Sunday Secret

For many years I've worked hard to keep myself isolated from feeling - from caring - and from being cared about. I've let my "protective" guard down recently, with a select handful of people, and it scares me to feel again, especially when those feelings include sorrow, frustration and dare I say it? Affection.

Virgin Vlogging

Since the first time I saw Jay over at Cynical Bastard vlog, I've been fascinated with it. Not that I want to see myself in video (it's actually hard to watch without being extremely critical) but it seemed to add an even more personal touch to blogging. Now when I read Jays blog I actually "hear" his voice in the printed words, and I get to watch him do really STUPID brave things like standing outside in the rain and hail while tornado sirens blare.

Then Matt-Man over at Bagwine Ruminations started vlogging. Sure he first vlog was a video tour of his living room, but he's been a bit more creative as of late and posted a truly hysterical car vlog with his son Ryno.

I've been seriously toying with the idea of my first vlog for a few weeks. I had concerns about privacy - would a vlog give out too much information? (We all know there are hundreds of folks out in cyber land just waiting for me to flub up and give some hint as to where I am so they can stalk me - right .....)

My greatest concern? It's not like I haven't posted some revealing HNT photos, but I have a lot of control over those. I can take 100 pictures to get what I want. I can crop the "bad" parts of me out of the photo before I post it. I can even add filters to the photo if I really want to obscure the view of parts of me that I don't like. I can't do that with video. I had to decide if I could stand to post this video - as it is - flaws and all (Have I mentioned that I am a bit of a perfectionist? Well, I am, and when you're not perfect that is a really bad thing!)).

I know it sounds silly - one or two of you might even be thinking I'm a goofball - but it is really hard for me to put myself out there like this, which is exactly why I decided to do it!

You'll notice this video is in two parts - my camera will actually record a 12 minute, high resolution video, but YouTube will only upload a 10 minute video - oops! Fortunately, Jay turned me on (hehehehehe) to the virtues of Windows Movie Maker (I didn't even know Rhonda had this in her) and I was able to split this into two parts fairly reasonably. I know this video it titled "Commute", but it's really more about showing a little slice of rural life with a little of me a la mode.


if you are so inclined, go grab a cup of coffee, or a beer, and spend the next 10 minutes with me!!




... do you need a refill?? Here is the second half of the commute!

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Friday Wrap Up

First things first! Remember that contest that Talisman was having? The "What the f*ck is that thing?" scanning electron microscope contest?? Well, even though I didn't enter the second chance part of the contest, I was first loser runner up! I guess that $$ I promised to put in her son's 529 college fund wasn't quite enough to win the drawing. For all of my mad Googling skills I won this (Ha! The story of my life):

Who says chemists don't have a sense of humor??? Now, of course she's telling me this is a prize, and she did fork over 5K in PsyPets money for it, but I know it's nothing more that a shameless, self-promoting blog plug pity gift. Oh well, I had fun and she promises to do this again!

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I often click on the DISCOVER button in my Google Reader just to see if it really can figure out what I like, and occasionally I happen upon a blog that is a perfect match. Recently, Google shared House of Lime with me. I've been lurking there for a bit, but decided to come out of the closet to snag this "What is your Karaoke Theme Song?" quiz (and no, I would never sing Karaoke, but the quiz was fun):

Your Karaoke Theme Song is "Margaritaville"

You are a true party animal, but your style is mild and chill. (It's true! I can party with the best of them but prefer a select handful.) Kicking back with a few friends and a few drinks is all you need to be happy. (Not only is it all that I need, it's all that I want.) You certainly don't feel pressured to be a part of any party scene. In fact, you avoid trendier spots. (And here I thought this was just because I'm old!) You've been known to kick loose anywhere and everywhere. All you need is a cooler. (It's not about where the party is, it's about who the party is with) You might also sing: "Gin and Juice," "Love Shack," and "Red Red Wine" (*sings* Love shack ... baby love shack ... *stops singing before you all run away*) Stay away from people who sing: "Wind Beneath My Wings" (I don't think anyone who reads my blog would sing "Wind Beneath My Wings" would they??)

What's Your Karaoke Theme Song?

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We leave for San Antonio on Sunday and I have TONS of things to do before we leave, both at home and at work. On top of the getting the important things done like laundry and packing, I'm also working on an inaugural vlog. I can't make any promises, but I'm hoping to have it done before we leave.

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This was the first full week of the new 4-day schedule at work. Although it was great having Monday off (Who knew how much fun it is to go to the market during a week day?), it's taking me a bit of time to adjust to the 10-hour work day - especially that initial 7AM-noon chunk. About 11AM, my body is screaming "IT'S LUNCH TIME," but the clock tells me otherwise.

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