As some of you may remember, I wrote several weeks ago about a particularly "dumb" radio DJ on one of my favorite pop stations. (During the height of the Eliot Spitzer scandal, he made a comment about his wife burning his Exterra if she caught him cheating. Yeah, that's the one!)He has amazed me, yet again, with his intelligence and of course I am going to tell you all about it...
Let me start by saying that I, in no way, feel that radio personalities have to be book smart. I understand that they get their jobs based on their abilities to attract an audience and score high ratings for the station. In addition, we all have our moments of "stupidity." So I was willing to forgive DJ Tony for his thoughtless remarks in regards to his wife burning the car. My "beef" is now with the people at the station responsible for editing pre-recorded commercial spots that the DJ's are paid to present.
It all started on Sunday when I was driving home from Houston. I got to the little city between Houston and Austin that starts picking up the Austin radio stations. I flipped to my pop station and heard DJ Tony doing a commercial for laser hair removal. He is talking about how laser hair removal is a much better gift than flowers because flowers die and laser hair removal lasts a lifetime. Never mind the time it takes to have your hair lasered off or the pain, rashes, and limited sun exposure that go along with it. (I digress!) Anyhow in the midst of his spiel, he says that laser hair removal is better than a "Bow-Ket" of flowers. A "Bow-Ket?" Did no one catch this when reviewing his recording? How embarrassing for him and annoying to his listeners who are subjected to hearing his pronunciation error time and time again as the commercial plays at least once every hour on this most popular station.
So this is my first "BEEF."
Next up...
DJ Tony Does It AGAIN!
In another pre-recorded commercial, DJ Tony is doing a promotional spot for a bartending school. He tells his personal story of working his way through college as a bartender. (That's right folks, he is college educated!) He goes on to say that he had to work his way through college because he was "not fed with silver spoon as a child." I am being ultra critical. I know! But... did anyone listen to this before putting it into the rotation to be played over and over again during the afternoon rush hour? Obviously what DJ Tony is trying to say is that he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He somehow fouled it up and no one has stopped the rotation or bothered to ask him about re-recording the spot. ANNOYING!
I, along with everyone else, make my share of mistakes. I bring these silly radio errors up because people are in such a hurry that they don't bother to check their work. Now, because of someones failure to edit, DJ Tony will forever be known as the guy that sends "bow-kets" of flowers and "wasn't fed with a silver spoon as a child."
I know! I know! I should probably be known as the super critical gal that nit-picks the radio DJ and makes her own mistakes all the time.
To that... I say "fair enough."
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Letter To Me
There is a song by Brad Paisley that is called "Letter to Me." I am sure that I have heard it but I am not sure that I ever really listened. That is, until today. My favorite morning show team decided to take the idea from the song and write letters to themselves at age 17. Some of the letters were funny and some heart warming. I thought it would be fun to think about what I would tell myself at 17 if I could write a "letter to me."
The song begins like this...
"If I could write a letter to me
And send it back in time to myself at 17
First I'd prove it's me by saying look under your bed
There's a Skoal can and a Playboy no one else would know you hid
And then I'd say I know it's tough
When you break up after seven months
And yeah I know you really liked her and it just don't seem fair
All I can say is pain like that is fast and it's rare"
The song goes on with verses similar to that above. I encourage people to listen to it. It's fun and a really interesting idea!
Dear Lauren,
Hi! It's me. Your older self. How can I prove it? Just look down at that silly "NLS" tatoo you got when you were 15. You will have that covered up with a little black heart next year. The dove tatoo below the "NLS" and the heart that will soon cover the "NLS" will stretch tremendously later in life when you have a baby. You probably should have picked a different spot on your body for a tatoo or not had your high school boyfriend's initials tatooed on your hip at all for that matter. I know it will seem like the end of the world when the two of you break-up, but trust me, it's for the best.
When you are deciding which college to attend, think long and hard about the type of education that you want to receive and where you want to spend the next 4 years of your life. I know it will be hard to leave your friends behind, but in the long run you want to be in a positive environment where you can flourish. Partying is fun, but it will not get you ahead in life.
I know that at 18 it's almost impossible to know what you want to do with your life, but choose your college courses wisely. Focus. These are some of the best days of your life, but they are also going to be instrumental in shaping the future you.
