Thursday, January 31, 2008

5 Reasons I Hate Public Restrooms


I went into a public restroom last week at Disneyland and found a few of the many reasons I hate public restrooms. I would like to share a few with the Blogger community, to see if there is anyone out there that has had the same experience. I hope you all enjoy.


1. Everything is Wet

Yes, this is taken directly from a Dane Cook joke, but the truth behind it is still there. When walking into a public restroom, there is a great chance that there is water on the floor, on the sink, and sporadic other places that you would not expect. I remember in high school when I would walk into the girls restroom and there would be girls in there putting toilet paper in the sink to clog it so that it would get all over the floor. But I find it hard to believe that grown women do the same thing. So then the question must be asked..."Where does all the water come from?"


2. The Smell


I am not trying to be inappropriate, we all know what kind of smells come from the restroom, but often, there is a different odor...one that is a little more indescribable...it just smells...odd. That is all that I can say about that.


3. Toilet Seat Covers


These little things are frustrating. Let me be the first to say, that I am pretty convinced that they do nothing in the way of protection, but I cannot bring myself to not use them. I would think that there would be no amount of showers that would make me feel clean after that. So I tolerate them. I say that they are one of the things that I hate because it always becomes a race against the clock when I use them. I carefully pull it out of the container, and without fail I rip the first one. Apparently, "Pull up, then pull down" doesn't always work the way it should. Once I manage to get on that isn't ripped, I carefully place it over the toilet. And then it falls in. So I go through the process of getting another one, and place it over the toilet again. The race is on from then, I have to prepare to use the restroom before it falls in again, and there are times where I barley catch it in time. I think toilet seat covers are out to get me.


4. Automatic Appliances


I know that the people that invented automatic appliances were trying to help the world, but really, is it worth it. First you have automatic flushing. I appreciate the thought here, I was getting tired of the balancing act that happens as I try to push down on the lever with my foot. But it makes it really frustrating when it decides to flush when you are not quite ready for it. And if it does wait for the required amount of time, then you have to stand in there until it recognizes that you have stood up, which can often take a few minutes. Then you make your way out to the automatic faucet. This is a great way to prevent the spread of germs, if they turn on. I often stand there for a few minutes trying to place my hand in the perfect position to get them to turn on, and when they finally do, they turn off once I being to actually wash my hands. I am starting to think that they have a mind of their own.


5. Automatic Towel Dispensers


I do realize that this falls into the category above, but my sheer hatred for these things forces them to be in a category all their own. I will not say much about them, this post is not meant to get heated, but man...seriously? It has taken me at least a year to figure out what it is you have to do with your hands to get the paper towles to come out. By the time I do figure it out, by sheer luck, my hands are already dry from waving them around so much. The diagram on the machine does nothing to help you. It has a hand with the lines behind it trying to symbolize movement. Yeah...thanks.


Anyway, there are many more reasons that would give grounds for hesitation anytime I am out, but, these were the few that I have experienced lately. If you know of anymore, feel free to share. I am always interested in feedback.


I think I can take the toilet seat covers. :)


Thursday, January 24, 2008

My Heart

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I'll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

Robert Robinson

I was listening to Pastor John Piper this morning and he was talking about this hymn. How fitting. May you all be blesses. :)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

PostSecret


I have developed an interesting love for the PostSecret website and books. For those of you who do not know what that is, Frank Warren started a project where he handed out blank postcards and told people to write a secret on them. He had his address and a stamp on the opposite side, and waited to see what happened. Well it turns out people were more willing to send in their secrets. Now a few years have passes and people send in hundreds of postcards a day. Each individually decorated, with a different secret. Frank has made three books out of these postcards, the last one was just recently released. Check it out here.

Anyway, the secrets that people send in are often a mixture of emotions. Many people have responded saying that sending in their secret has allowed them to move on from it. Allowed them to get away from it. Sometimes telling one person, helps them to heal. It is so interesting the different types of secrets that get sent in. Some are sad, happy, sexual, strange, scary, and a mix of everything. This website, or the books can often be a little more than G rated, but the time and effort someone has put into making sure people knew how they felt is astounding. There has been a number of times where I have looked at a post card and thought that I could have sent that very same thing. The fact that there are people in the world that deal with things that I have dealt with, or are going through things that I go through, in some strange way...gives me hope. Hope not only for my slef, but for the fact that God can reach these people. The ones that are hurting, the ones that don't know where to turn, the ones that feel lost. God can save them.

Alyssa and I have gone into a bookstore and sat down and read the PostSecret books. We will laugh at a few of them, talk about some other ones, and just experience them together. But after we leave there is often a strange silence. Silence for me because these are things I can't stop thinking about. Silence for her, for reasons we haven't talked about. But after all of that emotion is poured out from those books, there is not much to talk about. Often, there is not much to say.

Maybe I am over analyzing this. Maybe not. Either way, I really encourage you guys to look into it. It is an amazing thing to see. He usually updates the site on Sunday, so if you are interested, go and check it out. You can see it here.


