99 Luftballons

"Do you have some time for me?

Then I'll sing a song for you

of 99 balloons

on their way to the horizon."

(source)

It's funny that lately when I talk to my friends they're often like "Ooo Are you gonna blog about that?!" haha And it happened just like that yesterday when I was telling some people how I'm learning the German lyrics to "99 Red Balloons".

Silly as it is, this is my new personal goal. Every night I spend a few minutes singing in German. Over & over again. I've got the first verse memorized & the second I can read along with the right timing. I think in a few weeks I'll be karaoke-ready with no problem! But it's not for the karaoke glory...

This is my little way of brushing up on vocabulary & grammar rules. See there's a poem, called Die Lorelei, that I memorized way back in high school. And I can remember the full translation of all the words in this really long poem. So I thought why not just memorize more? If nothing else, at least I could fully rock out at 80's night, right?

So now I'm a diligent student of Nena. And have watched the music video at least 15 times. haha It's the worst video ever, you have to check out the keyboard player & the faces he makes! Love it. So, want to sing along with me?

Lyrics

4 in 1

Are you kids ready for this?
I'm about to throw 4 posts at you, all wrapped up into 1. That's right, I said 4! A prize to give, an award to receive, a flashback & a bloghop.

Take a deep breathe. Let's do this...

A Prize to Give
I'm really excited about the winner of my 1 year blogoversary giveaway! She's an old friend from college who I don't get to see NEARLY enough & love very dearly

The winner is... DOVEY!!!!! (aka Helen)
In celebration, you can all join me in the theme song to our friendship (to the tune of "all you need is love")

All you need is DOVE

*bah badada dah*

All you need is Dove

*bah badada dah*

All you need is Dove, Dove.

Dove is all you need.

An Award to Recieve 

A big thank you to Emily for my very first blog award!

As per the rules, I'll give you 7 facts about me & then pass it on. And I want to pass it to Amanda from "Breathing in the Wind". She's just a sweetheart, recently engaged so cuteness has been supercharged as of late, & she's just had a tough week so maybe this will give her a boost? Here's to you, Amanda!

7 Things About Me:

1. I have an addictive personality, meaning when I like something I go 100% obsessed. Glee, running, it happens all the time.
2. I have a birthmark on my hand that people always try to wipe off as dirt.
3. I would eat Mexican food EVERY DAY if it wouldn't kill me.
4. I don't like chicken, people always find that strange about me.
5. People get suspicious of me all the time because I smile without noticing so they think I'm being judgmental or plotting something.  It's happened to me for as long as I can remember.
6. I like nicknames, but can't stand when people shorten my name to Laur. Really? That extra syllable is too much?
7. I like to spoon. Anytime of any day. haha This is to bring it back around to Dovey who really started the spoon movement back at IUP. Which leads us to....

A Flashback

Spooning with Dovey & Matt in the dorms circa 2005

I like to be the middle spoon

Are you all still hanging on? Let's wrap it up...

A Bloghop

Love Letters

 (source: WeHeartIt)

I know this is a little early, but I wanted to do something that takes a bit of advanced planning. I hope you'll go along with it.

Valentine's day turns me into a grump-monster every single year. It makes me want to go drinking or sit alone watching Bridget Jones. I blame it on the fact that all my Valentine's Days of yore have been total crap whether or not there's a man by my side... at least I like that explanation better than my cold, callused heart. The best V-Day's I ever spent were wishing for Cupid's death in an epic ceremony of liqueur & inappropriate games.

But what I do celebrate & have no shortage of is LOVE. My life is filled to the brim & overflowing with love. And that I can rally around... not overpriced flowers & overcrowded restaurants... just letting the people who brighten your life know that they are so very much loved. And that includes you folks.

So here's my offer...

I would really like to send a valentine to all of you! All you have to do is fill out the little form that goes nowhere but to ME (I promise!) & check your mailbox around Feb. 14th. Will you be my Valentine?

Whoopie Pies

This past weekend, Mark & I spent some time in the kitchen whipping up a treat for the football party. Mark always likes to try new challenges, & I love anything that reminds me of PA Dutch traditions, so whoopie pies seemed like the perfect project.

The only real road block we ran into was the decision on which recipe to use. It's the classic cook vs. baker debate... I need to follow recipes exactly because I think that baking is a magic spell that you need to do just right. Mark likes to freestyle & switch ingredients. Also simple vs. healthy... sure butter & sugar can make frosting, but do I really want to be a diabetic?

