Neurotic by Nature - Mostly True Stories from the life of Mandi

New Blog and Excuses!

Mandi — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:32:00 GMT

So, I feel obligated to post something about where the hell I’ve been for the last couple of months. I used to be so good about updating, and then just fell off the face of the earth. So here are some details:

First, I set up a new blog – I decided to move to WordPress as my platform, and also move everything off the sub domain to the main NeuroticByNature.com domain. Ha, easier said than done. I fought with deciding on what design I wanted to use, redesigning my look – much cleaner now I hope, and just general setup issues. Still haven’t been able to import the old entries – but more on that later.

Second, at the end of last year, I decided to go back to school and get a Project Management Certificate. While the classes are online, it did turn out to be quite a bit of work, and for the first bit, it just wore me out.

So anyhow, now that the new blog is up, I have run out of excuses and will hopefully be back to posting interesting stuff again.

While this might be a little annoying, I am posting this on both versions of the blog until I get the import stuff worked out.

See my new blog here: www.NeuroticByNature.com

Fairy Tales with Happy Endings....

Mandi — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:57:00 GMT

A married couple in their early 60s was celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant.

Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table saying,
'For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you each a wish.'

'Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband,' said the wife.
The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands.
The husband thought for a moment and said, 'Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I'm sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me.'

The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish.
So the fairy waved her magic wand and - poof ....

The husband became 92 years old.

The moral of this story:
Men who are ungrateful bastards should remember...Fairies are female!

Kids Writing Dating Advice Books

Mandi — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:57:00 GMT

End of an Era, Goodbye Polaroid

Mandi — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:43:00 GMT

I just read a story from CNN about how there will be no more Polaroid film being manufactured. While I haven't used a film camera for more than 5 years, it's amazing to think that there are future generations who will never get the thrill of waiting for a Polaroid image to develop.

Overall, I can't say the decision surprises me, but it certainly makes me nostalgic. When I look through my old photographs, regardless of if they are Polaroid, black and white or just disposable cameras; there is something you don’t get from digital images. The older images change, get a patina, much like our memories.

There is just something more real about film, no do over, no second chances….a moment of time that can’t be changed.

Read the article from CNN.com.

Sir Spam-a-lot

Mandi — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:43:00 GMT

Quick note to all you fucking Buy Generic Viagra Spammers! FUCKING DIE! I hate you. I hate the thought of having to start moderating comments, but one of the reasons I haven't been writing as much lately is because I am so annoyed by all the spam. Don't know if it's the economy (thank you for finally calling it what it it, a recession) or if it's the holiday shopping season, but I just deleted over 150 comments that came in in the last 48 hours. REALLY PEOPLE? There is a special level of hell reserved just for spammers and people who use pop up ads on their site. I do have some updates, will try to post those tonight.

Current Job Market

Mandi — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:37:00 GMT

Today's job market sucks, but has it come to this?

http://blog.neuroticbynature.com/2008/10/30/current-job-market.aspx

I just am sad that he wasn't looking for a Product Development Manger - I never want to have to say "You want fries with that" again!

Thanks to Mikey for sending this to my email - it helped me appreciate my job that much more!

Don't forget to Vote on Tuesday!

Bees!

Mandi — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:32:00 GMT

So, I had this Bee Situation - a hive of bees that thought my house was an awesome place to live. I posted this on Craigslist....until some jackass flagged it and it got taken down:

I have a hive of honeybees - of the buzzy variety. They are living in the eaves of my house - if you come and pick them up, they are yours free! They seem to like living here, so I suggest you bring photos of your house, to help encourage them to move. Since we found several honeycombs (and not the breakfast cereal) I can personally attest that these are productive, worker bees.
These are also bees that are bred for endurance, as they survive boric acid, wasp and hornet killer and all other attempts to evict them.

Benefits of Bees:
Pollinate your flowers & garden
FREE HONEY!
Excuse not to leave the house - "Yeah dude, I would love to help you move, but you know, the bees."
Bear attractant - you want bears, this is how to get them to your house!
Keep salesmen away from your house
Buzzing in walls saves money on expensive white noise machines
FREE HONEY!

Here are the responses I got:

LOL! ~ Kay
Can't help with the bee situation, but have nominated your ad for "Best of CL"....very good at the persuasive writing ~ Travlor
Use SMOKE ~ Tom
That was the best free bee add I've ever seen on Craigslist. But
sorry, not interested. ~ Dan
You are a dork....but funny ~ Tony (I know him, and he's right on both counts)
awsome craigs list add by far the best !!!!!!!!!!! I wish you luck on your ordeal just had to tell you the best ever) ~ Carrie
That was super funny Man!!!! I have tears in my eyes!!!! ~ Jimmy
So they're bee-ing a nusiance? I tried to resist... but failed. ~ Brad (I also know him....he's lame like that)

Don't Vote!

Mandi — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:11:00 GMT

Palin is a Fucking Idiot

Mandi — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:24:00 GMT

God, I can't believe she is this close to being one ancient McCain heartbeat from being the President of the United States.

So, according to Palin's theory, I could be ambassador to Mexico because I live in Arizona (Oooooo it borders a FOREIGN COUNTRY) and I've eaten at Taco Bell.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk to Cure Diabetes

Mandi — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:03:00 GMT

This year, I'll be taking part in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk to Cure Diabetes along with a half-million other walkers across the country. Our goal: To raise $100 million to help fund research for a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.

Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating, often deadly disease that affects millions of people--a large and growing percentage of them children.

Many people think type 1 diabetes can be controlled by insulin. While insulin does keep people with type 1 diabetes alive, it is NOT a cure. Aside from the daily challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, there are many severe, often fatal, complications caused by the disease.

That's the bad news... and yes, it's pretty bad.

The good news, though, is that a cure for type 1 diabetes is within reach. In fact, JDRF funding and leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research to date. And JDRF funds a major portion of all type 1 diabetes research worldwide, more than any other charity.

I'm writing to ask for your support because now more than ever, EACH of us can be a part of bringing about a cure. Each of us can make a real difference

Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as you're able?

Together, we can make the cure a reality.

Thank you,

Mandi

Please visit my Walk Web page if you would like to donate online or see how close I am to reaching my personal goal:

http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=87132759