I've often pondered the result of buying a food product based on the cover on the box/package and then opening it and realizing I've been duped. What do they do, take a photograph of the food under a microscope so that it looks amazing and delicious? Is the food that poor that they must make it LOOK as if you are receiving something gourmet? That's why I often buy the generic, store brands. I mean, who cares about the packaging if the inside isn't all that it's cracked up to be? I find the store brands just fine.

What spawned these ridiculous, why-should-anyone-care- thoughts: Today I went to IHOP and had myself breakfast for lunch. I love to do that. So I had two strips of very greasy bacon, a wad, and I do mean a wad, of hash browns and a gargantuan sized portion of eggs. Now, the menu says TWO eggs. I've scrambled eggs before and there is NO WAY that two eggs equals the amount that I just ate. I remember going there as a child with my parents and the portions were about equal-potatoes and eggs. Now the potatoes are tiny-sized and the eggs are, well, not two eggs.

This is what I think about driving idly around the neighborhood.

Truth in advertising? I don't think so.

Pug Names

I often visit a blog called pugaday.com. Most days, they randomly post a picture of a pug from around the world that someone has sent in. They are the cutest things alive, pugs. I noticed when it comes to our animals, we go all out when it comes to naming them. No holds barred. Here are a few names that I came across the past several months of pug-surfing.

Sir Trippy Flatulatus

Mimzey Rose

Mugsy Cowa Bunge

Puddleglum

Pookie Bear

Miss Precious Jewel

Chubbs

Mr. Muddog Magoo

King Snorkie von Squigglesworth

Frankie “Four Paws” Lebowski

Johnny Rebel

Kung Fu

Wonton Good Fortune

Waffle

Maxwell Puggington Sneed

Sir Cedric

Old Man Turbo

Prince Eli Puglicksalot

Samson (aka Commander Mugs)

Yuka McButtercup

Henna Lou Whoo

Kapukapu Cappuchina

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Now, my little guy has a few names of his own. He is formally known as:

Oliver Star Twist – son of Quincy on Q and Bella de la Luna

He also comes to: Boo Boo

Choo Choo Kafumanoo

Wabeebs

Wabert P. Smudyuckins

Boo Booch

Buddha Belly

Furry Beasty Boy

Attraction 101

The laws of attraction are confusing. Theories have been postulated and morphed for the twenty-first century and it is now a matter of putting it "out into the universe" of what it is you want. Well, as with anything, easier said than done. I can put out all I want into the universe, but it doesn't mean it's going to come to fruition. Or does it?

Laws are supposed to be black and white; attraction is not. What makes someone attracted to you? I believe it's all relative anyway and I think that most of my friends are full of horse pucky when it comes to what it is they really want. I often times listen to my friends talk about what they are attracted to; hair, eyes, hands, feet. Down to the detail of big nose v. small nose. Then why do they hook up with someone quite the opposite of what they just said? Does physical attraction really play that large a part in why you get the nerve to make your move?

I recently listened to a song this morning by one of my favorite artists. She sings, "the sexiest thing is trust."

I think that is where I hang my coat on the attraction rack. Trust and commonality are extremely sexy, regardless if I find them to be "my type." Yet commonalities have a limit. I don't want someone who likes everything I like and I don't want someone to want me because I like everything they like. Yet, we must have a great deal in common. There is a delicate balance in the ratio of what we have in common and what we don't. I believe a respect and an attractive curiosity to what is different about the other person is crucial. So he doesn't like horror films. No problem. But he thinks it's awful cute that I do. So he's a morning person and I'm not. But he watches you snore in the morning as he's getting up because he doesn't want to wake you up too early. That is the kind of attraction I'm looking for. It's out there.

My analytical thought process isn't working on all floors this morning and I've probably less than completely articulated my points, but I think one can get what's being said.

This is what I think about driving to work on a cold January morning in Seattle.

Happy New Year!

Starting off the new year right...I decided to stop thinking about my social life, or lack thereof, and create one. I have friends, I love them all, but they are all married. The single friends I thought I had are otherwise involved and have dropped me like a hot potato. (It happens) So! I took my oh-so-dear sister's advice and joined a few groups to meet people and do things that I enjoy doing.

First off, I joined a pug group. Pugs and their owners get together once a month at a dog park, chat, look at each other's pugs and ooooh and ahhhh over them. Pug lovers understand each other :)

Second, I joined a single parents group. So, they get together, them and children ARE welcome to all events and make friends. I am actually looking forward to attending the next event. It is at the Asian Art Museum later on this month.

To come...a Seattle singles group. I joined, but won't attend anything for a while. I have to get my nerve up and my confidence to runneth over.

I think this will be good for me; to get out, make new friends, network, enjoy living a bit and getting some semblance of a life.

2009 will be different.