All is Fair in Love & War {and good editing}

After much time off from writing, I've been searching to something (really anything) to inspire  me back to writing... and I've found it!  My love for reality TV.  I heart the Bachelor/Bachelorette series on ABC.  Just to let all of you know, the opinions expressed in this blog are my and mine alone.  ABC didn't put me up to this and relax people, I'm joking on a lot of the stuff I'm about to say (so please don't get pissy if/when I offend you/your ideals/believes or political affiliation cuz I'm sure it will happen)!  Just remember I'm writing all of this in the name of reality television love!

Are you ready for some pre-season warm ups?  

Yes, I feel that the bachelorette is like a sport, everybody is competing for something; it should be love but I'm sure more are in it for fame, free booze, embarrassment, infamy...  There's a whole lotta fighting and crying all the way through season and in the end there is typically a shiny prize!  It's pretty much the NFL and the Final Rose is the Super Bowl.

Ok, now that's out of the way, I'm going to introduce you to the Bachelorette.

Name: Ashely Herbert

Age: 26

Occupation: Dentist

Hometown: Madawaska, ME

Claim to Fame:  Being dumped by Brad Womack on the last season of the Bachelor 

After reading all 25 of the guys Bio's here what I have to say about them:  

Ames, 31:  He is on this show for the fame and to whore around too, I'm sure.  Ashley, please don't give this guy a rose! 

Anthony, 28:  He's a butcher (creepy)... but seems like a nice fellow.  

Ben C, 28:  Ehhh, I'm not impressed.  I'm sure he will be sweet and all, but not the one for her.

Ben F, 28:  Winemaker +1, hair cut -3 

Bentley, 28:  His parents named him after a car, 1st mistake. 2nd Occupation: Businessman (can he be a bit more vague?) 3rd wearing a blue & red flannel for your official head shot says to me: I'm putting no effort into this and I'm an Ass! 

Blake, 27:  He's a Dentists so thats a good start and the guy can take a good photo. 

Chris D, 25:  Interview ? who do you most admire: "Barack Obama..." Minus 9,834,023,938,509 points! Sorry, you do not pass go, and do not collect a Rose! (p.s. I hope Ashely voted for Cheney/Palin) 

Chris M, 27:  He kinda looks like he's 16 & stoned but had good answers to his interview ?'s, so he won't be written off just yet.  

Constantine, 30:  I suspect he's actually a spy for whatever country still names their kids Constantine. 

Frank, 26:  The funny guys never lasts too long, sorry pal. P.S. your shirt has buttons for a reason. 

J.P. 34:  No picture, No love from me.  Also, please don't be so vague in your q&a, it's not mysterious & sexy, just annoying.  

Jeff, 35:  "If he could be someone else for just one day, who would it be and why? Arnold, the Governator, for his fitness success and position in our community."  Betcha he's regretting saying that now. LOL  

J.P.  26: He's ok(ish) on paper... guess we will really see what he's like when he opens his mouth. 

**OMG I'm only 1/2 way thru with these guys, why did I ever think writing about all of them was a good idea... I forgive you if you stop reading now and just look at their pictures from now on** 

Lucas, 30:  "Conservative Repupilcan"  Plus 5 points, comment on going to the country club kinda makes you a dork, but that's ok still.  Also, not too hard on the eyes. Hope he makes the top 3

Matt, 28:  "Occupation: Office Supply Salesman"  Can we say "The Office"  I like this guy already.  Also, the rest of his Q&A does not elude to him being a creeper.  I think he will make top 5 (that is if he isn't a weirdo when he opens his mouth). 

Michael, 29:  He's ok, I don't have a strong opinion one way or another... I also, haven't heard him speak yet.  Only time can tell... 

Mickey, 31:  I can't actually believe this guy has ever read a book.  Also, I think he was casting for a different show, maybe "true beauty" lets say and got mixed up and wandered into the Bachelorette casting. 

Nick, 26:  He's got the whole Matthew McConaughey thing going for him... 

