My favorite thing today

I've been meaning to post about several things that have been making me happy: unexpected Honeycrisp apples, having options and the ability to make choices, baked goods, delicious chocolate, time with friends, celebrations and making new connections among them.

But for now, I want you to know about this.

It's the latest hashtag-of-wonderfulness, about the Muppets. And Communists. And, just click (on the "this"). It'll make you smile, too.

My favorite that isn't on the list: @owillis: "Just how much of America's tax dollars was used to send pigs to space, sir?" #GOPMuppetHearings

Boys and girls

I'm having way too much fun today learning that I write like a boy. Spoiler alert: I am not a boy.

This comes about as a result of a conversation with a friend, wherein I mistakenly called a male author a her based on writing style. She called me a sexist (it's kind of her m.o.), and then analyzed his writing to find that he did write like a girl. Redeemed!

Since then, I've been putting piece after piece after blog post into the above-analyzer. At best (i.e., most feminine) I write like a weak male. Possibly European.

I'm intrigued.

You can read more about the gendered writing here. And if y'all have long enough samples, I'm curious as to how you write.

Can't complain about their customer service

I threw up on my 2007 Macbook last week. All it affected was a few keys. Apple said, "Sure, we'll fix it, no problem, leave it with us! ..... Oh, wait, it's a biohazard and we won't touch it, so come back and pick it up." Despite this, they still disassembled it... and didn't put it back together properly. When it wouldn't turn on after I got it back, I called and complained.... and they gave me a new 13" Macbook Pro, released a mere two weeks ago.

F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C

As those of you who know me know, I'm a gigantic fan of spelling bees. Gigantic. Like, I host a spelling bee viewing party every year. They are so much fun. (Don't believe me? Watch this, one of my favorite-ever spelling bee moments.)

So when my sister texted me to ask if I had any questions for the director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, I said yes. (Actually, I said, "OMG probably," but is now really the time to split hairs?)

Moments later, my phone rang. Soon, I was on speaker phone, talking to Paige Kimble.

The first thing I asked her? Her favorite word, of course. And if she could spell it.

For the record, it's Ouaniche, and she can. It's a kind of salmon. She always wanted to get it in a spelling bee, but never did.

We talked a little bit longer about why the bee's on ESPN instead of ABC (I shouldn't hold out hope of it going back on network TV), what she likes about the bee (keeping an old-fashioned skill and experience relevant to the modern world) and how the bee is becoming more popular internationally, and at viewing parties like mine. Before I let her go, she asked me what organization I was with, telling me I sounded very professional. (As a question-asker, I should hope so -- that's what I get paid to do!)

And then I squeed a little to my sister, who pretty much knew this would make my day.

Thanks, darling. And thanks, Paige, for keeping spelling bees alive.

For the birds

My sister is back in the country now, but she spent the summer studying abroad, with only sometimes-Internet. As such, getting an email from her was always exciting.

Particularly amusing was this one, which she sent to my siblings, my parents and myself:

So I was sitting outside a cafe for the past few hours and I made this comment, "I feel like a tree." Since there were leaves and pine and things all over the place. Then a bird pooped on my arm, not two seconds later.

Of course, that made me chuckle.

But what really amused me was the subsequent string of emails between family members, where we all recounted our own bird-poop experiences. Mine was at an amusement park and, as I recall, we subsequently went on one of the water rides ad nauseum (although, let's be honest -- we would have done that anyway) until I was comfortable with the fact that it had been rinsed from my hair.

From my brother:

I got pooped on once, too. I was walking to class in the rain and didn't notice til I got onto campus. I tried to wipe it off of my jacket with my bare hand before I realized what it was. That was unpleasant.

And from you?

Of hashtags

Last year (Was it last year? It was not -- it was Dec. 2009!), we brought you the fantastic hashtag #washingtonpostcorrections. Today, I share another: #JerryMealsSaysItsSafe. (You should click that link, if you click no other links in this post.)

Jerry Meals is a Major League Baseball umpire. In the 19th inning of a Braves/Pirates game Tuesday night (that actually ended Wednesday morning at 1:50 a.m.), he made a widely debated call at home plate, saying that a runner who was tagged out was actually safe. That meant that the Braves won the game, and it knocked the Pirates -- who were in first place in their division (and for the Pirates, this is a feat!) -- back out of the lead.

I hope I didn't lose you with that background. Now, angry Pirates fans (and others with a sense of humor) are making lists of other things (Well, OK, click this one, too.) that Meals says are safe, that are as far as far can be from safe.