Don't worry so much about your high school and college boyfriends and relationships. Though all of the boys and your relationships with them will play a role in who you are to become, none of them will become your husband. Don't let yourself lose sight of your dreams because you think "no one will love you like he does." Someone else will love you more than he ever did.
Accept challenges. Don't be afraid. All of the things that happen to you will help to make you a better person in the future. You have to learn to face adversity in order to become strong.
Some of the very best and some of the very worst things will happen to you between the ages of 20 and 30. Keep in mind during times of hardship that time and faith are the only two things that will heal your pain. You can always count on your family to be there for you. Don't take them for granted. You will develop friendships with people who will become like family and be there for you when family cannot. Be thankful for these people each and every day.
July 17, 2004 will be a very special day for you. Look forward to this day!
September 8, 2005 will be the best day of your life thus far. You will receive the most precious gift that God and your husband could ever give. Love and cherish every minute with this most precious, wonderful person. She will grow up faster than you think!
Love yourself and your appearance now. As you get older, you will look back at today and think "Wow! I really did look good back then!" Try to focus on the big picture. Worry less. Love more. Be proud of who you are and what you will become.
Love,
Me
P.S. A very important note to self. You will thank me for this later. Don't use credit cards. Save your money and pay with cash. Credit card debt can last a lifetime. Be careful and spend wisely!
*****
Thoughts?
In writing this letter to myself, I thought about all the things that I could have warned myself about. I realized that I would not be the person who I am today if all the bad things had not come along with the good. The bad times were bad. Really bad. Bad things happen and I have made poor choices. The important thing is that I learned. I continue to learn. On the other hand, the good has been extraordinarily good! I am extremely lucky. I have been blessed. And best of all, I am proud of "the me" that the 17 year-old Lauren became.
The song begins like this...
"If I could write a letter to me
And send it back in time to myself at 17
First I'd prove it's me by saying look under your bed
There's a Skoal can and a Playboy no one else would know you hid
And then I'd say I know it's tough
When you break up after seven months
And yeah I know you really liked her and it just don't seem fair
All I can say is pain like that is fast and it's rare"
The song goes on with verses similar to that above. I encourage people to listen to it. It's fun and a really interesting idea!
Dear Lauren,
Hi! It's me. Your older self. How can I prove it? Just look down at that silly "NLS" tatoo you got when you were 15. You will have that covered up with a little black heart next year. The dove tatoo below the "NLS" and the heart that will soon cover the "NLS" will stretch tremendously later in life when you have a baby. You probably should have picked a different spot on your body for a tatoo or not had your high school boyfriend's initials tatooed on your hip at all for that matter. I know it will seem like the end of the world when the two of you break-up, but trust me, it's for the best.
When you are deciding which college to attend, think long and hard about the type of education that you want to receive and where you want to spend the next 4 years of your life. I know it will be hard to leave your friends behind, but in the long run you want to be in a positive environment where you can flourish. Partying is fun, but it will not get you ahead in life.
I know that at 18 it's almost impossible to know what you want to do with your life, but choose your college courses wisely. Focus. These are some of the best days of your life, but they are also going to be instrumental in shaping the future you.
Don't worry so much about your high school and college boyfriends and relationships. Though all of the boys and your relationships with them will play a role in who you are to become, none of them will become your husband. Don't let yourself lose sight of your dreams because you think "no one will love you like he does." Someone else will love you more than he ever did.
Accept challenges. Don't be afraid. All of the things that happen to you will help to make you a better person in the future. You have to learn to face adversity in order to become strong.
Some of the very best and some of the very worst things will happen to you between the ages of 20 and 30. Keep in mind during times of hardship that time and faith are the only two things that will heal your pain. You can always count on your family to be there for you. Don't take them for granted. You will develop friendships with people who will become like family and be there for you when family cannot. Be thankful for these people each and every day.
July 17, 2004 will be a very special day for you. Look forward to this day!
September 8, 2005 will be the best day of your life thus far. You will receive the most precious gift that God and your husband could ever give. Love and cherish every minute with this most precious, wonderful person. She will grow up faster than you think!
Love yourself and your appearance now. As you get older, you will look back at today and think "Wow! I really did look good back then!" Try to focus on the big picture. Worry less. Love more. Be proud of who you are and what you will become.
