First Date... NOT!
Went with my roomie last night to OC & then Pie. While at Pie, she told me there was a hot guy who wanted to meet me - first lesson, do NOT agree to meet guys who roomie thinks are hot. We have totally different tastes & wants in guys! The guy was nice, but too many red and yellow flags. Just because a guy compliments me and wants to take me out, does not mean I'm going to go out on a date with him... I won't settle. The whole time during our 'encounter' I felt like a deer stuck in the headlights - my roomie had gone outside & there was no one else there to rescue me!
Red and yellow flags are listed below; I may be sounding nit picky, but like I said before: not gonna settle!

Red Flags
1. Within first 5 minutes of conversation, he mentions kids - OUR kids!
~Too scary~
2. He mentions a New Year's Eve party (either past or will occur) which had ecstasy & coke - by the sound of it, it seemed as if he used.
~Don't have a problem w/people doing drugs - since it's their own body they're destroying - do have a choice to hang out with them~
3. When I mentioned listening to the band, he said, "You wanna listen to that lezbo?"
~I don't believe in judging people or putting labels on them - it's not my place to do that~

Yellow Flags
1. He mentioned having a wine with dinner (he spouted a wine varietal, but I wasn't listening)
~I'm a beer girl & I want a guy who is a beer guy (it's okay if he dabbles in the wine). I'm talkin' REAL beer, like imports, Belgiums, micros, etc.~
2. He leaves a message for me the next day marked 'URGENT'
~Don't mark a message urgent if it's not urgent~
3. I swear he has the first model Nokia made
~Cell phones can tell a lot about a person~
4. He does not have a college degree
~My grandma told me my next guy should have a degree - it not only shows dedication & discipline, but a love of learning - which I myself have~

Anarchy through Capitalism
I heard this statement at the end of a Kottonmouth Kings song and it got me thinking...
After looking at the two definitions, I wondered if what they meant was we could have a utopian society of individuals who enjoy complete freedom without government (an authority figure) through a free marketplace. Either that or it was something said by one of the guys while stoned. Interesting how words are paired... If I were to emulate the Kottonmouth Kings along these lines, I would say, "Civil disobedience through communism." WTF does that mean? Exactly my point :)

Anarchy Definition (Merriam-Webster)
1 a : absence of government b : a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority c : a utopian society of individuals who enjoy complete freedom without government
2 a : absence or denial of any authority or established order b : absence of order : DISORDER

Capitalism Definition (Merriam-Webster)
: an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

Truer words were never spoken...
We do not stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing.
~Never Be The First To Get Old~

The Jackass Files
"The people have given us the duty to defend them, and that duty sometimes requires the violent restraint of violent men. In some cases, the measured use of force is all that protects us from a chaotic world ruled by force."
PRESIDENT BUSH

This guy is such a joke! Not only does this quote not make sense, but check out the double usage of the same word within his sentences. It's hard to read the current events and see what this man (or the real President Cheney) is doing to our country, without feeling a sense of helplessness.

Communication Chasm et Potperri
There are many communication tools used today which I think are ineffective and sometimes lead people to interpret things in a way that was unintended by the message sender. Case in point - I come into work today and there is a typed-up note laying on my keyboard basically telling me to cut down on my perfume usage because it is offensive to the people around me. Exact words (which were highlighted) - "For the sake of those around you, please cut down on the fragrance you're wearing." This really offended me! Direct communication, face-to-face contact is so important! I think of myself as an approachable person, so if someone has an issue with me, or my perfume, I feel they should approach me and let me know straight up! I am more receptive to that type of direct communication than a note left on my keyboard. However, maybe this person (I'm assuming it was a female or a really anal male) is a coward and does not have the balls to say what they think or they didn't want to offend me because they don't know me very well. I can see both sides of the situation, but I still got a little worked up about it! Not a good way to start the a.m., especially since the roommate came in around 3 a.m. w/her boy toy. What's more worse than being woken up by someone having sex - a drunk person with the hickups that sound like retching. Glad they waited until my music was on before they did the hibbity dibbity. Break

Got GREP?
Still new to the Unix world and GREP is the coolest ever! What's even cooler are nerds who take the time to create tutorials on GREP. Greppin' Good Times
Magic find line - find 05 | grep "C8523A.*xml" | wc -w - Me likey :)

Proximity Infatuation
"You work with someone. You spend all that time together. You believe that you were meant to be together. Then you get to know them a little bit better. Maybe go out once or twice. Within a few days? You wonder how this person you couldn't live without, you wonder what you ever even saw in them. Proximity infatuation."