Rob, 27:  This guy reminds me of Stifler on American Pie.  

Ryan M, 27:  He's from Michigan so extra points for him!  He kinda looks like a jock, which is also score additional points.  

Ryan P, 31:  This guy is the winner!  I don't actually have any proof that he is the winner, but he looks cute, he answered his Q&A with charm & intelligence, loves the earth and well I just see him and Ashley together.  Again, I've never heard him speak so I just hope he doesn't screw it but, because I'm already planning their wedding!

Stephen, 27:  He is a hairstylist... with that hair... No rose for you sir. 

Tim, 35:  HAHAHA, I'm not sure why, I just laugh when I see this guy.  There is just something about him that screams "I'm trying too hard and I act like I'm still in my early 20's" Please send him home on day 1 Ashley! 

West, 30:  I'm a sucker for blue eyes, and that's probably why I like this guy.  There isn't anything that stands out about him in a good or bad way.  I think he will go far in the show. 

William, 30:  "Do you have any pets and if so, what kind? No. Roommate has fish."  He's cute but has no brain, if you didn't believe me from that last quote of his, heres another "Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Doing stand-up comedy or voice over work." Way to aim high my friend... way to aim high. 

Finally I'm done!  Be sure to tune into ABC Monday Night, at 9/8c and tell me what you think of the guys!!  I hope my projected winner is actually a winner!  

@ Noble 

* All Photos were taken from ABC.com * 

Randoms

Ok, the hubs and I have been on Nutrisystem for a few days now and I must admit it is actually really great!  The portions are perfect for me, and they are helping C figure out what a portion size actually is lol.  The guide is super easy to follow and we are just overall really enjoying it.  All of the food we've tried, we have really liked.  I think we have found the perfect system that will help C loose weight, me keep my sanity (no more starving/shopping/trying to figure out what to cook)!!!

Ok, onto something else... work.  I love my job but I can't say that I love all of my co-workers.  I guess I just grew up with a totally different work ethic that most of them.  I don't like people that are lazy, rude and just over all seem as if asking them to actually do their work is a huge inconvenience for them.  I'm not sure how to handle these co-workers, so I'm not.  I'm just doing my job, try not to kick them in the shin in the process and I'm (sadly) pretty sure they will soon find themselves unemployed.

Another topic... Cookies!  I am in love with the Loft House Cookies.  There has to be crack in them because I'm ADDICTED to them like nothing else... hence my nick name for them... Crack Cookies.  In the past hour, I've had 3 of them.  I'm hoping to have a sugar crash soon so I can go to bed.

 I'm already getting ready for St. Patty's Day!

Nutrisystem Day 1

Hello bloggy friends, I've missed you, Hugs!  

If you read my last post, you will know that my husband is trying to loose some weight/get in shape and I have been feeling like I'm starving because of all the diet food.  Well, he decided to read my blog that day and then felt bad so he decided he/we should do Nutrisystem.  I was kinda skeptical, but I know other people that are doing it and they actually like the food and are seeing results.  So, we signed up for the family plan, some of our meals were picked for us and then we were able to choose a bunch more of our breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert items.  Any diet that allows you to have ice cream, pudding, chocolate chip cookies and a bunch of other sweets is AWESOME in my book.  The hubs had his meals customized to help him loose weight and mine are to maintain a healthy balanced diet.  It cost actually less that what we spend at the grocery store per month and I don't ever have to worry about what to cook now!! Yahoo!  We received our prepackaged food just a few days later via UPS and then I panicked... I had to figure out a place to put all of the food LOL.  I cleared out two shelves in my pantry ( one for C and one for me, so we wouldn't get mixed up) and began to organize my meals then gave up because they all looked pretty dang good.  Also, all the meals are color coded (red=dinner, green=lunch... love it!)  The next day our Fresh frozen items arrived via Schwans. The freezer bags where huge and I began to panic again because I had to make space in my Freezer.  I'm typically a good planner but I've been slacking lol. 

  

I know, its a mess but its delicious!