Some examples:

• WhyteDynamite: Think I may go for a ride in a zepplin this wknd. I've always wanted to look down at Earth and smoke cigarettes. #jerrymealssaysitssafe
• DBergz13: jumping out of an airplane without a parachute cuz #JerryMealssaysitssafe
• uncleyucki: Playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun. #jerrymealssaysitssafe
• hamsandcastle: An island full of dinosaurs in captivity? Count me in! #jerrymealssaysitssafe
• jesslag: Gonna cross these mountains with my new friends the Donners #jerrymealssaysitssafe

There are more about Casey Anthony as a babysitter, Amy Winehouse's drug ingestion, playing in traffic and condom use -- among other wonderfully inappropriate things.

Read. Giggle. Enjoy.

Not only is it not June...

But it's almost not July, either!

So I must tell you, briefly, that I had my first Sunday front-page story. Which is a big deal! And as cool as that is, you know what's even cooler?

The fact that when I told my brother I had a Sunday front-page story, he went out and bought the paper.

Brothers can be cool sometimes.

I'm gearing up for another wedding blitz, so I'm sure there will be many smiles about.

And y'know what else? August brings visitors to Atlanta. I'm excited to see you guys, loyal readers, you.

Of golf carts

Once a month, it seems, I remember I have a blog.

Today, I recall its existence to tell you about golf carts.

The humble golf cart has provided me with many moments of joy, key among them adventures in Southern climes with a dear, dear friend.

Today, I saw a truck filled with golf carts -- like the trucks you see on the highway full of cars, that defy the laws of gravity by how they stack them. Yes, that. But golf carts. It was so amazing.

(The Internet is not helping me find pictures of said wonder, but apparently there is a trucked-up version of the golf cart. Seek for yourself!)

Those of you who are loyal readers (hello, fellow once-a-month posters!) know that one of our own is to wed next weekend. I'm also thrilled to be a part of the festivities. (And, last weekend, to have participated in the nuptials of another good friend!)

And to close: a shout-out to parentheses, which have helped me greatly today in my writing, and in my life.

See you in June!

Not a robin red breast

Apparently, the area I live in has bird feeders about. This morning, as I walked toward my car, I saw a cardinal feeding at one.

There's something about cardinals that just makes me happy. They're so vibrant and bright and vaguely cartoonish with their mess of red feathers that they immediately add color to a day. On top of that, they're also the state bird of Ohio, so they remind me of home.

Breathe out

It's been a rough week, but I wrote a story about the future of video stores today that I'm really excited about, and proud of.

Y'all should read it.

Beer and Running. Who could ask for more?

This past weekend, I completed my first ever Half_Marathon. It was AMAZING!
It was also my first time traveling with my co-workers, my first time to Virginia Beach, and my first time smiling at the end of a race. Yay!!!!

Again with the eggs

I have a friend, who just arrived in the country after a jaunt overseas, call to tell me that she smuggled in my favorite toy.

And that she avoided the bathroom for the entire flight. If you know me (and presumably, most of you do), you know why I find this so amusing.

Also, the weather this weekend was gorgeous. I got to see a friend unexpectedly. I have out-of-state journeys planned. And a new haircut that I'm adoring.

30th Birthday

So, Today is a great day. I ran 11 miles at a 13:16 average pace - Yay!
Also, the Disney Princess Half Marathon in 2012 will be on my 30th birthday. So I will be going to Disney! Yay!

Birthday Fun

It is my birthday! This is enough reason to post, but even more happy is all the birthday wishes I have recieved. I know so many awesome people, and it makes me happy.

In Mother Russia.....

Flight to Moscow, Russia, from JFK: $373 (inc. all taxes/fees!!). (That price alone is enough to warrant its own blog entry.)
Tourist visa: $100(??).
Hostel for 6 nights: $100.
Impulsively booking a spring break/birthday vacation to a country you've always wanted to visit: priceless.

That happy feeling

Two completely disparate things to mention.

For one, I came into the office today to find a box of Smurf-themed Kinder Eggs that a friend had left on my desk. And that is a reason for joy like no other.

As for the other? I'm working on a story now that's taking slightly more time to write than I wish it would. But as I'm putting it together I realized that I'm quoting the same people who, a couple weeks ago, appeared in The New York Times.

And the fact that they were just as willing to talk to me is a pretty cool thing.

Also, it's been far too long without a bike messenger sighting. Too much time in the 'burbs will do that too you, I suppose.

Wedding Happiness

I ordered Tiaras for my sister and I for my wedding. My sis will be wearing hers more like a headband since I am the only one who is allowed to wear a legit tiara.