Attraction
Attraction is viewed in terms of 1) proximity and similarity, 2) physical characteristics, and 3) personality characteristics.

Theories of Attraction
Consensual Validation
people are attracted to others who are similar to them because their attitudes and behaviors are validated or supported by the similar attitudes and behaviors of the other person

Matching Hypothesis (of physical attraction)
people tend to prefer others who are more physically attractive than themselves
people tend to enter relationships with others at the same level of physical attractiveness

Evolutionary Perspective
individuals who form cooperative, reciprocal relationships increase the chances of surviving genetically
e.g., people more likely to rescue close kin

Social Exchange Theory
if a benefit is received, an equal benefit should be returned at some point
people should benefit others who benefit them

Altruism vs. Egoism
Egoism involves giving to another person to ensure reciprocity
possible outcomes: increased self-esteem; powerful, competent, or caring image; avoid social or self-censure
Some believe true altruism does not exist -- always a benefit

Friendship
Definition
a form of close relationship which involves: enjoyment, acceptance, trust, respect, mutual assistance, openness, understanding, spontaneity

Self Disclosure
talking to another person about your one’s own needs, thoughts, feelings, and background

Liking vs. Loving
Liking involves a sense that someone is similar to oneself and a high positive evaluation of the other person

Loving involves being close to someone, including dependency, a selfish orientation to the other person, and exclusiveness in the relationship

Types of Love
Romantic love
includes strong components of sexuality and infatuation
predominates early stages of relationship
a.k.a., passionate love (eros)

Affectionate love
occurs when individuals desire to have each other near and have a deep caring affection for each other
a.k.a., compassionate love (philos or agapeo)

Triangular Theory of Love
Love has three main forms:
passion -- physical and sexual attraction
intimacy -- emotional warmth, closeness, and sharing
commitment -- cognitive appraisal and intent to maintain

Four types of love
Passion
Intimacy
Commitment
Infatuation

Loneliness
Alone vs. Lonely
everyone tends to appreciate some time to themselves, "alone time"
loneliness is associated with a person’s gender, attachment history, self-esteem, and social skills

Reducing Loneliness
change actual social relations
some surrogates can lead to increased isolation
(e.g., internet)

Hands Down
This song makes even the jaded girl's heart skip a beat!

50s Girls Bowling Night 2003
Tonight is the official girl's night out for 50s theme bowling! We're going to take over the town and have a blast - ah yeah, it's a holiday! Look out guys, cuz you're goin' down... Can you feel the estrogen oozing from this post? Women rule, guys drool ;)

COMDEX - Las Vegas 2003
Where a nerd can be a nerd!

Ex-Factor
Caught a glimpse of the ex last night while leaving China Blue. Didn't get the upset feeling I was expecting. Instead, felt nothing but relief to see that he's out and moving on with his life and I don't have to worry about him. He seems to be doing fine with the ladies and that was good to know as well. Guess it's time to start that next chapter!

Conversation Outtakes
Setting: Ladies Restroom - Bardenay
Scene: Aubrey, Jess, & I chatting - other girls around
Quote: "Ya'll need to get a life and go to San Antonio!"
End Scene

The Best Team Ever!
This pict is of my web team members (minus Marce (a.k.a Hot-E) and Jerome (a.k.a The Intern)). The little reunion on Friday was awesome. I'm really going to miss these guys if I stay up here in hp land. More Halloween Party pics.

~Favorite quote from the party - "Uh, Angela - I don't know how to say this without sounding weird... but uh, has your butt gotten bigger?" Hilarious!