Anyway, we ended up making weight watchers cakes, & the least weight watcher friendly cream possible. It's like ordering a bacon cheese burger & expecting your diet coke to balance it. Whatever. They tasted amazing. And in the end it was a good balance with the sugary icing & not-so-sweet cakes.

Taken from: Nosh With Me

• 1 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.

With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the sugar, shortening and egg white in a medium bowl until fluffy and well blended (about 2 minutes).

Stir in the flour mixture, then add the milk until just blended.

Drop the dough (it will be a cross between cake batter and cookie dough in consistency) by spoonfuls onto large, ungreased baking sheets (I used Silpats), making 36 cookies.

Bake until top springs back when lightly touched (5-7 minutes).

Cool completely on the sheets on a rack.

 

Shame on me, I didn't save the site I stole this from.

This part is magical. You swear it's never going to work for a solid 2 minutes & then suddenly *poof* it's a creamy frosting!

• 1 cup solid vegetable shortening*
• 1 1/2 cups powdered (confectioner's) sugar
• 2 cups Marshmallow Fluff**
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

* Butter may be substituted for all or part of the vegetable shortening, although traditional Whoopie Pies are made with vegetable shortening only

** Marshmallow Creme may be substituted.

 

In a medium bow, beat together shortening, sugar, and Marshmallow fluff; stir in vanilla extract until well blended.

Another Perfect Snow Day

Last week the snow began to fall again & the flakes piled high enough to bring about another snow day. Considering the lengthy healing time most of my playmates experienced from the previous snow day, I knew snow-football wouldn't be a likely option this time around. And to be honest I had work to do, even if only from the confines of my living room.

But I did make time for a lunch break field trip...

It was actually a ploy to cheer up Jen... I enticed her with promised of a vegetarian lunch buffet, shelves of spices, and the option to pick up fancy flours for the pancake party happening that night. (side note: I brought my camera to the food co-op but not to a pancake party? Where are my priorities?!)

It makes me feel like I'm in an old-timey general store... only imagine that store was taken over with hipsters instead of cowboys.

And along the way I found the perfect gift for a few friends... it was a good day out of the office.

HERE WE GO!!

Here we go!

Steelers!

HERE WE GO!

Pittsburgh's Going to the Super Bowl!!!

If you know ANYTHING about Pittsburgh, you know I got almost no sleep last night from excitement & tingles & adrenaline because WE'RE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL, BABY!!!

Again.

So if you have expectations that I can talk about anything else this morning, you're going to be severely disappointed.

Here are a few of my favorite highlights from last night...

(they're both super short)

Preach it, Coach!

Yeah... this happened. And I loved it.

And of course, I couldn't disregard the current Pittsburgh anthem...

Black & Yellow

BLOGoversary: 1 Year

Happy Birthday to Heya, Sparky! you're 1 year old.

I hope that throughout this year I've expressed my sincere gratitude to everyone reading these words for all the ways your presence has shaped & molded my year.

Last January when I started typing away, it was for me me me. But then one day I realized people were actually reading this thing... & not just my mom or the 3 people I could account for from leaving comments. There were like actual people reading along. And then I made friends. Wonderful, sweet friends. And then people who are far away from me were connecting to my everyday life in a way they weren't able to before. And then even more people were reading if you can believe it. And, just as it should be, my focus became more about you you you.

Fantastic you.

So with a year's experience now under my belt, I have some goals of how I'm going to better take care of YOU folks from this benchmark on.

1. Take better pictures. You deserve the planning it takes & I'm going to try to step it up a notch. Quality over quantity.
2. Keep it Real. Sometimes things are just silly & I like to share, but looking back I think the best posts are the ones that come from the heart. I'll try to keep that in my focus.
3. Stay a Joiner. I'm really loving the "I'm a Joiner" page even though it's still tiny & growing. I hope to turn it into a place of resource when we're looking for somewhere to plug in with one another.

BLOGoversary Giveaway

As my big thank you to everyone for a great year, I have a little something to give away. (Actually 2 little somethings! Keep reading...) I made it myself so I hope you like it...