In front of the bag is an 8.5x11 inch note book! 

C "organized" the deep freezer

Now we have arrived to day 1 of our Nutrisystem journey (if I planned better I would have taken pictures of todays food, but we have already discussed me being off my game lately).  Nutrisystem gives you these great books for suggestions on meals and other info with lots of helpful tips and a few shopping lists for snacks.  For breakfast, I had their version of Cherrio's with little cluster of yummy goodness and cinnamon, a cup of fresh fruit and coffee.  I could have also added a protein of sorts but I was being lazy this morning.  For lunch my co-workers talked me into having mexican food and when it come to mexican food I have little to no will power, also I'm not on a diet LOL.  By the time I got home I was hungry because I didn't plan well (does anybody else see the obvious trend here, I've got to plan better!) So for dinner I had their Salisbury Steak with Mac and Cheese.  The Salisbury Steak was rather delicious, there were fresh mushrooms in the sauce (yum!).  The Mac and cheese, was good, but I like my Mac and Cheese almost over poweringly cheese and this didn't have a super strong cheese flavor.  I spruced it up with a little salt a pepper but could have eaten it the way it came, it was pretty good.  For my favorite meal of the day, dessert, I had a pound cake.  I was sweet, moist and didn't taste like diet food!  Over all, I'm impressed with Nutrisystem and can't wait to eat tomorrow (I might even document it with photos)!  Oh-yes and for those of you that are wondering about C, he liked all of his food and he ran 5 miles today!  I'm so proud of him.  I bet he will win next weeks weight in! 

Are any of you on a diet?  If so, what have you found that works best for you?  Also have any of you tried Nutrisystem and what are your thoughts on it?      

Side Note: Nutrisystem has not asked me to blog about their products, I'm not being paid to blog about it (but I will take donations/payment/bribes to say honest things about their products) and the opinions expressed in my blog about Nutrisystem are mine and mine alone. 

@ Noble 

Twinkies... yes please!

I haven't been feeling very bloggy lately and I think it's because I'm starving craving junk food & carbs.  My husband and 7 of this co-workers have decided to have their own "biggest looser" competition.  They have their weekly weight in and who ever looses the biggest percentage of weight wins that weeks weigh in and they are about to be on week 3 of the 10 week competition.  Just incase loosing weight wasn't enough of an incentive for these guys they decided to add money into their game.  At the start of the competition they all put $10 dollars in the pot and every week whoever wins the weigh in only has to put $5 in and the rest put in another $10 dollars.... After the 10 weeks is over the total amount of money to be won is $750 dollars!!  My husband is pretty hardcore when it comes to loosing weight and getting healthy... so as he is eating an egg white omelet for breakfast I'm eating a twinkie (he hates twinkies, so I don't feel bad eating it).  I have figured I can only go a few days without some sort of junk food lol.

I've actually been pretty good about eating really healthy with him but I'm human and still eat crap when he isn't around.  I'm finding it hard to be as into his diet as he is because I don't want to loose weight but do want a healthier life style. Any suggestions on finding the right balance of support/change?  Also, what are some of your favorite low calorie snack/ meals?  Is there such a thing as a low calorie good tasting dessert??      

Wordless Wednesday

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

These are just a few photos I took of where I grew up.  It will always be my winter wonder land. 

@ Noble 

P.S. There was NO post production editing done to these photos! 

My Weekend Recap

I love my job... I really do... But often I want to punch people in the kidneys numerous times throughout a work day. I had to work all weekend and that in itself just sucks. Saturday kicked my ass, so the hubs and I decided to go out to a Hockey game where I drank 3 glasses of wine (over 4 hours) and somehow ended up kinda tipsy! I must be loosing my Irish heritage because lately my head starts to spin after just a few drinks. I had to work 1 to 5 on Sunday and well, it was semi quiet for about 30 min then I was busy for the rest of the work day. I'm currently folding laundry at 7:00 am because if I don't it now, it won't get done until my day off on Thursday.

