Flaming Hot Cheetos

Flaming Hot Cheetos are, apparently, a huge deal among tweens and teens. How can I make such broad sweeping statements? Because I have evidence.

My work through Big Brothers Big Sisters makes me privy to the inner workings of a low-income, mostly Hispanic middle school. My work through genAustin makes me privy to the inner workings of a high-income, mostly white middle school. All kids covet Flaming Hot Cheetos.

The empty, crumpled bags fill the trash cans in schools and the fiery red cheese powder coats little pre-pubescent fingers. I know that someone has been punched in the face over a stolen bag of hot Cheetos. I won't say who.

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to my 'littles' first home soccer game. I asked if she wanted me to bring snacks for the team. Oh she did, and she requested Flaming Hot Cheetos. I declined. I will be bringing bananas and orange slices. She will not be happy.

I was on my way for a coffee meeting this morning and what do I see? An single Flaming Hot Cheeto lying in the middle of the apartment parking lot. Don't worry, I documented. See picture above.

Weird right? Flaming Hot Cheetos are a major part of my life. I can't seem to get away from them.

Still Don't believe the Flaming Hot Cheeto phenomenon? NPR does. Click here to see the full story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5394069

Why all the hype? Flaming Hot Cheetos are pretty f'ing good and totally repulsive all at the same time.

Good work Frito-Lay, good work.

grand cross

Apparently, I am at a grand cross in my birth chart.

And what, pray tell, does that mean? It means I see an astrologist and largely feel like that is the only semi reliable thing in my life. Whatev, don't judge me.

A grand cross is a part of your life, that few people ever have, where big choices and changes in their relationships, career, spiritual life, family, friendships, etc all happen at once. It is powerful time of change and an opportunity to break old habits. It is, according to Gena (astrologist), the hardest and most powerful time in my life, probably ever.

This doesn't really mean a lot. I could have told her that everything in my life was falling apart and reconvening in a better way. What it does mean is that I feel validated in my internal craziness.

It means I should be gentle with myself and others. It means I shouldn't be anywhere else.

It's in the cards.

shameless

Today, I reached a new level of awesomeness.

Today, I watched a Jersey Shore marathon for over 6 hours. Jersey Shore is everything good and everything awful about America, my generation, and tanning/tats.

Sami "The sweetest bitch you'll ever meet" reminded me that jorts are, under no circumstances, flattering. Mike "The Situation" reminded me that everyone who wears Ed Hardy is a douchebag.

Snookie (or Snickers as she is affectionately called) taught me not to do cartwheels in a bar with no panties on and, most famously, don't talk shit or you'll get punched in the face.

All in all, I'm thankful I'm not a guidette and that I don't ever have to pretend to be one.

Things I learned over the past year.

1. Never wear white socks.
2. Never wear an undershirt.
3. Don't button the top or bottom button.
4. The human condition has a great capacity for deception.
5. The human condition has an even greater capacity for love and forgiveness.

The End!

it's a suspicious, convienient loss

Loss is a big deal. I bet Colt McCoy thinks it's a big deal. By-the-way, how stupid is he for admitting he couldn't feel his arm on national TV? C'mon dude, the NFL is watching. Also, I highly doubt that God is concerned about your arm and/or your football career.

Anyway, sometimes loss happens when you least expect it (see post 10/14/2009), sometimes it happens when you most expect it. Sometimes you want to lose things (like fat, bad memories, and old ways) and sometimes a loss degrades your whole life in a way that can never be gained back.

You can lose ground, yourself, and eachother. I seem to have, recently. I want all 3 back. But, maybe I'll start with the middle one and work my way up to the other 2. I think if you have the middle one the other 2 will fall into place. At least, that is my story and I'm sticking to it.

So, I'll work and wait and hope that this is one of those losses that only looks like a loss. I'll hope it is a gain, a move onward and upward.

And if it isn't, it will be backward and downward, at least for a long while.

jolly ole londontown

(These are representative pictures of my feelings on this trip. Underwhelmed or quietly interested.)

Claire, mom, and I took a little trip to jolly old England just before Christmas. It was, as I expected, cold and a long time to be in close quarters with family members.


Here are some lowlights:
1.) Mom's uber dorky hat situation (sorry mom)
2.) Claire and Mom sleeping on the plane, mouths gaping, both breathing grossly as I sat fully awake.
3.) Stonehenge (see above picture)
4.) Cold

Here are some highlights:
1.) Penne arrabiata on 1st day
2.) Salisbury Cathedral (see above picture)
3.) Cappucino on 1st day
4.) Seeing Tiny Tim's crutch print in the snow
5.) Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables....

Cheerio!