Wire & Lace Brooch

"Lovely" - 3" x 1.5"

Prize #1
Win a custom wire & lace brooch with a word of your choice.
To enter, "like" Heya, Sparky! on Facebook. You can use the link or the box under the Contact Me section to the left.

Prize #2
Win this brooch with phrase"lovely".
 To enter, grab a button & add me to your blogroll. Leave a comment letting me know you did. Please make sure you link back or leave an email address so I can contact you if you win!

Both winners will be drawn at random on Sunday. Go ahead & enter for both!

Cheers to a great year spent together 

& another great year to come!

Who's Working It Now?

Last week Natalie's prize from the Work It Wednesday contest showed up at our doorstep. I wasn't actually sure what the prize would be, I just knew it was worth a certain dollar amount, but when I opened the little box I couldn't believe how much was actually in there! Emily, you are a bargain goddess.

And it wasn't all just for Natalie either...

See that stack of people-sized clothes? Oh yes. I got 2 shirts, a hoodie, & pajama pants from Old Navy! Natalie also got a hoodie to match her momma, a pretty pink girlie bandanna, some new collars (doesn't it remind you of Lady & the Tramp?), tiny pink tennis balls that are small enough for her to actually play with, and treats that look so yummy I'm a little jealous.

So here we are, one last Work It Wednesday to strut our stuff in our new matching outfits...

Tree-Huggers Delight

This is a guest post from your favorite hippie & mine, B-Stew. She asked me well before the holidays if she could write a post on my blog about her eco-friendly travel experience, & even though being one with nature doesn't exactly sparky my fire, it sure does for her! Little did I know I'd get to google search photo after photo of shirtless Brad Pitt... SOLD. So without further adieu...
_____________________________________________

No, I'm not going to use my guest blogging opportunity talk about Fight Club (and my recent obsession with Edward Norton...yes, I realize I'm 12 years behind). As Norton's character points out, flights are filled with single servings, from the single serving friend sitting beside you to the single serving bag of 16 pretzels. Every six hours, in the US alone, 1 million disposable, one-time use, single-serving cups are distributed.

Every 6 hours.

For a bit of a backstory, I moved from Pittsburgh to Washington (the state, not D.C.) to get a masters in environmental education. For one of my classes, we had to conduct a behavior change project--on ourselves. I decided that, for one week, I would not purchase or use single-serving packaging--no paper Starbucks coffee cup, no granola bar, no single-serving bottle beverage, no take-out or fast food, etc. etc. I made my own granola bars; I carried my coffee mug everywhere; I made sure I had enough snacks in reusable containers that I wouldn't have to buy the pre-wrapped goodies at the deli. I made it through the challenge, which brought to light how much packaging we consume daily. Especially the single-serving kind. After the project, I still tried to reduce the amount of single-serving packaging I consumed. And, I try to vote with my dollar as much as possible, and buy things with the least amount of packaging or the most packaging that can be reused/recycled/composted.

My next challenge: I would fly from Seattle to Pittsburgh without using single servings. The added challenges: carry-on restrictions, 11 hours of travel time, and not eating in the airports due to packaging/costs of sit-down restaurants/being a vegetarian.

So what did I end up taking?

• 6 bananas
• graham crackers
• pretzels
• trail mix
• raisins
• carob chips
• carrots

A few things I was worried about not making it through security: almond butter and celery, a container of almond butter, and an avocado. But, luckily, everything went through splendidly. And, yes, most of my backpack was food, crowded around my laptop...

The single serving friends that were sitting beside me during the flights might have thought t it was strange that I politely declined the teensy bag of pretzels and beverage from the flight attendant, while attempting to cut an avocado with a spork and drinking from a water bottle. But maybe, even though I didn't discuss single servings with anyone, it sparked a thought on the one-time-use nature of travel and the little things an individual can do to reduce their consumption and their impact on this world that we love to travel, see, and experience.

Steeler Ladies

How is this 2 years old & I've never heard it until shopping at the Salvation Army yesterday afternoon?!

And how adorable are these girls!
Love it...




Big game today. Go Steelers!

Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness...

(source)

Hi friends, no Flashback Friday today. I've got something on my mind that's a little more important than baby pictures or college memories... although it's something that has been brewing since college.