Onto another topic, the Super Bowl.  I'm not a diehard football fan but I was a cheerleader in high school so for 4 years of my life every friday night, I was watching football. I was VERY happy to see that Green Bay won!! I got a huge laugh out of Christina screwing up the words to the Nation Anthem. I mean come ON, how does an American singer screw up the words to the National Anthem!! I think she should be deported to Cuba. What she did is practically a hate crime against America. I thought the half time show sucked, but thats just me. I think the Black Eye Peas sounded like crap live but doesn't most rap/pop music. Post production sure makes them sound nice on their CD's but live = FAIL. I guess I'm asking a bit too much of the "artists" these days by wanting them to sound good live. And for the love of God, Please Fergie, NEVER EVER utter the words to "sweet child of mine" While I'm on the kick of deporting people, I think she should go too. The only good music that happened at half time was Slash. Thank you for not sucking Mr. Slash and I'm sorry you had to hear Fergie attempt to sing and use your leg as if was a stripper pole. What did you all think of the half time show? Am I being too harsh?

I will leave you all with my favorite super bowl commercial. I hope you all had a great weekend and have an even better week!

@ Noble

Dear Mr. Comcast

Some of you may know that yesterday I wrote about wanting a DVR for my Comcast cable and not having any clue about what the hell a DVR is or how it works.  Well, I got a response from the "help desk" at comcast.  Here's what is said: 

Alethea,

Can we help? (Yes, you could help me by actually reading what I wrote, you computer generated asshat!)  If you are having problems with your Comcast Cable/DVR, feel free to send us an email. (Yes, I am having a problem with my comcast cable/DVR... I don't have one and would like one.  Will you send me a DVR for free so I can test it out and possibly tell the world how great they are?  I'm sure it's in your PR budget to give away a few things here and there, also it will be a good tax write off of your company.)  Please include your account phone number and a good contact number. We will work to resolve any issue you are having with our service. (Currently the only issue I'm having with your service is, that for the past 3 years I've had comcast and it generally sucks.  The customer "service" is horrible!!  Possibly the worst I've ever had to deal with.  I also like how on your tv commercials your company says it cares, and if your reps are late to an appointment/don't fix the problem the first visit you will credit my bill by $20 dollars ... well, let me tell you, your repair man was late (over an hour) and didn't fix my problem on the first visit (it took 2 visit and about 3 phone calls to get a resolve) and I'm still waiting to see the credit for my inconvenience.  I really don't care to have the credit, it's just that when you advertise something, I think you should follow through with it.  You may be wondering why I still have Comcast.  It's simple.  I have to have your horrible service, if I want to watch television at my apartment because it's already wired for comcast cable (and included in my rent price) and my balcony doesn't face the proper direction to get the Dish.  It's a loose, loose situation for me.  I dislike comcast very much, but not enough to not watch tv.  Also Mr. Comcast can you please help me by not making the channels go black for long periods of time, or freeze or get all weirdly digital on a daily basis?  Lastly Mr. Comcast, I'm really not a bitch, I just expect for your service to work and work property and I really don't think that's too much to ask of you is it?  If you would like to change my mind about your service, please feel free to hook me up with a DVR, a nice customer service rep (preferably one that is in the same country as me) and cable that works properly.  I will be happy to give my honest feed back to you and the blogger world again.   

Best regards, (after you read my response you can change that if you would like)
Mike Padgeon (I'm pretty sure you don't actually exist, and if you do, you had a computer auto generate this response, which is rather annoying in itself but I will give you points for trying.)
National Customer Operations (based out of India)
We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com (I highly doubt you can, but I'm willing for you to try)  

Well, just incase some of you didn't guess my response to his letter is everything in BLUE.  Do any of you have Comcast and if you do, is it as horrible to you as it is to me?  I could go on and on (which I sorta have, sorry!) about how crappy I think the company is. It all seems to boil down to they have a monopoly on this market and I'm stuck with what I've got and I think they know it, therefore nothing will ever change.