Love,
Me
P.S. A very important note to self. You will thank me for this later. Don't use credit cards. Save your money and pay with cash. Credit card debt can last a lifetime. Be careful and spend wisely!
*****
Thoughts?
In writing this letter to myself, I thought about all the things that I could have warned myself about. I realized that I would not be the person who I am today if all the bad things had not come along with the good. The bad times were bad. Really bad. Bad things happen and I have made poor choices. The important thing is that I learned. I continue to learn. On the other hand, the good has been extraordinarily good! I am extremely lucky. I have been blessed. And best of all, I am proud of "the me" that the 17 year-old Lauren became.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Weekend Photos-Our Trip to Houston
I took Olivia to Houston this weekend to visit with Grandma "Grape" (as Olivia has named her). We had a very fun visit. Olivia got to see her great Uncle Danny and his girls Aubrey, Christian, and Emily. We also got to visit with Olivia's great Uncle Jeff.
Grandma and I did our usual shopping and talking. It was very relaxing and so nice to spend the weekend with family.
Friday, April 4, 2008
For All The "Sissy" Haters Out There
Check this out...
Meet Sissy Farenthold
Election Day is coming. So today I'd like to introduce you to one of Texas' pioneering female elected officials. Hat tip to The Princess for research and initial draft. I know, I'm lame, but give me a break, people! It's election season, and I'm busy! I'm in grad school and working for a candidate who I won't name, because Texas NOW can't endorse, but his name rhymes with Hark Drama.
Anyway...
Frances "Sissy" Farenthold, a Texas native, received her bachelor's degree from Vassar College, then a JD from the University of Texas Law School. In a student body of 800, she was one of only three women. After graduation, she worked as a field lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union from 1965 to 1967. She also served as the Nueces County legal aid director. Her work in both of these roles exposed her to a world of poverty and injustice that she had never known. Farenthold turned to politics.
She ran in several political races in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1968, she won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives representing Corpus Christi. She and Barbara Jordan were the only two women serving in the Legislature at the time. Farenthold was one of the so-called Dirty Thirty - the thirty House members who rebelled against a corrupt Speaker back in the early '70s. In fact, she sponsored a resolution calling for an internal investigation into the Speaker's shady financial dealings. Brave lady!
She was part of the organizing conference for the Texas Women's Political Caucus. In 1972, six women were elected to the Legislature, and the TWPC endorsed Farenthold as a gubernatorial candidate. Sissy lost, but TWPC remained active in politics and in 1973 hosted the first convention of the National Women's Political Caucus. At that meeting, Farenthold was elected chair of the national caucus.
Farenthold was also active in national politics. She served as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami and was nominated for Vice President of the United States. This was the first time a woman had ever been nominated and voted on for the position. She came in second, but her nomination proved that women were contenders for the top spots on the ticket.
From 1976 to 1980, Farenthold served as president of Wells College ⿿ the first woman to be named so since its founding in 1868. While there, she founded the Public Leadership Education Network, a national consortium of women⿿s colleges that together offer opportunities for women to develop into public policy leadership roles.
In the 1980s, Farenthold continued to influence national politics. In 1984, she again served as a delegate to the national convention. In 1988, she was a delegate to the Platform Committee of the Democratic National Convention, and that year she received the Lyndon Baines Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Democratic Party in 1998.
Farenthold has also been active in international affairs. She has served as a human rights observer in Iraq, El Salvador, Honduras, South Korea, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cuba, and the former Soviet Union.
Farenthold currently lives in Houston. She lobbies in both Austin and Washington for progressive and humanitarian causes. She also serves as board chair of the Rothko Chapel in Houston.
**This was taken from the Texas NOW Blog Archive**
Thanks Dad!
Meet Sissy Farenthold
Election Day is coming. So today I'd like to introduce you to one of Texas' pioneering female elected officials. Hat tip to The Princess for research and initial draft. I know, I'm lame, but give me a break, people! It's election season, and I'm busy! I'm in grad school and working for a candidate who I won't name, because Texas NOW can't endorse, but his name rhymes with Hark Drama.
Anyway...