Every time the news mentions any combination of these 5 words, my blood starts to boil & my heart sinks:

• Fred
• Phelps
• Westboro
• Baptist
• Church

I think you all know who I'm talking about... If you don't, go ahead & google them. I won't post photos here or replay all the hate they spew, not in this space. Just make sure there are no children around when you google, they shouldn't have to see those kinds of words.

I can't actually put into words all the horrible ways I feel & hurt whenever I think of this group or hear news of them, but I'm sure you have an idea yourself. It's sickening, it's angering, & it feels so hopeless because what can you do? I've seen so much news coverage where people TOTALLY loose their cool trying to talk to these people & the outrage just turns them into monsters themselves. Again, what can you do? Well, sometimes we give ourselves the best advice... a few days ago I uploaded an image to my school's website for MLK Day with a quote saying:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that"

Well it turns out there ARE a couple things you can do. Nothing that will make hate-filled people stop, but there are ways to care for eachother in the midst of it. And I think I've found a way how people already are responding in love, and a way that we can start to respond in love.

Angel Action
I first saw this on the news back in college, & it's genius. In response to Westboro protests, particularly when they protest at a funeral, people have banned together dressed as angels with 10 foot high wings to create a barricade. That way people can mourn in peace, seeing only rows of angels rather than horrific signs. It amazes me, it inspires me, & I hope someday I get to be a part of something like that. Of course, hope MORE that these people change, but that's a longshot so I'll be prepared to join in the angel ranks.


Counter Donations
You know how some people get sponsors to raise money, like for every mile you run I'll give $1 toward the charity you're supporting? There's a website that had a great idea. They're called GodLovesAll.org, but I really don't think this is only a God issues... it's a human issue. They offer to send you an email that tells you the total number of hours Westboro has picketed that month, then you can make a donation to charity of your chosen amount for every hour. The more they protest, the more love you give out. In a way it makes them work against themselves & THAT is a good feeling! The website doesn't take donations, you do that on your own, it only gives you the totaled hours.

I'll be adding this to my "I'm a Joiner" page so you can reference it again in the future. Knowing that there are ways to add light to the world in the midst of so much thick, suffocating darkness help me a little. I hope it helps you too & restores some of your hope.

The Perfect Snow Day

I've lived in the north my whole life... & over the years I've developed a fail-safe recipe for how to spend your snowday. Books & movies are fine for an evening of snow, preferably coupled with a warm fireplace, but an entire day halted from the normal routine calls for more.

#1) Get Out There

Perfect snow is fleeting. It's an imperative to the perfect day that snow be enjoyed while fresh. In a few days it will be dirty & slushy & curse-worthy, but for those first few hours it's like fairy dust.
#2) Add Friends
Snow days aren't just for children anymore, but it's ok to act like one. So go play with the other kids in the neighborhood just like the good ol' days. The sure way to keep from feeling the cold is a warm heart & never standing still... except for photo ops.

#3) Warm It Up With Cocoa
It's a well known law of nature that snow-dampened clothing cannot dry unless cocoa is being consumed. All efforts to the contrary are futile. Cocoa is best enjoyed with tiny marshmallows, a splash of milk, & surrounded with other soggy playmates.
#4) Munch Munch
Now that you've thawed, feeling has undoubtedly been restored to your stomach & the hunger must be silenced. Please remember this is a snow day for your kitchen too, show it the proper respect by choosing dinner at your favorite restaurant... calories don't count on snow days.

#5) Go To Bed Early
You've earned it... goodnight, everyone!

**Wordless Wednesday was a great option since most on the words in my mind today aren't appropriate for you dear, sweet readers. Snow is so lovely as it falls at night, but during the morning commute... not so much. This morning they didn't cancel school until I had already left for work & almost slid to my death on the way. No no no, look at the pretty pictures & don't listen to me.

Puting Away the Tree

I guess it's about that time. Tonight I reluctantly started packing away the Christmas tree. Proper protocol says this should be done right after New Years, but I think you can get away with most of January before you're officially labeled "tacky".

I didn't want to, though. I love watching movies with just the twinkle from my tree, I love the coziness of it. And I think I'm particularly fond of it because it was my first ever big girl tree. No family ornaments, no roommate input, just me & Natalie. It's not perfect, lord knows the tree itself is a scraggly Charlie-Brown-looking thing, but it's lovely nonetheless. I look at it sort of like your first apartment, you get the foundation pieces & over the years it grows with details to perfection.

