job where coworkers would see me nekkid.  

5. What would you consider to be your "Claim to fame"?

As I've blogged about previously, I was a contestant on "Jeopardy!". I had a very long 15 minutes of fame and loved every minute of it. But that was 7 years ago and is now just a very fond memory. Although I have to admit, it's still a blast when I tell people that I was on the show. 

6. If you were forced to wear a warning label, what would it say?

This one is easy, "Warning - Can take any conversation and make it inappropriate".  I can (and often do) take any conversation and make it sexual in nature. I'm incorrigible.