Frances "Sissy" Farenthold, a Texas native, received her bachelor's degree from Vassar College, then a JD from the University of Texas Law School. In a student body of 800, she was one of only three women. After graduation, she worked as a field lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union from 1965 to 1967. She also served as the Nueces County legal aid director. Her work in both of these roles exposed her to a world of poverty and injustice that she had never known. Farenthold turned to politics.
She ran in several political races in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1968, she won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives representing Corpus Christi. She and Barbara Jordan were the only two women serving in the Legislature at the time. Farenthold was one of the so-called Dirty Thirty - the thirty House members who rebelled against a corrupt Speaker back in the early '70s. In fact, she sponsored a resolution calling for an internal investigation into the Speaker's shady financial dealings. Brave lady!
She was part of the organizing conference for the Texas Women's Political Caucus. In 1972, six women were elected to the Legislature, and the TWPC endorsed Farenthold as a gubernatorial candidate. Sissy lost, but TWPC remained active in politics and in 1973 hosted the first convention of the National Women's Political Caucus. At that meeting, Farenthold was elected chair of the national caucus.
Farenthold was also active in national politics. She served as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami and was nominated for Vice President of the United States. This was the first time a woman had ever been nominated and voted on for the position. She came in second, but her nomination proved that women were contenders for the top spots on the ticket.
From 1976 to 1980, Farenthold served as president of Wells College ⿿ the first woman to be named so since its founding in 1868. While there, she founded the Public Leadership Education Network, a national consortium of women⿿s colleges that together offer opportunities for women to develop into public policy leadership roles.
In the 1980s, Farenthold continued to influence national politics. In 1984, she again served as a delegate to the national convention. In 1988, she was a delegate to the Platform Committee of the Democratic National Convention, and that year she received the Lyndon Baines Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Democratic Party in 1998.
Farenthold has also been active in international affairs. She has served as a human rights observer in Iraq, El Salvador, Honduras, South Korea, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cuba, and the former Soviet Union.
Farenthold currently lives in Houston. She lobbies in both Austin and Washington for progressive and humanitarian causes. She also serves as board chair of the Rothko Chapel in Houston.
**This was taken from the Texas NOW Blog Archive**
Thanks Dad!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Sissy Shingleton
Today when we got to school, Olivia's teacher asked me if she had a nickname.
Ms.T: "What is Olivia's middle name?
Me: "Jane."
Ms.T: "Do you ever call her Olivia Jane?"
Me: "No."
Ms.T: "We have too many Olivia's in our class and they are all confused when we call their name."
Me: "We call her Livvie."
Ms.T: "The other Olivia goes by Livvie and she has been here longer."
Me: "I call her Sissy."
Ms.T: "Can we call her Sissy too?"
Me: "Olivia, can they call you Sissy?"
Olivia: **Head Nods...Big Smile
Ms.T: "Can we change her name on the wall, cubbie, etc... to say Sissy?"
Me: "Ok, whatever works!"
So, I guess Olivia has become "Sissy."
When I got to work, I was telling my co-workers about the "Sissy" drama and they assured me that I had just "cursed" her for life. Thanks for nothing! I was thinking that I had done her a favor. It could have been worse. I could have said that we called her "Tooty" or "Stinky," right? I only had 2 seconds to think about it. Should I have said "Liv" and if so, would it have been approved?
Sissy Spacek is a great actress and she has lived with "Sissy" just fine. (At least as far as I know!) Then there are those stars with really cute names like "Busy Phillips" who got her name when she was little for being so "busy." And of course, "Miley Cyrus" who got her name because she was "Smiley Miley." (She was born Destiny Hope Cyrus...I would change my name to Miley too!) Should I have tried harder to come up with something original and cute? Don't get me wrong, I love "Sissy." I am Aunt Sissy to Reagan and Elissa is Sissy to me and Aunt Sissy to Olivia, but that is just our affectionate name for one another, not on our nametags at school/work. Oh well, I just have to hope that she really likes being called "Sissy." She did flash that big grin when she heard Ms. T call her "Sissy!"
****
Andy (the cat) made it through surgery just fine. He has quite a few stitches in his neck and he looks thin, but hopefully he will not develop any more tumors.
Ms.T: "What is Olivia's middle name?
Me: "Jane."
Ms.T: "Do you ever call her Olivia Jane?"