And this is kind of sentimental, I'm almost embarrassed to admit this level of sappy, but I tried to pick ones that would age well in case kids or grandkids would ever want to keep ornaments "that Oma had since she was young even before she even met Opa". <--I'm a schmuck sometimes.

So goodbye, pretty pink & gold tree. Goodbye, bows & glitter. See you in 11 months... we'll have a new home by then. (Whaaaa? My friends are moving out of a STEAL of an apartment in the spring, so I'll be taking it over & moving back to my beloved SS Flats! Yeee!) Ta-ta til then, tree!

Words Words Words

You'll never know just how good you are a charades & other forms of non-verbal communication until you completely 100% lose your voice. Like I did.

No worries, I'm back to blabbing away, but for a few days last week I couldn't even make a peep. (a few friends teased they liked me better that way, so at least someone was enjoying it) Just try teaching a class like that! It's amazing what you can say with a snap & a facial expression... heck, I even gave out detentions without words! But the show must go on, adaptions were made & I literally taught my classes through powerpoint. So as I was in a search for images to express me when my own voice failed, of course my computer took a little detour over to Etsy as it tends to do...

These were absolutely no use in my class powerpoint, but it makes me want to add a little something to my home the says welcome all on its own.

1. Hello Sign
2. Namaste Necklace
3. Family Collage
4. Emerson Quote
   

So... anyone up for charades? I'm a force to be reckoned with these days...

Week 38

Are you kids ready to see something really special? I don't even know how to build this up without sounding 1) like a narcissist or 2) totally insecure if I downplay. Maybe the fewer words the better...

Ladies & gentlemen, I present to you... the best picture EVER taken of me.


Tah-dah! It's good, right?

This was taken summer of 2006, the girls took a little trip to DC only a month or 2 after graduation. If I'm correct, this was taken in a subway stop after a long day of sightseeing which we packed cocktails for, & the same day I bought my knock-off Chanel earrings from a street vendor. And right before we indulged in an infamous night of karaoke & making out with strangers. (you like how I worded it to sound like it wasn't just me?) Years later we still talk about that night. And I still stand my ground, he was NOT gay.

It was a really magical trip. We were all newly graduates, except B-Stew who was living there for an internship. We were halfway between college kids & grown ups. We could still drink & smoke all night without consequence, none of us were financially stable, none of us had real responsibilities, & we were just SO glad to be together after only a few weeks in the real world.

Where we are now is pretty great too, but in very different ways. My mentor says "The best time is NOW" & it really holds true... I wouldn't go back to college or being 22, but it was fantastic in the moment. And on that note I'm going to post 1 more photo that I would (probably) never take now... I'm a class grown-ass woman... but at the time it was SO US. I call this "The Birth of Fleegal". (hopefully this doesn't offend you.. whatever, it's my blog & I'll post sculpted vaginas if I want to.)


This week I'm doing some link parties & blog hops (yay new friends!). Feel free to hop along!

My Little Winner

*everyone start humming the Miss America theme song*
There she is... Miss Work-It-Wednesday.


Oh my gosh, I just don't know what to say! Well first of all I'd like to thank the fans, without you none of this would be possible. Also I need to thank my agent & publicist for all their hard work. And of course my mom, Hi Mom! Thanks for all your love & support over the years, this one's for you!

haha But seriously, I can't believe Natalie actually won this contest. I entered her almost joking but secretly hoping, now I'm super pumped to have pulled it off. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who voted for my sweet pup-face angel dog. (Yes, that's actually how I speak to her...) I really appreciate taking the time to click away, you're the best. WCMCNW? has the full results.

There were actually a few bumps along the way, which was totally unexpected from just a fun-loving blog contest. One of my friends thought it would be funny vote against Natalie extensively, which actually did hurt my feelings in all seriousness. And Emily's blog got the dreaded "mean anonymous commenter" about allowing my dog was insulting to mothers, which makes me feel sick. We as bloggers know one of those comments are going to hit at some point or another, & of course they're always anonymous, I just feel bad being the catalyst for that. But major props to Emily for hosting such an awesome contest & keeping a sense of humor through the whole thing. You're awesome!

Wouldn't That be Nice?

This story was on my newsfeed today & I just wanted to perpetuate it a bit. A homeless man gets a fresh opportunity just because some reporter liked his voice. It reminds me of "The Soloist"... except without the mental disability. That sounded odd, whatever, I think it's a nice story. And he's been sober & clean 2 years? That's so wonderful! Here's looking at you, buddy!