Maybe one day we could all be this honest with each other.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

A Few Tips for Those Who Clip

So I recently got my hair cut, at a place that will remain nameless, but I am noticing a trend. I think that a few girls will understand where I am coming from. So these are a few tips that I want to share with people that cut, style, or mess with hair. So here we go.
  • Do not ask me if I want any of the specials. Most of the time, I am too nice to turn you down, or I don't understand what it is that you are offering me, and I definitely do not expect it to be $20 more. And really, if it doesn't do anything, please do not offer it to me. That just bugs me.
  • Do not talk to other hair stylists in a different language. Just because I don't understand you does not mean that I don't know you are talking about how dead my hair is or how dirty it was when it came in, or any other insecurity I might be having that day. This goes for when you guys whisper as well. Please share this with the people that so my toes as well. Thanks.
  • If I suggest a haircut that is going to make me look hideous, please do not do it. You are an expert on hair, and I sometimes pick things on a whim, so if it is not good...tell me. I will respect your decision and more than likely follow it. You are not forcing your opinion on me, you are saving me from certain embarrassment.
  • When I ask your opinion, do not say whatever I want. I asked your opinion for a reason. You, again, are supposed to be an expert. I asked you because I value your opinion, and obviously I do not know what will work. Please give me advise.
  • When I tell you what I want you to do with my hair, and then you recite it back to me. Please get it right. If I say, "Cut it short." and you say, "So you want it short?" and I reply, "Yes.". Please...cut it short! I do not understand why that is difficult, or confusing. I know that sometimes there are mistakes, but honestly...it happening more than once is a little crazy. If you didn't know what I meant, then tell me. Ask me questions, get an idea, something. Don't just assume, and don't pretend to know.

These are just some of my ramblings. I am sure there are many more. I usually give you second, third, or even fourth chances, so I will be back. And I would really like you to get it right. Thank you.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Wicked: The Musical




I have never been one to write reviews, I have always felt a little inadequate as far as information that I could provide. But after seeing Wicked for the fourth time, I think it is time that I say a little about it.

Wicked the musical is known as the "untold story of the Wizard of Oz" and takes a look at the lives of Galinda, later to be known as Glinda the Good, and Elphaba, later to be known as the Wicked Witch of the West. It tells the story of their meeting and ultimately their unlikely friendship. Even though their relationship is rocked by a few problems, they are able to make it through, summarized in one of the last songs, "For Good". The musical is marked with great songs; some of which will have your toes tapping to the beat, and others that will leave your side aching from the humor.

The LA cast of Wicked has recently changed. Elphaba, who was once played by Eden Espinosa is now played by Caissie Levy. I must say, the change in this role really scared me. I did not think that anyone could play that role better than Eden. But I was pleasantly surprised by Caissie's performance. Although "Defying Gravity" was not as powerful, this song is really the climax of the play and you would be hard pressed to find someone that could do it better than Eden, there were a few songs that I believed she nailed, including her first solo in "The Wizard and I". A few other changes were to the characters Boq and Madame Morrible. I do not feel that the change in cast has lowered the show in any way.

A few points I want to make in closing:

Positive points:


  • I believe it is a show worth watching.

  • Surprisingly funny. From the little sayings from the Wizard of Oz to the songs. You laugh pretty much the whole time.

  • "Wonderful cast" (this was meant to be a pun, when you see it you will get it)

  • Interesting and surprising plot...that is all I can say without giving it away.

  • Incredible music, this is the kind of musical that you will buy the soundtrack for and listen to over and over again.

  • Safe for the whole family (I hate that phrase...in case you were wondering). I have seen the show twice where there has been a girl that I believe is 11 in our party. There is one scene that hits at being sexual, but it is tastefully done and no where near inappropriate.

Negative points (Most of which I overheard a gentleman say during intermission):



  • More for the younger generation. He mentioned that he felt with the costumes and songs that it was a play that appealed to a crowed younger than himself, I would guesstimate his age to be around 60 or 65.

  • Kinda expensive, tickets can range from $35-$98. But if you enjoy this kind of thing, it is well worth it.

  • Nothing like the book. See the book here. If you have read the book and are going to see the play, or have seen the play and are going to read the book, the only things that are similar are the names.

  • If taken to the extreme, and looking at the Wizard as a "God-like" figure...there can be a spin on the idea that the people of OZ were looking for something to believe in and believe in the Wizard eve though he has no real power (which he admits in the play), just as we are looking for something to believe in and we create this "god" to believe in. It is pretty much the same critique that happened when the movie came out. But I do not believe it is a strong enough connection to worry about.

Overall, I recommend this play to everyone! I think that anyone can get something out of it. And if you ever want to go, I am sure we will be going again soon. Just maybe not by bubble. ;)



Thursday, January 10, 2008

So this is a first.

Just thought I would try it out and see.