Me: "No."
Ms.T: "We have too many Olivia's in our class and they are all confused when we call their name."
Me: "We call her Livvie."
Ms.T: "The other Olivia goes by Livvie and she has been here longer."
Me: "I call her Sissy."
Ms.T: "Can we call her Sissy too?"
Me: "Olivia, can they call you Sissy?"
Olivia: **Head Nods...Big Smile
Ms.T: "Can we change her name on the wall, cubbie, etc... to say Sissy?"
Me: "Ok, whatever works!"
So, I guess Olivia has become "Sissy."
When I got to work, I was telling my co-workers about the "Sissy" drama and they assured me that I had just "cursed" her for life. Thanks for nothing! I was thinking that I had done her a favor. It could have been worse. I could have said that we called her "Tooty" or "Stinky," right? I only had 2 seconds to think about it. Should I have said "Liv" and if so, would it have been approved?
Sissy Spacek is a great actress and she has lived with "Sissy" just fine. (At least as far as I know!) Then there are those stars with really cute names like "Busy Phillips" who got her name when she was little for being so "busy." And of course, "Miley Cyrus" who got her name because she was "Smiley Miley." (She was born Destiny Hope Cyrus...I would change my name to Miley too!) Should I have tried harder to come up with something original and cute? Don't get me wrong, I love "Sissy." I am Aunt Sissy to Reagan and Elissa is Sissy to me and Aunt Sissy to Olivia, but that is just our affectionate name for one another, not on our nametags at school/work. Oh well, I just have to hope that she really likes being called "Sissy." She did flash that big grin when she heard Ms. T call her "Sissy!"
****
Andy (the cat) made it through surgery just fine. He has quite a few stitches in his neck and he looks thin, but hopefully he will not develop any more tumors.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A Good Report
We went to the doctor yesterday and got a good report. Olivia does have an upper respiratory infection, but he said that it was normal and maybe even allergy related. I didn't even get to use my CVS coupon since no antibiotics were required, but at least my baby girl is not too sick. She is back at school today and so far, so good. I did get a cute snapshot of "my little star" on the way to the doctor's office. She makes a momma proud!
In other Shingleton Family News...Andy the cat had an operation today to remove a golf ball sized tumor from his neck. I have to pick him up this afternoon from the vet's office. I am hoping that he makes a full recovery since he is our favorite cat! (He's the only cat--I don't play favorites!)
And last but not least, Tubee! Yes, he is STILL hang'in in there. At this point, I am thinking that I may need to start a college fund for him. Looks like he is going to be a permanent fixture in our lives.
In other Shingleton Family News...Andy the cat had an operation today to remove a golf ball sized tumor from his neck. I have to pick him up this afternoon from the vet's office. I am hoping that he makes a full recovery since he is our favorite cat! (He's the only cat--I don't play favorites!)
And last but not least, Tubee! Yes, he is STILL hang'in in there. At this point, I am thinking that I may need to start a college fund for him. Looks like he is going to be a permanent fixture in our lives.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Jokes on Me...
Not Really. It's just that Olivia got sick last night. Fever. Vomit. Crying.
I was just getting settled back into my routine at work after two 3 day weeks due to vacation time and time off for my grandpa's funeral. I guess it will be another short week for me as I am off today again. I shouldn't complain. I get to spend the whole day with my little girl. I just wish that she felt better.
We are off to the doctor at 9:30, but a whole day at home means one of 2 things: I will either be posting updates all day or cleaning up puke! Pray for the posts!
P.S. Hypothetically speaking, is it bad for me to hope that the doctor gives Olivia a prescription so I can use my CVS coupon and get a $25.00 gift card for filling a new medicine there?
I was just getting settled back into my routine at work after two 3 day weeks due to vacation time and time off for my grandpa's funeral. I guess it will be another short week for me as I am off today again. I shouldn't complain. I get to spend the whole day with my little girl. I just wish that she felt better.
We are off to the doctor at 9:30, but a whole day at home means one of 2 things: I will either be posting updates all day or cleaning up puke! Pray for the posts!
P.S. Hypothetically speaking, is it bad for me to hope that the doctor gives Olivia a prescription so I can use my CVS coupon and get a $25.00 gift card for filling a new medicine there?
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