From USA Today:

Talk about the power of social media.

A YouTube video of a homeless Columbus, Ohio, man with a golden radio voice has gone viral over the last few days. A producer at NFL Films has contacted the Columbus Dispatch newspaper, which profiled Brooklyn native Ted Williams to try to hire him for voiceover work, says NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. The Cleveland Cavaliers are also said to be in the hunt to hire the overnight radio sensation.

The video was filmed next to a Columbus freeway as Williams panhandled for money with a hand-written sign. In the video, he says he has a background in radio but fell on hard times due to drug and alcohol problems.

During an interview with CBS' The Early Show Wednesday, Williams said he's being compared to Internet singing sensation Susan Boyle. CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell tweeted Wednesday the University of Michigan should hire Williams to announce their final coaching decision.

"It will sound good no matter what he says!"

Here's the video that's tearing up the Internet with over 4 million hits on YouTube. Take a listen to the golden pipes that are turning Williams' life around in a hurry:

Special Delivery

Can I get a big woot woot for finally having a camera again? Now I'm free to share all the moments that pass by with you... the important, the lovely & the utterly mundane. Like a couple little absurdities that showed up in my mailbox today & gave me a giggle.

But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself! First of all, hello, you haven't seen me in a while...



Notice anything different? Anything sparkly? (ok fine, notice anything puffy & red?) I got a monroe!!! It's being difficult healing but I love it! (Thank goodness I DIDN'T have a camera last week, you've all been spared from seeing Monster Face when one side was all swollen from the piercing & the other side swollen up from a cold sore. I'm doing much better now but my smile's still a little crooked.)

Anyway, moving on. Everyone loves mail, right? It's rare these days that I walk away from the mailbox excited, but today was that day. Right off the bat I spot this little gem:



Parsonage? haha It's a credit card offer... to me & "my church" apparently. It's funny because I am ordained online, but I'm definitely not the pastor of a Calvary E.C.C. Church. I wonder if they gave me a better rate if they think I'm a church? I'm almost certain creating a fake church for financial benefit didn't make the 10 commandments so I should be good.

And in the same day I got a letter from friends Justin & Jen which almost sent me off on a rant by being addressed to Ms. Lauren Wolcott (I have a thing about Ms... it's fine if you don't know what to call someone, but when you KNOW for a fact someone is single just use Miss. It's not insulting. Actually the thought that calling someone single could be insulting, is insulting.) But I quickly got over my self righteous reverse-feminism when I found lots of quirkiness included in their little note. Stickers that are obvious left-overs & little sarcastic love notes. I would expect nothing less from them & it puts a smile on my face.


And there you have it... photo proof of stories no one else would ever care about but me, & hopefully you. Have a great night everyone! Hump day tomorrow, you can make it!

Insightful-net

(source: we heart it)

I'm sure some of you are feeling the same way I am this evening: less than thrilled with the prospect of a new work week. Especially one after a long holiday break. The work will be piled up, the emails will be overflowing, the kids will be hellions (ok that one is pretty me-specific). It can be overwhelming just to think about.

I had a low point while mulling this over... the hoovering gloom of tomorrow persuaded me to type the following into Google: "What should I do with my life?" You know you're in trouble when you're expecting Google to answer this for you, especially when looking for an answer to take hold in time for work tomorrow. I even got cocky with it & pressed "I'm feeling lucky" instead of the normal search button. And to my pleasant surprise, my old buddy didn't let me down.

Somedays I think no one will know me as well as my computer.
(Insert obvious Big Brother-esque reply here. I know.)

The page it brought me to was an article that basically directed the reader back to themselves. Continue in self-discovery & let that guide you to close the gap between who you are & what you do. Good advice, Google, I knew I could count on you!

This is every bit as insightful as that other friend of mine... Netflix. You know how they use your ratings to suggest categories you'll like? They know me better than I know myself. You're right Netflix, I DO like feel-good comedies featuring strong female leads! And critically acclaimed, witty documentaries! You can't get much more specific than that. So thanks my digital companions, without you I'd have to find some other hobby to suck all my time & keep me calm on nights like these.

Now if only I could get FaceBook ads to stop telling me what kind of guys to meet...