too many fake nurses and fairytale characters...

I have to say that I am shocked at out unoriginal halloween has become for adults. It used to be your goal as a child not to have the same costume as anyone else. You would think about your costume for long periods of time, and your school always had some awesome costume contest. You knew you weren't winning any contests dressed like any of the other kids in the class. Growing up, my mom always helped us make our costumes. It was cheaper, and then you were garunteed no one would have the same costume as you on the big day. You can be as original as you want when your making the thing.
Now, when I go on my halloween costume journey, all I see are the same costumes over and over again. If you go downtown on halloween, or look at people's pictures from last year, there are so many similar costumes. And if you go buy the costumes, they are so expensive! You are spending $40 to wear some cheap, ill fitting costume, and look like everyone else. I think this specifically goes for the girls. Most guys seem to have the original costume idea down. All the girls are dressed as naughty nurses, naughty police cops, or some fairytale character. They don't do these professions or characters any justice, though. Do you really think anywhere in America while a nurse is saving lives she's dressed like that? And d you really think that snow white wore a mini skirt and fishnets stockings? That's why I think my mom had it right, and I make my costume every year...when i go out i don't have to worry about looking like anyone else.

A time and a place for cell phones...

I am all for cell phones in today's world. I can't imagine my life without mine, and I think they are necessary. I love the thought of people getting a hold of me whenever they need to, whether it be a family member, work, or friends. I feel like I am never missing out on anything important. That being said, I cannot believe how rude people can be with their phones sometimes!! Walking around campus inspired me to think of some cell phone no-no's for everyone.
Exhibit A) I am in the library crunching some numbers, trying to complete an impossible accounting assignment. It's common knowledge that a library should be quiet at all times, you learn that when you're in grade school. So, why instead of concentrating on my homework am i forced to listen to you're plans for the day? What really impresses me are the people that don't just answer it really quick, because that's rude enough, but instead have a 20 minute conversation. Is it really that important that you had to answer it in the library? Is having that person text you, or leave you a voicemail, completely out of the question?
Exhibit B) If you have read any of my blogs, you are aware that I am a waitress. Add "while you're at the table and you're waitress is talking to you" to the no-no list. It's a free country, talk on that phone when I walk away all you want. However, while I'm introducing myself and you answer the phone and shoo me away, is just bad manners. The best part, is that the other person at the table is always ready. They don't care that the other person is on the phone and basically forcing you to leave by not answering any questions. They want to order, they'll have the sandwich, but they aren't sure what their friend will have. And my favorite part, the part that really makes my day, is when these rude customers are ready to order. Stop the presses, hold the phones....they are finally ready. So, even though you have been to the table 5 times and they haven't shown you any respect, you better drop everything when they are ready to finally make a decision. They've been waiting 2 seconds...while you've been waiting a half an hour listening to the other person at the table try and mind read what they want.
Just some food for thought. Think about other people next time you decide to have a 30 minute conversation on your plans for Friday in the library, or at your table in a restaurant.

The Unsung Hero's at Western Technical College...

I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I discovered a little gem at TC today that I have never taken advantage of before. Tutors!! I have a huge accounting packet due today. It's worth a ton of points, and we are taking a quiz on the answers that we got. So, I started the packet on Tuesday, and I had confidence that I could figure it all out. Well, I didn't get it done on Tuesday night, so after work Wednesday I hit the books. I met up with a friend from accounting class at Perkins, and we got down to business. All was going well, until I got to the balance sheet, and nothing balanced. I spent a good half an hour staring at my sheet and all of my numbers. I suddenly panicked. This packet was due the next day, and none of my numbers were right.
My accounting teacher had handed out a sheet at the beginning of the semester with the list of tutor times in the library and what days they would be available. I admit, I never thought I would have to meet up with a tutor to get my homework done. But, oh am I glad I did. I was nervous, and a little sceptical about going to a tutor, until I met her. Brenna Powers is her name, and she is my new best friend. She is a saint, and she saved my entire accounting packet. She was so helpful and went slow enough so that I could understand. She is in accounting 3 and has a job in accounting, so I imagine the tiny mistakes I was making drove her crazy, but she never showed it. So this blog goes out to all the tutors. Thank you for your time and patience, and for saving my nonexistent accounting career!!

You're never too old to be pumped for Halloween...

I am a firm believer that you are never too old to be pumped up for Halloween. Unfortunatley, I am too old to go Trick-Or-Treating...which is too bad becuase you're never too old to get free candy either. October is here, and it is time for fall. I know all the rain has given us a pretty crummy start to fall, but i have faith the weather will be wonderful again soon. Fall and Spring are my favorite seasons. It's not too hot, and not too cold, just right in the middle. Not to mention, the beautfiul scenery we are blessed with here in the midwest. I grew up in pretty big cities, and I didn't move here until my sophmore year in highschool, so I am still blown away by how beautiful it is around here. Soon the leaves will be changing, and I can bust out some of my cute fall and winter clothes. We have to find a bright side to our awful winters, so mine is my awesome boots that have been sitting in my closet waiting to be worn again.
So, it is only the first week of October but I have so much to look forward to. The semester is moving along, and I finally started making tips at my new job. My old roomates band is playing next Friday at the warehouse, and Im looking forward to seeing all of my friends. I know it's way too early, but I am so ready for Halloween! This will be another one of my first legal endevors, going downtown on Halloween. I can't wait to see everyone and thier rediculous costumes. Me and my best friend Jenna are going as "Thing 1 and Thing 2" from the Dr. Suess book. We always try to do something in a pair, and I don't know if we'll be able to top this one next year. After reading this blog, I hope you all remember to stay young and heart, have fun on Halloween, and enjoy the little things in life!!

Okto-Beer-Fest 2009

So, I survived my first legal Oktoberfest! It was so much fun, not only getting to legally drink on the sidewalk, but i also got to see a lot of friends. The last few years I have had to miss out on Oktoberfest because of my job at Perkins. I was a bar server for the overnight shift, and last year I had to work from Friday night into Saturday afternoon. By the time I was done with work, I was too exhausted to even think about the parade. This year, that was definitely not the case. I put in my 2 weeks notice at Perkins just in time, my last day was 2 days before the parade. I was still training at my new job, so they didn't even bother scheduling me for such a busy weekend.
By some divine miracle, I got Saturday and Sunday off, and got to completely enjoy my Oktoberfest experience. I think that is a must as someone living in LaCrosse. You have to fully partake in the parade and all of downtown's glory at least once. I picked up my mom and her friend, and was at the parade right when it started at 10am. That was also when the drinking began. This was great because we met up with my grandma, grandpa, and extended family. Working and going to school full time doesn't leave much family time, so I was really happy to see all of them. After hanging out there for awhile and scarfing down some brats, me and Jenna headed from the North Side, over the viaduct, and down towards Festival Foods. We were meeting up with all of our really good friends at their spot, and we got to run in some friends we hadn't seen in awhile along the way. It was a blast seeing all of our old friends that came back to town for the parade.
The parade was so much fun, and I'm sure the beer helped. After the parade, we went to a cookout and I had more brats. I don't know if I can ever eat another brat after this weekend. After filling up on food and beer, I took a nap to regroup, and went out at 7pm and started all over again. The bars were insane, and me and all of my friends had such a great time hanging out, and running into people we knew. I finally called it quits at 1:30am (yikes). Luckily I had the nest day off, so I ate a huge breakfast with all of my hungover friends, and slept away most of Sunday.
I hope your Oktoberfest was as awesome as mine, and I hope you enjoyed hearing about all of my legal escapades during the parade!